The Xu Family's Business Layout (Part 2)

Dongxi Village.

Xu Family estate.

"Third Brother."

The Patriarch of the Xu Family tapped his knuckles against the table, faint bloodshot threads visible in his reddened eyes. "Xu Mao is your own flesh and blood. To save him, our Xu Family has already emptied its coffers and untied its seals."

His brows drew together as though frost and snow had congealed upon them, and his tightly pressed lips revealed the exhaustion of a sleepless night.

Then he suddenly raised his eyes. His gaze was as deep and cold as the Cold Pond as he said evenly, "Once he is out of prison in a few days, if he causes trouble again, our Xu Family will be powerless to help. You understand the gravity of this, don't you?"

Third Master Xu's throat bobbed. His fingers clenched so hard within his sleeves that their joints turned white. Only after a long while did he nod heavily, his black sleeve falling like an ink-dark waterfall. "Rest assured, Big Brother."

"As for the Xu Family."

The Patriarch of the Xu Family's silver beard trembled with his sigh. A haze of melancholy clouded his eyes, and after a long silence, he sighed as he rubbed his knee. "From now on, whenever our Xu Family encounters any Xu Family Member, we are to treat them with every courtesy and must not provoke them."

Neither Xu Zhen nor Third Master Xu objected.

The Xu Family's rise was like wildfire sweeping across the plains, like wind scattering the clouds—no longer something a family like the Xu Family could stop.

They had a genius with the Potential of a Grandmaster, and he was on good terms with the County Assistant.

Even the Families of the county town would treat them with courtesy.

"That Xu Chuan," the Patriarch of the Xu Family sighed as he stroked his silver beard, with both contempt and admiration in his voice. "Back then, he merely scraped together a mouthful of food in our residence. Before others, he kept his eyes lowered and his manner submissive, back bent and waist bowed, just like an ant beneath the steps.

"Yet now he has come upon such Good Fortune. The ways of the world truly are impossible to predict."

"Unfortunately, our Xu Family has no such great talent."

The Xu Family had begun to decline by its third generation. In the Fourth Generation, there was no one capable of bringing prosperity to the family, while quite a few troublemaking parasites had emerged to burden it.

By the fifth generation, they would likely go their separate ways over private interests and thoroughly ruin the family estate.

There were very few families in this world that could rise above the rest.

Only by inheriting the achievements of three generations and working together with one heart could they endure for a hundred years and lay the foundation of a Family.

Several days later.

After Xu Mao emerged from the County Office prison, a Xu Family carriage took him back to the estate.

"Where is everyone? Can't they see this young master has returned? Not even a cup of tea?"

"You worthless lot—I'm docking your wages."

Xu Mao shouted and raged in the main hall.

A moment later, Third Master Xu entered with two Guards.

"Father, the maidservants and servants in this household are far too negligent. I suggest we sell them off at once and replace them with a new batch."

Seeing Third Master Xu's dark expression, Xu Mao did not take it seriously at all. He even sounded somewhat reproachful. "No, I've only just returned, and you're already giving me that look."

"Don't you know it brings bad luck?"

"Bad luck? Having a son like you is the greatest bad luck of my life!"

Third Master Xu roared, "You two, hold this unfilial wretch down! Today, I'm breaking his legs, so he can't go out and pick fights again and ruin the foundation of our Xu Family!"

The Guards moved to obey.

"How dare you? Let go of me!"

"Father, you're really doing this? I'm your only son!"

Third Master Xu raised the wooden stick. Tilting his head back, he shut his eyes, struggle and reluctance written across his face.

But Xu Mao's next words made him steel his resolve.

"You old bastard, you're almost dead! If you break my legs, who'll see you off when you die?"

"Beast!"

Third Master Xu's eyes flew wide open. Without a shred of hesitation left, he swung the wooden stick down with all his strength.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Ahhh—!"

Miserable howls rang through the side courtyard.

The maidservants and Household Guards did not dare approach, but upon hearing the sounds, the pent-up resentment in their hearts suddenly eased somewhat, leaving them with a sense of grim satisfaction.

"Big Brother, I heard Xu Mao of the Xu Family had his legs broken by his own father."

"Tut, tut. How ruthless."

"But it really is immensely satisfying! Hahahaha!"

Xu Mingxuan had barely returned from the Martial Arts Hall when he heard the news. Overjoyed, he hurried to Xu Mingwei.

"Third Master Xu was quite decisive."

"But if it were our Father, I think he'd be even harsher. If he encountered unfilial descendants, he'd probably execute them outright and be done with it."

"No way. Father loves us so much."

"So Father, to keep such things from happening, he taught us earnestly, tempering kindness with sternness."

Xu Mingwei patted his shoulder. "Luckily, Father taught us brothers quite well, so you needn't worry, Tantou."

"Big Brother, you scared me half to death."

Several more days passed.

Xu Chuan called Xu Mingyuan before him to discuss the Xu family's future commercial development.

"A Yuan, tell me what you have in mind going forward."

Xu Chuan had entrusted almost all of the Xu family's business affairs to Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan pondered for a moment. "The Xu family is now well-known throughout Qingjiang County. We are Qingjiang New Rich in name and truth."

"Big Brother has the potential to become a Grandmaster, and his name has spread across Qingjiang."

"Also, Father is on good terms with County Lieutenant Yang. I've heard that even the county magistrate must show this County Lieutenant Yang some measure of respect."

"So I think we should first stabilize the fruit shop. In three months, we can open a branch, and within a year, extend our branches all the way to East Market and earn the silver of those wealthy households and rich merchants."

"A chain, huh? With the Xu family's name behind it, we would indeed see returns quickly, but it would still be somewhat wasteful."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "What do you think is the most valuable thing the Xu family has right now?"

"Our name? Our reputation?"

"Our relationship with County Lieutenant Yang!" Xu Chuan said. "But relationships have an expiration date too."

"Right now, many wealthy households and rich merchants place great importance on that relationship. They believe that befriending us could bring them benefits and let them get close to County Lieutenant Yang, so they are willing to yield profits in everything they do."

"Yet whether it is our reputation or Shitou's potential, both must be judged by the future."

"The longer time passes, the more important our reputation becomes."

"The longer time passes, the more Shitou breaks through—perhaps even reaching the Innate Realm—the more support and overtures we will receive from Qingjiang's people."

"But not now."

"Right now, our relationship with the county lieutenant is the most valuable thing we possess."

"So this coming year will be the most crucial period for the Xu family's development."

"We must let Qingjiang County's wealthy merchants and prominent families see the Xu family's potential, turning their desire to befriend us in order to approach County Lieutenant Yang into a binding of shared interests."

"Then profits will breed profits, and we will keep growing like a snowball rolling downhill."

Xu Mingyuan nodded, finding Xu Chuan's words entirely reasonable. "But Father, what exactly should we do?"

"The Foundation of the Common Folk comes down to nothing more than four words: clothing, food, shelter, and travel."

"Open a winery, a restaurant, a clothing shop, a department store, and a perfume shop."

"Use the fruit shop's profits to complete our commercial layout across Qingjiang County within a year."

Xu Chuan began handing Xu Mingyuan the liquor recipes he had researched in his spare time over the years, along with clothing designs and cooking recipes, one after another.

Holding the little booklet, Xu Mingyuan's eyes widened further and further, as if they were about to leap from their sockets.

He was dumbfounded.

It was simply heaven-defying!

"These are your father's accumulation of more than ten years. I'm handing them all to you now, so make good use of them."

Though Xu Chuan was a transmigrator, he was not omnipotent.

He only roughly knew the processes and methods of brewing liquor. As for clothing, he had to rely on his memories and adapt them to current tastes. The same went for soap, perfume, toothbrushes, and the rest—he had to experiment with them himself.

All of these were precious treasures.

Once the right opportunity arose to reveal them, they could swiftly amass a vast fortune.

In the past, Xu Chuan's status had been lowly, and he knew well that exposing them rashly would bring disaster rather than blessing. Thus, he had always kept his strength hidden and his talents concealed.

But now was the best possible time!

With County Lieutenant Yang's tiger hide to drape himself in, and Shitou's potential to become a Grandmaster—

For a short time, the many prominent families would all fear the Xu family. The Xu family could develop on a grand scale without restraint and swiftly complete its commercial layout.

In just two or three years, even if Qingjiang County's prominent families wished to move against the Xu family, they would have to weigh whether they were willing to fight to the death and shatter the net along with the fish.

"Thank you, Father. A Yuan will never disappoint you!"

Xu Mingyuan's pupils contracted sharply. It seemed as though blazing flames rose in his eyes, burning his dark pupils bright and clear.

Seeing the Xu family's potential, many of Qingjiang County's families were willing to befriend them.

Xu Chuan also paid Yang Zhao visits every few days.

Every meeting added another measure of goodwill.

At times, they would discuss matters of people's livelihood and governance, with Xu Chuan catering to Yang Zhao's interests.

Though Yang Zhao knew Xu Chuan had his own little schemes, he had also learned quite a bit from him and was therefore willing to maintain frequent contact.

When Xu Yan heard that the Xu Family Fruit Shop's business was flourishing, she had Chen Ergou go learn the secrets of its trade.

Xu Chuan only said that Xu Mingyuan was responsible for all these matters.

The older Chen Ergou grew, the more he cared about saving face. He could not bring himself to ask a nephew for guidance, so the matter had to be dropped.

The Chen Family's Fruit Shop did only mediocre business.

Fortunately, no one came looking to stir up trouble, so they could carry on in peace.

Most importantly, Xu Mingyuan had no time to spare for the Chen Family at all.

He was busy with the Xu Family's commercial expansion plans—recruiting people, choosing secret methods for brewing wine and tailoring clothes, then opening restaurants.

A month later, a new restaurant called Drunken Cloud Residence opened in West Market.

Its dishes were novel and delicious, and business was booming every day.

After that came the winery, Thousand Gold Workshop.

The name meant that the fine wine here was worth a thousand gold.

Since brewing took time, even though Xu Mingyuan had recruited many brewing masters to produce it, it did not officially open until three months later.

There were yellow wine, rice wine, white liquor, and fruit wine. Every kind had elegant names such as "Green Leaf Drunk" and "Yellow Millet Dream."

Suitable for young and old alike, for both men and women.

There were also two major categories, high-end and affordable, covering customers from wealthy merchants and prominent families to the common folk.

When Thousand Gold Workshop's wine appeared in Drunken Cloud Residence, business boomed once more.

Before long, its restaurants could be found in both East and West Market.

Then came clothing shops and shoe shops. All manner of novel, pleasing garments and shoes began to sweep through Qingjiang County, drawing people to imitate them one after another.

Last came the Perfume Shop, named Cloud Fragrance Pavilion.

Perfume was a luxury item, sold only in East Market at exorbitant prices.

Its many scents suited the preferences of most women and were deeply beloved by the wives of wealthy households and great merchants.

Besides that, Xu Mingyuan continually had people develop even more varieties.

He knew that only innovation was the Xu Family's core competitive edge.

Naturally, during this time, some people blinded by profit came looking for trouble. But Xu Mingyuan found ways to resolve them one by one. If something could not be resolved, he would seek out County Lieutenant Yang.

For Xu Chuan's sake, so long as nothing broke the law, County Lieutenant Yang would also open wide the door of convenience.

Spring passed into autumn.

In the blink of an eye, three years slipped by like a white colt flashing past a crack.

The Xu Family's fruit and vegetable trade had long occupied thirty to forty percent of the business in West Market, and East Market had begun to see fruit and vegetable markets as well.

Market stalls were in greater demand than supply, and rents rose again and again.

They had also signed contracts with many restaurants and inns to supply fresh fruit every day.

Businesses such as Drunken Cloud Residence, Thousand Gold Workshop, Heavenly Clothes Pavilion, and Cloud Fragrance Pavilion were also bringing in gold by the day.

Both East and West Market had branch shops.

Now, their monthly income amounted to tens of thousands of taels, and in better months, more than a hundred thousand.

Even among all the wealthy merchants and prominent families of Qingjiang County, their ability to make money ranked among the best.

As their scale grew, their manpower naturally had to keep pace.

Over the past two years, the Xu Family had recruited many people.

The assistants and shopkeepers employed by their businesses in the county seat numbered seventy or eighty in total.

There were also more than a hundred long-term laborers, household guards, and maidservants taken in at Dongxi Village.

They had recruited over a hundred guards as well, most of them sturdy young martial artists with martial training.

Some watched over the various businesses in the county seat to prevent troublemakers from causing disruptions; others guarded the family residence and patrolled the fields and forests.

For convenience, the Xu Family had also bought a residence in East Market of Qingjiang County.

Sometimes, when they visited the Yang Family and the city gates had closed too late at night for them to leave, they would rest there.

Qingyun Street.

The road here was paved with green stone and broad enough for easy passage.

Yang Manor stood on this street.

A young man nearly two meters tall, alongside a young girl seated atop the back of a Crimson Gold-Eyed White Tiger, swaggered up to the entrance of Yang Manor.

The guards at the gate hurriedly cupped their hands and said with smiles, "So it is Miss Mingshu and Eldest Young Master Xu. Please, come in."

The moment their eyes met those of the white tiger, which stood more than half a person tall, they felt as though needles were pricking their backs, sending a chill down their spines.

"I told you not to bring her. See? You scared them."

Xu Mingwei laughed despite himself and tapped Xu Mingshu on the head.

"Little White said it was too stifling staying at home, so I brought him out for some fresh air. Isn't that right, Little White?"

As though it understood, the White Tiger let out a cooperative roar, frightening the Yang Manor Guards into retreating several steps.

"I truly am curious—such a ferocious mutant beast. Xiao Xueji, just how did you make it so obedient?"

"Hehe, that's talent. Big Brother, you can't learn it."

"Little White and I are two hearts beating as one."

Hearing the tiger's roar, Yang Dalang came over. "So it really is you, Xiao Xueji. Could it be you brought your Little White to get revenge on me?"

"Hmph, I'm not as petty as you are, Brother Shichang. This time, I came with Big Brother to bring some Green Jade Pears for Godfather and Godmother to try, and to visit Sister Ronghua while we were at it."

Yang Dalang laughed heartily, understanding at once. He teased, "Brother Xu, I've been waiting for your family to come propose marriage until my eyes have nearly worn through."

Xu Mingwei shook his head speechlessly. "Brother Yang, it isn't that I'm unwilling. It's that Father told me not to consider starting a family until I become an Innate Martial Artist."

"Innate? Uncle Xu is truly ruthless. He's far too strict with you."

"You're not even nineteen yet. My father was nearly thirty when he became Innate."

"Hmph, how could you possibly guess what Father is thinking?" Xu Mingshu retorted first, then smiled. "Still, I also agree that Big Brother should marry Sister Ronghua and bring her home sooner. Then she can chat with me often."

"You little girl!"

"Your brother getting married is just so you can have a sister-in-law to chat with?"

The two men did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Yang Shichang began examining the White Tiger. After circling it once, he clicked his tongue in admiration. "You're quite something too, girl, to actually tame a mutant beast like this."

Xu Mingshu said smugly, "Father said Little White hasn't fully grown yet. Once he reaches adulthood, even a Houtian Peak Martial Artist might not be able to defeat him.

"If you provoke me again then, I'll have Little White whip your butt."

The White Tiger cooperatively swayed its thick, long black-and-white striped tail, like a long whip.

If it struck solidly, even a First-class Martial Artist would probably cough up blood.

Yang Shichang looked at Xu Mingwei. "Your sister is this fierce. I'm afraid no one will dare marry her in the future."

"None of your business." Xu Mingshu bared her teeth at Yang Shichang and pulled a face.

Little White remained in the front courtyard and was not brought into the rear courtyard.

It simply lay there quietly, dozing, and no fool dared provoke it.

The Yang family's inner residence.

"Sister Ronghua, I've come to see you."

Xu Mingshu swaggered into Yang Ronghua's bedchamber.

Yang Ronghua had been doing needlework. Upon hearing her voice, she immediately set down her needle and thread and rose to greet her.

Her face was like a newly blossomed lotus bearing dew, her brows like distant mountains brushed with dark pigment; her eyes were like autumn waters cut by scissors, and a touch of vermilion rested between her lips.

A butterfly-shaped floral adornment was painted between her brows. Her raven hair was arranged in a startled-swan coiffure, with a kingfisher-blue silver hair ornament set at an angle. The Bright Moon Ear-Pendants at her earlobes swayed gently with every step.

She wore a cloud-patterned, jade-green gauze cross-collared ru, its edges embroidered with Silver Threads in winding vine motifs. The cuffs narrowed into pipa shapes, and when she lifted her hand, they resembled emerald waves piling upon one another.

Below, she wore a mugwort-green pleated skirt in alternating hues. As she walked, a madder-red waistband showed beneath it, while twelve jade ring pendants hung from the hem, chiming as she moved.

"Sister Xueji, how do you have time to come today? Didn't Uncle Xu force you to practice Martial Arts?"

"Martial arts practice also requires knowing when to tighten and when to loosen."

Seeing Yang Ronghua's gaze repeatedly dart toward the entrance, Xu Mingshu covered her mouth and laughed. "Sister Ronghua, what are you looking at?"

"My big brother went to speak with Godmother."

"I wasn't asking about him." A blush instantly spread across Yang Ronghua's flawless cheeks.

Xu Mingshu giggled. "Sister Ronghua, why don't you ask Godfather and Godmother to have him speak to my father? Tell him not to be so strict with Big Brother, and have him marry you and bring you home sooner."

"Sister Xueji, you're making fun of me. Just see if I don't tickle you."

The two sisters laughed and tussled, their beauty blooming like flowers swaying in the wind—a charming sight indeed.

Meanwhile.

"Aunt Yang, these are Green Jade Pears and seasonal fruits that Father brought for you all to try."

"Brother Xu is very thoughtful. I'll thank him on behalf of my husband," Madam Yang said gently.

Xu Mingwei then took an invitation from his robes and handed it over. "In half a month, the Xu Clan's grand residence will officially be completed. We plan to Establish Clan, Open Ancestral Hall, and pay respects to our ancestors. I respectfully ask Uncle Yang and Aunt Yang to be sure to attend and witness the ceremony."

"Certainly. Once my husband returns, I will inform him."

"Then this junior will take his leave and not disturb you further," Xu Mingwei said respectfully.

"Mother, Xiao Xueji is with Younger Sister. I'll take Mingwei over there," Yang Shichang said with a smile.

Madam Yang smiled softly and nodded. "Go on, you young people can chat among yourselves."