Grandpa Zhao gathered all the younger generation in the family together again and gave them a serious dressing-down.

"Why didn't I live in the courtyard house next to the Forbidden City that the organization arranged for me? People say I'm nostalgic, so I live in the house I lived in when I was young. What do you think?" He glanced at the crowd.

Grandpa Zhao had three wives and many children, including six sons and three daughters who survived. He never let his children enjoy any privileges because of his contributions. Others called him great and selfless, but his family was very dissatisfied with him.

His wife resented that he neglected his own family for the sake of the greater good, and his children resented that he didn't seek an easy path to wealth for them.

He felt that his family was enjoying the glory and wealth he had risked his life for, yet they still wanted more.

In those days, if he had been a devoted family husband, and everyone thought the same way, how many Chinese people would have been displaced? Someone always had to sacrifice a stable life, right?

Before their marriage, he had already laid out the conditions; he could not stand idly by and watch the country fall into turmoil.

As for the children, he was even more self-righteous.

He never lacked for their food or clothing, and he was especially strict about their education. It's fair to say that after they finished their studies, they were capable of living independently and supporting themselves; why would they need to rely on their families?

How much help can he offer them? Perhaps he should take the helm before he closes his eyes.

But his family didn't understand. They thought he was a stubborn and eccentric old man who outwardly respected him but inwardly disobeyed him!

Even so, Old Master Zhao still had to give them a good talking-to.

The group exchanged glances, and a pretty young woman raised her hand: "Grandpa, is it because you don't want preferential treatment?"

“Yes,” the old man nodded approvingly, then continued solemnly, “I’m making you realize your own status and capabilities. Returning to Beijing is for me to enjoy my retirement as a senior official, not for you to squander my reputation and connections!”

“I don’t care about fame or connections, but I absolutely will not allow my own people to take shortcuts.”