Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 853 - 854: Agreeing to the Terms

Chapter 853: Chapter 854: Agreeing to the Terms

The Third Brother of the Su Family asked cautiously, "Family Head, will the Cao Family really agree?"

Song Xiaodong nodded, "They can’t afford to lose face, but they also can’t bear the reputation of not caring for their family and guards. If that were the case, who among their family members and guards would be willing to risk their lives for the Cao Family in the future? Therefore, they must agree, no matter the cost, and they must take their people back."

After pausing for a moment, Song Xiaodong’s gaze swept over the people of the Su Family, "If our Su Family encountered such an event, I would also pay any price to redeem you. But there’s one thing I want to tell you: you cannot disgrace the Su Family, you cannot be spineless. People of the Su Family must have the pride and the backbone befitting of the Su family."

Spurred on by Song Xiaodong’s words, although they carried a warning, it only served to boost everyone’s morale even higher.

The Eldest Brother of the Su Family then said, "Family Head, what shall we do with the Zhao Family next?"

Song Xiaodong smiled slightly, "The Zhao Family doesn’t need to do anything; they are merely vassals of the Cao Family. Once the Cao Family has been dealt with, the Zhao Family will come to our doorstep on their own, ready to be molded and carved up as we please."

Su Yuya immediately praised, "Family Head’s words are very true. Without the support of the Cao Family, what is the Zhao Family? Their footing in Minghe is solely because of the Cao Family. Once they lose that backing, their only option to remain in Minghe is to rely on us; there’s no other way out."

Not everyone among the Su Family members was foolish; they quickly understood the plight of the Zhao Family, and their spirits were greatly lifted.

Song Xiaodong continued, "After this affair, our Su Family will undoubtedly grow stronger. Although everyone’s shareholdings will not change, everyone should understand the true value of those shares. However, I must remind you that we must concede a significant portion of the benefits to the Sun family this time. Do not feel unjust; it’s a strategy for long-term mutual benefit. Seeking immediate profit is a loss in disguise."

Song Xiaodong was also worried about the people of the Su Family becoming overly arrogant, which is why he issued such a reminder.

"Yes! We’ll heed the Family Head’s command," everyone replied in unison, their voices loud and clear.

It was probably the first time since Song Xiaodong became the Family Head that he received such a response, which showed that he had truly gained the recognition of the Su Family.

After everyone had dispersed, Su Yuya smiled and said, "Congratulations, Family Head."

Song Xiaodong smiled back, "Thank you, I couldn’t have done it without your support."

Su Yuya smiled sweetly, "It’s all due to the Family Head’s personal charm."

Neither mentioned anything specific, but both understood well. Among smart people, many things need not be spelled out explicitly.

Contrary to the excitement of the Su Family people here, the mood among the Cao Family was quite somber.

Cao Fengqing looked at his younger relatives and said slowly, "What do you think we should do about this?"

The Fourth Elder of the Cao Family spoke with a stern face, "This batch of bastards from the Su Family, they’re going way too far. We won’t give them what they want—I don’t believe they would dare do anything to Third Brother."

The Fifth Elder of the Cao Family added, "Exactly, they’re just trying to scare us. If they really dare kill the Fourth, we will take it up the chain. Let’s see then what the Su family would do."

"That’s not feasible," the Eldest of the Cao Family immediately countered, "The authorities are already aware of our contention. What the Su Family is doing does not cross their red line, and it’s our choice to act this way. If we escalate the issue, it would not only be futile but also make all the other families shun us. The Cao Family would become isolated, without any other family willing to cooperate with us."

"But we can’t just let them off this easily," the Fifth Elder argued.

Cao Fengqing frowned and said, "Are you just planning to give up on your Third Brother?"

The Fourth and Fifth Elders hurriedly said, "No, we are not giving up; we just don’t believe the Su Family would dare to go through with it."

The Eldest of the Cao Family shook his head, "I believe the Su Family would dare. Song Xiaodong doesn’t act conventionally. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have declared war on our Cao Family. He’s not just trying to scare us; he really is ambitious. If I don’t redeem our Third Brother, he probably won’t let him go; even if he doesn’t kill him, he’ll likely keep him imprisoned for life."

The Second Elder of the Cao Family added, "Indeed, and there are four of our top Family Guards there as well. If we don’t redeem them, what would the other guards think? They will surely feel that the Cao Family values profits over the lives of their guards. How then can they loyally serve our Cao Family?"

The Fourth Elder grimly said, "But we’ve invested so much in Minghe and have devoted many years of effort. Just to give it all to the Su family like this, how can we be content with that? Isn’t that just making a wedding dress for another?"

The Second Elder stated, "We’ll have our chance as long as the green hills last; there won’t be a shortage of wood to burn. Moreover, help from the Zhou Family is arriving soon. Since the Su Family has used this method to force us out, we can use the same trick to make them spit out what they’ve gained, or even make them pay more."

Cao Fengqing nodded, "That’s right, the Second’s words are sensible. We must act on this, but we will take back our losses, and more."

As the Old Master said so, the matter was thus resolved, and no one argued any further. They discussed some details, and Cao Fengqing again made a call to Song Xiaodong.

The phone rang several times before being answered, Song Xiaodong yawned and said, "Hello, who is this?"

Cao Fengqing couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. This wasn’t the first time he was calling Song Xiaodong—how could he not know it was him? By saying so, he was clearly trying to irk him.

Suppressing his anger, Cao Fengqing said, "Patriarch Song, I have agreed to your terms."

"Oh, it’s you. Bring the items tomorrow, I’m sleepy." With that, he hung up the call.

This was blatant contempt. Cao Fengqing was so angry he almost smashed the phone. This was extremely rude. Gritting his teeth, the Old Master of the Cao Family felt his blood boiling as he said, "Song Xiaodong, don’t be smug, your triumph is but temporary. I will ensure the Su Family is eradicated root and stem, and everything of the Su Family will belong to our Cao Family."

At this moment, Song Xiaodong hung up the phone and burst into laughter. He could fully imagine what the Cao Family looked like right now. Song Xiaodong was not a spiteful person, but when it came to someone trying to harm him, there was no need for courtesy. An enemy deserves no mercy; he had to let them know, anyone who dares to provoke Song Xiaodong better weigh their own worth first.