Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 37 Reaching Cooperation
"Young Master Xu the Second, Young Master Xu the Third."

The bearded man clasped his hands in greeting and then introduced himself, saying, "I am Gu Yiping."

"Young Master Xu, you have a keen eye and have seen through my thoughts. I won't lie to you, inheriting the Dragon Elephant Sect is indeed my lifelong ambition."

I will accompany you to the Xu family. If you can offer suitable terms, even this original item could be given to you.

After reaching an agreement.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Mingyuan and the others stayed overnight at Baiyang Inn.

They returned to the Xu family's home in Dongxi Village on the second day.

As I rode my horse across the bluestone path, the rice paddies on both sides stretched out like a green carpet, layer upon layer, endless in the wind.

Seeing children chasing egrets on the paddy field ridges, Gu Yiping couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Such a peaceful scene is rare indeed."

After making arrangements for Gu Yiping, Xu Mingyuan made a special trip to the bamboo house at Bihantan.

"You want to use this to open up the Xu family martial arts school business? And incidentally, to cultivate useful talents for the Xu family?"

"Father is indeed father; he saw through my plan at a glance."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Then we must be careful to strike a balance between what Gu Yiping asks for."

“I know what I’m doing,” Xu Mingyuan said. “Furthermore, I intend to expand the Xu family’s wineries, restaurants, clothing stores, and fruit shops to other counties.”

"This matter is of great importance, involving many aspects. The most important thing is whether there are loyal people available. You can look for or train suitable candidates first, and it's not too late to leave them for a few years."

"Qingjiang County is our stronghold, of utmost importance. If this place is unstable, everything else is out of the question."

Xu Chuan seemed to have opened a floodgate of words. He glanced at Xu Mingyuan and continued, "The Xu family's business foundation lies in the areas of clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Now we can expand a little."

For example, businesses that could benefit the family's development, such as carpentry shops, blacksmith shops, and pharmacies, could be considered.

"We can also set up a Xu family school to allow the children of servants and guards to learn to read and write for free, and cultivate their loyalty to the Xu family from a young age."

Xu Mingyuan nodded repeatedly, his admiration for Xu Chuan growing ever stronger.

"If Father were to manage it personally, he could make the Xu family's wealth multiply several times over."

Xu Chuan laughed and said, "Human strength has its limits. How can Father do everything perfectly on his own? Don't try to flatter me. Just offer some advice occasionally."

"The child understands."

"Finally."

“Father, please tell me, I will listen carefully to your teachings.”

"Bring anyone you like back to see as soon as possible. Your older brother is already married and has children, so it'll be your turn next." Xu Chuan smirked. "If you don't hurry, I reckon your mother will be setting you up on a matchmaking arrangement."

"Don't blame your father for not speaking up for you then."

"Father, I am still very open-minded. I hope you can also find a woman who loves you back and spend your life with her."

Xu Mingyuan felt embarrassed.

I knew I would be pressured one day, but I never expected my father to discuss this matter when planning the family's centennial.

This really caught him off guard.

"I understand, Father. I'll try my best."

Xu Mingyuan fled from Bihan Pool and returned to the Xu residence.

Xu Chuan continued to practice the breathing techniques of the "Little Dragon Elephant Skill," sensing the power of heaven and earth around him.

That's why I'm here.

It was because the Azure Cold Pool seemed unique, and perhaps the power of heaven and earth gathered here would be even more concentrated.

Xu Mingwei's visit confirmed Xu Chuan's conjecture.

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After Xu Mingyuan returned, he also told Xu Mingwei what Xu Chuan had said.

The two brothers discussed the matter at length and made a detailed plan.

Nowadays, many affairs of the Xu family have been gradually handed over to the two brothers, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Chuan slowly withdrew.

The Xu Family Hall.

Behind the sandalwood screen, Gu Yiping gazed at the painting "Solitary Angler on a Cold River" hanging on the wall, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the armchair.

The beams and pillars inside the hall were all painted with vermilion lacquer, the brackets were carved with lotus patterns, and the copper bells on the eaves carried the faint sound of string and wind instruments.

Gu Yiping stayed at the Xu family's house for more than a day.

This marked my initial acquaintance with the Xu family. Their residence was classical and magnificent, covering more than a hundred acres, and the overall color scheme was understated and calm. In Qingjiang County, this was definitely a prominent family.

The servants, maids, and guards were all well-trained, treated people gently, and never spoke much.

He even encountered a white tiger with crimson eyes and golden pupils striding through the moon gate, which almost made him strike with his palm.

Seeing the Xu family's profound resources, he believed the Xu family's words about helping him open the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School and inherit the Dragon Elephant Sect to a great extent.

Suddenly.

Xu Mingwei walked out from the back hall, the jade belt buckle at his waist making a clear sound as he sat down in the main seat.

Xu Mingyuan followed closely behind and sat in the first seat on the left below.

Gu Yiping sized up the man and thought to himself, "This Xu family patriarch has an extraordinary appearance and demeanor, but he is far too young."

"Brother, this is Gu Yiping, the successor of the Dragon Elephant Sect," Xu Mingyuan said first.
Xu Mingwei looked at Gu Yiping and nodded with a smile.

Gu Yiping returned the greeting.

"This is my elder brother, Xu Mingwei, who is the acting head of the Xu family."

Gu Yiping didn't care why the Xu family head wasn't there. Xu Mingwei's presence here meant that he could make all the decisions.

"Brother Gu, what is your current strength?"

"Late stage of innate constitution".

Xu Mingyuan was slightly startled, but his face remained calm and showed no sign of surprise. He simply said, "That's enough to keep an eye on the martial arts school."

"Otherwise it would be quite troublesome."

"How so?" Gu Yiping frowned.

"Currently, the Black Wind Martial Arts School, Black Tiger Martial Arts School, and Tianlong Martial Arts School in Qingjiang County are in a three-way balance of power, occasionally fighting each other. However, if a new martial arts school suddenly emerges, it will inevitably be suppressed."

"It's almost always the case when it touches on the interests of others."

Gu Yiping nodded, agreeing with the point.

"Therefore, my Xu family is taking a risk by cooperating with the Dragon Elephant Sect."

Xu Mingyuan continued, "My Xu family will help with publicity, recruit disciples, and provide the necessary funds and supplies for the martial arts school for three to five years. In return, you will provide the martial arts, techniques, and secret medicinal recipes of the Dragon Elephant Sect that you know, so that my Xu family can make a copy."

Gu Yiping began to analyze the pros and cons.

The construction and management of a martial arts school are very complex. If he wanted to build a school of a certain scale on his own, it would probably take more than ten years.

He is already over forty years old and wants to continue spending time on martial arts, hoping to break through to the Grandmaster level.

It's impossible to do both.

As for martial arts, techniques, and recipes, although they are valuable, they are all inanimate.

If it is not passed down, it will be impossible to take it with him after he passes away.

His greatest wish in this life was to inherit the Dragon Elephant Sect, so everything the Xu family proposed was within his acceptable range.

"can."

After a long pause, Gu Yiping nodded.

"Then let's talk about the details. I plan to divide the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School into an inner and outer branch."

"The inner sect is the authentic martial arts of the Dragon Elephant School. The selection of disciples is very strict. Master Gu personally selects and oversees the process. The successors of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School are all selected from among them. My Xu family will not interfere."

"Five years from now, the headmaster will have to find a way to provide the medicinal food needed by the inner disciples of the martial arts school."

"The outer sect is managed by my Xu family. My Xu family will provide recruitment and martial arts training. The sect leader is required to give guidance to the outer sect disciples once a month."

"The profits of the entire martial arts school will be split 70/30 between my Xu family and the school owner."

Gu Yiping fell silent again, carefully considering the details Xu Mingyuan had mentioned.

According to him, only the inner sect of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School can be considered the true inheritance of the Dragon Elephant Sect, while the outer sect can actually be regarded as the private property of the Xu family.

"It seems that the Xu family has long had the idea of ​​getting involved in the martial arts school, but they just don't have a suitable person to take charge of it."

The affairs of martial arts schools are complex, and it is difficult to see results without a decade or two of effort.

The Xu family's investment must be substantial.

He only needs to manage his own inner sect, and the two sects are clearly separated, which allows him to devote a lot of time to martial arts.

"I agree."

"Then I wish our two families a pleasant cooperation."

(End of this chapter)