Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 29: The Ninth Rank of a Noble Family (Tuesday's Reading Request)

The next day.

Yang Zhao rode a fast horse to Yuehu County.

After arriving at the Yang family, he told his uncle, Yang Wenfeng, about the matter.

"Are you determined to marry your daughter to a minor clan in Qingjiang County?"

“Uncle, the two families have already exchanged betrothal letters and performed the engagement ceremony. They are just waiting for an auspicious day to get married. How can I go back on my word? I can’t let the Yang family be known as unrighteous and heartless.”

Yang Zhao ultimately heeded his wife's advice and allowed Yang Ronghua to happily marry the man she loved.

This is because large families have never valued women, often using them as tools for political marriages.

But Yang Shichang was certain that he could not escape this marriage.

He thought to himself that once things were settled here, he would return to Qingjiang County and quickly cover up his lie.

If successful, he will stay in Qingjiang County for at most another six months.

Yang Wenfeng pondered for a moment, his eyes sparkling, "In that case, we can only do as you say."

"Originally, it would have been perfect for your Shichang to marry the eldest daughter of the Wen family, and for Ronghua to marry the eldest son of the Wen family."

Now we have to choose someone else. Your third uncle's granddaughter, Yang Rongchun, is eighteen years old and a perfect fit."

"I suppose he would be pleased to form this powerful marriage alliance with the Wen family."

After saying this, Yang Wenfeng glanced at Yang Zhao and said indifferently, "Come with me to the Wen family in a little while, and I will personally tell you about this matter."

"Thank you, Uncle."

is the day.

Yang Zhao returned to Qingjiang County.

Upon returning home, he instructed Yang Shichang to go to the Xu family and invite Xu Chuan to the county government office.

The county magistrate was very busy, and after taking a few days off, he had accumulated a lot of official business waiting for him to handle.

Qingjiang County, County Government Office.

"Brother Yang, what urgent matter brings you to me so urgently?"

"It concerns the marriage of my daughter and your son."

Xu Chuan was slightly taken aback. Not long ago, he had spoken with Yang Zhaotong, and they both said that the two were still young and could postpone their marriage for a year or two.

What happened?

"The matter in the county town has me vying for the position of county commandant, but the Yang family wants me to marry into the Wen family. One of us will marry the other, Chang'er will marry the eldest daughter of the Wen family, and Ronghua was originally going to marry the eldest son of the Wen family."

“But Hua’er and your eldest son have made a solemn vow of love. I’m afraid that if we forcibly separate them, they will hate us for the rest of their lives. So I lied and said that Hua’er has already been betrothed to your Xu family and the engagement has been completed. They are just waiting for an auspicious day to marry into the family.”

"That's how I finally convinced my uncle to agree to the replacement."

"But this lie must be covered up, otherwise it will cause unnecessary trouble for both of our families."

"Brother Yang, rest assured, I will have my wife handle this matter as soon as possible. We will ensure that the story is consistent and that nothing is leaked, so that you, my lord, will not be put in any danger."

"Mm." Yang Zhao nodded.

Immediately, Xu Chuan clasped his hands in congratulations and said, "I must congratulate Brother Yang on his promotion in advance."

"But once Brother Yang returns to the city, we will be separated by distance, and it will be difficult to have a drink with you again."

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Xu." Yang Zhao returned the greeting with a hearty laugh. "Your Xu family is no ordinary family either. In the future, you will surely expand your family to the county town."

“Brother Xu, the major prefectures are the best places for aristocratic families to develop.”

"Although Qingjiang County can be considered one of the wealthiest counties in Yuehu Prefecture, it is rare to see even one cultivator on a daily basis."

However, within the county seat, scions of various prominent families all possessed practitioners of both martial arts and immortality, and the resources supporting these paths were incredibly diverse.

"Although my Yang family is a large clan in Yuehu County, the truly profound and top-tier families all aspire to cultivate immortality, and there are even large clans with Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge."

"As for martial arts, even if one becomes a grandmaster, it is only comparable to the late stage of Qi Refining."

Xu Chuan was intrigued when he first heard about the secrets of the prominent families in the county town.

"By the way, Brother Yang, could you tell me how your county town ranks the aristocratic families?"

Yang Zhao smiled in surprise upon hearing this and explained in detail: "In the Great Wei Dynasty, aristocratic families are secretly divided into nine ranks, just like official positions, with the ninth rank being the lowest and the first rank being the highest."

"A ninth-rank family must have at least one innate martial artist or a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining."

"An eighth-grade family requires a martial artist at the late stage of the Innate Realm or a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Qi Refining Realm."

"A second-grade family must have at least three Foundation Establishment stage cultivators." "A first-grade family must have five Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, including a late-stage Foundation Establishment master."

Xu Chuan pondered for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Then my Xu family isn't even good enough to be considered a ninth-rank family."

“These are the classifications of aristocratic families in prefecture cities. Families in county towns are basically not included, since more than 90% of them do not have innate martial artists. So Brother Xu, there is no need to be so self-deprecating.”

"I, Yang, still have high hopes for your Xu family."

Xu Chuan nodded, then asked, "So, what rank is your Yang family at now?"

"Curious? This isn't exactly a secret in the county town, so I might as well tell you." Yang Zhao smiled calmly. "My Yang family holds the sixth rank."

A sixth-rank martial artist would have at least three Grandmaster-level martial artists, with one Grandmaster-level late-stage martial artist in charge.

The exact number of powerful individuals is a closely guarded secret among the various clans.

Yang Zhao was certainly not so foolish as to reveal it.

"The task is arduous and the road ahead is long," Xu Chuan sighed.

“Brother Xu, the path to becoming a prominent family is not something that can be achieved overnight. It has taken my Yang family more than four hundred years to get to where we are today, and each generation has worked hard to improve our family’s status as a middle-third-rank family.”

Yang Zhao shook his head and chuckled speechlessly.

After returning home, Xu Chuan immediately instructed Bai Jing to prepare the betrothal gifts and then asked her to go to the Yang residence with him and Xu Mingwei in two days.

Xu Mingwei was delighted, but also surprised.

Therefore, he asked the question.

Xu Chuan did not hide anything and told the story of the Yang family.

"Thank you, Dad."

"You should thank your Uncle Yang, your future father-in-law. His Yang family could have easily sent Ronghua to marry into the family, but they didn't, which also took a risk."

Xu Chuan patted him on the shoulder with a smile, "You should remember this favor; you'll have to repay it in the future."

"Understood, Father."

Two days later.

Yang Mansion.

"Brother Yang, my Xu family has prepared all the formalities and betrothal gifts. Please take a look."

Xu Chuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and looked at Yang Zhao. Yang Zhao smiled and said, "I naturally trust you to handle things. Come, let's have some tea and chat."

The Xu Chuan couple and the Yang Zhao couple chatted and laughed about Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua's marriage.

After some discussion, it was finally decided to celebrate on the second day of the second month of the following year.

It is October now.

That means there are only four months left.

This is enough for both families to handle all the necessary arrangements for the marriage.

"Brother Mingwei, the marriage is finally settled. Congratulations!" Yang Shichang clasped his hands in congratulations.

"Brother Shichang, congratulations to you too. Father has told me about your family's situation." Xu Mingwei looked at Yang Shichang quietly, seeing only bitterness and envy in his eyes.

"What's there to congratulate me on? It's just a family marriage."

As he spoke, he patted Xu Mingwei on the shoulder, "Treat my sister well. If I find out she's been bullied, don't blame me, her future brother-in-law, for giving you a beating when I get back from the county town."

"Of course," Xu Mingwei solemnly made his promise.

Xu Chuan decided to announce the marriage between the two families on the day of the clan's founding.

Yang Zhao did not refute.

The Xu family is now a highly sought-after and newly wealthy family in Qingjiang County.

The establishment of the clan was a momentous event, and countless prominent families and merchants from Qingjiang would be present.

Announcing it publicly is practically a done deal.

Even after the eldest uncle and the Wen family investigated, they could not find any clues.

Time flies, and the day has come for the Xu family to establish itself as a clan.

The Xu family has finally reached a new level, and I'm sure all the godfathers can guess what's next.

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(End of this chapter)