Courtyard Houses: Longevity Since the War of Resistance

Once the announcement is posted, queues form, and things proceed according to their own logic.

In Li Feng's view, Old Man You's statement at most set the tone for this century-old family. But it's difficult for every member of a family, especially a family like the You family, to be on the same page.

The designated exit procedures point in Hong Kong is getting increasingly crowded.

Newspapers began to publish statistics, showing the number on the first day, the number on the second day, and the curve was rising. Among those who left, there were few students. They lined up impulsively in the first few days, but when it came to signing the document voluntarily renouncing their citizenship, many hesitated and were eventually dragged back by their families or slipped out of the line on their own.

Those who are truly determined to leave are middle-class individuals, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and some business people.

Undercurrents of asset transfers are swirling within banks and law firms.

Houses are being listed for urgent sale, company equity is changing, and overseas accounts are seeing a surge in activity. Those who acted quickly have already obtained special fast-track entry permits and are starting to pack their valuables and book ship and plane tickets.

Interestingly, Yujia's presence is subtly mentioned here.

It wasn't at Old Man You's behest, nor was it the current ruling direct line. It was the collateral branches—the married daughters and their husbands, the descendants of uncles and brothers who had separated and lived independently in earlier years, and a few talented individuals who held sinecure positions in the family business and always felt their talents were going to waste. They were the ones who made their move.

Li Feng watched coldly, while Old Man You remained unusually silent.

Some family members started selling off less important properties and shares, and even exchanging foreign currency through some clandestine channels, and the old man didn't seem to stop them.

Li Feng arranged to meet Old Man You at a very private Chaozhou restaurant. The two of them were alone in the private room, with a pot of Dancong tea and a few delicate side dishes.

"A lot of people have left these past few days," Li Feng said casually, picking up a piece of braised goose with his chopsticks.

Old Man You slowly sipped his tea, his face revealing no emotion: "Yes, everyone has their own ambitions. They have their own legs, but if their hearts are free, they can't be kept."

"It seems like someone from the You family... has some ideas on their mind." Li Feng looked up at him.

Old Man You put down his teacup and sighed softly.

"Mr. Duan is a discerning man," the old man said slowly. "A large family is like an old tree. It may look like it has thick trunks and lush foliage, but the roots underground are tangled and intertwined. Some of them have long since rotted, and some have taken root in places they shouldn't. In the past, when the weather was good, we could manage to get by. But now the seasons are changing, and typhoons are coming. Those weak branches, those infested with insects, and those that have grown crooked will always be blown away first."

He paused, then poured tea for Li Feng: "Blowing them away allows the tree to stand taller, reserving its nutrients for the truly good branches. Some people think they're going to pursue a better future, but actually, the tree is cleaning its own house. I watch, I don't stop them, I don't try to persuade them. I can't persuade them anyway. Let them go, let them leave cleanly, it's better for everyone."

Li Feng understood.

This old fox wasn't simply out of control. He was using this wave of departure to purge the You family from within. He was using this method to weed out those clansmen who had long harbored dissent. Those who remained were the core members who had withstood the test of this storm and could truly be bound to the family anew.

"Old man, you have a clever strategy." Li Feng raised his teacup. "A strategic retreat, a push with the current."

"It's not a means, just a last resort." Old Man You shook his head, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Mr. Duan, to be honest, I also want to know, after this ordeal, how much is left of my You family, and how many people are truly loyal to me, this family, and this land to the very end?"

They exchanged a glance, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. Some things don't need to be said too explicitly.

"Among those who left, there was a significant transfer of assets. I suspect a considerable amount of real money flowed out of the banks," Li Feng changed the subject.

"Let it flow away," Old Man You said calmly. "Money is something you can't take with you when you die. What they're taking away is the immediate wealth they can carry. What's truly valuable is this land, the people here, and the future. They can't take those things with them. Once they're gone, their roots are severed forever. Using a little wealth to exchange for a clean and united family is, in my opinion, worthwhile."

He spoke casually, but Li Feng could hear the resolve in his voice. This old man had made up his mind. He was trading the temporary loss of family wealth and the dispersal of family members for absolute political security and future development opportunities. He had calculated this perfectly clearly.

"They accept anyone over there, offering money and identity documents," Li Feng chuckled.

"Let them be." Old Man You smiled, but his smile was a little cold. "They've picked up a sesame seed but lost a watermelon. They'll regret it later. Besides, even if they leave, the houses, land, and many tangible assets will still be here. The vacated spaces and the cleared market are just what they need."

With that said, the meaning was clear. Li Feng didn't ask any more questions and focused on his meal.

A few days later, the number of people leaving the incense shop peaked and then began to decline slowly. Almost everyone who was going to leave had left. At the docks and airports, scenes of farewell unfolded: some wept bitterly, some turned away without looking back, and some looked forward to a new life.

One of Yu's distant nephews was among the later ones to leave. He sold two of his profitable factories, cashed out a large sum of money, and prepared to move to Canada with his wife, children, and a few trusted subordinates. Before leaving, for reasons unknown, he actually went to say goodbye to Old Man Yu.

It was in the study of the You family's old house. The nephew spoke in a grand and righteous tone, talking about wanting to see the world, the children's educational environment, and seeking more freedom for development. Old Man You listened quietly the whole time, twirling two glossy walnuts in his hands, his face expressionless.

After his nephew finished speaking, the old man slowly opened his mouth and asked only one question: "Have you thought it through? Once you go out, you can't come back. No matter how good Hong Kong is, no matter how big China is, it will have nothing to do with you anymore."

The nephew's expression changed, but he forced himself to say, "Uncle, I'm only thinking about future generations."

The old man nodded, no longer looking at him, and waved his hand: "Then go. Make sure all the formalities are completed, don't leave any loose ends. In the future, whether you do well or not, don't mention to anyone that your surname is You. The You family has no one like you."

His nephew's face flushed red and then paled, before he finally gave a hesitant bow and left. I heard that he later suffered investment failures in Canada, fell into poverty, and tried several times to contact his hometown through connections, but all his efforts were in vain. Of course, that's another story.

As the last few fully loaded ships and planes departed, a strange sense of emptiness suddenly filled the streets of Hong Kong. It wasn't that there were actually fewer people, but rather a shift in the atmosphere. The noisy, confrontational, and unsettling sounds diminished significantly with the departure of their owners.

The topics of conversation in tea restaurants gradually shifted from who went to whom to talk about everyday life, the stock market, the real estate market, and children's grades. A more down-to-earth atmosphere, focused on living life to the fullest, began to permeate the streets and alleys.

Old Man You called Li Feng, his tone much more relaxed: "It's quiet at home now. Those left are people I can eat with and people I can rely on."

Li Feng knew that he had basically passed the test with the You family.

Those core members who remained, having gone through this self-separation, either truly agreed with the old man's choice or had no other choice but to stick together. In any case, their cohesion was stronger than in the past when they appeared to be harmonious on the surface but harbored their own ulterior motives.

The U.S. family's completely clear and stable stance acted like a ballast, influencing a large number of previously hesitant business groups and traditional families in Hong Kong. If even the U.S. family was determined to stay and follow the country, what reason did others have to hesitate?

The storm had not completely subsided, but the ship's course was now firmly in the hands of a more determined helmsman. The driftwood carried away by the wind would soon be forgotten beneath the distant horizon.

Meanwhile, the people on shore have already begun planning a new dock, preparing to welcome the next ship.

But there are still restless people in the sea.