Uncle Chen's Request

"Thank you, everyone, for gracing our Xu Clan's founding and ancestral hall ceremony with your presence."

After concluding the ancestral worship, Xu Chuan smiled at the crowd and said, "My Xu Family has prepared a humble feast. Please, drink heartily."

"Haha, Patriarch Xu is too kind."

As soon as he spoke, someone from the crowd chimed in, "Nowadays, everyone knows that the wine from your Xu Clan's Thousand Gold Workshop is famous throughout Qingjiang."

The Thousand Gold Workshop brewed yellow wine, rice wine, white spirits, and fruit wines, as well as fruit beverages, suitable for all ages.

It enjoyed a great reputation and received much praise.

"Haha, everyone, please drink to your heart's content. We won't go home until we're drunk today!"

"Esteemed Patriarchs, please head this way."

Guards began guiding the guests towards the banquet hall.

"Father, I'm going to see Little White," Xu Mingshu said.

"Me too," Xu Mingxian added.

Xu Chuan waved his hand, "Go ahead. Keep an eye on them. If they cause any trouble today, don't blame me for starving them for ten days to half a month."

"I'll have the servants bring you some food."

"Thank you, Father."

"As for the three of you, go and help with the wine service. You must also attend to the various aristocratic family heads, wealthy merchants, and the villagers from Dongxi Village."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Chuan sat at the main table with Yang Zhao and a few of the most influential family heads.

At the table next to them sat Bai Jing and a group of other ladies.

"Esteemed sirs, and all patriarchs, I, Xu, toast you all. Thank you for your support today, which has brought glory to my humble Xu Clan."

Magistrate Wu also raised his wine cup and said with a smile, "Patriarch Xu is truly too courteous."

"It is a significant event for Qingjiang County to have another aristocratic family. As your parents' officials, we naturally must be present to witness it, lest we betray the very meaning of 'parents' officials'."

"Magistrate Wu speaks wisely. We aristocratic families should also bear witness."

"Drink!"

Everyone drained their cups in one go.

"Patriarch Xu, your Xu Family has accumulated such a formidable foundation in just over a decade. Your future is limitless. Perhaps in the future, we will need your Xu Family's support."

"Patriarch Wang is too kind. How can my Xu Family compare to the Wang Family? We can't even catch up by flattering you."

"Hahaha, Patriarch Xu is truly humble."

Patriarch Wang felt extremely pleased and his face flushed with joy.

"Today, I, Xu, actually have a joyous occasion to share with you all." Xu Chuan glanced at Yang Zhao and said calmly, "In the second month of the second lunar month next year, my eldest son, Xu Mingwei, will marry the daughter of County Lieutenant Yang."

Magistrate Wu, Captain Fang, and the aristocratic family heads looked at Xu Chuan in surprise, then at Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao smiled faintly and waved his hand, "Patriarch Xu, this is not a major event. You don't need to be so formal. The Three Letters and Six Betrothals have already been completed. Do you think I'm afraid I won't marry my daughter to your son?"

Yang Zhao's words settled the matter.

Magistrate Wu pointed at Yang Zhao and chuckled, "My dear brother Yang, that's not very fair. If you were choosing a son-in-law for your daughter, why didn't you tell me?"

"You let Patriarch Xu's son get the advantage for nothing."

"It is my fault. I shall punish myself with three cups."

Yang Zhao drank three cups and then said, "There's no choice. My daughter likes him. I only have this one daughter, how can I not listen to her?"

"Ah, indeed. Xu Mingwei is recognized as having the potential of a Grandmaster in our Qingjiang County. Which young talent can compare?"

Patriarch He turned to Xu Chuan and said with a smile, "Patriarch Xu, young nephew Mingwei should be at Houtian Peak by now, right?"

Many people were curious about this question and couldn't help but listen attentively.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "I haven't had the time to supervise him, and I haven't tested his Martial Arts in a long time. I don't know his current realm. Perhaps he's a little short."

"Even if he's a little short, it must be only a few Acupoints away. Once all the Acupoints are open and Internal Energy flows continuously within him, he will reach Houtian Peak."

"Haha, then I'll take Patriarch Zhou's good words to heart. I hope he can reach Houtian Peak before the end of the year."

Not only was the conversation at Xu Chuan's table lively, but Bai Jing's table was also bustling.

However, they were discussing whether their families had sons or daughters of marriageable age.

Because of the reputation of the Xu Family's Five Sons, the other madams were most concerned about their marriages.

Bai Jing was not foolish. She only mentioned that Xu Mingwei was already betrothed to the daughter of County Lieutenant Yang and would marry her in a few months. As for the others, she cited their young age and suggested waiting a few more years.

After a satisfying meal, the county magistrate, aristocratic families, and wealthy merchants all departed one by one.

Bai Jing, accompanied by Zhou Ming, meticulously checked the gifts.

"Madam, the gifts have been counted. The estimated value is over eighty thousand taels."

Bai Jing nodded calmly.

She knew her family's wealth and foundation well; she wouldn't be surprised by such a small sum anymore.

"Steward Zhou, put it all in the storeroom."

"Yes, Madam."

Zhou Ming, Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the other old guards who had followed him from humble beginnings now held significant positions in the Xu Family.

Some were stewards, others were captain of the guards.

As the Xu Family's business flourished, their families also prospered.

Except for Li Er, the others were now no worse off than they were before the hardships.

In the past three years, more children had been born into their families.

The grand hall of the Xu Family.

Chen Ergou, Chen Daming, and their families were sitting in the hall, chatting with Xu Chuan.

"I knew Brother Chuan was the most capable. In such a short time, he's brought the Xu Family into the ranks of noble families, something the Xu Family couldn't do in decades."

Chen Ergou praised with a smile, took a sip of tea, and his eyes lit up, "This tea is excellent."

"Is it? Then take some back with you when you leave."

"No need. Otherwise, I'd feel like I was just here to freeload."

Uncle Chen shot him a look and said irritably, "So you know that, do you?"

"Alright, you've had your tea, you've had your chat, now go back where you came from. If you stay any later, the city gates will close, and you won't be able to get back."

Chen Daming felt like he was sitting on pins and needles and immediately got up to leave.

Even though his wife had told him to try and build connections, Xu Chuan and his family were sharp people; they could see right through their intentions.

Their relationship hadn't been great before, and trying to get close now was too late.

He had originally hoped Chen Ergou would say something.

But Chen Ergou wasn't foolish either.

Now that their father had told them to leave, they had even less face to stay any longer.

"Brother Chuan, we'll be going too. We'll come back in a few days to chat with you again."

Xu Chuan walked Chen Ergou and the others to the door and watched them ride away in their carriage. He then turned to Uncle Chen beside him, "Uncle Chen, why did you have to do that? My Xu Family has plenty of guest rooms now."

"That's right, Sanshu. Your family is not what it used to be, but people should know their place."

Xu Chuan cupped his hands, "Thank you for presiding over the ceremony today, Uncle Chen."

"It's my honor to witness your family's rise. If your parents were alive, they would surely be proud of you."

Xu Chuan gazed at the distant green mountains, the golden light painting their edges, and said lightly, "The Great Wei has nine ranks of noble families, and my Xu Family isn't truly considered among them yet."

"Everything is just beginning!"

Uncle Chen's cloudy eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance as he looked at Xu Chuan, "You have the universe in your heart and talent in your mind."

"You are truly remarkable!"

"It's a pity that I, Uncle Chen, won't be able to see that day."

"Cough, cough, cough~"

As he spoke, Uncle Chen couldn't help but cough.

Last winter, Uncle Chen's wife passed away, and his health had been declining ever since.

Xu Chuan quickly supported him, "Let me escort you home."

"That would be good."

Uncle Chen glanced at him, and the two walked towards his home.

"Sanshu, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Tell me, Uncle Chen."

"Take the Chen Family as a vassal."

Xu Chuan remained silent. After a few steps, he said, "When your Xu Family grows stronger, you will certainly need some vassal families to manage certain family businesses."

"I want to ask you, for the sake of my old face, to give my two sons an opportunity."

After a moment of thought, Xu Chuan calmly replied, "Alright, Uncle Chen. You can try to persuade them yourself. If they are willing, then I will accept them, treating them the same as the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou families."

"My Xu Family will never mistreat loyal individuals, but we will not be lenient with those who are lazy or deceitful."

"I hope you make that clear to them."

Uncle Chen nodded slightly.

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