Protect Our Patriarch

The sixth elder, Wang Xiaohan, was somewhat uncertain, but ultimately respected Wang Shouzhe's decision.

He was now the clan leader, the head of the family, and if he strongly opposed selling the immature five hundred-year-old Nine Leaf Spirit Ginseng, no one would dare to sell it.

Following that, Wang Shouzhe also inquired about the remaining six or seven points of medium-grade spirit fields.

They were also planted with Nine Leaf Spirit Ginseng, ranging from low to high, with the worst being ten years and the highest reaching seventy years.

"We don't sell Nine Leaf Spirit Ginseng to the outside world, but use it to slowly accumulate the family's foundation," Wang Xiaohan explained. "Therefore, although these two acres of medium-grade spirit fields have a considerable output value, at least half of the benefits are still invested in increasing the planting of Nine Leaf Spirit Ginseng."

"Correct." Wang Shouzhe nodded in approval. "If a family wants to thrive, it depends not on short-term profits, but on long-term investments and returns. In this way, the family's foundation will gradually become strong, and it can take advantage of good years to rise, and in times of crisis, it can rely on its foundation to support itself."

These two acres of medium-grade spirit fields were secretly operated outside of the clan's property, which theoretically violated the taboo of the Xuanwu Clan.

But this was not a case of a clan member operating private property. Broadly speaking, it was still part of the clan's property, accumulating the family's foundation while occasionally contributing to the family's welfare.

Operating private property for personal gain has always been the Xuanwu Clan's biggest taboo. Such a trend will inevitably lead to internal strife and ultimately disintegration.

If a clan member really wants to develop their own business independently, they can still leave the clan and explore their own family after agreeing on conditions with the clan.

This is called splitting the family.

At that time, that branch will be recorded as a branch of the Ping'an Wang Clan - a collateral bloodline.

For example, the Jinsha Xu Clan is a collateral branch of the Changning Xu Clan. Although they are both Xu Clans, they separated into two independent entities more than a hundred years ago.

The Ping'an Wang Clan is also a collateral bloodline of the Longzuo Wang Clan. In the ancestral hall genealogy of the Longzuo Wang Clan, there will certainly be records of the transmission of this branch by Ancestor Zhouxuan.

However, how many people it has been passed down to and who its descendants are will not be recorded in the genealogy. At most, there will be some records of the outstanding figures produced on this side.

But let's not talk about idle gossip.

After visiting the clan's secret foundation, Wang Shouzhe's mood was also very good, and with these foundations, his confidence was even more abundant.

Wang Xiaohan then led Wang Shouzhe around Xingsheng Farm, learning about it everywhere, which greatly strengthened his understanding of Xingsheng Farm.After achieving his goal, Wang Shouzhe returned to his residence with Seventh Uncle Wang Shouye by boat after eating. On the way, Wang Shouzhe took out pen and paper, sometimes lost in thought and sometimes jotting things down. Wang Shouye, who was beside him, looked curious and asked, "Fourth Brother, what are you writing?"

"The system panel."

"Oh." Wang Shouye didn't understand what a system panel was, but he felt that Fourth Brother was amazing and admired him even more.

Indeed, Wang Shouzhe would never give up gradually establishing and updating his system panel.

The boat swayed all the way back to the residence. Wang Shouzhe encouraged and instructed Wang Shouye for a few more words, then had his servant Wang Gui take him back. He then carried a cloth bag of fresh fruits and headed towards Long Yan's residence.

When he arrived outside Long Yan's residence, Wang Shouzhe found that the big girl, Wang Lici, was peeking outside. He immediately became serious and asked, "What are you doing so sneakily, big girl?"

"Ah? Fourth Uncle..."

Wang Lici was so scared that her legs went weak. She honestly confessed, "I-I'm looking for Ancestor."

"Nonsense." Wang Shouzhe frowned and scolded, "Long Yan's residence is forbidden. Without Ancestor's summons, how dare you disturb Ancestor's meditation?"

"I-I'm...I'm looking for Ancestor's guidance on body techniques and combat skills."

"Body techniques and combat skills?" Wang Shouzhe looked at her suspiciously, "Are you sure you're not here to ask Ancestor for food?"

"Fourth Uncle, how can you say that about me?" Wang Lici was so angry that her face turned red. She weakly retorted, "Just because you have ambitions, doesn't mean that I don't want to become stronger too."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhe's stern expression softened a bit. He apologized and rubbed her head, saying, "So my Lici also has ambitions. Fourth Uncle misunderstood. I apologize."

Hmph, so annoying. I don't want to talk to you.

Wang Lici turned her head away, pouted, and tears welled up in her eyes. "By the way, I just went to Xingsheng Farm." Wang Shouzhe smiled and said, "I picked some fresh and sweet melons. The weather was good this year, and the melons are juicy and sweet. Do you want one?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Wang Lici's eyes lit up, and she took the green melon from the cloth bag, wiped it, and took big bites. Her eyes narrowed with satisfaction, and she praised, "This melon is so sweet and delicious. Thank you, Fourth Uncle.""Lici, having ambition is a good thing. However, Ancestor is not feeling well, so try not to disturb her unless necessary," Wang Shouzhe said with relief. "With your current level, it's enough for Fourth Uncle to guide you. Starting tomorrow, wait for me at my martial arts training ground at Mao hour, and Fourth Uncle will train with you. Eat slowly, here, have another melon."

Lici listened to the first half of the sentence just fine, but the second half made her shiver all over. She was so scared that she didn't even eat the melon. She instinctively took the melon and weakly said, "Fourth, Fourth Uncle. Mao hour, isn't it too early?"

"Not too early. It's already summer now, and Mao hour is just before dawn," Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly. "At that time, practicing martial arts and body techniques is just right. What's the problem?"

"My, my point is... Is there a Xuanwu martial art that doesn't require practice and only needs eating and drinking every day to become strong?" Lici blinked curiously and asked, "Could Fourth Uncle ask Ancestor for me?"

Ha!

Wang Shouzhe's face twitched. So this was Lici's ambition. He had really believed it!

Wang Shouzhe, oh Wang Shouzhe, you are still young after all.

Immediately, he took her melon without a word, put it back in the bag, and walked towards Long Yan's residence without looking back.

"Hey, Fourth Uncle, that's my melon. How could you take it from me?" Lici caught up and said, "Fourth Uncle, the world is so big, and there may be that kind of Xuanwu martial art."

Wang Shouzhe sneered twice. Was she blaming him for being ignorant?

"Come in, don't make noise outside," at this moment, Long Yan's voice came from inside the residence.

Wang Shouzhe responded and entered, but Lici followed behind, and when she saw Fourth Uncle's unfriendly gaze, she shrank her head and said, "Ancestor said to come in." She emphasized the word "all."

"Hehe~" Wang Shouzhe glared at her and then went in to pay respects to Long Yan.

At this time, Long Yan had already moved to the pavilion and was waiting for them.

"Wang Shouzhe pays respects to Ancestor." Wang Shouzhe paid his respects and found that Long Yan's breath seemed to be much better. Even the long white hair seemed to be covered with an invisible luster. He immediately exclaimed, "Congratulations, Ancestor, on your good health."

His heart was also excited. The better Ancestor's health, the safer Wang's Clan would be, and the burden on his heart would be reduced.

"Lici pays respects to Ancestor, congratulations on your good health," Lici also rushed to pay her respects and copied Wang Shouzhe's congratulatory words, making Wang Shouzhe's eyes twitch.However, Long Yan Ancestor seemed to be convinced by her words. In good health, she was in a good mood and beckoned Wang Lici over. "Child, why haven't you come to see Ancestor sometimes?"

This scene made Wang Shouzhe slightly stunned. What did this girl give to the Ancestor to make her so fond of her?

Then, Wang Lici began to attentively circle around the Ancestor, helping her massage her shoulders and arms, and replied, "Fourth Uncle said that the Ju Residence is a forbidden area for the clan and that I shouldn't disturb Ancestor's cultivation. But, Ancestor, I miss you so much. I can't even eat or sleep properly. Look, I've even lost weight."

Wang Shouzhe's expression turned cold. This girl dared to complain about him in front of the Ancestor?

"It seems like you've lost some weight." Long Yan Ancestor gave her a glance and then said to Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, if the eldest girl wants to come, let her come."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lici, who was hiding behind the Ancestor, revealed a smug expression towards Wang Shouzhe.

"I'm afraid she'll be too noisy and disturb Ancestor's cultivation." Wang Shouzhe said.

"It's fine." Long Yan Ancestor's mood seemed to have improved along with her good health. "Lici is a gentle and considerate child who takes good care of me. With her around, my injuries will heal faster."

Wang Shouzhe admitted that Wang Lici was good at buttering up the Ancestor. "These fruits were just picked from the farm. Please taste them, Ancestor."

"Fourth Uncle, let me do this small task." Wang Lici took the cloth bag and washed two sweet melons before giving one to the Ancestor and keeping one for herself. "Ancestor, please try this sweet melon. It's crispy and sweet. I've already tried it."

She ate happily. Wang Shouzhe was amazed by her thick skin.

Seeing the Ancestor enjoying the melon, Wang Shouzhe felt relieved. Recently, the Ancestor had been well-supplied with spiritual food to heal her injuries, and her previously emaciated body had become plump and healthy, with a renewed vitality.

It was obvious that with her injuries healing, she was full of hope for herself and the future of the clan.

This also meant that the Wang Clan's fifty years of misfortune was coming to an end. It was time to settle accounts and rise up.

Wang Shouzhe's mood also became much better. However, before that, he needed to take care of Wang Lici's future.This child is ambitious, loves good food, and is full of passion and imagination for life. She also knows how to win the favor of her elders.

Such an outstanding child.

Presumably, arranging for her to accompany Grandpa Liu in cultivating the spiritual fields would be the most suitable arrangement.

Moreover, this child loves to read and has a spiritual nature. She should not be deprived of new and ancient books. The Wang's Clan may be poor, but no matter how poor, they cannot neglect the education of their children.

Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but reveal a gratified and contented smile when he thought of the scene where the girl worked tirelessly in the fields during the day and studied under the lamplight at night in the thatched cottage.

The hope of the family's rise ultimately depends on these outstanding younger generations.

As their elders, we must support them during their critical growth periods.

"?"

While happily eating her third melon, Wang Lici felt something was not quite right, and a chill ran down her spine.

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