Chapter 593 The Competition for Succession
Of course, for the sake of health and longevity, she was willing to give up all her external possessions, especially since the new senior disciple was looking at her with anticipation.
"Don't worry, anything senior disciple needs for medical research, I'll cover it. I'll have Asen take you to the medicinal fields, the pharmaceutical factory, and the largest medicinal herb base in the country another day."
"Good, junior disciple, prepare yourself for the first acupuncture treatment."
Xi Rusheng was actually a very steady and reserved person, but the convenience his junior disciple provided made him forget his composure and instead want to showcase his skills, fearing that if his true abilities weren't seen, his junior disciple might take everything back.
"This person, he's a madman about medicine."
"That's good. Anyone who can be completely engrossed in what they do will surely achieve something. But let's eat and rest well before starting."
After the others were forced to leave, Ye Shenge handed the schedule to Asen, asking him to make several copies for Aunt Zhen and others who were responsible for her daily life, to ensure better cooperation.
It seemed that having someone give her a guarantee had brightened her mood considerably. She wasn't afraid of hardship or suffering, but she was terrified of death, truly terrified of death.
"Madam, Mr. Xi has been settled, in the courtyard next to Little Youyou."
"Good, do your best to satisfy whatever he needs."
Asen was currently Ye Shenge's head butler. Having been with her for a long time, he was very familiar with all her habits. Gu Miao still needed more time.
"I've already had people investigate Mr. Xi."
"Yes, that is necessary."
A person who knows medicine and herbs and lives in the house needs to be thoroughly investigated before one can feel at ease. She would not break the rules of the children's father for anyone.
"Asen, has my mother called home in a few days?"
"About a week."
"How could this be? Contact her secretary and ask what's going on."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Ye Shenge glanced at Gu Miao beside her. He very consciously followed along.
In fact, Elder Fan was not resting at this moment; he was on the phone with Zi Yisheng.
"I understand what you mean. The Gou family is becoming increasingly stable in traditional Chinese medicine, even showing signs of overtaking others. But it's almost impossible for them to reach the top position. Your considerations are very necessary. Once they know how important Xi Rusheng is to us, they might act under your and Shenge's names."
"Yes, that's why I need to trouble Master to completely bring Xi Rusheng over. Since he's someone abandoned by the Gou family, it's better not to let him hold the title of their eldest disciple anymore."
"Alright, it's better to discuss this now than to be manipulated later. Young Xi is a person who adheres to old rules and especially values respect for his master."
"If the Gou family doesn't listen or refuses, then it proves that the person who recommended Xi Rusheng to you had impure motives. At that time, I might not consider your ties with the Gou family."
Elder Fan did not hesitate in the slightest. They had been separated for so many years; even if things had changed, it was normal. But he would not go easy on anyone who delayed his disciple's recovery.
"Leave it to me first. It's better to try diplomacy before resorting to force; no one can say anything. If I'm bringing the young Xi back, I'll have to formally acknowledge him as my disciple."
"That would be best. A person who respects his master will not easily change."
Elder Fan was now impatient about his younger disciple's affairs. After eating and resting for a while, he went to the Gou family.
Gou Zhengde personally received him. Now, who in the circle didn't know that Elder Fan was the highest-ranking figure? In the past, they could still be called brothers, but now he could only call him brother in his heart.
"Elder Fan, long time no see."
"Old Gou head, are you still being polite with me?"
"Not at all, I'm just pretending."
They walked into the main hall arm in arm. The Gou family's development in recent years was evident.
"By the way, where is young Gou Han? I also need to thank him for recommending young Xi to me."
"He's at a free clinic at the hospital today. Did you meet Rusheng? How is it, can he help you?"
"Not yet, but he's willing to learn. I just want to try."
Gou Zhengde's eyes flickered, and he nodded with satisfaction.
"Rusheng is introverted and rigid, tends to be overly serious, but his skills are undeniable."
"Is that why you banished him?"
"It's not banishment, it's letting him live more freely."
"Is that so? Then I won't beat around the bush. I'm here today to ask for young Xi. I hope you can help an old brother and also let me have a successor."
This confused Gou Zhengde. Was he asking to adopt a son? This was a good thing.
"What do you mean?"
"He'll formally become my disciple, my only second disciple. You know my younger disciple is only half-hearted. I have no successor right now."
"How is that possible? How can one person have two masters?"
"So, I want to ask you to remove his status as the Gou family's eldest disciple. He hasn't been with the Gou family for many years anyway, and most people don't even know who he is. It's not good to just hold onto the title."
Gou Zhengde's face darkened. He had hoped to use Xi Rusheng as a bridge to help the Gou family climb higher. This was clearly cutting off one of his own paths.
"Did Xi Rusheng personally agree?"
"No, how could I speak to him without your permission?"
"I don't agree. In the past, the first disciple would inherit the sect."
"But you didn't train him much either, did you? And you sent him to a remote, impoverished area. This is my wrongdoing, but I truly fancy him. Please, I'm begging you."
Elder Fan tried his best to persuade him, but the other party refused. This completely confirmed Zi Yisheng's guess. Now that they knew he was useful, it was too late!
"No room for negotiation?"
"No negotiation. You are breaking the rules."
"Even if it's to save my younger disciple's life?"
"It's not that it's impossible. Isn't he already with you? Why must you expel him from the sect? It makes no sense no matter where you say it."
In fact, Gou Zhengde was a little uneasy. Firstly, he was afraid of offending the higher-ups. Secondly, he was afraid that the other party would abandon Xi Rusheng in anger. Whatever the case, it would affect his plans.
"Fine, a final friendly reminder: bringing Xi Rusheng away is the wish of the person above. Consider it carefully. We all know what everyone is thinking. Sometimes, thinking too much leads to more loss than gain."
Elder Fan arrived in a hurry and left gracefully. Zi Yisheng's actions always succeeded.
After he left, the person who was supposed to be at the free clinic appeared, sitting beside his father with a somber expression.
"I thought recommending the senior disciple would allow us to promote cooperation with the Min family's pharmacy and greatly enhance our status, but now we can't even do that."
"Yes, perhaps some people and some matters cannot be relied upon just by wanting to."
"I'm just unfair. Why can Min Hang, who didn't come from a traditional Chinese medicine family, control the vast majority of the medicinal herb market, leaving us no opportunity to get involved, and causing us to lose a large sum of money for no reason?"