Taking the materials handed by the Magician, Chen Fan began to read.
Soon, his brow gradually furrowed.
As the Magician had said, this Su Yuhua's overseas experience was far from simple.
Initially, he worked in Siam, selling door-to-door.
He did this for three full years, then suddenly disappeared for a period, about two years.
When he reappeared, he had acquired some wealth, purchased property in Siam, and frequented high-class circles.
His true rise to prominence occurred in his seventh year in Siam, when he successfully married the eldest daughter of a local family worth over a billion.
After that, everything became logical. He used his wife's family's wealth to expand rapidly, monopolizing energy and gold mines within a decade, with wealth pouring in.
The development process was excessively smooth. His competitors often met with inexplicable accidents or withdrew from competition with him.
For example, he had a competitor whose financial resources and connections were much stronger than his at the time.
But while competing with him for ownership of a mining area, he inexplicably fell down the stairs and suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
Su Yuhua, on the other hand, became the biggest winner.
There were many similar examples.
Furthermore, whenever his business faced a crisis, a large sum of funds would always flow in, resolving the crisis for him.
The source of these funds was unknown and very mysterious.
"My King, time was short, and this is only preliminary intelligence. To obtain more specific information, we need to dispatch people to Siam!"
The Magician said.
"No need, this is enough!"
Chen Fan said.
"The Prophet speculates that Su Yuhua has the backing of a certain power group!"
"And the Blood God Hall, a killer organization entrenched in Southeast Asia, should also have a close relationship with this Su Yuhua!"
Blood God Hall?
Chen Fan recalled the assassination he encountered at Xishan Cemetery. The killer, if nothing unexpected happened, should have also come from the Blood God Hall.
Returning the materials to the Magician, he had already memorized their contents.
He stood up and said, "Keep an eye on this Su Yuhua and see if anyone from the underground world has contact with him!"
"Understood, My King!"
Having assigned a task, Chen Fan turned and left the bar.
As soon as he got into his car, he received a call from Tang Qingying.
"Mr. Chen, do you have time? My grandfather would like to invite you for a cup of tea. Would you grace us with your presence?"
Chen Fan was slightly taken aback. This was likely related to tomorrow's business summit.
"Where is your grandfather? I'll come over!"
Chen Fan said.
Tang Qingying said joyfully, "Okay, we're at the Purple Bamboo Forest. Do you know the address? I'll send it to you!"
The Purple Bamboo Forest was not far from Xiangshan Tanfu. It was a private garden with pavilions, towers, and an antique charm.
Chen Fan had just driven to the outskirts of the Purple Bamboo Forest when Tang Qingying came to greet him.
"Mr. Chen!"
Looking at the beautiful Tang Qingying, Chen Fan nodded.
"Mr. Chen, Villa No. 1 is undergoing renovations and should be ready for occupancy within a month. Due to our oversight, which led to your losses, all renovation costs will be borne by the Xiangshan Tanfu property management."
Chen Fan said, "That's not your fault. Tell me the cost, and I'll transfer the money to you!"
"It would be strange for Mr. Chen to say that," Tang Qingying blinked and said, "The community security was inadequate, which led to such a serious incident. If you don't let us take responsibility, we will not be able to rest easy, and it will also harm the reputation of our Tang Corporation."
Tang Qingying's words were comforting. Chen Fan smiled and no longer stood on ceremony.
Walking inside with Tang Qingying, he asked, "What is Old Master Tang's intention in meeting me?"
"The entire business community of Hangjiang is discussing tomorrow's Two Rivers Business Summit!"
Tang Qingying said, "The Su family has risen to become a prominent family, bringing 60 billion in funds and coming aggressively. My grandfather is quite worried and wants to find someone to strategize with. The first person he thought of, naturally, is Mr. Chen!"
Chen Fan smiled upon hearing this and asked, "What is Old Master Tang's stance?"
"My grandfather has never liked to get involved in such matters. He originally intended to decline, but Su Yuhua visited in person and used both persuasion and coercion. My grandfather had no choice but to agree!"
The two arrived outside a quiet and elegant tea room.
Old Master Tang was already standing at the entrance to greet them.
Seeing Chen Fan, he stepped forward and said respectfully, "Greetings, Mr. Long!"
Chen Fan was not particularly surprised by this and glanced at Tang Qingying.
Tang Qingying blinked, looking a little embarrassed.
After the banquet hosted by Yuan Liangping last time, she had guessed Chen Fan's identity and promised Chen Fan to keep it a secret.
"Please forgive me, Mr. Long. Qingying saw my worries today and told me that Mr. Chen is Mr. Long of Long Teng."
Old Master Tang smiled, "Connecting the dots from past events, this old man's heart suddenly becomes clear!"
"Countless people have been searching for Mr. Long, hoping to catch a glimpse of his demeanor. Who would have thought that Mr. Long would be right before our eyes, yet so few recognized him!"
Chen Fan's identity as Mr. Long had too many clues to be overlooked.
It was just that people were blinded by their own preconceptions, with many being misled by Chen Fan's status as a son-in-law.
Chen Fan shook his head and got straight to the point, "Old Master Tang invited me, what do you want to discuss?"
"I wish to ask Mr. Long for a plan!"
Old Master Tang said, "After knowing that Mr. Chen is Mr. Long, I feel much more assured."
"This morning, Su Yuhua and Yuan Liangping came to see me and spoke of their intention to establish the Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce, consolidating the power of the Two Rivers business community to build a foundation for a financial conglomerate. They offered me the position of vice-president!"
"His attitude is very clear: those who follow will prosper, and those who resist will perish!"
"My Tang family has been navigating the business world for nearly a century and has always believed in one principle: there is no such thing as a free lunch!"
Chen Fan took a seat and, accepting the top-grade Da Hong Pao brewed by Tang Qingying, smiled, "Old Master Tang's meaning is that you don't wish to join the Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce?"
"Naturally, I do not wish to, but I fear there may be no other choice."
Old Master Tang smiled bitterly, then took out a document bag, opened it, and placed several photos in front of Chen Fan.
Chen Fan glanced at them, his brow furrowing slightly.
He recognized the people in the photos. It was none other than Tang Lao's grandson, Tang Yiming.
The photos depicted Tang Yiming indulging in all sorts of revelry, feasting, and entertainment.
They even included details of one of his residences.
"What is this?"
"Su Yuhua gave it to me!"
Old Master Tang said, "My good-for-nothing grandson, every move of his is being monitored."
"Look at this last one!"
He took out the bottommost photo. Tang Yiming was sleeping shirtless, and next to him appeared a hand holding a gun, the muzzle pointed at Tang Yiming.
Tang Qingying leaned over to look and her expression changed dramatically. "Grandfather, how is Yiming?"
"He's fine. I've already confined him and assigned bodyguards to protect him."
A trace of anger flashed in Old Master Tang's eyes. "But their intention is very clear, it's a warning to us!"
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes.
Tang Yiming was not the focus. The focus was that Su Yuhua's action was intended to tell Old Master Tang that he could threaten the lives of the Tang family members.
Tang Yiming could hide, but what about Old Master Tang himself? And Tang Qingying?
"I have already agreed to Su Yuhua's invitation to attend the summit tomorrow as a guest!"
Old Master Tang said, "But the specific actions will depend on Mr. Long's wishes!"
"I will attend the summit tomorrow!"
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and said, "Old Master Tang can stand on my side."
Old Master Tang had been waiting for these words. He stood up and said, "The Tang family is willing to advance and retreat with Mr. Long. I will contact some of the Tang family's allies and refuse to join the Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce."
"Unless, the Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce is headed by Mr. Long!"