Chapter 39 I’ll Listen to You! Fourth Brother-in-law
“Big Brother, you can sit down too.” Wang Shouzhe stood up and cupped his hands in invitation.
“Fourth Brother.” There was a complex expression on Wang Shouxin’s slightly weathered face. More than that, there was some shame. He opened his mouth, but hesitated and sat down.
“It’s rare to have a meal with Big Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law,” Wang Shouzhe said tactfully. “Everyone, have a taste of the clear hotpot.”
Water was boiled in the copper basin on the high-quality carbon brazier. There was only some salt, as well as cooking wine and ginger for improving flavor, sprinkled in the water. The thin slices of Spirit Horn Yak beef were dipped inside. In a couple of seconds, they were cooked.
“This?”
Everyone was a little surprised and uncertain. How could the food be delicious with such a simple cooking method? The spirit food shouldn’t be wasted.
However, as soon as the thin slices of meat entered the mouths, they found it fresh, chewy and tender. A fiery energy of Qi and blood surged throughout their entire body from the abdomen. “The best ingredients should be cooked with the simplest method.” Wang Shouzhe poured spirit wine for everyone and said unhurriedly. “Only by doing so can you taste the most original flavor of the food. Big Brother, you started working at Silkworm Farm when you were 18. In the blink of an eye, 25 years have passed. In thanks of your dedicated and uncomplaining contributions to the clan over all these years, I toast you.”
Eating spirit meat with spirit wine was a rare experience for Wang Shouxin, even having lived to the age of 43. Wang Shouzhe’s words especially warmed his heart. He hurriedly lifted his wine cup and said, “It’s my duty. Those are just my duty.”
After the two of them finished their drinks at one go, Wang Shouzhe solemnly toasted Madam Xu. “Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ve been married into the Wang Clan for 21 years. You’ve added two sons and two daughters to the eighth generation of the Wang Clan of Ping’an. You’ve worked hard, and you’re a great contributor to the Wang Clan. I toast you.”
Madam Xu’s heart ached all of a sudden. That’s right, had anyone known the difficulties therein? Yet apart from Shouzhe, no one had ever praised her like this. She immediately raised her wine glass and replied in a slightly choked voice, “Thank you for your understanding, Fourth Brother-in-law.”
This spirit wine was so sweet that even her body felt as if it was floating.
“Mother, you married my father during your prime years. Not only do you have to work hard to manage the clan business, you’ve also treated my older sister and I as your own, taking good care of us in all aspects and raising us.” Wang Shouzhe toasted the third cup of wine and said, “Shouzhe will always remember your kindness and beneficence.”
Gongsun Hui froze as a lump rose in her throat. She glared and said with mild balefulness, “Luoyi is my legitimate daughter, and you’re my legitimate son. It’s only right that I take care of and raise you two. Why are you saying all this for no reason?”
However, despite saying that, she drank this cup of spirit wine with joy. Shouzhe’s gratitude was enough to prove that all her hard work over the years had not been in vain.
With these words, everyone gradually relaxed. After three rounds of drinks, most of the pot of spirit wine was finished. The spirit wine was the most intoxicating item, and everyone was already a little drunk. “Fourth Uncle.” Madam Xu also began to muster up her courage to say, “I also know that that little bastard Zongwei deserves to be beaten and punished. However, can Fourth Uncle spare him this once on account of your sister-in-law and big brother? Don’t worry, I will definitely teach him a good lesson later.”
As soon as these words were out, even Wang Shouxin stopped drinking. His gaze was also slightly expectant. Although he wished he could kill that little bastard, he was still his son after all.
How could parents not want their children to succeed in life? “Sister-in-law, Big Brother, we’re family.” Wang Shouzhe put down his wine cup and said solemnly, “Zongwei is my nephew, and also the future hope of the younger generation of the Wang Clan of Ping’an. The two of you wish for your son to succeed in life. How could I, as his Fourth Uncle, have any reason to wish against it?”
“Yes, yes, Fourth Brother-in-law is right.” Madam Xu beamed with joy. “You decide what the disciplinary actions should be. We’ll listen to whatever you say.” “It’s very simple. From now on, all youngsters below the age of 30 in the clan will be evaluated by their virtue and results.” Wang Shouzhe stated his final goal. “I will arrange five sequences in terms of first sequence, second sequence, and so on. The rations and resources of the clan available to each sequence is different. Moreover, I will list various criteria and conduct an assessment every year.”
“What?”
This surprised even Gongsun Hui.
The clan would indeed define sequences for the younger generation, but they were usually determined after factors such as bloodline, potential, age, and so on, and fixed once they are determined.
“Not only that, I will also introduce a comprehensive system of contribution to the entire clan. As long as you contribute to the clan, you can obtain an unending stream of contribution points. With contribution points, you can exchange for various cultivation resources from the clan. You can even exchange for spirit tea, spirit wine, cultivation techniques, and anything in the clan’s treasure vault,” Wang Shouzhe said seriously. “As long as you have the ability, you can obtain more cultivation resources.”
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To put it bluntly, Wang Shouzhe’s method came from the set-up in novels and games. This prevented everyone in the clan from gaining shares regardless of contributions. Although many clan members were willing to work hard without complaints, this was ultimately not a long-term solution. This was because things would be fine when everyone was poor. They worked hard while holding on to hope. In the future, when the clan became rich, their faith would deviate.
“But… But this…” Madam Xu’s mouth fell open.” What… What has this got to do with Zongwei’s incident?” “Eldest Sister-in-law, you’re confused,” Wang Shouzhe said. “Is Zongwei’s natural talent poor? It’s not excellent, but it’s not bad either, right? But why is he still only in the advanced second level of the Qi Refining Realm when he’s already 20 years old? And even surpassed by some of his younger siblings? That’s because he received all kinds of pampering since he was young. Some came from the Second Old Master, some from Eldest Uncle, and some from Eldest Sister-in-law and Big Brother. This caused him to lack competitiveness and refuse to work hard. Gradually, he developed all kinds of bad habits.”
“Then… then can Zongwei still be saved?” Madam Xu asked weakly. To be honest, she was also very disappointed in her son’s actions. However, no matter how disappointed she was, that was still her son.
“Yes!” Wang Shouzhe said seriously, “The way to save him is to strip him of all his resources, and let him rely on himself to fight for cultivation resources. One gains courage from realizing their mistakes. He will rely on himself to enter the first sequence of the clan, and take back the cultivation resources that were stripped away from him. Only when he grows and improves bit by bit through his own efforts will he mature.”
“Fourth Brother is right.” Wang Shouxin smacked the table and voiced agreements. “That little bastard’s conditions are too good. How can he grow up without suffering a little?”
“But if the Zongwei still doesn’t work hard…” Madam Xu said hesitantly, “Wouldn’t he miss the best period for cultivation?”.
“Heh, if he’s unwilling to work hard even in such a situation,” Wang Shouzhe said with a cold smile, “Eldest Sister-in-law, can you still expect him to be successful in this lifetime? It’s fine. Although our Wang Clan is a little poor, we can still afford to feed a leech. Eldest Sister-in-law, he isn’t your only son. I think Zongchang is quite promising. I remember that he’s only 13 years old this year, right? And he’s already at the second level of the Qi Refining Realm. If such potential is properly nurtured, he will definitely be the mainstay of our Wang Clan in the future.”
At the mention of Wang Zongchang, Madam Xu and Wang Shouxin both revealed gratified expressions. No matter what, this youngest son of theirs was still quite capable and was much better than his brother.
“Shouzhe, you’re right.” Wang Shouxin seemed to have made up his mind as well. “Then give that little bastard one last chance. If he still can’t do it, he can fend for himself. I will treat it as if I’ve never had this son.”
Madam Xu was a little anxious. Just as she was about to say something, Wang Shouzhe consoled her, “Eldest Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious. Big Brother and I would never harm Zongwei. If it still doesn’t work out, I’ll make arrangements. I really don’t believe that we can’t deal with that brat.”
Hearing this, Madam Xu put away her anxiety and said gratefully to Wang Shouzhe, “Fourth Brother-in-law, I’ll leave everything to your decision, then.” Without realizing it, there was more reverence and trust towards Wang Shouzhe in her eyes.
Since this matter had been settled, everyone stopped talking about it. Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouxin, the two brothers, drank and interacted with each other. They only talked about their brotherly bond and finished the entire pot of spirit wine.
After the meal, the rather drunk Wang Shouxin returned with the support of Madam Xu.
Gongsun Hui, who had witnessed all of this, looked at Wang Shouzhe with both relief and lament. If Zongwei’s matter hadn’t been handled properly, it was very likely to drive a wedge between the two brothers.
However, not only did he handle it very well, he even roped Madam Xu and Wang Shouxin into it as well. Just think about it. If even the most disappointing person in the clan, Wang Zongwei, had to follow the rules of sequencing, what reason did others have to object?
“Mother, regarding the clan’s contribution points system, I’ll have to trouble Mother to manage it.” Wang Shouzhe felt that Gongsun Hui was the best person to do this.
Then, they began to discuss the various aspects of the contribution system.
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At the same time…
Wang Shouxin returned home with the support of Madam Xu. Madam Xu also seemed a little tipsy. She said with a flushed face, “Shouxin, I think Fourth Brother-in-law is really not a simple person.”
“That’s true. Why don’t you take a look at whose brother he is?” Wang Shouxin said smugly. “If he didn’t have to take charge of the clan, Fourth Brother might already be a student of the Violet Palace Academy.” Today, Wang Shouzhe’s various actions made him feel much more respected. He felt like he was holding his head high in front of Madam Xu.
“You’re so full of it… What are you trying to do, old man?” Madam Xu had only spoken halfway when Wang Shouxin hugged her. She immediately frowned and got grumpy. “Didn’t Fourth Brother praise you for being a great contributer?” Wang Shouxin carried Madam Xu and headed to the bedroom. “We can’t disappoint Fourth Brother. We have to give birth to more children and contribute more to the clan.”
“Wang Shouxin, you bastard. Do you think I’m… Ah…”