The Tang Family Ancestral Hall!
This place was rarely used, and usually, the Tang family members would only convene here for important family matters.
It was already late at night, and everyone had gathered in the ancestral hall.
At the front of the hall hung a genealogy of the Tang clan, with the ancestral shrine at the very top.
At this moment, Old Master Tang, with trembling hands, offered incense to the ancestors.
Afterward, he turned to face everyone.
"Our Tang family was once a scholarly lineage. Twenty years ago, we moved to Yangzhou and began our ventures into commerce. Although we have developed over the years, our progress has been extremely limited."
Twenty years ago, the Tang family was a small family in the capital, scholarly but not particularly wealthy or influential.
Later, due to various reasons, they relocated to Yangzhou to develop and engage in business.
However, it was by no means easy for a small family to achieve full development. Until a few days ago, the Tang family could only be considered a second-rate family, and even then, on the lower end.
Nevertheless, in the past year, the Tang family had experienced rapid development. Both in Hai Tian Pharmaceuticals and in real estate, significant progress had been made.
Not to mention the deep cooperation with the Fu family a few days ago, the Tang family had now gained considerable reputation among second-rate families.
Of course, they were still far from the top tier of great families.
Not only were their financial resources and development insufficient in all aspects, but their foundations were also a significant weakness.
But now, it was different. Tang Xinwan was elected as the president of the Yangzhou Commerce Association today. This honor was undoubtedly an opportunity for the Tang family to rise!
"Xinwan is a member of our Tang family. With her becoming the president of the Commerce Association, all aspects of our Tang family's industries will surely experience tremendous growth."
After Old Master Tang finished speaking, everyone below nodded in agreement.
The position of Commerce Association president was not just a title; it was a symbol of power and a privilege.
For instance, when merchants sought cooperation, they would naturally prefer to collaborate with the president. This way, with the Tang family's numerous industries, these ventures could quickly prosper.
The Tang family members in the ancestral hall were almost all closely related to the Tang family's industries. Now that Tang Xinwan had become president, many were overjoyed.
Perhaps this was what they meant by "one person's success benefits all."
"I told you Xinwan was an outstanding child, didn't I? To manage Hai Tian Pharmaceuticals so well at such a young age."
"Indeed. In all of Yangzhou, or even the entire Jiangnan Province, which young person can compare to our Xinwan?"
"This presidency is well-deserved!"
"She has truly brought glory to our Tang family. I wonder who will dare to look down on us Tang family members from now on!"
At this moment, these Tang family members wore smiles, their brows filled with pride, and their gazes toward Tang Xinwan held more affection.
Tang Xinwan felt as if she were in a dream. For the first time, she felt so welcomed within the family.
Before, no matter how well she performed, there were always those who objected, those who minded that she was a woman and felt she should hand over Hai Tian Pharmaceuticals.
But now, everything had changed!
As she was somewhat dazed, she felt a warmth in her palm and looked up to see Ye Cangtian holding her slightly sweaty hand.
"Shouldn't you say something?" Ye Cangtian asked with a low smile.
Tang Xinwan nodded, took a deep breath, and addressed everyone, "Everyone, please rest assured. I will do my best as the president of the Commerce Association and ensure that the Tang family's industries become even stronger."
At this point, Old Master Tang coughed lightly and smiled, "You have done very well over the years, and everyone has seen it. We all believe in you for this presidency."
"I have convened everyone today for two matters! The first is the joyous occasion of Xinwan becoming the president of the Commerce Association."
"The second matter is that I am old, and I have long since ceased to participate in family affairs. So, while everyone is here, I would like to bring up the matter of the new family head!"
Old Master Tang wants to step down as family head?
Everyone present was shocked. Even Tang Yongchang stood up and exclaimed in surprise, "Dad, why are you suddenly abdicating? Everything is going well in the family right now. Even if you don't manage anything, we can still do a good job."
In recent years, the old master had not been involved in family affairs. Therefore, Tang Yongchang had been handling the major and minor matters of the family, with other Tang family members sharing the responsibility for various industries.
This was how things had always been!
Old Master Tang shook his head and chuckled, "Eventually, there will be a new family head. I don't have many years left to live, so I want to settle this matter now."
No one spoke, but what the old master said was not unreasonable.
The Tang family was still under the old master's authority, and all major decisions ultimately had to be approved by him. However, the old master was old and it was normal for him not to want to manage family affairs.
"As for the new family head of our Tang family, I already have a candidate in mind!"
After Old Master Tang finished speaking, he looked at everyone, then at Tang Yongchang, and finally at Tang Xinwan and Ye Cangtian.
Finally, he continued, "I intend to have Xinwan become the next family head of our Tang family. Does anyone have any objections?"
Tang Xinwan to become the next family head?
Everyone's eyes widened instantly, their faces filled with disbelief. This was an outcome they had never expected. They had assumed that the new family head would be Tang Yongchang.
After all, Tang Yongchang was the old master's only son and had been handling family matters in his stead for the two years the old master was unconscious.
"Uncle, isn't this a bit too hasty?"
"Yes, Family Head. Although Xinwan is indeed excellent, she is still young..."
"Grandpa!"
Tang Xinwan also stood up and hurriedly explained, "Grandpa, the position of family head should be given to my uncle! I am not suitable..."
Old Master Tang waved his hand to interrupt her and looked at Tang Yongchang.
"I know what you are thinking. Yongchang, do you know why I chose Xinwan to be the next family head, and not you?"
Tang Yongchang showed no displeasure on his face; on the contrary, he wore a wry smile and said, "Dad, I know. Xinwan is more suitable to be the family head than I am."
Although he had been handling family matters in recent years, Tang Yongchang was self-aware.
In these past few years, apart from the good development of Hai Tian Pharmaceuticals, most other Tang family industries had stagnated, and some had even frequently incurred losses.
Even though these industries had recently shown signs of improvement, it was due to the cooperation with the Fu family. Even the rise of the Tang family's real estate was due to luck and Ye Cangtian's influence.
Therefore, Tang Yongchang knew his own capabilities. Rather than being the head of the family, he felt more suited to being a steward!
Old Master Tang nodded, sighing, "It's good that you understand. If I were to hand over the position of family head to you, you would not be able to lead the Tang family to glory."
"Xinwan has a talent for business and is more decisive in handling matters, big and small, so it is more appropriate for her to assume the position of family head!"
The old master was very firm about Tang Xinwan becoming the next family head!
This surprised the Tang family members somewhat. Of course, what the old master said was not wrong; Tang Xinwan was indeed very outstanding.
More importantly, Tang Xinwan was now the president of the Commerce Association. If she were to become the Tang family head, it would be a good thing for the Tang family.
The only point that bothered everyone was that Tang Xinwan was a woman.
Historically, it was difficult for women to shoulder great responsibilities. Although there were instances of women taking charge of families, very few were truly successful as family heads.
Tang Xinwan wanted to say something more, but saw Old Master Tang wave his hand, "Alright, I have decided on this matter. Does anyone else have any objections?"
"I agree!" Tang Yongchang was the first to speak.
"I... I also agree." Tang Xiaowu saw that his father had said nothing, so he weakly raised his hand.
Of course, his status in the family council was too low for anyone to pay attention to him.
But seeing that Tang Yongchang had agreed, the others naturally had no objections, and they raised their hands to vote.
"I agree!"
"Agreed!"