"Eldest Brother, please take a seat," Wang Shoujie said, rising to his feet and inviting him with a bow.
"Fourth Brother," Wang Shouxin replied, his slightly weathered face expressing a mix of emotions, with a hint of shame, as he opened his mouth to speak but then sat down instead.
"It's a rare pleasure to dine with Eldest Brother and his wife," Wang Shoujie said, smiling broadly as he welcomed everyone. "Let's all try some of this clear broth hot pot."
The high-quality charcoal fire pit with a copper pot was burning, and the water inside had been seasoned with salt, wine to remove the fishy smell, and ginger. Thin slices of Spirit-Horned Yak meat were added, and they cooked in just a few seconds.
Everyone was somewhat surprised and uncertain, wondering how such a simple cooking method could produce something delicious. They didn't want to waste the spirit food.
However, as soon as they took a bite of the thin meat slices, they felt a refreshing and tender sensation, with a surge of warm energy flowing through their bodies.
"The best ingredients require the simplest cooking methods," Wang Shoujie said, pouring spirit wine for everyone. "Only then can you truly appreciate the original flavor of the food. Eldest Brother, you started working at the silkworm farm at the age of 18, and it's been 25 years now. For your dedication to the family all these years, Fourth Brother offers you a toast."
As they savored the spirit wine with the spirit meat, even Wang Shouxin, who was 43 years old, felt a sense of warmth in his heart. He quickly raised his cup and said, "It's only right, this is all I should do."
Mrs Xu's heart was touched, and she felt a lump in her throat. Who else knew the hardships she had faced? Except for Fourth Uncle, no one had ever praised her so highly. She raised her cup, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, Fourth Uncle, for your kind words."
This spirit wine was indeed delicious, and it made their bodies feel light and carefree.
"Mother, you married my father in your prime, not only taking care of the family business but also treating my siblings and me as your own, nurturing us with all your heart," Wang Shoujie said, toasting her again. "This kindness and virtue will be etched in my heart forever."
Gong Sunhui was taken aback, her nose slightly tinged with sadness, as she gazed at him with a hint of reproach, "Luo Yi is my daughter, and you're my son. Taking care of you both is only natural, what's the point of saying all this?"
However, despite her words, she was overjoyed to drink this cup of spirit wine, and Fourth Uncle's gratitude towards her was proof that her hard work over the years had not been in vain.
After this round of toasts, everyone's spirits began to lift, and they had drunk several cups of spirit wine. This spirit wine was indeed potent, and everyone was already slightly tipsy.
"Fourth Brother," Mrs Xu began to gather her courage, "I also know that Zongwei, that little beast, deserves to be punished. However, Fourth Brother, could you please spare him this one time, considering your relationship with my husband and me? You can rest assured that I'll make sure to educate him well."
As soon as she spoke, even Wang Shouxin put down his cup, his eyes filled with a hint of expectation. Although he wanted to kill that little beast, he was still his son after all.
Is there a parent in the world who doesn't hope for their child to succeed?
"Aunt, Eldest Brother, we're all one family," Wang Shoujie said, putting down his cup and speaking seriously. "Zongwei is my nephew and also the future hope of our Ping'an Wang Clan's younger generation. You both hope for your child to succeed, so why would I, as Fourth Uncle, want my nephew to become a mediocre person?"
"Yes, Fourth Brother is right," Mrs Xu said, smiling, "We'll listen to your advice on how to discipline him."
"It's very simple," Wang Shoujie said, revealing his ultimate goal. "From now on, all young people under 30 in our family will be ranked according to their moral character and achievements. I'll create a system with five levels, each with different family allowances and resources, and I'll establish various standards for annual evaluations."
Even Gong Sunhui was surprised by this.
While it was true that the family would rank the younger generation, it was usually based on bloodline, potential, and age, and once determined, it wouldn't change.
"Not only that, but I will also introduce a comprehensive merit system for the entire clan. As long as you contribute to the family, you will continuously accumulate merit points, which can be exchanged for various cultivation resources, including spiritual tea, spirit wine, and even rare family treasures. With merit points, you can acquire whatever you need," Wang Shoujie said seriously. "As long as you have the ability, you can obtain more cultivation resources."
Wang Shoujie's proposal was actually inspired by the settings in novels and games, aimed at avoiding the situation where everyone in the family relies on the same resources. Although many family members were currently working hard, this was not a long-term solution.
When everyone was poor, they were motivated to work hard, but once the family became wealthy, people's minds would change.
"Bu-but what does this have to do with Zongwei's matter?" Mrs Xu asked, her mouth agape.
"Sister-in-law, you're being muddled," Wang Shoujie replied. "Zongwei's innate talent is not bad, but he's still only at the second level of the Qi Refining Realm at the age of twenty. He can't even compare to some of his younger siblings. This is because he's been spoiled since childhood, receiving favoritism from Second Grandfather, Eldest Brother, and even you. This has made him lack a sense of competition and unwilling to work hard, gradually developing bad habits."
"Can Zongwei still be saved?" Mrs Xu asked weakly, admitting that she was also disappointed in her son's behavior.
"Yes," Wang Shoujie said seriously. "We need to take away all his resources and let him rely on himself to acquire cultivation resources. Only then will he know shame and strive to improve. Let him use his own efforts to climb to the top of the family rankings and reclaim the resources he's lost. When he grows and progresses through his own hard work, he will mature."
"Fourth Brother is right," Wang Shouxin exclaimed, slapping the table in agreement. "That little brat has been too pampered; how can he grow up if he doesn't suffer a bit?"
"But what if Zongwei still doesn't make an effort?" Mrs Xu asked hesitantly.
"Heh, if he still doesn't make an effort in such a situation," Wang Shoujie sneered, "can you still expect him to achieve anything in life? No worries, our Wang Clan may not be wealthy, but we can still raise a parasite. You're not only relying on this one son, and I think Zongchang is quite promising. He's already at the second level of the Qi Refining Realm at the age of thirteen. If we cultivate his potential well, he'll be a pillar of our Wang Clan in the future."
Mentioning Wang Zongchang, Mrs Xu and Wang Shouxin both revealed satisfied smiles. After all, this younger son was quite promising, far surpassing his older brother.
"You're right, Fourth Brother," Wang Shouxin said, as if he had made up his mind. "Let's give that little brat one last chance. If he still doesn't make an effort, then let him fend for himself. I, Wang Shouxin, will consider him as if I'd never had this son."
Mrs Xu was anxious, but Wang Shoujie comforted her, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. Eldest Brother and I won't harm Zongwei. If he still doesn't make an effort, I'll take care of it. I don't believe I can't handle that little guy."
With these words, Mrs Xu's anxiety dissipated, and she looked at Wang Shoujie with gratitude and respect.
This matter was thus settled, and the conversation came to an end. Wang Shoujie and Wang Shouxin, the two brothers, clinked their cups together, savoring their brotherly affection and finishing a pot of spirit wine.
After the banquet, Wang Shouxin, somewhat drunk, returned home with Mrs Xu's support.
Gong Sunhui, who had witnessed everything, looked at Wang Shoujie with a mix of admiration and emotion. If Zongwei's matter wasn't handled properly, it could have caused a rift between the brothers.
But not only had Wang Shoujie handled it well, but he had also pulled Mrs Xu and Wang Shouxin onto the same page. It was hard to imagine anyone opposing the idea of even the least promising family member, Wang Zongwei, striving to contribute to the family.
"Mother, regarding the family's merit system, it's best if you take charge of setting it up," Wang Shoujie suggested, feeling that Gong Sunhui was the most suitable person for the task.
They then began discussing the details of the merit system.
Meanwhile, Wang Shouxin, supported by Mrs Xu, also returned home, Mrs Xu showing signs of intoxication, her face flushed as she said, "Clan Leader is truly not a simple person."
"That's right, you should see who his brother is," Wang Shouxin said smugly. "If Fourth Brother didn't have to take care of the family business, he might have already become a student at the Purple Palace Academy." Today's events had made him feel proud, giving him a sense of confidence in front of Mrs Xu.
"Look at you... what are you doing, you old thing?" Mrs Xu started to say, but was immediately swept up by Wang Shouxin, her eyebrows furrowed in anger.
"Fourth Brother said you're a great contributor, didn't he?" Wang Shouxin carried Mrs Xu towards the bedroom, saying, "We, as a couple, can't disappoint Fourth Brother. We need to have more children and contribute more to the family."
"Wang Shouxin, you... ah~"
[Heartfelt thankyou for the support! SlaySaga]