Free Web NovelChapter 467: Chapter 256: The Cousin’s Thoughts (Part 2)
This time, he sent for Zhang Zeyu and his younger cousin, Cheng Zongwen.
They were the ones he intended to make his assistants in the procurement department.
He had originally considered his maternal cousin, Zhou Zhenyuan, but his personality was ill-suited for the tasks he had planned. While Li Xuejin would have been the best replacement for Zhang Zeyu, Cheng Zongyang wanted to train his own cousin and worried that Li Xuejin would be a bad influence on Cheng Zongwen.
Faced with a shrewd and calculating man like Li Xuejin, both his younger cousin and maternal cousin would inevitably be outmaneuvered.
That was why he had chosen Zhang Zeyu and his cousin instead.
「Cheng Residence, the study.」
Cheng Zongyang looked at Zhang Zeyu and Cheng Zongwen and laid out his thoughts.
"I am a Steward in the Da Yi Commerce Association’s procurement department, so naturally, I need people working under me. Zhang Zeyu, you are the steward of the Cheng Family, and I have been very satisfied with your work. The tasks in the procurement department are also quite complex. Therefore, I intend for you to join the department."
Zhang Zeyu looked startled. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Young Master, I... I’m afraid I won’t do a good job and will only cause you trouble. Besides, the residence still needs someone to manage it, so..."
Cheng Zongyang held up a hand to stop him.
"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll be leaving on a trip soon, and I’ll be gone for a long time. You’ll only need to check in on household matters occasionally. I’m asking you to join not only because I’m confident in your abilities and I trust you, but also so you can take him under your wing and teach him."
As he spoke, Cheng Zongyang glanced at Cheng Zongwen and continued, "He is my younger cousin, and he’ll be joining the procurement department as well. From now on, he will be your assistant, learning by your side.
I’m not leaving immediately. I expect it will be about half a year. During that time, I’ll have you start handling matters for the procurement department, which will be enough time for you to get familiar with the entire process."
Seeing that Cheng Zongyang had made up his mind, Zhang Zeyu declared, "Rest assured, Young Master. I will do my best. I won’t let you down!"
Cheng Zongyang gave a slight nod, then turned to Cheng Zongwen. "I know bringing you out here so suddenly must feel a bit unsettling. But many things that seem difficult turn out to be even harder than your duties at home once you start doing them. This is the only way for you to truly grow."
Cheng Zongwen nodded slightly, but as he looked at Cheng Zongyang, it was clear he was hesitating to speak his mind.
Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang picked up the Da Yi Commerce Association’s booklet from his desk and handed it to Zhang Zeyu. "Take this back with you and read it. There’s no rush."
Zhang Zeyu understood the unspoken dismissal. He took the booklet with both hands and said, "Yes, Young Master. Then I’ll get back to my other duties."
"Mm."
After Zhang Zeyu left, Cheng Zongwen let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he felt too reserved to speak freely with an outsider present.
Cheng Zongyang smiled. "What did you want to say?"
Back in the village, Cheng Zongwen had mostly worked alongside his maternal uncle, Zhou Hansong, and was quite capable of handling various village affairs. He must have been very confused about being summoned here so suddenly.
Cheng Zongwen looked at Cheng Zongyang and asked in a low voice, "Big Brother, I want to know, what is it you want me to do?"
Cheng Zongyang paused at his words. Seeing the complete confusion and bewilderment in his younger cousin’s eyes, he instantly understood. His expression grew serious as he said:
"You’re right. I was wrong. I forgot to ask what you wanted. Today, let’s us two brothers have a proper talk. Do you have any plans for your future?"
Cheng Zongwen wasn’t intimidated by Cheng Zongyang’s serious tone. He thought for a moment before replying:
"Back when we were in the County Town, I wanted to be a Doctor. I knew that with the Cheng Family’s connections, even if we spent our entire family fortune, those Noble Families would never recommend me for an official position."
"Later, in the village, after this past year of experience and learning, my plan was to study more so I could take on the family’s clan affairs. While you fight for us out in the world, Big Brother, Zongliang and I would handle things at home. I’d be in charge of clan law, ancestral rites, and other such matters, with my duties distinct from Zongliang’s."
"But now you’ve called me out here and want me to join the Commerce Association to learn about procurement. I don’t understand what you want from me, Big Brother. After I learn procurement, what will I be able to do?"
Listening to his younger cousin, Cheng Zongyang felt secretly ashamed. He realized he had truly been ignoring their wishes, just making them do things according to his own ideas without asking what they wanted for themselves.
He had done the same with his own younger brother and his other cousins, simply arranging for them to learn about the underground network.
’But then again,’ he thought, ’the family has so few men. We don’t have the luxury of letting everyone do as they please. What if they just wanted to eat, drink, and be merry? Could I let them?’
Still, he decided he would change his approach in the future. At the very least, he needed to understand their thoughts before making a decision.
And now, he finally understood why Cheng Zongwen had been following his maternal uncle, Zhou Hansong, to learn how to manage the affairs of the Sect Hall.
This also showed that his younger cousin was far more mature than his own brother—more mature than he had ever imagined.
A smile touched Cheng Zongyang’s lips. "It was my fault as your big brother, and I’m sorry for ignoring your thoughts. But I’m very glad you spoke up instead of just doing whatever I say. How about this: let me tell you my own ideas. This is a plan I’ve been working on."
Hearing this, Cheng Zongwen shook his head slightly. "Big Brother, there’s no need to talk about right or wrong between brothers. We’re all working for the Cheng Family. Dad told me that our Cheng Family only has three men. If we all just followed our own preferences, the family would never prosper. We all know how hard you work, and we are all doing what we can within our abilities. Big Brother, you don’t need to apologize to me."
Cheng Zongyang was very heartened. "My idea," he said, "is to develop Jade Peak County, Tiantuan Village, and Cheng Family Village into the private territory of our Cheng Family and the Zhou Family."
Cheng Zongwen’s expression was one of utter astonishment, his heart reeling in shock! He then heard his big brother continue.
"What I’ve been planning all along is to turn the entire region of Jade Peak County into our Cheng Family’s private territory. But I knew that was impossible, so I started by doing everything I could to develop the power and influence of the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang. My goal was to carve out a slice of Jade Peak County for ourselves, perhaps even occupy half the County Town, and become one of Jade Peak County’s Noble Races, a Noble Family, or even a Gate Valve or Royal Family.
But then, in that valley, I learned about Immortals... that is to say, Cultivators.
Zongwen, many of the supernatural items we found over there are relics left behind by Immortals. This time, among the things we found in the boxes and from the Stone Stele we brought back, we even discovered the location of a place where Immortals gather."
"After learning about this, I decided to go search for it. If I succeed, I will have the power to forge Jade Peak County into our private domain and turn it into Jade Peak Immortal City!
Then, we won’t need to become some Noble Family, Gate Valve, or Royal Family! We won’t have to abide by those mundane rules anymore.
Then, we will be a Cultivation Immortality Family! You will all be able to practice better Cultivation Techniques, and even become Cultivators.
By then, they will be the ones who have to obey our rules!
The Da Yi Commerce Association will be replaced by our Cheng Family, and we will establish our own Cheng’s Immortal Merchant. All the greatest profits will be ours, and ours alone.
The reason I want you to join is so you can see and learn as much as possible. You won’t be limited to the procurement department. I’ll pull some strings to let you learn in other departments as well, to understand how the entire Commerce Association operates. In the future, when we establish Cheng’s Immortal Merchant, you will be the one to manage it. I’m speaking in broad strokes here, but do you understand what I’m getting at?"
Cheng Zongwen’s breathing grew ragged.
He was truly floored by his cousin’s plan.
Immortals! Cultivators! Cheng’s Immortal Merchant! Jade Peak Immortal City!
It was all so staggering!
For a moment, he couldn’t quite process this sudden, monumental news.
Seeing Cheng Zongwen’s ragged breathing, Cheng Zongyang knew he was still unable to process the news.
He himself had only amended the plan after making contact at the Jade Stone Market and procuring so many items.
But the prerequisite for all of this was that he had to have the strength and resources to hold the County Town!
"Big Brother, I understand!" Cheng Zongwen said, his expression solemn. "I’ll learn everything I can! Not a word of this plan will ever leave my lips!"
Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang’s smile grew even wider.
