Chapter 138: Gathering Ideas

Wang Changyue, hearing that Wang Changsheng was getting married, pouted and frowned, "I don't want brother to get married. I don't want a sister-in-law."

"Changyue, what are you saying? Your brother is grown up and needs to marry. When you grow up, you'll also marry. It's perfectly normal for a man to marry and a woman to wed when they come of age," Liu Qing’er lectured earnestly.

"No, I don't want my brother to marry. If he gets married, he won't buy me food anymore."

Wang Changsheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He dotingly pinched Wang Changyue's chubby little face and chuckled, "Silly girl, if brother gets married, there will be one more person to buy you food. And when your nieces and nephews grow up, they'll also buy you food."

"Really?"

"Of course, it's true. When has brother ever lied to you?"

Wang Changyue’s eyes lit up with a spark of excitement, and she urged, "Alright then, brother, hurry up and get married! You and sister-in-law can buy me food."

Liu Qing’er smiled and said, "Okay, your mother needs to talk with your brother for a bit. You go out and play first! Changsheng, tell your mother how you met this Miss Wang. I’ll help you vet her."

Unable to resist Liu Qing’er, Wang Changsheng recounted the entire story in detail.

"Our Wang family and the Wang family don't have much connection, and there hasn't been much interaction between us before. Proposing marriage so suddenly might be too abrupt, and there's a high chance the Wang family will refuse. Moreover, Sheng'er, do you know if Miss Wang is engaged? You've only met her a few times. She might not even like you. Don't forget what happened with Changxue. Your second uncle was right; if we can form an alliance with the Wang family through marriage, it would greatly benefit our family's development, and the Lin family would be wary. However, by simply increasing our interactions with the Wang family, we can also achieve this outcome. Haste makes waste. I think it’s better to proceed slowly and deliberately. This way, not only will the success rate be higher, but you'll also have time to get to know each other. Don't forget, Wang Ruyan is already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and our Wang family is just a small clan. The relationship isn't equal to begin with. If I were Wang Huashan, I wouldn't agree."

Liu Qing’er analyzed the situation objectively.

"Mother, but we're offering the Puppet Art, a second-tier spiritual vein, and a Foundation Establishment Pill. Isn't that a generous enough betrothal gift?"

Liu Qing’er smiled slightly and shook her head, "The betrothal gift is indeed substantial, but I ask you, if you were Wang Huashan, would you value the betrothal gift more or your granddaughter's future husband's character? Mother knows the Lin family is secretly causing trouble, making you and your second uncle wary and eager to associate with a Core Formation cultivator. The problem is, can other immortal cultivation families not offer what we can? The Wang family is far inferior to the Wang family. Haste makes waste; we can only proceed slowly. As your second uncle said, if it truly doesn't work out, let Changyi marry a Qi Refinement female cultivator from the Wang family. What if they want you to marry a Qi Refinement female cultivator? This is a very possible scenario. Most importantly, the Wang family lost many clansmen during the expedition to Ghost Abyss. It's highly inappropriate to propose marriage at this time."

Liu Qing’er's thoughts were meticulous, and in a few words, she pinpointed the crucial issues.

Wang Changsheng listened and felt that Liu Qing’er made a lot of sense. Marriage was a significant matter and shouldn't be rushed. His understanding of Wang Ruyan was limited. Furthermore, increasing interactions with the Wang family would equally make the Lin family wary.

The Wang family had lost many clansmen, and the Wang family had also lost quite a few. Proposing marriage at this time was indeed inappropriate. Of course, the main reasons were the Lin family's secret machinations and Wang Changxue's disappearance, which put immense pressure on Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozong. If they could marry into the Wang family, the pressure would be significantly reduced.

However, after listening to Liu Qing’er, Wang Changsheng realized he had been too impetuous. Putting himself in Wang Huashan’s shoes, he too wouldn't agree to this marriage. After all, the two families had very little interaction, their relationship was shallow, and Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan didn't know each other well enough.

Wang Changsheng let out a long breath and said with a smile, "Mother, you really see things clearly. If it weren't for your reminder, I might have messed things up."

"It's not that I see things clearly. I believe your father and sixth brother also realized it, but since you and your second uncle both agreed to this matter, they found it hard to object. After all, you are Foundation Establishment cultivators. A family isn't like a sect with strict hierarchies. Even though you've reached Foundation Establishment and are of the 'Chang' generation, you still greet the clan elders. However, in external affairs, the opinions of Foundation Establishment cultivators are very important. When we initially suggested that clan members start working earlier, some clan members disagreed, but once your second great-uncle spoke, there was no more opposition."

Wang Changsheng thought carefully and realized Liu Qing’er was right. Ever since he had reached Foundation Establishment, Wang Mingyuan had never opposed his decisions, at most adding a few supplementary remarks.

"Mother is just a woman; she doesn't understand too many profound principles, but she does understand the importance of pooling wisdom. Before you reached Foundation Establishment, clan affairs were handled by your father and the clan elders after discussion, and then reported to your second uncle. After you reached Foundation Establishment, your father hasn't discussed clan affairs with the elders for a long time. It's not that your father doesn't want to, but the decision-making power is no longer in his hands. Changsheng, it's not that Mother is criticizing you, but can you guarantee that every decision you make is correct? No one is perfect; who can be without fault? Mother isn't being alarmist, but once you or your second uncle make a fatal mistake, it could bring about the destruction of our family."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng broke out in a cold sweat. Liu Qing’er was absolutely right. Pooling wisdom was essential; an individual's strength was limited, and their ideas couldn't be exhaustive.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed to Liu Qing’er, saying, "Thank you, Mother, for the reminder. Your son almost caused a great disaster."

"To know one's mistakes and be able to correct them is the greatest virtue. If you have matters to attend to, go and be busy."

Wang Changsheng acknowledged, then turned and left.

Arriving at Wang Yaozong’s residence, Wang Changsheng repeated Liu Qing’er’s words.

Wang Yaozong nodded gravely and said, "This matter was indeed rushed. Your mother's suggestion is excellent: pooling wisdom. The two of us are decision-makers, and it's inevitable that we'll overlook things. We need someone to identify oversights and fill gaps. Let's immediately convene a meeting and invite Fourth Brother and the others to discuss clan affairs."

"Second Great-Uncle, I think we could set up a 'Listening to the Wise' box. Any clan member over forty, male or female, can submit suggestions to the family. If adopted, they'll be heavily rewarded."

"That's a good idea. Let's convene a clan meeting first!"

About a quarter of an hour later, more than a dozen Wang family members gathered in the ancestral hall. Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozong presided over the meeting.

Wang Changsheng recounted the expedition to Ghost Abyss, including the Lin family's machinations and the intention to propose marriage to the Wang family.

Everyone discussed for over an hour, offering many valuable suggestions.

After listening to the elders' advice, Wang Yaozong abandoned the idea of immediately proposing to the Wang family, instead deciding to increase interactions with them first and proceed slowly.

The next morning, Wang Mingyuan held a solemn funeral for Wang Minghao and five other clan members. White-haired elders sent off their black-haired juniors; Zhang Yue'e cried heartbrokenly, falling into a faint from extreme grief. Liu Qing’er and the other female relatives carefully tended to her, and Zhang Yue'e suffered no serious harm.

After Zhang Yue'e awoke, she immediately began arranging a marriage for Wang Changyi, fearing that he might disappear one day. She wouldn't stop Wang Changyi, but if he were sent out on a mission, he had to leave her a grandson.

Wang Changyi was already at Qi Refinement Stage Seven, and among the "Chang" generation, his aptitude was relatively good, making his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment higher.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingyuan conferred and decided not to assign Wang Changyi any missions for the time being, letting him focus on his cultivation. Only then did Zhang Yue'e calm down.

After the funeral, Wang Mingyuan set up a "Listening to the Wise" box. Clan members over forty could submit suggestions to the family, and if adopted, they would receive generous rewards.

Soon, numerous suggestions appeared on Wang Mingyuan's desk.