**Chapter 18: East of the City? West?**
Xu Mingyuan arrived at the Chen family's gate.
The gatekeeper saw him and immediately cupped his hands. "Second Young Master Xu, have you come to see the eldest young master or the master?"
These servants knew that the relationship between the Xu and Chen families was no ordinary friendship—they were very close.
"I'm looking for Second Uncle."
"Young master, please follow me."
Through the cooperation with the Xu family, after five years of development, Chen Erzheng had become one of the landowners in Dongxi Village.
Compared to his second-rate warrior brother, his life was clearly more comfortable.
His older brother, Chen Daming, had married a wealthy merchant's daughter, but he didn't have a strong ability to earn money, nor did he go into business. In the past two years, he had borrowed a lot of silver from his father and his father-in-law, using his connections in Qingjiang County to become a minor official.
Though he could often get some perks here and there, expenses were also high.
Sometimes, he even borrowed money from Chen Erzheng.
For once, Chen Erzheng was no longer inferior to his big brother—he could finally hold his head up.
Of course, if Chen Daming could become a first-rate warrior, that would be a different matter.
But he was now confused. His potential had long been exhausted. A second-rate warrior was already his limit.
It was precisely because of this that he had thought of entering the Qingjiang County system.
An iron rice bowl—at least it was stable.
Today, the Chen family compound had been renovated and expanded.
It now covered an area half again as large as the Xu family home.
They had also hired an accountant, a housekeeper, and maids.
A true squire's estate.
Xu Mingyuan followed the Chen servant, looking around as he walked. He thought to himself, *Second Uncle really knows how to enjoy himself. I haven't been here in a month or two, and there are more osmanthus trees and a rockery.*
**The front yard.**
Chen Da Niu was practicing martial arts at home. When he saw Xu Mingyuan, he immediately stopped and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"
After Xu Mingyuan had started practicing martial arts, Chen Da Niu had also proposed it to his father.
Seeing that his son was interested, Chen Erzheng had sent him to a martial hall.
The Black Tiger Martial Hall had Chen Daming's connections—Chen Daming's nephew would at least look after him.
But martial arts couldn't be done by connections alone—it depended on the individual.
Fortunately, Chen Da Niu was different from Chen Erzheng. He had perseverance.
He woke with the roosters and practiced until midnight.
With his family sparing no effort to support him, Chen Da Niu's strength was now close to Xu Mingyuan's. Becoming a third-rate warrior in two or three years was no problem. He was expected to become a second-rate warrior before the age of thirty.
"Come on, Aiyuan." Chen Da Niu said, "Come back to see you. Let's have a spar."
"I won't lose to you now."
"Next time. I'm here to see Second Uncle."
Xu Mingyuan smiled. He didn't mention his aunt, who was already far from their original closeness. But the temperament of Chen Da Niu was still quite to his liking.
One yard to another—Xu Mingyuan was very clear about this distinction.
Because that was how things were in his own family too.
"Looking for my father? Fine. But with you so distracted, sooner or later I'll catch up."
"Oh, compared to me—I only practice martial arts because Dad forces me. Compared to my big brother, in martial arts talent, I'm far worse than him."
"I'm not stupid. I won't compare myself to you!"
Looking at Chen Da Niu's clever expression, Xu Mingyuan was speechless. He waved his hand. "I won't disturb your practice. I'll go talk."
Then he followed the servant into the inner quarters.
"Aiyuan, why are you here?"
When Chen Erzheng saw him, his face was full of surprise. He waved to the servant beside him and dismissed him.
The servant cupped his hands, left the inner courtyard, and returned to his post at the gate.
"Come, let's go to the study and talk."
**Inside the study.** Rows of bookshelves were filled with books.
Seeing Xu Mingyuan looking around, Chen Erzheng smiled and explained, "Just for show. You know that your Second Uncle doesn't have much learning in his belly. I can only work on the appearance."
"Lately, I've come to feel that Chuan Ge having you read and write from a young age was absolutely right. Even though you practice martial arts, you haven't given it up."
"Unlike my Big Ox—he's completely immersed in martial arts now."
"A few years ago, I thought he'd almost forgotten how to read."
"Aiyuan, sit down."
Chen Erzheng invited Xu Mingyuan to sit, then said, "Would you like some tea?"
"No, I just finished breakfast."
Xu Mingyuan smiled and said, "Second Uncle, that's not fair. Big Ox is still good. His future achievements in martial arts will definitely surpass his uncle's."
"That's true." Chen Erzheng's face showed pride. "I've spent a lot of silver on him. It's not like it's all been for nothing."
"Enough small talk. What did you come to see me about? Tell me."
Chen Erzheng poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip.
"Second Uncle, you talked to my father about opening a shop in the county."
"Yes. Did your father agree?"
Xu Mingyuan nodded. "Opening a shop—my father agrees. Development in Dongxi Village has its limits. The Xu family's future focus will be in Qingjiang County."
"Good." Chen Erzheng's face lit up with joy. "Then let's, uncle and nephew, plan together—how to open this shop."
"No, Second Uncle."
"What do you mean?" Chen Erzheng looked at Xu Mingyuan in surprise.
At thirteen, the boy's immature face was gradually fading. There was a bit of a look between his brows—a hint of confidence.
"Qingjiang County is different from the countryside. It's mostly powerful and wealthy families. If we run the shop together, the hard work of the past two years might be wasted."
"So this nephew suggests that we go separate ways."
"You mean—each family opens its own shop and runs its own business?"
Xu Mingyuan nodded.
Chen Erzheng began to think.
After years of trials, he was no longer a novice. He had his own calculations when it came to business.
"It's not impossible. Qingjiang County is the richest and largest of the several counties in the area. The market for fruits and vegetables is very big. As long as our shops aren't too close together, they won't affect each other's business. And we can maximize our profits."
Seeing that Chen Erzheng was not opposed, Xu Mingyuan said, "Second Uncle, then it's settled. Father has given me full responsibility for the Xu family's fruit and vegetable shop in Qingjiang County. I'm still busy dealing with it."
"Qingjiang County is a place where dragons and tigers hide. I need to plan carefully."
As he left the courtyard, he was spotted by Xu Yan, who had just come out of the gate.
She frowned slightly and went to the study. "Was that Aiyuan just now? What did he want? Was it about the fruit and vegetable cooperation in Qingjiang County?"
"That's right." Chen Erzheng said. "But after much consideration, I've decided we'll separate."
"Each family opens its own shop."
"We won't use the Xu family's name for anything in the future."
"That's good, but—"
What Xu Yan wanted to say was cut off by Chen Erzheng's raised hand. "Alright. That's settled. You and I will discuss the details."
Xu Yan sighed a little in her heart. *It seems the Xu family doesn't want to cooperate anymore.*
"It's just that now you don't have to worry about anything anymore. You can go all out."
"Wife, do you think our shop should be in the East City or the West City?" Chen Erzheng said. "There are many powerful families in the East City, and many commoners in the West."
"Naturally, East City. East City is prosperous—we'll earn more."
---
**The Xu family home.**
"Dad, do you think our shop should be in the East or West?" Xu Mingyuan said. "Or East City? We've sold in the East before, and we already have a foundation there."
After a moment's thought, Xu Chuan said, "Aiyuan, spreading goods for sale is different from running a fixed shop."
"Opening a shop is like putting down roots. East City is bustling. The prices are higher, and the profits will be higher. But behind that prosperity lies a tangled web of interests."
"Dad leans toward the West City?"
Xu Chuan nodded. "Today, your father will tell you what a supermarket is."
He began to explain. Xu Mingyuan was intelligent and quick-witted. He immediately grasped Xu Chuan's meaning.
"In the West City, we can buy fruits and vegetables from retail growers, then sell them under the Xu family name. The fruits and vegetables produced by our own family can be labeled as premium quality, priced much higher, as a distinction."
"Some small growers who aren't willing to sell to us can still form a cooperative relationship. We can provide the venue and collect some rent."
"We have the golden signboard of Green Jade Pears in our hands. Building a reputation will be easy."
"With reputation comes customers."
"That will lead to buying fruits and vegetables from ordinary growers, increasing their sales, and attracting more small growers."
"It's like rolling a snowball—it gets bigger and bigger."
After Xu Chuan's explanation, Xu Mingyuan felt as if a door had opened. His eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Dad, I'm going to Qingjiang County to discuss cooperation and choose a location. I won't be back for a few days."
"Go." Xu Chuan smiled slightly. "Take Zhou Ming, Zhao Dalong, and the others. Remember to be steady. Better to do without than to rush."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Mingyuan went to Bai Jing to collect several thousand taels in silver notes and took his people to Qingjiang County.
---