Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

Back at the mansion, Meng Qingge approached Lin Ping and said in a low voice, "Boss Han inquired about dry red wine and offered five taels of silver."

"Miss Meng, do you think this price is too low?" Lin Ping saw through her thoughts at a glance.

"Am I being too greedy and ungrateful? If it weren't for Boss Han's help, I would have been kicked out of the Meng family." Meng Qingge said with a look of self-reproach, and she prepared to lower the price again.

Although the cost of brewing dry red wine is slightly higher, it doesn't exceed one hundred coins, making it an extremely profitable business.

There was nothing she could do; the market was pushing her to raise prices.

After the supply of alcohol was cut off, many restaurants faced the predicament of closing down. Many owners came to Meng Qingge to negotiate and hoped to buy a batch of alcohol for ten taels of silver.

“You’ve done more than enough. If it were me, I would have sold the wine to another shopkeeper long ago. Five taels of silver is indeed not a high price.” Lin Ping admired Meng Qingge’s honesty.

No businessman is without guile; Lin Ping himself is the best example.

He understood Meng Qingge's feelings and even admired her integrity.

Meng Qingge only grumbled a bit, but ultimately decided to sell all the wine to Qingfenglou for five taels of silver.

For Lin Ping, the liquor business was nothing more than a pittance.

What he wants is energy and minerals. He dares to call himself a tycoon even though he doesn't own any mines.

To be honest, brewing alcohol does not fundamentally increase productivity; it merely transforms grain into fine wine.

Mineral resources are different; once developed, they will create immense value. If Linping wants to fundamentally change the living standards of the people, he must start with mineral resources.

What he needs to do now is to work hard to make enough money to buy mountains and rivers.

"The Guo Family Winery in the north of the city is being sold at a low price, only 39,998. Miss Meng, are you interested in buying it?" Lin Ping asked.

If the Meng family wants to develop rapidly, it must increase production. How can a mere winery realize the dream of becoming a first-class family?

Meng Qingge lowered her head and remained silent, clearly having already heard the news.

Due to the promulgation of imperial decrees prohibiting the use of grain for brewing alcohol, some distilleries were on the verge of bankruptcy. Those with ample funds could wait and see, hoping that the decree might be lifted someday.

Wine merchants facing a broken cash flow have no choice but to reluctantly sell their products; selling them is a way to make a profit.

Wouldn't it be better to take 40,000 taels of silver and retire home?

“But the Meng family doesn’t have any extra grapes, so buying the Guo family’s winery would be pointless,” Meng Qingge replied in a low voice, clearly indicating her refusal.

Lin Ping didn't like to force others. He just smiled faintly, handed a sheet of Xuan paper to Meng Qingge, and turned to leave.

“Young Master Lin…” Meng Qingge hesitated before speaking.

Emotionally, she shouldn't have refused Lin Ping, since he had helped her so much. Logically, she had no choice but to refuse, since buying a burden like a wine shop would be of no practical use.

Gently unfold the Xuan paper, and you'll see rows of delicate, small characters, just like Rou'er's handwriting.

Meng Qingge treated her servants well, even teaching them to read and write, including Rou'er.

Looking at the contents, Meng Qingge's expression changed.

It contains a detailed record of the entire tea-frying process, down to how to control the temperature and how much firewood to add—it's a completely standardized operating procedure.

She admitted that she had been so caught up in the profits from alcohol sales that she had forgotten about tea making.

She had begged Lin Ping for the technology back then, but now that Lin Ping wanted her to buy a workshop for tea frying, she refused.

Meng Qingge immediately made a decision and convened an emergency family meeting.

They were still at the old house, but Meng Qingchao was nowhere to be seen.

The old lady sat firmly in her armchair, saying nothing. Although she had relinquished her position as clan leader, her authority remained, as the hall was filled with her descendants.

The relatives whispered amongst themselves, chattering incessantly.

“Meng Qingge, don’t think that just because you’ve become the clan leader you can boss us around.”

"Are you planning to become a dictator? Even if you become the clan leader, you won't have that power, let alone just being the acting clan leader."

Before Meng Qingge could even speak, a group of relatives had already begun to criticize her.

This was the first time she had convened a family meeting as the clan leader; how could it be described as her ordering people around?

Suddenly, Meng Qingge felt an urge to cry.

Even after becoming the clan leader, no one spoke up for her.

After all, the Meng family's empire wasn't built by her alone; all her decisions had to be discussed with others.

The old lady responded coldly, and even wanted to laugh.

"Meng Qingge, we're still very busy. Get to the point," Su Qingya said impatiently.

Busy? Bullshit!

Su Qingya was in charge of selling the wine, but now the Meng family's wine was in high demand and they had no trouble selling it.

She's so idle she's practically a king, drawing a salary without working, yet she has the nerve to say she's busy.

The situation is similar for the others; Lin Ping has taken over the accounting, and procurement has been stopped.

In other words, apart from Meng Qingge and Lin Ping, the others were too lazy to even get sores.

"That's right, just say what you have to say. We don't have as much free time as you do," another person said sarcastically.

Meng Qingge is the type who is tough on the outside but weak on the inside; she can never bring herself to get angry at her relatives.

Despite feeling wronged, she could only explain her purpose: "The Guo Family Winery in the north of the city is being sold at a low price, and I want to buy it."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

"That's 39,998 taels of silver; even the strongest wind can't blow it in."

"Exactly! The imperial court has banned the brewing of grain liquor, and you actually want to buy a distillery? Have you lost your mind?"

The accusations came like a torrent, rushing down and leaving Meng Qingge breathless.

"Meng Qingge, the old master entrusted you with the position of clan leader out of trust, not to push the Meng family into a fire pit," Meng Yuanlin said sarcastically.

Although Meng Qingchao was driven out of his home, his prestige remains, and he may very well seize the position of clan leader from Meng Qingge.

Meng Qingge had long anticipated that this matter would be fraught with difficulties, but she never expected to be opposed by everyone.

Therefore, it is clear that removing Meng Qingchao will not purify the family; the Meng family is rotten to the core.

Everyone was only thinking about their own petty gains, afraid that Meng Qingge would squander them.

"Qingge, you mustn't let your grandfather down," the old lady said sarcastically, making her stance clear.

“We can’t just stand by and watch her push the Meng family into a fire pit. We should hand over the position of clan leader to Brother Yuan Lin.”

"Exactly, what right does a mere woman have to take charge of the vast Meng family?"

People not only opposed Meng Qingge buying the winery, but also raised many questions about her because of it.

"It's quite lively inside. Oh, everyone's here." Lin Ping walked over casually, his disdainful tone full of hostility.

Seeing his treacherous smile, everyone unconsciously took a few steps back, clearly thinking of Meng Qingchao's miserable state.

This is a true depiction of a rogue with culture.

Unable to win arguments or fights, many even considered running away.

This is the psychological trauma that Lin Ping left on them.

"This is the Meng residence, you are not welcome here!" Meng Yuanlin said through gritted teeth. If he were stronger, he would have already attacked.

"Whether you welcome me or not is not up to you. Qingge is the head of the Meng family, and besides, I was invited by the old master. Meng Yuanlin, are you itching for a beating?" Lin Ping sneered.

That makes sense; he is Meng Qingge's fiancé and can freely enter and leave the old house.

The relationship between the old man and Lin Ping is also a mystery. Anyone with eyes can see that the old man intentionally helped him last time.

With Lin Ping's various connections, he could do whatever he wanted in the Meng family, and even Meng Yuanlin would have no right to stop him.

He even uses the word "adult" in his speech.

“My uncle did nothing wrong, so why are you hitting him? Do you think we’re easy to bully? Aren’t you afraid of being punished by law?” Su Qingya said through gritted teeth.

"What a fine legal punishment," Lin Ping replied calmly. "I'm really not afraid."

These words infuriated everyone. What do you do when a very capable fighter tells you he's not afraid of legal repercussions? That's right, stay away!

"Have you thought through Qingge's suggestion?" Lin Ping asked, raising his voice.

The crowd remained silent; this was a form of silent resistance.

They had already rejected Meng Qingge, so there was no need to repeat themselves to Lin Ping.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as agreement. Anyway, the money is with Qingge, so you can buy whatever you want. The reason I'm telling you this isn't to solicit your opinions, but to announce this matter." Lin Ping smiled contemptuously, not taking them seriously at all.

"This is dictatorship!" Meng Yuanlin trembled with anger, trying to seize the opportunity to regain some power.

"That's a very appropriate word; that's exactly what we were thinking." Lin Ping smiled faintly. Why should he give them face?

Lin Ping's personality has always been like this, and even Meng Qingge finds it somewhat unacceptable.

"Meng Qingge, you can only rely on some random man to save face. This is the Meng family, we can't tolerate him running wild here," Su Qingya said angrily.

It's no wonder she was angry; Lin Ping had indeed gone too far.

How could a dictatorship be tolerated?

"It's still better than you, an ugly woman who has no man to rely on." Lin Ping emphasized the pronunciation of a certain word, not the word "ugly".

"You said I'm ugly?" Su Qingya's face turned green with anger; she had always considered herself beautiful.

"Lin Wuqing, if all you can do is make trouble, you'd better leave now. The servants of the Meng family are not to be trifled with," the old lady said coldly, raising her hand and waving it. Several servants behind her... all ran away in fright.

What a joke, they've seen Lin Ping's strength firsthand.

"Since the old lady wants me to cause trouble, I won't hold back." Lin Ping smiled faintly and took out several account books from his pocket.

He read aloud: "Three months ago, when the old lady celebrated her birthday, Meng Yuanping was in charge of purchasing supplies, and for no reason, one thousand taels of silver were missing."

"Last Spring Festival, Su Qingya was in charge of purchasing, and two thousand taels of silver disappeared without a trace."