71: Chapter 71 The Power Grid of Families in the Capital

"Dazheng has a good eye," Li Hongji said, changing the subject.

"I've met that girl from the Chen family; she is well-educated and poised."

Li Hongwang nodded. "Indeed. She works at the Ministry of Agriculture and has had some contact with Dazheng. The two of them hit it off, so as elders, we are naturally happy to see it happen."

Li Dakang thought to himself that marriages among the children of prominent families were rarely matters of personal choice.

For someone like his cousin Li Dazheng, who was being groomed as a key successor for the family, it was a stroke of good fortune to find a marriage partner he actually liked. More often than not, marriage was merely a bargaining chip for family interests.

"What is the Chen family's attitude?" Li Hongji continued to ask.

"Very positive," Li Hongwang smiled.

"The eldest of the Chen family called me personally and said he supports this marriage with both hands."

This did not surprise Li Dakang.

Although the Chen family was ranked among the eight top-tier families in the capital, their momentum had been mediocre in recent years, and they were in urgent need of leveraging the Li family's influence to reach the next level.

The Li family, in turn, needed to further consolidate its position through marriage, so the two sides hit it off immediately.

Speaking of which, one must mention the current status of the prominent families.

The circle of prominent families had always been strictly hierarchical, like a pyramid.

At the pinnacle were the four top-tier families: the Li, Wang, Liu, and Zhang families.

The patriarchs of these four families were all founding fathers of the nation who had once entered the highest decision-making circles. They were still alive, highly revered, and their connections and influence were the most precious assets of their respective families.

Following them were the eight top-tier families: the Zhao, Ye, Zhou, Xu, Wu, Lin, Chen, and Qian families.

Although the patriarchs of these eight families were also founding contributors, their status was slightly inferior.

Further down were the numerous second- and third-rate families.

As for the small families that didn't even qualify as "mainstream," they were hardly worth mentioning in this center of power.

Here, the threshold for power was shockingly high.

For a family to be considered "mainstream," it needed at least one incumbent official at the vice-ministerial level.

Those department-level officials who were imposing figures in the provinces might not even have the qualifications to attend certain banquets here.

It was just as the saying went: "You don't know how small your rank is until you reach the capital."

Especially after the political storm that swept the country the year before last, the power structure in the capital had been completely altered.

Among the four top-tier families, only the Li family had clearly and unequivocally supported the reforms, demonstrating astonishing political foresight.

After the storm, the Li faction had reaped rich political rewards.

The second son, Li Hongwang, had been promoted from Standing Committee member and Vice Governor of West Province to Deputy Party Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, just one step away from the ministerial level.

The third son, General Li Hongkai, had gone from one gold star to two, transferring from the commander of a certain group army to Deputy Commander of the Beijing Military Region.

The fourth son, Li Honglai, had been promoted from Director at the Organization Department to Vice Minister.

As for the eldest, Li Hongji, although not promoted, he had been transferred from Minister of Industry to Chairman of the Planning Commission, holding the power of the "Little State Council."

And Li Dakang's uncle-in-law, Qi Mingzhi, had been transferred from Party Secretary of North Province to Party Secretary of South Province. Although it was still the position of a Provincial Party Committee Secretary, the South Province position was always held concurrently by a national leader, and Qi Mingzhi had thus ascended to the ranks of the leadership.

Meanwhile, the Zhang family, having stood on the wrong side, had paid a heavy price.

The second-generation head of the Zhang family, Zhang Jinrong, had been transferred from Party Secretary of Southwest Province to Vice Minister of Water Resources (ministerial level). His power and status had shrunk significantly, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that his political career had come to an end.

Furthermore, other members of the Zhang family had been transferred to idle posts. Under the immense pressure, the elderly Elder Zhang had fallen ill, and the decline of the Zhang family was already evident.

As for the Wang and Liu Family, who had chosen neutrality, they had not been punished, but their status in the eyes of the highest leadership was no longer what it once was.

With the rise of one and the fall of the other, the Li family had become the head of the prominent families.

The Li family was already allied through marriage with the Zhao and Zhou families; if they were to now marry into the Chen family, their influence would undoubtedly reach new heights.

Thinking of this, a flash of satisfaction crossed Li Hongji's eyes.

"Hmm, it's good that it's settled," Li Hongji nodded slightly.

"However, the engagement ceremony doesn't need to be a grand affair. A simple dinner between the two families will suffice."

"At this particular juncture, it's better to keep a low profile. A tall tree catches the wind."

"Don't worry, Big Brother," Li Hongwang quickly replied.

"I will communicate well with the Chen family; they will understand."

The third brother, General Li Hongkai, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected: "Big Brother, since Dazheng's marriage is settled, shouldn't we also consider Li Dakang's life-long matters?"

"The boy isn't young anymore."

As he spoke, he winked at Li Dakang.

General Li Hongkai had always been the fondest of his nephew, Li Dakang, and had often taken him to play at the military barracks when he was a child.

Upon hearing this, Li Dakang quickly stood up. "Third Uncle, please don't tease me!"

"There is so much to do at the township level; how could I possibly have the mind for this right now?"

He scratched his head embarrassedly. "Besides, I'm penniless right now; what girl would be willing to be with me?"

A burst of good-natured laughter immediately filled the study.

Everyone knew that with Li Dakang's qualifications, what kind of girl couldn't he find?

It was merely an excuse.

"Dakang is right," Li Hongji said, making the final decision.

"He has just established himself at the grassroots level, and this is the time for him to focus on his career. There is no rush for marriage; we can discuss it later."