Chapter 684: All Scramble to Court Death

The Northwest, Deng Family.

Inside the main family’s drawing room.

Deng Zhaoxiong, the head of the Deng Family, sat in the center, while the uncles and elders of the family were seated on the sofas on either side.

As for the younger generation, they didn’t yet have the right to sit and were standing behind the sofas.

After Deng Xuan passed the news back, Deng Zhaoxiong gathered the core members of the family.

He had a feeling that something here wasn’t reliable. As the family head, he was experienced and not as arrogant as the rest of the Deng Family.

He was well aware that the Xu Corporation’s overall strength far surpassed that of the Deng Family.

Given that, how could Xu Shaochen possibly be willing to take a step back, let alone offer compensation of 10 billion yuan?

However, he also didn’t believe that Deng Xuan would bring false news, so he found himself in a dilemma. That’s why he gathered everyone to discuss it.

“What do you all think, can we believe this?”

Feeling a headache coming on, Deng Zhaoxiong rubbed his forehead and glanced around the room.

“Big Brother, of course, it’s believable! There’s no way Old Three would send fake news just to mess with us.”

“Exactly. Besides, Tianwen is also over there. I even asked him just now, and he admitted it was true.”

“Uncle, I think it’s quite normal. After all, our Deng Family dominates the Northwest. No matter how powerful Xu Shaochen is, he has to give us some consideration.”

“Yeah, Uncle. The Xu Corporation doesn’t lack money. If they can settle this with money, they definitely won’t want to tear things up with us.”

Everyone thought the news was true. Their arrogance was one reason, but the fact that the information came from Deng Xuan was another.

Deng Xuan wasn’t involved in the family business; he’d always been focused on his work dealing in cultural artifacts, so he maintained good relations with everyone in the family.

Therefore, his words were highly credible.

“Hmph, I still feel something’s off.”

Seeing the group’s enthusiasm, Deng Zhaoxiong felt annoyed. He couldn’t understand why they had such blind confidence in the Deng Family.

Xu Shaochen worried about the Deng Family?

What a joke! Xu Shaochen wouldn’t even give the Deng Family a second thought.

In this 21st century, only the Deng Family themselves were still thinking that way.

“Big Brother, what’s strange about it? Even if we assume Xu Shaochen doesn’t fear us, maybe he just doesn’t think we’re worth his time. That’s why he’s willing to throw 10 billion at us to make us go away.”

“Yeah, Uncle! If you think about it, it makes sense. Besides, the news came from Third Uncle, didn’t it? What more could be questionable?”

Seeing that Deng Zhaoxiong still had doubts, everyone began trying to persuade him. After all, 10 billion yuan was basically free money at this point. Who wouldn’t want it?

“Big Brother, you’re not still thinking about getting revenge for Tianquan and Tianyang, are you? I know Tianquan was your son, but revenge isn’t realistic anymore. Isn’t it better to take the 10 billion instead?”

Some suspected that Deng Zhaoxiong couldn’t let go of his son’s death, holding a grudge against Xu Shaochen and resisting accepting the compensation deal.

Hearing this, the others all exchanged strange looks with each other.

If Deng Zhaoxiong really had that mindset, they wouldn’t stand for it.

After all, while Deng Zhaoxiong was the head of the family, the Deng Family wasn’t his alone, and it wasn’t his one-man dictatorship either.

“I know the stakes.”

Seeing the doubtful looks on their faces, Deng Zhaoxiong’s expression darkened, a face so cold it seemed like it could drip water.

Though he still held a grudge over his son being killed by Xu Shaochen, he knew that getting revenge was unrealistic.

Getting Xu Shaochen to offer compensation was already quite good. At least it was a way to save face for the Deng Family.

“You all know how incompetent Tianwen is. There’s no way he can handle a number as large as 10 billion yuan.”

“As for Old Three, he hasn’t liked meddling in family business for years. So, who do you think should go to Jiangzhou to finalize this matter?”

Deng Zhaoxiong’s eyes swept over the group, his tone calm.

“Third Uncle, I’ll go! I’ll make sure everything gets done properly!”

“Fifth Brother, Jiangzhou is so far from the Northwest. The journey is tiring. Can you really handle it? Let me go instead.”

“Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, let’s give this chance to our younger brother. After all, I’ve never left the Northwest before.”

“I think…”

Suddenly, everyone started talking over each other, all vying for the opportunity.

After all, this was 10 billion yuan they were talking about. If one of them could control even part of that, it would give them a huge advantage in the competition to be the successor.

“Enough! Stop fighting. Here’s the decision: Tianfang, Tiansheng, and Tianfeng, you three will go to Jiangzhou.”

In the end, Deng Zhaoxiong made the call, picking three of the younger generation.

After the deaths of Deng Tianquan and Deng Tianyang, these three were the strongest candidates to succeed him.

As for Deng Tianwen, no one even considered him.

And just like that, the people sent to Jiangzhou to collect (or die) were decided.

………………

Jiangzhou.

Chen Yu Group, Chairman’s Office.

Zhao Qing was reporting to Xu Shaochen.

“Mr. Xu, the residents at the Li Family Dam have signed the relocation contracts, and the compensation has been distributed. We can start construction anytime.”

Xu Shaochen nodded: “Hm, have we found the right people to excavate the ancient tomb?”

He was really referring to tomb raiders.

Hiring archaeologists was another option, but Xu Shaochen preferred tomb raiders.

That’s because, if archaeologists got carried away during the process and reported the discovery of the tomb,

what could Xu Shaochen do? They would just be honest citizens contributing to the field of archaeology; he couldn’t just kill them.

That’s why he’d rather have the tomb raiders handle it. If they acted up or stole anything, he could send them to join the tomb’s original occupants in no time.

“Arrangements have been made. Once we demolish the area and fence off the land, we can start the excavation at any time.”

Zhao Qing answered obediently. Ever since he was reprimanded by Xu Shaochen, he strove to ensure every task was handled perfectly.

“Alright. Keep an eye on things at the Li Family Dam. If those tomb raiders get any funny ideas, let Liu Jun handle them. You don’t need to get involved.”

“Make sure they leave the burial items intact. Most of them will be donated to the museum later. Then, we’ll build a resort on the remains of the Li Family Dam.”

Xu Shaochen felt a sense of spiritual fulfillment. Donating most of the excavated artifacts to the museum—what an act of pure selflessness!

“Yes, Mr. Xu. Do you have any other instructions? If not, I’ll head out to take care of business.”

Zhao Qing asked, and seeing Xu Shaochen wave him off, he turned and left the office.

Xu Shaochen, now sitting in his office chair, tapping his fingers on the desk’s edge, thought back to the sudden inspiration he had the other day.

After a moment of hesitation, he picked up his Phone and dialed Jenny from Mg Country.