Chapter 71

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Elder Wang Xiaohan was somewhat surprised and uncertain, but in the end, he still respected Wang Shouzhe's decision.

He was now the patriarch, the head of the family. If he strongly opposed selling the unripe five-hundred-year-old nine-leaf spirit ginseng, no one would dare to sell it.

Then, Wang Shouzhe also inquired about the remaining six or seven medium-grade spirit fields.

Those fields were also planted with nine-leaf spirit ginseng, ranging from the lowest to the highest. The worst was ten years old, and the best was seventy years old.

"The nine-leaf spirit ginseng, we do not sell it externally. Instead, we use it to slowly accumulate the family's foundation," Wang Xiaohan explained. "Therefore, although the two medium-grade spirit fields produce considerable value, at least half of the benefits are reinvested into increasing the planting of nine-leaf spirit ginseng."

"Very good," Wang Shouzhe nodded in approval. "For a family to flourish, it relies not on short-term profits but on long-term investments and returns. This way, the family's foundation will gradually become solid. When good times come, it can rise, and if it encounters disasters or crises, it can rely on its foundation to sustain itself."

These two medium-grade spirit fields, operating independently outside the family's assets, theoretically violated the Xuanwu family's taboos.

However, this was not a private operation by a family member. In a broader sense, it was still part of the family's assets, accumulating the family's foundation while occasionally providing support to the family.

Operating private assets for personal gain has always been one of the Xuanwu family's greatest taboos. Such a trend would inevitably lead to disunity within the family, continuous internal strife, and ultimately, disintegration.

If a family member truly wanted to develop their own business, they could, after negotiating and obtaining the family's consent, leave the family to establish their own branch.

This is what is known as a branch family.

At that time, that branch would be recorded as a branch of the Wang family of Ping'an—side lineage.

For example, the Xu family of Jinsha is a branch of the Xu family of Changning. Although both are Xu families, they separated into two independent entities over a hundred years ago.

The Wang family of Ping'an is also a side lineage of the Wang family of Longzuo. In the ancestral hall and genealogy of the Wang family of Longzuo, there would be records of the lineage passed down by the old ancestor Zouxuan.

However, the number of people passed down and their descendants would not be recorded in the genealogy. At most, there would be some biographical records of notable figures from that lineage.

Let's leave this aside for now.

After visiting the family's secret foundation, Wang Shouzhe felt much better. With these foundations, his confidence was even stronger.

Wang Xiaohan then led Wang Shouzhe around the Xing Sheng Farm, greatly enhancing his understanding of it.

After achieving his goal, Wang Shouzhe had a meal and then returned home with the seventh elder, Wang Shouye, by boat.

On the way, inside the covered boat,

Wang Shouzhe took out paper and pen, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes writing. Wang Shouye, curious, peeked over and asked, "Fourth Brother, what are you writing?"

"A system panel."

"Oh." Wang Shouye had no idea what a system panel was but felt that his fourth brother was incredibly awesome, his admiration and respect growing even more.

Indeed, Wang Shouzhe would never give up on gradually building and updating his system panel.

The covered boat swayed all the way back to the residence.

Wang Shouzhe encouraged and instructed Wang Shouye a few times, then had the servant Wang Gui send him back. He then carried a bag of fresh fruits and headed towards [Longyan Residence].

Outside Longyan Residence, Wang Shouzhe found the eldest maid, Wang Lici, peeking around. He immediately frowned and asked, "Eldest Maid, what are you doing here so sneakily?"

"Ah? Fourth Uncle..." Wang Lici was so scared that her legs went weak and she confessed, "I, I'm looking for the old ancestor."

"Nonsense." Wang Shouzhe frowned and scolded, "Longyan Residence is a forbidden area. Without the old ancestor's summons, how dare you disturb her cultivation?"

"I, I..." Wang Lici's round face turned pale, her eyes brimming with tears, "Fourth Uncle, I just want the old ancestor to guide me in body techniques and combat skills."

"Body techniques and combat skills?" Wang Shouzhe looked at her suspiciously, "Are you sure you're not here to ask the old ancestor for food?"

"Fourth Uncle, how can you say that about me?" Wang Lici was indignant, her face full of委屈, "Just because you have ambition? I want to become stronger too."

Hearing this,

Wang Shouzhe's stern expression softened a bit, and he apologized, "It turns out that Lici has ambition. I misunderstood you. I apologize, Lici."

"Hmph, I'm so angry, I don't want to talk to you."

Wang Lici turned her head away, pouting, her eyes brimming with tears, looking extremely pitiful.

"By the way, I just went to Xing Sheng Farm," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "I picked some fresh sweet melons. The weather is good this year, and the melons are juicy and sweet. Do you want one?"

As he spoke, he took out a green sweet melon from the bag.

"Sure, sure, sure." Wang Lici's eyes lit up, wiped the melon, and took big bites, her eyes squinting in satisfaction, "This melon is so sweet and delicious. Thank you, Fourth Uncle."

"Lici, having ambition is good. But the old ancestor is not well, so you shouldn't disturb her unnecessarily," Wang Shouzhe said with satisfaction, "At your current level, I can guide you. Starting tomorrow, wait for me at the training ground at dawn, and I'll train with you. Eat slowly, here, have another melon."

Wang Lici listened to the first part well, but the second part made her shudder, and she stopped eating the melon. She weakly said, "Fourth Uncle, isn't dawn too early?"

"It's not early. It's already light at dawn in summer," Wang Shouzhe said with a slight frown, "That's the best time to practice body techniques and combat skills. Is there something difficult for you?"

"I mean, is there a Xuanwu combat skill that doesn't require practice, where you just eat and drink every day and become very powerful?" Wang Lici asked curiously, "Fourth Uncle, can you ask the old ancestor for me?"

Oh, my!

Wang Shouzhe's face twitched. So this is what Lici's ambition is. He actually believed her!

Wang Shouzhe, you are still young.

He took the melon from her, put it back in the bag, and headed towards Longyan Residence without looking back.

"Hey, Fourth Uncle, that's my melon, how can you take it?" Wang Lici chased after him, "Fourth Uncle, the world is so big, and there are so many wonders. Maybe there is such a Xuanwu combat skill?"

Wang Shouzhe laughed coldly, "Are you still blaming me for my limited knowledge?"

"Come in, don't make noise outside."

At that moment, the voice of Longyan Old Ancestor came from inside Longyan Residence.

Wang Shouzhe responded and pushed the door open, while Wang Lici followed closely behind, seeing the unfriendly look from her fourth uncle, she said, "The old ancestor said, 'Come in.' That 'all' is emphasized."

"Ha ha~" Wang Shouzhe glared at her and walked in to meet Longyan Old Ancestor.

At that moment, Longyan Old Ancestor had already moved to the pavilion, waiting for them.

"Shouzhe pays respects to the old ancestor." Wang Shouzhe bowed and noticed that the old ancestor's aura seemed much better, even her shoulder-length white hair seemed to have a lustrous glow. He immediately said, "Congratulations, old ancestor, your health is much better."

He was also excited, as the better the old ancestor's health, the safer the Wang family would be, and the burden on his heart would be lighter.

"Lici pays respects to the old ancestor, congratulations, old ancestor, your health is much better." Wang Lici also bowed, repeating Wang Shouzhe's words, making Wang Shouzhe's eyes twitch.

However, Longyan Old Ancestor seemed to enjoy this, and with her improved health, her mood was also good. She waved for Wang Lici to come over, "Why don't you come to see me sometimes?"

This scene made Wang Shouzhe slightly surprised. What did this girl give the old ancestor during the Hundred Islands Guard mission? The old ancestor seemed to dote on her.

Then, Wang Lici began to be attentive to the old ancestor, massaging her shoulders and arms, and said, "Fourth Uncle said that Longyan Residence is a family forbidden area and that I shouldn't disturb the old ancestor's cultivation. Sniff, sniff~ Old ancestor, I miss you so much, I can't even eat or drink. Look, I've lost weight."

Oh, my!

Wang Shouzhe's eyes turned unfriendly. This brat, daring to complain in front of the old ancestor?

"It does seem like you've lost some weight," Longyan Old Ancestor looked at her and then said to Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, let the eldest maid come if she wants to."

Hearing this, Wang Lici, hiding behind the old ancestor, gave Wang Shouzhe a smug look.

"Old ancestor," Wang Shouzhe said, "I'm just afraid she will be too noisy and disturb your cultivation."

"No problem," Longyan Old Ancestor, perhaps because of her improved health, seemed more open-minded, "Lici is gentle and considerate. Having her around will help my injuries heal faster."

Well.

Wang Shouzhe admitted that Wang Lici was good at flattering. He immediately said, "If the old ancestor likes it, that's good. These fruits are freshly picked from the farm. Please try them."

"Fourth Uncle, I'll do it." Wang Lici jumped up, took the bag, and washed two melons, naturally giving one to the old ancestor, "Old ancestor, please have a melon. I've already eaten one, it's very crisp and sweet."

Then she munched happily.

Wang Shouzhe was truly impressed by his niece's thick skin.

Seeing her eat so sweetly, Longyan Old Ancestor turned slightly, lifted the corner of her veil, and took a few bites, "This summer, there has been less rain, so the melons are sweeter than usual."

Seeing the old ancestor's improved mood, Wang Shouzhe felt relieved. Recently, the old ancestor had been supplied with abundant spirit food for her recovery, and her previously emaciated body had become more plump, and her aura was no longer cold and lifeless.

Clearly, with her improved condition, she was full of hope for the future of herself and the family.

This also meant that the Wang family's fifty years of bad luck were about to end. The next step was to settle accounts and rise again.

Wang Shouzhe's mood also improved.

However, before that, he still needed to take care of the future of the young and ambitious Wang Lici.

This child has ambition, loves food, is full of enthusiasm and imagination for life, and knows how to please elders.

Such an excellent child.

Surely, the best arrangement for her would be to have her help the sixth elder plant the spirit fields.

Also, this child loves reading and has a good spirit. She must not be deprived of new and ancient books. The Wang family may be poor, but they cannot neglect the education of the children.

Wang Shouzhe imagined the scene of the eldest maid working hard in the fields during the day and studying late into the night in a thatched hut, and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction and contentment.

The hope for the family's rise ultimately depends on these excellent young people.

We, the elders, must help them at critical moments in their growth.

"?"

Wang Lici, who was enjoying her third melon, felt something was not quite right, and her back felt cold.

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