...

Facing the somewhat ethereal Lady Jii, Wang Shouzhe sipped his "Jade Hook Green" to calm his nerves and quickly changed the topic: "Let’s talk about the reward, shall we? You’ve achieved such a great feat this time; your merit points are naturally enormous. What would you like to exchange from the clan treasury? If it’s not available, I can find a way to have someone procure it."

"Anything can be exchanged?" Lady Jii’s eyes twinkled slightly, her charming gaze fixed intently on Wang Shouzhe.

"Of course..." Wang Shouzhe wanted to say that anything available in the clan could be exchanged. But her gaze was so off, like she wanted to devour someone, that he quickly held back his words, "Naturally, not everything can be exchanged."

"Oh, then it’s not interesting anymore." Lady Jii regretfully withdrew her gaze, "Currently, cultivation resources are sufficient, and merit points just pile up with nowhere to spend. I suggest, Patriarch Shouzhe, expand the exchange list, don’t limit it to just cultivation materials. This way, clan members will have more motivation to strive."

Wang Shouzhe broke into a cold sweat; this logic is way too strong. For the development of the clan, should I, the Patriarch, even put myself on the exchange list?

...

While Wang Shouzhe was in a small carriage, receiving wave after wave of guests,

the main residence of the Celestial Person Huangfu Family was shrouded in gloom.

The normally arrogant household servants and generals did not dare to make a sound, feeling the oppressive heaviness enveloping the entire clan.

In the secret chamber,

Ancestor Hua Ye, who started off spirited but left in anger, had an especially grim expression. His red hair stood on end without wind, cloaked in a faint layer of flame.

A strong and overwhelming aura permeated the secret chamber, seemingly venting the frustration within him.

"Changning Xu Family, Ping’an Wang Family, you’ve gone too far." Ancestor Hua Ye’s voice was low and repressed, "I will not let this matter rest."

Patriarch Huangfu Jinhuan shared the same aggrieved expression, eyes flickering with intense hatred. As if he wished to immediately gather the household generals to annihilate the Changning Xu Family, and along the way, crush the Ping’an Wang Family as well.

But he was well aware that now was not the right time to act.

As the head of a clan, Huangfu Jinhuan carried a heavy burden. Suppressing the raging anger in his heart, he advised, "Ancestor, now is not the time for retaliation. Given the recent major incident, eyes from all sectors are on us."

"Moreover, the disciples of the Purple Mansion Academy are currently in our Changning Guard overseeing disaster relief, and they seem to have a good relationship with the Ping’an Wang Family. Please, Ancestor, endure a little longer; the relief work is nearly complete, and they will leave soon."

In the end, Ancestor Hua Ye, with his hundreds of years of life experience, after venting and being comforted, slowly withdrew the anger and killing intent from his eyes, speaking in a cold tone: "I just didn’t expect, for a small group of pests, to dare flaunt their dominance in front of me. Jinhuan, how’s the investigation into the foreign cement production base going?"

"That matter is progressing very smoothly. Our people have infiltrated their peripheral industries and gathered significant information." As soon as this was mentioned, Huangfu Jinhuan’s spirit immediately lifted, "However, their defenses are strict, and they’re extremely cautious."

"This is an industry that can propel the clan to great heights, so strict defense is to be expected." The greed in Ancestor Hua Ye’s eyes was intense, "You must act carefully, proceed steadily, and remember not to alarm the prey by being too hasty. Only by ultimately monopolizing the foreign cement formula can the Huangfu Family’s rise be truly heaven-sent."

The weaving industry, though also substantial, is crowded with giants, and one can expect blockades while truly trying to rise.

But the foreign cement industry is different, a fundamental material needed throughout the entire Longzuo County, no, even the Daqian Kingdom, far outstripping the weaving industry.

"Rest assured, Ancestor." Huangfu Jinhuan’s eyes burned with excitement, "The matter at Golden Beach was our inadvertent error seized upon by others. But regarding foreign cement, we are purposefully scheming against the unguarded."

"Good, very good." Ancestor Hua Ye’s eyes flamed with fervor as well, "Once we control the foreign cement industry, we’ll even be able to acquire longevity treasures. By then, I will fully support your breakthrough to the Celestial Human Realm."

"Thank you, Ancestor." Huangfu Jinhuan’s heart swelled with warmth.

"Lady Jii must also be engaged to maintain and enhance relations. Ideally, through her, we can gradually connect with the Jii Family. The Longzuo Jii Family was once a Purple Mansion Family, even though their current power isn’t what it once was, they are far from being comparable to us." Ancestor Hua Ye instructed.

"Yes, Ancestor."

...

The next day!

At Golden Beach in Golden Sand Town.

The autumn season, neither dry nor flooded, is the best time for operating water-powered silk reeling and weaving machinery.

Driven by large waterwheels, the silk reeling machines began their rumble, achieving a semi-automated silk reeling process through a relatively simple structure.

With just a few skilled workers, a silk reeling machine can be watched over. And the output of this reeling machine is at least equal to the output of several dozen foot-operated silk reeling workers.

Wang Shouzhe, Changning Xu Anbang, Golden Sand Xu Anze, and Ancestor Beichen were all present. Each with eyes full of amazement, watching the operation of the water-powered silk reeling machines.

"Ingenious craftsmanship." Ancestor Beichen of the Xu Family exclaimed, "Patriarch Shouzhe truly has remarkable creativity to invent such a wondrous thing; truly, he is a sage reincarnate."

"Ancestor Beichen, you’re too kind." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands and smiled, "I merely offered a few suggestions and improvements upon seeing how laborious it was to work on the foot-treadle silk reeling machine. The actual work was mostly done by my elder brother, Wang Shouxin, and Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou, who, along with the craftsmen, devoted themselves entirely to exploring and refining it bit by bit."

Wang Shouzhe was not being modest. His role was mostly to direct the overall direction or to provide insights when they hit a technical bottleneck with his "extraordinary" "knowledge."

If he were to fully dedicate himself to the development of a particular product, he certainly could achieve results. But as the family patriarch, should he spend all day on research and development without attending to anything else?

His elder brother, Wang Shouxin, was a down-to-earth person, more straightforward than Wang Shouzhe. After receiving the task, he became engrossed in it, spending years to achieve such results.

It’s worth mentioning Wang Shouzhe’s Fourth Aunt, Xu Zhirou. She was a very patient and skillful woman. After Wang Shouzhe lost his mother as a child, she took care of him and his siblings.

Back then, she made many small toys to keep Wang Shouzhe happy.

After the Wang Family embarked on the fast track of development and family industries were short of talent everywhere, Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou volunteered to manage the silk reeling section at Silkworm Manor, taking on some of the family’s burdens.

Of course, part of the reason was to earn more merit points for her son, Wang Shounuo.

Moreover, she hailed from the Golden Sand Xu Family.

Aside from a small amount of gold mining and some fertile land, most of the Golden Sand Xu Family’s land was used for mulberry tree cultivation, following land reclamation, resulting in many silkworm manors of varying sizes.

Having grown up with this backdrop, Fourth Aunt was no stranger to silk reeling, which is why Wang Shouzhe accepted her offer to take on the responsibility.

Later on, in the area of the mechanical structure of the water-powered silk reeling machine, Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou suddenly displayed exceptionally strong talents and abilities. Her hands-on skills were remarkable, and many of the smaller constructions were ultimately designed and improved by her.

The seemingly simple little water-powered silk reeling machine and weaving machine actually contained the fruit of many years of effort from the Wang family’s related members.

Such achievements also made Wang Shouzhe feel at ease and proud. The Ping’an Wang Family was not solely supported by him nor led by a king among a group of bronze; every family member was striving to contribute to the family’s growth and strength.

While Wang Shouzhe and various patriarchs and ancestors were discussing these matters, Xu Zhirou finished her thorough inspection of the water-powered silk reeling machine and came over to report, "Shouzhe, this installation is very qualified, and the operation is quite smooth. The only issue is the need to consider water regulation during the wet and dry seasons."

"Thank you, Fourth Aunt." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands and said.

This workshop was overseen by Xu Zhirou, with each water-powered device being methodically installed by her and the craftsmen.

"Thank you, Second Sister." The Patriarch of the Golden Sand Xu Family, Xu Anze, quickly came forward with words of concern, showing great care for Xu Zhirou.

In truth, he also genuinely worried about Second Sister. After marrying into the Ping’an Wang Family and giving birth to Wang Shounuo, Wang Luotong, and Wang Luojing, her husband Wang Dingbang tragically passed away at thirty-seven.

From then on, she raised her children alone, and at that time, the Wang Family’s circumstances were not favorable, making life even more challenging. The Golden Sand Xu Family, as her natal family, provided support within their capabilities.

This is also why Xu Zhirou volunteered for the entire project of building the workshop on Golden Beach, both to serve the family and to return the care and support her maternal family had shown her and her household.

"Sister Zhirou," Changning Xu Anbang also approached with concern, "These days, we owe much to you. Recently, our Xu Family acquired some Beauty Pills. I thought they would be perfect for Sister Zhirou, so I brought them." As he spoke, he straightforwardly handed them to her.

Instantly, Xu Anze’s eyes widened. Though he and Xu Anbang were both of the An generation, the families split a hundred years ago. Xu Anbang’s casual address of "Sister Zhirou" sparked a bit of jealousy within him.

His eyes rolled, and he hurriedly produced a bottle of elixirs: "Second Sister, this bottle of Peiyuan Pills is for Luojing. She’s currently studying at the academy, and as her uncle, I must do my part." Before Xu Zhirou could decline, he firmly placed it in her hands.

Peiyuan Pills are second-grade elixirs, costing twenty to thirty Qian Gold each. Presenting a bottle of several pills was no small expense for the Golden Sand Xu Family.

"This..." Xu Zhirou held the bottles of Beauty and Peiyuan Pills, feeling troubled, and glanced towards Wang Shouzhe for assistance.

Before Wang Shouzhe could speak, Changning Beichen Ancestor laughed cheerfully and waved his hand, "Zhirou is indeed a rare talent from our Xu Family. She has dedicated herself to the developmental efforts of the three clans. You two patriarchs are being too stingy. Don’t you think so, Xu Ningwei?"

Xu Ningwei, also known as Ancestor Ningwei, was the Old Ancestor of the Golden Sand Xu Family and a nephew of Beichen Ancestor. The founding ancestor of the Golden Sand Xu Family was Beichen Ancestor’s direct brother, Xu Beixing, known as Ancestor Beixing.

Ancestor Beixing and Ancestor Zhou Xuan were of similar age and were geniuses of their generation. Unfortunately, due to resource limitations, he remained in the Initial Tier of the Spirit Platform Realm throughout his life.

And Ancestor Ningwei, Xu Ningwei, is Xu Beixing’s grandson and the second-generation ancestor of the Golden Sand Xu Family. Facing Beichen Ancestor, he naturally took a lower stance, hastily cupping his hands and saying, "The Ancestor is right."

With the Ancestor’s words, the two patriarchs naturally upped their offers, continually flattering Xu Zhirou.

As a result, Wang Shouzhe couldn’t help but quietly chuckle. Fourth Aunt had truly made a name for herself.

Nonetheless, this also showed the formidable nature of allied kinship. After all, they shared various blood ties and naturally trusted each other.

Wang Shouzhe was also secretly proud that the strength of a family couldn’t rely solely on him. Everyone doing their best would be what truly made the family grow stronger.

...