Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Chapter 173: The Twelve Brothers

Zuo Lin nodded, praising, "It’s good that you chose to stay here and take the time to look around. If you hadn’t done the right thing, with Zhou Xiaozheng’s protective nature, he wouldn’t have given you a chance to explain. He’d just take Jiao Jiao and leave with you. You’ll know the Northeast Tiger’s reputation in the future.

You’re lucky your father-in-law cares about his daughter; otherwise, you’d be like an ant in front of him. With Zhou Xiaozheng, no one dares to offend Jiao Jiao. That’s the tiger’s reverse scale.

The five brothers who came with him tonight all hold real power. Originally, there were twelve of them, but it seems a few have been transferred to government departments, and the rest are gone, all buried underground. Every year, Zhao Chuan Guang and his group burn paper money in sacks.

They all look up to your father-in-law as their leader. The Lin Family has long been unable to suppress your father-in-law. I heard that your father-in-law is moving to a small courtyard and getting a car on this return. He’s agreed to give you two years’ time. Once he’s settled, after two years pass by, he’ll still pull you along. Putting you with Zhao Dashan wasn’t for you to achieve meritorious service, but to ensure he could protect you.

As for you, uncle sees you’re quite clever. Don’t think about making contributions; just watch how others handle relationships at work and observe how Zhao Dashan coordinates departments. That’s what you should learn.

Uncle will tell you how those officials cultivate their children. They’ll let their children visit every department and call on every old friend’s house, first to familiarize themselves with the process, second for connections. Then, every day, they’ll have the child write insights, analyzing each person’s character, strengths, and weaknesses. The most important is weaknesses, aiming to know oneself and the other. When the child becomes mature, they’ll be sent out to places they have seen to train and correct at any time. Once the child grows, they can take on the family’s responsibilities. The Lin Family’s original training target was your eldest uncle, but he still can’t compare with Zhou Xiaozheng, making Mr. Lin quite disappointed. Going back this time probably made him even more upset since his trained eldest grandson still can’t compare with you and Jiao Jiao. He must something made him lose sleep.

Zhang Guoqing was silent for a moment after listening, feeling that Zuo Lin treated him well, but he still wanted to ask, "Uncle, I remember everything you said. I have one more thing I can’t figure out: why does your eldest brother want to go to Beijing? From what Uncle Guang said tonight, it doesn’t seem like a good chance. Logically, since the old man in your family has retired, there’s no need to be in Beijing."

Zuo Lin looked at him and said, "Think about it more, if our Zuo Family doesn’t have anyone in Beijing, what will happen when the old man is gone? Why isn’t Zhao Chuan Guang leaving? He has his brother there, so it doesn’t matter if he goes or not."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled foolishly, "I was overthinking it. Only your brother moving there, even if the old man retires, there’s still the network he can use. When the old man leaves, people will ignore the Zuo Family in Beijing, so they have to go, not for the position, but for stability and the big picture."

"That’s why I say you’re smart, but what’s missing in a man? Attention to detail, and your advantage is that you have something others don’t—You have Zhou Jiao; she’s attentive, smart, and mature. Having such a wife is a blessing. Your grandpa is only manageable with your grandma; otherwise, with his straightforward temper, he’d offend many.

I find Zhou Jiao even smarter and more accommodating than her grandma, always leaving room for maneuver. For example, for Zhou Xiaocun to come out, you always have to seek her consent. She agreed because she understood you’re thinking for her. Knowing full well that Zhou Xiaocun is the main culprit, she can still make decisions for the bigger picture, following your lead. With Zhou Xiaocun out, whatever happens, Zhou Xiaozheng doesn’t have to care, easing his mind. The move was right, but you still must guard against the opponent’s counter.

"Uncle, thank you. I’ll be careful. When I decided, I already considered the consequences. But my dad treats us sincerely and even gave up his brother for us. I can’t let him have regrets later. Zhou Xiaocun is tied to the grandmother who raised Jiao Jiao; many aspects are intertwined.

In fact, since my dad made the choice yesterday morning, I’ve been thinking until last night. I know it’s a bit soft-hearted, but people live to make some concessions for those in their hearts. I can only take preventive measures. If something happens, I can bring him back or send him in. I also told him I held onto the leverage from this incident, not revealing it. As long as he doesn’t backstab us, I won’t act. Haha, he’s rather clever, pinning all the blame on Huang Zhaodi. If he gets punished, it might impact everyone if there’s later a chance to overturn the case. I didn’t say anything either; this was already ambiguous. If we don’t hold on tightly, that’s just how it is."

Zuo Lin nodded, "I’ve seen the conclusion, and this matter ends here. Don’t pay more attention. Just go with the written conclusion; it’s good for you and everyone. We’re home, stop at the front gate; I won’t invite you in. Tomorrow, get to the office early and settle things."

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