Protect Our Clan Leader

“Eldest Brother, please have a seat.” Wang Shouzhe rose to his feet and extended a hand in invitation.

“Fourth Brother.” Wang Shouxin’s face, weathered by time, held a complex mixture of emotions, the most prominent of which was embarrassment. He paused as if wanting to say something, but ultimately decided against it before taking a seat.

“It’s a rare occasion to feast together with my elder brother and sister-in-law.” Wang Shouzhe cordially beckoned. “Let’s all give the clear water hot pot a try.”

The top-grade solid carbon fire basin with copper pot was boiling water, in which salt, cooking wine, and ginger had been added to remove the smell of meat. Slices of Spirit Horned Yak meat, so thin they were almost translucent, were dropped into the water, and they were cooked within seconds.

“This?”

Everyone hesitated, wondering if such a rudimentary method of cooking would yield something delicious and not ruin the precious Spirit Food.

However, when they put a slice of the tender meat in their mouths, they were thrilled by its fresh and succulent taste, and a warm surge of vital energy spread throughout their bodies from their bellies.

“The best ingredients should be cooked in the simplest of ways,” Wang Shouzhe filled their cups with Spiritual Wine and leisurely said, “Only in this way can one taste the original flavor of the food. Eldest Brother, you started working at Silkworm Manor at the age of eighteen. In a blink of an eye, twenty- five years have passed. This is to honor your many years of dedicated efforts for our family. Here’s a toast to you.”

Enjoying Spirit Meat with Spiritual Wine was a rare indulgence for Wang Shouxin, even at his age of forty-three. Especially moved by Wang Shouzhe’s words, a warmth welled up in his heart, making him hurriedly raise his cup in reply, “It’s my duty to do so, it always has been.”

After they had downed their drinks, Wang Shouzhe turned to Mr.s Xu and solemnly offered a toast, “Sister-in-law, you’ve been with our Wang family for twenty-one years and have given the eighth generation of our Ping’an Wang Family two sons and two daughters. Your hard work and high merit are indeed great contributions to our family. This is a toast to you.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu’s heart stirred. Yes, who could understand her hardships? Besides Shouzhe, no one had ever praised her so eloquently. Raising her cup, she responded with slight choking, “Thank you, Fourth Uncle, for sympathizing with me.”

This Spiritual Wine was truly sweet and restorative, making her feel as if she was floating.

“Mother, you married my father in your prime, not only do you manage our household, but you also treat my siblings and me as if we were your own, always taking care of us with all sincerity.” Wang Shouzhe then offered a third toast, “I’ll forever remember your kindness and benevolence in my heart.”

Gongsun Hui paused, his nose twitched faintly, and he glared with moist eyes, “Luo Yi is my biological daughter, you’re my biological son. I’m supposed to take care of both of you. Why bring it up for no reason?”

Despite his words, she drank the Spiritual Wine with joy. Shouzhe’s gratefulness validated that her hard work over the years was not in vain.

As the conversation continued, everyone gradually opened up. After three rounds of drinking, the jug of Spiritual Wine was almost emptied. The Spiritual Wine, renowned for its intoxicating qualities, had already left everyone slightly tipsy.

“Fourth Uncle,” Mrs. Xu gathered her courage, “I do recognize that Zongwei deserves punishment, but could you find it in your heart to spare him this time for the sake of your brother and sister-in-law? Rest assured, I will educate him properly after we return.”

Upon hearing this, even Wang Shouxin stopped drinking, his eyes glinting in expectation. Even though he wished nothing more than to beat that miscreant to death, the kid was still his son, after all.

What parent doesn’t wish for their child to excel?

“Sister-in-law, Brother, we’re all family,” Wang Shouzhe put down his cup and said seriously, “Zongwei is my nephew and represents the future hope of our younger generation in the Ping’an Wang Family. You both want your son to excel, would I, as his uncle, wish anything less than the same for my nephew?”

“Yes indeed, Fourth Uncle, you’re right.” Mrs. Xu agreed with a beaming smile, “Whatever discipline method you suggest, we’ll follow.”

“It’s quite simple. From now on, in our family, the young ones under thirty will be judged on their character and accomplishments,” Wang Shouzhe explained his ultimate goal, “I will implement a ranking system with first, second, and so on, sequence categories, totaling five in all. Each rank will enjoy different familial stipends and resources. I will establish clear standards for assessment once a year.”

“What?”

Even Gongsun Hui was taken aback at this.

It’s true that the family would rank the younger generation, but it was usually based on factors like bloodline, potential, and age, and once set, it would not change.

“Moreover, I’m going to introduce a comprehensive merit system to the entire family. As long as one contributes to the family, they can constantly earn Contribution Points, with which they can exchange for various cultivation resources from the family, even including Spiritual Tea, Spiritual Wine, Cultivation Techniques, and many other items found in the family treasure house,” Wang Shouzhe explained seriously, “As long as you are capable, you can obtain more cultivation resources.”

Wang Shouzhe’s method, after all, originates from narratives in novels and games. It prevents a situation where all family members have an equal share regardless of their effort or merit. Though many family members currently bear their burdens willingly, this is not a sustainable plan in the long run.

After all, when everyone is poor, they are equally committed to working hard. However, once the family becomes wealthy, people’s attitudes will change.

“But, but this…” Madam Xu stuttered, “What does this have to do with Wang Zongwei’s situation?”

“Dear sister-in-law, you do not understand,” Wang Shouzhe said, “Zongwei may not have outstanding talent, but he surely doesn’t lack it, right? Why is it that he is already twenty years old but still only at Level Two in the Advanced Vital Energy Refining Realm, falling behind his younger siblings? It is because he was spoiled from a young age, with attention from his grand uncles, elder uncles, and even from you and his elder brother. This environment has caused him to lose his competitive spirit, unwilling to endure hardship, which gradually led to various bad habits.”

“Can, can Zongwei still be redeemed?” Madam Xu asked weakly. Truth be told, she was extremely disappointed with her son’s behavior. But no matter how disappointed she was, he was still her son.

“Yes!” Wang Shouzhe answered seriously, “That would mean depriving him of all resources, forcing him to rely on himself to fight for cultivation resources. He will understand the meaning of humility and then strive harder. Depending on his own efforts to grow and progress, he will mature.”

“Fourth Brother is correct.” Wang Shouxin slapped the table, seemingly in complete agreement, “That kid has been spoiled too much. How could he grow without experiencing any hardships?”

“But if Zongwei doesn’t put in any effort…” Madam Xu hesitated, “Won’t he miss the best time for cultivation?”

“Hehe, if he still doesn’t want to work hard under such conditions,” Wang Shouzhe scoffed, “Do you still expect him to achieve anything meaningful in his life? Don’t worry, even if the Wang Family is not wealthy, we can still afford to raise a parasite. Sister-in-law, you don’t just have one son, right? I think Wang Zongchang is quite good, he’s already at Level Two in the Vital Energy Refining Realm at the age of thirteen. If his potential can be properly nurtured, he will undoubtedly become the pillar of our Wang family in the future.”

Upon mentioning Wang Zongchang, both Madam Xu and Wang Shouxin revealed a look of gratification. Regardless of what had happened, their younger son was indeed quite promising, much better than his elder brother.

” Shouzhe, you’ re right.” Wang Shouxin exclaimed as if he had finally made up his mind, “We will give that kid one last chance. If he still doesn’t improve, let him fend for himself. As for me, I’ll just pretend I never had such a son.”

Just when Madam Xu was about to say something out of her anxiousness, Wang Shouzhe reassured her: “Sister-in-law, don’t be too worried. Will my elder brother and I harm Zongwei? If he still doesn’t improve, I will arrange it myself. There is no way we will not be able to handle that kid.”

At these words, Madam Xu’s heart calmed down. She thanked Wang Shouzhe gratefully: “Fourth Uncle, we will do as you say.” Unconsciously, her gaze at Wang Shouzhe was filled with more respect and trust.

After the matter was settled, they ceased the discussion. Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouxin, the two brothers, continued to banter and drink their spiritual wine, cherishing their brotherhood.

The banquet was over. Wang Shouxin, slightly drunk, was assisted home by Madam Xu.

Gongsun Hui, who witnessed all of this, looked at Wang Shouzhe with both relief and emotion. If the situation with Zongwei was not handled well, it could have caused a rift between the brothers.

However, not only did he handle it exceptionally well, but he also successfully united Madam Xu and Wang Shouxin. Consider this, even Wang Zongwei, considered the least promising in the family, was expected to earn his keep. How could anyone else still have reasons to object?

“Mother, concerning the establishment of the family merit point system, you will have to take on the task of keeping records and managing them,” Wang Shouzhe suggested, believing Gongsun Hui was the best candidate for this task.

Later, they proceeded to discuss the merit point system in detail.

Meanwhile…

Under Madam Xu’s support, Wang Shouxin had also returned home. Madam Xu, slightly tipsy and blushing, said: “Shouxin, your Fourth Brother is indeed not a simple character.”

“Of course, look who his brother is,” Wang Shouxin said with a smug, “If it were not him having to manage the family business, my Fourth Brother could probably have already become a scholar at the Purple Abode Academy by now.” Today’s decisions made by Wang Shouzhe had boosted his self-esteem, filling him with pride in front of Madam Xu.

“Look at you bragging… What do you think you’re doing, you old bastard?” Madam Xu had only managed half of her sentence before being swept up by Wang Shouxin. An immediate scowl forming on her face, her temper flaring.

“Didn’t Fourth Brother praise you as a significant contributor?” Wang Shouxin carried Madam Xu towards the bedroom, “We, as a couple, can’t let Fourth Brother down. We must have more children to contribute more to the family.”

“Wang Shouxin, you bloody bastard, you think I’m… Ah~ “