At that moment, a young man stood up and shouted. He was the beloved grandson of the old great-uncle, standing up to speak for his grandfather.
Slap!
Just then, a slap landed solidly on the young man’s face, followed swiftly by a muscular youth who rushed over and forcefully lifted the grandson by the collar.
"Chen Fugui, who do you think you are, daring to talk to Jiu Si like that? Believe it or not, I’ll kill you!"
It turned out to be Chen Xiaohu who had arrived.
His face full of menace, as if he was about to kill Chen Fugui for speaking out of turn.
Meanwhile, a dozen or so robust young men arrived behind him, the very fifteen who had learned Grand Ancestor Long Fist with Chen Jie the day before.
They were originally practicing in the clearing when they heard Chen Jie was leaving and hurried to see him off.
Then they saw this scene unfold.
The great-uncle saw his beloved grandson being lifted up and said anxiously, "Hu Zi, what are you doing, what are you doing? Put Fugui down, put him down!"
At this time, Chen Xiaohu gave the old great-uncle a sidelong glance.
But he didn’t let go, waiting for Chen Jie’s orders; as for the old great-uncle, he counted for nothing, just a decrepit old man.
The great-uncle became anxious; it was the first time his beloved grandson had been so mistreated. Originally, he wanted to use this opportunity to push Chen Jie as a stepping stone. If he could secure the right to recommend younger generations, he would be the first to recommend his grandson to the fishery. Then wouldn’t their family prosper?
However, Chen Jiusi had proven to be ungrateful. Chen Sanliu was right; outsiders were no good.
But under someone’s roof, one had to bow their head; he then looked at Chen Jie and pleaded, "Jiu Si, please, old uncle begs you, let Hu Zi put Fugui down!"
"Old uncle knows, you’ve prospered and no longer wish to manage family affairs. We realize our mistake, and in the future, we won’t involve you. We are not shameless; we will surely keep our distance from you straight away. Please, let him go!"
The great-uncle said with a whimpering tone, pitifully.
Hearing the great-uncle’s words, Chen Jie’s mouth twitched with mockery. This old man was truly nefarious, quite the expert at moral coercion.
Knowing he had offended, he immediately tied himself to the Chen Family Group, as if not helping him meant not helping the entire Chen Family, pushing himself directly against the entire clan.
It had to be said, this was quite something.
Previously, Chen Jie had dismissed the old man as spending his days waiting for death; now, it seemed he had underestimated him.
He was, indeed, crafty.
Unfortunately, he had met Chen Jie.
Chen Jie’s expression unchanged, he glanced disdainfully at the old great-uncle.
"Hu Zi."
"Yes, Jiu Si!"
Hu Zi responded.
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
"Slap him four times, back and forth, consider it a lesson from his grandfather."
"Yes!"
Hu Zi then put the man down and immediately stretched out his hand, delivering four robust slaps to Chen Fugui’s face, leaving it swollen after the ordeal.
"Grandpa, Grandpa~"
Chen Fugui, cradling his face, called out to his grandfather with a crying tone.
The great-uncle, heartbroken, said, "Oh, my grandson, my grandson..."
Chen Jie ignored him, instead addressing the surrounding crowd, "My fellow clansmen and villagers, I know what you’re all thinking, that Chen Jiusi has prospered and ought to lend a hand to everyone."
"But let me ask you all, when our family was down and out, who cared about us? Was it you, or you, or this great-uncle here?"
Chen Jie challenged, and everyone lowered their heads.
Indeed, back when Chen Jiusi was down and out, no one had kicked him while he was down, and just not doing that counted as kindness, let alone offering help, except for that foolish Erba—who else would help him?
But now that he had prospered, everyone wanted a piece.
Just now, after the great-uncle had spoken, they might have been able to stir some trouble. But now that he had been defeated, there was no chance for them to muddy the waters.
Chen Jie swept his gaze sharply around, pausing on each person’s face, but no one dared meet his eyes.
Chen Jie felt it was enough.
He spoke, "However, I do understand everyone’s situation, and I am indeed willing to help. If anyone truly has the capability, I am willing to give a hand. The recommendation system the great-uncle just mentioned seems good, but I don’t trust his character."
"So, let me state this, if you truly believe you have the qualifications, then go to Uncle Erba’s. Let Uncle Erba vet you, and he can recommend you to me in the future."
"To put it plainly, hereafter, anyone recommended by Uncle Erba, I am willing to meet. If they are capable, I am also willing to help by recommending them to the fishery manager, to secure a future for them. However, if they are recommended by the great-uncle, I won’t even meet them; everyone, do you understand what I’m saying?"
After Chen Jie finished speaking, the great-uncle’s face turned deathly pale. Others might not have understood what was happening, but he understood.
He was finished.
According to Chen Jie, from now on, it would be Chen Erba who had the esteem of the entire Chen Family, while he would be someone the clan members would fear to associate with.
He had thought today would conclude perfectly. Little did he expect to lose his lady and fail his troops!
In the future, he feared no one would listen to him again.
Just then, among the crowd, a group looked towards Chen Erba with a respect they had never shown before.
At this moment, everyone in Xiantao Village held Chen Erba in higher regard.
Chen Jie had established the only channel of recommendation he would accept!
