126: Chapter 126 The Zhang Family's Self-Rescue

And isn't the Zhang family's current predicament precisely because the second generation has yet to truly hold up the sky?

If the Zhang family could produce a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, or even just a Politburo member, the situation would be vastly different.

Although there is no shortage of high-ranking officials within the Zhang family faction, they are ultimately outsiders; how could they compare to blood-related direct descendants?

Thinking of this, Li Dakang couldn't help but feel fortunate that the Li family's situation was better. Although his father and uncles had yet to enter the Politburo, his eldest aunt's husband, Qi Mingzhi—that Politburo member and Secretary of the Southern Provincial Party Committee—was already bound to the Li family by blood.

In the officialdom, such marital ties are often far more reliable than outsiders.

"I understand, Dad."

Li Dakang's gaze became resolute. He secretly vowed to go further in his official career, not for personal honor or disgrace, but so that one day he could be like a towering tree, shielding the entire Li family from the wind and rain.

...

The Zhang family.

As twilight gathered, the sandalwood grandfather clock in the study struck seven, the dull chimes echoing between the carved pillars.

Zhang Jinrong sat upright in the grand armchair, his knuckles lightly tapping on the yellow pear wood tabletop.

Outside the window, a few plane tree leaves swirled as they drifted down, making a rustling sound on the bluestone slabs.

"Is everyone here?"

Zhang Jinrong scanned the core family members sitting around the long redwood table.

His voice was not loud, but it caused the previously rustling whispers to come to an abrupt halt.

Under the lamplight, everyone's face was veiled in a layer of heavy shadow.

"Although Father has passed away."

Zhang Jinrong picked up the purple clay teapot on the table and filled the teacup that Elder Zhang had often used during his lifetime.

"But what he left us is far more than grief."

"Now, it is time for us to carry the Zhang family banner."

The second brother, Zhang Jinhui, clenched his fists: "Big Brother is right. For now, other families are still respecting appearances, but this layer of window paper..."

He paused and scanned the crowd: "Once the mourning period is over, I fear that..."

"Sigh, the Minister called me in for a talk yesterday. He said that in a while, I'll be arranged to go to the local level for training, claiming it's to accumulate grassroots experience to facilitate future promotions."

The speaker was Zhang Jinfan, the youngest of the Zhang family's second generation. At this moment, his brows were tightly locked, and his tone was filled with helplessness.

Zhang Jinfan was originally a department director at the Ministry of Transport. Although he later kept his rank as a director, he was transferred laterally to the Ministry of Health.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this seemingly lateral transfer actually contained hidden agendas. Moving from a powerful department to a 'clear water yamen,' it was clearly a disguised demotion.

But who would have thought this wasn't the end? Now, he is actually being sent down to the local level.

As for 'grassroots training' and 'paving the way for promotion,' Zhang Jinfan, who had been in the officialdom for many years, knew the tricks all too well.

If it were during the time when the Zhang family was at its zenith, such an arrangement might have been a shortcut—going down to the grassroots to get some 'gilding' and then being transferred back to the capital, allowing one to climb even higher.

But today is different from the past. Given the Zhang family's current situation, this transfer to the local level is likely to be fraught with danger.

Zhang Jinfan knew in his heart that the place arranged by those above was definitely not a good destination.

What's even more troublesome is that with the current way of doing things, once he leaves the capital, returning will be extremely difficult. He might even have to spend the rest of his life wasting away in some remote province until retirement.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jinfan clenched his fists involuntarily.

As for the Minister Zhang Jinfan mentioned, the Zhang family's second generation present were no strangers to him. Once upon a time, when the Zhang family was at its zenith, this Minister had to wait in line just to visit. Who would have thought that now, just after Elder Zhang had passed away, he was the first to jump out and kick them while they were down.

"Truly, when a tiger falls to the plains, it gets bullied by dogs!"

Zhang Jinrong's heart churned with anger.

These people who used to bow and scrape before the Zhang family now dared to suppress them without restraint; it was simply bullying them too much!

"Big Brother, tell us what to do, and we will do it!" Zhang Jinhui said in a deep voice, his eyes firm.

"The Zhang family cannot fall apart!"

Another family member slammed the table and stood up: "The more it is this time, the more we must twist into a single rope!"

"Right! We absolutely cannot let people make a joke out of us!"

"We advance and retreat together!"

...

Everyone expressed their stance one after another, their voices filled with determination.

Zhang Jinrong scanned the circle, looking at the resolute expressions of the family members, and felt a slight sense of comfort.

He took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

Yes, as long as the Zhang family is united, there is no hurdle that cannot be crossed. No matter how heavy the wind and rain, it cannot crush the foundation of a noble family!

Zhang Jinrong held up five fingers: "The top priority is to accomplish five things."

"First, the whole family must be of one mind."

He retracted his fingers one by one.

"Internal strife will only accelerate our decline. From today on, whoever engages in petty tricks behind my back, don't blame me for dealing with them according to family law!"

"Second, we must reconnect with those forces that have received favors from the Zhang family."

His gaze was like a torch: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; it is time for these debts of gratitude to be repaid."

Speaking of the third point, his tone softened: "Third, we must focus on cultivating the younger generation."

"Fourth..."

His voice suddenly lowered: "Everyone must be cautious in their words and actions. The current Zhang family cannot withstand any disturbance."

By the time he spoke of the last point, the atmosphere in the hall became suddenly heavy.

"As for marriage alliances..."

Zhang Jinrong smiled bitterly: "I know what you all are thinking. The current Zhang family is indeed not a good target for marriage alliances."

He suddenly slammed the table and stood up: "But who says we have absolutely no chance?"