The batch of medicinal materials detained at the airport has become a blade that tears open a gap.
Yan Yueqing sat in the wide chair of the study, her fingertips lightly tapping on the table. On the holographic screen before her was the densely woven transaction route map that Jiang Chuanning had found using Jiang Family’s internal channels.
The medicinal materials flowing from the international airport passed through several offshore companies as intermediaries, with the final source clearly pointing to a name—Fifth Elder, Jiang Catherine.
"Quite the Fifth Elder." Yan Yueqing’s voice was cold as if infused with ice. She gazed at the intricate network on the screen, her eyes eventually locking onto the names of several Japanese businesses that frequently traded with Jiang Catherine.
"Purchasing medicinal materials from Hua Country at a low price, reselling them at a tenfold markup elsewhere, draining Hua Country’s foundations to fill her own pockets. What’s more, the goal in Japan is to make traditional Chinese medicine disappear so that everyone in the future will only take their Western medicine. Once they monopolize the development, prices and technology will be entirely under their control."
Jiang Yu stood by her side, his expression solemn: "The Jiang Family has had its roots overseas for a hundred years, and the influence of the Fifth Elder’s branch of in-laws is vast. She has controlled the medicinal trade for decades, deeply entrenched. If she dares to do this, she must be totally confident, thinking that no one can touch her cake."
"Confident?" Yan Yueqing let out a cold laugh, "Beneath her cake lie human lives and national foundations. I am definitely acting."
As soon as she finished speaking, her private communicator lit up, displaying a familiar and unpleasant name—Jiang Catherine.
Yan Yueqing connected the call. That mixed-race face maintained its usual poise and arrogance, with the background being the luxurious hall of the Jiang Family’s main residence on S Continent. Jiang Catherine’s tone was completely unaffected, even carrying a hint of mockery as if watching a junior’s antics: "Young Master, I heard you’ve found something? Regarding that batch of medicinal materials."
"Fifth Elder is well-informed." Yan Yueqing leaned back in her chair, her tone calm, though her eyes glinted with cold.
"I wouldn’t say well-informed; just that having been in the Jiang Family for a long time, some sense of wind and grass always emerges."
Jiang Catherine chuckled lightly, taking a sip of coffee from beside her, "I don’t know what the Young Master has discovered, but I kindly remind you. The family business spans the globe; every link, every chain has its reasons and value. Some business may not look good, but it feeds thousands and is also one of the vital pillars for the family to stand overseas. If you seek survival by cutting off a limb out of momentary fervor, it won’t be good for the family. At that time, the losses you’re talking about won’t be mine alone."
Her words were full of arrogance, as if what Yan Yueqing was doing was merely the impulsive resistance of a child playing house.
"Fifth Elder, selling medicinal materials, raising prices, even helping Japan suppress the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine... All this, I think you’ve ’worked hard and made great contributions.’"
Yan Yueqing’s voice slowly arose, carrying a weight felt when exploring the abyss, "But, I am curious, how much profit can you actually make by merely dealing in medicinal materials? As you said, does it really support thousands? Are those materials truly so precious? Is every transport worth you taking such risks?"
Jiang Catherine’s hand holding the tea paused slightly, the smile in her blue eyes fading somewhat: "What does Young Master mean?"
"Isn’t selling medicinal materials just a superficial move? What are you actually trying to hide? Why do you fear letting me know?"
Jiang Catherine took a deep breath: "Is Young Master deliberately provoking me? What could I possibly hide?"
"If nothing, why are you in a hurry to call?" Yan Yueqing suddenly laughed, "Trying to see how far I’ve found out?"