I changed the world.

Page 402

"Turn it off..." An Zhengquan waved his hand, and the television was then turned off by a servant. The dining room fell silent.

"Dad, this Councilor Huang seems to be making a lot of noise this year?"

"They're just mouthpieces, but some people have already started building momentum."

"This Huang Weida's election campaign involved at least 3000 million yuan, plus some media resources... How do you think he, a lawyer providing legal aid, managed to raise all that money?"

“So he has to speak up for others.” An Zhengquan sighed, shook his head and said to his daughter, “You don’t need to worry about these things, Dad will handle them.”

An Huiling pursed her lips. Having grown up in such a family, she understood some things. These unusual voices in public opinion and legislative proposals were very likely the prelude to some turbulent events. For Qianluo Group, the greatest risk often didn't come from foreseeable competition, but from the uncontrollable…

From a purely academic perspective, Representative Huang's theory is not wrong; absolute monopoly is detrimental to market development. However, the problem is that before companies like the Qianluo Group existed in Dazhao, at a larger level, powerful families, guilds, and nobles in various regions openly or covertly controlled key industries in the local economy. To some extent, this was also a monopoly, and undoubtedly a very impenetrable one.

This is different from the nationalization of key industries in Zhang Jing's previous life, which suppressed the prices of related basic necessities. The monopoly of basic necessities is not easy to detect but affects everyone's life. This is the real hidden tax.

For ordinary businessmen without connections, the ceiling in business is obvious. It wasn't until the advent of the internet wave that the rise of a group of so-called "new rich," represented by the father, disrupted this balance to some extent.

Although the competition has led to Qianluo Group achieving a monopoly in some areas such as social media, firstly, this was achieved through normal competition. Secondly, due to the political weakness of the An family, An Zhengquan is extremely cautious in his business dealings, never daring to use this advantage for profit, for fear of giving others grounds for criticism. For ordinary people, in many ways, this actually means more affordable options.

Therefore, although there are factors related to stance, and opinions may be biased, An Huiling feels that Councilor Huang's proposal is unfair. If it is truly about anti-monopoly, then breaking down local protectionism in various places and investigating industries such as real estate, electricity, water, infrastructure, and banking controlled by powerful capital would obviously make the people feel more benefited.

However, this legislator Huang clearly ignored or turned a blind eye to these issues. Therefore, it is obvious that his purpose in proposing the bill was not pure, and he was likely a pawn thrown out by someone.

An Huiling subconsciously recalled the idea Li Jingxin had mentioned during her lesson with the teacher last night. It seemed to her now that it was indeed a very feasible plan...

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 821 An Huiling's Idea

After thinking it over, she decided to tell her father: "Dad, I have some news that might help our family's situation."

"Oh?" An Zhengquan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled casually and said, "Then why don't you tell your father?"

An Zhengquan didn't really think his daughter could offer him any truly useful help in matters of this level, but he didn't mind discussing these issues with her more often, since it was a form of nurturing in itself.

"I've heard that Southern Bank may be undergoing a new round of capital increase and share expansion, introducing new strategic investors through private placement. If Qianluo is interested, he could take the opportunity to purchase shares of Southern Bank."

Upon hearing the news, An Zhengquan only hesitated for a moment before his eyes widened as he looked at his daughter: "Where did you get this information from?"

"I learned about this through connections within my sect," An Huiling said vaguely, having already prepared her explanation.

An Zhengquan pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then picked up his phone from the table and dialed a number: "Hello, all of them..."

"Hmm... I heard that Southern Bank may be going to conduct a round of capital increase and share expansion soon. Please check the accuracy of this news and report back to me immediately."

"Hmm... okay, I'll wait. Hurry up."

After making the call, An Zhengquan stopped talking. An Huiling also knew that her father was confirming the news through his own channels, so she also remained silent. The father and daughter fell into silence for a moment.

About five minutes later, the phone rang, and An Zhengquan answered it:

"Hey... um... um..."

"Okay, I understand... Alright, no need... Let's leave it at that for now."

After hanging up the phone, An Zhengquan frowned slightly and looked at his daughter again: "I asked the investment team to check this information, but they haven't been able to find any similar information in the publicly available market information. They even called Southern Bank, but the person in charge there also knew nothing about it."

As a large conglomerate with global operations, Qianluo Group has partnerships with various banks. Although Southern Bank is not its primary partner, this is relative; the group's deposits with Southern Bank still exceed nine figures. For such clients, the bank has dedicated key account managers.

An Huiling was not surprised by this; in fact, she could say it was expected, because it was something that had never happened before, and it would be a miracle if it could actually be found out.

After Li Jingxin made this suggestion at Changchun Temple that day, An Huiling did not immediately agree. Instead, she said she needed to go back and discuss it. Of course, this was only natural. Li Jingxin then said that if his second senior uncle had such a need in the future, he would take steps to promote this matter.

"Is it normal that we can't find out? It's because this whole thing hasn't been made public for a long time." An Huiling nodded, then carefully chose her tone and said, "This matter is currently in a small-scale discussion stage. As far as I know, it was proposed by Yunxiao Mountain."

Upon hearing this, An Zhengquan seemed to understand something and said, "Yunxiao Mountain is indeed the largest shareholder of Southern Bank. Speaking of which, given that Master Li's current reputation, if he were to push this matter forward, it is indeed possible that he could succeed..."

An Zhengquan pondered carefully, but still felt puzzled. After all, for a behemoth like Southern Bank, the value of its shares had long since deviated from the financial attributes they represented. In essence, they were an entry ticket for some interest group.

Behind the Southern Bank lies a deeply entrenched interest group based on regional, kinship, religious, clan, and other relationships, and Yunxiao Mountain, to some extent, plays an important role as a link in this network.

Even though this relationship is usually very secretive, and even An Zhengquan cannot truly see through its details, he can understand the logic behind it.

Indeed, as his daughter said, if Qianluo Group could really acquire a stake in Southern Bank, then the implications of this transaction would be enough to make those crocodiles that were trying to extend their claws in the shadows reconsider their actions.

After all, it not only represented the forces behind the Southern Bank, but also the attitude of Yunxiao Mountain and even the Xuanmen...

However, An Zhengquan was still puzzled as to how his daughter could have obtained this information at this particular time.

As the saying goes, "If you want to take something, you must first give something else." Security Quan started from scratch and deeply understands this point. So, is there someone who wants something in return?

“Lingling, you need to know… there’s no such thing as a free lunch…” An Xuqing, who had been silent until now, looked at her daughter and interjected, “How did you find out about this?”

Having already prepared for this, An Huiling made a brief preparation before speaking: "I know your doubts. There are some things I can't explain too clearly, but as far as this matter is concerned, it's actually not that complicated."

"Originally, Southern Bank wanted to introduce new strategic investors to expand their business scope, and at the same time, it was also to prepare for future economic fluctuations and reserve enough ammunition."

"In fact, they have been watching Qianluo Group's business closely, but they had no dealings with them before. This time, however, my daughter got in touch with them through her sect's connections."

"So, it's related to Yunxiao Mountain?" An Zhengquan pondered upon hearing this. If what his daughter said was true, then things didn't seem as complicated as he had thought.

From a purely business perspective, setting aside profit motives, banks do indeed have a driving force for business expansion. As a southern bank, they should naturally be very aware of the setbacks in deep space exploration and the potential economic and social problems that may follow. How to maintain stability or even growth amid the likely economic contraction in the future is a huge issue. At this juncture, introducing strategic investors, or to put it bluntly, forming an alliance of interests, is indeed a good approach.

After all, Qianluo Group, which controls social media, is indeed an ideal partner, especially if it becomes a shareholder of Southern Bank and transfers a significant portion of its assets to Southern Bank for management...

To achieve this, the efforts of Yunxiao Mountain were indispensable. After all, the Xuanmen belief itself is the most direct and core adhesive for this interest group that is linked by Yunxiao Mountain.

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind History Books: Chapter 822 The Young Master is in Trouble

In fact, according to An Zhengquan's understanding, not only in China, but also abroad, many secret societies, fraternities and other organizations are backed by religious groups of varying sizes as ideological support.

It seems that Yunxiao Mountain is trying to curry favor with us in this matter.

In comparison, An Zhengquan felt no pressure at all. After all, Xuanmen was now the state religion of Dazhao, and even the royal family believed in it. It was one of the three mountain talismans of Yunxiao Mountain, and the orthodox Xuanmen sect for two thousand years. It was incomparable to those crooked sects and evil paths. There were many families in the local area who believed in it for generations, and no one had ever encountered any problems.

Moreover, the An family had already decided to follow the Yunxiao lineage...

As a businessman, An Zhengquan understood the workings of society: the best way to bind people together is through the exchange of benefits. The best outcome was when the other party's asking price was within his means.

"Lingling, do you know who in charge of this matter is from Yunxiao Mountain?" Yunxiao Mountain has a thousand-year foundation, so there can't possibly be only one voice within it. An Zhengquan wanted to know whether this matter could go as smoothly as his daughter said.

"Father, don't worry. This matter was personally initiated by Master Li. If you are interested, Master Li can discuss it with you in detail."

"That Master Li Jingxin?" An Zhengquan was taken aback upon hearing this. It was said that Master Li lived a secluded life and declined all requests for visits. Many powerful and influential people wanted to meet him but could not.

"It is that one."

Looking at his daughter's calm expression, An Zhengquan suddenly realized that he didn't know his daughter well enough. He then realized that his previous assessment of the sect behind his daughter seemed to have been somewhat flawed. It seemed that he had underestimated the status of her "teacher" in the Yunxiao lineage...

“Very well, it’s good that you care about family matters.” An Zhengquan nodded and smiled at his daughter: “Since you are willing to make this happen, then your father will go and visit this Master Li.”

After making his decision, An Zhengquan felt a sense of relief. He had to admit that the recent public discourse and past events had indeed made him feel a sense of impending doom. If he could truly acquire a stake in Southern Bank, it would essentially mean that the forces behind Southern Bank, especially the Xuanmen forces centered around Yunxiao Mountain, would stand behind Qianluo Group. At this juncture, this was an invaluable trump card.

"What are you saying, Dad? I'm part of the family too," An Huiling said coquettishly, feeling relieved. She had been worried that if her father had doubts and was unwilling to accept Yunxiao Mountain's kindness, it would only complicate a simple matter.

"Then my daughter will contact them again, and we should get a response soon."

Afterwards, the family steered the conversation towards a more relaxed topic. Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the restaurant, followed by the old butler, Uncle Yu, walking in with a grave expression.

"Master, Madam, something terrible has happened! Two police officers have arrived and say that the young master is in trouble..."

"What? Something happened to Guanyun?" An Xuqing stood up instinctively upon hearing this. She immediately thought that Xu Hanzhang's condition might have changed, since Xu Hanzhang had been recuperating at home these days.

“Yes, they say…” Uncle Yu hesitated for a moment, but finally said, “They say that the young master has passed away, and may be involved in a case…”

"What?!" Upon hearing this, An Xuqing swayed and almost fell. Fortunately, An Huiling, who was standing next to her, caught her mother and helped her back to her seat.

An Huiling understood everything perfectly, but at this moment she couldn't say anything, and of course, no one noticed her expression.

"I'll go check on her. Lingling, you stay with your mother," An Zhengquan said after thinking for a moment.

“Okay, Dad,” An Huiling nodded.

Afterwards, An Zhengquan chatted with the two police officers for about fifteen minutes. Then, the lawyer arrived, and the group chatted for about half an hour.

After the two police officers finally left, An Zheng and Leng Quan brought back some very bad news: Xu Hanzhang had participated in a cult ritual and was now dead, the cause of death still unclear.

He was also accused of brutally murdering a pregnant woman during a cult ritual, and police found a large number of items related to cult activities at his farm and residence.

Another participant in the cult's rituals was Master Liyuan, who had once been in charge of managing the family temple in Anjia. His real name was Yu Huai.

Matters related to cults and cults are receiving extreme attention at this juncture, and given that this case involves murder and multiple deaths, it is even more serious. It is said that in addition to the police, other powerful agencies have also been involved in the investigation.

Because Xu Hanzhang is currently serving as a senior executive in Qianluoji, and is related to An Yi, these two policemen came to inquire about some matters related to the case.

In fact, if An Zhengquan hadn't been a well-known figure in society with widespread influence in Jin'an, the An family would likely have received a summons and interrogation instead of a police investigation.

In short, the matter seemed very complicated, and in the end, An Zhengquan sent his assistant and a private lawyer to the police station to identify the body.

Upon hearing the news of Xu Hanzhang's death, An Xuqing was deeply saddened. As her daughter, An Huiling could only comfort and accompany her mother.

But at that very moment, another troublesome piece of news arrived.

At the Qianluo Group headquarters, some reporters attempted to interview senior executives, as it appears the story of the group's executives abusing and murdering a pregnant woman has been leaked...

Many people were aware of this incident, so it's impossible to know exactly who leaked it. However, to say that it was purely a coincidence that it was leaked to the media so quickly would be incredibly naive...

Upon receiving the news, An Zhengquan began to sense something was amiss and quickly made several phone calls. Although he was also in a state of chaos and completely bewildered, he couldn't understand why Xu Hanzhang had suddenly become involved in some cult ritual, then become a murderer, and even why the sorcerer Liyuan had been dragged into it...

He had no idea what was behind this series of events and couldn't make sense of it all. The media's involvement also gave the whole incident a hint of conspiracy...

After instructing his daughter to take good care of her mother, An Zhengquan disregarded everything else and quickly set off for the company headquarters to prepare to convene the group's senior executives to deal with any potential public opinion storm that might arise.

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