Chapter 1673: Chapter 1673

All these businessmen added together tonight probably don’t even have one-tenth of the Li family’s assets, no, even a hundredth would be quite impressive. That’s the disparity, a gulf-like disparity.

These businessmen were just chatting and laughing, basking in success, but when it comes to talking about the Li family, most of them don’t know what words to use. To say they aspire isn’t quite right; there’s an inherent, instinctive sense of awe.

They have been struggling for years to reach their current status, and the Li family... With a bunch of women and one man, how many years has it been? Yet they’ve built a fortune of hundreds of billions.

A few months ago, there was a thrilling, ghost-scaring business war. They remember it clearly. Two long-standing influential families in the provincial city, the first and third super families, simultaneously launched an attack on the Li family, only to be successively taken down.

Some well-informed businessmen know that the Li family didn’t just take down two big families; there’s another family that has now retreated, trembling as if the Li family could wipe them out at any time, living in constant fear.

After eliminating those two big families, the Li family understood the importance of fair distribution. They divided some of the industries belonging to the two families, distributing them to other families and some small businessmen in Mile City.

So, there are a few businessmen here who speak highly of the Li family, believing they are really considerate. At least they don’t bully small businessmen and small families like them.

You reap what you sow. The Li family has a good reputation in Mile City; even the vendors providing them daily vegetables and fruits give them thumbs up for their generosity, paying them well.

Similarly, Qi Tianlong was warned by a few newly acquainted businessmen. If he wants to develop in Mile City or within the province, he must get along with the Li family. No, he shouldn’t just get along; at the very least, he shouldn’t offend the Li family. To forge a good relationship with the Li family would be a huge blessing, as even what falls from their hands is enough for them to live on, let alone befriending them.

Someone in Mile City indeed befriended the Li family, and after the Li family let some things slip out of their control, that person’s worth skyrocketed to tens of millions, becoming a local tycoon.

"Isn’t this just siding with your own people?" Qi Tianlong pursed his lips, somewhat unconcerned as he spoke. Check latest chapters at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩

The businessman next to him quickly covered his mouth, checked his surroundings, and whispered, "You shouldn’t say that. This isn’t just siding with your own people. From what I understand, those few big provincial city families actively provoked the Li family. The Li family had no choice but to retaliate, and then... well you know the result. So, the Li family is unfathomable, and extremely formidable. Little businessmen like you and me... Even if you are displeased with the Li family, you absolutely can’t show it. The kind of complaining you did just now, you should save it for home, curse all night if you want, but in occasions , it’s better not to say anything. You never know who might spread your words, who might stab you in the back. If you fall, nobody will pity you."

The effect of these words was fitting. Qi Tianlong realized he had misspoken under the influence of alcohol. He nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder. I will be more careful in the future."

Yes, the Qi family is worth at most a few billion, most of which are fixed assets. That’s the estimate, but there really isn’t that much cash. Plus part of it includes bank loans, saying a few billion is an exaggeration. For him to provoke a clan worth hundreds of billions would be suicidal. To anyone else, it would be like an egg against a rock.

But... Ye Yunzhu is truly beautiful. Qi Tianlong glanced at the seated Ye Yunzhu, licking his lips, thinking that if he could win her over, he would have an unobstructed path for development in Mile City. Such a young Vice Mayor, even if she wields little power, she has youth on her side. Who knows, she might become the Mayor in ten or twenty years. If he can win her over, the Qi family might indeed become a true family, a powerful clan.

When thinking along these lines, Qi Tianlong prepared to approach Ye Yunzhu and say a few words. Just as he was about to move, that same businessman, who had already guessed what Qi Tianlong was thinking, stopped him.

Qi Tianlong looked at him, puzzled. The guy then said, "Isn’t our Mayor Ye really beautiful?"

"Beautiful, definitely beautiful. She’s the most beautiful official I’ve ever seen." Qi Tianlong chuckled, licking his lips as he spoke.

"The Ye family is one of the big families in the provincial city, ranked in the top three now!" The businessman said in a low voice.

Oh? Qi Tianlong was intrigued, having heard a bit about provincial city affairs earlier. He hurriedly asked, "Is Mayor Ye part of the Ye family?"

"Absolutely, otherwise how could..." The businessman gave him a knowing look.

Qi Tianlong nodded in realization and said, "No wonder she reached this position at such a young age. Indeed, she has backing. For the provincial city Ye family to survive the waves and even grow stronger, they must have strong connections too."

"The backing is there, but how should I say this... I don’t know much either. However, I know the Ye and Li families have a good relationship. The Li family allocated a lot of industries to them this time, which is also why the Ye family was able to grow rapidly."

"Is there such a relationship? Are you saying our Mayor Ye is also on good terms with the Li family?"

"Ah... I wouldn’t know. I wouldn’t dare investigate Mayor Ye’s background. But it is true that Mayor Ye knows the Li Family Head, and they seem to have a good relationship." The businessman said.

Qi Tianlong frowned. He had been hearing about the Li Family Head ever since he returned to Mile City. Every circle talked about him. As a once proud child of destiny, hearing about this person and events stirred a sense of dissatisfaction. Moreover, having not witnessed the terror of the Li family firsthand, Qi Tianlong lacked a clear understanding, rendering it impossible to view the issues clearly.

"It shouldn’t be the case, right? No matter how formidable the Li family is, they shouldn’t be able to influence the government. Our country doesn’t work like that." Qi Tianlong muttered to himself, speaking words he didn’t truly believe.

The businessman chuckled twice, shook his head, and said, "Old brother, I’ve been a bit talkative after drinking today. Xiao Qi, please don’t mind it. It’s just because I see you have ambitions that I’m saying more. Mile City seems calm because the Li family is so powerful that they suppress everyone from acting recklessly. Otherwise, this place would be a quagmire. And here, the one family you cannot offend is the Li family. This is the truth. Offending the Li family is worse than committing murder and facing the consequences."

"That’s a bit... sensationalism, isn’t it?" Qi Tianlong smacked his lips, saying it disbelievingly.

"Don’t disbelieve it. Everything said is true. Come, let me tell you a few things. Although they might not be accurate, there’s always some truth to follow. Those unlucky individuals suffered because they offended the Li family or challenged them, and now they’re facing misfortune. Many have ended up in jail..."