Chapter 467: Roots in Huaxia Are What Keep You Steady!

The little boat drifted ashore, and Lu Xiaoxue had already fallen asleep on it, her small head resting on Lin Yue'e's leg, a faint sweet smile still lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Lu Qingshan carefully lifted his daughter, whose tiny body in his arms felt like a warm clump of cotton.

On the drive home, the three of them chatted and laughed. The Capital City's autumn night brought a cool evening breeze that slipped through the car window onto their faces, carrying a sense of solid tranquility.

The next day, the atmosphere in Fuqiang Hutong 23 Courtyard felt a bit different.

Lu Qingyuan, Lu Hong, Lu Fang, and Lu Qinghe, who had just rushed back from Zhengding, gathered together—several of the Lu family's brothers and sisters in the Capital City.

In the main hall, Lu Qingshan sat in the head seat, a cup of tea already completely cold before him. His elder brother Lu Qingyuan sat beside him, expression solemn. Lu Hong and Lu Fang were somewhat restless; they vaguely sensed that with their second brother's return, the whole family—no, the entire Lu family's world—was about to change.

"I called everyone here today to discuss family matters, and also matters of our Xinghan Group at home," Lu Qingshan said bluntly, his gaze calmly sweeping over his brothers and sisters.

"The Xinghan Group's operations are now spread wide, both domestically and abroad. Foreign affairs don't require our attention for now. The domestic side, however, must have an overarching charter."

Lu Qingshan turned to his elder brother and said, "Brother, from now on all domestic operations—from the factories in Shanwan, to the Capital City's specialty market and hotels, and all future new industries—will be under your overall responsibility. Your title will be President of Xinghan (Huaxia), with the office located in the Xinghan Group Building on Jianguomenwai Avenue, and funding will be allocated centrally by Ye Ning."

Lu Qingyuan's hands, accustomed to years of labor, clenched the armrest of the grand chair so hard his knuckles bulged. He opened his mouth, wanting to claim he couldn't bear it, but seeing his second brother's unyielding gaze, he merely gave a heavy nod, swallowing his words. He understood that from today onward, he bore the weight of the Lu family's domestic foundation.

"Sister, keep managing the Xinghan Hotel; we'll open branches in major cities nationwide, and you and your brother‑in‑law should be ready to build the team."

"Second sister, the specialty market model is a great success; I heard from you that my brother‑in‑law Lin Yueqiang is doing well. The next step is to expand it nationwide. Both of you will be responsible for site selection, supply, and management."

Lu Hong and Lu Fang hurriedly nodded, their hearts pounding. Though they knew their second brother was formidable, they hadn't expected his first words to be a nationwide blueprint.

Even Lu Qinghe, who served as deputy county magistrate, felt his heart surge; governing a single county, he realized that compared with his second brother's nationwide chessboard, his role was merely at the village‑head level.

Finally, Lu Qingshan's gaze fell on Lu Qingjun.

"Qingjun, you don't need to handle domestic affairs."

【7】 Lu Qingjun was startled, his heart skipping a beat: "Brother, then what am I to do?"

Lu Qingjun froze, his heart skipping a beat: "Brother, what should I do?"

"Prepare yourself; in a few days you'll be going abroad," Lu Qingshan said lightly, yet his words landed like a bomb.

"Going abroad?" Lu Qingjun sprang up from his seat, "Where to? What for?"

"You have one month: go to Europe, go to the Americas, visit each of the new territories we've acquired, and understand them one by one." Lu Qingshan looked at him. "You are my brother; our family's enterprises must be seen with your own eyes before you can grasp what we truly own. You can't rely solely on phone calls and documents to learn about our commercial empire. Ahu and a few others will accompany you to ensure your safety."

Lu Qingjun's breathing quickened; he seemed to see a vast, magnificent world map unfurling before him.

After settling the family matters, Lu Qingshan dialed the phone to Shanwan Village.

On the other end was Zhao Dazhi's voice, tinged with excitement.

"Qing Shan! You finally called! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Uncle Dazhi." Lu Qingshan's voice was gentle. "The factory matters will still require you and several plant managers to take care of. Qian Changzhang, Yao Lao, and Wang Ming are all heroes of our Shanwan. Going forward, the three sectors—food, beverages, and medicinal herbs—will remain under their full responsibility, with production scaled up and technology continuously upgraded. My elder brother will coordinate everything; you all need to communicate frequently."

He was giving the elders of Shanwan a reassurance. Lu Qingshan had not forgotten his roots.

After hanging up, Lu Qingshan entered his father Lu Hua's study.

Lu Hua was practicing calligraphy; seeing him enter, he set down his brush.

"Dad, there's something I'd like you to help with."

"Speak."

"I want to transfer Xiao Yu out of the military's laboratory."

Lu Hua frowned, "Nonsense! She's working on the nation's most classified research project; it's not something you can just reassign."

"Dad, I understand." Lu Qingshan walked to the desk, picked up a wolf‑hair brush, dipped it in ink, and on the spread xuan paper wrote several terms, stroke by stroke.

Laser gyroscope.

Wind tunnel.

Miniaturized nuclear fusion.

Lu Hua's pupils contracted sharply; he stared fixedly at the wet ink, his breath halted. Each of those terms represented the lifeblood of a great nation, the holy grail that countless researchers spend a lifetime pursuing!

"I intend to establish our own world‑leading physics laboratory," Lu Qingshan said, his voice modest yet firm. "I need Xiao Yu to lead it; she has the talent. I'll handle funding, equipment, and personnel. I need your help to smooth the connections, obtain state approval, and secure support. The lab's research results will be shared with the nation unconditionally."

Lu Hua fell silent, looking at his son as if meeting him for the first time.

He had thought his son was merely doing business, making money, but now he realized the boy was forging the nation's future 'Heaven‑relying Sword.'

After a long while, Lu Hua exhaled heavily, folded the paper carefully, and slipped it into his inner pocket.

"I'll handle this."

At that moment, Lu Qingshan's satellite phone rang again.

It was Ye Ning.

"Boss, David is driving the New York Futures Exchange traders crazy," Ye Ning said with a hint of amusement. "We've already controlled over 80% of Brazil's coffee bean futures for the coming year. The Wall Street crowd has caught on and is wildly raising prices, but they can't beat us. David says he feels like he's playing cards with others using a money‑printing machine."

"Also, there's good news from Vale," Ye Ning paused, "they announced that because the mining area's environmental equipment needs a full upgrade, the iron‑ore export price to North America will rise by thirty percent over the next six months."

"Very good," Lu Qingshan replied. "Just make sure David doesn't overdo it—raise coffee prices enough, but don't actually force Americans to quit coffee."

From the other end, David's roar could be heard faintly: "What?! Not let them quit? The boss is too merciful! They should drink plain water every day! Let them know how bleak life is without caffeine! Let them feel the pain of being scolded by the boss for nodding off at work!"

Lu Qingshan hung up outright, too lazy to deal with that drama king.

The study fell back into silence.

Lu Qingshan looked out the window; Lu Xiaoxue was chasing Jin Hu madly in the courtyard, her laughter like a string of silver bells.

He walked over and told the still‑dazed Lu Qingjun, "Go pack your things."

Lu Qingjun snapped back, excitement and nervousness unmistakable on his face: "Brother, where's my first stop?"

"London." Lu Qingshan patted his shoulder. "Go find Li Zhi'an. Once there, have him take you to Savile Street first, get a few decent suits."

"Huh?" Lu Qingjun didn't get why the first step was getting clothes.

"You're representing the Lu family and the Xinghan Group abroad. One can stay out of trouble, but one's attire must not be lacking," Lu Qingshan smiled. "In their world, a suit is armor. Put on the best armor first."

"Remember, once you're out there, don't fear spending money; our family now lacks nothing but money."

"But there's one rule," Lu Qingshan's tone shifted, his gaze solemn, "never forget where we come from, where our roots lie."

Lu Qingjun gave a firm nod; he felt his blood beginning to blaze.

A chance belonging to him, a view toward a vast, magnificent new world, was about to unfold.