Protect Our Clan Leader

Hesitating, many managers from prominent families stopped in their tracks as they were about to leave and decided to wait and see for a while longer.

Of course, there were still some families that didn't believe the Changning Wang Clan could turn the tables, but their numbers had greatly diminished. Originally, there were dozens of people hovering outside the United Department Branch, but in the end, less than ten went in.

The rest found nearby taverns or teahouses to sit and wait for news.

In the following half an hour, several more prominent families went in to withdraw their shares and successfully retrieved their investment. Afterward, even fewer managers from the families went inside.

In the office of the development department just a wall away, Wang Shicheng witnessed all of Wang Shihong's performance and the situation outside, and couldn't help but nod inwardly in approval.

He was the eldest son of the second "Zong" generation, Wang Zongchang. Since his father was often not at home, he had spent a lot of time in his fourth grand-uncle, the Clan Leader's courtyard with his mother Liu Feifei since childhood, frequently playing with Wang Zongrui and Wang Liyue and was very familiar with the young Clan Leader Wang Zong'an.

Because he was more than a decade younger than Wang Zong'an and only two years older than Zongrui, and also a nephew, Wang Zong'an would always include a gift for him whenever he brought presents for his brother.

After reaching adulthood, it was only natural for him to start working for the young Clan Leader Wang Zong'an, becoming his right-hand man.

When Wang Zong'an went to the Northern An Wei, he naturally took him along.

Now at fifty-six, his strength had already reached the mid-stage of the Spiritual Platform Realm. Not long ago, he had received an Intermediate Bloodline Quality Improvement Liquid from his father, which greatly increased his bloodline quality, elevating him to the status of a Heavenly Chosen Talent.

Originally, Wang Shicheng was stationed in Northern An Wei, responsible for assisting the An Commandery Prince's Residence in reclaiming the Great Desert and developing the Northern An Wei.

Concerned that Wang Shihong was too young and inexperienced to manage the situation, Wang Zong'an had specifically asked him to leave Northern An Wei temporarily to come to Return to Dragon City, to assist Wang Shihong in crucial moments.

"Not having seen him in a year, the tenth brother has truly made something of himself," Wang Shicheng said with a look of relief, turning to Wang Shihong beside him, "It seems that independently managing a branch department has tempered you quite a bit, you look much more authoritative and seasoned than before."

"I still have a long way to go compared to second brother," Wang Shihong said modestly with a smile, "It's also thanks to the opportunity the young Clan Leader gave me to grow."

While the two brothers were talking, across the street in a pavilion, a manager from the Shangguan family also put down their "Thousand Miles Mirror", leaving a few people to continue watching, as they quickly returned to their own family.

Given the current situation of The Coalition, it was quite possible that the Changning Wang Clan still had an ace up their sleeve, worthy of further observation.

A report of the events here to the Family Head was needed without delay.

It wasn't just the Shangguan family that was secretly paying attention to the developments at the branch of the Dalra Reclamation joint company. From other shadowy spots, agents from various prominent families were also covertly observing.

For a time, countless pieces of information originated from this place and spread to every corner of Return to Dragon City, among all the prominent families.

...

In Four Seasons Garden.

The An Commandery Prince, who had hurried back from the construction site, covered in dust, was now drinking Spiritual Tea with Wang Shouzhe in a pavilion beside a pond full of summer lotuses.

Already aware of the events, the An Commandery Prince, with a face full of shame and anger, stood up and bowed to Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, you are a gentleman as pure as jade, yet for the sake of my struggle for the title of emperor's son, you willingly sully yourself and endure the curses of the masses. Why did it have to come to this, why?"

"Even if I fail in the struggle for the title of Emperor's son, it would be bearable; how can I allow you to suffer such indignities?"

"Your Highness, do not get agitated," Wang Shouzhe stood and returned the gesture, advising, "It's just being investigated, what humiliation is there in that? Besides, this time our Wang family, along with Mr. Jiang, discovered some people secretly smuggling and colluding with the enemy. We intended to deal with them, but upon further investigation, we realized the matter was not that simple."

"The power and status of our opponents greatly exceeded our expectations, and even if we could expose the case through normal means, the mastermind behind the scenes might still get away scot-free."

"Only by making a big deal out of it, blocking all of their escape routes, do we stand a chance of bringing the mastermind to justice. Now, this matter has transcended the struggle for the title of Emperor's son. If such cold-hearted, unscrupulous people, with neither loyalty to the country nor a bottom line, are not removed, and they come to hold power in the court in the future, won't they harm countless innocents?"

"Even our Wang family would tremble in such an environment. What is a little indignity compared to that?"

The An Commandery Prince was momentarily stunned, then bowed deeply again, "Shouzhe, your noble righteousness deserves another bow from Ming Yuan."

"Your Highness flatters me; Shouzhe merely seeks to protect himself," Wang Shouzhe replied solemnly, "I hope Your Highness will remember that this struggle for the title of Emperor's son is no longer a mere contest of power but pertains to the future path of Da Qian."

"Ming Yuan will certainly give his all and not let those ambitious villains ruin our great Da Qian. Whatever assistance you require from Ming Yuan, please command me, Shouzhe."

"At such a critical time, it's time to employ every resource at your disposal. Do this and that, like so and so..."

...

Under the clandestine protection of the Wang family's men.

The smuggling ship arrived at the border area almost without incident, following the usual routine of getting secret signals from insiders within the border guards, bypassing checkpoints along the way, and then making the transaction at an abandoned harbor less than ten kilometers from the boundary monument.

The contact from South Qin responsible for the trade had already been waiting there with gold and silver.

This place was quite secret, and with the cooperation of insiders from the border guards, it was usually very safe under normal circumstances.