I trade in both worlds

After hearing this, several elders looked at each other in bewilderment. They had not expected that the patriarch was planning to skip his son and directly train his grandson to take over.

A good clan leader must not only be able to handle clan affairs, but also have foresight and be able to lead the family to prosperity.

And Xu Jianli's words clearly showed the demeanor of a patriarch.

The patriarch glanced at the elders and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He turned to the other elders and said slowly: "Everyone, Jianli's words remind us that we in the Xu family should not only pass on knowledge, but also pass on the spirit of being willing to help others and taking responsibility."

"Chen Zeyun may not be the most perfect choice, but he may be the most suitable choice for the current clan school. We can give him a chance, which will also give the children of the clan school more possibilities."

Xu Dali pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "The clan leader is right. Since the clan leader and County Magistrate Liu both think so highly of him, let's give him a chance and see what he is capable of."

The clan leader nodded in agreement: "Regarding Chen Zeyun's resettlement, the letter also mentioned that he hoped the village could give him a piece of residential land to build a house. What do you think?"

Xu Gaoliang thought about it and suggested: "It is winter now, the land is frozen, and it is not easy to build a house. Why not wait until spring to choose a site for him to build a house."

"During this period, he can take care of the affairs at home and officially take office after the house is built."

This proposal was unanimously agreed by everyone.

Xu Shoucheng concluded, "That's settled. Jianli, you will be responsible for communicating with Chen Zeyun, informing him of our decision and asking him when he can come."

"At the same time, we must also begin preparations for welcoming the new Wu Master."

Xu Jianli nodded solemnly, as he was well aware of the importance of this task.

Not only does he have to communicate with Chen Zeyun on behalf of the Xu family, but he also has to use this opportunity to demonstrate that he has the ability and decision-making power to take over as the clan leader.

The next morning, as soon as the sky turned pale, Xu Jianli got up. After packing up briefly, he followed Afu, a servant of Liu Shen's family, and set off for Youzhou.

The carriage moved slowly forward in the morning mist. Xu Jianli sat on the shaft with Ah Fu and chatted with them.

"Afu, do you know what General Chen Zeyun's family background is like?" Xu Jianli asked.

Ah Fu shook his head, then nodded, as if thinking about how to phrase it: "I heard from the master that General Chen used to be a general, but he was seriously injured on the battlefield, so he returned to Youzhou."

"As for the situation at home, the master didn't elaborate, but from the tone of his voice, it seems that it's not very good."

Xu Jianli sighed softly.

The carriage traveled for a day and a half and finally arrived in Youzhou in the evening.

The setting sun is like blood, sprinkling on the ancient city walls, adding a bit of vicissitudes to this ancient city.

Ah Fu suggested, "Master Xu, it's getting late. Why don't we find an inn nearby to rest first and then visit General Chen tomorrow."

Xu Jianli nodded in agreement, and the two settled down in an inn in the east of the city that looked clean and tidy.

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, the sunlight shone through the window onto Xu Jianli's face. He opened his eyes and felt a new energy rising up in his heart.

After washing up, he and Ah Fu went out and decided to go to a nearby pastry shop to buy some gifts and inquire about Chen Zeyun's situation.

On both sides of the street, the morning mist has not yet completely dissipated, and the air is filled with a faint scent of grass and trees.

The pastry shop was already steaming and filled with fragrance, as if it could dispel all the cold.

The shopkeeper was a middle-aged man, slightly plump, and always had a warm smile on his face.

As soon as he saw Xu Jianli and Ah Fu coming in, he greeted them warmly: "Hey, two distinguished guests, would you like to buy some cakes? Our osmanthus cake is famous far and wide, sweet but not greasy, and melts in your mouth."

Xu Jianli smiled and nodded, his eyes sweeping across the dazzling array of pastries in the store, finally stopping on the tempting golden osmanthus cake.

"Give me a pound of sweet-scented osmanthus cake, boss. Do you have any other delicious cakes here?"

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he quickly introduced: "And our chestnut cake."

"Now is the time when fresh chestnuts are on the market. We select the best chestnuts and carefully make them through multiple processes. They are sweet and soft, and we guarantee that you will have an endless aftertaste."

Xu Jianli nodded and asked, "Boss, may I ask you a question, do you know General Chen Zeyun?"

A flash of surprise flashed across the shopkeeper's face, but he immediately returned to normal and looked at Xu Jianli, trying to guess his intentions. "Who are you? What do you want from him?"

Xu Jianli sensed the shopkeeper's vigilance and quickly explained, "We are his friends. We recently heard some news about him, saying that he was having a hard time. We were worried about him, so we came to see him."

"I don't know whether the news is true or not. I saw that your store is not far from his home, so I asked around."

After hearing this, the shopkeeper's eyes softened a little, and he sighed: "I know him, of course I don't know him."

"I watched Chen Zeyun grow up. He was very smart when he was young. He later joined the army and became an official. What a pity..."

Having said this, the shopkeeper shook his head and didn't continue.

Xu Jianli's heart tightened, and he asked, "Boss, I heard that General Chen is having a hard time now, is that true?"

The shopkeeper sighed and said slowly: "After General Chen came back from injury, the family's farmland became his only support. He also had to support his two sons to study and heal his leg."

"Life is difficult. Especially his leg, which is seriously injured. He has consulted so many doctors, used so many medicines, and spent so much money."

Hearing this, Xu Jianli frowned, and his heart was filled with worry for his friend: "Isn't there any help from the Chen family?"

The shopkeeper gave a bitter smile and said, "Help me? Not bullying me is good enough."

"Although General Chen comes from a famous family, they are from a branch family and have been the only heir for three consecutive generations. The population is small, and those people in the clan always want to take a bite of his family."

"Fortunately, Chen Zeyun had several friends who were officials to look after him, so those tribesmen didn't succeed. But..."

The shopkeeper said this and shook his head again, his eyes full of helplessness and sympathy.

Xu Jianli felt mixed emotions when he heard this. He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Boss, do you know what kind of cakes General Chen's family likes? I want to buy some cakes to visit him."

The shopkeeper sighed again, then smiled and said, "His little girl likes crystal cakes, while his two sons like osmanthus cakes. As for Chen Zeyun, he has loved chestnut cakes since he was a child, but in recent years... Oh, let's not talk about it."

As he said this, the shopkeeper shook his hands, his face full of helplessness.