The Song clan heard that the mountain gate of the manor was full of traffic and people. Mrs. An Guogong had many admirers in the empire when she was young, and many of them later became giants, and her power has always maintained a good relationship with the Song Clan. Mrs. An Guogong's life is legendary, especially in her twilight years, she supported the Song Clan with her own strength, strived for change, and her methods were lenient and gentle.
In recent years, as Zhang Boqian has advanced to the rank of Heavenly King with an incomparably strong posture, the Song clan is even more precarious. It is really admirable for Mrs. An Guogong to support herself under such circumstances. Even Zhang Boqian hinted intentionally or unintentionally that as long as Mrs. An Guogong is still there, he will unintentionally dismantle the Song Clan.
The Song Clan was rich but not strong. They were sitting on many rare resources. They started out as businessmen. On the contrary, there were not many industries that really relied on unique superior technologies. They were the best objects to carve up.
However, an entity like Ningyuan Heavy Industry, which holds technological advantages and whose success or failure depends on Song Zining, is difficult to attack. Even if Ningyuan Heavy Industry was snatched, and Song Zining let it go, Ningyuan Heavy Industry would turn from a cornucopia into a gold-selling cave. What's the use of snatching it
Resources are different. To put it bluntly, what technical content can mining have? Just send some slaves down to dig, and it doesn't matter if they die. Most of the gaps in mineral mining technology can be filled with human lives. Therefore, the mine owners just sit on the ground and collect money, and the real money is easy to come by.
Song valves are rich in oil and water, and easy to digest. Who doesn't want to insert a few knives? Even those allies who support her may not be completely indifferent in the face of such interests.
Surrounded by a pack of wolves, the old lady has persisted all the way so far, which makes people more respectful. It's a pity that the Song clan has no successors, and many of their descendants are unscrupulous, but they still have no self-knowledge. They all think that they have the talent to manage the world, sit on a lot of resources, and can crack the soil and become a lord at any time. But they didn't know that the windless and rainless sky above was the shade of Mrs. An Guogong.
Mrs. An Guogong's wife passed away, and celebrities from all over the empire gathered to mourn, and basically all the big and powerful families sent people to come. Regardless of whether they were enemies or friends in life, most people have a respect for the old lady. And only those real enemies knew how hard it was for the Song Clan to appear calm on the surface.
A prince, two princes, and a princess came from the imperial family, and Empress Li also sent her confidant, chief executive, who paid great attention to it.
Among the various families, only Zhang Boqian, king of Qingyang, didn't say anything, and didn't send anyone.
In fact, this has already shown considerable respect. If it were someone else, the king of Qingyang would have come to the door as soon as the white banner at the gate of the Song Dynasty came up.
The mourning hall is located in the old lady's favorite Lianxin Xiaozhu. This courtyard was originally quiet. Although it occupies a large area, there are not many buildings. Usually there are not many servants in it. How can it accommodate so many guests? Fortunately, the Song Clan had nothing else but someone who was rich, so they dumped large baskets of gold coins and temporarily built many guest rooms, stuffing all the guests who were not the most important people in, so they barely stayed.
All of a sudden, the outside of the courtyard and even half of the mountain were covered with houses, and it was barely resettled.
According to the rules of the empire, Mrs. An Guogong's wife will stay for seven to forty-nine days before being buried. The first few days were the busiest, and until seven days later, after the peak of foreign guests paying homage to each other, the Song clan had time to sit down and discuss major issues.
At this time, the houses in the courtyard are tight, and all the elders can only huddle in a side hall to discuss matters. Everyone is dizzy from exhaustion, but no one cares about it.
As usual, Song Zhongnian sat at the head, glanced at all the people in the hall, and said: "Now we are in a hurry, and my Song Clan is in a precarious time. If you have any thoughts, why don't you just tell me directly."
Then the next person said: "It is impossible for a snake to have a head. When the ancestor was here, she had always been the one to decide on important matters in the clan. Now that the ancestor has passed away, the important matter in front of him is of course to re-elect a new Patriarch, so as to establish a new style for our Song family in Gaoling. Open up a family business to comfort the ancestors."
This is interesting, the old ancestor passed away, so the boss needs to be changed? Which valve family has such a rule
Song Zhongnian's eyelids twitched, he looked at the speaker, and saw that it was Song Xiuwen. This person has never had much background skills, but he likes to speak in the Presbyterian Church. Being the first to jump out this time, it was obvious that there was someone behind him.
Song Zhongnian said slowly: "Before the ancestor left, he never said that he would change the head of the family. Moreover, the head of the family was never selected by the elders. Xiuwen, don't you want to make the elder the Supreme Elder?"
Song Xiuwen was really blunt, and said: "If Zhongnian is willing to recommend you, I have worked hard for the Song Clan all these years, and I have worked hard without credit. A Supreme Elder is still reluctant."
Seeing that Song Xiuwen even omitted the verbal title of the lord, Song Zhongnian's face darkened suddenly, and he said coldly: "The Supreme Elder must have both virtue and ability. There has long been a public opinion on the word "virtue" in Xiuwen. As for the word "talent", you have to cultivate it." No matter what, you should know it well. If I go outside, I am a dignified elder of the Song Clan, and I can't even beat a young man in his early twenties, it will make people laugh!"
Song Xiuwen's face was flushed red, and he slapped the table, angrily said: "What do you mean? Don't show the majesty of the patriarch there! Tell me, is there any young man in his early twenties who can beat the old man?"
"Zhao Jundu."
Song Xiuwen was suffocated, and after a while, his face was full of blood, and he said: "Of course this doesn't count. How many resources does he have on him? If I had so many resources back then, maybe I wouldn't be inferior to him."
This made all the elders feel embarrassed. Zhao Jundu was invincible at the same level, which was recognized by the empire long ago. Even if Song Xiuwen was at the same level as him, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he would not dare to say that he could fight Zhao Jundu. What's more, Song Xiuwen didn't even have enough cultivation at this time.
As for geniuses piled up with resources, they are not geniuses at all. This is even more unreasonable in Song Xiuwen's strong words.
Song Zhongnian didn't let him go down the steps, and said with a sneer: "There are many guests outside now, Xiuwen, you might as well tell them about this and ask them to comment."
Song Xiuwen was furious, "Song Zhongnian, what do you mean? If you want to target me, Song Xiuwen, just say it, don't beat around the bush like this!"
Song Zhongnian said lightly: "You alone are worthy of my targeting? With people like you in the Presbyterian Council, I, the Song Clan, have already lost face."
Song Xiuwen wanted to say more, but Song Zhongnian suddenly shouted: "Sit down!"
A force of origin rolled in, making Song Xiuwen dizzy, and sat back in the chair slumped, his blood surging for a while, and he was speechless.
Suppressing Song Xiuwen, Song Zhongnian looked at the elders and said coldly: "As long as I am still the head of the family, I have the right to act. I will put the ugly words first, who dares to rely on outsiders to divide the family?" , then I will remove which branch from the family tree!"
One sentence immediately stirred up a thousand layers of waves, and many people shouted: "It's all the blood of the Song family, why do you want to get rid of it!"
"That's right, can you tick off your name, can you tick off your bloodline?"
Song Zhongnian waited for the crowd to quarrel for a while, then Fang said: "It's not like you want to separate the family, why are you so excited?"
Only then did the few people who jumped out realize that they had made a slip of the tongue, and sat down angrily.
Song Zhongnian said again: "It seems that many people want to change their patriarch?"
Most of the elders nodded.
Song Zhongnian was disheartened for a while, and said slowly: "I know that I am not capable enough to cope with the current situation. I will feel uneasy if I sit in this position again. But..."
His eyes turned cold, he glanced at many elders, and said: "If anyone wants to use the position of Patriarch to divide the Song Clan, don't blame me for being rude!"
After all, Song Zhongnian still had a lot of prestige, and the elders were shocked in their hearts, and quietly put away many small calculations. It is easier for the patriarch of the imperial family, not only a family matter, but also a state matter. The empire may not intervene in the family's internal affairs, but the succession of the title symbolizing the patriarch must be reported to the imperial capital as a rule, and the imperial family will approve the appointment.
If Song Zhongnian refused to voluntarily remove his title, it would be a tricky matter. It's not like Mrs. An Guo's new funeral, the Song Clan will follow the dead Clan Lord, right? If all the elders here really had such bold and dark courage, the inside of the Song Clan would not be so muddy.
Seeing that the elders finally restrained themselves a bit, Song Zhongnian said again: "Now that the clan is facing a crisis, it is time to work together. It is rare for Zi Ning to come back now, so let him participate in the discussion."
As soon as this remark came out, the reaction immediately became more intense.
"Hasn't Xiao Qi already left the Song Clan? Strictly speaking, he is no longer a member of the Song Clan, right?"
Song Zhongnian glanced at that person and said, "Didn't you just say that even removing the name from the family tree can't get rid of the blood connection?"
The elder was choked up, and was speechless for a while, but the other person said: "Xiaoqi, this child, is good at everything, but he is too flirtatious and careless. After a few more years of experience, he might become a master. Wouldn't it be better to recruit him back then?"
This young man with sinister intentions who bullied Song Zining was a young man with a reputation for being romantic.
Song Zhongnian said indifferently: "You also added two concubines this year, and three more illegitimate children outside. You're not going to put this lewd word on others, are you?"
"Zining is young after all, and his seniority is inferior. The elders are the most respected people. How can Zining convince the crowd?"
It was Song Zhongcheng who was speaking, he was Song Zhongnian's elder brother, and Song Zhongnian was not too good to let him get off the stage, so he gave him a cold look. Song Zhongcheng behaved rather introverted today, he met Song Zhongnian's eyes and did not speak again. Beside him, another elder shouted.
There was an uproar in the elders' meeting, but Song Zining sat on his knees in the mourning hall, facing the portrait of Mrs. An Guogong, and remained motionless.
A maid walked over lightly and said, "Seventh Young Master, you haven't eaten for three days. If you continue like this, your body will be bad. Why don't you go eat something?"
Song Zining waved his hand lightly, indicating that he didn't need it.
The maid was a little anxious, and said: "Even if the ancestor is still there, seeing you like this will hurt your heart."
Song Zining raised his head, his eyes were a little dazed, and he said softly, "Ah, the old ancestor is gone..."
The maid suddenly became a little scared, and said, "Seventh Young Master, you, what's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine. I'm just thinking about the past, and I'm in a daze. You go down, don't worry about me, I'll sit for a few more days, and I should go."
The maid let out a soft cry, and said, "You can't leave! Young master doesn't know, many people are expecting you to take over as the head of the family!"
Song Zining sighed softly, but said, "You don't understand."
The previous sentence was overstepped, the maid could not continue, she bit her lower lip and backed out. At the entrance of the mourning hall, all the maids in front of Mrs. An Guogong were guarding, and they were talking softly: "It's only been seven days, and there will be no one at night."
"That's right, only the seventh son is guarding it. It seems that the old ancestor didn't hurt him in vain."
"Hmph, those people are busy separating their families, how can they be sad?"
"Hush, keep your voice down, let people hear you, and you will have to be beaten!" In the past few days, Lianxin Xiaozhu's people have been busy with miscellaneous affairs and many disturbances. These servants will inevitably be shouted and scolded. It is not without kicking and kicking.
The maid's eyes turned red immediately, "If the ancestors are still around, who would dare to treat us like this?"
In the mourning hall, Song Zining still couldn't get up on his knees. He looked up at the portrait of Mrs. An Guogong, and said slowly: "Old ancestor, you have foreseen the situation today, so you didn't leave a single word, right? Today's Song Clan, Has it disappointed you to this extent? What do you want me to do, and what should I do?"
At this moment, an attendant came over and said softly: "Seventh Young Master, the Patriarch ordered you to attend the elders' meeting."
"I want to guard the spirit of my ancestors, and I won't go anywhere."
The attendant didn't expect Song Zining to refuse, and he was at a loss for what to do.