Chapter 328

Since his father had steered the conversation away, Wang Xiujin naturally refrained from pressing the matter further and instead followed his father’s lead, discussing affairs at the seaside. Having spent most of the year away, Wang Xiujin was reluctant to travel again. However, his eldest brother had urged him to take a look, and he was wavering; after all, the trip would not take much time, and the roads were now well-maintained and much easier to navigate than before.

Mentioning his eldest brother reminded Wang Xiujin to consider whether he should suggest his brother return home. After all, their parents were getting on in years and needed someone by their side. Both he and his elder sister, though willing, were physically unable to provide full care, and it was time for his eldest brother to come back. When he raised this with Lord Wang, the latter simply shook his head. "Wait a little longer, wait a little longer. It is not yet the right time."

Wang Xiujin was puzzled. "Why?" He did not see any issue with it, though he could understand his father’s cautious nature in all things.

Lord Wang remained silent, so Wang Xiujin did not inquire further. He shifted the topic to medical matters. He needed to purchase land to build a facility, as he could no longer manage it here. He would have to instruct Manager Wang to handle the logistics and inquire about purchasing a mountain. Even if it were not yet certain whether the land could be cultivated, it was best to be prepared. If it proved unsuitable for farming, he could always turn it into a private retreat, raising a host of wild animals. Compared to the previous life where one had to pay a fortune for tickets to visit a safari park, if he raised them himself, he could go see them whenever he pleased.

Wang Xiujin chuckled at the thought. Lord Wang and Li Linshan looked over, and the way Wang Xiujin smiled made them feel he was being particularly devious. Catching their gaze, Wang Xiujin quickly restrained his grin. It was just a passing thought; he knew it was unlikely to come to fruition. Raising tigers and bears was nothing more than a fantasy. Given the current state of craftsmanship, he worried the cages would be smashed to pieces, allowing the beasts to escape and harm people.

"What is it you are thinking of now?" Lord Wang cleared his throat, sensing that his youngest son was plotting something mischievous.

"Nothing at all," Wang Xiujin shook his head. He cleared his throat and recounted his conversation with the Fourth Prince to his father. Lord Wang nodded, feeling that his son had handled the matter well. Such affairs required the intervention of the imperial family; if the Wang or Li families were to take the lead, it would undoubtedly invite unnecessary trouble.

After chatting with his father for a long time, Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan took their leave. On the way home, walking side by side, Wang Xiujin curiously questioned Li Linshan about what had happened between him and his father to cause such hostility. Li Linshan shook his head, stating he was unaware of how he had offended his father-in-law. Wang Xiujin looked at him, and seeing that he did not appear to be lying, frowned slightly. He decided to find an opportunity to ask his father; he could not let the rift between his father and Li Linshan continue to grow.

Li Linshan nodded. "I must trouble you, my dear, to clarify the matter. If I have in any way offended your father, I shall naturally present myself with a rod on my back to plead for forgiveness." He bowed to Wang Xiujin.

Wang Xiujin rolled his eyes at Li Linshan. "My dear? Why does that sound like you're looking for a beating?" With a huff, he turned and walked away. Li Linshan quickly straightened up and strode after him, and soon they were walking side by side again.

Wang Xiujin spoke of his plans to go to the seaside, but Li Linshan remained silent. He feared he could not accompany Wang Xiujin. "Make sure to take more servants with you. Recently, there have been some people of questionable background roaming about."

Raising an eyebrow, Wang Xiujin frowned. Hearing this, he felt reluctant to go and considered sending someone else in his stead. "What kind of people? I haven't offended anyone!"

Li Linshan shook his head. "It is not directed at you. There are remnants of the Kou Kingdom, along with refugees who were not part of the kingdom at the time, and some trained assassins they left behind. They have formed small groups of bandits causing trouble everywhere. Recently, they wreaked havoc in a southern village; the villagers beat several of them to death and wounded others. Upon interrogation by the authorities, it was discovered they were remnants of the Kou Kingdom."

Wang Xiujin’s brow furrowed tightly. "This matter must be quelled as soon as possible. Those short-statured savages are the most fanatical and specialize in usurping those above them. If not suppressed immediately, there is no telling how much chaos they might incite."

Li Linshan wondered why Wang Xiujin had such an assessment of the Kou remnants, though everything he said aligned with current events. Perhaps he had encountered Kou people while doing business and deduced their nature from that.

Upon returning to the General’s Mansion, Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan first went to see his grandfather to report that the Emperor had agreed to the establishment of the medical clinic and to ask how many people could be spared. They were to be sent to the palace the next day. Old General Li summoned the steward. Having returned from the manor, he had already arranged for the steward to handle the matter, though he had not expected the Emperor to agree to let imperial physicians train apprentices. Moreover, upon hearing that if an imperial physician failed to be diligent, their entire clan would be eradicated, Old General Li began to wonder if his own views were too outdated. Or perhaps, while he supported Wang Xiujin, deep down, he had been prioritizing the safety of the family rather than the service to the people and the nation as he had in the past. Reflecting on this, the old general sighed deeply. He made a decision: from now on, he would no longer interfere in the major or minor affairs of the household. He would hand over the management to his eldest son—not through a formal division of the estate, but as a delegation of authority. He decreed that as long as he was alive, the three brothers were not to live apart.

Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan were not the first to hear of the old general’s decision to relinquish power. Even the steward, who had been helping the old man calculate the assets, had no idea what the old general was planning, assuming he simply wanted to audit his wealth. Only after the calculation was finished and the assets were handed over to the Eldest Master on the spot did the steward understand. The Eldest Master was startled by his father’s sudden decision and repeatedly asked if something had happened to cause such a change.

Old General Li was direct, explaining his reasoning in a few words. His mindset had changed; he feared leading the family down the wrong path, which was why he was handing over power. He also established a rule: after he passed, even if the three brothers divided the estate, the custom must continue—when a family head reached fifty-five, they must pass control to the next generation to ensure the family did not lose its way.

The Eldest Master immediately agreed, declaring that as long as his younger brothers did not wish to move out, the family would not be broken.

The old general waved his hand. He was not concerned about how the children would live in the future; he believed his sons were capable men who would not let those following them suffer. However... the old general patted his eldest son’s arm. "Be better to your third brother. He has not had it easy. For the sake of our family, he has sought neither fame nor fortune. Although he can be a bit weak-willed, you all share that flaw, so none of you should laugh at the others."

The Eldest Master understood his father’s meaning. He would not project his guilt over his eldest son onto others. It was his own weakness; if he hadn’t gotten involved in messy affairs back then and had properly managed his wife, none of what followed would have happened. It was his own negligence; he could blame no one else. Thinking of his eldest son, the Eldest Master sighed. His son was not close to him; the respect he showed was merely superficial. In private, his son would not say a single extra word to him, preferring the company of his "Little Father" instead.

When Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan heard about the old general handing over power, Wang Xiujin did not think much of it, but he sensed that Li Linshan’s demeanor had shifted. He quickly pulled on his arm. "What is wrong with you?"

"Could it be that my father is seeking to take charge..." Li Linshan did not view his biological father in a favorable light.

Wang Xiujin tapped Li Linshan’s forehead. He had thought that Li Linshan’s kindness toward the Eldest Master over the years meant his resentment had lessened, but he hadn't realized that the bitterness remained unresolved. He sighed internally; Li Linshan was no longer young, and some issues had not faded but had instead deepened. "Setting aside what the Eldest Master did back then, he is not a man who would force authority from his elders. Although he once hurt you, you cannot judge everything through the lens of that one event. Your father now has your 'Little Father' by his side, and your 'Little Father' is not one to scramble for power. He has nothing to fight for, as he is already managing the inner affairs of the Li household. He has no need to compete."

Li Linshan took two deep breaths, and the fire in his eyes dimmed. Wang Xiujin felt relieved; as long as he remained rational, he would not act inappropriately. "We must ask your grandfather. If your father truly did something improper, we can use the pens of scholars to denounce him. But if your grandfather handed it over voluntarily, you must think thrice before reacting to anything regarding your father. Do not be impulsive."

Li Linshan remained silent for a long time. Rationally, he knew his father was not the type to force his grandfather, and it was likely that his grandfather simply no longer wished to manage the household. Emotionally, however, he was still resentful.

Wang Xiujin gripped Li Linshan’s arm. "We will ask in private. If your grandfather announces it in front of everyone later, you must not act impulsively." Even as Li Linshan nodded, Wang Xiujin remained worried.

At dinner, the old general did not mention the matter, which surprised everyone. Since he remained silent, no one asked. After they dispersed, Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan did not leave with the others. Once everyone was gone, Wang Xiujin spoke up. He did not beat around the bush but asked directly; he did not feel the matter needed to be veiled. On the contrary, a direct approach might help Li Linshan set aside his prejudices, or at least ensure that even if his resentment remained, he would not view his own father through a distorted lens.

Upon hearing Wang Xiujin’s question, Old General Li paused. After turning to look at his eldest grandson, he understood what was happening. He smiled bitterly and gestured for his grandson to sit beside him. "Your grandfather knows that you have much dissatisfaction and resentment toward your father, but you should not assume the worst of him. His mistake lies in how he treated you, not in other things. As for the nation, he is loyal; as for the family, he is filial. Your situation was partly due to my own failings—if I had spoken up more back then, he would not have acted that way. He regrets it now, and while you treat him with outward respect, you have not accepted him in your heart. Your grandfather does not demand that you forgive him, only that you do not view your father as a villain."