Free Web NovelChapter 438: Chapter 438: Employing Both Soft and Hard Tactics
As the group stepped into Ni Dahong’s courtyard, they saw the house, made of blue bricks and tiles, standing uniquely in Daihe Village. The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs, ensuring their shoes wouldn’t get muddy even on rainy days.
The courtyard was spacious, with a main house spanning five rooms in a long row. On each side, there were three more rooms, with the ones on the far ends obviously added later, as their colors appeared particularly new.
"We thought even if Qingyan got married, she’d have a place to stay when visiting her family," Ni Dahong explained somewhat cautiously.
"Uncle surely cares for his children," Ni Yan’an said with a smile.
"But Uncle must care within legal and reasonable boundaries," Ni Yanqing added, setting up a dynamic between the siblings where one played the softer role and the other the tougher one.
Ni Dahong’s expression briefly tensed before he repeatedly agreed.
"I heard Guangzong is about to be promoted in the military," Ni Yanqing said, his mouth curving slightly as he looked at Ni Dahong. "Promotions require political examination, and if the family holds him back, and the promotion is ruined, then no one can help."
Ni Dahong’s entire body tensed visibly.
"Uncle, we need to think long-term, beyond this small bit of land, about how to support Guangzong’s future," Ni Yanqing continued, then fell silent. He hadn’t interacted much with Ni Dahong, but he knew such people well enough: as long as you grasp their weaknesses, they’ll behave. For Ni Dahong, that weakness was Ni Guangzong.
When it came to Ni Guangzong’s future in the army, any family member who clashed with this matter would be quietly surpassed by Ni Dahong. Yanqing had seen how ruthless he could be.
Ni Dahong had more than three children. Besides Ni Guangzong, Ni Yaozu, and Ni Qingyan, there were Ni Houde and Ni Zaiwu.
Houde ZaWu, Guangzong Yaozu, ancestral tombs emitting green smoke.
The names themselves revealed the high hopes Ni Dahong had for his children. But now he only had three children at home; the other two, whom Yanqing had never met, were only mentioned by his father and grandfather, having starved to death during those three years of famine.
Yanqing’s grandfather and father were quite surprised by this. Knowing the situation in Ni Dahong’s family, they had sent provisions before. Though nobody was well-fed back then, Yanqing’s family ensured that the entire Ni Dahong family wouldn’t starve to death.
Ni Houde and Ni Zaiwu were twins and the eldest children in the family. They had started school but were quite wooden, showing below-average performance in class.
Ni Guangzong and Ni Yaozu were still young, but the saying goes that a child’s future can be seen by age three. Ni Dahong believed in this fervently. He saw more potential in the two younger children, and at that time, child trafficking was common. What Ni Dahong did was even worse than trading children; even a tigress doesn’t eat its cubs.
At first, Yanqing’s grandfather and father didn’t think much of it, only feeling saddened, as they were Ni Family descendants. But so many people starved back then; Ni Dahong cried bitterly, and Yanqing’s grandfather felt guilt over not controlling the food rations better, thinking they had given too little, leading to the children’s deaths.
Over the years, their family greatly assisted Ni Dahong’s—helping him become a team leader and fully supporting their children’s education, including military service and work.
They wouldn’t interfere if things stayed stable—after all, they were Ni Family descendants. But if it started affecting their own family, they’d have to intervene.
"Actually, my grandfather sent me this time," Ni Yanqing said with a smile. "He wanted me to help uncle conduct a self-review to ensure Guangzong’s longer strides in the future."
On the sweltering day, cold sweat dripped down Ni Dahong’s back. He was aware of the power Yanqing’s family held; what he once thought to be mere trifles were evidently not tolerated anymore.
"I really appreciate your effort, Yanqing. You truly need to keep an eye on things. I’ve been a farmer all my life, not very insightful. But your family is different; my Guangzong and Yaozu do need your watchful guidance. They can’t do as much as you can," Ni Dahong flattered with a forced smile, his tightly clenched hands revealing his apprehension.
"Yes, Uncle, rest assured. Our family can’t separate us. My grandfather knows best; he and your great uncle were as close as brothers. How could we not help?" Ni Yanqing offered a carrot. "My grandfather appreciates hardworking, disciplined people, just like Guangzong."
There was nothing Ni Dahong couldn’t grasp, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Having provided both the scolding and the sweet talk necessary, Ni Yanqing started chatting casually about family matters. Relieved, Ni Dahong understood what needed to be done afterward—Chen’s chance to move back to the city was unlikely now.
Ni Qingyan, lacking guile, didn’t grasp the political talk between Yanqing and Ni Dahong. She was already pestering her own mother about what delicious food they would have today and wanted to invite Chen Youdao to join them for dinner.
"Today is a family meal; why invite Chen?" Ni Dahong disagreed. "You’re not married yet, which is inappropriate."
Ni Qingyan pouted discontentedly. "I just wanted to introduce Chen to Brother Yan Qing and the others."
"Introduce what? There’ll be plenty of opportunities to meet after you’re really married," Ni Dahong said, frowning and intimidating Ni Qingyan into silence. She tugged at Yan An to complain.
Ni Dahong’s wife was busy in the kitchen with her second daughter-in-law, yet didn’t forget to ask Ni Qingyan to swap tofu from the village.
"Mom, the woman with Yan An is as beautiful as a painting, even prettier than people in movies," Ni Yaozu’s wife, Zhuang Qiongyi, was on a break today. She worked for the women’s federation and considered herself a cut above the rest, but today she was brought back down to earth; there’s always someone better.
"Anyone associated with Yanqing and Yan’an surely isn’t from an ordinary family; they must be big officials."
"Exactly, Mom, when will we visit Jing City? We’ve never really paid our respects to the great uncle," Zhuang Qiongyi said with a laugh.
"Your father should decide this, but we should go once Guangzong returns," the Ni wife replied, her expression softening at the mention of her eldest son. Seeing this, Zhuang Qiongyi secretly rolled her eyes. Someone not even around was more cherished; their daily efforts weren’t appreciated. If not for the in-laws’ love for her husband, she might have complained.
Ni Qingyan returned with tofu, carrying a basket full of items. "Mom, these are from the villagers; they were happy to hear Brother Yan Qing was back."
The Ni wife took the basket with a smile, filled with fish, meat, eggs, rice, and flour—many good things. She set off to start cooking; today’s meal would have plenty of hearty dishes.
