What do you mean by quitting the business? I'm not a big shot.

Chapter 630 Prodigal Son

Li Jiacheng was guarding the living room. When he saw Ren Darong return, he stepped forward and asked, "Ren sir, is there any news?"

"Good news! The police received a tip and launched a rescue operation within ten minutes, solving the case. Your son is on his way home." Ren Darong smiled broadly, seemingly very excited.

Li Jiacheng breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Inspector Ren. Juzi is alright. I owe you a favor."

Ren Darong said, "It's all thanks to my colleagues in the police force, to the frontline officers."

Just as Li Jiacheng was about to promise to donate to the police force, he suddenly realized something was wrong and frowned, saying, "Is Juzai already on his way?"

Ren Darong smiled broadly, without any pretense: "We should be there in about ten minutes."

Fear flashed in Li Jiacheng's eyes, and he said ferociously, "Good, Ren sir has done a great service. He will be promoted again soon."

"It's just my duty, nothing to boast about," Ren Darong replied casually, raising his wrist to look at his watch. "Inspector Li, the case is solved. Pack your things and get ready to call it a day."

"We'll leave once Young Master Li returns, gives his statement, and then we'll be done with it."

Lai Chi-bun stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, sir!"

As he turned to do his work, he glanced at Li Jiacheng with a hint of pity in his eyes.

Ruined.

The timing doesn't match up. Young Master Li wasn't brought back in exchange; he was a worthless nobody returned after vomiting. What was rightfully his has already been taken.

The Li family, a prestigious and powerful clan, didn't even have the right to negotiate; they could only await the judgment of the powerful. But Li Jiacheng was a remarkable man; he remained calm and composed, sitting in his chair, and instructed his butler, "Ah Song, bring the officers a cup of tea. The men have worked hard."

Ren Darong sat calmly at the table, smiling and nodding: "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Li."

"It's only right. Helping the Li family without even a cup of tea would be a laughing stock." Li Jiacheng's expression was solemn as he leaned on his cane, his tone distant and indifferent.

About twenty minutes later, Li Zeju was brought to the door by a police car. Apparently, his associates had handed him over along the way to avoid any gossip.

The butler ushered the young master into the living room and bowed carefully, saying, "Master, the young master has returned."

Li Zeju knelt on the ground, his face filled with grief: "I'm sorry, Father!"

"It was them, they forced me to do it."

Ren Darong waved to his men and left with his men. Li Jiacheng stared at his eldest son, his eyes sharp, and said, "How did we force you? Not a single knife was used, not a single shot was fired, just minor injuries, and you've already sold out the Li family!"

"These are all your family businesses. Times have changed. Those who fall behind will never have the chance to stand up again."

Although Li Zeju was dressed in rags and his body was covered in visible scars, it did not shake Li Jiacheng's resolve. Generations of wealth and luxury—how could he easily and simply sell it all?
Li Zeju was heartbroken and dazed: "I'm sorry, I sold out the Li family, I'm a coward. They want to cut off my scrotum, they want to kill my offspring."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiacheng's face contorted with rage. He gripped his cane tightly and closed his eyes.

Li Zeju cried, "I can't hold on, I really can't hold on!"

"Can't hold on?"

Li Jiacheng interrupted his eldest son's wailing and looked at him coldly: "If you can't hold on, why don't you just die? If you die, the Li family won't have lost."

"spendthrift."

"How could I have given birth to such a spendthrift son!"

Amidst the astonishment of the housekeeper and servants, he rose from his seat and went upstairs to his study. A moment later, a tremendous crashing sound came from upstairs, and the servants, terrified, dared not utter a sound. Li Zeju, utterly despondent, lay on his sickbed and was taken to the hospital by medical staff. He couldn't understand why he, who had worked so hard his entire life, was so dedicated and diligent, and had always been a role model for the second generation of Hong Kong's elite.

How come you've turned into a spendthrift in the blink of an eye?

Little did they know that political struggles are not business. Business success or failure depends on the environment and the times; wins and losses are normal. The Li family can withstand losses of tens or hundreds of billions, but they cannot bear a single political defeat.

In business, you only care about money; in politics, you'll lose your life.

To die is not a sign of emotional indifference, but a stark reality.

To participate in political struggles, one must be prepared to fight to the death. Isn't a second-generation heir who only knows business but not politics the biggest spendthrift in Hong Kong?

They thought Li Zeju had matured and understood the difference between politics and business. Involving him in the planning was meant to test his abilities, but it ultimately became a disastrous move that ruined the family.

However, isn't the saying "the first generation starts a business, the second generation fails" and "the first generation is outstanding, the second generation is useless" the reason for the decline and desolation of most wealthy and powerful families?

Heaven and earth are just, and their justice is evident to all.

Li Zeju did the right thing. If it's not his Li family, why should he defend it? Why should he fight for it? If one son of the Li family dies, they can have another. There's even a ready-made one. But if Li Zeju dies, then he's really dead.

In the study.

Li Jiacheng regained his composure, picked up the phone, and dialed Kwok Tak-seng, the boss of Sun Hung Kai Properties. Kwok Tak-seng, knowing of the Li family's misfortune, immediately asked, "Mr. Li, has Ah Ju been found?"

Li Jiacheng replied coldly, "It was returned to them."

"Send it back?" Guo Desheng was taken aback at first, then lowered his voice and warned, "Be careful, Mr. Li."

Li Jiacheng said, "I need to lay low for a while. I'll have to trouble Mr. Guo to handle the Kowloon District Council election."

Guo Desheng agreed, "Okay, I'll take care of it."

The Li family is already in the eye of the storm, facing impending trouble, and is no longer suitable to continue leading the conservative faction. But since Yin Zhaotang has no intention of letting him go, the competition remains.

As a staunch supporter of the conservative camp, it is only natural for Guo Desheng to take the reins. Behind him, the big bosses of the conservative camp will continue to support his candidacy.

Although there were some setbacks in the pre-election campaign, the power of many big bosses is enormous, and if they are mobilized, they may still have a chance of winning.

Even if we don't get all four votes, getting two or three would be enough to suspend the education bill. Li Jiacheng said, "Please, Mr. Guo, at the preparatory group meeting for the return to the motherland."

Guo Desheng promised: "Don't worry, I will do my best to protect you. But from now on, you should keep a low profile, just vote, don't make any proposals."

Li Jiacheng said, "I know."

After hanging up the phone, Guo Desheng rubbed his temples and thought of a way that might turn the tide.

The following day, Commissioner Against Corruption, John Wesley, received a whistleblower report detailing evidence that several investigation officers colluded with wealthy families, accepted bribes, and deliberately fabricated charges.

The material is too solid, leaving no room for maneuver; it's still the ICAC's approach.

Wei Liqin was furious and summoned Xie Xinfa, the senior investigation director of Group L (internal investigation group), ordering Group L to find out the truth.

Tragically, several of the investigation officers involved were actually close associates promoted by Richard Wesley. While the L team was conducting its investigation, the ICAC was in turmoil. To avoid large-scale unrest, the Commissioner had no choice but to reinstate former Chief Investigation Officer Chuang Cheuk-yin, bringing him back to his original position and inviting him back to the office.

(End of this chapter)