Chapter 195: Chapter 187: Fatty Wang’s Plan
Yes, what if the Huaxia, Chen, and Xia Families formed a strategic partnership? Neither the Huaxia nor the Chen Family is something the Wang Family can compare to, for they are large families with hundreds of years of history, whereas the Wang Family’s rise has occurred only in the past three to four decades. They have only truly become one of the four great families in Yanjing in the last twenty years. Compared to the Hua and Chen Families’ heritage, there is simply no comparison. Even compared to the Sun Family, they fall woefully short.
Although there are rumors outside that the Wang Family, with its recent developments, has been subtly surpassing the Sun Family—especially since the Sun Family, over the past decade, hasn’t produced any standout young figures either in business or official circles—the Wang Family did not reach this height by being overly ambitious or shallow. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have achieved their current success.
Despite the apparent lack of standout figures in the Sun Family and the absence of major recent moves, and even a slightly lesser position in Yanjing’s officialdom compared to the Wang Family, the Sun Family moved beyond Yanjing twenty years ago. Like the Huaxia and Chen Families, they do not merely focus on Yanjing, for they have their sights set on the entire Huaxia, which is something the Wang Family cannot replicate.
Wang Zhanting poured cold water on the three of them, but it didn’t dampen his wife Xiao Lan in the slightest. Xiao Lan is the third young lady of the prestigious Gu Family in the capital, with her father, Gu Yongquan, being the third most influential person in the family, boasting a high rank and significant power, once a heavyweight figure in Huaxia’s political arena. This is one of the reasons why the Wang Family was able to rise to become one of the four great families in Yanjing within twenty years. Of course, the Wang Family’s own strength should not be overlooked either.
Gu Xiaolan, despite knowing that what Wang Zhanting said was true, had always been spoiled. Although she was over fifty, her fiery temper hadn’t changed, and due to her menopausal tendencies, it seemed to become more pronounced. Upon hearing Wang Zhanting’s words, Gu Xiaolan glared with cold eyes and said sternly, "Uncle Three, are you getting older and losing your temper? What difference does it make if the Huaxia and Chen Families support the Xia Family? Those two are indeed among the top families in Yanjing, but it’s only on that small stretch of land. In the hundreds of years since Huaxia’s founding, there have been many families with more heritage than the Huaxia and Chen Family. Not to mention comparing with those who were noble families since the founding of the country, even my maiden family is not something the Huaxia and Chen Families can look up to!"
Wang Zhanting could only smile bitterly, saying, "Sister-in-law, as you say, but isn’t it a bit costly to deal with the Huaxia and Chen Families in Yanjing? Is it worth it?"
Gu Xiaolan was slightly taken aback, realizing she was bragging a bit. Even her maiden family, compared to the Huaxia Family, was merely on the same level at best; feeling a bit guilty, she replied, "There’s no such thing as worth or not worth it. If our Wang Family doesn’t reclaim the face we lost today and allows the Xia Family to have it easy, I can guarantee that the Wang Family’s influence in business and officialdom in the future will definitely not be as smooth as before!"
"Sister, we all know what you’re saying, and we must reclaim this face. Not only that, but we must utterly crush the Xia Family. If there’s an opportunity, we’ll also stab the Huaxia and Chen Families. But how to go about this, where to start, isn’t something you can solve by venting!" Wang Zhanting said calmly, although Gu Xiaolan’s status was esteemed, Wang Zhanting in the Wang Family was only second to his elder brother, Wang Zhantian. In the Wang Family, he was an authoritative figure. Moreover, now that he sits on the position of head of the Yanjing Municipal Committee Organization Department, he has in recent years promoted many cadres close to the Wang Family and young Wang Family members. If these younger members rise, twenty years later, surpassing the Sun Family should not be an issue for the Wang Family.
Furthermore, at only forty-six or forty-seven years of age, he has already reached such a high position, with a boundless future ahead. If luck is on his side, maybe he can even become a national leader.
"So, what’s your solution? Do you think you could solve it with a cold demeanor and pouring cold water?" Gu Xiaolan was increasingly disgruntled with Wang Zhanting. Ever since he took the position of the head of the organization department, even her family had arranged for the younger generation to come to Yanjing for training, often requiring Wang Zhanting’s help. As for the other younger generation of the Wang Family, they needed even more help. Wang Zhanting’s prestige in the Wang Family has been rising, to the point of potentially surpassing Wang Zhantian. If he surpasses Wang Zhantian, her position as the first lady of the Wang Family might no longer be secure.
"Alright, what’s the point of arguing now?" Wang Zhantian interjected, suppressing the argument between Gu Xiaolan and Wang Zhanting. As the Family Head of the Wang Family, Wang Zhantian understood that regardless of how smooth Wang Zhanting’s political future might become, the Wang Family would always have only one Family Head: him, Wang Zhantian. Without him, the Wang Family would not have the status it enjoys today.
Fatty Wang was very quiet, sitting silently while listening to the adults talk. He was long used to the arguments between his mother and uncle, instead, he was comfortably enjoying his wine.
"We’re not arguing, just discussing how to proceed!" Gu Xiaolan dared not ignore her husband’s words.
"Brother, I feel this matter isn’t that simple, and requires careful planning!" Wang Zhanting said steadily.
Wang Zhantian was deep in thought, looking at Fatty Wang, who seemed unusually calm, even more so than Wang Zhanting. Moreover, he had a slight smile on his face and was in the mood to savor wine.
"Ah Min, how do you view this issue?" Wang Zhantian seemed accustomed to seeking Fatty Wang’s opinion. In recent years, Fatty Wang stood out more and more among his peers, excelling in terms of knowledge, methods, and approach, far exceeding others his age. Should Wang Zhantian be the critical figure who established the Wang Family as one of the four great families of Yanjing, then in the next twenty years, Fatty Wang would undoubtedly be the key person leading the Wang Family beyond Yanjing to influence Huaxia and even expand to overseas bases. Wang Zhantian has included Wang Shumin in both major and minor family affairs, treating him as the successor.
Fatty Wang didn’t speak immediately, but Gu Xiaolan did, unable to contain herself: "Zhan Tian, look at Ah Min, he’s so upset he’s enjoying wine? Ah Min, if you’re upset about something, just tell us, and your mom will stand up for you. Isn’t it just Xia Xue? Tomorrow, I’ll have your uncle introduce some prestigious young ladies from the capital. They are truly from noble families and far superior to Xia Xue!"
Wang Shumin was somewhat defeated by the doting of his mother, took a gentle sip of wine, and responded, "Mom, I know what I want. I also know my uncle can definitely find me a lady from a great capital family, but I, Wang Shumin, do not need such a marriage!" Fatty Wang was aware of his mother’s excessive affection, which sometimes left even him feeling exasperated.
"Alright, alright, my son is excellent; what’s so good about that wench Xia Xue? With my son, what kind of woman can’t he find!" Gu Xiaolan quickly said, spoiling Wang Shumin to the extreme. Fortunately, her son was successful, securing her position in the Wang Family even more.
"Enough, Xiao Lan, stop causing trouble!" Wang Zhantian stopped Gu Xiaolan’s commotion, then turned to Fatty Wang, asking, "Ah Min, tell us your thoughts. You should know more about the Xia Family, Xia Xue, and her fiance than any of us!"
"Just now, my mom and Uncle Three were arguing in the wrong direction. Ultimately, it’s Dad who has the right perspective. The Huaxia and Chen Families are indeed not ones we Wang Family can deal with, but I doubt the Xia Family could latch onto the Huaxia and Chen Families so easily!" Fatty Wang began to elaborate.
"Oh, and why do you think that? Earlier, you said you don’t know Xia Xue’s fiancé well enough, so why does it seem now like you’re unfazed by Xia Xue’s fiancé?" Wang Zhantian’s eyes brightened as he asked.
"As I see it, Xia Xue’s fiancé, that small doctor from the school hospital, is just a dead man!" Fatty Wang spoke leisurely.
"Dead man?" Wang Zhantian looked at Fatty Wang in surprise, "Didn’t you say he was quite capable in a fight? Moreover, anyone who can have both the Huaxia and Chen Families simultaneously appear must not be simple, likely someone from the capital!"
"Dad, those who accomplish great things do not sweat the small stuff. Right now, the Xia Family thinks they’ve latched onto the Huaxia and Chen Families, which is merely laughable. From Xia Xue’s attitude toward the Xia Family, it’s clear she doesn’t have much affection for them. For Old Man Xia who could have Hua Muyun and Elder Chen come to celebrate his birthday, it’s likely all thanks to Doctor Xiao Lin. But what if Xiao Lin were dead? Would the Huaxia and Chen families continue to regard the Xia Family as important?" Fatty Wang’s words were light, but his tone was assertive, declaring Xiao Lin dead.
"Ah Min, what are you planning to do? Kill Xia Xue’s fiancé?" Wang Zhanting was taken aback, not having considered this possibility.
"Exactly, all the events are orchestrated by Xiao Lin, and now we’ve only found out he’s just a small doctor at the school hospital. Even if there is a significant background behind him, is it necessary for us to handle a small doctor? Before coming to the Xia Family, I had already made arrangements. I just didn’t expect that the other party would invite the Huaxia and Chen Families to participate, but the outcome will remain the same!" Fatty Wang took a sip of red wine, his tone very calm.
"This... Are the people you arranged reliable?" Wang Zhantian asked in a deep voice. Wang Shumin’s analysis was correct; everything that happened tonight was due to one person: Xia Xue’s fiancé. Whether it was the issue with the Qu Family or the Wang Family’s problem, they all revolved around Xiao Lin, leading to both families losing face.
"Absolutely reliable. We can just wait at home for the news!" Fatty Wang said calmly, "Once Xiao Lin is dead, Xia Xue will have no backing. Without Xiao Lin, would the Huaxia and Chen Families continue to support this unremarkable Xia Family? What significance would their support have?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian () to vote with your recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)