Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 24 Opening Business

The next day.

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing, Xu Mingwei, and other siblings by horse-drawn carriage to the western market of Qingjiang County.

They first settled in a residence in the West Market.

"Father, is this the house my second brother bought?"

"It's even bigger than our own."

Xu Chuan looked around. It was his first time here, so he observed for a while.

"It's barely enough for the whole family to live in, but if Shi Tou and A Yuan get married and have children, it won't be enough."

“Yes,” Bai Jing agreed with a smile, “Shitou is almost sixteen, and in a few years it will be time for him to choose a family to marry into.”

She turned to look at Xu Chuan, "Husband, is there anyone you fancy?"

"What I like is not important; what matters most is what our stone likes."

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing's hand and stroked it a few times. "Wife, go and see if there are any rooms you like. You can come and stay here often in the future."

"No need."

Bai Jing shook her head. "Wherever my husband is, that's where I'll be."

Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu were filled with curiosity and wandered around the courtyard, with the little white tiger following them around happily.

"A-Yuan, you take your mother and the others to the fruit shop later. I'm going out for a bit, so you don't need to wait for me. I'll go straight there."

"Understood, Father."

After Xu Chuan left, he headed towards the county government office.

"Who are you, and what brings you to the county government office?"

The constables at the gate stopped Xu Chuan and questioned him in a formulaic manner.

"My name is Xu Chuan, a native of Dongxi Village. I have come to pay my respects to Magistrate Yang."

"Do you know Magistrate Yang?"

"Brother yamen runner, you'll find out when you report it."

The middle-aged constable pondered for a moment, then said, "Then come in with me. If you're lying, you'll be in big trouble."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and replied, "Yes."

He then followed them into the county government office and arrived at the study where the county magistrate worked.

The yamen runner stepped forward and knocked on the door, saying, "Your Excellency, someone named Xu Chuan is looking for you."

"Xu Chuan? Where is he from?"

"People from Dongxi Village".

"Let him in."

"Mr. Xu, the county magistrate invites you in."

Knowing that Xu Chuan was an acquaintance of Magistrate Yang, the yamen runner immediately put on a smiling face when speaking, and then tactfully left.

"Brother Xu, it's been a long time."

"Sit down and let's talk."

Yang Zhao smiled slightly and gestured for him to proceed.

He was able to rise from registrar to county magistrate in just a few years, thanks to Xu Chuan's strategy of pacifying the people.

He originally thought that the other party would ask him for help soon, or use the name of his Yang family to help the Xu family rise to a higher level.

Who would have thought that this wait would last for more than five years.

Despite gaining immense wealth, the Xu family remained humble and focused on steady development, just as always.

This made him admire it even more.

They also knew that the Xu family was planning a legacy for generations to come.

"The county magistrate is busy with official duties, how could I dare to disturb him so easily?"

"We're about the same age. When we're alone, you can just call me Brother Yang." Yang Zhao said, "Did you come here to ask me for help?"

Xu Chuan shook his head. "Brother Yang, you misunderstand. I have long heard of your selflessness. I came today simply to invite you to take a look at my newly opened fruit shop. If you could write a few words for me, that would be even better."

"Haha, such a small matter is of course no problem."

Yang Zhao laughed and looked at Xu Chuan, saying, "So you're finally planning to expand the Xu family business to the county town?"

"It seems we're confident we can establish a foothold in the county."

"Brother Yang is joking. There are countless prominent families in the county, and they are full of hidden talents. My Xu family only runs a fruit shop in the West Market to make a living. How can we talk about establishing a firm foothold?"

Yang Zhao didn't say much, "When will you open?"

"More than an hour later."

"No rush, let me finish my official documents first, then we'll go together."

Xu Chuan nodded and sat calmly to the side.

Nearly an hour later.

Yang Zhao stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "I'm sorry to have kept Brother Xu waiting. I'll change into some casual clothes and then we'll go. I hope we won't be late for the auspicious time."

"Brother Yang, you're too kind. Your presence is a great honor for the Xu family."

Soon after, the two left the county government office and headed towards the West Market.

--------------at this time.

In front of Xu's Fruit Shop.

The crackling sound of firecrackers continued incessantly.

Many people were already drawn in by the lively atmosphere and stopped to watch.

Several wealthy and influential businessmen from the county came to present gifts.

Chang Haowen arrived, but did not show up.

Instead, they sat by the window on the second floor of the restaurant across the street, drinking and watching the bustling Xu Family Fruit Shop across the street.

The maid named Xiaomei still stood beside him.

"The Xu family really doesn't know how to choose a location, opening a shop in a place like the West Market."

"You can't say that. Although the West Market is not as bustling as the East Market, this street is full of food stalls. If you get tired of the food, wouldn't you like something to cleanse your palate? Fruit would be just the right thing to do."

"Buy a few pounds to take home, and you can enjoy it with your family."

"Ah, now that you hear what I'm saying, young master, there's some truth to it. The Xu family is quite cunning."

Chang Haowen shook his head and chuckled, looking down at the scene below with a sense of boredom.

"Hmm, Yang Zhao is here? He's connected to the Xu family too? Could it be that the Xu family is being supported by the Yang family behind the scenes?"

As members of the same prominent family in the county, Chang Haowen naturally knew Yang Zhao.

They were of the same generation, but there was a significant age difference between them. They had only met once when they were children, when they went to the Yang family with their father and older brother.

"The person next to Yang Zhao also looks familiar. He looks somewhat similar to the Xu Mingyuan brothers. He must be an elder of the Xu family."

A slight smile played on his lips; he suddenly found the situation amusing.

Just seeing Yang Zhao here makes the trip worthwhile.

"Stone, Ayuan, Charcoal, Xueji, Yunnu, come and greet your Uncle Yang."

"I've met Uncle Yang."

The five sons of the Xu family bowed respectfully to Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao sized up the group. Leaving aside the young Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, the other three all possessed a restrained divine light and abundant energy, making them appear extraordinary.

"I really envy Brother Xu for having such a group of excellent offspring, each of them possessing extraordinary talent."

"Nothing special, just a bunch of country bumpkins, we don't deserve your praise, Brother Yang."

Xu Mingshu wasn't shy at all and asked curiously, "Uncle Yang, why haven't I seen you before during holidays?"

Yang Zhao pinched her soft cheek and said with a smile, "Although your father and I have only met a few times, we admire each other and have long been friends."

"Spiritual communion? How does that happen? Can I have spiritual communion too?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhao burst into laughter.

The others were also amused by the child's words.

"This little girl is so adorable, I'm even thinking of taking her in as my goddaughter. I wonder if Brother Xu would be willing?"

Xu Mingshu immediately smiled and bowed, saying, "Xueji greets godfather."

"Xueji is the only girl in my family, and everyone dotes on her, which has made her a bit unruly. Please don't take offense, Brother Yang." Xu Chuan shook his head and chuckled.

"She has a very different personality from my son Hua'er, but she is very lovable."

"Here, this is a gift from your godfather."

Yang Zhao took the jade pendant off his waist and handed it to Xu Mingshu.

"So beautiful, thank you, godfather."

“Brother Xu, since you invited me to write the inscription, let’s do it now,” Yang Zhao said.

"Okay, Stone, A-Yuan, go get the brush and ink."

"Yes, Dad."

Just as Yang Zhao began to write the inscription, a disdainful voice suddenly rang out, "Are any Tom, Dick, or Harry allowed to write inscriptions these days?"

"Xu Chuan, is your shop sign so casual? Would you like me to introduce you to some highly respected calligraphers?"

Yang Zhao's brows suddenly furrowed into three deep lines, and her once beautiful face suddenly turned frosty.

However, he did not react on the spot, after all, he was only there to congratulate his friend and did not want to flaunt his official position.

Following the sound, four or five people pushed through the crowd and arrived in front of the shop.

"Second Uncle, Godson, this is Xu Chuan. He has been mocking and sarcastic towards the Xu family and has malicious intentions towards us. We cannot let them off easily today."

"Mao'er, you don't need to say anything more, I have my own ideas."

Xu Mao's second uncle, Xu Zhen, has lived to such an old age and is naturally very experienced. He cannot be easily fooled by a few words.

"Is this Patriarch Xu? I am Xu Zhen."

"So it's Second Master Xu." Xu Chuan smiled and cupped his hands as he stepped forward. "When I was in the Xu family in my early years, I often heard of your illustrious reputation, but this is the first time we've met."

Xu Zhen was somewhat surprised by the other party's politeness.

But he also knew that many people were two-faced, and liked to stab each other in the back.

Therefore, he did not let his guard down.

(End of this chapter)