CHAPTER 696: CHAPTER 627: THE STATE OF AFFAIRS

"Dubhe" Energy Network (Golden Light Ribbon): In the ribbon appeared energy transmission pipelines covering Europe, Asia, and Africa, deep-sea drilling platforms, and giant solar energy matrices floating above the desert.

"Controlling 17% of the world’s basic energy supply, especially the deep-sea energy chain in the S Continent and the North Sea, is our foundation and also... the place where the Lowell family, the Fourth Elder Jiang Na’s husband’s family, has the deepest infiltration!"

Jiang Yu spoke with a heavy tone, "The half seal that Jiang Ke took away has a 30% authority bound to this chain. If she uses the seal as a key to pry open the ’Heavenly Net’ system and reverse-analyze the energy nodes... the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Xuanji" Biotechnology (Aquamarine Light Ribbon): Countless gene helices, nano-medical pods, and ecological farm models floated within.

"Top-of-the-line medical patents, gene optimization technology, and a network of world-class laboratories. This is the deepest industry chain developed by the Jiang Family after going abroad and is the piece of meat coveted by the Western Royal Family and oligarchs. Through marriage alliances, like the Third Elder Jiang Catherine marrying into the Nordic Royal Family, they keep infiltrating, trying to dilute our control. Returning to Hua Country, this is the hardest area to bring back!"

A look of pain flashed in Jiang Yu’s eyes, "Once the core technology is out of our control and not protected by the ’Heavenly Net,’ it will be divided up in an instant."

"Yuheng" Financial Shadow River (Dark Golden Light Ribbon): The massive logo of ES Bank floated in the ribbon, surrounded by countless secret cash flows, surging like underground rivers.

"The Swedish ES Bank is just the tip of the iceberg. The real core is the global shadow settlement system built on the ’Heavenly Net,’ handling... the wealth flows that cannot see the light of day." Jiang Yu looked at her daughter, her eyes sharp as a knife, "This chain is the lifeblood of the Elder Council’s ’Westernization Faction’ (led by the Second Elder Jiang Wenxin)! Returning to Hua Country is akin to cutting the umbilical cord with Western nobles, and the resistance will be unimaginable!"

Yan Yueqing stared at the three golden ribbons dominating the Jiang Family’s industry chain, feeling the terrifying energy and heart-stirring contest contained within.

She reached out her hand, her fingertips unhesitatingly pointed at the virtual shadow of that incomplete Jade Seal.

"Buzz——!"

The deep hum in the central space gradually subsided, but Yan Yueqing’s fingertips retained the cold touch of the virtual Jade Seal and the immense pressure represented by those three ribbons.

Choosing the Jade Seal meant she had no retreat and had to face this heavy authority and the ensuing overwhelming waves.

Jiang Yu watched her daughter’s undimmed sharpness and gradually gathering contemplation, knowing she was digesting the core secrets of this colossal empire.

She spoke slowly, her voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible exhaustion, but more guiding firmness.

"Yueqing, controlling the Jade Seal, the core is to control ’Heavenly Net,’ and the ultimate goal of controlling ’Heavenly Net’ is to control the course of the Jiang Family’s giant ship—a return to Hua Country. But the icebergs along the course are far more than the three light ribbons you just saw."

Yan Yueqing raised her eyes, her gaze like a torch, "Mother, are you referring to... the loosening of our foundation in Hua Country?"

"Loosening?" Jiang Yu’s lips curled into a bitter yet insightful arc, "It’s more than loosening. It’s almost... a forgotten frozen land."

She gently tapped her finger in the void, and next to the originally majestic golden, green, and dark golden light ribbons, quietly emerged a relatively weak, scattered, and gray-tinted cluster of light points. These light clusters, like dim stars, were scattered across Hua Country’s map, forming a stark contrast with those three brilliant light ribbons.

"These were the investments that your mother, I laid out painstakingly in Hua Country with personal capability and affection for the homeland before leaving." Jiang Yu’s voice was tinged with reminiscence and pain.

"Involving energy support, biotechnology incubation, basic manufacturing, and even some livelihood projects. The initial intention was to pave the way for the family’s return and contribute to the hometown. When I left, I left sufficient funds and seemingly feasible plans, and entrusted professional teams or capable local partners to manage them, with massive maintenance and development funds injected each year, never lacking."

Yan Yueqing stared at the dim cluster of light points, her mind flashing through what she had seen and heard during her secret investigations of these industries over the past few years.

Her voice coldly continued her mother’s words, "Yes, I have inspected them. The results... are disheartening. Mother, do you know? The large photovoltaic material base you invested in the northwest, once technologically advanced and with first-class equipment, has had its core R&D budget cut by 70% in recent years to make short-term report look better. Instead, they speculate on local land, building a slew of flashy but impractical commercial complexes, and the technology is already two generations behind the mainstream. In the plant area, expensive imported equipment sits idle, covered in dust."