Chapter 17: Opening a Shop in the County Town
Facing the encirclement, Xu Mingwei mainly focused on blocking and evading.
His body moved in an S-shaped path, lifting his knees and swinging his arms to block.
When he landed, his toes touched the ground, concentrating an explosive force to dramatically increase his speed, weaving through the several people.
He was like a fire Dragon surpassing a swamp, possessing both flexibility and explosive power.
This move was a movement technique from the Small Dragon Elephant Skill, 'Dragon Swims Through Winding Swamps'.
After moving back and forth like this for over a dozen breaths, the three-person encirclement showed a flaw.
A sharp glint flashed in Xu Mingwei's eyes.
With a sweeping leg, he directly sent two of them flying, then took the opportunity to twist his body and leap into the air.
His right leg, like a battle-axe, chopped down on the shoulder of the last person.
Bang ~
That unparalleled strength, like a thousand-pound boulder, directly forced him to his knees, and countless beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"That's enough," Xu Chuan suddenly said.
Hearing this, Xu Mingwei withdrew his leg.
He exhaled a long breath, his expression normal, not even a drop of sweat on his face.
Zhao Dalong and the other two stood up, cupped their fists, and bowed to him, their faces filled with admiration, and they said in unison, "Thank you, Da gongzi, for showing mercy."
"You are too polite, I was just lucky to be slightly better."
Xu Chuan nodded with satisfaction at this.
At this moment, a plump little girl, like a porcelain doll, walked over and called out in a clear voice, "Father, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, breakfast is ready."
Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others also spoke, saying, "Then, Family Head, we will also head back first."
"Mm."
Xu Chuan nodded.
If it were just him alone before, eating together would be fine.
But now, each of them had started their own families and had their own children.
It was no longer appropriate for them to eat and drink at the main family's house.
The Xu Family treated them well, with a monthly salary of five taels, which was absolutely unique in the entire Dongxi Village.
"My little Xue Ji."
Xu Chuan walked over and picked her up, affectionately touching her nose with his own, which made her giggle and say, "Father, it tickles."
The little girl was Xu Mingshu.
As the only girl, she was showered with affection in the Xu Family.
At the Eight Immortals Table.
In the center was a large basin of minced meat porridge, surrounded by scallion pancakes, egg pancakes, as well as pickles and pickled radish.
It was quite abundant.
There were seven people in the Xu Family, but only six were seated here.
The one missing was Xu Mingxuan.
He had been sent to the Tianlong Martial Hall in Qingjiang County three years ago.
Li Zhi went with him.
The two of them only returned home one day every seven days.
"Tantou will be back tomorrow, I wonder if he has lost weight."
Bai Jing served Xu Chuan a bowl of plain porridge, her eyes full of longing for her son.
"He is highly valued at the Tianlong Martial Hall; he won't suffer any grievances."
Xu Chuan said indifferently.
This immediately drew a string of complaints from Bai Jing, who said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "There are many Martial Artists practicing in the family, why did you have to send Tantou to the Martial Hall?"
"Martial Halls are mixed, how can you guarantee he won't be bullied?"
Xu Chuan didn't explain much.
Sending the two of them to the Martial Hall naturally had its purpose.
One was to receive better training, and the other was to expand their network.
Because of their talent, both of them were accepted as Disciples by an Acquired Peak instructor at the Martial Hall.
With this connection, the Martial Hall instructor also became friends with the Xu Family.
After breakfast.
Xu Chuan put down his chopsticks and looked at Xu Mingyuan, "Two days ago, your Second Gou Uncle suggested that our two families jointly open a fruit and vegetable shop in the county town. What do you think?"
"Open a shop in the county town? Your aunt must have instigated that, right?"
Xu Mingyuan was somewhat dismissive, saying faintly, "I heard Da Niu say before that their family seemed to have the intention of moving to the county town."
"With the current scale of fruit and vegetable production from our two families' farmlands and mountains, supplying two or three fruit and vegetable shops is no problem at all."
"If we're really going to open one, I suggest our family open one on our own."
"With the quality of our fruits and vegetables, plus having qingyu pear as our signature item, our business will certainly be extremely popular, even if it doesn't dominate."
Xu Mingyuan remembered something and continued with a smile, "I recall that in about half a month, the qingyu pear will also ripen. Using it as a seasonal fruit will definitely help us establish our reputation."
"However, if we do that, the Xu family's side…"
Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan's expression. He knew that Xu Chuan had always prioritized forbearance when it came to the Xu family.
Therefore, for many years, the qingyu pear had still been sold to the Xu family.
But every time he saw the arrogant faces of the Xu family when they came to collect the qingyu pear, Xu Mingyuan felt a surge of anger, wishing he could rush up and slap them twice.
"Xu family."
Xu Chuan murmured the words, then smiled faintly, "Since you already have a plan, then starting this year, we won't sell to their family anymore."
"That's great, Father."
"I'll have Zhou Ming assist you in setting up the shop in Qingjiang County. Just ask your mother for as much silver as you need."
"Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others are also at your disposal."
Xu Mingyuan smiled and nodded, rubbing his hands together, filled with enthusiasm from head to toe.
This would be the Xu Family's first official step towards developing into the county town.
At this moment, Bai Jing suddenly said, "If we don't cooperate with Er Gou's family, will they have an opinion?"
Xu Mingyuan said, "Mother, you don't know, it was fine when Second Gou Uncle was in charge, but later, when Auntie took over, she repeatedly sold privately and raised prices, making constant small moves…"
"Several times, she almost damaged our Xu Family's reputation."
"If it weren't for Second Gou Uncle's friendship with Father, I would have long ago asked Father to stop cooperating with them."
"There's such a thing?"
Bai Jing looked surprised.
Xu Chuan was very calm about this matter, only uttering an eight-character evaluation, "Too clever for her own good, insatiable greed."
"Since you're handling the shop matter, you also go talk to Er Gou. You know how to make it clear, right?"
"Understood, I won't hurt Father's friendship with Second Gou Uncle."
Xu Mingyuan thought for a moment, then said, "I'll go to his house right now, to avoid any complications."
He quickly finished his remaining plain porridge, then hurried out the door.
"Father, I'm also going into the mountains."
Xu Mingwei also stood up and said.
"Mm."
Xu Chuan responded.
At this moment, Xu Mingshu suddenly stood up, tugged on Xu Mingwei's sleeve, and looked up, saying, "Eldest Brother, I want a small animal."
Xu Mingwei hesitated a bit; the wild beasts in the mountains were difficult to tame and couldn't be brought back casually.
"If there are young ones, it's fine to bring a few back," Xu Chuan said.
"Understood."
Xu Mingwei squatted down and rubbed Xu Mingshu's head, "Eldest Brother will bring them for you."
"Thank you, Eldest Brother."
Xu Mingshu now also had the destiny talent 【Whispers of All Spirits】 added to her.
This was the last unclaimed destiny talent on the Bloodline family tree.
It allowed communication with all beasts, making them naturally friendly.
As for 【Averting Harm】, it had already been given to Xu Mingxuan.
"Xue Ji, and Yun Nu, both of you are six years old now, and you also need to start practicing martial arts, understood?" Xu Chuan said.
Bai Jing's body trembled, but she didn't say much, continuing to clear the dishes from the table.
"Yes, Father."
Xu Mingshu's eyes were filled with curiosity, while Xu Mingxian was somewhat excited, his small fists clenched tightly.
"Then who will teach us, Father?" Xu Mingxian's eyes sparkled.
Xu Chuan chuckled, "I will personally."