SWDnovel Chapter 10 The Wang Family's Wrath, The Zhao Family's Unusual Movements
Chapter 10 The Wang Family's Wrath, The Zhao Family's Unusual Movements
The night was deep.
Inside the Wang family ancestral home in Qingyun County, the lights were on full display.
Teacups were shattered all over the floor in the council chamber.
Wang Tonghai's face was ashen, his chest heaving, and his palms were pressed against the table, with veins bulging beneath them.
"Six thousand seven hundred spirit coins?"
"Say it again!"
Wang Fu, kneeling in the hall, was covered in cold sweat, his voice trembling.
"Patriarch... at the Blackstone Mountain auction, a hundred catties of spirit rice were sold out in one day. Conservatively estimated, the income was at least six thousand seven hundred spirit coins."
"And... there are quite a few people queuing up to reserve their seats for tomorrow."
boom!
The table shattered with a crash.
Wang Tonghai slammed his palm down, sending wood chips flying everywhere.
Everyone in the hall lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.
⸻
Wang Tonghai's eyes were terrifyingly gloomy.
Six thousand seven hundred spirit coins.
This is no small sum of money.
This is enough to support several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators and purchase a large number of talismans and pills.
Even more frightening is-
This is a day's income.
If the Li family continues to sell, who in Qingyun County will be a match for the Wang family a month from now?
⸻
"waste!"
Wang Tonghai suddenly stared at Wang Fu.
"You've been guarding Dongshi for so many years, and you've let a bunch of country bumpkins ride roughshod over you?"
Wang Fu turned pale and quickly kowtowed.
"Master, please forgive me!"
"Your subordinates had already blocked the trade route, but who knew Li Xuan would lead the buyers to Black Stone Mountain..."
"That kid doesn't play by the rules!"
⸻
A murderous glint flashed in Wang Tonghai's eyes.
"Li Xuan..."
His voice was as cold as a knife when he uttered the name.
In his eyes, the Li family was nothing more than a dying struggle.
Although Li Tianheng was strong, he was old and injured.
The one who truly turned the tide was this previously insignificant young clan leader.
In just a few days, rice was sold, auctioned, and momentum was built.
They pulled the Li family out of the mire step by step.
People like this should not be allowed to live.
⸻
An elder in grey robes spoke in a deep voice:
"Master, since the trade route is useless, why not launch a night raid on Blackstone Mountain, burn its granaries, and destroy its spiritual fields?"
Another elder nodded in agreement.
"good."
"Severing their foundation is faster than blocking the road."
Upon hearing this, Wang Fu's eyes lit up.
"If that strange field is destroyed, the Li family will naturally reveal their true colors."
⸻
Wang Tonghai did not nod immediately.
He slowly sat down, his gaze somber.
"Although Li Tianheng is injured, he is still at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining."
"Black Stone Mountain is easy to defend but difficult to attack."
"A direct attack may not be worthwhile."
He is not stupid.
If we can crush the Li family with resources and means, there's no need for a direct confrontation.
If both sides suffer losses, it will only benefit others.
⸻
Thinking of this, he said coldly:
"Any news from the Zhao family?"
Wang Fu quickly replied:
"Zhao Yuancheng, the head of the Zhao family, sent someone yesterday to inquire whether he was willing to share the grain market with my Wang family."
A cold smile appeared on Wang Tonghai's lips.
"very good."
"Tell Zhao Yuancheng that as long as he stands on the side of my Wang family, he will get 20% of the shops on East Street after the matter is settled."
The eyes of everyone in the hall flickered slightly.
Although the Zhao family was not as powerful as the Wang family, it was still one of the three major families in Qingyun County.
If the attempt to win them over succeeds, the Li family will face even greater difficulties.
⸻
"in addition."
Wang Tonghai's voice grew even colder.
"Spread the word."
"It is said that the Li family's spiritual rice is of dubious origin, produced by evil magic, and that consuming too much of it will damage one's foundation."
Wang Fu's spirits lifted.
"The patriarch is brilliant!"
If I can't kill you, I'll ruin your reputation first.
⸻
Black Stone Mountain.
The night breeze swept through the mountains and forests, carrying a chill.
Inside the Li family's ancestral home, however, was a bustling scene.
The spirit coins obtained from the daytime auction were carried into the warehouse in bags.
The smiles on the faces of the clansmen were impossible to suppress.
Some people were repairing the wall, some were moving goods, and some were counting the supplies.
The ancestral home, which was once lifeless, has finally come back to life.
⸻
Inside the council chamber.
Li Yuanshan, clutching the account books, reported with a flushed face and a thick neck.
"Young Clan Chief!"
"Today's net income is 6,720 spirit coins!"
"After deducting manpower and miscellaneous expenses, there are still over six thousand five hundred left!"
"If this continues every day, after a month—"
As he spoke, he became so excited that he couldn't continue.
Li Yuanlie grinned from the side and said:
"You can gain ten pounds in a month."
Li Yuanshan angrily said:
"What do you know? This is called family prosperity!"
⸻
Li Tianheng sat in the main seat, looking at the lively crowd, with undisguised satisfaction in his eyes.
Over the years, the Li family has been suffocated by the Wang family.
Today, I finally got my revenge.
But he quickly suppressed his smile and looked at Li Xuan.
"The Wang family will not let this go."
What do you think?
The hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone knows that.
The one who truly takes charge has gradually become this young clan leader.
⸻
Li Xuan picked up his teacup, his tone calm.
"The Wang family has three steps ahead."
"First, spreading rumors."
"Second, win over the Zhao family."
"Third, if that still doesn't work, we'll take action."
Everyone was taken aback.
Li Yuanshan exclaimed in surprise:
"How did the young clan leader know?"
Li Xuan smiled faintly.
"Because if I were Wang Tonghai, I would do the same."
⸻
Li Tianheng's gaze narrowed slightly.
"So, how do you plan to deal with this?"
Li Xuan put down his teacup.
"The first step is the simplest."
"Rice will be sold as usual tomorrow, with on-site tastings available."
"Rumors can't beat words and stomachs."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
That makes sense.
⸻
As for the Zhao family—
A hint of a smile flashed across Li Xuan's eyes.
"Zhao Yuancheng is a businessman; he only cares about profits."
"If the Wang family is powerful, he will help the Wang family."
"If the Li family becomes stronger, he will waver."
Li Yuanshan scratched his head.
"Then how do we get him to sway?"
Li Xuan said calmly:
"Let him know that the Wang family is on its last legs."
⸻
Li Tianheng squinted.
"Are you trying to sow discord?"
Li Xuan nodded.
"The Zhao family is not an ally."
"But we can make him a nuisance to the Wang family first."
⸻
Just then, a guard strode into the hall.
"Reporting to the young clan leader!"
"A messenger from the Zhao family has come down from the mountain, saying he wishes to see you."
Everyone's expression changed simultaneously.
Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.
Li Yuanlie chuckled.
"The Zhao family has a really good nose."
⸻
After a while.
A middle-aged man in blue was brought into the council chamber.
This person had a kind face, but his eyes were extremely shrewd. He bowed as soon as he entered the door.
"Zhao Cheng, steward of the Zhao family, greets Clan Chief Li and Young Clan Chief Li."
Li Xuan said calmly:
"What brings you here so late at night?"
Zhao Cheng had a big smile on his face.
"My master heard that the Li family's Ling rice has amazed the entire county, so he specially ordered me to come and offer my congratulations."
As he spoke, he presented a wooden box.
Inside the box lay a century-old Solomon's Seal plant, which was quite valuable.
Li Yuanshan's eyes lit up.
A grand gesture.
⸻
Li Xuan didn't touch the wooden box, but just looked at him indifferently.
"I guess I was just passing by when I came to offer my congratulations."
Zhao Cheng's smile froze slightly, then he sighed:
"The young clan leader is indeed quick-witted and outspoken."
"My master means—"
"If the Li and Zhao families cooperate and jointly sell Ling rice, they will surely achieve a win-win situation."
Everyone in the hall was startled.
The Zhao family has come to divide the spoils.
⸻
Li Xuan remained calm and silent for a moment before speaking:
"Cooperation is negotiable."
Zhao Cheng's eyes lit up.
"but--"
Li Xuan changed his tone.
"I heard the Wang family is also looking to cooperate with the Zhao family?"
Zhao Cheng's smile froze instantly.
Answering this question would offend the Li family, while denying it would appear hypocritical.
Li Xuan looked at him and slowly said:
"Go back and tell Zhao Yuancheng."
"If the Wang family wins, they won't be in a hurry to find allies."
"If he chooses the wrong side, the Zhao family will no longer be qualified to go up Blackstone Mountain."
The voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a hammer blow.
Zhao Cheng had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.
He suddenly realized that this young man in front of him was even more difficult to deal with than Wang Tonghai.
⸻
After Zhao Cheng left.
Li Yuanshan couldn't help but ask:
"Young clan leader, what if the Zhao family really sides with the Wang family?"
Li Xuan looked at the lights of the county town below the mountain, his expression indifferent.
"Then let's destroy the Wang family first, and then take over the Zhao family."
One sentence sent a shiver down the spines of everyone in the hall.
This is no longer about guarding the home.
This is an attempt to swallow up the county.
⸻
A system notification slowly sounded in my mind.
[Enhance Family Reputation]
[The Zhao family's attitude: wavering]
[Current Luck: 88]
[New Mission Released: Dismantle King Zhao's Alliance]
[Reward: Opportunity to upgrade the third acre of spirit field]
Li Xuan's eyes brightened slightly.
The Zhao family's move was perfectly timed.
The wind at Black Rock Mountain is getting stronger and stronger.
End of Chapter Ten