Chapter 57: The Xiao Family of Modu

Ye Lingyun left, his chest full of pent-up grievance and deeper resentment. The study briefly returned to quiet, but Qin Feng knew this was merely a short lull before the storm.

"President Qin, although the Ye Family has temporarily retreated, their roots are deeply tangled in both political and business circles, and they seem to have some connection with the 'Abyss' as well. We cannot afford to let our guard down." Tang Rou reminded him softly. She was in charge of strategy and diplomacy, and had the clearest picture of the various factions' connections.

"A performing clown—no need to pay them too much attention." Qin Feng waved his hand, his attention already returning to Gu Qingcheng and that sheet of music. "Qingcheng, take me to the music room."

He needed to verify as soon as possible the possibility of the "Official Ship" invitation.

Just as Qin Feng and Gu Qingcheng were about to head to the specially built music room, Su Wenqian walked in again. This time, her expression carried a rare solemnity.

"President Qin, we just received news. A high-end commercial real estate project of ours in Modu, 'Yun Duan International,' has been held up at the final acceptance inspection. The Modu Housing and Construction Department has indefinitely suspended the project's completion filing on the grounds of 'disputed fire safety standards.'"

Modu? Yun Duan International? This was a key piece of Qin Feng Real Estate's nationwide high-end commercial real estate layout—a massive investment on the verge of delivery, only to be blocked at the last moment?

"The reason." Qin Feng's tone turned slightly cold. Such administrative obstruction must have someone pulling strings behind it.

"The surface reason is fire safety, but our people have learned that the real reason is that the Xiao Family of Modu put in a word." Su Wenqian pulled up a data projection.

The projection displayed a brief family tree and photos of some core members. The Xiao Family of Modu—a colossal clan rooted on the shores of the East Sea for over a century, its influence deeply entrenched throughout the Yangtze River Delta region, with reach into multiple lifeline industries such as finance, real estate, and shipping, and extremely close ties to local political circles. A true "local powerhouse." Its current Family Head, Xiao Zhennan, was even more renowned for his iron-fisted methods and fierce protectiveness of his own.

"We have no prior dealings with the Xiao Family, let alone any grudge. Why would they suddenly make a move against us?" Tang Rou asked with a furrowed brow.

Su Wenqian pointed to a name and photo on the family tree—Xiao Yufeng, Xiao Zhennan's most beloved granddaughter.

"According to our intelligence, Xiao Yufeng is an obsessive pursuer of Ye Lingyun, to the point where she practically refuses to marry anyone but him. And after Ye Lingyun left our place, the first thing he did was contact Xiao Yufeng."

Everything suddenly clicked!

Ye Lingyun had hit a wall with Qin Feng, unable to break through head-on, so he mobilized his local "ally," using the Xiao Family's influence in Modu to trip Qin Feng up, to chastise and take revenge! The method wasn't particularly brilliant, but it was disgusting enough, and could create real, tangible trouble for Qin Feng, delaying his commercial expansion.

"The Xiao Family…" Qin Feng looked at the photo of Xiao Yufeng on the projection—her face was wilful and petulant, her gaze arrogant—with no change in his expression. "They think that, just because they've spent years building their foundation in Modu, they can block my path?"

"President Qin, the Xiao Family's power in Modu is indeed not to be underestimated. If we clash head-on, even if we win, it will cost considerable time and energy, affecting the delivery of 'Yun Duan International' and causing massive economic losses." Tang Rou analyzed the pros and cons. "Do you need me to step forward and communicate with the Xiao Family's upper echelon? Or perhaps, ask Director Zhou's side…"

"No need." Qin Feng cut Tang Rou off. He was never accustomed to asking anyone for help, especially at the official level—it would leave him at someone's mercy.

He pondered for a moment, then issued an order to Lin Wei:

"Lin Wei, suspend the short-selling plan against all listed companies under the Xiao Family, as well as the local commercial banks closely associated with them."

Lin Wei's communication channel immediately connected: "Understood, Boss." Her voice carried a hint of confusion, but she didn't ask further.

Tang Rou and Su Wenqian also looked at Qin Feng, not understanding why he had suddenly called off the financial counterattack. With Lin Wei's methods, combined with "Star Sea"'s analysis, they could absolutely make the Xiao Family's assets shrink dramatically in a short time.

Qin Feng's gaze swept over them, and the corner of his mouth curved into an icy arc:

"Short-selling is too easy on them."

"What I want is not to make them lose money."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an absolute will that decided life and death:

"What I want is for Modu… to never again have an Xiao Family."

Not a defeat, not a suppression, but… erasure!

Just like erasing Han Minghao, but far more thorough! To uproot this clan that had occupied Modu for a century, to make all its power, wealth, and connections vanish into thin air!

The study fell silent. Both Tang Rou and Su Wenqian felt the unquestionable resolve and terrifying destructive will in Qin Feng's words.

This was no longer commercial competition, but a declaration of war to the death!

"Understood!" Lin Wei's voice came through again, this time carrying a hint of excited battle intent. "I will rework the plan. Objective: completely dismantle the Xiao Family's industries and eliminate all of their political influence."

"Tang Rou, cooperate with Lin Wei. Gather all evidence of the Xiao Family's illegal activities, especially their collusion with the Ye Family, as well as any major problems of their own." Qin Feng continued issuing orders.

"Yes!" Tang Rou accepted the order.

"Su Wenqian, coordinate resources to ensure smooth operations."

"Understood!"

Order after order was issued, and an inescapable net targeting the Xiao Family of Modu began to be quietly cast.

Ye Lingyun wanted to use the Xiao Family as a blade to test him?

Then he would crush that blade, along with the hand that held it!

He would let everyone know that the price of making an enemy of him, Qin Feng, was far beyond what they could bear!

The Xiao Family of Modu would become another stepping stone on his path to establishing dominance.