**Chapter 31: Chen Bo's Request'**
"Thank you, esteemed masters, for coming to my Xu family's household establishment ceremony."
After the shrine worship and ancestral rites were completed, Xu Chuan smiled and said to the crowd, "I have prepared a modest banquet. Please stay and have a few more drinks."
"The master is too kind."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone nearby said, "Nowadays, who doesn't know that your Xu family's Thousand Gold House wine is famous throughout Qingjiang?"
Thousand Gold House brewed yellow wine, rice wine, white wine, and fruit wine, as well as more fruit drinks suitable for men, women, and children.
It was well-received and highly praised.
"You gentlemen are not leaving sober today."
"Gentlemen, please follow me."
The guards began to guide the guests to the banquet.
"Dad, I'm going to see Little White." Xu Mingyi said.
"I'll go too." Xu Mingxian also spoke.
Xu Chuan waved his hand. "Go. Look after them. If anything happens today, don't blame me for locking you up for ten days or half a month."
"Thank you, Dad."
"As for you three, go to the banquet. The family heads, the wealthy merchants, and the villagers of Dongxi Village must all be looked after."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Chuan sat at the main table, accompanied by Yang Zhao and some of the most powerful family heads.
At a table next to them, Bai Jing sat with a group of women.
"Gentlemen, family heads, let me toast you. Thank you for gracing us with your presence today."
County Magistrate Wu also raised his glass and smiled. "The master is truly too kind."
"In Qingjiang County, this is a great occasion. As your parent officials, we naturally came to witness it. Otherwise, we would not live up to the word 'parent'."
"County Magistrate Wu is right. I should also witness this family's establishment."
"Drink!"
Everyone drank together.
"Master Xu, to build such a strong family foundation in just over ten years—your future is limitless. Perhaps your family will carry some of ours in the years to come."
"The Wang family is too kind. How could I compare to the Wang family? Even catching up would be too late."
"The master is humble."
The Wang family head was very pleased, his face reddening.
"Today, there is actually another happy event to share with you all." Xu Chuan looked at Yang Zhao and said lightly, "On the second day of the second month next year, my eldest son, Xu Mingwei, will marry County Magistrate Yang's precious daughter."
County Magistrate Wu, the county lieutenant, and the family heads were all surprised. They looked at Xu Chuan, then at Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Master Xu, this is not a big matter. You needn't be so formal. The three letters and six rites have already been exchanged. Are you afraid I won't marry my daughter to your son?"
With Yang Zhao's words, the matter was settled.
County Magistrate Wu pointed at Yang Zhao, shaking his head and laughing. "Brother Yang, that's not kind of you. To give away your precious daughter and not tell me?"
"You let the master's son take advantage for nothing."
"It's my fault. I'll punish myself with three cups."
Yang Zhao drank three cups in a row, then said, "There's no help for it. My daughter likes him. I have only this one daughter. I have to listen to her."
"Oh, that's true. Xu Mingwei is recognized in Qingjiang County as having the bearing of a grandmaster. A handsome and outstanding young man."
The family head turned to Xu Chuan and smiled. "Master Xu, your eldest son should be at the peak of the acquired realm by now, right?"
Many people were curious and listened intently.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "I haven't had time to supervise him. For a long time, I haven't examined him or taught him martial arts. I don't know what realm he's in. Perhaps he's still lacking."
"Even if he's lacking, it can only be by a few acupoints. By then, his inner strength will flow continuously through his body—that is the peak of the acquired realm."
"Haha, then I'll take the master at his word. I hope he reaches the peak of the acquired realm before the end of the year."
Not only was this table lively, but the women's table was lively as well.
However, they were talking about whether each family had sons to marry, daughters to wed, and so on.
Because of the Xu family's reputation, the other ladies were most concerned about marriage alliances.
Bai Jing was not confused. She simply said that Xu Mingwei was already betrothed to County Magistrate Yang's daughter and would marry her in a few months. As for the others, they were still young and would need to wait a few years.
After the feast, the county magistrates, family heads, and wealthy merchants left one by one.
Zhou Ming accompanied them one by one, recording the congratulatory gifts.
"Madam, the inventory of gifts is finished. Rough estimate, over eighty thousand taels."
Bai Jing nodded calmly.
She knew the family's wealth well enough that this amount no longer surprised her.
"Store everything properly."
"Understood, Madam."
The original Zhou Ming, Li Er, and Zhao Dalong had come from humble beginnings, and now their status in the Xu family was not low.
They were either managers or guards.
With the family business booming, some of them had also prospered.
Except for Li Er, the rest were no worse off than the families they had fled from.
In the past three years, more people had joined.
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**The residence's main hall.**
Chen Erzheng, Chen Daming, and their families all sat in the hall, chatting with Xu Chuan.
"I always knew that Chuan Ge was the most capable. In such a short time, you've brought the Xu family into the ranks of the gentry. That other Xu family couldn't do that in decades."
Chen Erzheng smiled and praised. He took a sip of tea, and his eyes lit up. "This tea is good."
"Take some back when you go."
"No, or it'll feel like I'm taking advantage of you."
Uncle Chen glanced at him and said, "At least you know."
"Well, the tea is drunk, the day is talked about. Time to go back. If we're any later, the city gate will close, and we won't be able to get back."
Chen Daming felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He immediately stood up to take his leave.
Though his wife had wanted him to curry favor and build connections, how could the wise people of the Xu family not see through their thoughts?
In the past, their relationship hadn't been good. Now wanting to cling—there was no stickiness to it.
He had hoped Uncle Chen would speak for him.
But Uncle Chen was not confused either.
Now that their father had spoken, they had no face to stay.
"Second Uncle, we'll go first. We'll talk again in a few days."
Xu Chuan saw Chen Erzheng to the door, watched them drive away in the carriage, then turned to look at Uncle Chen beside him. "Uncle Chen, why must you do this? I have plenty of rooms now."
"Yes, your home isn't what it used to be. But a man must know his place."
Xu Chuan cupped his hands. "Today, I have troubled Uncle to be the chief officiant."
"It is my honor to witness your family's rise. If your parents have spirits beneath the earth, they would be proud of you."
Xu Chuan looked at the distant green mountains, the sunset dyeing the horizon, and said quietly, "The Great Wei dynasty has nine ranks of families. My Xu family is not yet a true family."
"Everything has only just begun!"
Uncle Chen's clouded eyes glittered as he looked at Xu Chuan. "A chest full of ambition, a belly full of embroidery."
"You are good!"
"I won't live to see that day."
*Cough, cough.*
With those words, Uncle Chen couldn't help coughing.
Last winter, Uncle Chen's wife had died, and his health had begun to decline.
Xu Chuan supported him. "I'll walk you home."
"Alright."
Uncle Chen looked at him, and the two walked toward his house.
"Chuan, I have a favor to ask."
"Say it, Uncle Chen."
"Take the Chen family as your vassal."
Xu Chuan was silent. After a few steps, he said, "When our family grows further, we will certainly need some vassal families to manage some of our business."
"I want you to look at this old face and give my two sons a chance."
After a moment's thought, Xu Chuan said calmly, "Alright. Uncle Chen, you persuade them yourself. If they want to, then I will take them in and treat them the same as Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou."
"I promise that my family will do nothing to those who are loyal. But I will not be kind to those who cheat."
"I hope you will explain this thoroughly to them."
Uncle Chen nodded slightly.
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