"Thank you to all the patriarchs and friends for honoring us with your presence at the Xu Clan's ceremony to establish our clan and open the ancestral hall."
After the ancestral hall had been opened and the ancestors worshipped, Xu Chuan smiled at the crowd. "The Xu Family has prepared a modest banquet. Please, everyone, be sure to drink a few cups."
"Haha, Patriarch Xu is too polite."
Before his words had even faded, someone nearby chimed in, "These days, who in all Qingjiang does not know that the Xu Clan's Thousand Gold Workshop wine is famous throughout the region?"
Thousand Gold Workshop brewed yellow wine, rice wine, white liquor, and fruit wine, as well as fruit drinks suitable for men, women, young, and old alike.
It enjoyed a sterling reputation and widespread praise.
"Haha, drink as much as you please! Today, we shall not go home until we are drunk!"
"Esteemed patriarchs, this way, please."
Guards began leading the guests toward the banquet grounds.
"Father, I'm going to check on Little White," Xu Mingshu said.
"I'll go too," Xu Mingxian added.
Xu Chuan waved a hand. "Go on. Keep an eye on them. If they cause trouble today, don't blame me for starving it for ten days or half a month."
"I'll have the servants bring you some food."
"Thank you, Father."
"As for you three, go entertain the guests with wine. You must look after the patriarchs of the various Families, the wealthy merchants and prominent households, as well as the villagers from Dongxi Village."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Chuan sat at the main table, accompanying Yang Zhao and the few most powerful patriarchs among the Families.
At the neighboring table sat Bai Jing and the other women.
"My lords and fellow patriarchs, I raise a cup to you. Thank you for lending us your support today and adding luster to my humble abode."
Magistrate Wu also raised his cup and said with a smile, "Patriarch Xu is truly too courteous."
"For Qingjiang County to gain another Great Clan is a major matter. As the officials who serve as the parents of the people, naturally we had to attend and bear witness. Otherwise, would we not be letting down the words 'parents of the people'?"
"Magistrate Wu speaks reasonably. We Families should indeed bear witness as well."
"Drink!"
Everyone drained their cups in one gulp.
"Patriarch Xu, your Xu Family has amassed such a formidable fortune in barely more than a decade. Your future is without limit. Perhaps one day, the Xu Family will have to lend us a hand."
"Patriarch Wang flatters us. How could the Xu Family compare to the Wang Family? Even riding a horse at full gallop, we could not catch up."
"Hahaha, Patriarch Xu is truly modest."
Patriarch Wang was greatly pleased by the flattery, his face glowing red with health.
"Today, I actually have another joyous matter to share with everyone." Xu Chuan glanced at Yang Zhao and said evenly, "On the second day of the second month next year, my eldest son, Xu Mingwei, will marry the daughter of County Lieutenant Yang."
Magistrate Wu, Captain Fang, and the various patriarchs all looked at Xu Chuan in surprise before turning their gazes to Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao smiled faintly and waved a hand. "Patriarch Xu, this is no great matter. There is no need to make such a solemn announcement. The Three Letters and Six Betrothals have long been completed. Could it be that you fear I will refuse to marry my daughter to your son?"
With those words from Yang Zhao, the matter was settled with a single hammer blow.
Magistrate Wu pointed at Yang Zhao, shaking his head with a laugh. "Younger brother Yang, that is hardly fair. You were choosing a husband for your daughter, yet you did not even tell me."
"You let Patriarch Xu's son take the prize for nothing."
"My mistake. I shall punish myself with three cups."
Yang Zhao drank three cups in succession, then said, "There was no helping it. My daughter likes him, and she is my only daughter. How could I not listen to her?"
"Ah, true enough. Xu Mingwei is publicly acknowledged throughout Qingjiang County to possess the bearing of a Grandmaster. What outstanding young man could compare to him?"
The He Family Patriarch turned to Xu Chuan with a beaming smile. "Patriarch Xu, worthy nephew Mingwei should have reached the Houtian Peak by now, shouldn't he?"
Many people were curious about this question and could not help pricking up their ears.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "I have had no time to supervise him, and it has been a long while since I tested his progress in the Martial Dao. I do not know what realm he has reached. Perhaps he is still a little short."
"Even if he is a little short, there cannot be many Acupoints remaining. Once all the Acupoints of the heavenly circuit are opened and Internal Force flows endlessly through his body, he will have reached the Houtian Peak."
"Haha, then I shall borrow Patriarch Zhou's auspicious words. I hope he can reach the Houtian Peak before the end of the year."
It was not only Xu Chuan's table that was lively; Bai Jing's table was no less so.
However, they were discussing which families had sons and daughters of suitable age for marriage.
Because of the Xu Family Five Sons' reputation, the other madams were most concerned about their marriages.
Bai Jing was no fool. She only said that Xu Mingwei had already formed a marriage alliance with County Lieutenant Yang's daughter and would marry her into the family in a few months. As for the others, she used their young age as the reason to say they could wait a few more years.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the magistrate, the Families, and the wealthy merchants and prominent households departed one after another.
Accompanied by Zhou Ming, Bai Jing counted the congratulatory gifts one by one.
"Madam, the gifts have all been counted. Their estimated value is more than eighty thousand taels."
Bai Jing nodded calmly.
She knew her family's wealth and foundation well. She had long ceased to be startled by such a small sum.
"Steward Zhou, put everything into the storeroom."
"Yes, Madam."
Zhou Ming, Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the other old companions who had followed them since their humble days now all held considerable status in the Xu Family.
They were either stewards or commanders of the guards.
As the Xu Family's business flourished day by day, the families associated with them also prospered, like chickens and dogs ascending to heaven.
Other than Li Er, the rest were no worse off than they had been before fleeing disaster.
Over the past three years, their families had also welcomed more children and gained more members.
Xu Family main hall.
Chen Ergou's and Chen Daming's families sat in the hall, chatting idly with Xu Chuan.
"I knew Brother Chuan was the most capable. In such a short time, you brought the Xu Family into the ranks of the Families. The Xu Family could not accomplish that even after decades."
Chen Ergou praised him with a smile. After taking a sip of tea, his eyes lit up. "This tea is excellent."
"Is that so? Then take some back with you when you leave."
"No need. Otherwise, I'll feel like I came here to mooch off you."
Uncle Chen shot him a glance and said irritably, "So you know that, do you?"
"Alright, you have had your tea and finished your chat. Go back wherever you came from. If you wait any longer and the city gates close, you will not be able to return."
Chen Daming sat as if on pins and needles and immediately rose to take leave.
Although his wife had urged him to build ties with them, Xu Chuan's family were all shrewd people. How could they fail to see through their intentions?
Their relationship had not been much to begin with. Now that they wanted to latch on, they did not even have the stickiness for it.
They had originally hoped Chen Ergou would speak up.
But he was no fool either.
Now that their father had opened his mouth to send them away, they had even less face to remain.
"Brother Chuan, then we'll head off first. We'll come back in a few days to chat with you some more."
Xu Chuan escorted Chen Ergou and the others to the gate. Watching their carriage disappear into the distance, he then turned to Uncle Chen beside him. "Uncle Chen, why go to such lengths? The Xu Family has plenty of guest rooms now."
"Yes, Sanshu, your family is no longer what it once was. But a person must know his own place."
Xu Chuan cupped his hands. "Thank you for serving as chief officiant today, Uncle Chen."
"To witness your family's rise is my honor. If your parents have spirits beneath the earth, they will surely be proud of you."
Xu Chuan gazed at the distant green mountains, their edges dyed gold by the sunset clouds, and said evenly, "Among the nine ranks of Great Wei Families, the Xu Family does not yet truly count as one of them."
"Everything has only just begun!"
A gleam suddenly flared in Uncle Chen's clouded eyes as he looked at Xu Chuan. "A universe in your chest, brocade hidden in your belly."
"You are a fine one!"
"It is a pity that your Uncle Chen will not live to see that day."
"Cough, cough, cough—"
As he spoke, Uncle Chen began coughing uncontrollably.
After Uncle Chen's wife passed away last winter, his health had deteriorated with each passing day.
Xu Chuan quickly supported him. "Let me take you home."
"Very well."
Uncle Chen glanced at him, and the two headed toward his home.
"Sanshu, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Tell me, Uncle Chen."
"Take the Chen Family in as a vassal."
Xu Chuan remained silent. After walking several steps, he said, "Once your Xu Family grows stronger, you will surely need some vassal families to manage certain parts of the family business."
"I ask that, for the sake of this old face of mine, you give my two sons a chance."
After considering it for a moment, Xu Chuan said calmly, "Alright. Uncle Chen, persuade them yourself. If they are willing, I will accept them and treat them no differently from the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Lee, and Zhou families."
"The Xu Family will never mistreat those who are loyal, but neither will we be soft-hearted toward those who play tricks and cut corners."
"I hope you make it clear to them."
Uncle Chen nodded slightly.
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