East Market? West Market?

Xu Mingyuan arrived at the entrance of the Chen Family estate.

The household guard at the gate immediately cupped his hands when he saw him. "Second Young Master Xu, are you here to see the eldest young master or Master?"

These Household Guards all knew that the Xu Family and the Chen Family were as close as lips and teeth, with frequent dealings between them.

"I'm here to see Uncle Ergou."

"Second Young Master Xu, please follow me."

After five years of development through its partnership with the Xu Family, the Chen Family had become one of Dongxi Village's largest landowning families.

Compared with his Second-rate Martial Artist elder brother, his life was clearly far more comfortable.

His elder brother, Chen Daming, had married a wealthy merchant's daughter, but he himself was not particularly capable of earning silver and was no good at business either.

Two years ago, he had even borrowed a considerable sum from both his father and father-in-law, then pulled some strings to enter Qingjiang County's yamen as a yamen runner.

Though he could skim a little grease now and then, it was nothing remarkable.

At times, he also borrowed money from Chen Ergou.

Before his elder brother, Chen Ergou was finally no longer meek and submissive. He had straightened his back.

Of course, if Chen Daming could become a First-class Martial Artist, that would be another matter entirely.

But he was already in his forties, and his potential had long been exhausted. A Second-rate Martial Artist was already his limit.

That was why he had sought a way into Qingjiang County's yamen.

An iron rice bowl, stable at the very least.

By now, the Chen Family courtyard had long been renovated, with a new grand residence built.

It occupied half again as much land as the Xu Family estate.

They had also hired accountants, Household Guards, and Maidservants.

It truly had the air of a wealthy landowning household.

Xu Mingyuan followed them into the Chen Family estate and looked around. Uncle Ergou really knows how to enjoy life. I haven't come by in only a month or two, and there's another osmanthus tree and even a rockery.

In the front courtyard.

Daniu was practicing martial arts at home. When he saw Xu Mingyuan, he immediately stopped and came forward with a smile. "Why are you here?"

After Xu Mingyuan began practicing martial arts, Daniu also made a request to his father.

Seeing that everyone in the Xu Family practiced martial arts, Chen Ergou had sent him to a Martial Arts Hall as well.

Black Tiger Martial Arts School had some acquaintances of Chen Daming's. Daniu was Chen Daming's nephew, so he would at least receive some care.

But whether one succeeded in martial arts depended on oneself.

Fortunately, unlike Chen Ergou, Daniu had perseverance.

He rose to practice martial arts at cockcrow and did not rest until midnight.

With the family sparing no effort to nurture him, Daniu's strength had drawn close to Xu Mingyuan's. Becoming a Third-rate Martial Artist in two or three years would not be a problem, and he had hopes of becoming a Second-rate Martial Artist before thirty.

"Come, A Yuan," Daniu said. "It's rare for me to see you when I'm back. Let's have a spar."

"I won't lose to you now."

"Next time. I came to see Uncle Ergou on important business this time."

Xu Mingyuan smiled. Leaving aside that distant paternal aunt who had long fallen beyond the Five Degrees of Kinship, the father and son of that family suited his tastes quite well.

One matter was one matter, and Xu Mingyuan drew a clear line between them.

Because Xu Chuan had set them that same example.

"You're looking for my Father? Fine, but if you keep getting distracted like this, sooner or later I'll surpass you."

"Hehe, what's the point of comparing yourself with me? Father forced me into martial arts practice in the first place. If you want to compete, compete with my Big Brother. In terms of Martial Arts Talent, I'm far inferior to him."

"I'm not stupid. I'll only compete with you!"

Seeing Daniu's expression as though he were some great genius, Xu Mingyuan was rather speechless. He waved a hand. "I won't disturb your martial arts practice. We'll talk later."

Then he followed the household guard into the inner courtyard.

"A Yuan, why are you here?"

When Chen Ergou saw him, his face lit up with delight. He waved to the household guard beside him, signaling him to leave.

The household guard cupped his hands, left the inner courtyard, and returned to stand at the main gate.

"You have business, right? Come, come, come. Let's talk in the study."

Inside the study, a row of Bookshelves stood filled with books.

Seeing Xu Mingyuan looking over, Chen Ergou smiled and explained, "They're just for show. You know Uncle Ergou doesn't have much learning in his belly, so I can only put on a bit of a front."

"Lately, I've increasingly felt that Brother Chuan was absolutely right to have you all study and practice writing from childhood, never giving it up even after taking up martial arts."

"Unlike my Daniu, who has now thrown himself wholly into the Martial Dao."

"He has probably forgotten nearly everything he learned at School over the past few years."

"A Yuan, sit."

Chen Ergou invited Xu Mingyuan to sit, then asked, "Would you like some tea?"

"No, I just finished breakfast."

Xu Mingyuan smiled. "Uncle Ergou, that's not necessarily true. Daniu is quite good. His future accomplishments in the Martial Dao will surely surpass his Uncle's."

"Of course." Chen Ergou looked immensely pleased with himself. "I've spent no small amount of silver on him. Wouldn't it all have been wasted if there were no results?"

"Let's not chat idly. What did you come to see me about? Go on."

Chen Ergou poured himself a cup of tea, raised it, and took a sip.

"Uncle Ergou, you previously mentioned to my Father the matter of opening a shop in the county town, didn't you?"

"That's right. Did your Father agree?"

Xu Mingyuan nodded. "My father supports opening a shop as well. Development in Dongxi Village ultimately has its limits. The Xu Family's future focus will also be in Qingjiang County Town."

"Is that so?" Delight appeared on Chen Ergou's face. "Then let's, uncle and nephew, work out how this shop should be opened."

"There's no need, Uncle Ergou."

"What do you mean?" Chen Ergou froze slightly and looked at Xu Mingyuan in surprise.

At thirteen, the childishness on his face had gradually faded. There was some heroic bearing between his brows, along with a measure of confidence.

"Qingjiang County is unlike the countryside. It is full of high officials and nobles. If our two families remain together and something goes wrong, the efforts of both families over so many years may be dragged down with us."

"So this nephew suggests that we separate."

"You mean that each family opens its own shop and manages it independently."

Xu Mingyuan nodded.

Chen Ergou began to ponder.

After being tempered over these past years, he was no longer a fledgling just out of the nest. He had his own calculations when it came to business.

"That could work. Qingjiang County Town is the wealthiest and largest among the nearby counties. There is a huge market for fruits and vegetables. As long as our shops aren't opened too close together, they won't affect each other's business, and we can maximize our profits."

Seeing that Chen Ergou's heart had moved, Xu Mingyuan said, "Uncle Ergou, then let's settle it that way. Father has already put me fully in charge of the Xu Family fruit and vegetable shop in Qingjiang County. I still have matters to handle."

"Qingjiang County Town is a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. I need to plan carefully as well."

Xu Mingyuan took leave. As he exited the inner courtyard, Xu Yan, who had just stepped out of her room, happened to see him.

Her brows furrowed slightly. She walked to the study and said, "Was that A Yuan just now? What did he come for? Was it to discuss cooperating on the Qingjiang County fruit and vegetable shop?"

"That's right," Chen Ergou said. "But after considering many factors, I've decided that we should separate."

"Each family will open its own shop."

"We can't rely on the Xu Family's name for everything we do in the future."

"That is true, but right now—"

Xu Yan was about to say something, but Chen Ergou raised a hand to stop her. "Enough. Let's leave it at that. You and I should also work out the matter of the shop."

She sighed softly in her heart. It seems the Xu Family no longer wishes to cooperate.

So be it. This way, we won't need to hold anything back and can freely stretch our hands and feet.

"Wife, do you think our shop should be opened in the East Market or the West Market?" Chen Ergou asked. "The East Market has many officials and nobles, while the West Market has common folk."

"Naturally the East Market. The East Market is prosperous, and we'll earn more."

Xu Family.

"Father, should our family's shop open in the East Market or the West Market? The East Market, I suppose. We sold there before and already have a foundation there."

After pondering, Xu Mingyuan spoke to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "A Yuan, selling scattered goods from a stall is ultimately different from opening a shop."

"Once you open a shop, it is like putting down roots. The East Market is prosperous, and prices can be set higher, bringing greater profits. But behind that prosperity lie tangled and complicated webs of interests."

"Father leans toward the West Market?"

Xu Chuan nodded. "Today, Father will tell you what a supermarket is."

He began explaining. Xu Mingyuan was intelligent and quick-witted; he instantly understood Xu Chuan's meaning and could draw inferences from one instance to another.

"In the West Market, our Xu Family can purchase fruits and vegetables from independent fruit farmers, then sell them under the Xu Family name. The fruits and vegetables produced by the Xu Family itself can be designated as premium goods and priced much higher to distinguish them."

"Independent farmers unwilling to sell can also form cooperative arrangements with us. The Xu Family will provide the premises and collect some rent."

"With the Green Jade Pear as the Xu Family's golden-lettered signboard,

once we have a reputation, we will have crowds.

This will in turn drive sales of the fruits and vegetables purchased from ordinary fruit farmers, drawing in more independent farmers."

"It will be like rolling a snowball—the more it rolls, the bigger it grows."

After receiving this guidance, Xu Mingyuan seemed to have suddenly seen the light. His eyes grew brighter and brighter, as though he had discovered a new continent.

"Father, I'll go to Qingjiang County Town right away to discuss partnerships and choose a shop location. I won't return for the next few days."

"Go." Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Take Zhou Ming and Zhao Dalong with you. Remember, stability comes first. Better lack than excess."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mingyuan went to Bai Jing to collect several thousand taels' worth of Banknotes, then hurried toward Qingjiang County Town with his men.