The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Cheng went to visit the old man but didn't expect him to be already waiting in the courtyard.
The same tea table, the same pot of Ku Ding tea.
"You're early. I thought you would sleep in," the old man said with a hearty laugh as Jiang Cheng arrived, seemingly in better spirits than the day before.
"I went to bed early last night, so I came early today," Jiang Cheng replied respectfully, "I wanted to hear more of your teachings, grandfather."
"You're quite the talker, just like your father who wrote books," the old man laughed again, his face even showing a bit of healthy color as if his illness had improved.
However, seeing the old man in this state made Jiang Cheng's heart sink. He had clearly seen the old man's condition the day before, and it was evident he was at his limit. The rosy complexion now only indicated one thing—
The old man was showing a "returning light," a brief rally before the end!
At this point, the old man's time was truly numbered, every minute and second precious.
The old man, noticing the somber look on Jiang Cheng's face and realizing he had discerned his condition, felt a sense of relief.
"A truly filial child!"
With a slight smile, the old man asked, "Did you have a good talk with your father after returning home yesterday?"
Jiang Cheng replied, "I talked a lot with my father yesterday, and he told me more about the family. But as for the matter between you and him… you know how my father is, there's nothing I can do."
Recalling Jiang Dejun's reaction to the "truth" the day before made Jiang Cheng feel frustrated. Decades-old misunderstandings weren't easily resolved.
"Ha!" The old man sighed with a bitter smile, "Dejun has a temper just like mine, stubborn and rarely admitting fault. Ah! It's all due to a moment's error back then."
Jiang Cheng didn't interject, knowing this wasn't something he, as a junior, could comment on.
"Enough about that," the old man shook his head and continued, "Did you think over what I told you yesterday?"
"Yes, grandfather. After returning yesterday, I thought it over carefully and have some ideas I'd like your advice on," Jiang Cheng replied respectfully.
"Go ahead," the old man encouraged with a smile.
"Initially, I was a bit extreme in my thoughts, but after reflecting, I realized our Jiang family's survival strategy is indeed derived from the Vertical and Horizontal Alliances, but the situations aren't exactly the same; there must be differences in approach. It might demand competition among descendants but surely wouldn't encourage fratricide. After all, descendants are to continue the family line, not to be sacrificed recklessly," Jiang Cheng spoke thoughtfully.
The old man smiled, "Naturally, our Jiang family's rules are strict, but it's clearly stated that while family members can compete, it must be fair and square. Victory is victory, defeat is defeat. No underhanded or fatal tactics are allowed. Violators are treated as traitors and will be dealt with by the entire Jiang family!"
Jiang Cheng nodded. This was the demeanor of a longstanding, noble family, doing things openly and honorably, never resorting to deceitful means.
"Also, based on snippets from my father and other elders, combined with some rumors, I realized something. This must mean that every Jiang descendant, upon turning eighteen, must return to the ancestral home for a coming-of-age ceremony. Additionally, there must be some sort of trial, like the Vertical and Horizontal Alliances, to select the most outstanding descendant to continue the family legacy," Jiang Cheng slowly revealed his conjecture from the previous day, "These trials must be incredibly challenging, with great rewards for success and heavy consequences for failure, which probably explains my father's distaste for the family rules."
The old man was silent, seemingly shocked, not expecting Jiang Cheng to have figured out so much overnight.
"This kid has an accurate insight, truly a genius! Heaven hasn't treated me unfairly, sending me such a gifted grandson at my life's end. The next head of the Jiang family will indeed be from my lineage!" the old man thought to himself, increasingly satisfied with Jiang Cheng.
"You're right; this is our Jiang family's way of survival. Every generation, at eighteen, must pass the family's trial. Those who pass are nurtured; those who fail are marginalized or live completely according to the family's plans," the old man spoke slowly.
Jiang Cheng nodded, his guesses almost entirely correct.
After digesting the information, Jiang Cheng asked, "What exactly are these family trials?"
The old man pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard to understand directly, so let me tell you a story."
"I'm all ears," Jiang Cheng responded.
The old man cleared his throat and began, "In ancient Greece, there was a wise king who, in his youth, had achieved much and governed his nation well. But as he aged and his energy waned, he began to feel inadequate, deciding to find a capable person to help him govern the nation. So, after scouting among the people for a long time, he found three well-regarded but poor individuals and gave each a bag of gold. He didn't specify what they should do with it, only that they return a bag of gold with all their wealth after five years.
The three men behaved differently upon returning home. The first bought a farm and became a farmer; the second took to the seas with his gold to trade and became a merchant; the third spent a year learning and researching the market before becoming an investor, specializing in industries with good future prospects but currently in need of funds.
Five years later, they returned to the king with their earnings. The first had earned fifteen bags of gold from his farm; the second, though his job was risky, made thirty bags of gold; the third, despite a slow start, surpassed the others and earned fifty bags of gold!
In the end, the king kept the third man as his chancellor to help govern the kingdom," the old man finished the story, looking at Jiang Cheng, who was deep in thought, "What do you think after hearing this?"
Jiang Cheng countered, "Is the Jiang family's trial similar? Is it about the ability to make money?"
"Not entirely. The ability to make money is one aspect, but the question tests vision and courage more. At any time, only those with both qualities are truly talented. Don't you think?" the old man asked.
Nodding, Jiang Cheng couldn't deny that the trial indeed revealed a person's potential abilities. Given the Jiang family's commercial foundation, such a trial made sense. But he still had questions, "What if someone isn't suited for business? Some are naturally indifferent to commerce and have other talents, like in music. What then?"
"There's always a solution. The Jiang family doesn't have rigid rules. Such individuals will receive sufficient funding and opportunities. After five years, their development will be evaluated to see if it justifies the initial investment," the old man explained.
"And how is the ratio calculated?" Jiang Cheng asked further.
"The calculation method is internal to the Jiang family, but I can tell you the minimum is fivefold," the old man replied.
"So, if someone takes 10,000 RMB, they need to make at
least 50,000 RMB after five years?" Jiang Cheng clarified.
"That's the idea, but as a Jiang descendant, the minimum amount you can request is 1 million RMB," the old man said with a smile, "The Jiang family is quite generous in this regard!"
Jiang Cheng nodded; 1 million RMB was not a small amount at that time, and that was just the minimum. This indicated the Jiang family's profound strength. However, he asked, "I'm curious about the maximum amount one can request. Is it unlimited?"
"Of course not," the old man replied with a smile, "The family sets the maximum at 200 million—"
"That's 200 million RMB, not too much," Jiang Cheng murmured.
"—dollars," the old man added with emphasis.
"Cough, cough—," Jiang Cheng choked on his own saliva. The old man had definitely done this deliberately to see his shocked reaction. But now Jiang Cheng was more concerned about the amount, "How much? 200 million dollars? Did I hear that right?"
The old man didn't speak, just nodded affirmatively.
Jiang Cheng's mind raced, "200 million dollars! That's a huge sum! The Jiang family's depth is truly profound! With that money, many of my plans could be implemented earlier! But…"
Jiang Cheng cautiously asked, "200 million US dollars means I need to earn at least 1 billion US dollars in five years to pass the test. But what if I don't earn that much? What will happen then?"
The old man's face was expressionless as he said, "If you fail, then all the property will be returned to the family, and you will have to completely follow the family's assignment."
Jiang Cheng felt a sinking feeling in his heart; indeed, it was a significant consequence. The fruits of five years of struggle would all be given to the family, and he would have to completely obey the family's assignments. It's something no one would accept. "But what if someone doesn't agree?"
"No one can violate the rules of the Jiang family! Believe me, it wouldn't be a good idea," the old man said with a smile, but the smile gave a chilling feeling.
Jiang Cheng shivered internally, guessing that the fate of the violators would be even more miserable. "What if I choose not to participate?"
The old man was silent for a while before finally saying, "That's also possible, but such a person will then be unable to appear in the family again. Unless there is a significant event, they cannot return to the family. They will also lose the right to inherit their parents' estate and will not receive any help from the family outside, nor can they claim to be a member of the Jiang family."
He paused before adding, "That's what your father chose."
Nodding in understanding, Jiang Cheng considered for a moment and then decided to take a chance. After all, it was 200 million US dollars! With that money, he could make a significant leap forward in his development! But just as he was about to speak, the old man interrupted him, "Don't rush to decide, listen to me first!"
Jiang Cheng looked at the old man, puzzled, but listened as the old man continued, "I know you will definitely accept this challenge, and if I'm not wrong, you'll apply for the highest amount, 200 million US dollars, right?"
Jiang Cheng nodded.
The old man continued, "I looked over your information last night and learned that you've entered the entertainment industry. You want to run an entertainment company, right?"
"Yes, my dream is to become a great director and make movies."
"I know," the old man nodded with a smile, "I watched your movie '[Immortal]' last night. It was very good."
"Thank you for the compliment, grandfather!" Jiang Cheng responded modestly.
"This is also a highly profitable industry, and it seems you have plans and capabilities. But if it's you, the conditions need to be changed," the old man suddenly said in a cold voice.
Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but ask, "How so?"
"If it's you, the minimum ratio isn't fivefold anymore, but tenfold!" the old man said calmly.
"What?!" Jiang Cheng was visibly shocked, "Why?"
"Because you need to repay your father's debt," the old man said coldly, "That's the debt your father owed from the past, a father's debt paid by the son!"
Biting his lip, Jiang Cheng felt a bitter taste in his heart. He had thought this was a pie falling from the sky, but it turned out to be a tough nut to chew. "Can I refuse now?"
"You can," the old man's demeanor turned colder, "but then you'll be just like your father, never to return to the Jiang family!"
After saying this, his expression softened a bit, "But I believe you won't choose to refuse."
"Hmm? How can you be so sure?"
"Do you really want to give it up?" the old man asked with a playful smile, "From your actions over the past year, it seems you have a big plan that requires a lot of money to support. So, over the past year, you've tried various methods to earn money. Now with such a large sum of money in front of you, will you give it up?"
Jiang Cheng bit his lip. He had to admit, the old Jiang was indeed astute, catching the crux of his dilemma with just a few words. The old man was right; he indeed couldn't bear to let it go.
Although he had a series of plans in his mind and was confident of success, the premise was that his development would go smoothly. But reality has too many uncertainties, and one must prepare for the worst when undertaking great ventures.
But now, if he had that 200 million US dollars, his chance of success would increase even more. Despite the substantial risks, he thought about his plan and realized that if he executed it according to his blueprint, there was a fair chance he could earn 2 billion US dollars within five years.
As he hesitated, the old man added more weight to his decision, "Cheng'er, you're my grandson. Naturally, I won't mistreat you. You know I don't have much time left. If you promise me one more thing, I can give you an additional 100 million dollars!"
"What? You can give me another 100 million dollars?" Jiang Cheng was astonished, "Won't that break the rules?"
"What rules? This is the inheritance I'm leaving for my grandson. Who can say otherwise?" the old man spoke kindly.
Moved, Jiang Cheng, filled with gratitude, called out, "Grandfather... I..."
"Enough, no need for sentimentalities. Actually, this money is for your entire family, but I suppose your parents won't accept it, so I, as the grandfather, will give it all to you!" the old man kindly smiled, "But you still have to agree to another condition of mine."
"What condition, grandfather?" Jiang Cheng asked curiously.
The old man spoke slowly, "You're eighteen, old enough to don the crown according to ancient customs, already an adult. But ancient coming-of-age ceremonies didn't just involve donning a crown; they also included marriage."
"Grandfather, you mean..." Jiang Cheng had a bad feeling.
"I want to arrange a marriage for you," the old man revealed what Jiang Cheng had feared.
Jiang Cheng was completely stunned.