Jiang Hao said, "Principal Han, your nephew was blinded by greed at the black market and robbed the Zhao family's stall. That was why he was killed by [Remnant Thought]. Even without [Remnant Thought], someone like [Knife-on-Credit] or [Remaining Guilt] would have gone after him. When the incident happened, you didn't even make things particularly difficult for the Zhao brothers. Now you're trying to pin blame on me based on rumors and speculation. Isn't that a little unfair?"
"But, Principal Han, I'm willing to give you one gram of Crimson Crystal as a gift, so we don't let this damage the good relationship between us."
Han Shuo was silent for a few seconds before saying indifferently, ["Fine. Let's leave it at that."]
As soon as the call ended, Jiang Hao's phone rang again.
This time, it was Qin Yingguang, commander of the Qin Legion.
Jiang Hao answered the call, "Commander Qin, what is it?"
Qin Yingguang demanded, ["President Jiang, was it your doing that my deputy chief of staff, Tang Long, was killed by [Remnant Thought] while carrying out a mission two years ago?"]
"I run a Chamber of Commerce. I've never involved myself in the Legion's internal affairs. Why would I kill a senior officer of your Qin Legion?"
["[Remnant Thought] killed him. You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"]
"Killing Tang Long was a mission [Remnant Thought] took on its own. It had nothing to do with me. But I can give you a Tier-4 item as a gift."
["One Tier-4 item? Are you trying to fob off a beggar? Tang Long's death ruined a major plan of mine! At least five grams of Crimson Crystal!"]
"Commander Qin, if I remember correctly, Tang Long was killed by [Remnant Thought] while he was on his way to steal supplies from the Han Legion."
["…"]
"One Tier-4 item. If you think that isn't enough, then go report me to the Judicial Department."
["Hmph! You got off cheap!"]
Qin Yingguang cursed under his breath before hanging up.
After dealing with two calls from enemies in succession, Jiang Hao looked at his secretary, Zhou Guang.
"Anyone who can call me directly to demand an explanation isn't an idiot. There's no way they believe the claim that Yuanxiu isn't [Remnant Thought]. There's nothing we can do. When dealing with enemies, we can only pay our way out of trouble."
Zhou Guang nodded, "The president is right. I completely agree with you."
A few seconds later, Jiang Hao's phone rang again.
The caller was his fifth younger brother, Jiang Yuanzhong.
"Yuanzhong."
Jiang Yuanzhong's voice was low, ["Big Brother, my son Changtai was killed by Fourth Brother?"]
"You called to ask me that. Doesn't that mean you already have your answer?"
["Big Brother, all these years, I've always believed whatever you told me. As long as you say it wasn't him, I'll believe you."]
Jiang Hao helplessly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, "Yuanzhong, I'm sorry."
["Big Brother, it really was Fourth Brother…"]
"Yes."
["But why kill Changtai? He was completely loyal to the Jiang family, and to you!"]
"Because at the time, someone suspected that [Remnant Thought] was a member of the Jiang family. To clear Yuanxiu of suspicion, we had no choice but to strike at one of our own."
["I only have one son, Big Brother!! All of you have so many sons. Why did you have to choose Changtai?"]
"Among all of us brothers, you're the only one with just one son. So by killing only Changtai, we could clear the suspicion that [Remnant Thought] was a member of the Jiang family. Yuanzhong, Changtai's death made a great contribution to the Jiang family…"
["Fine, fine, fine. What a great way to clear suspicion!"] Jiang Yuanzhong shouted furiously, ["Big Brother, with the Jiang family in your hands, you'll surely ride the wind and break through the waves, moving forward without stopping! I'm not destined for great wealth or glory, so I won't be joining you anymore!"]
With that, Jiang Yuanzhong hung up.
One brother was dead, and another had turned against him.
Jiang Hao sat at the desk, and the calm expression on his face finally rippled.
Only after he had processed his emotions did he slowly say, "Zhou Guang, organize the information about that crystal coin issuance conference and give it to me today."
"President, are you planning to attend?"
Jiang Hao gathered the documents on the desk, collecting the sheets of paper one by one, "The United Government is going to introduce a new currency. They must have already notified quite a few people to attend."
"But they didn't notify you."
"The Zhao family is in charge of it. Why would they take the initiative to notify me? Since I know many people will be going, I have to attend too. I can't make myself look like I don't belong."
Jiang Hao put the documents into a drawer, locked it with a special lock, and sighed, "The Jiang family isn't what it used to be. Yuanrui is hiding in the residence and doesn't dare show himself. Yuanxiu was killed by Lu Daoxing. And then there was Yuanzhong's call just now… In any case, this is exactly when people's hearts are unsettled. An old man like me has to keep a low profile and watch my step."
Zhou Guang bowed, "I'll go get things ready right away and accompany you to the meeting in District 7."
"Don't keep yourself busy with pointless things for my sake. I have to attend the crystal coin issuance conference, but someone still needs to take care of things at home. Other than you, I don't trust anyone else with it."
"President, Young Master Changqing can handle things well enough. I'd still rather accompany you."
"Changqing's Sequence ability is pretty good, but he's still too rash when he handles things. He's not quite there yet. Recently, I looked through the files of those few fellows from South Glory who are making quite a name for themselves. To be honest, I feel Changqing isn't their match in any way…"
"Dad, you're looking down on me way too much!"
As Jiang Hao and Zhou Guang were talking, the office door was pushed open.
Jiang Changqing walked in with an unhappy expression.
Seeing this, Jiang Hao said nothing more.
"Dad, if you ask me, those new students from South Glory are nothing special, whether it's their own strength or how they manage their forces. What's there to talk about?"
"Chu Baxing is the crown prince of the Chu Legion, and he spends every day cleaning up after that idiot Huo Dangkou. Hu Chan is the Holy Son of the Zephyr Church, and now the Richard family has him completely suppressed. Gu Yunpeng relies on being a member of the Gu family and having a somewhat handsome face, then puts on airs as if he's above the concerns of ordinary people and considers himself aloof. Zhao Sifang is the president of a Chamber of Commerce, yet he still hasn't accomplished anything."
A trace of disgust flashed through Jiang Changqing's eyes, "Come to think of it, Qin Siyang is the only one who's somewhat capable. But at the opening ceremony of the Zhao Chamber of Commerce last time, he publicly hired someone to kill Hua Weicai, then threatened me and Hua Chengliang as well. He's just another hotheaded person who doesn't think things through. Nothing to fear!"
The more Jiang Changqing spoke, the more dissatisfied he became, "I know you think I'm young, hot-blooded, and arrogant. But you and I are looking at the same files. I really don't understand why you think they're better than me."
Jiang Hao said earnestly, "Some things aren't written down on the surface. You have to work them out for yourself."
"I still think you're exaggerating their abilities too much."
Jiang Hao looked at the unconvinced Jiang Changqing, lowered his eyes for a moment, then said, "Some things can't be taught. You have to see and learn them for yourself. Since you think none of them are as good as you, come with me to District 7 and meet them. Zhou Guang, I'll have to trouble you to handle some miscellaneous matters these next few days."
Zhou Guang nodded, "Yes, President."
"What difference will going there make? It's just one meeting. Can you really tell who's better or worse from that?"
Jiang Hao gave no further explanation, "Maybe."