Chapter 1 (5): The King's Trial
The board meeting was eerily matter-of-fact.
While Haotian reviewed materials,
not a single executive
uttered a word.
Haotian noticed the unnaturalness of this silence.
---
"--That's all."
Haotian's brief announcement.
Normally, someone would ask now.
"What about the overseas fund movements?"
"Additional impact on share price?"
"Are we not considering defensive measures?"
But today was different.
The finance director spoke.
"Following the President's directive, we'll focus on core business this quarter.
No additional market commentary seems necessary."
Legal counsel continued.
"At present,
no matters requiring immediate legal response have arisen."
The international business head
didn't even look up from documents.
> Correct.
> All correct judgments.
Which is precisely why
Haotian was certain.
--This is "abandonment."
They've made no mistakes.
But they're "doing nothing."
That's no coincidence.
---
The meeting ended earlier than scheduled.
The executives rose in turn,
bowed as usual, and filed out.
No one looked back.
Watching those departing backs,
Haotian thought:
(…I'm being tested.)
---
Many of these executives had been with Longteng since his father's era, helping build it into an industry leader.
After his father died when he was fifteen, they were the ones who backed Haotian when he returned from overseas and pushed him onto the throne at thirty.
Their judgment was unanimous:
>The President is still young.
>His decisions are rational, but he cannot completely sever emotion.
>He still places too much weight on the Li family itself.
Last year, when the uncle faction made its move during Haotian's absence, the executives had advised crushing them completely.
But he only removed them from the board. He left their shareholdings and family assets untouched.
That was a decision made as head of the Li family.
Which is why.
They're gauging how he moves now.
Will he draw his own blood
Will he sacrifice someone
Or will he
truly "do nothing"
Depending on the result,
they'll decide whether to bet on him
or protect themselves.
Despicable,
but rational.
---
Back in his office,
Haotian gazed down at the skyscrapers outside.
The share price still holds.
The market remains quiet.
(If Father were here...)
Father would have cut one family member at this stage.
That would have sent a message to the market,
and the executives, the banking syndicate,
all would have followed without hesitation.
But--
(I didn't choose that.)
Even when told to crush the uncle faction completely.
Using "family" as justification,
he left their assets untouched.
That decision
now returns as a blade.
---
Haotian issues instructions to only one person through an encrypted line.
--Hong Kong.
--Haoming.
What the executives want to see is
"whether the President can sever the logic of family."
But Haotian will betray their expectations.
(I won't cut.
--First, I'll investigate the roots.)
Whether that decision represents
ruthless authority,
or weakness--
The answer lies
a little further ahead.
