However, when it was time to divide the profits every year, why didn't these people acknowledge Cao An's contributions and let him take a larger share of the dividends?
When reaping the benefits, they all ran faster than the next, but when it came time to bear the risks, they pushed each other back and forth, none willing to take on even the slightest loss.
Wasn't Cao An opposing Xu Hao for the sake of the entire Cao Family?
Cao Ren felt uncomfortable, but it wasn't easy for him to express it. Looking at the chaotic crowd, he suddenly burst out, "Shut up all of you!!!"
Quite a few immediately shut their mouths, but there were still those who continued, "Hmph! We are all speaking reasonably here, not competing to see who can shout the loudest. Family Head, do you really want to force us into submission?"
"Exactly, Family Head, this whole affair was Cao An's fault to begin with. If he alone made the mistake, he should bear it alone! Had his men not provoked Xu Hao, that calamity, would we have had to offer compensation?"
Cao Ren's gaze turned icy.
The speaker was his cousin, Cao Guang, and his son, Cao Zhi.
Cao Ren knew all too well what they were thinking; he just hadn't found a way to shut them up, and it was even less likely to make them disappear. Many elders in the Cao Family supported them, believing he lacked the capability to be Family Head and had recently managed the family's affairs in turmoil.
Yet, suddenly, a Xu Hao appeared in Huadu—who could have foreseen that? Forcharactersheetsandglossaries,visit*.
Seeing that Cao Ren was silent, Cao Zhi sneered, "I think we should just hand Cao An over to Xu Hao and let him deal with him as he pleases. Otherwise, do we really want to sacrifice our entire Cao Family because of him alone?"
"My son speaks wisely!"
Cao Guang immediately echoed, "Everyone's eyes are wide open. The current situation is very clear now. Xu Hao's strength is formidable, and his background is unfathomably deep. Even the Wu Family treats him with great respect. Why should we stubbornly oppose him? Wouldn't it be better to find a scapegoat? What do you all think of this proposal from my son and me?"
The crowd remained silent, some nodding subtly.
Seething with anger, Cao An said coldly, "Without my men, you all wouldn't have been able to get such substantial dividends every year! When it was time to take the money, everyone's hands stretched out a mile long, and now you've all turned into turtles tucking their heads in!"
With that statement, he pretty much insulted every Cao family member.
Cao Zhi angrily retorted, "Cao An, are you courting death? How dare you insult your elders like that? Do you have any sense of respect for your seniors left? Family Head, the calamities Cao An has brought upon our Cao Family are already numerous. Why should we continue to protect him?
Let that devil Xu Hao do as he wishes with him. If we let Cao An take the fall, Xu Hao definitely won't be our enemy anymore. After all, our Cao Family is not an insignificant power in Huadu."
Noticing that many seemed inclined to endorse handing him over to Xu Hao, Cao An's heart turned ice cold in an instant.
He never expected that the first to abandon him would actually be his own kin!
He said with disdain, "Even if you really throw me to Xu Hao, it would be useless. My assets are far from satisfying his appetite. Right now, he doesn't just want all of the Cao Family's businesses, he wants even more!"
Cao Zhi sneered, "That's because you're incompetent! Can't you bargain with him? Can't you delay him?"
"Hmph! How narrow-minded! Once Xu Hao gets upset, who's to say he won't come knocking down our doors? And who can stop him then? You?" Cao An said scornfully.
"I refuse to believe he'd really dare to come, and even if he does, so what? Does he truly have the audacity to kill us all?" Cao Zhi said nonchalantly, dismissing Cao An's concerns, "You yourself are useless, but don't assume everyone else is the same! I have a trump card in hand. If Xu Hao dares to come, I dare to ensure he won't leave alive!"
"You must be out of your mind if you think you can take on Xu Hao. That's the man not even the Wu Family dares to confront!" Cao An said scornfully.
"Hmph! I can't be bothered with you. No matter how strong one's Kung Fu is, they still fear a kitchen knife. As long as one has brains, they won't fear those blockheads!" Cao Zhi retorted disdainfully towards Cao An's perspective.
Just then, a loud bang came from outside the door, followed by a commotion.
"What's going on!?" Cao Ren shouted as he stood up.
"Report—Family Head, Xu Hao has struck! Our guards wouldn't let him in, so he kicked our front gate flying!" a messenger yelled.
"Damn! Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Cao An, you better scurry out there yourself and let Xu Hao deal with you as he pleases!" Cao Zhi cursed, then commanded Cao An.
Cao An gave a cold snort but remained seated, not moving an inch, and coldly stated, "Aren't you very cocky? Aren't you unafraid of Young Master Xu? Well then, go out and greet him yourself!"
"Hmph! With that lack of responsibility you're showing, you still aspire to be the Cao Family's successor? I see, you and your father had better abdicate and yield your place to the more capable soon!"
Cao Zhi mocked Cao An with disdain, causing Cao Ren's beard to tremble with fury. Although he indeed was somewhat reluctant to manage the Cao Family affairs, he could not tolerate such humiliation!