432: Chapter 432: The Eve of the Windfall 432: Chapter 432: The Eve of the Windfall Linwu County continued to be embroiled in an uproar, and the Chang Family also entered the public discourse during this bustling time, drawing the attention of media journalists to the Chang Family.
Due to this event, the Chang family had garnered unprecedented attention.
There was a flood of reports, mostly filled with congratulations, of course.
Naturally, there were also some who posted attacks against the Chang Family, but those were quickly drowned out by an army of online defenders.
Regarding Yang Tianqiang’s appointment and the Chang Family’s hosting of this celebration, there was a unanimous voice of approval, which actually escalated the reputation of the Chang Family to new heights.
Clearly, the major upheaval in Linwu County had affected all families, but the Chang Family was the sole beneficiary.
Furthermore, this benefit was expected to expand to a greater extent after tonight’s party.
Cai Long also retreated directly to his home, and his corporation continued to close its doors.
He mobilized hundreds of security personnel, who surrounded his residence with an iron-clad protection scheme.
Since the police could no longer protect his personal safety, he could only rely on his own strength.
Cai Long’s authority remained intact, though every day heaps of people surrounded his home and company, shouting abuse and calling for retribution, yet few dared to resort to violence.
Cai Long’s home was also a mess; almost everything breakable had been shattered by Cai Long himself.
“To think that it’s Director Yang coming to take over as the County Magistrate.
Last time, it was because of him that Fu Bochuan let Tangyu and others go shamefully.
This Director Yang obviously knows Tangyu well, which is hugely disadvantageous for me.
And that Chang Family, even they are rising in status—Chang Baosheng’s relationship with Tangyu is also quite good.
Tangyu now effectively holds in his hands two powerful cards: Yang County Magistrate and the Chang Family.
And the Chang Family might soon have a county head and a chief of public security.
If things really develop to this step, then all my previous networks will be rendered useless.
It would be much easier for Tangyu to suppress me.
Damn it, it’s infuriating, well played, Tangyu, forcing me, Cai Long, into such a position.
You forced me, it was you!” Cai Long’s face was chillingly cold, his features twisted into a ferocious expression, his eyes filled with terrifying and crazed fury.
He was on the brink of madness, ready to lash out like a fierce beast at any moment.
Upon receiving this news, Ma Tian and Fei Yangzhi were undoubtedly furious.
If the Chang Family were to rise in status, their previous plans might become unachievable.
Now, they could only hope that the mighty clash between the Chang Family and the Wei Family wouldn’t just end there.
If the Chang Family rose in status and used this opportunity to cripple the Wei Family in one fell swoop, then this situation wouldn’t be too much of a failure.
Such a sudden turn of events was indeed unexpected.
In the suburbs of Linwu County, within an ordinary household, He Ming’s face was etched with cold severity, his eyes gleaming with a deep and chilling light as he spoke on the phone.
“Young Master Yang, there’s been a change.
We’ve greatly underestimated Tangyu’s influence.
The chess pieces in Linwu County are probably of little use now,” declared He Ming.
“I’m already aware of the situation.
Indeed, we’ve underestimated his power.
However, this matter is being manipulated by Xiao Yu; without him, Tangyu wouldn’t have had such capabilities.
Now that Xiao Yu is involved, we’ve become very passive.
Your identity must have been exposed by now.
There’s another person behind the scenes orchestrating this.
I’ll send you the information soon; you should know what to do.
Although those chess pieces may not be very useful now, we should still exploit them to the fullest.
There might still be some gains.
Since we’ve committed to this, we can’t let it be for nothing,” Young Master Yang said with a sinister chuckle over the phone.
He Ming nodded, “Understood, Young Master Yang.
I know what to do.”
As time flew, night fell, and tonight was evidently a prelude to a new chapter for Linwu County, destined to be recorded in its history.
For the political structure of Linwu County, this was undoubtedly a decisive factor.
The Grand Hotel, lit up with colorful lights, was exceptionally decorated today, with neon lights adding a dreamlike atmosphere.
As if hosting a grand gathering of shining stars, the entrance of the illustremely decorated Grand Hotel was swarmed by over a hundred media journalists early on.
The Chang Family was also actively organizing the event, ensuring superb order, with more than two hundred security personnel diligently maintaining order at the scene.
Additionally, Luo Fuchun had dispatched over a hundred police officers and a hundred armed police to aid, raising the number of personnel maintaining stability at the venue to over four hundred—an array that could only be described as spectacular.
If anyone dared to cause a stir here, they would truly be risking their lives.
The evening was scheduled to start at six, but guests had arrived early before five o’clock.
Consecutively, cars after cars, men in suits and well-dressed celebrities walked on the red carpet and entered the hotel.
Every notable person from Linwu County had been invited, and such an invitation was almost impossible for anyone to decline without offending the new County Magistrate.
At this moment, it seemed no one would dare to displease him.
“Look, the Four Young Masters of Linwu have arrived.
Aren’t their patriarchs coming in person?”
The appearance of the Four Young Masters of Linwu did indeed attract many gazes and stirred numerous whispers.
One after another, important figures arrived and were ushered by the welcoming staff to specific areas in the hotel.
“The Chang Family people have arrived, hmm, who are those few individuals?
Why do they look so unfamiliar, are they also from the Chang Family?
Impossible.”
“Wow, such beautiful women, and there are two of them.
When did Linwu County have such gorgeous women.
And those two men, why are they arriving with the Chang Family?”
“Haven’t you heard?
That man is a major figure from Donglin City.
The situation at the Signal Fire Platform the day before yesterday was caused by them.
There’s even a rumor that he’s going to start a war with the Wei Family.”
“Shh, keep your voice down, don’t let others hear you.”
The simultaneous appearance of Tangyu and the Chang Family members instantly captured all attention.
Tonight, aside from the County Magistrate, the Chang Family undoubtedly had the highest level of attention.
They entered the hotel and proceeded to its ninth floor, to the largest conference room capable of accommodating five thousand people for meetings.
At this moment, it was filled with tables, nearly a hundred of them, set to host over a thousand diners.
The guest list for this invitation comprised nearly a thousand people—the room would be packed if everyone attended.
Others had to dine in different locations.
Security was particularly strict; entry was strictly by invitation only.
“Senior Chang has arrived.”
“Hello, Senior Chang, congratulations!”
“Senior Chang, your Chang Family is truly the expectation of many.
County Magistrate Chang has governed Linwu County with distinction, serving the country and the people, achieving great accomplishments and winning widespread acclaim.
Logically, he should have advanced higher long ago.
Now, at last, his reputation is recognized deservedly.
Congratulations on both your powerful successors, Senior Chang.”
“Indeed, Senior Chang, your Chang Family’s prestige in Linwu County is evident to all…”
…
As soon as the Chang Family arrived, a flood of flattering comments surged towards them, a crowd passionately currying favor, uttering complimentary remarks.
Now that the Chang Family was in power, naturally, they were the targets of adulation.
Regardless of any prior relations with the Chang Family, everyone was effusively congratulatory—a gesture that was more akin to courting favor.
For those who already had some connections, it represented an opportunity to express further goodwill toward the Chang Family.
For a moment, the Chang Family’s influence overshadowed all others, dimming the prestige of the Wei, Ma, Fei, and Tang families who were cast aside, watching the Chang’s rise to power.
Senior Chang was all smiles, acknowledging those courting his favor with nods.
Though the Chang Family was now powerful, they still needed to cultivate good relationships with these luminaries, making their future path smoother.
The patriarchs of the Wei, Ma, and other families gathered here today as well, a banquet none dared miss.
They too came over, offering congratulations.
While Senior Chang attended to these guests, Chang Baosheng and Tangyu stood aside, finding the sycophantic chatter barely tolerable.
Many young people also greeted Chang Baosheng familiarly, although he didn’t recognize many of them.
After all, he didn’t mix much socially and was currently enrolled at Donglin University, spending little time in Linwu County.
Therefore, he had minimal interaction with these figures and did not recognize them.
Nevertheless, Chang Baosheng couldn’t outright reject their overtures and managed a forced smile in acknowledgment.
This manner of response was exhausting for him.
Tangyu and his companions also attracted considerable attention.
Particularly Lin Feifei and Liu Shanshan, two great beauties, drew admiring glances.
Tangyu’s gaze suddenly sharpened, looking towards the direction of the four young masters of Linwu as if encountering an archenemy, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he walked over.
Chang Baosheng noticed Wei Yaoye and others, his expression briefly clouded with anger, following Tangyu.
Ma Tian and Fei Yangzhi stared at Chang Baosheng in a daze, their eyes reflecting disbelief.
“Young Master Chang, are you alright?” Ma Tian couldn’t help asking.
After all, it was widely known that Chang Baosheng had been severely injured in a recent car accident, with sixteen broken bones necessitating more than a month’s hospitalization.
Yet here he was, standing before Ma Tian looking unscathed—how could Ma Tian not be surprised, shocked, and incredulous?
He and Fei Yangzhi exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend the situation.
The news they had received hadn’t been like this—and yet here Baosheng stood, evidently far from the bedridden casualty he was believed to be.
Wei Yaoye’s lips curled in a wicked smile, glancing briefly at Ma Tian and Fei Yangzhi before quickly looking away, pretending to have noticed nothing.
“What, you wish something was wrong with me?” Chang Baosheng asked the two men.
Under normal circumstances, Ma Tian might have disregarded Chang Baosheng, but times had changed.
The Chang Family’s status had evidently evolved, and in such a situation, Ma Tian naturally wouldn’t provoke him.
“No, not at all, Young Master Chang—you misunderstand.
I just heard that there was a serious car accident the day before yesterday, and you were badly hurt.
Seeing you well now, I’m just a bit surprised.
It’s, of course, excellent that you’re alright.” Ma Tian forced a smile, attempting to clear the air.
Chang Baosheng replied, “Do you really think that way?
I can’t shake the feeling that you’d prefer if I were critically injured and hospitalized.
Yes, I was in a severe car accident two days ago, and only by good fortune did I escape more serious harm—otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
Ma Tian sensed the pointed tone in Chang Baosheng’s words and couldn’t help wondering if Baosheng suspected him of orchestrating the incident.
It made no sense—Wei Yaoye would be a more likely suspect.
“You must be joking, Young Master Chang.
How could I think that way?” Ma Tian said, his expression cooling.