13: Family planning, selection of successors

Another three days passed in a flash.

Inside the study, the sandalwood incense was faint and pleasant. Li Yinglong sat behind the desk, holding a cup of clear tea, his gaze serene.

Li Qingshan stood respectfully before the desk, holding up a scroll with still-wet ink. His expression was deferential, tinged with a hint of weariness, yet a trace of well-considered certainty flickered in his eyes.

"Father, this is the Family's recent development plan, drafted by your son after days of discussion with Uncle Zhong and several stewards. Please take a look."

Li Yinglong took it and slowly unrolled it.

On the scroll, the points were clear, and the handwriting was neat:

Firstly, Resource Integration:

Inventory and register all industries received from the Lin Family (docks, shops, fleet, manors, etc.), create a unified ledger, establish a new accounting office, implement a "two-line revenue and expenditure, monthly settlement and annual audit" system, appoint dedicated auditors, and prevent embezzlement.

Secondly, Personnel Assignment:

Reassign duties based on the talents and abilities of Family members, clarify responsibilities; establish a "Merit and Demerit Record," with clear rewards and punishments; recruit professional accountants and artisans externally to augment staff, employing only the capable.

Thirdly, Revenue Expansion and Contraction:

Temporarily suspend high-risk overseas trade, consolidate local business in Linhai City; prioritize the development of inshore fishing, city shops, and dock storage leasing, focusing on stability to accumulate wealth.

Fourthly, Cultivation of Descendants:

Establish a Family school, hire private tutors; all eligible descendants, regardless of legitimate or illegitimate birth, must attend for enlightenment, studying both literature and martial arts, with regular assessments, rewarding the excellent and encouraging the less so.

Fifthly, Pensions and Resettlement:

Properly resettle the families of those who died or were injured during the conflict with the Lin Family, distribute pensions, and their children can be supported by the Family until adulthood.

Li Yinglong listened quietly, occasionally flipping through the booklet to check the details.

Although the plan was slightly immature, with many details needing improvement, its structure was clear and its measures practical, already showing the nascent form of modern financial and human resource management.

More importantly, the ideas of "centralization" and "standardization" revealed within it were precisely the Foundations necessary for a Family to move towards prosperity.

Most importantly, Li Yinglong didn't expect Li Qingshan to do it perfectly; what he wanted was his attitude and determination.

"Not bad. The structure is gradually clear, and it emphasizes regulation. Proceed with this as a trial. If any obstacles arise, you can discuss them with core personnel and adjust as needed."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan's weariness vanished, replaced by a hint of relief:

"Thank you, Father, for your approval. Your son will certainly do his utmost."

Li Yinglong's tone shifted, becoming profound:

"Qingshan, the mundane affairs of the Family will require you to bear more responsibility from now on."

Li Qingshan's body trembled slightly. Although he had long had a premonition, hearing it firsthand still made him feel the weight of responsibility like a mountain.

He took a deep breath, slowly knelt, and kowtowed, saying:

"Father's heavy trust, your son dares not refuse. It's just... your son's Aptitude is dull, having made no progress in the Dao of martial arts, I fear my strength may be insufficient, failing to live up to Father's expectations."

His words were sincere, without embellishment, only a heavy sense of responsibility.

Li Yinglong gazed at him, filled with emotion.

This son might lack some of the sharp killing intent, but this benevolence, steadiness, and absolute loyalty were precisely what the Family needed most right now: a "ruler who preserves the Legacy."

"Every inch has its shortcomings, every foot has its strengths. The talent for managing a Family is also a Foundation for the Family, unrelated to martial arts cultivation. Your ability to recognize your own shortcomings and maintain reverence is, in fact, a good thing."

"Remember, managing the Family does not require you to excel at everything. The key lies in knowing how to use people well, establishing clear systems, and upholding fairness. When issues arise, discuss them more with elders like Uncle Zhong. You don't need to do everything yourself, but you must be aware of everything."

Li Qingshan looked up, his eyes shining faintly.

He kowtowed heavily again:

"Father's teachings, your son will engrave them in his Heart-Nature! I will be diligent and dedicated, self-disciplined and selfless, and never dare to fail the Family!"

"Rise."

Li Yinglong made a gesture of support and continued:

"Qingzhu and I had another encounter during our previous outing and discovered a secluded place quite suitable for quiet cultivation. This return is to take her and a group of promising descendants from the Family there for a period of secluded cultivation, hoping to nurture some new strength for the Family. This matter concerns the future Foundation of the Family and must be kept absolutely secret."

Li Qingshan suddenly understood. It turned out that his father's recent actions were all paving the way for this matter.

Although he didn't fully grasp the deeper meaning of "quiet cultivation," only thinking it was to find an excellent place for martial arts practice to secretly train the Family's elites, he immediately said solemnly:

"Father's foresight is profound, your son understands! The Family is the root, and your son is the soil that guards that root. Father, you may act freely and lead the Family to greater heights. As for the mundane affairs of the mortal world, your son will stabilize the rear for you."

Seeing him like this, Li Yinglong's last trace of concern vanished. He nodded and said:

"That's good. In three days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Arrange for a banquet that night, firstly for reunion, and secondly, to reward the Family descendants who contributed greatly in the previous confrontation with the Lin Family. We haven't yet bestowed rewards for their merits, so use this banquet to commend them all and reassure their Heart-Nature."

"Yes! Your son will go arrange it now!"

Li Qingshan accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew.

Just as he reached the door, Li Yinglong spoke:

"Qingshan..."

Li Qingshan quickly turned around.

"Trust your father, our Li Family... will get better and better!"

Li Yinglong didn't say it too clearly; many things only have a conclusion after they are done.

"Yes, your son looks forward to it!"

A moment after Li Qingshan left, the study door gently opened, and Li Qingzhu quietly entered.

She held several handwritten books, the ink still fresh.

"Uncle, the basic chapters of the Evergreen Art, the Five Elements Spirit Control Art, and the abstracts from the records of strange tales of the universe that you requested, Qingzhu has finished transcribing them. Please take a look."

Li Yinglong took them and briefly flipped through them.

The handwriting was elegant and neat, the key points clear. Although they were only the absolute basics, they were the first true Legacy for the Family to embark on the path of immortality, holding extraordinary significance.

"Very good."

He placed the books into his qiankun bag:

"These are the foundational items for our Li Family's future Scripture Pavilion. You've worked hard."

"It's Qingzhu's duty."

The young girl responded softly, her gaze serene.

"Have you found any suitable candidates I asked you to look for?"

Li Qingzhu took out another list from her sleeve and presented it:

"According to Uncle's instructions, after comprehensively considering their Heart-Nature, loyalty, and... some vague feelings, ten people have been initially selected. Please decide, Uncle."

Li Yinglong unfolded the list and scanned it.

On the list were not only direct descendants like Li Changyun and Li Changyu but also several outstanding collateral descendants, and even the sons of external Family members like Butler Uncle Zhong and Deputy Escort Leader Lei Heng.

Most were under twenty years old, the most malleable age.

Brief notes were attached next to each name, explaining their Heart-Nature characteristics and reasons for selection.

It considered Bloodline, loyalty, potential, and even the appeasement and encouragement of their families. The deliberation was thorough.

A hint of admiration flashed in Li Yinglong's eyes. This girl's meticulousness exceeded expectations.

"Excellent, these ten will be temporarily set. After the Mid-Autumn banquet, I will announce it myself."

"Yes."

Li Qingzhu acknowledged, bowed, and quietly withdrew.

Silence returned to the study, with only the lingering scent of sandalwood.

Li Yinglong sat alone at the desk, his gaze once again sweeping over the Family development plan and the list of ten people.

The development plan was the Family's current fundamental base for existing in the mortal world; the list of ten people was the Family's forward-looking investment towards a future of immortal cultivation.

After the Mid-Autumn banquet, it would be a true turning point.

He would lead a portion of the core members far overseas to establish an immortal Foundation; while Li Qingshan would remain in Linhai, managing mundane affairs and consolidating the rear.

Two lines advancing simultaneously, immortal and mortal intertwined.

The road ahead was long, its fortune unknown.

The Foundation was laid, the young Phoenix awaited its call.