Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 170 The Raiders Are Ultimately Raped Themselves

"More than 20% above market price?"

Upon hearing this, the heads of the four branches of the Ge family, including Ge Yansong, all frowned.

Xu Mingyuan said, "If the Ge family wants mid-to-low-grade pills, then a normal transaction is fine. Of course, if the Ge family's alchemists suddenly improve their alchemy skills and can reliably produce high-grade pills..."

That is why I didn't say those words today.

We plan to leave Guangling County by late afternoon at the latest, so you seniors still have time to consider."

"So soon?" Ge Yanhua asked in surprise, "Are you planning to return to Yuehu County afterwards?"

Xu Mingyuan shook his head, "We've only been out for a few days. Although I wouldn't dare say I've traveled all over the Great Wei, I'll definitely visit the surrounding counties."

It goes without saying that the immortal cultivation families in other counties are also the Xu family's trading partners.

Even the most skilled alchemist is ultimately a solitary individual, and the number of pills they can produce is limited.

If the Ge family doesn't make this deal, even if they want to again, they probably won't be able to find any more high-grade pills to trade with them.

Furthermore, the four heads of the Ge family were also fully aware of the situation.

The Xu family had surplus pills because they had just been promoted to a family of cultivators and had few cultivators in the family.

This deal will not last.

At most ten or twenty years, and the number of high-grade pills available for trading will decrease over time.

The four family heads exchanged glances, communicating with each other through their thoughts.

After a while.

Ge Yanhua smiled and said, "This price is actually reasonable. After all, even among the Wei and Feng families, not all important disciples can take high-grade pills to improve their cultivation or break through bottlenecks."

"Nephew Xu, my Ge family will handle this transaction, but if needed, we will send clansmen to Yuehu County to find your Xu family. Don't say we don't have enough pills then."

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly, "Don't worry, my Xu family made our fortune through business and we are honest people. The Ge family is my Xu family's first business partner, so naturally we are ranked first."

By the way, some of you seniors may not know, but my Xu family doesn't live in the county seat, but in a remote county called Qingjiang. Once you get there, you can easily find out where my Xu family's territory is by asking around.

"Your Xu family has been promoted to a family of immortal cultivators, yet you're still holed up in the county town?" Ge Yangguang asked in surprise.

"There are not many places around Yuehu County that contain spiritual energy, and they have already been occupied. My Xu family has no choice but to wait for the right opportunity in the county town rather than compete with other families in the county town."

“It’s a wise choice,” Ge Yansong stroked his beard and said, “This way, the transaction can be conducted as discreetly as possible.”

“What Senior Yan Song said is true.” Xu Mingyuan said, “There is another point. When the Ge family trades with my Xu family, the primary resources they exchange are spiritual herbs and pill formulas, followed by refining materials and materials from demonic beasts, and then spiritual stones, magic weapons, secret techniques, and spells.”

"How are secret techniques and spells priced?" Ge Yanhua asked.

"Someone in the clan will set the price. When the seniors make their first transaction, they may want to have someone copy down some secret techniques or spells of various types and ask them about them. If they feel the price is too low and do not make the transaction, they will not suffer any loss."

After all, these are merely copies and will not damage our family's heritage.

Xu Mingyuan then added, "Sometimes, my Xu family will also specify some items and materials for the next transaction. If the Ge family can really collect them, the price increase for that transaction can be waived by 20%."

Ge Yansong scrutinized Xu Mingyuan, his gaze narrowing slightly as he said, "Your Xu family really did start out in business. You've arranged this deal perfectly for my Ge family."

A slight smile appeared on Xu Mingyuan's lips. "Senior is too kind. In our Xu family's transactions, we always strive for mutual benefit and never force anyone."

"In my father's words, as long as there are enough chips, people all over the world can trade, and there is no need to care about the gains and losses of one family."

All four of them looked surprised.

After a moment of contemplation, Ge Yansong's eyes hardened like a deep pool, and he said calmly, "Are all people in the world open to trade? Is your Xu family not afraid of being robbed of their treasure?"

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly, not intimidated by the imposing manner at all. "The robbers will eventually be robbed by others. Who is the hunter and who is the prey? Until the end, who can know?"

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy for a while, when suddenly Ge Yansong burst into laughter.

"As expected of Xu Jia's talent, with your words, my Ge family can feel much more at ease in our dealings with your Xu family."

Xu Mingyuan's words revealed the Xu family's style of doing things, as well as their confidence and strategies for dealing with danger.

Although the Ge family has four branches, the main branch is always the most powerful. Therefore, Ge Yansong's opinion is very important and can often influence the actions of the other three branches.

"By the way, I observe that the Ge family seems to be somewhat unstable. If news of the transaction gets out to your Ge family's rivals, the transaction may be compromised. I hope you seniors will make your own plans."

The group exchanged glances, all displaying solemn expressions.

The three clans' expedition team was accurately ambushed. If they hadn't encountered the Xu family, they would have suffered heavy losses, which clearly indicates that there are internal problems.

However, finding it is not easy.

Ge Yanhua said, "Thank you for the reminder, my dear nephew. My Ge family will send a trusted person to handle the transaction."

Xu Mingyuan said no more.

With the deal settled, Xu Mingyuan and his group did not linger.

They left after only half an hour.

The four patriarchs discussed the matter again, and all four felt that although the Xu family was a newly established immortal cultivation family, it had extraordinary potential and should befriend them.

Upon receiving Ge Xuanhong's reply and learning that Xu Deling had left the Ge family, Ge Yuchen felt a profound sense of loss.

“Yu Chen, there are plenty of fine young ladies from noble families in Guangling County. Marriage alliances with other counties are extremely rare. You shouldn’t take it to heart.”

“There are many women from prominent families in Guangling County, but she is the only one who has captured my heart at first sight.”

Ge Yuchen paused for a few breaths, then said again, "But don't worry, Uncle, I won't get entangled in romantic entanglements. I just feel a little regretful."

"Life is full of disappointments, eight or nine out of ten things don't go as planned." Upon hearing this, Ge Xuanhong patted the man's shoulder, sighed slightly, and walked past him.

Some people, though only seen briefly, are unforgettable.

"Xu Deling, I hope we will meet again someday."

The outskirts of Guangling County.

Xu Mingwei and his companions walked on their swords.

They certainly couldn't set foot in another county, because that would take too much time.

Traveling and broadening their horizons were one of their purposes, but more importantly, they aimed to make deals with cultivation families from other counties.

Xu Mingyuan asked, "Fourth Sister, did you have Qinghuoying deliver the message I asked you to send back?"

"Second brother, I know what's important." Xu Mingshu smiled and then said, "I already sent Ah Da back with a message."

"That's good."

"Second Uncle, where are we going next?" Xu Deling suddenly turned his head to look.

"Continue forward for several dozen miles, and you will reach the territory of Longjiang Prefecture."

Xu Mingxuan's eyes lit up. "I have heard that there is a Black Dragon River in Longjiang County, which meanders for thousands of miles. The water flow is sometimes rapid and sometimes slow, and there are strange rocks and many strange peaks on both banks."

Moreover, Xiao Xianguan of my Qingjiang County was originally from Longjiang Prefecture.

“That’s right. I asked my father before. Because of the strong water veins, many immortal cultivation families in Longjiang County have established their clans on both sides of the river. Although there is only one Foundation Establishment family, its overall foundation is much stronger than that of Guangling County.”

Xu Dezhao asked curiously, "Are the Foundation Establishment families in Longjiang County very strong?" Xu Mingyuan smiled and glanced at him, "The Qingbo Liu Clan owns the entire Qingbo Lake, which spans three hundred miles. The lake is filled with clear water and misty waves, and it is home to many spirit fish and aquatic products. It also has vast spiritual fields stretching for hundreds of acres."

The island in the center of the lake is the ancestral home of the Liu clan, and the Immortal Cultivation Market is also located on the southeastern edge of Qingbo Lake, near the Heilongjiang River.

The Liu family has three Foundation Establishment experts, one of whom is in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and the other two are in the early-Foundation Establishment stage.

He was the undisputed ruler of the entire Longjiang Prefecture.

"What about the Xiao family? What is their strength and foundation?" Xu Mingxuan asked.

"One of the top five Qi Refining families of the fifth rank. I don't know the specifics, but it should be no less than the Ge family of Guangling County."

"Second brother, are you planning to make contact with the Xiao family?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Most aristocratic families are xenophobic. Without a good entry point, it is difficult to establish stable transactions with them."

However, after passing through Guangling County, before I could contact the Xiao family, we split into two groups and traveled around Longjiang County as independent cultivators to learn more detailed information.

After summarizing and analyzing the information, a decision will be made regarding which family to choose, or whether to go to another prefecture.

Xu Mingwei smiled faintly, agreeing with Xu Mingyuan's point of view.

Xu Mingyuan's methods regarding the Guangling County matter were not bad, but he had never truly understood the Wei and Feng families, nor had he ever met their leaders.

If it were one of the Qi-cultivating families in Yuehu County, they would probably have already secretly caused trouble, suppressing the situation openly or covertly, rather than forcibly suppressing it to maintain a balance.

It can only be said that the environment shapes the people and things they do.

“I agree with my second brother’s idea.”

"Since both eldest and second brothers have said so, we naturally have nothing to say. But how should we divide into groups?"

After Xu Mingxuan finished speaking, the group looked at each other.

Xu Mingyuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "Since we are acting as rogue cultivators, then we will do the same as before. I will set up a stall here to sell pills, and Ling'er will set up a stall to sell magic artifacts."

Then, he looked at Xu Mingwei and said, "Brother, you are in a group with Zhao'er and Ling'er. With your strength, you can forcefully break through the situation even if you encounter danger."

With Mingxuan here, I can sense risks and take precautions when problems arise.

"So good."

"This time, we don't need to focus too much on how much we sell. We can set up a stall in our spare time and mainly focus on gathering intelligence."

"You heard what your second uncle said. Remember not to be too reckless when things happen," Xu Mingwei said to his two children.

"Yes, Father." The two men smiled and clasped their hands in greeting.

Two or three hours later.

They then arrived in the airspace near the county seat of Longjiang County.

"Big brother, my third brother, fourth sister, and I will explore the county town first. You take Zhao'er and Ling'er to the vicinity of Heilongjiang and the cultivation market. We'll meet at the market in a few days."

Xu Mingwei nodded and left with Xu Dezhao and Xu Deling.

Xu Mingyuan and the other two were dressed as ordinary young masters and ladies from noble families. If it weren't for the divine sense of cultivators probing them, it would be difficult to guess their identities as cultivators.

A few miles outside the east gate of the county town, the group began to walk forward.

It was the hour of You (5-7 PM).

As the sun sets in the west, the evening glow paints the sky.

The shadows of passersby and carriages were stretched long in the setting sun.

But then, a few soft shouts of "Make way!" were heard from afar, and five or six martial artists were seen escorting two young men in brocade robes back into the twilight, whipping their horses and showing no regard for whether there were any other people on the official road.

Hear this.

Some caravans quickly moved their wagons and goods aside to avoid collisions and trouble.

After all, apart from the scions of prominent families in the prefecture, who else would dare to act so recklessly on the official road?

However, an old fisherman with short gray hair, wearing a coarse linen vest and rolled-up trousers seemed not to hear, and continued pushing his cart along the edge of the official road.

Four brown wooden buckets were placed on the cart, and a faint sound of water could be heard from inside the buckets, like the gentle tapping of liquid as it sloshed around.

When he noticed something was wrong and looked up, a group of people were just passing by him side by side.

The outermost guard glanced at him disdainfully, then casually raised his whip and lashed him to the ground, muttering under his breath, "You blind old fool, are you deaf? Get lost."

Then, the group quickly entered the city.

Some members of the caravan glanced at the old fisherman and sighed slightly, but did not step forward to help him. Instead, they quickly entered the city before it got dark and the city gates were closed.

A red line appeared on the old fisherman's face, burning with pain, but he ignored it at all. Instead, he quickly lifted the wooden bucket and put the large grass carp, yellow croaker, carp, and other fish that had been jumping around on the ground back into the bucket.

Seeing that the fish had survived unharmed, he showed a slightly relieved expression.

After a while.

Only then did I realize the pain on my face. I grimaced and looked at my hands, but I didn't dare to wipe them because they were dirty, for fear of infection.

Then they put the wooden barrels back onto the cart and continued along the edge of the official road.

"These young masters from noble families are so cold-hearted, and those guards are obviously uncivilized, just lackeys who bully others by taking advantage of their power."

Seeing this, Xu Mingshu's brows furrowed with anger. If it weren't for Xu Mingyuan and the purpose of this trip, she might have already taught them a lesson.

Looking at the old fisherman and the big bluefish, Xu Mingyuan seemed to recall Xu Chuan from his childhood.

Time flies, and before he knew it, he was already in his forties. It's estimated that by the time he returns from this trip, he'll be an old man.

Xu Mingyuan knew that ordinary people at the bottom of society generally lived a very hard life.

However, witnessing this scene today stirred up his memories and made him sigh even more.

If Father hadn't been a capable man, would he be in the same situation as that old fisherman?
Xu Mingyuan walked over silently and came to the old fisherman. When the old fisherman saw a figure in front of him, his hunched body trembled reflexively.

Looking up, he saw a middle-aged man in brocade robes. He quickly put down the cart, bowed, and said, "This old man greets you, sir. May I ask what your orders are?"

Remembering something, he turned to the side and said to Xu Mingyuan with his left ear, "This old man is deaf in his right ear and his left ear was also injured, so I can't hear very well. Please forgive me, sir."

"My lord, please give your orders."

Xu Mingyuan then understood why the old fisherman hadn't had time to take cover like the others.

He sighed inwardly and transmitted his voice directly to the old man's ear, saying, "Old man, your fish seem quite good. Would you be willing to sell them to me?"

"Of course I'm willing!" the old fisherman blurted out, but after a moment he asked again, "Sir, do you really want to buy my fish? These are just ordinary fish. For someone of your status, spirit fish would be more suitable."

What a simple and kind person.

She had just been whipped by the young master's attendant, and now she was suppressing her desires to think of others.

If they lived in Qingjiang, they would definitely be absorbed into the Dongxi community.

There may be millions of such people in the Great Wei Dynasty, but even though the Xu family is benevolent, they can only protect themselves and safeguard the people under their command so that they can live and work in peace.

(End of this chapter)