Chapter 39

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"Older Brother, please sit down as well." Wang Shouzhe stood up and invited him with a bow.

"Fourth Brother." Wang Shouxin's weathered face showed a complex expression, mostly one of shame. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, eventually sitting down.

"It's rare to have a meal with Older Brother and Sister-in-law." Wang Shouzhe greeted everyone with his smooth social skills, "Everyone, try the clear hot pot."

A high-quality charcoal fire pot with a copper basin was used to boil water, with some salt, wine to remove the fishy smell, and ginger scattered in the water. Thin slices of spiritual yak beef were placed in the pot and cooked in just a few seconds.

"This?"

Everyone was somewhat doubtful and uncertain. Could such a simple cooking method make the food taste good? It would be a waste of the spiritual food.

However, as soon as the thin slices of meat entered their mouths, they felt a refreshing and elastic texture, tender and smooth, and a warm surge of energy spread throughout their bodies.

"The best ingredients should be cooked with the simplest methods." Wang Shouzhe poured everyone a cup of spiritual wine and said calmly, "Only then can we taste the most original flavor of the food. Older Brother, you started working at the silkworm farm when you were eighteen, and it has been twenty-five years. For your diligent and hard work for the family over these years, Fourth Brother raises a cup to you."

Drinking the spiritual wine with the spiritual meat, even at the age of forty-three, Wang Shouxin had few such experiences. Wang Shouzhe's words made him feel a warm surge in his heart, and he quickly raised his cup and said, "It's my duty, it's my duty."

After they both finished their drinks, Wang Shouzhe solemnly raised his cup to Xu Shi, "Sister-in-law, you have been with our Wang family for twenty-one years and have given birth to two sons and two daughters for the eighth generation of our Wang family. You have truly worked hard and made great contributions, and you are a great contributor to our Wang family. Shouzhe raises a cup to you."

Xu Shi suddenly felt a pang in her heart. Yes, who knew the hardships? But apart from Shouzhe mentioning it, no one had ever praised her like this. She immediately raised her cup and responded with a slight choke, "Thank you, Fourth Uncle for your consideration."

This spiritual wine was truly sweet, making her body feel light.

"Mother, you married my father in your prime, not only managing the family business but also treating my sister and me as your own, taking care of us and raising us with great care." Wang Shouzhe raised his third cup and said, "This kindness and virtue, Shouzhe will always remember."

Gongsun Hui was momentarily stunned, her nose tingling slightly. She glared at him with almond eyes and scolded, "Luo Yi is my biological daughter, and you are my biological son. Taking care of and raising you is my duty. Why do you say such things for nothing?"

However, despite her words, she drank the spiritual wine with a full heart of joy. Shouzhe's gratitude proved that her years of hard work had not been in vain.

After this, everyone gradually relaxed. After three rounds of drinks, most of the spiritual wine in the pot was gone. The spiritual wine was very intoxicating, and everyone was already a bit tipsy.

"Fourth Uncle." Xu Shi also began to speak boldly, "I know that Zongwei, that little rascal, deserves punishment. However, can Fourth Uncle, for the sake of Sister-in-law and Older Brother, forgive him this time? Rest assured, Sister-in-law will educate him properly."

Upon hearing this, even Wang Shouxin paused his drink, his eyes filled with a slight expectation. Although he wanted to beat that little rascal to death, he was still his son.

Who doesn't want their child to succeed?

"Sister-in-law, Older Brother, we are one family." Wang Shouzhe put down his cup and said seriously, "Zongwei is my nephew and the hope of the young generation of our Wang family. You both want your child to succeed, and why would I, as his fourth uncle, want him to be a failure?"

"Yes, yes, Fourth Uncle is right." Xu Shi smiled and said, "Whatever you say about his education, we will follow your advice."

"It's very simple. From now on, all young people under thirty in the family will be ranked based on their character and achievements." Wang Shouzhe explained his ultimate goal, "I will rank them into five sequences, and each sequence will have different family benefits and resources. I will set various standards and conduct an annual assessment to determine the sequence."

"What?"

Even Gongsun Hui was surprised.

The family indeed set sequences for the young generation, but usually, the sequences were determined by bloodline, potential, age, and other factors and remained unchanged.

"Not only that, I will also introduce a comprehensive merit system for the entire family. As long as one contributes to the family, they can continuously earn merit points. With these points, they can exchange for various cultivation resources, even spiritual tea, spiritual wine, cultivation techniques, and anything in the family's treasure vault." Wang Shouzhe said seriously, "As long as one has the ability, they can obtain more cultivation resources."

Wang Shouzhe's system was essentially derived from the settings in novels and games, avoiding the situation where everyone in the family shares the same resources. Although many family members work hard now, this is not a long-term solution.

When everyone is poor, it's still manageable, and everyone works hard. But once the family becomes wealthy, people's hearts will change.

"But, but this..." Xu Shi opened her mouth wide, "What does this have to do with Zongwei?"

"Sister-in-law, you are confused." Wang Shouzhe said, "Is Zongwei's talent bad? Not very good, but not bad, right? But why is he only at the high stage of the second level of the Qi Condensation realm at the age of twenty, even lagging behind some of his younger siblings? It's because he has been pampered since childhood, by the two elders, Uncle, and by Sister-in-law and Older Brother. This has made him lack a competitive spirit, unwilling to endure hardship, and gradually developed various bad habits."

"Then, can Zongwei still be saved?" Xu Shi asked weakly, honestly admitting her disappointment in her son's behavior. But no matter how disappointed, he is still her son.

"Yes!" Wang Shouzhe said seriously, "That is to strip him of all resources and let him earn cultivation resources with his own hands, to be motivated by shame. Let him strive to enter the first sequence of the family and reclaim the cultivation resources that were taken away. When he grows and progresses through his own efforts, he will mature."

"Fourth Brother is right." Wang Shouxin slapped the table, agreeing wholeheartedly, "That little rascal has had it too easy. How can he grow without some hardship?"

"But if Zongwei still doesn't work hard..." Xu Shi hesitated, "Won't he miss the best time for cultivation?"

"Ha ha, if he still doesn't work hard under these conditions." Wang Shouzhe said with a cold laugh, "Sister-in-law, can you still expect him to succeed in life? Don't worry, our Wang family, though poor, can still support a freeloader. Sister-in-law, you don't have just one son. I think Zongchang is doing well. He is only thirteen this year and is already at the second level of the Qi Condensation realm. With such potential, if properly cultivated, he will surely be a pillar of our Wang family in the future."

Mentioning Wang Zongchang, both Xu Shi and Wang Shouxin showed a look of satisfaction. No matter what, the younger son was quite promising, much better than his older brother.

"Shouzhe, you are right." Wang Shouxin seemed to have made up his mind, "Give that little rascal one last chance. If he still fails, let him fend for himself. I, Wang Shouxin, will consider him as if I never had this son."

Xu Shi was anxious and was about to say something, but Wang Shouzhe comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. How could I and Older Brother harm Zongwei? If he still fails, I will take care of it. I don't believe I can't handle that little rascal."

Hearing this, Xu Shi put aside her anxiety and thanked Wang Shouzhe, "Fourth Uncle, I will follow your advice." Unconsciously, her eyes showed more respect and trust towards Wang Shouzhe.

With this matter settled, everyone stopped discussing it. Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouxin, the two brothers, raised their cups to each other, only talking about brotherhood, and finished the pot of spiritual wine.

After the banquet, the somewhat drunk Wang Shouxin was supported by Xu Shi as they returned home.

Gongsun Hui, who had witnessed everything, felt both relieved and moved. If the matter of Zongwei was not handled well, it could have created a rift between the brothers.

But he not only handled it well but also brought Xu Shi and Wang Shouxin onto the same boat. Imagine, if even the least promising Wang Zongwei has to follow the sequence system, what reason do others have to oppose it?

"Mother, regarding the family merit point system, I will need your help to manage it." Wang Shouzhe felt that Gongsun Hui was the best person for the job.

Then, they began to discuss the various aspects of the merit point system.

At the same time.

Wang Shouxin, supported by Xu Shi, returned home. Xu Shi was also a bit tipsy, her face flushed, and said, "Shouxin, I think Fourth Uncle is not a simple person."

"That's right, don't you know who his brother is?" Wang Shouxin said with a smug look, "If he had to manage the family business, Fourth Brother might already be a student at the Purple Mansion Academy." Today's actions by Wang Shouzhe made him feel very proud and gave him a sense of confidence in front of Xu Shi.

"Look at you being so... What are you, old man, doing?" Xu Shi's words were cut off as Wang Shouxin hugged her, her brows furrowing and her temper rising.

"Didn't Fourth Brother praise you as a great contributor?" Wang Shouxin carried Xu Shi to the bedroom, "We can't let Fourth Brother down. We need to have more children and make more contributions to the family."

"Wang Shouxin, you dog, do you think I am... Ah~"

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