Chapter 336 - 336: The Old Master's Command
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room was shocked. Apart from Tie Yongwen, everyone looked at Elder Master Ding in astonishment, including Ye Qing.
Everyone had thought that it was Tie Yongwen's own idea to cripple Ding Shaoyan. That's why the Ding Family was so dissatisfied with the matter. But now, Elder Master Ding shockingly declared such news, leaving everyone unable to recover their senses.
The acts of Tie Yongwen were actually commanded by Elder Master Ding himself? The order to cripple Ding Shaoyan was personally issued by Elder Master Ding?
Sweat broke out on the brows of everyone in the Ding Family. If this was indeed true, then Elder Master Ding's visit was definitely not to deal with Tie Yongwen but to deal with them, the people of the Ding Family.
"You beasts, how did I teach you back then? Now look at you, getting rich and forgetting you are also sons of farmers?" Elder Master Ding angrily slammed the table and said, "All of you, do you really think I don't know what you have been doing out there? Xiangyun, how did you buy that car? Chang Yuan, how did you get that villa in Dongzhou? Chang Shan, you..."
Elder Master Ding almost called out the names of every Ding Family member present, each one of them shuddering involuntarily. Indeed, all the things Elder Master Ding mentioned were done behind his back. Those things were illicit. With Elder Master Ding's hatred of wrongdoing, knowing these would definitely lead to severe consequences for them!
"Over these years, I have grown old and did not want to meddle much in family affairs. As the saying goes, 'children and grandchildren have their own blessings.' I am an old man who cannot manage so much nor do I want to manage so much. No matter what you do outside, I always thought that you have a kind heart, a basic sense of right and wrong. But now..."
Elder Master Ding suddenly glared furiously at Ding Shaoyan and said, "Because of what happened with Shao Yan, I have completely understood. You have been blinded by greed and lost your true nature, lacking any discernment of good and evil, right and wrong. In your minds, do money and power represent everything, do they elevate you above others, make your lives worth more than others?"
"This time, I deliberately assigned Yongwen to handle the matter because I wanted to see your reactions. If you could learn from this incident, there might still be hope for you.
However, I never expected that not only did you fail to learn, but you also harbored resentment and even dared to complain to me!" Elder Master Ding glared angrily at Ding Xiangyun and said sternly, "What, do you think what Ding Shaoyan did is honorable and deserves praise?"
Ding Xiangyun's face turned red and with a trembling voice she said, "Dad, I... I didn't mean that..."
"If that's not what you meant, then what did you mean? Then why did you go and complain to me?" Elder Master Ding shouted. "What, do you think Uncle Tie's punishment was too harsh?"
"This... this..." Ding Xiangyun initially wanted to bring up Ye Qing, to twist the truth and confuse the issue. But then, upon realizing Elder Master Ding knew all too well, speaking lies would only be inviting trouble. Thus, she opened her mouth but failed to say anything.
Ding Chang Yuan, feeling indignant, said, "Dad, Shao Yan is still a child after all. Moreover, Fang Tian was the principal culprit, and Shao Yan was merely deceived by him. Isn't such a punishment for Shao Yan a bit too harsh?"
"Hmph, you think I don't know what kind of person your son is?" Elder Master Ding bellowed. "Fang Tian? That surnamed Fang can lead your son's thoughts? Ding Chang Yuan, you're too blind to your son's true character. If they are all involved in this, it's definitely your son who orchestrated it!"
Ding Chang Yuan anxiously said, "Dad, how can you not trust your own grandson? You've watched him grow up, ever since he was little, he... he hasn't done anything bad!"
"He might not have done anything bad in front of you, but outside, he has long been notorious," Elder Master Ding said gravely. "Forget everything else, take the street racing gang at North Ring for example. Your son is their leader. Just this half year, no fewer than ten people have died under the wheels of that gang. Just for this, sentencing Shao Yan to ten years wouldn't be unjust!"
Ding Chang Yuan bowed his head; he knew about this too but didn't expect Elder Master Ding to be so well informed.
"Wang Tiezhu's sister is not even sixteen, just a little girl. You beasts could actually commit such an act," Elder Master Ding said as his body began to shake, even his breathing grew labored.
Tie Yongwen hurried to help Elder Master Ding sit down and took out a medicine bottle for him to inhale, said, "Elder Master Ding, calm down, don't be angry!"
"Dad! Dad!"
The rest of the Ding Family was also panicked. Elder Master Ding was the cornerstone of power for the Ding Family. As long as he was alive, the Ding Family could continue in its prime. If he were to die, the strength of the Ding Family would surely diminish greatly.
Elder Master Ding had taken several deep breaths, finally regaining his calm, and pointed angrily at Ding Shaoyan, saying, "If this were wartime, I would have shot him already. If it weren't for the fact that he's my grandson, if it weren't for your Uncle Tie pleading on his behalf, I would definitely have broken his two dog legs this time, so he couldn't go out and harm others ever again.
Now that I've crippled his martial arts, do you still think it's too much? What, do you think my punishment is wrong?"
No one in the Ding Family dared to respond, as the elder had personally spoken—who would dare to complain anymore?
Elder Master Ding glared at Ding Shaoyan and said sternly, "Shao Yan, let this be a lesson. Starting today, you stay at home and behave, only leaving for school. Do you understand?"
Ding Shaoyan bowed his head and replied softly. He really didn't dare to retort against the elder's words.
Chang Yuan, listen carefully too. Don't let me find out you are doing anything unreasonable outside. Otherwise, I will personally send you to court," Elder Master Ding slammed the table and continued, "Also, I now have two tasks for you."
"Dad, just tell us!" Ding Changyuan hurriedly responded, relieved that Elder Master Ding was not pursuing their matters further.
Elder Master Ding spoke loudly, "First, the street racing gang at Beihuan Qianwan in Shenchuan City is causing too much harm. You need to clean up these people. If the street racers show up again, call in people from the military district, and no matter who they are, break a leg—that's an order!"
The members of the Ding Family changed their expressions. Elder Master Ding had not issued public commands like this in many years. But when he spoke, who in Shenchuan City would dare not comply? The commander of the Shenchuan Military District was a subordinate brought up by Elder Master Ding and was absolutely obedient to him!
"The second matter!" Elder Master Ding frowned and continued sternly, "The Fang Family has gone too far with Wang Lili's affair. They must pay a price for it. To compensate for the losses suffered by Wang Tiezhu and Wang Lili, I leave this matter to you to handle. I want the Fang Family to disappear from Shenchuan City within a month!"
The members of the Ding Family were startled. Although the Fang Family was not as powerful as the Ding Family in Shenchuan City, they were still a wealthy and influential clan. Elder Master Ding's words meant complete enmity with the Fang Family. Indeed, with the Ding Family's power, it was not difficult to accomplish such a task, but Elder Master Ding was being particularly domineering this time.
"What? Is it too difficult?" Elder Master Ding swept a cold gaze over everyone, and they immediately nodded in agreement. Since the elder had personally spoken, not only did they have to confront the Fang Family, but even if it were the Lin family, they would have to grit their teeth and go through with it.
"Alright, you can go back now," Elder Master Ding gestured for everyone to leave.
The Ding Family members left with a sense of relief and hurriedly took Ding Shaoyan with them. Elder Master Ding did not leave; he merely turned to look at Ye Qing and slowly nodded, saying, "Young man, you are very good, much like I was at your age!"
"You flatter me too much, Elder Master!" Ye Qing quickly bowed and said, "Elder Master is clear-minded and unbiased in his actions, something I truly admire!"
"Ah!" Elder Master Ding sighed and continued, "When I was impoverished, I too chewed on roots and grass. These years, life has improved, but what I worry about the most is whether the younger generation in our family will forget their roots. I hope this incident serves as a warning to them. I'm old now and cannot manage many matters.
If they can learn from this incident and restrain themselves in the future, that would be a good thing. If they continue being obstinate, I'm afraid my Ding Family won't prosper for long!"
As Elder Master Ding spoke, his tone was full of melancholy. It seemed he was genuinely upset by the younger members of the family. After all, the actions of the Ding Family's members now were not something he had anticipated.
Moreover, they seemed to think that the mistakes made by Ding Shaoyan were minor, which further angered Elder Master Ding, as they had lost their basic sense of right and wrong!
Tie Yongwen softly consoled him at his side, "Elder Master, I believe this incident will teach them a lesson."
"I hope so," Elder Master Ding nodded and slowly walked over to Wang Tiezhu, bending down to bow deeply, saying, "On behalf of the entire Ding family, I apologize to you and your family. The harm we caused previously, I know, cannot be undone. However, I hope that through our actions, we can at least make amends for what we have done."
Facing Elder Master Ding's demeanor, Wang Tiezhu, though filled with immense annoyance, could not remain angry. He sighed deeply, shook his head, and said nothing.
Ye Qing was about to offer a few words of comfort when suddenly, his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw that the call was from his family.
Ye Qing hastily ran to the doorway and answered the call. Immediately, Yuan Xiaoyu's tearful voice came through, "Brother, dad... dad was beaten up..."