Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

The Wang family of Qingzhou?

Chu Xuan was slightly taken aback, then slowly searched his memory before recalling it.

"It turns out it was them..."

The Wang family of Qingzhou is one of the most powerful families in the Great Xia Dynasty. Although its foundation is weaker than that of the Chu family, the Chu family is now showing signs of decline.

In this generation of the Wang family, there are many descendants. The eldest son of the Wang family patriarch, Wang Yun, is now the Minister of Works in the court, ranking among the Three Dukes. The second son, Wang Hong, is the Governor of Qingzhou, holding both military and political power in Qingzhou. The third son, Wang Hao, who is also the eldest son of the legitimate wife, is the Commander of the Guards, second only to the Grand General in the Ministry of War.

All three were top-ranking officials in the court, truly three outstanding figures from one family.

Wang Yun's son is now a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, a favorite minister of the Xia Emperor. Even if the previous three retire in the future, this grandson is enough to support the Wang family.

It was in a period of great prosperity.

Apart from Chu Yifeng and his brother, most of the other members of the Chu family across three generations were dissolute and good-for-nothing scoundrels. In comparison, the difference in their status was immediately apparent.

Cheng Han glanced at Chu Xuan's expression, not noticing anything amiss, before speaking.

"My lord, this is exactly what I was about to say. The man who came today is named Wang Ze. He is the sixth brother of the Wang family patriarch and is considered a person of high status and power in the Wang family."

"And among the businesses under the Wang family's control, sachets occupy a significant position. I'm afraid their visit today is not for good purposes..."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan simply nodded slightly.

What Cheng Han knew, Chu Xuan was naturally familiar with as well.

It would be most strange if the Wang family, as a powerful and influential clan, didn't have any businesses under its control. Within the Great Xia Dynasty, it was common knowledge that the Wang family had three prominent assets.

Qingzhou wine, sandalwood sachets, embroidered silk paper.

These three items were renowned throughout the Great Xia Dynasty, and countless high-ranking officials and nobles fought over them relentlessly, bringing the Wang family wealth that was almost comparable to that of a nation.

Therefore, Wang Ze's purpose in coming here today is quite clear.

This arrogant head of the sixth branch of the Wang family deliberately came to cause trouble because his perfume business had taken a slice of their pie.

Thinking of this, a ruthless glint appeared in Chu Xuan's eyes.

The reason he didn't target the liquor business was because the Wang family controlled it too tightly. If he acted rashly, he would suffer a blow that he couldn't handle at the moment.

That's why I focused on perfumes that are a bit lighter in color.

But clearly, the Wang family was still unwilling.

good very good.

Your family is high and mighty, you've taken all the benefits, and you treat us like dogs, beating and oppressing us. Do you really think we have no temper?

At this moment, Wang Ze below was doing exactly as he had expected.

He sneered at Zhang Liu a few times and said.

“Zhang Changshi, what you just said is only the one-sided statement of your Lucheng Prefect. Who knows how effective it was?”

"Perfume? To put it bluntly, Lucheng is just a small town on the border of the Great Xia Dynasty. If such a magical thing really existed, how could it have originated from your place?"

"Lord Wang, you..."

Zhang Liu's face was somewhat unpleasant. How could he not know that Wang Ze had come to cause trouble today?

However, he couldn't refute it for the time being. After all, he himself was not very clear about the effects of the perfume. He just said it because Cheng Han told him so.

As for Wang Ze, with the backing of the Wang family of Qingzhou, no matter what he says, as long as his backer is still there, who cares whether what he says is right or wrong?

Even if Wang Ze were to speak up today and demand that the perfume disappear, most of the people present would probably obediently comply and not dare to get involved in this matter any further.

Use power to suppress others.

"Husband, this old man is utterly detestable. My husband is already incredibly capable, able to create perfume. Who says only the Wang family can make it? Isn't this bullying?"

Ah Leng said indignantly.

Looking at the girl's somewhat innocent appearance, Chu Xuan smiled and shook his head.

He then spoke with a gloomy face.

“He just wants to bully people because in his eyes we are weak, so we are guilty, and he can naturally act as a judge to suppress us.”

"Cheng Han, come here."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Han nodded slightly.

The Chu family and the Wang family have always been somewhat at odds, and as a member of the Chu family, he naturally harbors even greater dissatisfaction with Wang Ze.

He stood up, walked to the tassel, and said with a deep laugh to those below.

"I thought it was someone else, but it turns out to be Lord Wang from the Wang family."

"Hiss... Isn't that Prefect Cheng? What's he doing there?"

"Nonsense, this perfume is owned by the Lucheng government, so naturally he has to oversee it. Now, Prefect Cheng and Lord Wang are going to clash."

"I heard that Prefect Cheng was promoted by a high-ranking member of the Chu family, so he's considered a protégé of the Chu family. And they've never been on good terms with the Wang family..."

Amidst the whispers of the crowd, Wang Ze looked up and met Cheng Han's gaze, a faint hint of mockery appearing on his lips.

"Lord Cheng, I've heard so much about you. I never imagined that you, a scholar, would be interested in such materialistic things and come here in person."

Upon hearing these sarcastic remarks, the younger members of the Wang family around Wang Ze couldn't help but laugh.

In their view, a person of Cheng Han's caliber, though considered high and mighty by ordinary people, was far from being worthy of their attention.

If the Wang family wanted, they could easily create ten or eight high-ranking officials comparable to him.

Cheng Han knew what they were thinking, but he wasn't annoyed and just smiled faintly.

"Lord Wang's presence today has truly graced this humble abode. However, what you said earlier might be somewhat inappropriate. This perfume was a rare find by one of my men in a place of extraordinary natural beauty. I personally tested it before taking it out. How could you, Lord Wang, immediately accuse me of being wrong?"

"Lord Wang, please think things through carefully."

Hearing this eerie voice, Wang Ze sneered and said without hesitation.

"Come on, everyone here is smart. Who doesn't know that this perfume is a product of your company? You're still lying about it being some kind of rare and precious item. If that were true, it should be handed over to His Majesty. Besides the royal family, who else in the world is qualified to use it?"

These words were quite blunt.

Although everyone knew he was telling the truth, it was something done in private. Since Cheng Han had used the name of a rare and precious item, no one would openly break off relations with him or give him preferential treatment.

But Wang Ze was born that way.

It was laid bare before everyone.

It looks like today is going to be a tough day.

Wang Ze's meaning was clear: either Cheng Han would obediently withdraw and hand over the perfume to him, or Wang Ze would play hardball and directly make the perfume his personal favorite.

There might be an even simpler way, but who is Wang Ze? The difference in status between him and Cheng Han is like heaven and earth.

Naturally, we should do things as simply as possible.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Han narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a cold laugh.

"Lord Wang has a good appetite, but the treasures of heaven and earth naturally come to earth with the celestial beings. Shouldn't Lord Wang ask the opinion of that celestial being?"