Su Hongshuo took a deep breath, looked around, and stood up from his chair.
"The reason I pretended to be sick before was not to force this unfilial son to return home and inherit the position of family head, but because I saw through the Wei family's ambition and was showing weakness to them. But even when I was sick, did I ever neglect the Su family's business?!"
By feigning illness and weakness, the Wei family would think that Su Hongshuo's days were numbered and that he wouldn't be able to cause any trouble, thus focusing their energy on the businesses of other families and ceasing to suppress the Su family.
As he spoke, Su Hongshuo looked at Su Hongquan and said, "Third brother, I know you have always thought that I killed your youngest son, but I swear to God that I, Su Hongshuo, have never harmed any member of our clan!"
Su Hongquan's youngest son, Su Qian, was chosen by Su Hongshuo to be the successor to the Su family head.
But not long after, Su Qian, who was perfectly healthy, fell ill and passed away.
Su Hongquan always believed that Su Qian was killed by Su Hongshuo, and that Su Hongshuo's choice of Su Qian as the heir to the family head was just a show for others.
So over the years, he has harbored resentment towards Su Hongshuo and even wished he could kill Su Xing and make him pay with his son Su Qian.
But seeing Su Hongshuo make a vow, Su Hongquan was stunned on the spot, feeling that his years of resentment had been vented in the wrong place, leaving him at a loss for what to do.
Then Su Hongshuo continued, "I have investigated Su Qian's death for a long time. Although I have no substantial evidence, I am certain that it is definitely related to the Wei family."
That's why I haven't chosen a successor all these years. It's not that I want to seize power, but I just don't want any more members of my clan to be harmed.
If I really wanted Su Xing to inherit the position of family head, I would have written to him long ago, or I would never have let him leave Jinzhou in the first place.
But do you know what? In the past twenty years, I haven't written him a single letter!
If I had any selfish motives, it was simply that I didn't want Su Xing to return to Jinzhou and get involved in this mess!
Upon hearing this, Su Xing knelt down again.
"Father! Your son is unfilial and has caused you worry!"
Su Hongshuo tapped the ground with his cane and glared at Su Xing with annoyance.
"Get up!"
He still has an old injury on his leg, and he kneels down all the time. I don't know if it will relapse. If it triggers the old injury, I don't know how Xi'er will criticize him!
Su Xing obediently listened, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
It turns out his father wasn't angry with him, but rather protecting him.
Su Hongquan remained silent for a long time, then clasped his hands and bowed to Su Hongshuo, "Brother, I misunderstood you before. Let's not mention the matter of dividing the family again!"
Even without the Wei family, there are still the Tao and Dou families. If they were to truly split up, the Su family would likely be completely devoured by these two families in less than a year.
The Su family has stood strong in Jinzhou for a century; we can't let it be destroyed in our generation!
With Su Hongquan taking the lead, everyone else stood up and urged Su Hongshuo not to bring up the matter of dividing the family again.
Su Honghan from the second branch of the family was about to offer some words of advice, but his granddaughter Su Lingwei stopped him.
Su Honghan was a weak person who never competed or fought for anything since childhood. Over time, he became almost invisible in the Su family. No one cared about his opinion or sought his advice.
Although the second wife's family has gradually improved in recent years, it is not because Su Honghan is a late bloomer, but because his granddaughter Su Lingwei has gradually emerged.
Although Su Lingwei is a woman, she has great ambitions.
Since she is skilled in business and has talent, why can't she become the head of the Su family?!
Given the current situation, it's impossible for her to become the head of the Su family, but there is another opportunity in front of her: dividing the family!
"Master, if we were to divide the family property, I wonder how much my second branch would receive?"
Su Lingwei's voice sounded particularly abrupt in the hall.
The once noisy hall instantly became quiet.
Su Hongshuo was completely disappointed in Su Lingwei. Since it was her wish, he would grant it!
"In addition to the original farmland and houses of the second wife, there is one million taels of silver, and the shops you are currently running."
Upon hearing this, Su Lingwei's eyes lit up.
The conditions offered by Su Hongshuo were simply irresistible, so Su Lingwei agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright! In that case, my second branch of the family is willing to separate!"
"Lingwei, have you gone mad?! You probably haven't even grasped the current situation!"
After Su Hongquan finished speaking in disagreement, he hurriedly looked at Su Honghan, "Second brother, aren't you going to do anything about your granddaughter! The elders are talking here, how dare she, a junior, interrupt! How dare she, a mere girl, make decisions about the affairs of the second branch of the family?!"
Su Honghan stammered, unsure of what to say. His indecisiveness made everyone shake their heads.
But Su Lingwei was determined to separate from the family.
So she grabbed Su Honghan's arm and said earnestly, "Grandpa, you know my abilities. You can trust me. After we split up the family business, Wei'er will definitely make the business bigger and bigger."
Grandpa, you don't want our second branch of the family to always be inferior to others, do you? You don't want people to always say that you rely on others for your livelihood, do you?
If we can separate, we'll be in charge ourselves from now on. We won't have to be beholden to others anymore, and we won't have to depend on them for survival!
Su Hongshuo looked at Su Lingwei, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't heartbroken.
Since he became the head of the family, he has never mistreated the second wife; in fact, he often shows favoritism towards her.
However, judging from Su Lingwei's words, there was a strong sense of resentment.
They really can't be tamed!
Seeing that Su Honghan was clearly persuaded by Su Lingwei, Su Hongquan hurriedly advised, "Second brother, you don't know what business is like. The business world is like a battlefield. If the second branch of the family splits off, I'm afraid it will be swallowed up by other big families in less than half a year!"
"Ha! Third Grandfather, don't exaggerate. There are countless small merchants in Jinzhou City, but they are all doing just fine now!"
Moreover, our great-grandfather gave our second branch so much money and shops, which is far beyond what ordinary small merchants can compare to!
If those small businesses weren't swallowed up, how could we be?
Is it that Third Grandfather doesn't believe I can make the Second Branch strong and powerful, or is it that Third Grandfather is afraid we'll surpass your Third Branch after we separate, and can't stand to see us doing well, so he's using the excuse of what's best for our Second Branch to prevent us from separating?!
Hearing Su Lingwei's words, Su Hongquan was so angry he almost couldn't breathe.
With her face flushed, she gathered her anger and finally said, "Fine! I don't care about you anymore! You can leave if you want, just don't regret it later and don't come crying and begging to come back!"
Su Lingwei smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming with confidence, and said, "Don't worry, we will never regret it!"
Seeing this, Su Hongshuo added, "Since that's the case, there's no time like the present, let's separate the second branch today."
Since so many people are here today, they can all be witnesses, but the necessary documents still need to be signed.
"If the second branch of the family separates, they will have nothing to do with the main family anymore. If they want to come back in the future, don't blame me for not showing any kinship."
After saying that, Su Hongshuo looked at Su Honghan and said, "Second brother, you are the head of the second branch of the family. If you want to separate, I will not keep you any longer."
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