Chapter 189 Domineering Reduction of Power

The entire hall was deathly silent.

The greed and smugness on Lu Wende's face froze instantly, then shattered inch by inch, turning into a deathly pale color. His lips trembled, wanting to say something, but he couldn't squeeze out a single word.

Separation?

Are you kidding me!

What are they trying to achieve by making a scene, grabbing things, and throwing tantrums? Isn't it just because they're surnamed Lu, that they want to take a bigger bite out of the main branch of the family and suck more blood?

If they really get separated, they'll be nothing!

Without the prestigious reputation of the Lu family's main branch, and without the influence of Old Master Lu and Lu Zhenguo in both military and political circles, their businesses would be devoured to the bone within six months.

"Jingyan! You... what do you mean by this!" An elder from a collateral branch finally found his voice, but it was shrill and distorted. "We are all family, blood is thicker than water, how can you just separate the family like this!"

"That's right! We're making a fuss for the good of the family, and we want to contribute more to the family!"

"Nephew, you can't be so heartless! We are all your uncles and elders!"

In an instant, cries of agony, words of advice, and calls for moral blackmail rose and fell. The group of people who had just been fierce and menacing were now all pitiful creatures.

Lu Jingyan didn't even lift his eyelids. His tall and straight figure stood there like a javelin, forming an insurmountable barrier.

All eyes eventually turned to the elderly man at the head of the table who had remained silent throughout.

Old Master Lu sat upright, stroking a purple clay teacup in his hand, his cloudy old eyes revealing no emotion.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling like being fried in a pan of oil.

A glimmer of hope ignited in the hearts of the collateral branches; the old man valued the clan's reputation above all else and would certainly not agree to such an absurd thing.

Finally, Grandpa Lu put down his teacup, the bottom of which collided with the table, making a crisp "clattering" sound.

He slowly raised his eyes, scanned the entire room, and finally uttered a single word.

"allow."

boom!

Lu Wende and the others felt as if something had exploded in their minds, their vision went black, and they almost collapsed to the ground.

It's over.

It's completely over.

Before they could recover from this devastating blow, Old Master Lu's aged yet authoritative voice rang out again, shattering their last remaining illusions.

"Effective immediately, 70% of all industries, connections, and resources under the Lu family will be transferred to Jingyan's lineage. This includes shares in Beijing No. 1 Courtyard and all core units, which will be jointly managed by Jingyan and his wife Bai Shu."

"The remaining 30% will be divided equally among the branches of your family."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed across the faces of several people; thirty percent wasn't bad at all...

But the old man's next words plunged them into the deepest abyss.

"However, there is one condition." The old man's voice suddenly turned cold. "All decisions of the branch businesses must unconditionally obey any decision of the main branch. Fifty percent of the annual profits must be handed over to the main branch's public funds. If anyone violates this or shows disrespect to the main branch, the main branch has the right to reclaim all assets allocated to you at any time."

hiss--

These words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

This is hardly a family division.

This is fucking a reduction of the power of the feudal lords!

We'll take away all your military and financial power, leaving you only enough money to eat, and you'll have to eat on your knees!

This is even more ruthless than simply kicking them out of the Lu family! It turns them into complete vassals of the main branch, leaving them with no right to resist whatsoever.

Lu Wende swayed and slumped into a chair. He knew that all was lost. After today, they, these so-called collateral branches, would be nothing more than groveling before Lu Jingyan's family.

Lu Zongren's face turned ashen, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word. He regretted it, he was filled with remorse. If he had known it would end like this, he shouldn't have jumped out and become the scapegoat today!

Jealousy? Scheming?

In the face of absolute power and authority, these things are a joke.

...

The meeting ended unhappily.

Or, to put it another way, for the collateral branches, it meant being swept out of the house.

The noisy and oppressive atmosphere that had just filled the Lu family's old mansion vanished instantly.

Lu Zhenguo personally refilled the old man's tea, and then glanced at Su Wantang, who was sitting quietly next to Meng Wan.

This woman, who hadn't uttered a single word from the beginning, became the center of the whole affair.

Lu Zhenguo's eyes were filled with complex emotions.

As a high-ranking officer in the military region, he knew better than anyone how terrifying the crisis at this military industrial exhibition was. It could be said that this woman named Bai Shu single-handedly deflected the sword of Damocles hanging over the entire military, political, and technological circles of China.

This achievement is immense.

Previously, he had always viewed this woman of unknown origin and who stirred up trouble with suspicion and distrust. But now, all his doubts had vanished.

He picked up a cup of freshly brewed tea and walked up to Su Wantang.

"Comrade Bai Shu."

Lu Zhenguo's voice was deep and serious, carrying the characteristic solemnity of a soldier.

Su Wantang raised her head and looked at her father-in-law, who exuded an imposing aura even without anger.

“Dad,” she replied softly.

That one word, "Dad," caused Lu Zhenguo's expression to soften slightly.

He handed over the teacup with a solemn gesture.

"Today, as your father, I raise a glass to you. Thank you for saving Jingyan, for saving our Lu family, and for saving our country."

He didn't say many sentimental things, but this cup of tea and this attitude spoke louder than a thousand words.

This is an admission!

It was the most formal and solemn recognition from the protagonist's father, this iron-willed soldier!

Su Wantang took the teacup with both hands; it was warm to the touch.

“Dad, this is what I should do. I am Jingyan’s wife and a member of the Lu family.”

She drank the tea in her cup in one gulp.

Seeing this, Meng Wan's eyes reddened slightly, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She took Su Wantang's hand and patted it gently, everything understood without words.

Looking at this harmonious scene, a smile flashed in Old Master Lu's cloudy eyes. He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Okay, okay!"

This turmoil has finally come to a true end.

It was late at night, so I returned to Courtyard No. 1.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, crackling and bringing a warm glow to the slightly chilly early winter night.

Lu Jingyan wrapped his arms around Su Wantang's waist from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and inhaled the fragrance of her hair.

Are you tired?

"I'm not tired." Su Wantang leaned against his broad, warm embrace, her nerves, which had been tense all day, finally completely relaxing. "I just feel like I can finally have some peace and quiet."

She liked this feeling.

Clean up all potential threats and all noise.

"From now on, this will be our home." Lu Jingyan tightened his arms around her, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

Su Wantang turned around, snuggled into his arms, and found a comfortable position.

"Lu Jingyan, let's plan for the future."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

"At Haitang Technology, Zhou Jimin has already set up the framework; the next step is to develop new products."

"Um."

"Qin Zheng and the Twelve Beauties have already established themselves at Tangdixuan in Beijing. I want to turn it into a top-tier private club that is not open to the public, specifically for cultivating our own network of connections."

"Can."

"And there's the private seal my grandfather gave me. This thing is too heavy. I think we can use it to build a security force that truly belongs to us, independent of any system, and only under our command. In the future, both our businesses and our people will need the highest level of protection."

As Lu Jingyan listened to her methodically outlining their business empire, his eyes were filled with doting affection and admiration.

“Jingyan,” Su Wantang suddenly raised her head, her peach blossom eyes flashing with a light called ambition, “I also want to acquire a piece of land in the suburbs of Beijing.”

"do what?"

"Build a Chinese medicine cultivation base and pharmaceutical factory."

This is what she really wanted to say today.

The spiritual spring and land within the Begonia Space are her greatest trump cards. If those rare medicinal herbs, long extinct in the outside world, could appear in the real world through a "legitimate" channel, they could not only benefit countless people but also create an incredibly profitable industry for her.

"I want to make 'Tangdi Pharmaceuticals' a legend of this era."

Her words carried an undeniable confidence.

Lu Jingyan lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and smiled.

"good."

One word encapsulates all the support and trust.

He paused, then added, "Security at the pharmaceutical factory is under my jurisdiction."

Su Wantang smiled, leaned in, and kissed his lips.

Just as the two were getting intimate and almost about to get intimate, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard, breaking the tranquility.

"Brigade Commander! Brigade Commander!"

Gao Jianjun rushed in without even knocking. When he saw the two people embracing in the living room, his face turned red, he slammed on the brakes, and awkwardly stood at attention and saluted.

"Reporting, Commander! I..."

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?" Lu Jingyan released Su Wantang, his cold and ruthless demeanor returning, though a hint of displeasure at being disturbed lingered between his brows.

Gao Jianjun's expression was strange, a mixture of excitement and sympathy. He quickly stepped forward and handed over a document stamped with a red seal.

"Brigade Commander, take a look for yourself. It's a transfer order that just came from the military region."