Opening Day

The next day.

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing and the siblings Xu Mingwei and the others by carriage to West Market in Qingjiang County Town.

They first settled into the residence in West Market.

"Father, is this the residence second brother bought?"

"It's even bigger than our home."

Xu Chuan looked around. It was his first time here as well, so he observed the place for a while longer.

"It barely has enough room for the family. But if Shitou and A Yuan get married and have children, it won't be enough."

"Yes." Bai Jing smiled in agreement. "Shitou will be sixteen soon. In a few years, it will be time to choose a family for him to marry into."

She turned to Xu Chuan. "Husband, do you have anyone in mind?"

"What does my preference matter? What matters most is whether our Shitou likes her."

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing's hand and rubbed it a few times. "Wife, go see whether there is a room you like. You can come stay here often in the future."

"There's no need."

Bai Jing shook her head. "Wherever Husband is, this concubine will be."

Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu were bursting with curiosity, running all over the residence, while Little White Tiger frolicked at their sides.

"A Yuan, take your mother and the others to the Fruit Shop later. Your father has somewhere to go. You needn't wait for me; I'll head there directly."

"Understood, Father."

After Xu Chuan left, he headed toward the County Office.

"Who are you? What are you doing at the County Office?"

The yamen runner at the entrance stopped Xu Chuan and questioned him in a routine manner.

"My name is Xu Chuan, from Dongxi Village. I have come to visit County Lieutenant Yang."

"You know County Lieutenant Yang?"

"Yamen runner, you'll know once you report it."

The middle-aged yamen runner pondered for a moment before saying, "Then come in with me. If you are lying, you'll suffer for it."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and answered yes.

He followed the man into the County Office and arrived outside the study where the County Assistant worked.

The yamen runner stepped forward and knocked on the door. "County Assistant, someone named Xu Chuan is here to see you."

"Xu Chuan? Where is he from?"

"Dongxi Village."

"Let him in."

"Mr. Xu, County Assistant Yang asks that you go in."

Knowing that Xu Chuan was acquainted with County Lieutenant Yang, the yamen runner immediately put on a smiling face, then tactfully departed.

"Xu, it has been a long time."

"Have a seat. Let's talk."

Yang Zhao smiled slightly and made an inviting gesture.

The reason he had risen from registrar to county assistant in just a few years was largely thanks to the policies Xu Chuan had proposed for pacifying and governing the people.

He had assumed that Xu Chuan would soon come asking for his help, or invoke the Yang Family name to take the Xu Family to greater heights.

Who would have thought he would wait more than five years?

The Xu Family had gained wealth vast enough to topple mountains and overturn seas, yet they remained as they always had been—neither arrogant nor impetuous, steadily advancing.

That made him admire them all the more.

He also knew that the Xu Family was planning for a foundation that would last a hundred generations.

"County Assistant, your official duties are demanding. How could I dare disturb you lightly?"

"You and I are about the same age. When no one else is around, you may call me Brother Yang." Yang Zhao said, "Did you come because you need Yang's help with something?"

Xu Chuan shook his head. "Brother Yang misunderstands. I have long heard of your impartiality and selflessness. I came today only to invite you to see my newly opened Fruit Shop. If you could also inscribe a few words for it, that would be even better."

"Haha, such a small matter is naturally no problem."

Yang Zhao laughed, then looked at Xu Chuan and added, "So you have finally decided to develop the Xu Family in the county town?"

"It seems you are confident you can gain a foothold here."

"You jest, Brother Yang. The great Families in the county town are as numerous as the hairs on an ox, and crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. My Xu Family is merely opening a Fruit Shop in West Market to make a living. How could we speak of gaining a foothold?"

Yang Zhao said no more. "When does it open?"

"In a little over an hour."

"Then there is no rush. Let me finish the documents at hand first, and then I'll go with you."

Xu Chuan nodded and sat calmly at the side.

Nearly an hour later.

Yang Zhao rose and cupped his hands. "I have kept brother Xu waiting. I'll change into ordinary clothes, then we can go. I hope we have not missed the auspicious hour."

"You are too courteous, Brother Yang. Your presence alone gives my Xu Family tremendous face."

Not long afterward, the two left the County Office and headed for West Market.

At this moment.

Outside the Xu Family Fruit Shop.

The crackling of firecrackers came one after another without end.

Many people had already been drawn over by the bustling atmosphere, stopping to watch.

Several wealthy households and prominent merchants, all quite well known in the county town, had also come bearing gifts.

Chang Haowen had come, but he did not show himself.

Instead, he sat by a window on the second floor of the restaurant across the street, drinking as he watched the lively scene at the Xu Family Fruit Shop.

The maid named Xiao Mei still stood at his side.

"They opened in a place like West Market. The Xu Family truly doesn't know how to pick a location."

"You can't say that. Although West Market is not as prosperous as East Market, this street is full of food stalls. After eating too much rich food, wouldn't one need something to cleanse the palate? Fruit is just right for that."

"Buy a few jin to take home, and you can enjoy it with your family."

"Ah, now that Young Master puts it that way, it really does make some sense. This Xu Family is quite good at calculating."

Chang Haowen shook his head with a laugh. Watching the scene below, he found it somewhat dull.

"Hm? Yang Zhao is here? He has connections with the Xu Family too? Could it be that the Yang Family has been supporting the Xu Family from behind the scenes?"

As a great family from the same Prefecture City, Chang Haowen naturally knew Yang Zhao.

They were of the same generation, though their ages differed considerably. He had only met Yang Zhao once as a child, when he accompanied his father and Big Brother to the Yang Family.

"The man beside Yang Zhao also looks somewhat familiar. He resembles Xu Mingyuan and his brothers. He should be an elder of the Xu Family."

The corner of his mouth lifted. Suddenly, he found things interesting.

Simply seeing Yang Zhao here had already made the trip worthwhile.

"Shitou, A Yuan, Tantou, Xue Ji, Yun Nu, come greet your Uncle Yang."

"Greetings, Uncle Yang."

The Xu Family Five Sons respectfully bowed to Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao examined them. Setting aside the young Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, the remaining three all possessed restrained radiance in their eyes and abundant vitality, making them seem extraordinary.

"I truly envy brother Xu for having such excellent descendants. Every one of them is remarkably gifted."

"Remarkable my foot. They are just a bunch of little monkeys raised in the countryside. They cannot bear such praise from you, Brother Yang."

Xu Mingshu was not shy around strangers and asked curiously, "Uncle Yang, why have I never seen you during New Year or other festivals before?"

Yang Zhao pinched her soft, tender cheek and chuckled. "Though your father and I have met only a few times, we appreciate one another and have long been friends in spirit."

"Friends in spirit? How do you become friends in spirit? Can I become one too?"

At that, Yang Zhao burst into laughter.

The others were also amused by the child's words and could not help smiling.

"This little girl is truly adorable. I almost want to take her as my Goddaughter. I wonder whether brother Xu would be willing?"

Xu Mingshu immediately smiled and bowed. "Xue Ji greets Godfather."

"Xue Ji is the only girl in our family, and everyone dotes on her greatly. It has made her a little lawless. Brother Yang, please do not mind." Xu Chuan shook his head with a laugh.

"She is completely unlike my Hua'er in temperament, but she is very endearing."

"Come, Godfather will give you a meeting gift."

Yang Zhao removed the Jade Pendant from his waist and handed it to Xu Mingshu.

"It's so beautiful. Thank you, Godfather."

"Xu, you invited me to inscribe some words. Then let us do it now." Yang Zhao said.

"Mm. Shitou, A Yuan, go bring the brush and ink."

"Yes, Father."

Just as Yang Zhao began writing, a disdainful voice suddenly rang out. "Are any stray cats and dogs allowed to inscribe words now?"

"Xu Chuan, is your family's signboard so casual? Shall I introduce you to several highly respected masters of calligraphy?"

Three deep lines instantly creased Yang Zhao's brow, and frost abruptly settled over his handsome face.

But he did not flare up on the spot. He had come only to congratulate a friend and did not wish to wield his official status.

Following the voice, four or five people pushed through the crowd and arrived before the shop.

"Second Uncle, Godfather, he is Xu Chuan. He mocked our Xu Family and harbors intentions of harming us. We cannot let them off lightly today."

"Mao, say no more. I have my own judgment."

Xu Mao's Second Uncle, Xu Zhen, had lived for so many years. His experience was naturally not shallow, and he would not be misled by a few words.

"You are the Xu Family Head, I presume. This old man is Xu Zhen."

"So it is Second Master Xu." Xu Chuan smiled and stepped forward with cupped hands. "When I was at the Xu Family in my early years, I often heard of your great reputation. Yet this is our first meeting."

Seeing the other man act so courteously, Xu Zhen was somewhat surprised.

But he also knew that many people wore smiles like tigers' faces, fond of stabbing others in the back.

Thus, he did not lower his guard.