Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Around dusk, Liang An personally drove his carriage to the inn.

Fortunately, in order not to reveal his identity, he did not make a big fuss. Otherwise, if the news that the head constable of a city was personally driving a car for someone had spread, who knows how those with ulterior motives would have pointed fingers and gossiped.

Chu Xuan and his two companions got into the car and went to the appointment. Fifteen minutes later, they stopped in front of an extremely elegantly decorated restaurant.

"Mr. Chu, please."

Liang An personally led the three of them to the right place.

Chu Xuan took a quick look around. Chu Ran Ju was indeed gilded. Just by looking at it, you could tell that a lot of money had been spent on its construction. From these things alone, you could see that it was worthy of being the number one restaurant in Lucheng.

He also learned from Liang An that Cheng Han was involved in the restaurant.

Today's guests were cleared out to accommodate them, and Chu Ran Residence is open tonight only for Chu Xuan.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan remained silent. These words were likely spoken by Liang An at Cheng Han's behest, making the intention to curry favor all the more obvious.

Chu Xuan thought for a moment, then followed Liang An into a private room inside.

Inside the private room, Cheng Han rushed over as soon as he finished his shift and had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Chu Xuan for the first time, they quickly came forward to greet him with a bow.

"This must be Young Master Chu? I am Cheng Han, Prefect of Lucheng. Greetings, Young Master Chu."

Chu Xuan sized up the official in charge of Lucheng. He had a dignified appearance, wore very simple clothes, and had a smile that could even be described as fawning.

"sit down."

Since Cheng Han had elevated him to this level, Chu Xuan naturally couldn't lower himself. He nodded slightly as a gesture of respect.

Cheng Han nodded repeatedly, sat down with Chu Xuan, and personally poured him a pot of wine.

Despite his usual imposing and unapproachable demeanor in front of the people of Lucheng, he was now extremely cautious, not daring to even breathe loudly.

On the contrary, Chu Xuan and his two companions seemed to treat this place as their own home. After finding a waiter, they ignored Cheng Han and Liang An, ordered some dishes, and ate heartily, as if they had come here specifically to eat at a wealthy household.

The more Chu Xuan remained silent, the greater the psychological pressure on Cheng Han became.

While he was walking on eggshells, Cheng Han watched as Chu Xuan and the two women seriously discussed the talents on the table. This led Cheng Han to believe that Chu Xuan was doing this because his attitude had displeased the Chu family, and they were using this as a way to put pressure on him.

Throughout the entire meal, Cheng Han felt like an ant being roasted over a fire, extremely uncomfortable and afraid to move even slightly, let alone pick up his chopsticks.

The dignified Prefect of Lucheng and the head constable of the city were now like waiters serving tea and water to the three of them.

Only after Chu Xuan had finally eaten and drunk his fill and had a cup of tea to aid digestion did Cheng Han see an opportunity and quickly stepped forward to pour him a glass of wine.

“Young Master Chu, it was indeed my oversight. I was unaware of your arrival and failed to greet you. I will punish myself with a cup of wine in advance.”

He was about to drink it all in one gulp when Chu Xuan pressed the rim of the cup down.

"Master Cheng."

Chu Xuan looked at him with a strange smile and said in a cold voice.

"Is this a question of whether or not to welcome me? Perhaps, Lord Cheng, you're trying to downplay your own mistake? Or perhaps you don't even know where you went wrong?"

"This……"

Cheng Han felt a chill run down his spine from that question. After stammering for a moment, he finally sighed and said...

"It was my incompetence that prevented me from saving your brother. Rest assured, sir, I have already issued a strict order within the government office to investigate the truth of this matter as soon as possible and bring justice to your brother!"

After she finished speaking, she glanced at Chu Xuan cautiously, as if worried that her words might displease him.

Chu Xuan picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

"Fair? Incompetent?"

"Lord Cheng, do you think this explanation is enough? Why don't you let my Chu family do something for you as well? And finally, let me tell you that it was the subordinates who were incompetent. Do you think that's acceptable?"

Chu Xuan put down his wine glass, and the smile that had been on his face suddenly turned icy.

Cheng Han was all too familiar with that expression!

The Chu family members he had encountered in the past often wore this expression of anger befitting a superior.

For a moment, his thighs involuntarily trembled.

People often say that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, but in fact, these powerful families are similar, and sometimes even more so.

He was able to rise to power by taking advantage of the Chu family because the Chu family thought he was useful.

If the Chu family decides he's useless, or even a threat to their interests, they'll likely be the first to abandon him. Some of the more ruthless ones could easily make him wish he were dead.

"My lord... I am foolish and humbly request your clarification."

In her nervousness, she even changed how she addressed Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan put down his wine glass and smiled coldly.

"Lord Cheng, there's no need to be so nervous. This matter can be either a big deal or a small deal. I can help you minimize the harm, but I also need to see your sincerity."

"To be honest, although Chu Zeng and I are brothers and respect each other, we are also rivals. So when Chu Zeng died, as his brother I was saddened, but as his rival, this was my opportunity. Lord Cheng, do you understand?"

Chu Xuan's nonchalant words left Cheng Han stunned for a moment before he suddenly understood.

So all this kid did for Chu Zeng was just trying to get a piece of the pie.

After realizing this, he felt relieved.

Cheng Han wasn't afraid that Chu Xuan had ulterior motives; he was afraid that Chu Xuan didn't, and that he would instead be determined to pursue this matter to the death.

Now that Chu Xuan has a plan, everything is much easier to discuss.

He smiled and said, "I wonder how you wish me to cooperate, young master?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan knew he should make a request, so he held up three fingers.

"three things."

"First, the money that went through Chu Zeng to the Chu family is now going through my hands. Of course, I won't let you do it for free. I'll keep 30%, and we'll split it 30/70."

"Secondly, Duan Yu's Yellow-Clad Bandits and gambling dens are gone. Those mountain bandits he recruited are likely to cause trouble. Have someone keep a close eye on them and prevent them from causing any trouble. If anything happens, I will come looking for you. Understand?"

"Third, that sachet shop, that must have been your business too, right? Close it all down. Those low-class things dare to make so much money, are you really not afraid of death? After you close it down, I'll supply you with the goods, and you can sell them for me."

After speaking, Chu Xuan looked up and stared intently at Cheng Han, as if trying to see through his thoughts.

"I have only three requirements. If you can do them, then we're on the same side. If you can't... then you're either my friend or my enemy."

"It's up to you."