Several Neighboring Families

The operation to hunt the Demon Fox had been ongoing for more than half a month. The Demon Hunters in the northern region of Langya Prefecture had friction with the Demon Beast Hunters from the north, and eventually, both sides were so focused on each other that they lost interest in continuing the search for the Demon Fox.

After several skirmishes in secret, they each recalled their troops and returned to camp.

The Demon Hunters received new missions and departed after packing up. The Demon Beast Hunters didn't linger either, as they weren't citizens of the Great Jin Dynasty and would be in trouble if the authorities decided to deal with them.

So, they quickly headed north.

Spirit Planter Master Old Luo had brought his family along. Subsequently, merchant caravans from the Zhao Clan would arrive, and they would bring the families of Zhao Dun, Zhao Chuan, Old Lu, and other guards.

In fact, this extra caravan was organized specifically to bring them here.

Some goods would be sold nearby at that time.

Zhao Siqi received a letter from her mother detailing these matters, so they could prepare in advance.

Ming Shu and Zhao Siqi rallied Old Zhao and a few others, and after a discussion, they decided to enlist the help of several nearby small families to see if they could acquire these goods.

Each family had its own livelihood. Some had established sales channels and suppliers, while others had to send out their own merchant caravans to trade.

Large clans like the Zhao Clan had their own businesses, shops, and caravans in various regions.

Besides selling goods, collecting and relaying information from different regions was also a very important objective.

Ming Shu, being new to the area, took this opportunity to visit four neighboring families to the south with Old Zhao and a few small gifts.

These were families that had been rooted in the area for many years: the Liu Family of Liuwei, the Liu Family of Liukeng, the Meng Family of Dongguan, and the Huang Family of Huangzhuang.

Their scale was not large; each occupied a town, though "town" was a generous term. The actual population and scale of the market were more akin to a larger village.

The reason, of course, was the rampant piracy.

This had led to a significant outflow of people, a shortage of labor, and consequently, no room for development in production scale.

The Liu Family of Liuwei also had a salt field, where they produced salt by sun-drying seawater, which became an important source of income for them.

However, the remaining salt field was surrounded by defensive arrow towers and high walls.

The tense external posture was evident, but Ming Shu observed closely and found no signs of attack on these facilities.

It could be said that they were merely put on display for show. In private, they likely had dealings with the pirates, and even helped them sell smuggled sea salt.

The protection fees were paid in full.

Unfortunately, it would soon be Evil Dragon Island collecting rent.

As the new master of Baishi Village nearby, Ming Shu's first visit was met with courtesy by the Liu Family, who welcomed them in.

Ming Shu was direct, stating his purpose.

At the same time, he demonstrated his strong backing, implying he could even bring in the Zhao Clan's merchant caravans.

However, Baishi Village currently lacked sufficient space. Ming Shu inquired with the head of the Liu Family, who suggested going to the neighboring Huangzhuang. The Huang Family had a monthly market outside their village, set up at the town market. They also had many shops there. The Liu Family had opened one there. Everyone could buy and sell anything.

Ming Shu, pressed for time, didn't stay for dinner and hurried to visit the next family.

The head of the Huang Family in Huangzhuang readily agreed to lend the space to the Zhao Clan's merchant caravan. Generally, they were willing to provide space free of charge to passing merchant caravans willing to stay and trade.

They were also willing to trade their own family's goods.

The two sides engaged in friendly and in-depth exchanges. Ming Shu discovered that the small families in the vicinity all practiced Daoist Sect cultivation methods and also followed the tradition of farming and studying. The younger generation would first study under the Academy system, and only those who failed the imperial examinations would return home to practice the Daoist Sect system.

In reality, the two were very similar. The Academy system required obtaining a degree for each advancement, while the Daoist Sect only required a formal ordination at higher levels; it was not needed at lower levels.

Of course, authentic Daoist Sect disciples who practiced with formal ordinations from the beginning would progress much faster.

After the location in Huangzhuang was settled, Ming Shu took his leave and hurried to Liukeng and Dongguan.

The Liu Family primarily focused on Daoist Sect cultivation, while the Meng Family predominantly followed the Academy system.

Although the relationships between these families appeared harmonious, there were deep-seated conflicts among them.

They had engaged in numerous feuds in the past, but in recent years, the threat of pirates had become greater, leaving them with no inclination to fight over roads, water sources, or prey.

The Meng Family in Dongguan had the most rigorous defenses, and their outer walls bore the most battle scars. They had genuinely fought against pirates.

All four families had a family rule prohibiting intermarriage.

This was because, years ago, during their feuds, lives had been lost at each other's hands. This constituted a blood feud.

More than ten years ago, if they met, they would fight first. They would have several fights each year over shared stream water sources.

Even the county yamen couldn't control them.

Ming Shu and Old Zhao made their rounds, sorting out the general relationships. They found it acceptable; maintaining the current situation was quite beneficial to them.

As long as these families didn't unite against him, suppress, or blockade him, they would have room and time to develop.

After presenting gifts, explaining his intentions, and making a general acquaintance, Ming Shu arranged the time and place for the merchant caravan's trade and then returned to Baishi Village under the cover of night.

Hidden inside his robe was a fluffy little white creature. This was his biggest trump card at the moment.

Using the Fate Book, he could break its seals. Breaking one seal would restore its first-tier combat power, essentially giving him a powerful bodyguard.

Unfortunately, after breaking each seal, he had to wait seven days.

Therefore, Ming Shu was observing and testing it, seeing if it still harbored hostility towards him. Once their discontent subsided, he could consider removing the first layer of the seal.

At the very least, he could remove the second layer at a critical moment in the future, restoring its second-tier combat power.

As long as he could still control it with his own strength, he wouldn't have to fear it rebelling.

He believed the Fate Book's status was high enough and its abilities strong enough.

Old Zhao and Xiao Shiyi tallied the numbers. Including the population in the valley and the family members who would soon arrive, the total population of Baishi Village was estimated to be between three to four hundred people.

The daily needs of so many people—eating, drinking, defecating, and sleeping—were no small issue. The planning and construction of the small town would need further adjustments.

The external defense forces and facilities had to be established first.

Only then could they think about developing their own industries.

With Little Zhao in charge and Xiao Shiyi assisting, they would establish a private school in the small town, enrolling all the children and providing them with unified basic education.

Education was essential and must be pursued at all costs.

After the Zhao Clan's merchant caravan passed this time, the incorporation of the northern valley should also be put on the agenda.

Zhao Siqi, who finally had some free time, chose to go into seclusion first. Strength was the true foundation.

Ren Yuan was also in seclusion to improve his realm, but Martial Artists relied more on their techniques. Therefore, he was taken care of by the three Old Zhaos in turns for a few days.

Without using the power of the Demonic Spirit, Ren Yuan's combat power was only at the peak of the third tier of Martial Artists. Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan could still barely handle him.

The two old fellows had far more experience and foresight than Ren Yuan. Ren Yuan's mind couldn't outmaneuver theirs.

Not to mention Old Zhao's fifth-tier Martial Artist strength. He beat Ren Yuan so badly that he was completely disoriented.

The internal personnel also needed adjustments. Old Zhao remained the head steward, and Zhao Dun was still in charge of the guard patrol team. Zhao Chuan began training a few scouts to gather intelligence and conduct other tasks in the surrounding areas.

Xiao Shiyi had passed his probationary period and was officially hired. Besides assisting Old Zhao with managing the accounts, he would also help Little Zhao with teaching.

For the accounting review work, Zhao Siqi would bring Lü E to do it, starting to train her from scratch.