Uncle Chen's Request

"Thank you, heads of households and friends, for honoring the Xu Clan with your presence at our Founding a Clan and ancestral shrine opening ceremony."

After the rites and offerings to the ancestors had ended, Xu Chuan smiled at the crowd. "The Xu Household has prepared a modest feast. Please, have a few drinks."

"Haha, you're too kind, Master Xu."

As soon as he spoke, someone nearby chimed in, "These days, who hasn't heard of the Xu Clan's Thousand Gold Distillery wine? It's famous throughout Qingjiang."

The Thousand Gold Distillery made yellow wine, rice wine, white liquor, and fruit wine, along with fruit drinks suitable for men, women, young, and old.

All were renowned and well regarded.

"Haha, drink all you like! No one leaves sober today!"

"Heads of households, this way, please."

Guards began guiding the guests toward the banquet.

"Dad, I'm going to check on Little White," Xu Mingshu said.

"I'll go too," Xu Mingxian added.

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

"I'll have the servants bring you something to eat."

"Thanks, Dad."

"As for you three, go keep the guests company. Make sure the heads of the Aristocratic Clans, the wealthy merchants, and our neighbors from Dongxi Village are all looked after."

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Chuan sat at the main table with Yang Zhao and the heads of several of the most powerful Aristocratic Clans.

At the next table sat Bai Jing and the other women.

"My lords, and honored heads of households, a toast. Thank you for coming today and bringing such splendor to our humble Xu Clan."

County Magistrate Wu raised his cup as well and said with a smile, "You're too courteous, Master Xu."

"A new Aristocratic Clan in Qingjiang County is a momentous occasion. As officials entrusted with its people, we naturally had to come and bear witness. Anything less would make a mockery of our duty."

"County Magistrate Wu has it right. We of the Aristocratic Clans ought to bear witness too."

"Drink!"

Everyone drained their cups.

"Master Xu, your Xu Household has built such a solid foundation in just a dozen or so years. Your future knows no bounds. Perhaps one day we'll be asking your Xu Household for a helping hand."

"You're too kind, Master Wang. How could my Xu Household compare to the Wang Clan? We couldn't catch up even if we whipped our horses bloody."

"Hahaha, how modest you are, Master Xu."

The Wang Clan's head was flattered, leaving his face flushed with delight.

"There's another happy occasion I'd like to share with you all today." Xu Chuan glanced at Yang Zhao, then said evenly, "On the second day of the second month next year, my eldest son, Xu Mingwei, will marry County Magistrate's Deputy Yang's daughter."

County Magistrate Wu, County Commandant Fang, and the heads of the Aristocratic Clans looked at Xu Chuan in surprise, then turned to Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao smiled faintly and waved a hand. "Master Xu, it's hardly such a grand matter. There's no need to make a ceremony of announcing it. The Three Letters and Six Rites have long been completed. Surely you don't think I'd refuse to marry my daughter to your son now?"

With that, Yang Zhao had settled the matter beyond doubt.

County Magistrate Wu pointed at Yang Zhao and shook his head with a rueful laugh. "Brother Yang, that wasn't very fair of you. Why didn't you tell me you were choosing a husband for your daughter?"

"You let Master Xu's son snatch up the opportunity for nothing."

"My fault. Three cups as a penalty."

Yang Zhao drank three cups in succession, then said, "What could I do? My daughter likes him. She's my only daughter. How could I not listen to her?"

"Ah, true enough. Xu Mingwei is widely acknowledged in Qingjiang County as having the makings of a Grandmaster. What young man could compare?"

The head of the He Clan turned to Xu Chuan with a smile. "Master Xu, my worthy nephew Mingwei must have reached Houtian Peak by now, hasn't he?"

Many were curious about that, and they pricked up their ears.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "I haven't had time to oversee his training, and it's been ages since I tested his Martial Way. I couldn't say what level he's reached. Perhaps he's still a little short."

"Even if he is, surely he has only a few Apertures left to open. Once every Aperture in his body is clear and his Inner Force flows without end, he'll be at Houtian Peak."

"Haha, then I'll take that as a blessing from Master Zhou. Let's hope he reaches Houtian Peak before year's end."

The conversation was lively not only at Xu Chuan's table, but at Bai Jing's as well.

The women, however, were discussing which families had sons or daughters of marriageable age.

Given the reputation of the Xu Household's five sons, their marriages were what the other ladies cared about most.

Bai Jing was no fool. She said only that Xu Mingwei was already engaged to County Magistrate's Deputy Yang's daughter and would bring her home as his bride in a few months. The others were still young, she said; those matters could wait a few years.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the magistrate, the Aristocratic Clans, and the wealthy merchants took their leave one by one.

With Zhou Ming beside her, Bai Jing checked the gifts one by one.

"Madam, we've finished counting the gifts. A rough estimate puts their value at over eighty thousand taels."

Bai Jing nodded calmly.

She knew the extent of her Household's wealth and no longer made a fuss over such sums.

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

"Yes, Madam."

Zhou Ming, Li Er, and Zhao Dalong had been with the Xu Household since its humble beginnings. By now, each held a position of some standing.

They were either stewards or captains of the guards.

As the Xu Household prospered, their families rose with it, like chickens and dogs ascending to heaven.

Apart from Li Er's family, their circumstances were now scarcely worse than they had been before fleeing their homes.

Over the past three years, some had welcomed new children, too.

In the Xu Household's main hall.

Chen Ergou and Chen Daming's family sat chatting with Xu Chuan.

"I knew Brother Chuan was the most capable. You brought the Xu Household into the ranks of the Aristocratic Clans in so little time. The Xu Lineage couldn't manage it in decades."

Chen Ergou praised him with a grin, then took a sip of tea. His eyes lit up. "This tea is good."

"Is it? Take some home when you leave."

"No, thanks. I'd feel like I'd come here just to sponge off you."

Uncle Chen shot him a look. "So you do realize."

"Well, you've had your tea and your chat. Time for everyone to head home. If you leave any later, the city gates will close and you won't get back."

Chen Daming had been sitting on pins and needles. He immediately rose to say goodbye.

His wife had urged him to cultivate their connection, but how could someone as shrewd as Xu Chuan and his family fail to see what they were after?

They had never been particularly close. Trying to cling to the Xu Household now was like trying to stick something down without glue.

He had hoped Chen Ergou would speak up.

But Chen Ergou wasn't a fool either.

Now that their father had asked them to leave, neither had the face to linger.

"Brother Chuan, we'll be off too. I'll come by for another chat in a few days."

Xu Chuan saw Chen Ergou and the others to the door and watched their carriage roll away. Then he turned to Uncle Chen beside him. "Uncle Chen, why go to such lengths? The Xu Household has plenty of guest rooms now."

"Yes, San Shu, your Household isn't what it used to be. But a man should know his place."

Xu Chuan cupped his hands. "Thank you for your efforts as chief officiant today, Uncle Chen."

"It was an honor to witness your Household's rise. If your parents' spirits know of it, they must be proud of you."

Xu Chuan gazed toward the distant green hills, their edges dyed with golden light. "Great Wei ranks its Aristocratic Clans in nine tiers. As things stand, the Xu Household isn't even truly among them yet."

"This is only the beginning!"

A sudden light flashed in Uncle Chen's clouded eyes as he looked at Xu Chuan. "A world in your heart, brilliance hidden within."

"You've done well!"

"It's a pity I won't live to see that day."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

As he spoke, Uncle Chen began to cough.

His wife had died the previous winter, and his health had worsened ever since.

Xu Chuan caught and steadied him. "Let me walk you home."

"All right."

Uncle Chen glanced at him, and the two set off toward his house.

"San Shu, I have a favor to ask."

"Tell me, Uncle Chen."

"Take the Chen family on as a vassal Household."

Xu Chuan said nothing. After a few steps, Uncle Chen continued, "When your Household grows stronger, you'll need vassal families to manage some of its holdings."

"I'm asking you, for the sake of this old face of mine, to give my two sons a chance."

After a moment's thought, Xu Chuan said calmly, "All right. Speak to them yourself, Uncle Chen. If they're willing, I'll take them in and treat them the same as the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou Households."

"The Xu Household will never mistreat those who are loyal, but it won't go easy on anyone who shirks their duties and plays tricks."

"I hope you make that clear to them."

Uncle Chen nodded slightly.