Free Web NovelChapter 429: Chapter 239: Zhang Chuchu’s Concept of Family (Part 2)
"What business?" Hearing there was business to be done, Zhang Zepei grew excited. He truly enjoyed dealing with people.
Zhang Chuchu shook his head slightly, throwing a bucket of cold water on his enthusiasm. "It’s not clear yet," he said. "But whatever business the Young Master gives us is a blessing. I have a few thoughts on this. You two brothers, listen carefully."
At this, Zhang Chuchu’s expression grew even more solemn than before, and his tone became gravely serious. "I was a steward for that family for twenty years. While that may not be an incredibly long time, I’ve seen many families in the County Town rise suddenly, and I’ve seen them fall overnight.
Aside from factors caused by external forces, many of these families fell due to internal reasons.
Our family is a small one, but now an opportunity has arrived. This is the beginning of the Zhang Family’s rise.
So, you two brothers had better remember this. No internal strife, and no scheming!
Eldest, you will work under the Young Master. Fengcheng will be a Martial Artist in the future, and you will help your younger brother make the Zhang Family prosper. A Martial Artist is the second factor that will allow our Zhang Family to stand firm. The first factor is the Cheng Family. Therefore, the absolute precondition is that you must not harm the interests of the Cheng Family or the Celestial Break Gang.
Second son, the family business will fall to you. It will be your responsibility to build up the Zhang Family. But remember one thing: this is not something you can achieve alone, nor is it something you’ve earned on your own.
Your elder brother will maintain our relationship with the Cheng Family, handling external affairs, while you can run the business without worry, handling internal affairs. Therefore, you two must work together. You are indispensable to one another. This is the foundation upon which our Zhang Family’s business will endure and our clan will rise.
When I’m dead, you two brothers must not split the family. If you do, the Zhang Family will return to its current state in the blink of an eye.
Furthermore, I am well aware that family harmony is greatly influenced by the person you share your bed with.
Remember this: when the long-term interests of our clan are at stake, if the spouse of any future descendant dares to stir up trouble, they are to be divorced immediately!
As the saying goes, the imperial harem must not meddle in politics. While our family is hardly an imperial court, everyone must still know their place and their limits. A wife’s duty is to support her husband and properly educate the next generation, not to sow discord, make you brothers calculate your every gain and loss, or fight over your individual shares.
You should be considering the long-term interests of the entire family and its future generations, not these petty gains and losses! Do you understand what I’m saying?"
"Father, I’ll remember!"
"Father, don’t worry!"
The two brothers exchanged a glance and smiled. They were close, and their wives got along well. Besides, after all the hardships they had endured together over the past few years, they couldn’t imagine such a situation ever arising.
But they also understood that their father had seen the root of such problems many times before. He was thinking about the future of their descendants, which was why he spoke with such gravity.
"Good," Zhang Chuchu said. "The Zhang Family has yet to make its mark. We will slowly refine our family rules as we go."
Just then, Zhang Zepei asked, "Father, is the Cheng Family’s Young Master really so benevolent? If he’s no longer the Chief in the future, what will happen to Elder Brother? What will happen to the Zhang Family?"
Zhang Chuchu stared at his second son and said, enunciating every word, "The Young Master is our cornerstone. His authority is so great that even if he weren’t the Chief, no one would dare to defy him. That is his strength and his prestige! Don’t think about it too much. Just focus on how you’re going to move forward."
"Father, what about that courtyard the Young Master gifted you? Are we really not going to live there?" Zhang Zepei asked again.
"What we have is enough to live in. Why be so greedy?" Zhang Chuchu shot him a glare. "When your children are older, we’ll use the money we earn to buy a bigger house."
The two brothers immediately stopped asking questions.
In the afternoon, Zhang Chuchu took his eldest son and eldest grandson to see Cheng Zongyang.
Cheng Zongyang, who was in the middle of analyzing the Commerce Association’s rules, granted them an audience. After they paid their respects, Zhang Chuchu spoke.
"Young Master, this is my humble son, Zhang Zeyu, and my eldest grandson, Zhang Fengcheng. My grandson is already seven years old, which meets the requirements, so I wish to send him to Zhenwu Hall."
Cheng Zongyang looked at Zhang Fengcheng. The boy had a cherubic face and was nervously clutching his grandfather’s hand, not daring to meet Cheng Zongyang’s gaze. But Cheng Zongyang asked him a question:
"Fengcheng, tell me, do you want to learn martial arts? It’s very difficult and tiring. You’ll have to persevere, carrying out your Cultivation day after day."
Zhang Fengcheng grew even more nervous. He couldn’t help but look up at his grandfather, but his grandfather wasn’t looking at him. He then glanced at his father, who also wasn’t looking at him. The boy was suddenly at a loss.
"There’s no need to be nervous. Just say whatever is on your mind." Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang knew the boy hadn’t been coached on what to say beforehand. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be reacting this way.
Hearing this, Zhang Fengcheng relaxed slightly. After a moment’s silence, he spoke in a low voice:
"I... I’ll listen to my grandfather and father. If they... if they want me to learn, then I’ll learn."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhang Chuchu and his son, Zhang Zeyu, both sighed inwardly. They didn’t dare scold the boy, however, as they had never anticipated that Cheng Zongyang would ask a child such a question.
"What if they don’t say anything? Do you want to, for yourself?" Cheng Zongyang pressed with a smile.
Perhaps because he had just spoken, Zhang Fengcheng felt much more at ease. He nodded and said:
"I do. Father said we’re men, and we have to do something for our family to help them live better. I heard from Er Gouzi that being a Martial Artist can help your family live a good life. Er Gouzi is my neighbor and friend. The thing he wants most is to be a Martial Artist. Oh, right! And he runs faster than a dog."
Zhang Chuchu and his son Zhang Zeyu finally let out a sigh of relief, looking at the child with satisfaction. Just a moment ago, they had been worried he would say he didn’t want to learn.
