Volume 3: The Richest Man in the World Chapter 16 Wu Guoying's Ambition
Then I heard Wu Guoying say, "If Chengjun were still alive, it goes without saying that he would definitely be the one to run the family, and no one would have any objections. But this unfilial son passed away before me, so I had to let Chengjian take over. Everyone has seen how he has done in the past two years. As for Chenggou, I didn't let him touch the assets of Yihehang, not because of the illegitimate or legitimate son, but because he has no ability and no contribution. As for the next generation, the kids are still young and their personalities are not yet determined. It will be difficult to see the results in three to five years. Guang'er is the eldest son and grandson, but our Wu family is not an imperial family, nor a Confucian scholar. Just because he is the eldest son and grandson, it cannot be said that Yihehang will be handed over to him in the future. Who will run the Wu family in the future still depends on who has the greatest ability and which branch has made the greatest contribution. Don't you think this is the truth?"
For a moment, there was no sound in the room. Wu Chenggou knew that if he agreed, it would be of no benefit to him, but if he didn't, he would be scolded. Wu Chengjian knew that if he agreed, it would be beneficial to him, but he didn't know how to agree.
After a while, Cai Qiaozhu said, "Master is right."
Wu Chenggou then said, "Yes, Dad is right."
Wu Guoying said, "I founded Yihe Bank, but it was Chengjun who laid a solid foundation. No one can deny this. If we only talk about the contribution to Yihe Bank so far, Chengjun, Chengjian and I each account for three points. Without me, there would be no Yihe Bank. Without Chengjun, the foundation of Yihe Bank would not be solid. Without Chengjian, Yihe Bank would not have survived these two disasters and would not have reached its current level. Do you think my conclusion makes sense?"
This question was asked to everyone. Manager Liu spoke first: "This is a fair argument!"
Fifteenth Uncle, Ou Jiafu and others also said: "It is indeed a fair argument."
Cai Qiaozhu thought that her father-in-law was not confused after all and did not erase her husband's achievements, so she said, "Master is absolutely right." She was a virtuous person and had never wanted to argue about anything in the past. She also always believed that even if Wu Chengjian became the head of the family, he would treat her and her child well. However, on the day Ye Youyu was about to give birth, Ye Dalin's wild laughter was like a nail that pierced her heart.
Wu Chenggou didn't dare to object and could only nod.
"But this three-way division theory only applies now." Wu Guoying's eyes sparkled, and at this moment he did not look like an old man: "I am old, but I still have ambitions. I will never be able to catch up with Old Jin Ao in my lifetime, but I can see clearly with my eyes that my Wu family will sooner or later surpass the Pan family, and my Yihe Bank will sooner or later surpass Tonghe Bank! Become the best in the world!"
These words aroused the lofty ambitions in the hearts of Manager Liu and Ou Jiafu.
The Wu family is indeed catching up with the Pan family, and Yihehang has been catching up with Tonghehang, but so far, the Wu family has always kept a low profile. Even though they have been trying hard to catch up, and even Ye Dalin is eager to drive the Wu family to suppress the Pan family, the Wu family never says anything and still silently plays second fiddle, pretending to be a toothless tiger and making money in silence.
But today, Wu Guoying finally spoke, revealing the Wu family's ambitions. At this time, his eyes were shining and his cheeks were slightly red. The fifteenth uncle was experienced and knew that it was not a good thing for an old man to suddenly do this, but he did not stop him.
Wu Guoying's attack was a little too intense and he couldn't help coughing twice.
Wu Chengjian supported Wu Guoying and helped him to calm down.
Wu Guoying lowered her voice and said, "I know it will be like this in the future. Maybe I won't be able to see it anymore, but it doesn't matter. I know it will be like this."
Everyone said, "Yes, yes, it must be like this."
Wu Guoying said: "But it is not easy for the Wu family to really achieve this and become the best in the world. Fortunately, our Wu family has a talented person!"
Having said this, he looked at Wu Chengjian, and everyone in the room also looked at Wu Chengjian.
Everyone felt that Wu Guoying's three-point judgment just now was reasonable, and at this time Wu Guoying had such high hopes for Wu Chengjian. When everyone thought back to what had happened in the past two years, they felt that it was natural.
Only Wu Chengjian remained expressionless, neither embarrassed nor frightened, neither making excuses nor being arrogant.
"Hao Guan!" Wu Guoying changed his address. "You have great ambitions. I can't even imagine how far the Wu family will go under your leadership in the future. But before that, there is one thing that everyone present here must listen to me."
No one dared to disobey him, and they all followed his words and said, "Father (Master) (Old Master) (Guoying), you speak."
Wu Guoying said, "Before that, the Wu family cannot be dispersed. It must not be dispersed! The industry cannot be dispersed, the power cannot be dispersed, and the people's hearts cannot be dispersed. The dispersion of the family business is fine, but the internal strife caused by the dispersion of people's hearts is more fatal! I have seen too many ups and downs in the Thirteen Hongs in Guangzhou for decades. I don't know how many big businesses have been devastated once they were dispersed. The Wu family will be no exception. Once our family business and people's hearts are dispersed, we can't catch up with the Pan family, and Yihehang can't think of being the best in the world. By then, I will not be able to rest in peace even in the underworld! Did you hear me? Did you hear me!"
He pounded the armrest again: "Did you hear that?"
Cai Qiaozhu and Wu Chenggou were so frightened that they knelt down in front of the chair and said in unison, "I heard it."
Wu Chengjian also knelt down with Ye Youyu. Wu Chengjian said, "Dad, don't worry. I know what to do."
"Okay, okay!" Wu Guoying took Wu Chengjian's hand and said, "If Yihe Bank really becomes the best in the world, when that day comes, you will definitely have the final say in the Wu family, Yihe Bank, and even in the Thirteen Banks of Yuehai. But I hope that you will still remember the contribution of your elder brother Wu Chengjun in building the foundation..."
Wu Chengjian said: "Father, you know the relationship between me and my elder brother, why do you have to say this."
"No, no! That's what I'm afraid of!" Wu Guoying said, "The family's great cause is not based on affection, but on merit. I want you to remember your eldest brother's merits and let Guang'er down, but I also don't want you to let yourself down because of brotherly affection. Do you understand?"
Wu Chengjian lowered his eyelids and said, "Okay."
Wu Guoying then made a lot of explanations, and everyone knew that this was already considered a will. His words had made it very clear that Wu Chengjian would continue to be the head of the family both before and after his death.
After he finished saying this, his energy seemed to be drained away, and he fell back on the bed. Wu Chengjian quickly invited Mr. Er He over. After diagnosis, Mr. Er He said that he had overexerted himself. He scolded the Wu brothers again and told them not to let the old man worry anymore and to rest .
After helping Wu Guoying drink the medicine and rest, Cai Qiaozhu returned to the right courtyard. Wu Liu followed her in - he was present throughout the old man's instructions. Now he followed her to the outer room and he and Cai Qiaozhu looked at each other. They knew what the other meant.
Cai Qiaozhu said: "The master's arrangement is very appropriate and fair. I am very convinced."
Wu Liu said, "Yes, yes. That's good." Then he left.
Wu Liu had nothing to say, but unexpectedly, Cai's mother came to see her daughter the next day. After two rounds of tea, Cai's mother sent the maid away and asked, "I heard that your father-in-law arranged everything for his funeral yesterday?"
Cai Qiaozhu's eyebrows suddenly stood up and she said, "Mother, who told you that?"
"Don't worry about where I heard it from." Cai's mother said, "I just want to ask, what are your plans?"
Cai Qiaozhu said, "This is the Wu family's business, mother, if you don't want to make things difficult for your daughter, then don't ask."
Cai's mother sneered: "Wu family, Wu family, your Wu family's affairs have nothing to do with me! I just care about my grandson. I want to know what happened to my Guang'er."
Cai Qiaozhu said: "My father-in-law has arranged Guang'er very well."
"Very good?" Cai's mother asked, "How good is it?"
Cai Qiaozhu said, "My father-in-law said that the Wu family's assets cannot be divided at the moment. As for the future, when it comes time to divide them, it will depend on the contributions of each branch. Who will take the helm of Yihe Bank in the next generation will depend on the abilities of Guang'er and Yao'er."
When Cai's mother heard this, she sneered, "So, our Guang'er will be sidelined from now on."
Cai Qiaozhu frowned and said, "What are you talking about, mother?"
Cai's mother said, "The Wu family's assets cannot be divided at the moment, so who will be the head of the family now?"
Cai Qiaozhu said: "Of course it's Hao Guan. Who could be more suitable than him?"
"Of course he is the most suitable one." Cai's mother said, "My dear daughter, how many years do you think Hao Guan can be the head of Yihe Bank considering his age and physical condition? Are you frowning? Let me calculate for you. He is only in his twenties this year. Even if he retires in his fifties, he still has thirty years to go. Thirty years, let alone a business, even the emperor's family would have to change several princes. Humph, my father-in-law, you sound fair, but in fact you are full of partiality..."
"What bias? What bias!" Cai Qiaozhu said, "The master did not deny Chengjun's contribution to Yihe Bank. He was speaking the public opinion and was not biased."
"How could I have given birth to such a simple-minded and stupid daughter!" Cai's mother said, "Chengjun's body is still warm, if we divide the property now, everyone will feel sorry for it, even Haoguan himself will feel sorry for it. Logically, Chengjun's contribution to Yihe Bank has been seen by the shopkeeper and the shop assistants of Yihe Bank, and they are still warm in their hearts, so no one dares to wrong Guang'er. But thirty years later, the old friends who should die will die, those who should leave will leave, and those who should change will change. At that time, who will speak for the former head of the family who has been dead for thirty years?"
Seeing her daughter's expression was not right again, she shook her head and said, "Forget it, forget it. I know you won't listen to me. Just wait and see. You don't have to wait for thirty years. Just wait for one or two years, and you will see how others treat you. Then, you will believe what your mother says."
