"They must be crazy! Absolutely insane!"
"I've seen people who want to die, but never anyone who wants to die this much. How dare these ants plot against our Han family! They're unbelievably bold!"
"They must have eaten bear gall and leopard bile!"
"Who gave them the courage to attack our Han family!"
"I'll make sure every single one of them pays a heavy price!"
...
That same night, after the masterminds behind this incident were identified, the ancestral mansion of the Han family was abuzz with noise. All members of the Han family gathered together, launching various accusations and condemnations.
Even Liu An, whose hands were crippled and who had been recuperating in the hospital in Liaoyang City, was present.
Each of them wore expressions of rage, their faces contorted in a way that suggested their dignity had been profoundly insulted, and that they could no longer tolerate it.
In fact, this was precisely the case. The Han family was a top power in the coal industry, with only a handful of rivals in Jin Province. In their daily lives, Han family members were accustomed to having their way, living like princes.
The Han family was their most resounding golden signboard, a name that no one dared to offend, let alone face a concerted plot like the one happening now.
The incident today made many Han family members feel as if the ants they had always kept under their feet had suddenly grown claws and bitten them.
The pain of this experience caused everyone in the Han family, giants in their own right, to become enraged and their dignity severely challenged.
In the spacious and brightly lit hall of the Han family mansion, everyone was verbally tearing apart the ants who dared to attack them, their hearts filled with righteous indignation.
"Mobilize all our powerful resources! I want to completely shut them down and make them all pay a heavy price for this!"
Tonight, even the usually calm Han family's three brothers were furious.
The eldest son, Han Zongshu, gnashed his teeth and roared.
"Yes, we must completely shut them down! Cut off all resources for these sons of bitches, and let them know that offending the Han family is like courting death!"
The second son, Han Zongren, echoed the sentiment.
"Especially Xishan Coal Industry, Jin'an Group, and Taishan Enterprise. These three are the key targets; they are the main culprits."
The third son, Han Zongyi, added.
"Jin'an Group is in Yunzhou City, and Taishan Enterprise is in Shuozhou City, a bit far from us. So, let's start with Xishan Coal Industry! I think the Lin family must have been living too comfortably to dare to stir up trouble on the Tai Sui's head!"
Below, a group of people argued fiercely. Han Guangyao, however, sat calmly in his armchair, his expression particularly profound.
When the younger members had argued enough, Han Guangyao cleared his throat. The hall gradually quieted down, and he turned his gaze to his eldest son.
"Did you call Xishan Coal Industry, Jin'an Group, and Taishan Enterprise?" Han Guangyao asked.
"Father, we tried, but all their phone lines are busy. We can't get through at all," Han Zongshu replied immediately.
Mentioning this, his expression turned angry again. When had it ever happened that the Han family called someone, only to be denied even the basic courtesy of a conversation? How dare those people deliberately ignore their calls?
Upon hearing this, Han Guangyao's old face darkened.
The thing he feared most had happened!
Their reckless behavior absolutely meant they held a powerful trump card. And the nature of that card was self-evident.
The person who stole the contents of the safe must have come from this group. It was precisely because they held those incriminating photos that they dared to be so audacious.
However, he could not mention the photos publicly. To do so would be to expose his own scandal and ruin his reputation forever.
At the same time, it would plunge the Han family into an abyss, with dire consequences...
The mere thought of the potential repercussions made Han Guangyao's steely resolve, honed by a lifetime of navigating treacherous waters, tremble with fear.
He was no longer young. At his age, he was nearing the end of his life, and more importantly, his body could no longer withstand reckless actions, nor did he possess the energy of his youth.
His greatest desire now was to preserve the empire he had built.
Now that his most fatal weakness was in others' hands, Han Guangyao understood that he could not confront them head-on. He knew very well what he had done in his youth.
For example, the Lin siblings, Wang Bailin of Taishan Enterprise, and even Shan Xiongjin of Jin'an Group – there was a cause and effect for why they had joined forces to oppose the Han family.
"Pass on my message. I want to meet the leaders of those three forces personally," Han Guangyao said after a long silence.
At these words, all the Han family disciples below were startled, followed by protests.
"Father, how can you personally meet those people? They are not worthy!"
"Exactly! Do they even deserve to be personally received by you?"
"I disagree!"
The three brothers, Han Zongshu, Han Zongren, and Han Zongyi, all expressed their opinions.
"Father, if it's only about those color photos, you can rest assured. Leave this matter to us. I guarantee I'll handle everything perfectly," Han Zongshu even patted his chest to assure his father.
A few color photos, even if they were the truth, he had ways to easily change the outcome, and he would absolutely prevent anyone from reporting it.
This was the powerful backing of the Han family!
Han Guangyao looked at his sons speaking for him, his gaze complex, but he finally shook his head slowly. "You don't need to say anything more. Just do as I say."
"This matter involves grievances you don't understand."
"I don't care if you use intermediaries or what, but I want to meet them in person."
Below, everyone was shocked again, staring at the old man's decision, dumbfounded.
"Alright, I'm tired!" Han Guangyao, supported by Kong Nanchao, slowly departed, leaving behind a group of bewildered disciples.
The three Han brothers exchanged glances, seeing deep gloom in each other's eyes.
Especially the third son, Han Zongyi, whose narrow eyes flashed with an uncertain light, his fists clenched tightly.
He seemed to know some inside story but was now at a loss as to what to do.
Around midnight, a villa on the outskirts of the city was brightly lit.
Many people were gathered there, and the entire hall was shrouded in mist.
"I just received word that Han Guangyao wants to meet me personally!" Wang Bailin said.
"I received the same message. My subordinates helped relay it," Shan Xiongjin added.
"We did too. My family was just informed. The Han family sent people to our home, and their attitude was surprisingly gentle, not at all as overbearing as we expected," the Lin siblings said.
"Damn it, why not me? I haven't received any message," Qin Chuan, who was sitting on the sofa drinking tea, spread his hands innocently. He then added self-deprecatingly, "Looks like my status is too low. I don't even qualify as a worthy opponent."
His remark amused everyone, and they chuckled.
"So, should we go?" Lin Ting asked tentatively.