Chapter 47: Conspiracy

In a room, Ma Chengkun sat across from a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man was Wu Chengtai, the current head of the Wu family, and a significant figure in Xiangjiang.

The Wu family originated from Shantou and was a wealthy family there. They fled the war and came to Xiangjiang in the 10th year of the Republic of China. After two generations of hard work, they established a substantial business over the past fifty to sixty years and managed to enter the ranks of Xiangjiang's wealthy families.

The Wu family, with over a hundred members, has three major industries: Mingheng Industries, which is in manufacturing; Mingheng Real Estate Company, which operates in real estate; and Tianwu Securities, which was just founded ten years ago but has grown rapidly.

Among these three major pillars, Mingheng Industries and Mingheng Real Estate Company are both publicly listed. Mingheng Real Estate, established much later than Mingheng Industries, has the largest assets. Tianwu Securities, founded by Wu Chengtai himself, helped him defeat several brothers and rise to the position of head of the family.

Tianwu Securities is not listed, but the combined assets of these three industries amount to over 200 million. Although their rank among Xiangjiang's wealthy families is not very high, they still manage to squeeze into the top hundred.

However, recently, the stock price of Mingheng Industries plummeted, causing severe asset shrinkage for the Wu family. This blow severely impacted their previously thriving and positive situation. For more than ten days, the Wu family has been busy dealing with the aftermath, having basically reorganized Mingheng Industries, but it remains uncertain when the depressed stock price will recover.

Although the fundamental issue causing the plummet in Mingheng Industries' stock price lies within the company itself, the Wu family harbors intense hatred towards the 'Jiuding Daily' for adding salt to their wounds. Yet, due to their unresolved issues and the substantial influence of the 'Jiuding Daily,' the Wu family is wary of being further targeted. Therefore, Wu Chengtai decided to suppress the family's calls for retaliation against the 'Jiuding Daily' for the time being.

Unexpectedly, today, he received a call from Ma Chengkun, requesting an urgent meeting regarding Mingheng Industries and the 'Jiuding Daily.' Given the recent news about the drastic drop in 'Oriental Daily' sales, Wu Chengtai agreed without hesitation, ready to see what Ma Chengkun had in mind.

"Mr. Ma, may I ask what specific matter you wish to discuss?" Wu Chengtai asked calmly after taking a sip of tea.

"Mr. Wu, please don't be offended by what I'm about to say. Given the enormous loss suffered by Mingheng Industries, does the Wu family plan to remain passive while a young upstart makes a mess outside?" Ma Chengkun looked directly at Wu Chengtai.

Hearing this, Wu Chengtai's face darkened. It was unpleasant for him, the head of the Wu family, to have his family's wounds laid bare in front of him. He replied, "Mr. Ma, hasn't the 'Oriental Daily' also suffered significant losses? How come you have the time to be concerned about the Wu family's affairs?"

Ma Chengkun's expression stiffened but quickly returned to normal. He restrained his displeasure, remembering that he was seeking Wu Chengtai's help and, more importantly, needed Tianwu Securities' assistance. Since Tianwu Securities was established by Wu Chengtai himself, he had to lower his posture in front of him.

Additionally, Wu Chengtai was the head of the Wu family, while Ma Chengkun was not the head of his own family. Wu Chengtai personally meeting with him was already a gesture of respect.

Furthermore, although the Ma family's assets were not inferior to those of the Wu family, most of their assets were not publicly known. In the Chaozhou-Shantou Chamber of Commerce, the Ma family's status was also somewhat lower. They needed a covert hand to handle some unsavory matters, so other families in the chamber provided partial support to the Ma family to use them as enforcers when necessary. The Ma family had always been a guard dog for the chamber's major families, though over time, this dog had grown large enough to earn some respect from those families.

Not only in the Chaozhou-Shantou Chamber of Commerce but also in Xiangjiang, various business associations had their own underground forces. Some top families, like the He family in Macau and the Huo family in Hong Kong, maintained their own clandestine operations.

Ma Chengkun knew the reason for the Ma family's existence and their role, so he calmed himself and didn't want to waste time with Wu Chengtai. 

He directly stated, "Mr. Wu, I'll be straightforward. I came here to discuss a joint effort against the 'Jiuding Daily.'"

Upon hearing this, Wu Chengtai's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Ma Chengkun. After confirming his seriousness, Wu Chengtai did not rush to respond. Instead, he remained silent for a while, understanding that Ma Chengkun needed his help, so there was no need to rush.

Wu Chengtai took another sip of tea and, under Ma Chengkun's expectant gaze, said, "Although the 'Jiuding Daily' has indeed caused us considerable trouble, I haven't seen the benefits of dealing with them. What I see is the risk. The top-selling newspaper in Xiangjiang is not easy to handle, and you should be aware of the 'Jiuding Daily's influence in the stock market. With two of our companies listed and another in the securities field, it's unnecessary for me to provoke them."

Ma Chengkun anticipated this type of reluctance from Wu Chengtai, so he had prepared reasons to persuade him.

"Mr. Wu, Xia Yu is an arrogant fool who has humiliated the Wu family and caused severe losses. Can your family simply swallow this grievance?" Ma Chengkun began to use provocation.

"Mr. Ma, there's no need to repeatedly provoke me. If you don't offer something substantial, then today's discussion will end here. I have other matters to attend to," Wu Chengtai, as the head of the family, was shrewd and not easily swayed by provocation. He made it clear that he would not be enticed without sufficient benefits.

Although Wu Chengtai harbored a grudge against the 'Jiuding Daily,' his actions were guided by the overall interests of the family, not by personal vendetta. He would not risk something without adequate rewards.

Moreover, targeting the 'Jiuding Daily' would directly benefit the 'Oriental Daily.' Therefore, if Ma Chengkun did not offer substantial benefits, Wu Chengtai was unwilling to engage further in idle talk.

Seeing that Wu Chengtai was not easily swayed, Ma Chengkun inwardly sighed. He had hoped to make his case and minimize his efforts when disclosing the plan later. Since he could not gain an advantage, he had no choice but to reveal his hand.

"Mr. Wu, let me be clear. This time, although it involves targeting the 'Jiuding Daily,' there is no need for the Wu family to confront them directly. The 'Oriental Daily' will handle the direct confrontation," Ma Chengkun explained.

Hearing this, Wu Chengtai's expression softened slightly, and he made a gesture inviting Ma Chengkun to continue.

Noting Wu Chengtai's change in attitude, Ma Chengkun felt relieved and proceeded to outline his prepared plan…