The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 1209 - 1178: Brothers Bonding

Song Chunli had made ample preparations and was going to educate her sister-in-law, Jiang Lifang, about the rights and wrongs of the elite families in Yanjing in the shortest time possible.

Old Madam Huo felt relieved to see her eldest daughter-in-law finally considering the bigger picture when dealing with matters, and said, "It’s only your two branches of our family. When the Boss was in Yanjing and the second son was in the provinces, the brothers helped each other, and you sisters-in-law also supported each other. In the future, with the second son in Yanjing and the Boss moving his family to the provinces, you must continue to help each other. At least you won’t trip each other up behind your backs, but outsiders might not be the same."

"Mom, you’re right," Song Chunli said with a smile, "I’ve come to realize that I was the one at fault before, petty and hot-headed, always wanting to compete with my sister-in-law. But I never understood that it’s meaningless to fight within the family. Now that I’m at this age, I finally understand and won’t be foolish for the rest of my life."

Hearing the elder sister-in-law speak like this, Jiang Lifang quickly said, "No one is perfect, I too have faults. Elder sister-in-law, you’ve actually been doing very well. Zhekun and I have always been grateful in our hearts. From now on, we won’t speak as if we are from two different households. If you’re not in Yanjing, I will help maintain the Huo Family’s social connections in Yanjing and ensure your previous hard work isn’t wasted."

"That’s good," said Song Chunli, "Although this might not directly affect what’s visible on the surface, sometimes some information actually comes from these women. So, when we interact with them, listen carefully, talk less, and if you do speak, only mention the trivial matters. If you’re out of topics, just talk about the things you’re good at, like health maintenance, or beauty, clothes and such."

"Okay, I’ve got it," Jiang Lifang replied, "I’ll learn from you more in the future."

He Tiantian listened to their conversation silently, occasionally helping to chop fruit.

"Tiantian, listen as well, this will be beneficial for you in the future," Old Madam Huo remarked, paying more attention to He Tiantian now that Zhao Huanhuan wasn’t home.

He Tiantian nodded and said, "Yes, Grandmother, I am listening. The glory of the Huo Family cannot be maintained by just one person, but requires the effort of every member of our family. I understand this and will study it well."

"Good, good, all of you did well," Old Madam Huo said, in high spirits. With such sentiment, she no longer worried about the third generation of the Huo Family.

During the meal, everyone enjoyed their food to the fullest, but He Tiantian could only eat the menu devised by the national team’s chefs. Despite being comprised of quality ingredients, the diet, reduced in oil and salt but high in protein, somehow felt lacking in taste.

After the meal, the children went to watch TV while the women continued chatting.

Old Master Huo led some people to his study, this time without Huo Yingjun.

"Come now, Zhekun, you and your brother should have a good talk," Old Master Huo said, understanding that some things were not convenient to discuss in other places but were alright among family.

Huo Zheqian laughed and said, "Big brother, I’m still a bit nervous inside!"

Huo Zhekun smiled and responded, "Big brother, don’t worry. You’re in charge of the work and the big picture, and the people of Nanhu Province are not hostile to our Huo Family. If there are any issues, they should be resolved through dialogue, not confrontation. Moreover, the people my father and I have arranged for you, along with the two capable people I’ve sent, have already been transferred to Nanhu Province. In addition to that, we already have some members of the Huo Family there who hold important positions and will assist you. Along with the domestic investments organized by Tiantian, as well as investments from Xiangjiang and some foreign enterprises, they will all contribute to your achievements. Here, big brother, are the notebooks on economics I’ve kept over the years. I’ve made a copy for you; just take a look at it by yourself and don’t show it to anyone else."

It was with the contents of this notebook that Zhekun managed to push the economy of Su Province to the number one spot, even surpassing coastal cities in the east. Many of the strategies therein hadn’t been made public, which made the notebook even more precious.

Huo Zheqian took it carefully, glanced through it, and saw Zhekun’s dense handwriting with some revisions here and there.

"Thank you, little brother. I’ve noted it," Huo Zheqian said, "In martial arts novels, this would be considered a top-notch secret manual."

Huo Zhekun smiled, "Heh, maybe not a secret martial arts manual, but these are some of my thoughts. Yet, big brother, when you use these methods, you have to adapt them to the local context rather than applying them rigidly. You need to be flexible. Those two people I’ve sent will give you some pragmatic advice based on objective facts." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Very good," Huo Zheqian was excited, "With such assistance, the secret manual, and so much capital, I will surely achieve great things."

Old Master Huo nodded and stated, "Zheqian, before launching any major project, you must report back to me. Your second brother and I, based on Yanjing and considering the circumstances of Nanhu Province, will provide you with a fair judgment, then you can decide whether to go ahead or not."

Had it been his younger days, Huo Zheqian might have scoffed at his father’s words, but at fifty-eight, approaching sixty, he only wanted to achieve some political success and then retire with honor.

Therefore, he had to be even more cautious.

"Okay, Father, I’ve noted it," Huo Zheqian said, "I will communicate with Father and the second brother promptly."

Afterward, the brothers discussed many strategies for external affairs.

Around nine o’clock, after several pots of tea, the father and sons finally grew tired and stopped chatting, looking towards Huo Yingjie, who had been quiet.

"Yingjie, now you say something," Old Master Huo prompted. Although they had talked with their grandson the day before, he still hoped to "extract" more valuable insights from his second grandson.

Huo Yingjie was sipping tea when he saw his grandfather, granduncle, and father looking at him. He smiled, put down his cup, and said, "I think that Yanjing should seek stability, while the provinces should aim for vitality."

"What do you mean by that?" Old Master Huo’s expression grew serious, his eyebrows furrowed. He felt his second grandson’s words were not trivial, but laden with deeper meaning.

After careful consideration, Huo Yingjie explained, "I’ll start with the vitality in the provinces, which essentially means vigorously developing various economic forms to increase citizens’ income, alleviate their burdens, and invest more in education, among other things."

"And the stability of Yanjing, what does this imply?" asked Huo Zheqian, "Is Yanjing unstable? Is there change afoot?"

Huo Zheqian and Huo Zhekun looked at Huo Yingjie, then at Old Master Huo.

Old Master Huo shook his head and said, "Based on the information I have, it is very stable, with no signs of unrest."

Everyone’s gaze returned to Huo Yingjie.