Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Chu Xuan had no idea that his trip to Linyang City had caused such a huge uproar for both the emperor and the Chu family.

The next morning, he had Ah Leng deliver the ten newly made bottles of perfume to Cheng Han, and at the same time, he told the latter about his marketing methods.

Cheng Han, being a prefectural governor, naturally possessed a business acumen that A Leng could not match.

Although I don't quite understand the reasoning behind it, I inexplicably feel that this works.

Overjoyed, he immediately sent people to spread the news in all directions. This perfume was a rare treasure in the world, and with the added blessing of Chu Xuan's reputation as a poet, it caused a great stir in Lucheng in just two days.

Even neighboring cities know about this thing.

After it was announced that this work was by Chu Xuan, it suddenly caused a buying frenzy. Even before Cheng Han had started selling it, countless people had come to inquire about it, including many high-ranking officials and nobles.

Some families even offered an exorbitant price of five hundred taels per bottle.

These past few days, Cheng Han has been sitting in the prefectural government office, listening to these reports, and his mouth is practically crooked with a grin.

"Indeed, cooperating with Young Master Chu was the right choice..."

He clicked his tongue a few times, and then, following Chu Xuan's instructions, prepared to hold an auction at a later time.

That's right, Chu Xuan never intended to sell through ordinary shops in the first place.

Such a rare commodity is highly sought after. If it were placed in a shop, it would lower the perfume's prestige. Only by going through auctions and letting high-ranking officials and nobles compete for it can its status be maintained. Then, by spreading this news, it will probably be known throughout the entire Xia Dynasty in no time.

Chu Xuan gave only a few instructions before handing everything over to Cheng Han, thus becoming a hands-off manager.

For him, the more important thing was the resettlement of the bandits.

On the morning of the second day after returning to the village, Wang Fangfang kept his promise and led more than 300 people to the outside of the nameless village.

Without Chu Xuan's permission, they naturally dared not enter the village at will, but even so, the sheer number of bandits greatly surprised the people of Wuming Village, who then showed considerable resistance.

This was to be expected.

After all, Wuming Village has been living in dire straits for many years. Many of these bandits have come here to plunder, so it's impossible for them not to harbor resentment.

Even the village chief was extremely hostile towards him.

Fortunately, Chu Xuan intervened. With his authority in the village and his promise that these people would not enter the village but would instead be provided with some supplies to help them build another residence near the village, the villagers finally agreed.

Although they couldn't enter the village, Wang Fang and the others were still quite satisfied.

After all, Chu Xuan promised to let them settle down near the village, so at least they would have a place to stay.

They also knew that gaining the villagers' acceptance was not something that could be done overnight, so they weren't in a hurry.

Moreover, Chu Xuan also gave them a task: to build some workshops near their residence. The money needed would be paid from the village's treasury, and those who participated would receive the same salary as the villagers: 500 coins per person per month.

Those who perform well will receive additional rewards, and if there are children in the family, they can also attend the school for free.

The saying "Where there's a generous reward, there will be brave warriors" applies everywhere.

Upon receiving such a weighty promise, the bandits were naturally thrilled. Some of the more sentimental ones even had their eyes turn red and almost burst into tears.

Chu Xuan's respect for them was already evident.

If you want to come, you can. I don't care what you did in the past. As long as you do a good job, I will reward you handsomely.

This stable and hopeful life is exactly what they crave most.

So everyone worked with extra enthusiasm.

At the school, everything was completed, and Xiao Ziqi gradually got used to life there.

She was well-read, so teaching some unsophisticated children in the mountains was naturally a piece of cake for her.

Especially after seeing their somewhat timid yet hopeful eyes, they understood why Chu Xuan agreed to this, and became even more attentive.

Four or five days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Chu Xuan had just finished watching the children study at the school when he was stopped by the village chief halfway there.

The village chief looked somewhat excited and nervous. Despite his advanced age, he was panting heavily, his beard was wet, and his face looked rather comical.

Chu Xuan said with a wry smile, "Village Chief, what's the rush you're going to do?"

Before he could even catch his breath, the village chief, still excited, exclaimed, "Sir, you'd better hurry to the village entrance! The imperial court has sent people!"

Have the imperial court sent someone?

Chu Xuan was stunned when he heard this. He thought there was a problem with the construction, but he never expected this situation.

Why would someone from the imperial court come here out of the blue?

Could it be related to An Youzhong? Or has the matter at Shioda been exposed?

Chu Xuan frowned slightly. Neither of these two things was what he wanted to see.

But now that things have come to this, hiding is useless; it's better to go and see so that he can adapt to the situation.

"Walk."

After saying this, Chu Xuan strode to the village entrance with the village chief.

Only then did they see a crowd gathered at the village entrance, including several of Zhou Meng and Wang Fang's men, glaring angrily at the people they had surrounded.

"This is Young Master Chu's territory. You are not allowed to enter without Young Master Chu's permission!"

Those who were surrounded by the words were left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Chu Xuan looked at the man; he was fair-skinned and beardless, and should be a eunuch.

He immediately waved his hand and said, "Don't be so presumptuous, get out of here at once!"

"grown ups!"

Only then did everyone notice Chu Xuan's appearance, and Zhou Meng quickly stepped forward to speak.

"My lord, this man is followed by many armored guards; he may have ill intentions!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan took a closer look and indeed saw several soldiers in black armor protecting the eunuch in the crowd.

It must be said that after this period of time, Zhou Meng became extremely loyal to him, or rather, he had no choice but to be loyal. Now, the only person they could rely on was himself. If he fell, they would naturally not fare well either. Yet, for his sake, Zhou Meng was even willing to surround armored soldiers. Chu Xuan accepted this sentiment.

He patted Zhou Meng on the shoulder and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm here, so nothing will happen. You all step back. They're wearing armor, and if a fight breaks out, you're no match for them. It will only increase your casualties."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Meng dispersed the crowd and walked straight to the eunuch.

He bowed slightly in greeting.

"I am Chu Xuan, the lord of Wuming Mountain. I was unaware of your arrival, sir. What brings you here?"

"Chu Shixian, we've heard of your great name."

When the eunuch saw Chu Xuan appear, his expression was a half-smile.

"I've come to deliver an imperial edict to you today."