The Reborn Aristocrat’s Daughter
Chapter 649: Underground Kingdom (2)_1

Chapter 649: Chapter 649: Underground Kingdom (2)_1

The Xiao Family is far from what the world perceives it to be, simply an affluent aristocratic family. They possess not only immense wealth, but also operate a massive, hidden power—the Xiao Family covertly runs an ammunition empire.

The ammunition empire of the Xiao Family is not something just any Patriarch Xiao can take over. Elder Master Xiao, Xiao Yongxin, was aware of the arms trade within the family, yet they were neither able nor qualified to handle the business of the family’s arms. For the Family Heads of the Xiao Family, the munitions were like tantalizing buns within sight but out of reach.

When Xiao Muli took over as the new Family Head, he was merely informed of the existence of arms trading within the Xiao Family, without being given more detailed information. It was even less likely for him to know who was in charge of these military dealings.

Xiao Muli was not one to remain passive. Upon learning of the arms trade, he had the mercenaries under his command start investigating the matter.

These mercenaries were also frequently involved with military hardware. It was not a difficult task for them to carry out an investigation. Before long, information related to the Xiao Family’s arms dealings lay on the desk of Xiao Muli’s office.

The arms of the Xiao Family had always been controlled by one of the Xiao Family’s collateral branches. Originally, the patriarch who founded the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire had been confronted with turmoil as his end drew near, and fearing for his descendants because of the arms in his possession, temporarily handed over his empire to his brother’s management, instructing him to return the power once everything had settled.

At that time, the brother readily agreed to his dying sibling’s request. However, when things calmed down and the new Family Head came to claim the arms empire’s power from his uncle, he was met with refusal. After taking charge of the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire and seeing its strength, how could his uncle possibly relinquish it?

After being rejected, the newly appointed Family Head tried to use forceful measures, pressuring his uncle to hand over the rights to the arms. However, the new Family Head had just taken office and his foundation was unstable, especially since the family’s overt businesses had suffered damage in the recent unrest. Adding to this, his uncle was both capable and cunning; shortly after taking over the ammunition empire, he had all his subordinates bowing to him.

The new Family Head stood no chance against him. And as the struggle between the two sides became increasingly intense, affecting the Xiao Family more and more, the elder members of the family had to step in to mediate.

In the end, the Family Head failed to regain control of the arms influence, but his uncle did step back a bit, agreeing to submit a report of the ammunition empire’s activities to the Family Head every year.

This arrangement, set back then, continues to this day.

Old Master Xiao and Xiao Yongxin, during their tenures as Family Heads of the Xiao Family, had always longed for the pieces of the family’s ammunition empire. They made numerous attempts but never managed to seize control of the empire.

And now, the ammunition empire still remained in the hands of a branch of the Xiao Family.

After looking through the information, Xiao Muli became interested in the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire. He knew that to truly take control of the Xiao Family, he needed to get his hands on the ammunition empire.

Xiao Muli became even more determined to take over the empire when he saw who the arms business dealt with.

Xiao Muli relayed the situation of the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire to Old Master Xiao, seeking to discuss how to handle the empire’s affairs. After hearing about the existence of an arms empire within their family that was not under the control of the Family Head, and after listening to his grandson’s comprehensive report, Old Master Xiao fell deep in thought. He didn’t provide Xiao Muli with an immediate answer but instead rose, gestured to Xiao Muli, and returned to his study.

The news Xiao Muli told him had a fairly significant impact, and he needed to think it over from the beginning to the end.

Old Master Xiao understood what arms meant to a nation. Therefore, after contemplating all night in his study, he clearly told his grandson the next day that he must seize control of the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire.

Old Master Xiao’s rationale was straightforward. The people from the Xiao Family branches that currently controlled the ammunition empire were not patriotic; they clearly prioritized financial interests, as evident from their trading partners over the years. Old Master Xiao, who had devoted his life to the country, differed in his motives; he prioritized national stability, which is why he insisted that Xiao Muli take control of the ammunition empire.

Elder Master Xiao’s final decision aligned with that of Xiao Muli, and despite some divergence in their underlying reasons, it did not prevent them from desiring the same outcome. Thus, the grandfather and grandson came to a consensus and established the initial plan.

Xiao Muli, whether in terms of personal capability or the power backing him, was far stronger than Xiao Yongxin and the others. Moreover, the current key controllers of the ammunition empire had completely lost the influence and strength of their predecessors.

This gave Xiao Muli a bit more confidence in his chances of overtaking the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire. Taking control of it was a significant affair, with the potential to affect the underground powers of Country H. That’s why Xia Yujie and Liu Yuxiang reported the matter to Situ Xin.

Upon hearing the news, Situ Xin silently tapped on the desk before instructing Xia Yujie and Liu Yuxiang to fully back Xiao Muli from behind, ensuring that he captured the Xiao Family’s ammunition empire. The Dark Division was also ordered to follow Situ Xin’s command.

The Dragon Society and The Dark Division were ready to support Xiao Muli with all their might, but to their surprise, Xiao Muli’s acquisition of the ammunition empire did not require their assistance. He managed to gain complete control smoothly and even won the loyal support of the other managers.