Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 135 The Yang Family Joins the War, Intending to Head to Dongxi (Seeking Subscriptions and Votes)

Two months later.

Moon Lake County City.

The main hall of the Yang family residence.

"Young Master Zhou, what brings you to the Yang family?"

Yang Wenfeng sat in the main seat of the hall, looked at Zhou Shaocheng, and smiled faintly.

"As the former patriarch of the Yang family, I still have to manage the affairs of the Yang family. It seems that the Yang family is indeed on the decline, but for my Zhou family, it is just right."

Zhou Shaocheng pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands and said, "Elder Yang, I won't beat around the bush. I've come to ask for the Yang family's assistance."

Yang Wenfeng was not surprised. However, Zhou Shaocheng's polite manners and respectful words made him realize that the Zhou family's education of their children was several times better than that of the Su family.

He remained silent, his knuckles lightly tapping the armrest.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Shaocheng continued, "I know the old patriarch Yang's worries, fearing that he will end up in a state of utter ruin."

However, please forgive my bluntness, but in the city, even top-tier families of the sixth rank or above, like the Yang family, cannot extricate themselves from this conflict.

As far as I know, your Yang family has already been resented by the Su family. If the Su family is fortunate enough to win in the conflict between our two families, my Zhou family has its own way of protecting itself. At worst, we can seal the mountain gate with an array for decades, which will allow us to recuperate.

But your Yang family, as I predicted, will definitely be purged within a few years.

Even if I don't wipe out your entire family overnight, I'll slowly but surely devour you, like a dull knife cutting flesh.

Yang Wenfeng's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Young Master Zhou is exaggerating a bit."

"Whether it is true or not, Patriarch Yang knows in his heart, and I will not say more." Zhou Shaocheng said calmly, silently picking up the teacup on the coffee table and taking a sip.

Yang Wenfeng remained silent.

After a while.

"If I were to say that my Yang family were to help your Zhou family, what would my Yang family gain?" Yang Wenfeng said solemnly, "I can foresee that this battle will be extremely fierce."

Zhou Shaocheng did not explain, but nodded with a solemn expression.

Everyone here is shrewd; empty words are of no use whatsoever.

"My Zhou family is naturally aware of this, but the Su family will not let my Zhou family off the hook. My Zhou family will not let go of the long-standing grudges with them easily. They must be washed away with blood, otherwise how can we become the overlord of Yuehu County in the future?"

"If it were your Yang family, would you have let your mortal enemy go so easily?"

Yang Wenfeng fell silent again, then shook his head helplessly.

"As for what the Yang family can gain from participating in the war, I can guarantee that after the war, regardless of whether the Yang family is still around, I will definitely help one member of the Yang family become a martial arts master at the peak of the Grandmaster level, and help another member become a cultivator at the late stage of the Qi Refining stage."

Patriarch Yang should know how difficult it is to cultivate someone to the level of a Grandmaster at the peak of cultivation or a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Even in my Zhou family, there aren't many.

This is the greatest sincerity we can offer. If you are unwilling, the Zhou family will not force you, but Patriarch Yang should also be prepared.

After this battle, many families will surely rise to prominence. If the Yang family faces a generational gap, they will have to be careful.

“The Zhou family is not an easy family to deal with either,” Yang Wenfeng sighed softly.

But he really didn't want to get involved. Firstly, he was afraid that all the main members of the Yang family would be wiped out. Even if the Zhou family would protect them, it was hard to guarantee that the Yang family wouldn't gradually become their vassal.

Secondly, the Zhou family did not specify how they would train him.

If we take the two children from the Yang family to the Zhou family for upbringing, will they be loyal to the Yang family or the Zhou family when they grow up?
Of course, this condition can certainly be discussed further.

A moment later.

Yang Wenfeng looked at Zhou Shaocheng and said, "Putting everything else aside, how can Young Master Zhou guarantee that the Zhou family will provide these resources? Whether it's cultivating a Grandmaster at the peak or a Qi Refining stage cultivator, it's no easy task."

Zhou Shaocheng smiled faintly and said, "Just because my grandfather is Zhou Sen."

"Your grandfather is the chief alchemist of the Zhou family and the number one alchemy master in Yuehu County?!" Yang Wenfeng's pupils suddenly contracted as he asked in surprise.

“It is no exaggeration to say that I came here at my grandfather’s request, and my promise is my grandfather’s promise. You must have heard about his status in the Zhou family.”

"Naturally, the importance of alchemists to cultivation families should be second only to your Zhou family patriarch!"

Yang Wenfeng paused for a moment, then said again, "This matter is of great importance. Please give the Yang family three days to consider it."

"Of course, I hope to receive good news on my next visit."

Yang Wenfeng nodded slightly.

After Zhou Shaocheng left, Yang Wenfeng summoned all the important members of the Yang family to gather together and discuss the matter again.

Yang Zhao's residence.

"Yang Zhao, the old patriarch requests your presence in the ancestral home's main hall."

Yang Zhao looked at the middle-aged guard and nodded, saying, "I understand, I'll go right away."

The middle-aged guard turned and left.

“It seems things have changed, Madam. You and Chang’er should stay at home and not go out. I’ll be right back.”

"Yes, I will wait for you to return."

When Yang Zhao arrived at the ancestral hall, almost everyone had already gathered; he was one of the last few to arrive.

"Yang Zhao, please come and sit down," Yang Wenfeng said.

Although Yang Zhao's strength had not reached the level of a grandmaster, as the county magistrate and valued by Yang Wenfeng, his status in the Yang family was not low.

"Yes, Uncle."

Another long while.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin."

Yang Wenfeng first explained in detail why Zhou Shaocheng had come, the benefits he had promised, his status in the Zhou family, and the possible consequences of the Yang family's participation in the war.

The Yang family members were abuzz with discussion.

"Patriarch, the Zhou family's promise is acceptable; we can assist them in this battle. Given Zhou Sen's reputation in Yuehu County, they are unlikely to renege on their promise afterward. Without the help of elixirs, it would take countless years for my Zhou family to produce a Grandmaster-level expert."

My nephew Yang Shidao is the most talented member of our Yang family in this generation. Letting him receive help from the Zhou family will allow him to grow rapidly, preventing a generational gap in our family.

This statement was met with approval from many people.

"Old Master, you have analyzed the pros and cons very clearly. This is our choice."

"This battle is solely for the Yang family!"

"That's right, this battle is only for the Yang family!"

"Yang Zhao, what do you think?" Yang Wenfeng asked Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao clasped his hands and sighed, "I was too naive before. I thought I could refuse forcefully, but I did not consider the situation after the war, when various families rose up and gradually eroded my Yang family."

The Su family is domineering, while the Zhou family appears to be aboveboard, yet they relentlessly pressure the Zhou family, which is a stark reality.

Comparatively speaking, with the Zhou family becoming the sole overlord of Yuehu County in the future, my Yang family should have an easier time under them.

Yang Wenfeng nodded slightly, and many elders also agreed.

"Elder, what do you mean?"

"I don't have many years left to live. To be able to fight for the family one last time is my long-cherished wish," the First Elder said with a faint smile, stroking his beard. Seeing that most of the people present agreed, Yang Wenfeng said, "Then my Yang family will assist the Zhou family. As for how many people will participate in the battle and the promises made by the Zhou family, I will discuss that with Zhou Shaocheng in three days."

“There is one more thing, Yang Zhao,” Yang Wenfeng continued, “After this battle, regardless of whether I live or die, you will assume the position of family head until you have trained a qualified successor for the Yang family.”

Yang Zhao frowned slightly, but then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Uncle."

"Does anyone else have any objections?"

The war between the Su and Zhou families was perilous, and they themselves did not know if they would survive. As far as the Yang family was concerned, Yang Zhao's mind, knowledge, and status were the most suitable.

"Then this matter shall be decided."

As he spoke, he looked at Yang Yan again, "Yang Yan, if you survive this battle, the late-stage Qi Refining spot promised by the Zhou family will be yours. We hope you can help the family get through this predicament for now."

"With a prosperous family, your path of cultivation will be smoother."

"Yang Yan obeys!" Yang Yan said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Alright, that concludes this meeting. Yang Zhao, Yang Shidao, you two come with me to the study."

The two exchanged a glance, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "Yes, patriarch."

study.

"As you all know from the previous discussions, the Yang family will henceforth revolve around the two of you, and you will become the future Grand Elder of the Yang family."

"Elder, I am unworthy and fear I will fail the trust placed in me by the clan." Yang Shidao stood with his robes neatly pressed, his brows furrowed deeply, and bowed deeply to Yang Wenfeng.

The title of the Yang family's eldest elder felt like a mountain pressing down on his shoulders, almost making it hard for him to breathe.

More than ten years ago, he fought Xu Mingwei, and both of them were at the late stage of the Innate Realm.

At this moment, however, he is still stuck at the bottleneck of the Grandmaster level and is unable to step into the Grandmaster realm, which is truly unworthy of the reputation of the Yang family's genius.

"With your talent, if you calm down, you can become a grandmaster in a year or two. And with the Zhou family's grandmaster pill resources, you will definitely be able to climb all the way to the peak of grandmaster."

"You don't need to worry about family affairs. Just focus on practicing martial arts. I am the eldest elder of the Yang family, and I have always been the strongest person in the Yang family in terms of martial arts."

"Now, apart from the older generation, who in the Yang family can rival you?"

Finally, Yang Shidao clasped his hands and nodded, saying, "I will obey the old patriarch's orders and will protect the family with my life."

Yang Wenfeng looked satisfied, then turned to Yang Zhao and said, "I know you have never been interested in the position of family head, but when the family is in crisis, you have an inescapable responsibility."

Yang Zhao understands.

"The world is dominated by the military power of the family, and you are in charge of the family's political affairs, so I can be a little more at ease." Yang Wenfeng continued, "However, the reason I called you here this time is not for this matter."

"I estimate that the outcome of the dispute between the Su and Zhou families is still uncertain. If the Zhou family wins, all will be well; but if the Su family wins..."

"Therefore, I plan to have the two of you secretly leave the city in a few days, and return after this battle is over."

"Where can we go?" Yang Shidao asked, puzzled. "I don't remember my Yang family having any branches in other counties."

Yang Wenfeng looked at Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "Qingjiang?"

Yang Wenfeng nodded slightly.

"Ten years ago, the Xu family had already risen to prominence, and now they are unfathomable. Do you know that the Xu family also owns many businesses in the county town?"

"There's such a thing?" Yang Zhao asked in surprise. "How come I didn't know?"

"Naturally, it's not something that's out in the open. Do you know about Guanghu Residence?"

Yang Shidao nodded and said, "I know. It is one of the most popular restaurants in the county. It is always packed with customers. The dishes and wines are endless and it is highly praised. As far as I know, quite a few people have tried to get their hands on it."

Rumors circulate that the Chang family's businesses are behind it.

“This is one of the Xu family’s businesses, but it’s a collaboration with the Chang family.” Yang Wenfeng sighed softly. “What we did back then has ultimately made them disgusted. The Xu family would rather cooperate with the Chang family than with our Yang family.”

"Old patriarch, so what? My Yang family is not short of such a small amount of property, nor is it short of partners."

“While your martial arts talent is exceptional, your vision and understanding are lacking. Therefore, I can only have you focus on martial arts,” Yang Wenfeng said. “Yang Zhao, what’s your opinion?”

"I have witnessed the capabilities of the Xu family. I have seen them rise from humble beginnings to become an ordinary family in the county. As for what happened after I returned to the prefectural city, I don't know much about it."

However, his occasional correspondence with Ronghua revealed that he was living quite comfortably, which gave a glimpse into the Xu family's strength; they must certainly be among the top families in Qingjiang.

Yang Wenfeng turned his gaze to Yang Shidao: "Shidao, you can see the big picture from small details. This is the insight and ability that a head of a noble family should have."

"Old Master, the world knows." Yang Shidao lowered his head, admiring Yang Zhao's thoughts.

How could the strength of the Xu family be deduced from just a few letters?
“You seem to disagree,” Yang Wenfeng chuckled. “But I do want to tell you that what Yang Zhao said is true, and even more so, it’s information that my Yang family obtained through investigation.”

"Yang Zhao, when you were in Qingjiang, there were five great families in Qingjiang: Wu, Fang, Wang, He, and Cao, right?"

Yang Zhao nodded slightly. "Indeed, these five great families are the top five families in Qingjiang, with profound foundations. In particular, the Wu family also has the foundation and strength of a ninth-rank family."

"Only a ninth-rank official?" Yang Shidao was astonished.

Yang Zhao explained, "Nephew, among the prominent families in the county, very few have accumulated the foundation of a ninth-rank family. Most of them rise rapidly over a hundred years and then quickly decline."

The Wu family is already quite powerful. If a prominent family in the prefecture is willing to lend them a hand, relocating the family to the prefecture should not be a problem.

Yang Shidao understood.

"That's right, but Qingjiang today is no longer the Qingjiang you knew when you were in office. The so-called five great families have long since vanished."

“The Xu family?” Yang Zhao frowned slightly. “But based on my understanding of Xu Chuan, he shouldn’t be that domineering.”

"When you're weak, you're naturally not domineering, but once you grow into a fierce tiger, just imagine, how can you allow others to snore beside your bed!"

“If it were my Yang family, we would have done the same,” Yang Wenfeng added. “However, I do not know exactly how they would have done it.”

According to reports, the Wu family of Qingjiang County had angered a powerful family in the county seat and suffered misfortune. They were then besieged by other powerful families, and finally the government intervened and arrested all four families.

Thus, the five great families existed in name only.

Yang Shidao was somewhat stunned. "No, old patriarch, this has absolutely nothing to do with the Xu family?"

"The struggles between powerful families are not always in the open; some things are not as you have seen or heard with your own eyes."

Yang Shidao gave up completely, secretly sighing: "It's a good thing the old patriarch didn't let me manage family affairs, otherwise it would have been a complete mess."

"So the Xu family is now the most prominent family in Qingjiang?" Yang Zhao looked up at Yang Wenfeng.

"Not only that, it should be described as unfathomable," Yang Wenfeng said calmly.

Yang Zhao could hardly believe that he could receive such praise from Yang Wenfeng.

Yang Shidao was even more convinced.

But he had learned his lesson and listened quietly without saying a word.

"Now, Dongxi is the private land of the Xu family. I once sent innate martial arts guards to try to sneak in and investigate, but both of them disappeared without a trace."

Yang Zhao remained silent, then nodded and said, "It is indeed like a deep pool, unfathomable."

That's why I sent you to the Xu family for temporary refuge.

"Yang Zhao will follow his uncle's arrangements."

(End of this chapter)