Chapter 294: Leaving the Chamber of Commerce

Su Ruiqing stood still, his back visibly hunched, as if he had instantly aged more than ten years.

He looked at the aggressive Zhao Xiong before him and gave a bitter smile.

Yet at this moment, he still maintained his last dignity.

"Since everyone thinks I, Su, should step down, then the position of President of Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, I, Su, will step down from now on!"

As soon as the words fell, the Banquet Hall fell silent for a few seconds.

Many long‑time merchants who had dealings with the Su Family couldn't help but shake their heads in secret, their faces showing regretful expressions.

They knew well that during Su Ruiqing's years as chairman, he had been diligent and had accomplished many practical deeds for the Chamber.

It was only that Zhao Family's momentum was overwhelming…

Seeing this, Zhao Xiong's smug expression could no longer be hidden; his mouth was about to grin to his ears.

He pretended to be courteous, stepped forward, and bowed his hand to Su Ruiqing.

"Su Lao, that's the right way to think! Those who know the times are heroes; rest assured, we young ones will manage the Chamber well, we will certainly not disappoint you, we will not betray the years of your effort!"

The words sounded polite but were actually full of provocation.

Su Ruiqing said nothing, merely waved his hand, turned and slowly walked back to his seat, as if all his spirit had been instantly drained.

Su Xueyan hurriedly supported her grandfather's arm.

"Grandpa, don't be sad; stepping down is fine, you won't have to labor so much anymore."

Su Ruiqing patted his granddaughter's hand, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, but said nothing further.

Zhao Xiong, seeing Su Ruiqing completely softened, felt even more smug.

He turned back to the Chairman's Platform and began to paint a rosy picture for the crowd.

"Everyone, although Su Lao has stepped down, the good days of our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce are just beginning! The Zhao Family has secured the Provincial Capital Gourmet City Project, an investment of a full fifty hundred‑million!"

"As long as I become Chamber of Commerce President, I will prioritize allocating part of this project's cooperation opportunities to our members!"

Hearing Zhao Xiong's words, most people present saw golden light in their eyes, their hearts stirring.

Business is currently hard, everyone is worried.

This Gourmet City Project is like a pie falling from the sky; as long as you catch this train, the next few years of business will be worry‑free!

"Zhao Family Head is wise! We support you as President!"

"Yes! As long as we can earn money with Zhao Family Head, we'll follow you!"

"Vote quickly, we all choose Zhao Family Head!"

The crowd's emotions were fully stirred, and they loudly echoed.

Zhao Xiong, seeing the atmosphere settle, gave Li Kun a signal.

Li Kun, upon seeing this, immediately stepped forward to state his position.

"I, Li Family, fully support Zhao Family Head's election as Chamber of Commerce President!"

"Yes! We also support Zhao Family Head!"

With Li Kun leading, more people shouted along.

Zhao Xiong stood on the stage, receiving the crowd's adulation, his smile growing ever more smug.

"Hahaha……"

Jiang Feng sat in his seat, arms crossed, laughing uproariously.

This sudden burst of laughter instantly drew everyone's gaze.

The cheers on the spot halted abruptly, and everyone turned to look at Jiang Feng.

Zhao Xiong's complexion instantly darkened, his brows knit tightly.

"Jiang Feng! What are you laughing at? This is an important moment of the Chamber's transition, why are you laughing here? Are you upset that the Su Family stepped down and deliberately causing trouble?"

He had been in high spirits, but Jiang Feng's laugh instantly killed his interest, his inner fire flaring upward.

Jiang Feng slowly withdrew his smile, shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Su Lao, I'm laughing because our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, with dozens of companies, now all scramble to follow Zhao Family over a tens‑of‑billions project—it's rather meaningless!"

"Otherwise, this Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce would be pointless; why don't the Su Family just withdraw from the Chamber?"

"What? The Su Family wants to withdraw?"

"My god! Is Jiang Feng crazy?"

"The Su Family is one of the pillars of the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce; if they withdraw, the Chamber's strength would halve!"

Jiang Feng's words thundered like a sudden strike, instantly exploding throughout the Banquet Hall!

Everyone's eyes widened, their faces written with disbelief.

Song Zhijun and the others were even more stunned, unable to speak; they never expected Jiang Feng to raise such a demand!

The Su Family's withdrawal would be a massive loss to the Chamber, and not a glorious thing for the Zhao Family either.

Just after forcing Su Lao out, the Su Family withdraws; if this spreads, others will think the Zhao Family drove the Su Family away!

Zhao Xiong's complexion turned extremely ugly, ashen.

He stared at Jiang Feng, gritting his teeth, and said:

"Jiang Feng, stop meddling here! I think you're trying to threaten us by making the Su Family leave the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, but I tell you, you're thinking far too simply!"

He inhaled deeply, his eyes sharp with cruelty.

"Since the founding of our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce we have always pledged 'shared blood, mutual aid'; you now, just because the chair didn't stay with the Su Family, want to pull the Su Family out of the Chamber. If this spreads, people will call the Su Family petty and say you Jiang Feng lack perspective! On that point, we absolutely will not agree!"

Li Kun also immediately stepped forward to back him up.

"Exactly! Jiang Feng, don't go overboard! The Chamber belongs to everyone, not just the Su Family! If every clan acted like you, quitting over a trivial matter, how could the Chamber be managed? Who would dare join later?"

"I think you just can't accept defeat! Su Lao gave up the chair, you're resentful and trying this petty move, it's useless!"

Su Ruiqing also froze for a moment, not expecting Jiang Feng to suddenly propose withdrawal.

He furrowed his brow and whispered to Jiang Feng.

"Jiang Feng, this matter… was it too impulsive?"

Although he's no longer the Chairman, he still feels attached to the Chamber of Commerce.

Jiang Feng patted Su Ruiqing's hand, indicating he shouldn't worry.

Then he rose directly, looked around, and let out a cold laugh.

"First, let me make it clear: our Su Family is not withdrawing from the Chamber of Commerce because of the Chairman's position, but because cooperating with you lot is simply meaningless!"

His gaze swept over the merchants who had just been fawning over Zhao Xiong, his tone carrying a hint of contempt.

"It's only a project worth a few tens of billions, and you all are so careless; for a bit of profit you forget the Chamber's founding purpose. A Chamber like this, our Su Family can do without!"

"Our Su Family undertakes projects, anytime, anywhere, all worth hundreds of billions; there's no need to watch people's faces here over a few tens of billions project!"

"Hahaha…"

"Projects worth hundreds of billions? Jiang Feng, are you talking in your sleep?"

"Although the Su Family is one of the Four Great Families, the largest projects we've done are only a few tens of billions; hundreds of billions? That's outright bragging without a draft!"

Just as Jiang Feng finished speaking, the Banquet Hall erupted in uproarious laughter.