Chapter 853: Chapter 854: Agreeing to the Terms
The Third Brother of the Su Family asked cautiously, "Family Head, will the Cao Family really agree?"
Song Xiaodong nodded, "They canât afford to lose face, but they also canât bear the reputation of not caring for their family and guards. If that were the case, who among their family members and guards would be willing to risk their lives for the Cao Family in the future? Therefore, they must agree, no matter the cost, and they must take their people back."
After pausing for a moment, Song Xiaodongâs gaze swept over the people of the Su Family, "If our Su Family encountered such an event, I would also pay any price to redeem you. But thereâs one thing I want to tell you: you cannot disgrace the Su Family, you cannot be spineless. People of the Su Family must have the pride and the backbone befitting of the Su family."
Spurred on by Song Xiaodongâs words, although they carried a warning, it only served to boost everyoneâs morale even higher.
The Eldest Brother of the Su Family then said, "Family Head, what shall we do with the Zhao Family next?"
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, "The Zhao Family doesnât need to do anything; they are merely vassals of the Cao Family. Once the Cao Family has been dealt with, the Zhao Family will come to our doorstep on their own, ready to be molded and carved up as we please."
Su Yuya immediately praised, "Family Headâs words are very true. Without the support of the Cao Family, what is the Zhao Family? Their footing in Minghe is solely because of the Cao Family. Once they lose that backing, their only option to remain in Minghe is to rely on us; thereâs no other way out."
Not everyone among the Su Family members was foolish; they quickly understood the plight of the Zhao Family, and their spirits were greatly lifted.
Song Xiaodong continued, "After this affair, our Su Family will undoubtedly grow stronger. Although everyoneâs shareholdings will not change, everyone should understand the true value of those shares. However, I must remind you that we must concede a significant portion of the benefits to the Sun family this time. Do not feel unjust; itâs a strategy for long-term mutual benefit. Seeking immediate profit is a loss in disguise."
Song Xiaodong was also worried about the people of the Su Family becoming overly arrogant, which is why he issued such a reminder.
"Yes! Weâll heed the Family Headâs command," everyone replied in unison, their voices loud and clear.
It was probably the first time since Song Xiaodong became the Family Head that he received such a response, which showed that he had truly gained the recognition of the Su Family.
After everyone had dispersed, Su Yuya smiled and said, "Congratulations, Family Head."
Song Xiaodong smiled back, "Thank you, I couldnât have done it without your support."
Su Yuya smiled sweetly, "Itâs all due to the Family Headâs personal charm."
Neither mentioned anything specific, but both understood well. Among smart people, many things need not be spelled out explicitly.
Contrary to the excitement of the Su Family people here, the mood among the Cao Family was quite somber.
Cao Fengqing looked at his younger relatives and said slowly, "What do you think we should do about this?"
The Fourth Elder of the Cao Family spoke with a stern face, "This batch of bastards from the Su Family, theyâre going way too far. We wonât give them what they wantâI donât believe they would dare do anything to Third Brother."
The Fifth Elder of the Cao Family added, "Exactly, theyâre just trying to scare us. If they really dare kill the Fourth, we will take it up the chain. Letâs see then what the Su family would do."
"Thatâs not feasible," the Eldest of the Cao Family immediately countered, "The authorities are already aware of our contention. What the Su Family is doing does not cross their red line, and itâs our choice to act this way. If we escalate the issue, it would not only be futile but also make all the other families shun us. The Cao Family would become isolated, without any other family willing to cooperate with us."
"But we canât just let them off this easily," the Fifth Elder argued.
Cao Fengqing frowned and said, "Are you just planning to give up on your Third Brother?"
The Fourth and Fifth Elders hurriedly said, "No, we are not giving up; we just donât believe the Su Family would dare to go through with it."
The Eldest of the Cao Family shook his head, "I believe the Su Family would dare. Song Xiaodong doesnât act conventionally. Otherwise, he wouldnât have declared war on our Cao Family. Heâs not just trying to scare us; he really is ambitious. If I donât redeem our Third Brother, he probably wonât let him go; even if he doesnât kill him, heâll likely keep him imprisoned for life."
The Second Elder of the Cao Family added, "Indeed, and there are four of our top Family Guards there as well. If we donât redeem them, what would the other guards think? They will surely feel that the Cao Family values profits over the lives of their guards. How then can they loyally serve our Cao Family?"
The Fourth Elder grimly said, "But weâve invested so much in Minghe and have devoted many years of effort. Just to give it all to the Su family like this, how can we be content with that? Isnât that just making a wedding dress for another?"
The Second Elder stated, "Weâll have our chance as long as the green hills last; there wonât be a shortage of wood to burn. Moreover, help from the Zhou Family is arriving soon. Since the Su Family has used this method to force us out, we can use the same trick to make them spit out what theyâve gained, or even make them pay more."
Cao Fengqing nodded, "Thatâs right, the Secondâs words are sensible. We must act on this, but we will take back our losses, and more."
As the Old Master said so, the matter was thus resolved, and no one argued any further. They discussed some details, and Cao Fengqing again made a call to Song Xiaodong.
The phone rang several times before being answered, Song Xiaodong yawned and said, "Hello, who is this?"
Cao Fengqing couldnât help but feel a surge of anger. This wasnât the first time he was calling Song Xiaodongâhow could he not know it was him? By saying so, he was clearly trying to irk him.
Suppressing his anger, Cao Fengqing said, "Patriarch Song, I have agreed to your terms."
"Oh, itâs you. Bring the items tomorrow, Iâm sleepy." With that, he hung up the call.
This was blatant contempt. Cao Fengqing was so angry he almost smashed the phone. This was extremely rude. Gritting his teeth, the Old Master of the Cao Family felt his blood boiling as he said, "Song Xiaodong, donât be smug, your triumph is but temporary. I will ensure the Su Family is eradicated root and stem, and everything of the Su Family will belong to our Cao Family."
At this moment, Song Xiaodong hung up the phone and burst into laughter. He could fully imagine what the Cao Family looked like right now. Song Xiaodong was not a spiteful person, but when it came to someone trying to harm him, there was no need for courtesy. An enemy deserves no mercy; he had to let them know, anyone who dares to provoke Song Xiaodong better weigh their own worth first.