Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 39 Reactions to Various Events (Seeking Further Reading)

"The young master has treated us with the utmost kindness!"

Carpenter Wang squatted at the foot of the wall of the newly built school of the Xu family, tapping his pipe and laughing, "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, being an accountant is better than spending his whole life planing wood."

Upon hearing this, Li San, the water carrier, straightened up, his carrying pole creaking as it swayed on his shoulder: "More than that! I've heard that those with good aptitude can learn carpentry, tailoring, or even winemaking at the Xu family's distillery—aren't those all valuable skills?"

He gazed at the wine flag fluttering from the distant winery, his throat bobbing involuntarily. "The other day I saw the winery owner taking on an apprentice; the spectacle was even more grand than a wealthy family's daughter's wedding!"

The old bamboo craftsman stroked his beard and chimed in, his bamboo knife making a soft sound as it sliced ​​through the green bamboo: "It depends on who you learn the craft from."

"The Xu family's various skills are all passed down in secret. If you can learn one of them, it will be enough to ensure a stable and worry-free life for generations. Naturally, everyone is eager to learn it."

Just then, the children of Xu Family School were leaving school. The children with pigtails and carrying mulberry paper schoolbags poured out of the courtyard gate, reciting the line "Guan Guan Jujiu".

Wang the carpenter watched the children's retreating figures, his pipe clattering loudly against the soles of his shoes: "Once Gousheng can read, I'll definitely send him to the Xu family's dye shop as an apprentice—I've heard that the dye shop uses sappanwood from the Western Regions, and the silk they dye can sell for ten taels of silver a bolt!"

Since the Xu family issued the decree benefiting servants and guards, everyone from the head maid to the water carriers and handymen has wholeheartedly supported it.

Two more days passed.

The kitchen of the Xu family.

"I've heard that the eldest young master is going to select some sturdy young men from various academies to send to the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts Academy to learn martial arts. Is that true?"

After filling the water tank with water, one of the porters wiped his sweat and suddenly lifted it up.

The kitchen helper, Sister Zhang, turned her head and said with a smile, "Hehe, my Ada is as strong as an ox. I already asked the steward to write down his name yesterday."

Granny Li, who was washing vegetables, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Really?! My grandson, Ah Shui, is exceptionally intelligent and has a high level of comprehension. He's definitely a good candidate for martial arts training. I'll go and join in the fun later."

"What are you waiting for? I'll pick them for you first. You hurry to the front yard to register. This is a major event that will change your grandson's fate. How can you wait?!"

Despite the lively atmosphere, every servant, maid, and guard was conscientious and dutiful, daring not to neglect their duties.

They were even more meticulous and hardworking than usual.

They didn't feel tired at all, their faces were always smiling, and their eyes were full of anticipation and hope.

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Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Since the secret medicinal cuisine of the Dragon Elephant Sect entered the Xu family, the martial arts of the Xu brothers have all made great progress.

Even though Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan were not practicing the "Little Dragon Elephant Skill," their progress in opening their meridians was 70-80% faster than before.

This is all due to the efficacy of this medicinal diet.

True secret medicinal cuisine recipes are never revealed by any martial arts school or aristocratic family.

Because this is the foundation.

The martial arts school disciples were given only ordinary medicinal meals.

At its peak, the Dragon Elephant Sect had top-tier martial arts experts at the Grandmaster level, making it comparable to a fifth-rank aristocratic family. Even in a county town, it would be considered a major force.

The elite families and sects of the top three ranks can generally only be found in the imperial city.

"Brother, the medicinal cuisine of the Dragon Elephant Sect is indeed extraordinary."

Xu Mingxuan chuckled and said to Xu Mingwei, "Even before I turned twenty, I had a 30-40% chance of reaching the peak of the Acquired Realm of Martial Artist."

"Unblocking acupoints is important, but martial arts skills cannot be neglected."

Xu Mingwei said, "Previously, our family didn't have much to collect and didn't have many choices. Now that we have some of the martial arts foundation of the Dragon Elephant Sect, we must make good use of it and give full play to this advantage."

"Got it, big brother."

After returning, Xu Mingxuan revealed a hint of longing in his eyes again, "I wonder what the Dragon Elephant Sect's foundation was like when it was at its peak. I suppose what my Xu family has now is less than one-fifth of that."

"Perhaps," Xu Mingwei said with a faint smile.

Just then, Xu Mingyuan strode in from outside the hall.

"Second Brother, it's been a long time since I've seen you," Xu Mingxuan said with a smile.

"I don't have the leisure of you. I manage the family business, and lately I haven't even had much time to practice martial arts."

"Hehe, then I've made great progress." Upon hearing this, Xu Mingwei thought of the "Innate Five Elements Creation Technique".

Of the siblings, only the fifth brother, Yun Nu, possessed the aptitude for cultivating immortality.

The Xu family has been granted the great fortune of entering the Dao through martial arts, and everyone has the opportunity to cultivate immortality. He also hopes that Xu Mingyuan will accompany them.

Xu Chuan had instructed that the secret could only be revealed once one had reached the Innate Realm.

He dared not disobey.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Mingwei looked up at Xu Mingwei and said, "A Yuan, the family business is important, but you must never give up your own martial arts."

Otherwise, Father will get angry. He examines me every six months.

"I'll wait until the new industry is on track, and then I'll be able to get some free time."

"Mm." Xu Mingwei nodded.

“Actually, I find it strange that Father insists on forcing us to pursue martial arts. Even if we reach the Innate Realm, what good will it do? It’s just a hundred years of dust.” Xu Mingxuan asked in confusion.

“Father has his own plans. If you don’t listen, you’ll be punished later. Don’t blame me for not pleading with Father.”

"Big brother, I was just kidding!"

Xu Mingwei is the future head of the Xu family and currently the strongest among them, so his words carry a lot of weight among his siblings.

"Try to practice martial arts more often when you have free time. I've heard that Xueji and Yunnu have made great progress in the past three months. You two older brothers mustn't let yourselves be surpassed."

"It's good to be surpassed, it means our family is full of talented people!" Xu Mingyuan laughed. "If we had two more martial arts geniuses like you, my Xu family would be more stable."

"Hmm, have you heard anything?"

Xu Mingwei understood Xu Mingyuan and knew he wouldn't speak without reason, so Xu Mingxuan immediately stopped smiling.

"It's just some rumors."

“The county magistrate Yang has just left, but his power still lingers, and our Xu family is no less formidable.”

I just think it's best to have your own people in officialdom. If one of my brothers could become a county magistrate, assistant magistrate, or county commandant, that would be wonderful.

"This matter depends on the circumstances; it's not something you can just decide to do whenever you want. Let's talk about it again later."

As Xu Mingwei spoke, his pupils contracted slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "As for other families and powerful clans, if they dare to invade, my Xu family will not hesitate to show no mercy."

Hearing Xu Mingyuan's words, he felt that he should also find an opportunity to show off his martial prowess.

The prestige of a family with a master of innate martial arts is unmatched by that of an ordinary family.

As far as he knew, there were only five families in the entire Qingjiang County with such resources: Wu Fang, Wang He, and Cao.

Behind the three major martial arts schools are the Wu, Fang, and Wang families.

If Yang Zhao hadn't been parachuted in earlier, the position of county magistrate might have belonged to one of the innate martial artists from the Wang, He, or Cao families.

Of course, to hold these important official positions, one must generally be a martial artist who has reached the Innate Realm before the age of fifty.

It's impossible for someone over sixty to be selected.

Most of those elected are local figures of prestige and influence, or perhaps they are parachuted in like Yang Zhao, who simply gain some political achievements before leaving.

"How's the martial arts school situation?"

Xu Mingwei felt that opening the Longxiang Martial Arts School might be a good choice.

"It will be completed in another half month. We have also selected more than a dozen people with good potential from our own servants, guards, maids and other descendants to be the first batch of trainees."

"In addition, five top-notch martial artists were hired as instructors."

"only."

Xu Mingyuan paused, hesitated for a long time, and then continued, "Very few of the children and teenagers from wealthy families were actually attracted."

"There's no rush. You always say that 'good products never have to worry about sales.' The opening of the martial arts school will be very lively, and people will come from far and wide afterward."

Xu Mingyuan seemed to be deep in thought, then looked up and gave a self-deprecating smile, "This is indeed true."

Thank you to ~Starry Night~, Book Friend 20220513141336336, Xiao Xiao Zhan Shen, and Gu Ge for their generous donations.
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(End of this chapter)