Chapter 37

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Of course, Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui could not participate recklessly, otherwise, it would not boost the morale of the family guards and servants, but rather cause them fear and unease.

The entire transportation channel had been initially established, so Wang Shouzhe no longer participated in it. Such a massive amount of grain transportation was not something that could be completed in a short time.

This was not some game world where a click of the mouse could complete the grain delivery task.

Moreover, as the head of the clan, he naturally should focus on the big picture and delegate the smaller tasks. If he were to handle everything personally from start to finish, what would be the use of the clan members and family guards?

Even the matriarch Gongsun Hui was called away by him. The last segment of the entire transportation line was entrusted to Wang Luotong, who would take charge. The girls in the family should also take on responsibilities.

As they walked and chatted, they passed through the vast back garden and entered the rear courtyard of the Wang family's main residence, then slowly made their way to the courtyard where Wang Shouzhe had grown up as the young clan leader.

Wang Gui, his personal attendant, was leading two family guards in repairing the courtyard. Upon seeing Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui, he immediately came forward to greet them: "Greetings, Clan Head, Matriarch."

Wang Gui was one of Wang Shouzhe's companions. He had a clean background and was originally from a collateral branch of the Wang family. Most importantly, he was a talented young man with a lower-grade talent rating.

Don't underestimate him just because he is a personal attendant. Having served the young clan leader since childhood, he would inevitably become Wang Shouzhe's confidant. Once he established a family and had children with good talent ratings, he would have the opportunity to be incorporated into the main lineage of the clan, and his name would be added to the family register.

"Wang Gui, this is the Shan Yang Little Spirit Tea. Brew a pot for me and the matriarch," Wang Shouzhe handed the spirit tea to the attendant.

" Spirit tea?" Wang Gui, who had been with Wang Shouzhe for ten years, had rarely seen spirit tea, and was momentarily stunned.

"Philosopher, you absolutely cannot do this. This is something your maternal grandfather gave you to drink alone," Gongsun Hui immediately refused, "These are the most critical years for your growth. You need to quickly advance to the eighth or even ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage to match the strength expected of a clan leader!"

"Matriarch, please don't refuse. Weren't you curious about where this batch of old grain came from? Drink some spirit tea, and I'll tell you slowly," Wang Shouzhe firmly invited, then scolded Wang Gui, "What are you standing there for? Go and brew the tea."

"Yes, yes, yes." Wang Gui was startled and hurriedly left.

With the heir so determined, Gongsun Hui could not refuse. In the side hall of the courtyard, the two sat opposite each other at a square table. Soon, Wang Gui served a pot of spirit tea and some fruits and sweets, then bowed and left.

"Philosopher, this courtyard no longer matches your status as the clan leader," Gongsun Hui looked around and said, "After I complete the first year of mourning, I will move out of the main courtyard to make room for you. Then it will be convenient for you to bring the daughter of the Liu family home."

"Matriarch, there's no need for that," Wang Shouzhe smiled indifferently and poured tea for both of them, "This courtyard is just fine, and I'm used to it. You and Sister Luomiao can stay here comfortably, don't make unnecessary changes."

"How can this be considered unnecessary changes? You are now the head of the family and should live in the main courtyard," Gongsun Hui said, "Besides, you might be used to living here, but the daughter of the Liu family might not be. Once she enters the Wang family, I will also hand over the financial accounts to her, as is the custom in noble families."

Wang Shouzhe shook his head, "When the Liu family marries in, she will be your daughter-in-law. How can she overstep? Let's not talk about this for now. Matriarch, please have some tea. I'll tell you about the results of my trip, and we still have many things to discuss."

To Wang Shouzhe, Matriarch Gongsun Hui was mature and steady, and her status gave her very high prestige in the clan. Even the few clan elders had less prestige than her.

If the family could be revitalized by just practicing cultivation every day, he wouldn't mind doing so. However, his vision and goals were far beyond what the clan elders and members could compare to. As a young clan leader, if he wanted to make significant improvements in the clan, he would inevitably face resistance from the conservative faction.

And Matriarch Gongsun Hui should be his strongest and most determined ally. She was a direct descendant of the Shan Yang Gongsun family!

Gongsun Hui drank a sip of spirit tea as instructed, her eyes filled with curiosity. Since the heir took charge, he had become increasingly mature, and many of his methods were beyond her understanding.

After a brief pause, Wang Shouzhe recounted in detail how he obtained a large amount of funds and grain from the Qian family's business. Of course, he concealed his secret alliance with Qian Xue'an.

Gongsun Hui's mouth kept opening wider, and her eyes gradually widened. This was simply too incredible and too bold. Relying on some advance information about insect infestations, he acted so decisively, manipulating the Qian family.

Such actions were beyond what Gongsun Hui could even imagine. She was also filled with fear, after all, Shouzhe had pledged the family's reputation for 4,200 taels of silver! If his prediction had failed, he would have become the first wastrel in the history of the Ping An Wang family!

Even though the matter had already succeeded, Gongsun Hui was still emotionally stirred and could not calm down. It was too bold, truly too bold!

"Matriarch, please don't blame me for not consulting you beforehand. This opportunity was fleeting and did not allow for the family to deliberate slowly," Wang Shouzhe calmly drank his tea and said, "This amount of funds can be injected into the family accounts, but internally, we will only announce that I borrowed the funds from the Shan Yang Gongsun family and the Yingxiu Lu family, to avoid the old masters being unable to handle such news and causing trouble."

"Mother understands." Gongsun Hui drank two cups of spirit tea to calm her emotions and dispel her chaotic thoughts. She finally understood why her heir wanted her to drink spirit tea and hear the news. The news was too shocking, and she might not have been able to handle it.

After calming down, Gongsun Hui slowly said, "Philosopher, inviting me to drink spirit tea is not just about informing me of the news, is it?"

"Ha ha, Matriarch, your insight is sharp. I can't hide anything from you," Wang Shouzhe smiled, "I just noticed that the family's system has some flaws, especially in the ranking system. It only considers bloodline, talent, and gender, which is not good. There is a lack of a competitive mechanism, and the young generation is overly neglected."

Gongsun Hui frowned and said, "Are you referring to Zongwei? I've heard about his situation. He has already been brought back by the guards sent by Shouyi. It's said that Shouxin was furious when he heard about it and rushed back from the silkworm farm, almost breaking Zongwei's legs. He is now confined to the woodshed."

"What do you think about this, Matriarch?" Wang Shouzhe drank his spirit tea, seemingly nonchalantly.

Gongsun Hui pondered for a moment and said, "That child is indeed quite unruly. As the clan leader and elder, you should discipline him. Temporarily revoking his cultivation resources as punishment is also acceptable. However, you must consider the face of the two old masters and Uncle Dingchuan, as well as your brother Shouxin. They have worked hard for the family all their lives. You can't permanently transfer his resources to Luotong, can you?"

"Matriarch, this is why I wanted to discuss this with you over tea," Wang Shouzhe smiled confidently, "Even you think this way, let alone others?"

"Are you really going to permanently deprive Zongwei of his resources?" Gongsun Hui was surprised, "Won't that make you enemies with your brother Shouxin's lineage?"

"Permanently depriving him is out of the question, but taking back his share, no one, including me, can say otherwise," Wang Shouzhe said calmly.

Gongsun Hui was slightly taken aback, "Even you can't say otherwise, then who can?"

Just as he was about to respond, a middle-aged woman's voice came from outside the door: "Fourth Uncle, is Fourth Uncle Shouzhe at home?"

Gongsun Hui's expression changed slightly, "It's Zongwei's mother, Xu. She comes from the Changning Xu family and is always proud and difficult to deal with. Shouzhe, you must be careful."

Wang Shouzhe, however, smiled confidently, "Matriarch, you're joking. Xu is my sister-in-law. We're all family, what's there to talk about dealing with or not?"

Immediately, he opened the door and greeted her with a warm smile, "Sister-in-law, you came to visit without prior notice. I should have gone out to welcome you."

This smooth and adaptable demeanor even made Gongsun Hui's expression change. Her heir was truly impressive. She now felt that even her brother Gongsun Qiang and her late husband Wang Dingyue were far inferior to him.

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