"Young Master has truly treated us with kindness!"
Wang Carpenter squatted beneath the newly built walls of the Xu Family School, knocking his pipe bowl as he laughed. "With this elementary school set up, my Gousheng will be able to read and write in the future. Even if he can't become a scholar, becoming an accountant would still be better than planing wood for the rest of his life."
Upon hearing this, Li San, the water carrier, straightened his back, his shoulder pole creaking as it swayed on his shoulder. "That's not all! I heard that those with good aptitude can even learn carpentry, tailoring, or enter the Xu Family winery to learn brewing—aren't all of those precious crafts?"
He gazed at the wine banner fluttering outside the distant winery, his throat bobbing unconsciously. "A few days ago, I saw the winery shopkeeper taking on apprentices. That spectacle was more glorious than a rich household marrying off a daughter!"
Old Bamboo Weaver stroked his beard and chimed in, his bamboo knife making soft scraping sounds across the green strips. "That depends on who you learn the craft from."
"The Xu Family's various crafts are all secret teachings. Learning even one would be enough to ensure several generations lived in peace and comfort. Naturally, people flock to them like ducks."
Just then, the young children of the Xu Family School were dismissed. Children with twin-horn braids poured out through the gates, carrying mulberry-bark paper book bags on their backs and reciting lines from "Guan Guan Cry the Ospreys."
Wang Carpenter watched the children's retreating backs, banging his pipe bowl loudly against the sole of his shoe. "Once Gousheng learns to read, I'll definitely send him to apprentice at the Xu Family dyehouse—heard they use sappanwood from the Western Regions there. The silk they dye can sell for ten taels of silver a bolt!"
Since the Xu Family had issued policies benefiting servants and martial guards, everyone from stewarding matrons down to water carriers and odd-job laborers wholeheartedly supported them.
Another two days passed.
The Xu Family's rear kitchen.
"I heard Young Master plans to select sturdy young men from every courtyard in the next few days and send them to the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School to learn martial arts. Is that true?"
After filling a vat with water, one of the porters wiped away his sweat and suddenly brought it up.
Sister-in-law Zhang, a kitchen helper, turned to look at him and said with a beaming smile, "Hehe, my A Da is strong as an ox. I already asked the steward to put down his name yesterday."
Old Woman Li, who was washing vegetables, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Really?! My grandson A Shui is naturally clever and highly perceptive. He's absolutely good material for martial arts practice. I'll go join in the excitement later too."
"What are you waiting for? I'll pick these for you. Hurry to the front courtyard and sign him up. This is a matter that could change your grandson's fate—how can you wait?!"
Lively as things were, every household guard, maidservant, and guard still carried out their duties conscientiously, not daring to neglect the work at hand.
They were even more meticulous and hardworking than usual.
They did not feel tired either. Smiles hung on their faces, while longing and hope shone in their eyes.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
Since the Dragon Elephant Sect's secret medicinal meals had entered Xu Mansion, the Xu Family brothers had all made tremendous progress in Martial Dao.
Even though Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan were not cultivating the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique, their progress in opening acupoints was seventy to eighty percent faster than before.
It was all due to the effects of those medicinal meals.
The truly secret medicinal meals were never divulged by the major martial arts halls and Families.
Because this was their foundation.
What they gave the disciples of martial arts halls were all ordinary medicinal meals.
At the height of its power, the Dragon Elephant Sect had a top Martial Dao expert at Grandmaster Perfection guarding it. It had been an existence comparable to a Fifth-Rank Aristocratic Family, a major power even in the Prefecture City.
As for Families and sects of the upper three ranks, they generally could only be found in the Imperial City.
"Big Brother, these medicinal meals from the Dragon Elephant Sect truly are extraordinary."
Xu Mingxuan said cheerfully to Xu Mingwei, "Before your little brother turns twenty, I may even have a thirty to forty percent chance of reaching the realm of a Houtian Peak Martial Artist."
"Opening acupoints is important, certainly, but martial skills cannot be neglected either."
Xu Mingwei said, "Our family did not collect much before, so we had few options. Now that we possess part of the Dragon Elephant Sect's martial arts foundation, we must put it to good use and fully capitalize on this advantage."
"Understood, Big Brother."
After replying, Xu Mingxuan revealed a trace of longing once more. "I wonder what the Dragon Elephant Sect's foundation was like at its peak. I imagine what our Xu Family has obtained now is not even one-fifth of it."
"Perhaps." Xu Mingwei smiled faintly.
Just then, Xu Mingyuan strode in from outside the main hall.
"Second Brother, I haven't seen you in a long time." Xu Mingxuan smiled at the sight of him.
"How could I have your leisure? The Lineage's businesses are all under my management. These days, I barely even have time to practice Martial Dao."
"Hehe, then I've improved greatly."
Hearing that, Xu Mingwei thought of the Innate Five Elements Creation Technique.
Among the siblings, only Fifth Yun Nu possessed Cultivation Aptitude.
The Xu Family had received the heaven-sent good fortune of entering the Dao through martial arts, and everyone had a chance to cultivate immortality. He also hoped Xu Mingyuan would walk that path alongside them.
But Xu Chuan had instructed that it could only be revealed after reaching Xiantian.
He did not dare disobey.
After pondering for a moment, Xu Mingwei raised his head and looked at Xu Mingyuan. "A Yuan, the Lineage's businesses are important, but you absolutely cannot set aside your own Martial Dao.
Otherwise, Father will be angry. Every half year, he tests us once."
"Wait a while longer. Once the new businesses are on the right track, I'll be able to free myself up as well."
"Mm." Xu Mingwei nodded.
"Actually, I find it strange. Why does Father insist that we pursue Martial Dao? Even if we reach Xiantian, so what? We'll only become dust after a hundred years." Xu Mingxuan asked in confusion.
"Father has his own plans. If you refuse to listen and get punished later, don't blame me for not pleading with Father for you."
"Big Brother, I was joking!"
Xu Mingwei was the Xu Family's future Patriarch and currently its strongest member. His words carried immense weight among the siblings.
"When you have time, spend more of it practicing martial arts. I heard Xue Ji and Yun Nu have both made considerable progress over these past three months. You two Elder Brothers had better not let yourselves be surpassed."
"It would be better if we were surpassed. That would mean our family is brimming with talent!" Xu Mingyuan laughed heartily. "If our Xu Family had two more Martial Dao Geniuses like you, Big Brother, then it would truly be secure."
"Mm, have you heard some news?"
Xu Mingwei understood Xu Mingyuan and knew he would not shoot an arrow without a target. Xu Mingxuan immediately wiped the smile from his face as well.
"Just some rumors."
"County Assistant Yang only just left, yet his tiger's might still lingers, and our Xu Family is no longer weak either.
"But I think it would be best if we had our own people in officialdom. If one of us brothers could become the county magistrate, County Assistant, or County Lieutenant, that would be ideal."
"That depends on fate. It is not something you can become simply because you want to. Let us speak of it later."
As Xu Mingwei spoke, his pupils narrowed slightly, and a cold gleam flickered across the depths of his eyes. "As for the other clans and Families, if they dare invade, our Xu Family will show no mercy."
Upon hearing Xu Mingyuan's words, he felt that he ought to find an opportunity to display his martial strength as well.
A Family with a Xiantian Martial Artist possessed deterrence far beyond that of ordinary Families.
As far as he knew, only five in all of Qingjiang County had such a foundation: Wu, Fang, Wang, He, and Cao.
Behind the Three Major Martial Arts Halls stood the Wu, Fang, and Wang Families.
Had Yang Zhao not been suddenly assigned here before, the position of County Assistant might have gone to a Xiantian Martial Artist from the Wang, He, or Cao Families.
Of course, those appointed to such important official posts were generally Martial Artists who had entered Xiantian before the age of fifty.
They could hardly select someone who was already past sixty.
Those chosen were usually locals of reputation and strength, though they could also be outsiders assigned here like Yang Zhao, coming to gild themselves, gain some achievements, and then leave.
"How are things going with the martial arts hall?"
Xu Mingwei felt that the opening of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School might be a good opportunity.
"It will be completed in another half month. We have also selected more than a dozen descendants of our own household guards, guards, maidservants, and others with fairly good Bone Structure to form the first group to be trained."
"Besides that, we have hired five First-class Martial Artists as instructors."
"Only..."
Xu Mingyuan paused. After hesitating for a long while, he continued, "There are very few children and youths from wealthy households and Families who have truly been drawn here."
"There is no rush. You always say yourself that 'good goods need not fear lack of buyers.' The martial arts hall should be extremely lively when it opens, and afterward, people will naturally come drawn by its reputation."
Xu Mingyuan grew thoughtful, then raised his eyes and laughed self-mockingly. "That is indeed true."
Thanks to ~Starry Night~, Book Friend 20220513141336336, the Little God of War, and Ancient Song for their support and tips.
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