Chapter 75: Stabbing with a Knife, Stab Harder!

Although the feud between Xia Yu and Wu Chengtai, or more broadly, with the Wu family, originated from Mingheng Industrial, which was exposed for financial fraud by Xia Yu, causing trouble for the Wu family, Xia Yu didn't think it was his fault. It was the Wu family's own wrongdoing for committing financial fraud. Even if Xia Yu hadn't exposed it, someone else would have eventually found out. The result would have been the same. The problem originated with the Wu family themselves; it was not something Xia Yu could be blamed for. In any case, Xia Yu would never consider it his fault!

Since it wasn't his fault, and the Wu family dared to collude with the *Oriental Daily* against him, and Xia Yu had discovered it, he would definitely retaliate. After all, they were already enemies. 

Moreover, this time they had suffered a heavy loss. After Wu Chengtai learned of the situation, the grudge between Xia Yu and the Wu family would only deepen.

Since the enmity was established whether or not he retaliated, Xia Yu decided to strike first, preventing them from having time to trouble him. He aimed to cripple their strength so that even if they tried to make trouble for him again, they wouldn't have as much power.

Strike first and gain the upper hand!

The Wu family owned Mingheng Industrial, Mingheng Real Estate, and Tianwu Securities. Mingheng Industrial was already in dire straits, just beginning to recover from its downfall. Xia Yu had no qualms about stepping on it again to push it back into the pit.

As for Mingheng Real Estate and Tianwu Securities, Xia Yu planned to show the Wu family the power of public opinion!

"Wait for it! I'll settle accounts one by one!" Xia Yu said with a cold smile.

Xia Yu then returned to his company, first informing the staff that the stock price of Dafang Real Estate was rising, and that the reports from the *Oriental Daily* and other newspapers were false. He reassured them that the attacks on *Jiu Ding Daily* were self-defeating and told them to focus on their work.

Next, Xia Yu took out paper and pen and began to craft articles, intending to use them as weapons against the *Oriental Daily*, the Wu family, and other opportunistic troublemakers. 

As time passed, Xia Yu revised his articles until they were perfect. He reviewed each one and was satisfied with the results. He then called Zhao Cheng, instructing him to place these articles on the front page of the newspaper as much as possible the next day.

After Zhao Cheng left to follow his instructions, Xia Yu stretched his arms behind his head with an expression of anticipation. He muttered, "In ancient times, Chen Lin wrote a memorial to curse Cao Cao. Today, I'm going to do the same. Haha, I hope Ma Chengkun and Wu Chengtai are so angry they'll vomit blood."

The day passed with Xia Yu busy, and by the afternoon, just before the stock market closed, he visited the Kowloon Exchange again. Seeing Dafang Real Estate's stock price rise to thirty million, Xia Yu was in a good mood.

The sooner the stock price recovered, the sooner he could cash out. Money in hand is real money. Profits in the stock market are only floating gains and can disappear instantly. So, it was better to secure the profits as soon as possible.

...

The next morning, after *Jiu Ding Daily* was delivered, the entire Hong Kong newspaper industry was shaken. This time, *Jiu Ding Daily* shed its previous harmless and neutral image and became sharp and aggressive, like a fierce warrior, directly igniting the battle and targeting a large group.

"*Oriental Daily* slanders Dafang Real Estate's financial chain as broken, actually colluding with Mingheng Real Estate for a takeover, working hand in hand! They've abandoned journalistic integrity for personal gain. What right do they have to run a newspaper?"

"*Jiu Ding Daily*: Let's tell a joke. There's a shameless person colluding with a group of small-time thugs to manipulate public opinion and accuse this newspaper of manipulating public opinion. Thieves shouting 'Catch the thief'!"

"Mingheng Industrial's financial fraud cannot be covered up. It's rotten to the core. We suggest investors lose hope and retreat from the market. Delisting is the most suitable outcome."

"Tianwu Securities attempted to short Dafang Real Estate and lost thirty million in a day! The capability of its controller, Wu Chengtai, is evident. Should investors still wait for bankruptcy or reclaim their funds immediately?"

"Failed takeover, thirty million in losses! Mingheng Real Estate's expansion strategy has turned to dust. Whether its financial chain is broken remains to be seen. Will Mingheng Industrial's situation be repeated at Mingheng Real Estate? Let's wait and see! The risk is too great. Investors should think twice!"

...

These are the core contents of the articles. Each article was like a finely crafted knife, stabbing relentlessly at its target, making them bleed.

To avoid accusations of spreading false information, Xia Yu was very careful with his word choices.

For example, when addressing Mingheng Industrial, Mingheng Real Estate, and Tianwu Securities, there was nothing that felt like falsehoods, but the way the articles were written guided readers in a particular direction. The impact was as devastating as spreading false information.

In addition, Dafang Real Estate became the focal point of Xia Yu's stock recommendations once again. He still recommended buying Dafang Real Estate, aiming to boost its stock price. After the battle, Dafang Real Estate's stock price was unlikely to fall in the short term, so Xia Yu could confidently recommend it, with the goal of cashing out soon.

When *Jiu Ding Daily* came out, Qia Liangyong of *Ming Pao* was deeply impressed: "This seemingly unsolvable situation was actually broken by him. The battlefield was in the stock market, but he resolved the newspaper siege. The deadlock was instantly reversed into a victory, heavily wounding the Wu family and *Oriental Daily*. He's powerful, indeed a hero of the youth!"

The newspaper queen Hu Xian of *Sing Tao Daily* also received the news immediately. Upon seeing the direct attacks on *Oriental Daily* in *Jiu Ding Daily*, Hu Xian couldn't help but laugh: "Ma Chengkun, today is your day. Finally, someone has dealt with you. Haha…"

At *Oriental Daily*, Ma Chengkun was completely enraged after seeing *Jiu Ding Daily*'s content. He smashed everything he could in the office, screaming and yelling with a twisted face: "*Jiu Ding Daily*, Xia Yu, I won't rest until you and I are finished, not until you're dead!"

Dafang Real Estate, which had been a pawn, not the main character, had its founder Li Zhaoxu reflect on *Jiu Ding Daily* with a complex expression. Realizing the situation, he self-deprecatingly laughed: "Started because of *Jiu Ding Daily*, but also fell because of it. I've suffered an undeserved disaster and been terrified, only to realize that my company was merely the battlefield for others. Haha, I've fought all my life, only to be helped twice by a young man. How laughable…"

Thinking of those who abandoned him to take advantage of his misfortune, Li Zhaoxu's expression became more complicated. He muttered to himself: "I wonder how regretful they are now seeing the current situation? Ah, humanity…"

After this incident, Li Zhaoxu's ambition was severely crushed, and he felt an impulse to retreat from the world.

...

Aside from the shock in the newspaper industry, the citizens of Hong Kong were also engrossed. They loved explosive news and eagerly bought *Jiu Ding Daily* to understand the situation. The content became a hot topic of conversation, and the sales of *Jiu Ding Daily* soared, enhancing its authority.

The group most affected by *Jiu Ding Daily*'s impact was the investors. Their interests were at stake, and they learned the real story behind the recent stock market battle. They despised the manipulators, *Oriental Daily* and Tianwu Securities, especially those who lost money. Their hatred for *Oriental Daily* and Tianwu Securities was deep-seated.

On the other hand, *Jiu Ding Daily* received even more support. Those who had initially doubted *Jiu Ding Daily* after believing *Oriental Daily* felt guilty upon learning the 'truth' and became more supportive of *Jiu Ding Daily*. This sentiment was clearly reflected when the stock market opened.

For instance, the stock prices of Mingheng Industrial and Mingheng Real Estate plummeted as soon as the market opened, while Dafang Real Estate's stock price soared.

Many investors who had entrusted their funds to Tianwu Securities went to their building before the market opened, demanding their money back. The company's office was overcrowded, and Tianwu Securities' employees were terrified and did not dare to handle the situation, hastily calling their boss Wu Chengtai. However, Wu Chengtai was already overwhelmed and dared not show up at Tianwu Securities.

It's easy to imagine that Wu Chengtai must have loathed Xia Yu deeply, but he was too preoccupied with his own problems and would probably be unable to trouble Xia Yu for a long time. Before resolving the threats from *Jiu Ding Daily* against Mingheng Industrial and Mingheng Real Estate, he likely wouldn't dare to provoke Xia Yu.

Each of Xia Yu's articles had a tremendous impact, effectively achieving his goals. The power of public opinion was evident!

The situation was closely monitored by major newspapers, and seeing the devastation of the Wu family and

 *Oriental Daily*, each newspaper felt a sense of dread.

This time, the Hong Kong newspaper industry truly felt the ferocity of *Jiu Ding Daily* and recognized Xia Yu as a formidable opponent. They learned that not only was he skilled in running a newspaper and marketing, but his methods were also ruthless, and he dealt mercilessly with his enemies.

Many newspapers resolved not to engage in underhanded tactics with *Jiu Ding Daily* in the future, choosing to conduct affairs openly, mindful of the cautionary tale set by *Oriental Daily* and the Wu family.

Xia Yu's tactic of "killing the chicken to warn the monkey" had a stunning effect!