Chapter 13: The Younger Brother Succeeds

This dossier originated from the Sogane-Ogiwara Trading Company. The pragmatic spirit of the islanders was evident in every detail. Enclosed were not only a variety of documents, certifications, and written records, but also numerous short videos interspersed with commentary, presenting the entirety of what could be known about “Xiao Kaitian” over the past twenty-some years, without omission or flaw.

Xiao Kaitian, male, a native of Han-Tang, was born into the Xiao family, one of the eight major clans of Han-Tang. The Xiao family had nearly a thousand years of heritage in Han-Tang, with a profound foundation. After an era of glory, it entered a period of dormancy. In modern times, with the epochal changes in Han-Tang, the family seized the opportunity and, through the relentless efforts of several generations, swiftly rose from a family of mere heritage to the ranks of the core aristocratic houses—a tide both fierce and unstoppable.

Particularly with the generation of Xiao Kaitian’s father, Xiao Zhengze, the family surged forth, riding the wave of Han-Tang’s emergence onto the world stage after the founding of the nation. Building on the accumulated strength of previous generations, he elevated the Xiao family to a new level, securing its position among the “Four Emperors” of the eight great clans of Han-Tang.

Yet, as the moon waxes and wanes, so too does fortune ebb and flow. Xiao Zhengze’s generation was blessed with many children, but the next faced an imperfect succession. In his youth, Xiao Zhengze married Jiang Linyun, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family—one of the Four Emperors. Their marriage was harmonious and affectionate, but no matter their efforts, they could not conceive a child.

This plight persisted for over twenty years, stirring countless tempests within the Xiao family. If not for Xiao Zhengze’s deft hand, he would have long since been ousted as family head. The discord finally ended on Xiao Zhengze’s fifty-first birthday, when, after more than two decades of marriage, Jiang Linyun announced her pregnancy.

This news brought a new dawn to the Xiao family. All eyes turned to the unborn child in Jiang Linyun’s womb, carrying with it the hopes of the entire family. After many trials, Jiang Linyun at last gave birth, safe but frail, to a son: Xiao Kaitian.

Thus, in an atmosphere of overwhelming anticipation, Xiao Kaitian was born—his every move watched with bated breath. From the start, he proved to be anything but ordinary.

His first year was spent almost entirely in the hospital’s ICU. Before the age of two, he was surrounded day and night by seven or eight nannies plus a dozen maids, ensuring his every need was met. At three, when he began to walk unsteadily, thirty-six household staff were assigned to his care. That same year, the Xiao family installed a five-second-response security system.

At four, he began to speak and tested satisfactorily for intelligence. The family then acquired dozens of special early education centers in the capital for children with unique needs.

At eight, he graduated smoothly from kindergarten; that year, the Xiao family donated an ultra-modern children’s play facility covering a thousand square meters to his school. At fourteen, he graduated elementary school with astounding grades and was admitted directly to middle school; the family donated a small library to Capital First Elementary. At seventeen, he entered high school and the family gifted a massive teaching complex with swimming and gymnastics halls to Capital First Middle School. At twenty, he graduated high school with distinction; the family donated a towering new academic building to Capital First High.

It was then that Xiao Kaitian’s path first diverged.

During the post-graduation gathering, driven by impetuous desire, he brazenly harassed Miss Gu—the second daughter of the Gu family, another of the Four Emperors—and in the resulting scuffle, seriously injured Young Master Bian. The incident sent shockwaves through the capital.

Through the mediation of the Xiao and Jiang families, and after untold expenditures of wealth and influence, the Bian family was finally forced to compromise. Miss Gu and Young Master Bian entered a verbal engagement as a result. Soon after, the Zhao family, another of the Eight Great Clans, intervened. Zhao Qixi, the eldest daughter, completed a marriage alliance with Xiao Kaitian; the two registered their marriage without ever meeting.

Left with no alternative under the pressure of the Xiao, Jiang, and Zhao families, the disadvantaged Bian family had no choice but to acquiesce. Balance, at last, was restored among the great houses.

Reading to this point, Xiao Kaitian could not help but wipe his face—was he truly married?

Yet what followed was entirely unexpected. Xiao Zhengze, furious at his son’s failure, sent him far away to the maritime capital of Han-Tang. There, Xiao Kaitian entered Zhendan University, severing all ties with the capital.

Four years later, after the Xiao family donated an enormous laboratory to the university, Xiao Kaitian graduated, completing his academic journey. Thereafter, he became a force unto himself—a “warlord” in his own right—rampaging across the maritime capital like a hidden dragon finally unleashed.

Soon, he founded the “Tang Dominion” conglomerate, gained overwhelming support from major banks, and grew so powerful as to nearly rival his father.

Yet a peerless talent must bide his time before seizing glory. At that moment, his brilliance was poised to shine forth. But fate, alas, allowed him only a taste of triumph.

Xiao Kaitian’s destiny changed a second time. Half a year ago, his father, Xiao Zhengze, was suddenly killed in a well-guarded business trip, his body never recovered. Within days, his mother, Jiang Linyun, was whisked away by her family and vanished without a trace. Thus, a family whose power could sway several provinces was left leaderless.

In the ensuing chaos, the capable finally stepped forward: Xiao Zhenglü, Xiao Zhengze’s half-brother, took up the heavy mantle of leadership, singlehandedly stabilizing the faltering family.

There is a saying in Han-Tang: “When the father dies, the son succeeds,” but another says, “When the elder brother is gone, the younger takes his place.” Succession is not always straightforward—especially in a behemoth like the Xiao family.

As for Xiao Kaitian, son of Xiao Zhengze, his reputation was already an open book; his ability to steer the family’s future was no longer in question. Those involved had almost effortlessly reached a consensus.

The capital’s infamous “number one fool”—note, with emphasis on the fourth tone!

As a result, the entire Xiao family abandoned Xiao Kaitian. The “Tang Dominion” he founded quickly collapsed under a broken cash flow, and with no way out, Xiao Kaitian traveled to the island nation in search of Jiang Churan, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, who still held ten percent of Xiao family shares.

In Xiao Kaitian’s eyes, his journey to the island nation was nothing more than a quest for survival. Yet for the Xiao family, it was a point of contention and an excuse to target Jiang Churan.

With a sigh, Xiao Kaitian finished reading his own dossier, a wry smile on his lips. Indeed, he now had a comprehensive understanding of his past. As his true self, he had accomplished nearly everything he had ever dared to dream.