72: Chapter 72 Forbidden City Clubhouse

The playboy from half a year ago had now begun to show his potential; in time, he might well become a capable right-hand man for Li Daping.

Outside the window, the twilight deepened.

The discussion in the study grew increasingly profound, ranging from the domestic economic situation to the shifting winds of international affairs, from official appointments and removals to policy directions...

Every word contained hidden meaning, and every decision could affect the destinies of countless people.

Li Dakang listened with rapt attention, engraving this invaluable political wisdom into his heart.

He knew that he was standing at a brand-new starting point; his experience in Guantian Township was merely the beginning, and the road ahead was still long.

But with his family as his backing and elders to guide his direction, he would surely go even further.

By the time the meeting ended, the streetlights had already flickered to life.

Li Dakang walked out of the study, his heart filled with soaring ambition.

The bell for the New Year was about to chime, and the era that belonged to him had only just begun!

...

If one were to speak of the most mysterious club in the capital, if "Forbidden City" claimed second place, I'm afraid no one would dare claim the first.

The name alone exuded a status and background that could not be underestimated.

In the circles of the powerful and influential within this thousand-year-old capital, being able to step through the doors of the Forbidden City Club was, in itself, a display of status.

The Forbidden City Club enforced a strict admission policy: one had to be a member, or be introduced by a member holding a VIP card.

There were two conditions to becoming a member: either pay a deposit of ten million, or be the child of a high-ranking official.

And the standard for a "child of a high-ranking official" was even more staggering: one had to have at least one immediate family member who was a vice-ministerial level official.

Wealthy merchants and tycoons from other regions who came for its reputation all took pride in becoming a member of the Forbidden City, as if this small card were a pass to the very core of power.

As for the even rarer VIP cards, they were issued solely at the club's initiative; those who could receive such an honor were all pivotal figures in the capital's circle of power, and their every move could tug at the nerves of the entire city.

The reason the Forbidden City Club was pursued by so many was the unfathomable power of its boss behind the scenes.

It was said that as long as one became a member and paid a sufficient price, one could ask this mysterious figure for help.

Of course, this "price" often exceeded the imagination of ordinary people; sometimes it was the controlling stake in a project, sometimes an important favor, or perhaps even a political transaction.

To ordinary members, the boss behind the scenes of the Forbidden City Club always remained shrouded in mystery, but in the eyes of top-tier capital princelings like Li Dakang, this was not a secret at all.

The actual controller of the club was Wang Yunfei, a third-generation descendant of the Wang family, one of the four top families in the capital.

He was similar in age to Li Dakang's cousin, Li Dazheng, but had chosen a completely different path: instead of entering officialdom like most descendants of prestigious families, he had imitated the model of high-end foreign clubs and founded this Forbidden City Club in the capital.

Relying on the deep background of the Wang family, after helping a few members resolve some thorny issues, the reputation of the Forbidden City Club spread like wildfire through the circles of the powerful.

However, in the view of Li Dakang, Wang Yunfei was at most a shrewd businessman; the one truly worth being vigilant against was his older brother, Wang Yuntian, the third-generation successor of the Wang family who was as famous as Li Daping, having reached the rank of vice-department director at only thirty years old, and holding very high prestige among the descendants of the capital's prestigious families.

When the streetlights had just flickered to life, Li Dakang and his cousin, Zhou Mingyuan, arrived at the Forbidden City Club.

In front of the carved and painted Chinese-style gatehouse, two stone lions stood majestically, and the gilded characters for "Forbidden City" shimmered brilliantly under the lights.

"Greetings, Third Young Master, we haven't seen you in some time."

The greeter in a qipao bowed respectfully, a flash of surprise in her eyes; after all, the playboy who had spent his days lingering in the club half a year ago had now changed, as if reborn.

Li Dakang nodded slightly: "Arrange a quieter private room for me."

At the Forbidden City Club, ordinary members had to show a membership card, and VIPs needed an invitation letter, but for Li Dakang, his face was the best pass.

The waiter immediately understood and bowed to lead the way: "Third Young Master, please follow me."

Passing through a winding, secluded corridor, the two arrived at a private room called "Listening to the Rain Pavilion."

Pushing open the door, a faint scent of sandalwood greeted them.

The furnishings in the private room were elegant: yellow pear wood tables and chairs, Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain, and the walls were hung with ink paintings by contemporary masters; the most eye-catching feature was the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the entire courtyard.

"Third Young Master, what do you think of this room?" the waiter asked cautiously.

Li Dakang looked around and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad. Two friends will be coming later, just bring them in directly when they arrive."

"Very well, Third Young Master, I will go prepare the tea now."

After the waiter withdrew, Zhou Mingyuan couldn't help but exclaim: "Brother Kang, the grandeur of this Forbidden City is getting bigger and bigger."

Li Dakang sat down with him, and just as a cigarette was lit, a waiter came in carrying freshly brewed tea.

One had to admit that the quality of the waiters at the Forbidden City Club was truly high, and it lived up to its status.

Just as the cigarettes between their fingers had burned halfway, the heavy mahogany door of the private room was pushed open with a creak, and two young men in their early twenties burst in with great momentum.