C10 An Unprecedented Five Billion Investment

A five-billion-dollar investment project is truly unprecedented for the quaint city of Efoford! It's poised to revolutionize the city in ways never seen before.

Yet, what truly sent shockwaves through Efoford's business community was the revelation that the Chen family was spearheading the project!

The Chen family, the most prestigious household in Zhouis, is a powerhouse with influence permeating the military, political, and commercial realms of Naprax. They are a super-elite family that stands at the very pinnacle of power.

Numerous businesspeople, green with envy, began inquiring about how they could get involved in the development of Jade Hill.

After all, this was a venture backed by the Chen family!

With the Chen family's visionary foresight and their wealth rivaling that of nations, it was clear that this project was destined for success. It wasn't just going to make money; it was going to rake in massive profits!

The involvement of Efoford's richest man, Shen Hongchang, only served to bolster the confidence of many businesspeople, solidifying their belief that the Jade Hill project was a surefire moneymaker.

If they could just get a piece of the action, they knew they'd make a fortune.

With this mindset, the very next day, the entrance to Scussa was practically trampled by eager businessmen who had caught wind of the opportunity. They were undoubtedly there to propose partnerships, each approaching with a humility that bordered on reverence. Some companies even stated they'd forgo any profit sharing if it meant securing a chance to be part of the project.

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng was utterly astounded. He had never anticipated such a turn of events!

Everyone seemed convinced that investing in Jade Hill was a guaranteed profit-making venture.

However, Chen Feng alone was privy to the truth: this investment was nothing more than a diversion for him. He had even planned for it to incur losses.

The idea of actually turning a profit had never crossed his mind.

Yet these businesspeople had taken the project to heart.

It just goes to show, the Chen family's reputation was so formidable that it led these businesspeople to overlook any potential risks.

In the conference room at the top of Yunsheng Building, the Xia family's headquarters, a sense of urgency filled the air.

Less than half an hour after Scussa's announcement to develop Jade Hill, the Xia family convened an emergency meeting.

Xia Yunsheng sat at the head of the table with narrowed eyes, flanked by rows of family members, each wearing an expression of grave concern.

"You've all heard about the situation at Jade Hill Resort," Xia Yunsheng stated flatly as he opened his eyes.

Everyone nodded in agreement, though their faces showed a mix of emotions.

"Within three days, by whatever means necessary, you must secure our Xia family's involvement in the Jade Hill project," Xia Yunsheng commanded, his gaze sweeping over them, his voice leaving no room for debate.

The Xia family members looked distressed, remaining silent with their heads bowed.

"Dad, that might not be feasible," Xia Qichao eventually spoke up, his voice subdued. As Xia Yunsheng's eldest son and the future head of the Xia family, he was acutely aware of their current predicament.

The Xia family had long since fallen to the status of a second-tier clan in Efoford.

Since the arrival of two major real estate conglomerates, Dueet and Birdvalley Chateau, in Efoford, the Xia family's real estate business had taken a severe hit, with its value plummeting.

Several of their properties were languishing, unsought by any buyers.

In essence, the Xia family was now just a shell, with nothing of value to offer except for a few professional construction teams.

Under these circumstances, attempting to negotiate a partnership with Scussa Real Estate seemed almost impossible—they might not even get past the front door.

"Not feasible..." Xia Yunsheng mused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, causing the hearts of the Xia family members to tighten.

"Then let's cut everyone's annual bonus in half," he declared coolly.

The Xia family members' faces turned pale at the prospect. A fifty percent cut in their annual bonus? That would be devastating!

The Xia family ran a family enterprise, where every employee was tied to the family's fortunes.

Halving the annual bonus was tantamount to slashing each person's salary by half.

Xia Qichao, who would normally expect to receive twenty million a year, would now only take home ten million if the bonus was cut.

Xia Yunsheng's displeasure was evident.

Should the Xia family fail to get involved with the Jade Hill Resort project, there was no doubt that Xia Yunsheng would make good on his threat.

At that point, they would be the ones to suffer the consequences.

The Xia family members were fraught with anxiety, fervently discussing and seeking a strategy to get involved in the Jade Hill Resort project.

It was undeniably a task more daunting than reaching the heavens!

Currently, the Xia family was simply too feeble to even consider a partnership with Scussa.

Xia Hao cast a resentful glance at Xia Qichao, puzzled as to why his father had to be the one to stir the pot, especially now that he had riled up Xia Yunsheng, putting everyone at risk.

Observing the crestfallen family members, Xia Yunsheng seemed to grasp that he may have been overly harsh. Softening his tone, he offered, "Any member of the Xia family who can secure a partnership with Scussa will be rewarded with the Desp Row property."

"The Desp Row property?!"

The Xia family members' eyes went wide with surprise.

"Grandpa is really going all out this time. That Desp Row estate could fetch at least 30 million if sold at a good price."

"Indeed, but I doubt Scussa would ever consider a collaboration with our family."

After Xia Yunsheng's remarks, the family's reactions varied widely. Some were electrified with excitement, while others were disheartened, viewing the task as unachievable.

Xia Yunsheng had a knack for applying pressure before dangling a carrot as incentive.

The offer of a property valued at over 30 million had ignited a surge of motivation among many Xia family members.

Xia Mengyao's eyes sparkled briefly, but the thought of the meager resources under her father's control quickly dimmed her enthusiasm.

Of Xia Yunsheng's three sons, Xia Weiguo was the least regarded.

The construction crews managed by Xia Qichao were the Xia family's seasoned veterans, responsible for building most of the family's properties with their rich experience.

In contrast, Xia Weiguo's crews were the family's cast-offs, hardly the type to impress Scussa in negotiations without risking ridicule.

Thus, the most likely candidates to fulfill the task were from the lineage of Xia Qichao and Xia Hao.

Just as Xia Mengyao had anticipated, Xia Qichao confidently stepped forward and assured Xia Yunsheng that he would sleep outside Scussa's doors tonight if he had to. He was determined to secure a partnership with Scussa at all costs, propelling the Xia family into the upper echelons of Efoford society.

Xia Yunsheng expressed his approval with a satisfied nod.

Xia Mengyao sighed, feeling detached from the unfolding events.

However, Xia Hao suddenly interjected, "Grandfather, for the sake of caution, I suggest we reallocate the construction teams from Third Uncle's control to our own. With those resources, we'll have a stronger position in our negotiations with Scussa."

Xia Mengyao's expression darkened at his words. Xia Hao's 'Third Uncle' was none other than her father, Xia Weiguo.

Xia Weiguo's construction teams, although not the most elite, represented his sole asset. If they were transferred to Xia Hao, it would be akin to sending lambs to the slaughter. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations with Scussa, those teams would be lost forever.

From then on, Xia Weiguo would be cut off from any family dividends, effectively marginalized within the Xia family.

"I disagree!" Xia Mengyao blurted out without hesitation. She couldn't believe Xia Hao's audacity, attempting to usurp her father's only assets while he was incapacitated. It was nothing short of driving her family to ruin.