**Chapter 24: County Office**
**The next day.**
Xu Chuan took Bai Jing, Xu Mingwei, and the other children to Qingjiang County by carriage.
First, they arrived at the West Side residence.
"Dad, is this the house my brother bought?"
"It's bigger than our own house."
Xu Chuan looked around. This was his first time here as well. He observed for a moment.
"It's enough for the family to live in now. But when Shitou and Aiyuan marry and have children, it might be a bit cramped."
"Yes." Bai Jing smiled and echoed. "Shitou is nearly sixteen. In a few years, it'll be time to choose a family and marry."
She turned to Xu Chuan and said, "Does my husband have anyone in mind?"
"I'll leave it to you. Or, what matters most is Shitou's own preference."
Xu Chuan took Bai Jing's hand and rubbed it a few times. "My lady, go see if there's a room you like. You can come and stay here often in the future."
"No need."
Bai Jing shook her head. "Where my husband is, there your wife will be."
Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingyi were full of curiosity, wandering all over the house. The little white tiger followed along.
"Aiyuan, take your mother to the fruit shop. Your father has some business to attend to. Don't wait for me—I'll go straight over."
"I understand, Dad."
After Xu Chuan left, he headed to the county office.
"Who are you, coming to the county office?"
The guard at the door stopped Xu Chuan and asked the required questions.
"I am Xu Chuan, from Dongxi Village. I've come to visit County Magistrate Yang."
"You know County Magistrate Yang?"
"Brother, you'll find out when you announce me."
The middle-aged guard paused for a moment, then said, "Come in with me. If you're lying, you'll suffer the consequences."
Xu Chuan smiled and said yes.
So he followed the guard to the study outside the county office.
The soldier knocked on the door and said, "County Magistrate, there's a man named Xu Chuan here to see you."
"Xu Chuan? Where is he?"
"From Dongxi Village."
"Let him in."
"Sir Xu, the county magistrate will see you."
The guard knew that Xu Chuan was someone County Magistrate Yang held in high regard. His tone immediately changed to a smile, and then he left with interest.
"Brother Xu, long time no see."
"Sit down and talk."
Yang Zhao smiled and made an inviting gesture.
In just a few years, he had risen from registrar to county magistrate, thanks in no small part to Xu Chuan's policies for benefiting the people.
He had thought that Xu Chuan might come to him for help, or use the name of the Yang family to elevate the Xu family's status.
Who would have thought that more than five years would pass?
The Xu family had gained considerable wealth, yet remained as usual—not arrogant, steadily developing.
This made Yang Zhao admire them even more.
He also understood that this family was building a foundation for a hundred generations.
"County Magistrate, you're busy with official duties. I wouldn't dare disturb you lightly."
"You and I are about the same age. When no one else is around, just call me Brother Yang." Yang Zhao said. "Is there something you need Yang's help with?"
Xu Chuan shook his head. "Brother Yang misunderstands. Your integrity and selflessness are well known to me. Today, I simply wanted to invite you to visit my new fruit shop. If you could grace it with your calligraphy, that would be even better."
"That's a small matter. Of course, no problem."
Yang Zhao laughed heartily. He looked at Xu Chuan again. "Are you finally ready to develop the Xu family into the county?"
"It seems you're certain you can gain a foothold in the county."
"Brother Yang, you jest. The families in the county are as numerous as cattle, and dragons and tigers hide among them. I'll only be making a living in the West City. To speak of gaining a foothold—that's still far off."
Yang Zhao didn't press further. "What time does the shop open?"
"Later this morning."
"No hurry. Wait until I finish the documents at hand, then I'll go with you."
Xu Chuan nodded and sat quietly.
Nearly an hour later.
Yang Zhao stood up and said, "Brother Xu, sorry to keep you waiting. Let me change into regular clothes, and we'll go. Hopefully, we won't miss the auspicious hour."
"Brother Yang, your presence alone is a great honor for my family."
Soon after, the two left the county office and headed to the West City.
---
**At that moment.**
In front of the fruit shop, the sound of crackling firecrackers was endless.
Many people had been drawn by the lively atmosphere and stopped to watch.
Several famous wealthy merchants from the county had also come to present gifts.
Chang Haowen had come as well but did not appear in person.
Instead, he sat on the second floor of the tavern across the street, by the window, drinking tea while watching the excitement across at the Xu family fruit shop.
Beside him stood his maidservant, Xiaomei.
"Opening a shop in a place like West City—this family really can't choose a location."
"But I can't say that. Though West City isn't as prosperous as East City, this street is mostly food establishments. If you're tired of eating and need something to refresh yourself, isn't fruit a good choice?"
"Buy a few pounds and take them home for the family to taste."
"Ah, listening to the young master, that makes some sense. This family calculates well."
Chang Haowen smiled and looked down.
"Is that Yang Zhao? Does he have some connection with this family? Could it be that this family is backed by the Yang family?"
As a peer of the county magistrate, Chang Haowen naturally knew Yang Zhao.
The two were of similar age, though not very close. They had met when Chang Haowen had visited the Yang family with his father's brother as a child.
"The person next to Yang Zhao also looks somewhat familiar. His features are similar to the Xu Mingyuan brothers. It should be an elder of the Xu family."
The corner of his mouth curled up. Suddenly, he found it amusing.
Seeing Yang Zhao here was not a bad thing.
"Shitou, Aiyuan, Tan Tan, Snow, Yunnu—come and greet Uncle Yang."
"We pay respects to Uncle Yang."
The five children saluted Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao looked at the children. Not to mention the young Xu Mingyi and Xu Mingxian—the other three were spirited and sharp, clearly extraordinary.
"I envy you, Brother Xu. A fine group of children, each one remarkable."
"Remarkable? They're just a bunch of country monkeys. Brother Yang, you flatter them."
Xu Mingyi was not shy. She asked curiously, "Uncle Yang, I've never seen you before."
Yang Zhao pinched her tender cheek and smiled. "Though I've rarely seen your father face to face, we appreciate each other. Our hearts have been acquainted for a long time."
"Hearts acquainted? How does that happen? Can I be heart-acquainted too?"
Everyone laughed at her childish words.
The others were also amused.
"This little girl is truly adorable. I want to take her as my goddaughter. I wonder if Brother Xu would agree."
Xu Mingyi immediately smiled and said, "Snow greets her godfather."
"Snow is my only daughter. The whole family dotes on her, which has made her a bit unruly. Brother Yang, don't think ill of her." Xu Chuan shook his head and laughed.
"Quite different from my son. Very pleasing."
"Come, goddaughter, let me give you a meeting gift."
Yang Zhao took the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Xu Mingyi.
"Thank you, Godfather."
"Brother Xu, please invite me to write the inscription. Let's do it now." Yang Zhao said.
"Alright. Shitou, Aiyuan, go get the brush and ink."
"Yes, Father."
Just as Yang Zhao began to write the inscription, a disdainful voice suddenly came from the crowd.
"Nowadays, any cat or dog can write inscriptions?"
"Xu Chuan, you're so casual about getting inscriptions. Do you want me to introduce you to a few highly respected calligraphers?"
Yang Zhao's brow suddenly furrowed, and his face froze.
But he did not lose his temper on the spot. After all, this trip was only to congratulate a friend. He didn't want to throw his official weight around.
Following the voice, four or five people pushed through the crowd and arrived in front of the shop.
"Second Uncle, Qian'er—he's Xu Chuan. He's been cynical toward my Xu family, harming our interests. Today, we can't let him off easily."
"Mao'er, you don't need to say more. I have my own judgment."
Xu Mao's second uncle, Xu Zhen, had lived a long life. His experience was naturally not shallow, nor would he be fooled by a few words.
"Is this the respected elder, Old Master Xu Zhen?"
"So it's Mr. Xu." Xu Chuan smiled and cupped his hands. "In my early years when I worked for the Xu family, I often heard your name. This is the first time we've met."
Seeing the other party so polite, Xu Zhen was also a little surprised.
But he also knew that many people were smiling tigers, fond of stabbing knives in the back.
There was no need to relax his guard.
---