Protect Our Chief - Chapter 19

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

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It was a well-built adult man in a rough hemp garment who was working. With a thud, he tossed down the box of salted fish on his shoulder and came over happily.

Wang Shouzhe composed himself and recognized that it was the second son of the “Shou” generation, Wang Shouyi. He immediately cupped his hands and smiled. “Second Brother, why are you dressed like this? You actually have to work personally?”

Wang Shouyi gave a simple-minded chuckle helplessly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Sixth Uncle. He actually sent people to deliver all the salted fish in the warehouse of Dingpu here, and ordered me to sell them as soon as possible. Even the shop assistants can’t handle it all at once. Look, they’re unloading the goods now.”

With that, he pointed at a few cargo carriages lined up at the back, almost blocking the road.

Uh… haha.

Of course Wang Shouzhe knew the reason. It was because of his suggestions and ideas. The fishing fleet’s fishing yield this year would definitely be off the charts. If the salted fish in the warehouse were not disposed of quickly, when the large amounts of subsequent catch were put on sale, the salted fish from before would plummet in value in their possession.

“Wang Zhong, Wang Yong, help unload the goods together.” Wang Shouzhe waved his hand.

“Yes, Patriarch.” The two clan guards immediately set down the package and went to help. One of them was at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Realm, while the other was at the fifth level. Their strength and physique far exceeded that of ordinary people by many times.

In addition, Wang Shouyi was also at the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm. The three Arcane Martial Artists unloaded the goods together, and the speed quickly went up.

Of course, Wang Shouzhe was already at the advanced stage of the sixth level of the Qi Refining Realm. If he participated, the speed would be even faster. However, wouldn’t it damage the prestige of the clan if word got out that he, the dignified patriarch of a clan, was carrying salted fish?

In less than half an hour, the fish products on the carriages were all moved into the warehouse, and the roadside was restored to normal.

Afterward, Wang Shouyi, who had cleaned himself up, was about to receive Wang Shouzhe in the backyard, but was rejected. They found a place in the fish stall to drink tea and chat.

“Fourth Brother, our fish stall mainly sells dried goods of salted fish and smoked fish, fresh fish, and live fish.” Wang Shouyi poured the tea personally and said, “Most of the dried goods like salted fish are purchased in bulk by the itinerant merchants and sold in the northwest regions.”

“Fresh fish are sold to the vendors in Changning Wei City. They come to our fish stall every morning to collect goods. We also supply fresh fish and live fish to a few restaurants in the city. We’re in charge of delivering the goods for this part, but the price will be slightly higher.”

“Also, there are some noble clans, wealthy businessmen, and so on, who also have a lot of demand for fresh fish and live fish every day. Therefore, from dawn until morning every day is the busiest time for our fish stall.”

With just a brief introduction, Wang Shouzhe understood the operation mode of the Wang Clan’s fish stall. The main purpose was to maximize the selling price of the catches of the fishing fleet. Overall, the net profits that it could bring to the family would only be about 200 gold annually.

It was precisely because the net profits were not high that the seventh generation clan member, Wang Shouyi, was in charge here.

Wang Shouyi’s natural aptitude was not very good, and he was only a Fourth Rank, Lower Tier. Thus, the family resources he had enjoyed since he was young were far from comparable to Wang Dingyue, Wang Shouzhe, and the others. As a result, he was only in the basic stage of the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm at the age of 33.

Fortunately, Wang Shouyi had a steady character and was hardworking. He did not have any complaints about the distribution of resources in the clan. Instead, he conscientiously took charge of one of the clan’s businesses and contributed to the clan.

“Second Brother, it’s been hard on you all these years.” Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands solemnly.

“Fourth Brother, what are you saying?” Wang Shouyi hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting. “I, Wang Shouyi, am a direct descendant of the clan. It’s my duty to manage the clan’s property. Why the talk about hardships? As long as you can break through to the Spirit Tower Realm one day, the members of the Wang Clan will definitely lead a good life.”

Spirit Tower Realm! Spirit Tower Realm!

Wang Shouzhe sighed in his heart. Right now, all the clansmen were placing their hopes on him. It was precisely this hope that allowed them to work tirelessly and without regrets.

“Don’t worry, Second Brother. The Wang Clan will definitely do better and better.” Wang Shouzhe smiled confidently and said, “By the way, I heard that nephew Zongsheng’s aptitudes are quite good. He seems to be in Third Rank, Lower Tier?”

At the mention of Zongsheng, a look of joy appeared on Wang Shouyi’s honest face. He scratched his head and said, “That kid’s not bad. He’s stronger than his father. Looks like my bloodline is not bad after all.”

“Heh, Second Brother, that’s because Second Sister-in-law has a good bloodline.” Wang Shouzhe smiled and said teasingly, “I know that while Second Sister-in-law was awaiting marriage in the Xu Clan of Jinsha, she was famed for her beauty. Many clans went to propose marriage. I didn’t expect you to break out of the siege and win Second Sister-in-law’s heart in the end.”

“Fourth Brother, you actually still remember this? You were still a child back then, right? Heh, your Second Sister-in-law didn’t like those fancy young masters, and took a fancy to your Second Brother’s honest character.” When Wang Shouyi recalled this matter, his face was filled with pride. “Being able to marry your Second Sister-in-law is the greatest victory in my life. By the way, Fourth Brother, you’re 18 years old this year, right? When are you going to marry the daughter of the Liu Clan?”

The daughter of the Liu Clan?

Wang Shouzhe was stunned. If Wang Shouyi had not mentioned this matter, he would have forgotten that he was already engaged to the eldest direct daughter of the Liu Clan.

Logically speaking, it was very difficult for the declined Wang Clan to be connected to the main line of the Liu Clan. The relationship between the two parties was only remained at the occasional intermarriage between the direct lineages of the Wang Clan and the Liu Clan. It had already been more than a hundred years ago since the last time the main lineages of the Wang and Liu Clans were intermarried.

At that time, the main daughter of the Liu Clan was married to the second son of Ancestor Zhouxuan, Wang Yuyou. Meanwhile, Ancestor Zhouxuan’s second daughter, Zhuwei, was married into the main lineage of the Liu Clan.

It was worth mentioning that Great-grandaunt Zhuwei gave birth to two sons and a daughter in the Liu Clan. Currently, there were two living Spirit Tower Realm ancestors in the Liu Clan. One was the son of Great-grandaunt Zhuwei, and the other was her grandson.

It was also because of this that the Liu Clan of Shanyin always retained some gratitude over the familial bond with Wang Clan.

However, the most formidable figure in the Liu Clan wasn’t the two Spirit Tower Realm ancestors, but Great-grandaunt Zhuwei’s daughter, Liu Xuanfu.

Back then, Liu Xuanfu of the Liu Clan and Wang Longyan of the Wang Clan were cousins, and were both rare prodigies. Both of them were accepted by the Violet Palace Academy, which shocked the entire Changning Wei region.

They were known as the Belles of Changning, and their fame far exceeded that of Spirit Tower Realm ancestors of ordinary clans. Moreover, they had developed quite well in the Violet Palace Academy, and their futures were boundless.

Unfortunately…

After the Wang Clan was met with disaster, Ancestor Longyan had no choice but to give up her identity as an elite disciple of the academy and return to the clan. In the end, she suffered heavy injuries and her lifespan was greatly reduced. Up until now, she never left Changning again.

Liu Xuanfu, on the other hand, had continued developing in the Violet Palace Academy. Her current situation was unclear. However, seeing that the Liu Clan of the Mountain Yin was growing stronger and stronger, it could be deduced that Liu Xuanfu’s development in the Violet Palace Academy should be very smooth.

Thus, the marriage between Wang Shouzhe and the direct daughter of the Liu Clan was personally proposed by Ancestor Longyan in preparation of leaving a final guarantee for the clan.

Perhaps Ancestor Longyan had paid a price that no one knew about, or perhaps the Liu Clan was still considerate of their old relationship in the past. In short, this marriage arrangement was settled.

“Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother, what are you thinking about?” Wang Shouyi chuckled and said, “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about your fiancée, Liu Ruolan, Miss Liu?”

“Heh… Second Brother, let’s pay more attention to how to strengthen the clan instead.” Wang Shouzhe changed the topic. “If Sixth Uncle’s fishing fleet increases the annual production by onefold compared to previous years, will your fish stall be able to handle it?”

“What, onefold?” Wang Shouyi’s face lit up. He said in a low voice, “Fourth Brother, the clan is willing to expand the fishing fleet? This is a good thing that benefits the clan. If that’s the case, I promise I won’t set us back.”

“What about twofold?” Wang Shouzhe said with a smile.

“Ssss—” Wang Shouyi gasped. “Fourth Brother, don’t mock your Second Brother.”

Just as Wang Shouzhe was about to explain, a sinister laugh came from outside all of a sudden. “Is Wang Shouyi of the Wang Clan in? I’m the vice-manager of the Fortune Gambling House, Ding Youde. When is your nephew going to return the money he owes our gambling house?”

Fortune Gambling House? Gambling debt? Nephew?

As Wang Shouyi’s expression changed drastically, the smile on Wang Shouzhe’s face froze, and his gaze sharpened.

…