Chapter 76: Targeted Again

On this day, *Jiu Ding Daily* reached a new sales peak of 300,000 copies, setting a new record for newspaper sales in Hong Kong. The entire company was filled with laughter and joy. After overcoming this crisis, everyone's spirits had changed, and Xia Yu was very satisfied.

In contrast, *Oriental Daily* suffered a severe blow. It had sold 140,000 copies yesterday, but by this evening, sales had dropped to only 100,000 copies, setting another new low! It was entirely foreseeable that the bad reputation would continue to ferment, and tomorrow's sales for *Oriental Daily* would likely fall further.

After all, Ma Chengkun had staked the reputation of *Oriental Daily* and its authority in his gamble. Losing meant he had to bear the consequences!

However, most people were unwilling to admit their mistakes, and Ma Chengkun was no exception.

He could only think that it was Xia Yu's fault. If HSBC Securities and Xia Yu hadn't gotten involved at the last minute, his plan wouldn't have failed, and the outcome would have been entirely different!

While he dared not retaliate against HSBC Securities, he still had the means to retaliate against Xia Yu. This matter could only be discussed with the family elders at home. After all, such a major incident had happened under his management of *Oriental Daily*, and he had to explain it to his parents.

With a heavy heart, Ma Chengkun drove home after work with a grim expression.

At the Ma family's mansion, Ma Chengkun found not only his father, Ma Xizhen, but also his uncle, Ma Xiru, present. Both pillars of the Ma family had shown up simultaneously, which indicated that the major accident at *Oriental Daily* had drawn their attention.

Moreover, his younger brothers, Ma Chengfa and Ma Chengcai, were also there.

"Dad, Uncle, this incident shouldn't have ended like this. It was just an unexpected twist at the end. Let me start from the beginning. Initially, I contacted Wu Chengtai from the Wu family…" Ma Chengkun's face was grim as he faced his father and uncle. He didn't try to make excuses but began to explain in detail from the planning to the execution and the final result, covering every aspect thoroughly.

Ma Xizhen and Ma Xiru listened without interrupting, quietly taking in Ma Chengkun's account.

"Hmm!" Ma Xizhen nodded at his son and then said, "Your plan was quite good, but it ultimately failed. Do you know where the problem lay?"

Ma Chengkun lowered his head and did not answer immediately. After thinking for a while, he raised his head and addressed his father, Ma Xizhen, saying, "I didn't investigate *Jiu Ding Daily* and Xia Yu thoroughly. Acting rashly led to the failure of the plan."

"Very well. It seems you're not completely muddled. You were careless! I've always taught you that to succeed in any endeavor, you must know yourself and your opponent, ensuring victory in every battle. But you forgot that this time!" Ma Xizhen's expression softened as he looked at Ma Chengkun and his brothers, speaking calmly.

Ma Chengkun showed a look of shame, and Ma Chengfa and Ma Chengcai both nodded seriously.

Seeing the attitude of Ma Chengkun and his brothers, Ma Xiru, who had remained silent, said, "Alright, this matter can't be entirely blamed on Ah Kun. We couldn't reach HSBC, and even if we wanted to investigate, it would be very difficult. Take this as a lesson."

Ma Xizhen nodded in agreement with his elder brother's words and did not say more.

"But!" Ma Xiru's expression became serious as he said in a deep voice, drawing the attention of Ma Chengkun and his brothers.

"*Oriental Daily* concerns the safety of the Ma family. It is our family's shield, and its importance cannot be overstated. Now, its sales have dropped to 100,000 copies. In less than a month, it has fallen by 70,000 copies, and its reputation has been damaged. If we don't act to save it, it will continue to decline. This absolutely cannot be ignored; we must save it!" Ma Xiru said.

Everyone nodded. They knew the importance of *Oriental Daily* to the Ma family.

"Also, *Oriental Daily* represents the face of the Ma family. No one should be allowed to trample on it! A mere novice dares to be so arrogant and must pay the price! We can't afford to be concerned about other impacts right now. We need to eliminate him!" Ma Xiru looked into his nephew Ma Chengkun's eyes and said earnestly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Alright, Uncle. Should we use someone else's hand or handle it ourselves?" Ma Chengkun's face was filled with determination.

Ma Chengkun had long wanted to deal with Xia Yu. This was the quickest way to resolve the problem, but he had been worried about other consequences, fearing that it might draw attention from the press and lead to attacks on *Oriental Daily*. Now that his uncle, the head of the Ma family, had spoken, and the family head didn't care about the consequences, he felt free to act.

He had been enduring Xia Yu for too long!

"I've already sent someone to investigate and find out his background. If we can use others to deal with him, that's best. If not, we'll handle it ourselves!" Ma Xiru said expressionlessly.

After learning about *Oriental Daily*'s situation that afternoon, Ma Xiru had arranged for someone to investigate. Unlike Ma Chengkun, who was careless, Ma Xiru sought stability and a decisive strike. He had experience in the underworld, where recklessness could cost one's life, so caution had become his instinct.

Ma Chengkun's carelessness was due to not inheriting the family's dark business and instead managing *Oriental Daily* from the beginning. His approach was still lacking in ruthlessness and precision, leading to the current crisis.

"The situation is very severe. The Hong Kong government is watching closely. I received some news earlier, which is why we haven't shipped goods for so long. However, our clients are pressing us. To maintain the channel, we must prepare for shipping now. Ah Kun, your father and I will act together. As the eldest, you will handle this matter once we have clarified the information. Don't make any more mistakes!" Ma Xiru said solemnly to Ma Chengkun.

Ma Chengkun was taken aback and quickly nodded, "Uncle, don't worry. I will definitely not make any mistakes this time!"

...

By the next morning, Ma Chengkun received the information he had requested. Besides information about Xia Yu, there were also details about Xia Yu's connections with Xia Jun, Xia Lei, Liu Tianci, and Xia Danghai.

There was also information about Xia Yu's enmity with the Black Shark Society, including the fact that two of Black Shark Society's subordinates had been punished and imprisoned because of Xia Yu.

This information was impossible to hide. Anyone who asked people from Xia Yu's village would know all about the relationships involved.

The news about Black Shark Society's losses at Xia Yu's hands was also readily available. Xia Yu hadn't concealed it and even put out a bounty to scare off those with ulterior motives, so the information was nearly public.

Likewise, Ma's family had threatened an HSBC Securities employee and obtained details about Xia Yu's financial situation. Ma Chengkun was livid when he saw that Xia Yu had eight million in funds and maintained a good relationship with Liu Tianci, being able to use ten times leverage. He had also acquired 30% of Dafang Real Estate's shares, potentially earning millions. Ma Chengkun's face turned black with rage, and he cursed Xia Yu through gritted teeth, his hatred escalating. After all, at least half of Xia Yu's profits came from him.

Thinking about the huge crisis Xia Yu had caused him while still making money off him, Ma Chengkun wished he could eliminate Xia Yu immediately to vent his anger!

"Xia Yu has offended the Black Shark Society, and his brother Xia Lei is also a sworn enemy of the Black Shark Society. It's just right to use the Black Shark Society to deal with him, which saves me some effort."

"But now he's involved with the Spring and Autumn Medical Center, which complicates things!" Ma Chengkun frowned as he saw Xia Yu's connection with the Spring and Autumn Medical Center.

"Spring and Autumn Medical Center… Li Chunqiu… Li Wuyang… Li Wuming…" He muttered, his frown deepening with each name.

"First, let the Black Shark Society cause trouble for him and find out what his connection with the Spring and Autumn Medical Center is…"

"Hope there won't be any more accidents…" Ma Chengkun sighed with closed eyes and spoke to himself.