My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 529: The Test for Zhang Chengyu

Back home, Zhang Lei looked at his wives and sons and said, "I know many of you are confused or even angry about what I did today, blaming me for not informing you beforehand. But I want to tell you that your current status and achievements are inseparable from me, Zhang Lei; I created them all."

"Now, everyone go back to your own families and urge them to clean up those messes and filth. From now on, everyone in the Zhang family must conduct self-examination and self-correction. Don't blame me for being ruthless later. You've followed me, you have money and power, I don't know what else you're not satisfied with. Do you all want to sit in my position?"

Zhang Lei's words silenced the entire room, and even his usually lively and cheerful daughter, Zhang Chengwan, listened cautiously from the side.

Zhang Lei then looked at his sons: "You too, as my sons, have already reached the pinnacle of life. I don't expect you all to be honest and upright in your official duties. Even if you just want to live a peaceful life as second-generation rich kids, as long as you don't break the law, I can tolerate it. If you need money, you can come to me, but don't take chances, and don't let me find out anything wrong with you."

After saying this, Zhang Lei left with Ye Shuqin, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The wives hurriedly called their families, while the sons surrounded Zhang Chengyu, asking about the whole story. As the eldest brother, Zhang Chengyu told his brothers the whole story.

Back in her courtyard, Ye Shuqin gently rubbed Zhang Lei's forehead and softly comforted him, "Alright, don't be angry anymore."

Zhang Lei rubbed his eyes and sighed, "I'm not angry, I just can't understand why people are never satisfied. They don't lack money or power, so why are they like this?"

Ye Shuqin sighed softly, "This kind of thing has never stopped in any dynasty. Besides, you warned them today and gave them a chance to make amends."

Zhang Lei shook his head: "They may not be truly remorseful."

Ye Shuqin nodded: "If they truly show no remorse, then they should be punished according to the law."

Ye Shuqin's words made Zhang Lei nod slightly, and he smiled and said, "Alright, let Yu'er handle this matter. In the future, this country will be handed over to him, and he should learn to take responsibility."

Ye Shuqin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but Zhang Lei's next words made her heart jump again.

Zhang Lei continued, "If Yu'er doesn't meet my expectations, then I'll choose from my other sons."

Ye Shuqin swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Zhang Lei looked at her and said, "Don't blame me for being ruthless. Who is suitable and who is not is related to the fate of a country. If my sons are all mediocre and incompetent, then we will elect a wise and virtuous person to serve as prime minister and govern the country. From now on, the royal family will only be a symbol of honor."

Ye Shuqin was at a loss for words.

In the following month, a series of incidents involving compensation, restitution, and admission of wrongdoing and punishment occurred in China, and Zhang Chengyu followed up and supervised the entire process.

A month later, Zhang Chengyu delivered all the compiled materials to Zhang Lei. After reviewing them, Zhang Lei found that only 70-80% of the problems had been resolved. Upon reaching the end, he frowned: "Are there still so many stubborn people?"

Zhang Chengyu nodded: "Dad, these people are taking chances, and some think that since they are abroad, we can't find out what they've done."

Zhang Lei lit a cigarette, pondered quietly for a moment, and asked, "What about the Ye family? Have they all been dealt with?"

Upon hearing the words "Ye family," Zhang Chengyu instantly tensed up, his palms sweating, and he pulled out a document from behind him.

Zhang Lei took the documents, glanced at them, and said calmly, "If I hadn't asked, were you planning to keep them hidden forever?"

Zhang Chengyu lowered his head, not daring to speak or look at Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei sighed, then took out an even more detailed document and placed it on the table: "I thought you would be different. Do you really think I don't know what's in this document? It even remembers your whereabouts during this period in detail."

He patted Zhang Chengyu on the shoulder and said disappointedly, "Yu'er, your mother and I have placed the greatest hopes on you, but this time, you have really disappointed me."

Zhang Chengyu quickly admitted his mistake: "Dad, I was wrong, I was just thinking..."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhang Lei interrupted her: "Are you trying to help them out privately? Is it because they're from the Ye family, your uncle and cousin, and you're worried about putting your mother in a difficult position?"

Zhang Chengyu nodded silently.

Zhang Lei said earnestly, "You should read more about the history of the Xia Kingdom. In its five thousand years of history, how many dynasties were destroyed by the interference of the empress dowager and the rebellion of the empress's relatives? To do great things, you need not only a compassionate heart, but also ruthless methods."

Zhang Chengyu nodded solemnly.

Zhang Lei sighed: "I'll give you one more chance. You know how to handle these things. If you can't do it, I'll have your younger brother do it."

Zhang Chengyu understood his father's meaning: if things weren't handled well, his position as crown prince might be taken by one of his younger brothers.

Zhang Lei looked at his son, whose expression was serious, and patted him on the shoulder: "Do it well."

Zhang Chengyu nodded emphatically.

Over the next three months, a nationwide crackdown on corruption and organized crime officially began. No matter who was involved, no matter how rich or powerful, anyone involved in illegal activities, corruption, or other misconduct was severely punished according to the law. As a result, prisons across the country were overflowing with people.

Based on past experience, Zhang Lei instructed Zhang Chengyu to build a labor camp in the desert, sending those who had committed heinous crimes to dig sand and work, so that they could wash away their sins with their sweat.

During those three months, Zhang Lei didn't see anyone. Many people tried to plead for him through various connections, trying to find Zhang's wife, Zhang Lei's relatives, or even Zhang Chengyu. However, Zhang Chengyu changed his attitude completely, rejecting all their attempts and dealing with them with an iron fist. This made all those who harbored illusions understand that their petty tricks would no longer work.

This incident greatly enhanced Zhang Chengyu's image and prestige among the public. Zhang Lei was very gratified to see his son's transformation.

That day, Zhang Chengyu brought all the case files to Zhang Lei's yard. Zhang Lei quietly went through them for two hours before looking up and smiling at him, saying, "Well done."

Hearing his father's praise, Zhang Chengyu felt a sweet warmth in his heart.

Zhang Lei patted him on the shoulder: "You've grown taller and thinner."

Zhang Chengyu replied with a smile, "Thank you, Dad."

Zhang Lei looked at him earnestly and said, "Yu'er, this country is now in your hands. How you manage it is your responsibility. After a while, I will hand over all my connections and global network to you. This is an even greater responsibility."