Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 18 East Market? West Market?
Xu Mingyuan arrived at the gate of the Chen family.

Upon seeing him, the gatekeeper immediately bowed and said, "Young Master Xu, are you here to see the eldest son or the master?"

These servants all knew that the Xu family and the Chen family had a very close relationship and frequent interactions.

"I'm looking for Uncle Er Gou."

"Young Master Xu, please come with me."

The Chen family and the Xu family cooperated and, after five years of development, became one of the largest landowners in Dongxi Village.

Compared to his older brother, who was a second-rate martial artist, his life was clearly much more comfortable.

His elder brother, Chen Daming, married the daughter of a wealthy businessman, but he was not good at making money or doing business.

Two years ago, he borrowed a lot of money from his father and father-in-law and used his connections to get a job as a yamen runner in Qingjiang County.

Although you can often make a little extra money, it's usually just average.

Sometimes, he would borrow money from Chen Ergou.

Chen Ergou no longer groveled before his elder brother, but stood tall and proud.

Of course, if Chen Daming can become a first-class martial artist, then that's a different story.

However, he is now in his forties, and his potential has long been exhausted. Becoming a second-rate martial artist is his limit.

That's why he found a way to get into the Qingjiang County government office.

A secure job is at least stable.

Today, the Chen family compound has been renovated and a new courtyard has been built.

It occupies an area that is half again as large as the Xu family's.

They also recruited accountants, servants, and maids.

He had the air of a true master.

Xu Mingyuan followed into the Chen family home, looked around, and thought to himself, "Uncle Er Gou really knows how to enjoy life. He hasn't been here for a month or two, and there's already an osmanthus tree and a rockery."

forecourt.

Chen Daniu was practicing martial arts at home when he saw Xu Mingyuan. He immediately stopped what he was doing, stepped forward, and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"

After Xu Mingyuan started learning martial arts, Chen Daniu also suggested it to his father.

Seeing that everyone in the Xu family practiced martial arts, Chen Ergou also sent him to a martial arts school.

Chen Daming has acquaintances at the Black Tiger Martial Arts School; Chen Daniu is Chen Daming's nephew, so they would at least offer some assistance.

But whether one succeeds in learning martial arts depends on oneself.

Fortunately, Chen Daniu is different from Chen Ergou; he has perseverance.

He would get up at cockcrow to practice martial arts and wouldn't rest until midnight.

With his family's unwavering support, Chen Daniu's strength is approaching that of Xu Mingyuan. It won't be a problem for him to become a third-rate martial artist in two or three years, and he is expected to become a second-rate martial artist before the age of thirty.

“Come on, A-Yuan,” Chen Daniu said, “It’s rare for me to see you since I’m back. Let’s have a little sparring.”

"I won't lose to you now."

"Maybe next time. I have important business to discuss with Uncle Er Gou this time."

Xu Mingyuan smiled. Putting aside his distant aunt, the temperament of the Chen family father and son was quite to his liking.

Xu Mingyuan clearly distinguished between the two issues.

Because Xu Chuan is setting an example for them in this way.

"Looking for my father? Okay, but if you keep getting distracted like this, I'll overtake you sooner or later."

"Hehe, what's the point of comparing with me? My father forced me to learn martial arts. If you want to compare, compare with my older brother. In terms of martial arts talent, I'm far inferior to him."

"I'm not stupid, I'll compete with you!"

Seeing Chen Daniu's smug look, Xu Mingyuan was speechless and waved his hand, "I won't disturb your martial arts practice, we'll talk later."

Then, he followed the servants to the inner courtyard.

"A-Yuan, what brings you here?"

Upon seeing him, Chen Ergou was overjoyed and waved to the servant beside him, signaling him to leave.

The servant bowed and left the inner courtyard, returning to stand at the main gate once more.

"Something's up, huh? Come on, let's go to the study to talk."

Upon entering the study, a row of bookshelves was filled with books.

Seeing Xu Mingyuan looking over, Chen Ergou explained with a smile, "Just putting on an act. You know Uncle Ergou doesn't have much knowledge, so he can only put on a show."

“I’ve recently come to realize that it was absolutely right of Brother Chuan to have you all study and practice calligraphy from a young age, and you never gave up even when you were learning martial arts.”

“Unlike my Da Niu, who is now completely devoted to martial arts.”

"I've probably forgotten most of what I learned in school over the past few years."

"A-Yuan, sit down."

Chen Ergou gestured for Xu Mingyuan to sit down, then asked, "Would you like some tea?"

"No, I just finished breakfast." Xu Mingyuan said with a smile, "Second Uncle Gou, it's not that serious. Da Niu is quite good. He will definitely be better than his uncle in terms of martial arts achievements in the future."

"That's right." Chen Ergou said smugly. "I spent a lot of money on him. Wouldn't it be a waste if I didn't get any results?"

"Enough with the small talk, what do you want to talk to me about? Just say it."

Chen Ergou poured himself a cup of tea, picked it up, and took a sip.

"Uncle Er Gou mentioned to my father before about opening a shop in the county town, right?"

"That's right, did your father agree?"

Xu Mingyuan nodded. "My father also agrees with opening a shop. There are limitations to developing in Dongxi Village. The future center of the Xu family will be in Qingjiang County."

"Really?" Chen Ergou's face lit up with joy. "Then let's discuss how to open this shop."

"No need, Uncle Er Gou."

"What do you mean?" Chen Ergou was slightly taken aback and looked at Xu Mingyuan in surprise.

At thirteen, the childishness on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a touch of heroism and confidence in his brows.

“Qingjiang County is different from the countryside; it is mostly inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles. If two families are involved, all the efforts of both families over the years will be lost if something happens.”

"So I suggest we separate."

"You mean, the two companies will each open their own shops and operate them independently?"

Xu Mingyuan nodded.

Chen Ergou began to ponder.

After several years of honing his skills, he is no longer a novice and has developed his own business acumen.

"It's not impossible. Qingjiang County is the wealthiest and largest among the surrounding counties. The fruit and vegetable market is huge. As long as we don't open too close to each other, it won't affect each other's business and can maximize profits."

Seeing that Chen Ergou was interested, Xu Mingyuan said, "Uncle Ergou, let's decide on this then. Father has already put me in full charge of the Xu family's fruit and vegetable shop in Qingjiang County. I still have to deal with it."

"Qingjiang County is full of hidden talents; I need to make a good plan."

Xu Mingyuan took his leave and was seen by Xu Yan as she walked out of her room when he left the inner courtyard.

She frowned slightly and walked to the study, saying, "Wasn't that A-Yuan just here? What did he come for? Was it to discuss the cooperation with the fruit and vegetable shop in Qingjiang County?"

“That’s right,” Chen Ergou said. “However, after much consideration, I’ve decided to separate.”

"Each family runs its own shop."

"We can't use the Xu family's name for everything from now on."

"That's true, but nowadays..."

Xu Yan was about to say something, but Chen Ergou raised his hand to stop her, "Alright, let's leave it at that. Let's discuss the shop together."

She sighed inwardly, "It seems the Xu family doesn't want to cooperate anymore."

"Alright, then we don't need to hold back anymore. We can go all out."

"Wife, do you think it's better for our shop to be located in the East Market or the West Market?" Chen Ergou replied, "The East Market has more high-ranking officials and nobles, while the West Market has more common people."

"Naturally, the East Market is bustling, and you can earn more there."

Xu family.

"Father, do you think our shop should be located in the East Market or the West Market? Let's go with the East Market. We've been selling in the East Market before, so we already have a solid foundation."

After pondering for a moment, Xu Mingyuan said to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "A Yuan, selling things at a stall is different from opening a shop."

“Once you open a shop, it’s like you’ve taken root. The East Market is bustling, so if you set higher prices, you can make more profit. But behind the prosperity lies a complex web of interests.”

"Does Father favor the West Market?"

Xu Chuan nodded. "Today, your father will talk to you about what a supermarket is."

He began to explain, and Xu Mingyuan, being intelligent and quick-witted, instantly understood Xu Chuan's meaning and applied it to other situations.

“In the West Market, our Xu family can buy fruits and vegetables from individual fruit farmers and then sell them under the Xu family name. In addition, the fruits and vegetables produced by the Xu family can be classified as premium and priced much higher, as a way to differentiate them.”

“We can also reach a cooperative relationship with some individual investors who are unwilling to sell. Our Xu family will provide the venue and collect some rent.”

"With the prestigious reputation of Qingyu Pear in our Xu family, it's easy for us to make a name for ourselves."

With fame comes popularity.

This will boost sales of fruits and vegetables purchased from ordinary fruit farmers, increasing their market share and attracting more small-scale growers.

"It's like a snowball, getting bigger and bigger as it rolls."

After being enlightened, Xu Mingyuan seemed to have an epiphany, his eyes growing brighter and brighter, as if he had discovered a new continent.

"Father, I'm going to Qingjiang County to discuss cooperation and choose a shop location. I won't be back for the next few days."

"Go ahead." Xu Chuan smiled slightly. "Take Zhou Ming and Zhao Dalong with you. Remember to prioritize stability and avoid compromising on quality."

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Mingyuan went to Bai Jing's place to collect several thousand taels of silver notes, and then led his men to Qingjiang County.

(End of this chapter)