The affairs of Jinliu Village are gradually getting on track. Although Yang Changlin is still the Village Chief, he has actually become the Shen Family's chief steward.

With him and Zhao Shuan and his two sons assisting, along with the fact that the Shen Family's decisions only bring benefits without harms to other common people, all villagers gradually accepted the shift in power.

During this period, as Shen Wenxing walked through the village, no one dared to call him by his nickname "Stone" anymore. Everyone who met him respectfully called him "Young Master."

At first, Shen Wenxing was a bit unaccustomed to this.

But Shen Yuan only admonished him with two statements.

"Present yourself with solemnity, and you will receive respect."

"Closeness breeds mediocrity, distance breeds authority."

Shen Wenxing pondered over these two statements for a long time without understanding their meaning, so he specifically went to the back courtyard to ask his younger brother Shen Wenyan for advice.

Ah Nu told him that the first statement from their father meant that a leader should treat subordinates with a solemn attitude to earn their respect.

The second statement means that being too close to neighbors as in the past will lead to a loss of authority and seem mediocre. Only by maintaining an appropriate distance can one establish authority.

Shen Wenxing bitterly smiled upon hearing this.

He suddenly realized that his father had undergone quite a change over these two years.

The father he remembered was amiable, courteous, careful, and honest.

But now, his thoughts seem deep as the abyss, always harboring many matters in his heart.

"Ah Nu, aren't you going to prepare?"

Looking at his younger brother leisurely flipping through a book in front of him, Shen Wenxing suddenly spoke.

"Prepare for what?"

Shen Wenyan looked over in confusion.

Shen Wenxing said somewhat helplessly, "Of course, prepare for the marriage, right?"

"You and Xuan are getting married in four days, and the whole family is busy organizing the wedding, yet you, the groom, aren't in any hurry at all."

Shen Wenyan was a bit dazed, then he smiled slightly and said, "Isn't there Big Brother and Father?"

"I can't help much either."

"Recently, I received a lot of teachings from the mentors, and I haven't quite sorted them out yet."

"Brother, you'll have to work a bit harder."

Hearing this, Shen Wenxing laughed in exasperation and shook his head helplessly. "You boy..."

"Alright, I won't disturb you anymore."

He also knew that his younger brother was speaking the truth.

For so many years, no major or minor affairs in the family had involved him, so now, even if they pulled him out from the back courtyard, he indeed couldn't help much.

Fortunately, the Shen Family's status was different now.

Upon learning of the main family's happy event, many in the village sent people to help out.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day of Shen Wenyan's wedding.

This wedding feast was unprecedentedly grand.

At the gate of the mansion, Huang Qingzhou and Huang Yunxiao walked slowly, followed by an old man, portly and dressed in luxurious clothing.

"Brothers."

Shen Yuan cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

After the Huang brothers returned the gesture, they introduced, "Ah Yuan, this is Patriarch Liang, Liang Kaigen."

"The Liang Family has been engaged in the herbal business for generations, and now they've already expanded beyond Anyang County, starting to make a mark in Yunzhong County."

Oh?

With a smile on his face, Shen Yuan cupped his hands toward Liang Kaigen.

"Patriarch Liang, my apologies for not greeting you from afar."

Liang Kaigen hastily returned the greeting, chuckling, "I apologize for visiting suddenly, and hope Patriarch Shen won't hold it against me."

Shen Yuan smiled and gestured with his hand, "Guests are like family. Brothers, Patriarch Liang, please come inside."

"Brother, you and Brother Liang go in first. I have a word with Ah Yuan."

Huang Qingzhou said with a smile.

After the two walked away, he spoke softly, "This Liang Kaigen is an in-law of the Su Family, and I initially didn't want to inform him."

"However, Liang's Pharmacy leveraged Su Jingshan's connections years ago to control nearly seventy percent of Anyang County's herbal cuisine business."

"Now they are reaching out into other county governments in Yunzhong."

"Ah Yuan, you won't blame me, will you?"

Shen Yuan smiled and shook his head, "Why would I, Brother?"

"Our families have been long-time friends and in-laws, don't be so distant."

"Besides, there are no eternal enemies in this world…"

Looking at Liang Kaigen entering the courtyard with Huang Yunxiao, a smile appeared on Shen Yuan's face.

Merchants are lowly.

This is also because the current Great Yu Dynasty is already like an empty shell. If it were before, Liang Kaigen, as a mere vulgar merchant, would dare to wear silk and brocade; at best, he would be heavily fined and flogged, at worst, his family assets would be confiscated, and he'd be exiled to the North Sea.

"Brother, did you find out if Liang Kaigen is willing to provide the herbal recipes?"

Huang Qingzhou grinned and directly took out a piece of paper from his breast pocket.

"The old fox is quite clever, knowing that his son-in-law's feud with our two families would be a problem, he directly approached us, not only willing to offer this recipe but likely to provide a generous gift too."

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yuan smiled.

The Liang Family's biggest backing was originally Su Jingshan.

But now that the imperial family's name is only nominal, the authority in Yunzhong County has shifted to the He Family.

Officials like Su Jingshan and Tang Xian of the Yu Country find themselves in a very awkward situation.

This Liang Kaigen has also realized that to protect his family's business, relying on the Su Family is probably not feasible.

Unlikely to have forged a relationship with the He Family, the Shen Family, backed by Luoxia Mountain and Qiyun Valley, naturally became his primary choice for alliance.

"Brother, have you looked at the recipe?"

"Are the herbs on it easy to grow?"

Huang Qingzhou nodded, "They're all common herbs, only the Blood Toad's Shedding is a bit challenging to acquire."

"According to Liang Kaigen, his supply of Blood Toad's Shedding is purchased from some families in Anyang County that specifically keep Blood Toads."

"Ah Yuan, leave this matter to me."

Shen Wenxing had already told him about their father's general plans, and Huang Qingzhou knew that at this time, the Huang Family had to unite closely with the Shen Family.

Shen Yuan nodded, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother."

As the two were talking, Shen Wenxing hurriedly came over from outside.

"Father, Father-in-law."

"The He Family has come!"

The He Family!?

Shen Yuan and Huang Qingzhou exchanged a glance.

"Ah Yuan, since the He Family has come, we should go welcome them."

Shen Yuan nodded slightly.

The Yunzhong He Family is the appointed administrator by Luoxia Mountain.

The He Family itself has two Innate Martial Artists, and reportedly, two of their younger members have been detected with Spirit Roots and were taken back to the Immortal Sect by Luoxia Mountain.

"Brother, come with us."

The three of them walked along the path in front of the gate and soon saw a luxurious carriage slowly approaching from the foot of the mountain.

On both sides of the carriage were more than ten Martial Artists dressed in tight-fitting clothes, each holding a long sword.

From their gait and aura, it was vaguely discernible that most of these Martial Artists had reached the late stage of Postnatal, and some even at the Peak of Postnatal Realm.

Upon seeing Shen Yuan and his sons, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

From the carriage descended an old man wearing a profound black and gold embroidered robe, with graying hair and a rosy complexion.

"Haha... Are you Patriarch Shen?"

"I am He Yan, representing the He Family to congratulate your second son's marriage."

The three of them cupped their hands in greeting, and Shen Yuan smiled and said, "Shen Yuan greets Elder He."

"The distance from Yunzhong is long and arduous, your esteemed visit truly brings prosperity to our humble abode."

He Yan waved his hand repeatedly, chuckling, "Immortal Wei specifically instructed us to maintain close ties with the Shen Family."

"But due to many affairs, the family couldn't spare any personnel earlier; we hope the Shen Family understands."

Shen Yuan laughed heartily, "No worries at all."

"Elder He, let me introduce you, this is my son, Wenxing."

"And this is my son's father-in-law, Huang Qingzhou of the Huang Family."

Both sides exchanged greetings and then proceeded together towards the courtyard.

Along the way, many noble families attending the wedding, upon seeing the profound black tiger flag representing the He Family, all stepped aside.

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