Chapter 856: The Cub Sells the Grandfather's Field

He Zheng knew his father, He Yuzhu, would not agree to sell the land, so he deliberately brought along several company shareholders to help persuade him.

Upon hearing He Zheng's idea, He Yuzhu exploded on the spot.

In front of Qin Tianzhen, Bang Geng, and Yi Xiaotian, he said, "Do you know what it means to sell your grandfather's land without a pang of heartache? That's exactly what you're doing."

He Zheng explained, "Dad, since you have handed the management of the company over to me, I am going to make the call this time. Or, you can just remove me as Chairman. From now on, I won't manage this company anymore."

The hand He Yuzhu used to point at He Zheng was trembling, yet he was laughing inside, thinking: Kid, you finally did something right; I want to sell this land too. Still, he deliberately feigned anger and said, "Fine, fine, fine, sell it if you want to! I'm done with it! You'll regret this later."

Hearing his father's words, He Zheng shed tears of joy.

In a luxury private room at the New Dadu Hotel, Cheng Shao was gnawing on a lamb trotter.

Zhang Ting said, "I heard He Zheng insists on selling the land. He almost angered his father to death, but in the end, He Yuzhu compromised..."

Zhang Ting relayed all the news she had heard.

Cheng Shao burst into laughter after listening, slapping the armrest of the sofa as he said, "No matter how capable a father is, he can't handle a spendthrift son! He Zheng's judgment is truly incredible—the real estate market is booming, and he actually wants to sell land?"

Zhang Ting continued, "However, the land plots the He Family is selling this time do not include the plots in Dabeiyao, Chaoyangmen, and Xidan; they only include Zhongguancun, Deshengmen... these plots are valued between 1.8 billion and 2.3 billion."

Cheng Shao's laughter stopped abruptly.

This figure made him gasp.

Even if they joined forces with the other three real estate developers, it would be very difficult for them to scrape together 2.8 billion.

He frowned and sighed softly, "With such a massive stake, it's hard for domestic developers to take it on; even if the four of us join forces, it will be extremely strenuous. But besides us, who else has the ability to take over?"

Zhang Ting hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, "I previously overheard President He on the phone with someone surnamed Xu from Hong Kong, and the other party seemed very interested in this."

Cheng Shao's expression changed, and he asked urgently, "Are they not planning to hold an auction then? Wouldn't we have gone through all this trouble for nothing?"

Zhang Ting shook her head, "It seems He Yuzhu doesn't want to sell the land to the Xu family."

"Why?"

"Still trying to control his son, I suppose! I heard the two young masters of the Xu family are He Yuzhu's students..." Zhang Ting explained.

"Then will they still hold an auction?" Cheng Shao continued to press.

Zhang Ting nodded, "They will hold an auction. However, He Zheng does not want to use an open bidding format. The real estate market is currently overheating, and he doesn't want this land transfer to further drive up prices, so he plans to use a closed-bid model, where the highest bidder wins."

Cheng Shao's eyes sharpened, "My old man said that housing prices will continue to rise in the coming years. We must get our hands on these plots! You must find out the Xu family's intended bid."

Zhang Ting nodded solemnly.

At He Group, inside He Zheng's office.

He Zheng was buried in processing a pile of documents when the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

He picked up the receiver, and Li Xiangxiu's exceptionally serious voice came from the other end.

"He Zheng, the case you asked me to look into has a lead."

He Zheng's heart tightened, and he lowered his voice, "Auntie Li, please tell me."

Li Xiangxiu did not beat around the bush and asked directly, "Is the person you asked me to investigate very important to you?"

"Yes, he is the younger brother of one of my secretaries. And this secretary is an undercover agent planted by Cheng Shao. I plan to turn her and obtain evidence related to Cheng Shao."

"Was this arranged by your father?" Li Xiangxiu asked.

"No." He Zheng's tone was firm, "This time I want to take down the Cheng Family myself. My father has always been unwilling to deal with Cheng Shao; he keeps saying that this family won't be able to jump around for much longer... I have never been able to figure out his thinking."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Li Xiangxiu's voice carried a hint of a smile, "Good lad, actually planning to cast off your father and handle a big matter on your own. Seeing you mature, I am very gratified."

He Zheng did not respond to that and asked urgently, "Auntie Li, what is the situation with Zhang Biao's case?"

Li Xiangxiu's tone suddenly deepened, "There is likely a hidden story behind Zhang Biao's case of beating someone to death—the victim's medication had been swapped before the incident; this is highly likely to be a premeditated murder."

He Zheng was stunned for a moment, his brain buzzing, "Why? Why would they want to frame Zhang Biao?"

"Xiang Zhuang draws his sword with his eyes on Pei Gong." Li Xiangxiu's tone was grave, "I suspect this was a setup by someone, and the person behind the scenes is most likely one of Cheng Shao's subordinates, or perhaps even instructed by Cheng Shao himself."

He Zheng could hardly believe it, "Auntie Li, you are too amazing, you could even find suspicious points in a case like this?"

Li Xiangxiu gave a light hum, "It was a coincidence. The forensic doctor in charge of this case has followed me for many years. After I stopped working in criminal investigation, he discovered something was wrong with the case and had reported it to his superiors, but he never received a reply. It was only when I personally sought him out that he revealed his doubts..."

He Zheng's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and he said, "Auntie Li, does this mean Zhang Biao has a chance to be released?"

"Overturning the original verdict is not easy." Li Xiangxiu mused, "However, once the Cheng Family falls, this case will have a chance to be reopened for investigation."

He Zheng pressed, "If the Cheng Family really collapses, is it possible for Zhang Biao to be acquitted?"

"As long as we ferret out the mole who swapped the medicine, there is a possibility that Zhang Biao could be acquitted. However, this may involve quite a few people, and the resistance to reopening the investigation will not be small."

He Zheng took a deep breath and voiced the question at the bottom of his heart, "Then why did Cheng Shao want to do that in the first place?"

Li Xiangxiu's tone carried a hint of disdain, "We know a thing or two about Cheng Shao. This person is addicted to lust and has long maintained improper relationships with multiple women; that is no secret. My guess is that he wanted to get his hands on Zhang Biao's sister, Zhang Ting, who was once a first-prize winner of the Tourism Miss Competition. So, he first sent her brother to prison, then promised to help get him out later, using that to manipulate Zhang Ting and make her obedient."

He Zheng suddenly realized, and he slapped the table, "Great! Finally caught Cheng Shao's handle!"

Li Xiangxiu did not share his excitement, but instead asked calmly, "Tell me your complete plan, and I'll see where I can help you."

He Zheng took a deep breath and laid out his intentions.

After listening, Li Xiangxiu was silent for a long time before speaking slowly, "The trap you've laid carries significant risk. If your father's judgment is wrong, your losses will be huge."

He Zheng smiled, "I want to take a gamble."

Li Xiangxiu couldn't help but scold, "No wonder your father wants to change the head of the family; your gambling streak is truly massive!"

"I'm almost forty; I'm not a child anymore. I should start thinking about things for the family."

Li Xiangxiu laughed and said, "Good, I support you."

She hung up the call with He Zheng and, without the slightest hesitation, immediately dialed another number.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"Zhuzi." Li Xiangxiu went straight to the point, "You've laid such a massive trap, why not let He Zheng know that you are the one planning it behind the scenes?"

On the other end of the phone, He Yuzhu was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"To tell you the truth, even if I didn't make a move, someone else would eventually deal with the Cheng Family. I've always kept some leeway. Now that He Zheng has taken the initiative to want to take down the Cheng Family, I am happy to let him gain the experience..."

Li Xiangxiu laughed, "When all is said and done, this son is still the one you care about most, hoping he matures as quickly as possible."

He Yuzhu sighed helplessly: "Who let him be someone I watched grow up."

Li Xiangxiu changed the subject: "I heard you let Ma Rui compete with him for the position of head of the He Family? That is not appropriate; don't let it end with brothers turning against each other."

"It won't happen." He Yuzhu's tone was firm, "Their future directions of development are completely different."

Li Xiangxiu was still worried: "Since He Zheng has taken this step, it is equivalent to being at odds with the Cheng Family until one side falls. Are you really not worried at all?"

"How could I be completely at ease." He Yuzhu's tone sank, "I am watching every move Cheng Shao makes. I can understand why He Zheng wants to take down the Cheng Family this time; I don't know why, but this Cheng Shao has been fixated on us. He Zheng has been holding his breath all these years. It's good to let him vent his anger this time."

After listening, Li Xiangxiu was silent for a moment and said: "Cheng Shao has indeed committed many evil deeds over the years. But hindered by the power of the Cheng Family, most people dare not provoke him. He Zheng investigating Cheng Shao will be very dangerous for himself."

He Yuzhu's tone was unusually calm: "No matter how difficult the current situation is, can it compare to the days of fighting the Japanese invaders? Back then, we lived on the edge of a knife every day. Now that I've grown accustomed to peaceful days, I actually want to see what kind of waves Cheng Shao can stir up."

Li Xiangxiu was silent for a moment, her voice softening: "Then I will accompany you to finish this final game. Once things are settled, I will retire; you must arrange a good place for me to go."

He Yuzhu laughed: "You may choose from any of the properties under my name; you can go wherever you like."