"Husband, with the current situation, I'm afraid Ahyuan won't be able to hold the engagement ceremony with the Wu family, will he?"
Bai Jing came to the courtyard, her face full of worry as she looked at Xu Chuan, who was sitting cross-legged on a cushion performing breathing exercises.
"Indeed, it's not appropriate. Then let's just have the wedding directly next year."
After pondering briefly, Xu Chuan continued, "Have Shitou go to the Wu family in the county town on my behalf to show our sincerity."
"Mm, let's do that..." Bai Jing seemed somewhat unwilling, muttering another sentence, "This heavenly disaster has caused such trouble. A perfectly good engagement banquet, just gone like that. I hope Ahyuan won't mind."
"As his mother, don't you understand his temperament?" Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Now the drought is severe. Over a dozen county towns nearby are having people die. In such an environment, aren't you afraid of people pointing fingers at our backs?"
"What you say also makes sense, husband." After thinking carefully, Bai Jing realized that if the Xu family held a grand celebration in such harsh circumstances, countless people would probably come rushing toward Dongxi.
"I'll go notify Shitou right away."
Bai Jing went to South Mountain Courtyard and informed him of this matter.
Not far outside the county town was a refugee concentration area. Not far from it was a river channel, but now the channel had broken flow in many places, and water sources that could be found were becoming fewer and fewer.
Passing by, Xu Mingwei saw hunched old farmers scraping elm bark, old women with chicken-skin faces carrying baskets searching everywhere for edible wild vegetables.
Everywhere were people with haggard faces, like walking corpses.
Fortunately, the hottest days had passed.
It was now October, the season when all things withered.
Although edible things in the wild were becoming fewer and fewer, at least they didn't have to endure the blazing sun, unknowing when they might faint from heat and become dried bones by the roadside with no one caring.
It was truly rare for families like the Xu family to specifically plant fruit trees and vegetables that could grow in autumn and winter.
Qingjiang County was now under martial law, prohibiting large numbers of refugees from flooding in.
Therefore, identity checks were strict.
"Who goes there?"
"Xu family, Xu Mingwei."
"So it's First Young Master Xu. Please enter quickly."
After reporting his identity, the yamen runners at the city gate naturally didn't dare obstruct him further.
Arriving at the Wu family, he clearly stated that the engagement ceremony was cancelled. The Wu family also agreed without saying much else.
Although the Wu family didn't know the Xu family's situation, they themselves had already suffered considerable losses and had no heart to hold any engagement banquet.
If this drought continued into next year, probably even their wedding would have to be postponed, or even directly cancelled.
Having received the Wu family's confirmation, Xu Mingwei set out to return to Dongxi.
…
Seven or eight days later, in Yuehu Commandery, at the Commandery Governor's Office, the Commandery Governor, Vice Governor, Commandery Captain, Chief Clerk, Merit Official, and all those with official positions gathered here.
"It seems the various county towns truly can't hold out much longer. One after another, they're scrambling to run here. Everyone speak up, how should we resolve this?"
An elderly man over sixty with graying temples spoke blandly.
His eyes were clear and bright, his spirit vigorous, without the cloudiness that should be present at this age—all because he was a grandmaster martial artist.
Moreover, he was from the Chang family with no small status within it.
For a grandmaster, lifespan was one hundred twenty years. This was precisely his peak.
Upon hearing this, everyone remained silent.
Commandery Governor Chang turned to look at a young, sturdy man, it was Yang Zhao.
"Commandery Captain Yang, among us, you're best at governance. The plan you proposed years ago for managing refugees was also effective. You speak first."
Yang Zhao nodded slightly. "Drought is a celestial phenomenon, beyond human power."
"We should request aid from the court, dispatching immortal officials to the many disaster-stricken areas to bring down sweet rain."
"Besides this, I propose submitting a memorial to add immortal official positions in each county town. If at the drought's beginning there were immortal officials using techniques to bring down sweet rain, at least the common people wouldn't lose their entire harvest, become refugees, or even starve to death by the roadside."
"Furthermore, immortal official positions could also supervise county martial officials, ensuring government orders are properly implemented."
The commandery city's Chief Clerk raised an eyebrow, frowning slightly. "Wouldn't that be no different from the commandery city's organizational structure?"
"There are still differences." Yang Zhao spoke confidently. "Like this great drought, our Yuehu Commandery's county towns all have people's livelihoods in decline, but not long ago, the decree to conscript soldiers for enlistment was issued."
"Previously, each county had large numbers of common people fill the army, while wealthy merchant families all used silver to purchase exemptions from their family's enlistment quotas."
"But now with great disaster, villages are nearly nine-tenths empty. How can they gather enough?"
"Adding immortal officials is to ensure government orders are properly implemented at critical moments. If we randomly pull some people to the battlefield, leading to war failure, I'm afraid we all will be held accountable."
Yang Zhao's exposition was very detailed and comprehensive, making people's eyes light up and deeply ponder.
"I agree with Commandery Captain Yang's proposal."
The Vice Governor spoke blandly. He was Yang Zhao's uncle, so naturally he supported his own family.
"Then let it be so. For this conscription, families and clans with two or more male members must have one person answer the call to enlistment. Those willing can provide more without limit."
"For each additional male member, they can receive twenty dou of rice and two taels of silver to support their families."
"Within three months, the numbers must be gathered."
"Chief Clerk Han, you may immediately draft documents, ordering officials from each county to quickly return to their county towns and complete conscription within the deadline. As for the drought and water source difficulties, explain to them that once immortal officials arrive, the predicament will naturally be resolved."
"Yes, Commandery Governor."
…
Half a month later, immortal officials emerged from various Qi Refining aristocratic families, heading to county towns throughout the Great Wei dynasty.
Because there weren't enough people, they also widely recruited Qi Refining independent cultivators.
They also ordered them to conduct tests of children's immortal cultivation aptitude in each county to supplement immortal official personnel.
Reasonably, each county should have three immortal officials, but currently even having one was good. They could only recruit more later or cultivate locally.
The immortal officials brought down water using techniques or talismans.
In areas without drought, it was quite easy, but Yuehu Commandery's counties were busy but fortunately, it also provided some relief.
Hearing this news, disaster victims returned to their respective villages one after another. However, this drought had ravaged for over half a year. Starving corpses were strewn everywhere. Village after village showed nine-tenths emptiness.
Even with refugees returning home, at the least only seven or eight households gathered in broken walls; at most only twenty or thirty families sheltered in ruined walls. Looking around, one only saw wild grass blocking paths, sparse cooking smoke.
What had once been mulberry and hemp fields had now become mounds where foxes and rabbits appeared.
In Dongxi Village, at the Xu residence, in the Questioning Heart Courtyard study, Xu Chuan's gaze was deep. Seeing Xu Mingyuan enter, he looked up.
"Father, you were looking for me?"
Xu Chuan smiled slightly and got straight to the point. "Ahyuan, right now there's much unclaimed farmland, agricultural land, and mountain forests. Use one hundred thousand taels, centered on Dongxi Village, to go to various villages and purchase rice paddies, farmland, and mountain forests."
"In these times, the government office's purchase price for land is definitely not high. But whenever there's anyone willing to sell land, we'll have people buy it. We can also incorporate those farmers who sell land into the Xu family, having them manage our Xu family's land everywhere."
"One hundred thousand taels?!"
Xu Mingyuan was shocked by Xu Chuan's grand move, his expression slightly stunned. But then he was won over by his boldness.
After all, he managed the Xu family's many businesses. No one was more familiar with the Xu family's foundation than him.
This was already nearly one-third of the Xu family's actual silver.
"Father, although immortal officials have arrived now, the drought hasn't ended. Land and mountain forests are all as cheap as dirt. Such a large amount invested, the area of land and mountain forests we can purchase will be vast. Can our Xu family swallow it all?"
Xu Chuan understood Xu Mingyuan's meaning. It wasn't that he worried the Xu family couldn't afford it, but rather that it would be difficult to manage.
If purchased but unable to maximize utilization, it would be better to proceed gradually. After all, previously the Xu family had already acquired large amounts of land.
"That's why Father said to also incorporate the common people returning to surrounding areas into our Xu family, together with Dongxi, making it our Xu clan's private territory."
"Incidentally, also incorporate the mountain forest where the saltpeter mine is located."
"After the great disaster, the government office will inevitably have disaster relief and other measures. I imagine they'd be quite happy to see this silver."
Xu Mingyuan had no more doubts. A flash of inspiration appeared in his mind. "The grain obtained from those bandits before can be sold off in part. After all, grain prices are still very high right now. Another portion can be used for brewing wine and such."
"The various businesses in the county town also need to reopen, selling the accumulated goods on hand to recover a batch of silver."
"Correct." Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingyuan with approval. Seeing the light in his eyes, he knew many money-making methods must be in his mind.
"Ahyuan, you no longer need Father's constant guidance."
"What does Father mean by this?"
Xu Chuan's gaze looked out the window. Seeing those withered yellow leaves blown by the autumn wind, falling gracefully, he said after a moment, "Next year, after you marry, Father plans to retire from the position of family head, having your elder brother take over, while you'll be fully responsible for the Xu family's finances."
"The family head is the family's authority and also our Xu family's external martial deterrence. He must focus on martial arts and cannot hold multiple positions simultaneously."
"Father has also envisioned that in the future Xu family, your elder brother's line will be the legitimate family head line. Your line will handle finances. The rest, Tantou and the others will also contribute to our Xu family."
"However, worldly affairs change. Even Father cannot predict everything. Perhaps after six or seven generations, if your line or Tantou's line has someone suitable to be family head, they can also assume the position."
"In short, whoever is the strongest in martial force in the current generation deters other clans. Whoever has excellent character and is good at management can be family head. And whoever is best at commerce manages the family finances."
Upon hearing this, Xu Mingyuan was thoughtful.
In their generation, including himself, all the siblings revered Xu Mingwei.
He was also the only family head candidate they recognized in their hearts.
"Father's idea, Ahyuan deeply agrees. For an aristocratic family to continuously rise, they must select the worthy. They definitely cannot be constrained by so-called legitimate eldest."
"The family head's authority is supreme. If the person holding it has insufficient ability, making various wrong decisions while remaining obstinate, it could lead to the family's rapid decline."
"From what I know, quite a few Qingjiang aristocratic families weakened like this, ultimately disappearing due to family division and scattering."
Xu Chuan nodded slightly. "With your talent and ability, Ahyuan, if not for your elder brother, you could also hold the position of Xu family head."
Xu Mingyuan waved his hands repeatedly. "In my heart, among our generation, only elder brother is the best choice. I believe Tantou and Xueji think so too."
"Of course, if Father is willing to continue as family head, we'd all raise both hands in approval. After all, Father, you're only just over forty, have entered innate in martial arts, are in your prime, you really shouldn't retire so early."
This was also what puzzled Xu Mingyuan.
"Want to know? Then today Father will explain clearly. An aristocratic family's trump cards cannot all be displayed externally."
Upon hearing this, Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly.
Xu Chuan continued with a smile, "In the eyes of Qingjiang's aristocratic families, your elder brother is a grandmaster seed, a martial arts genius of great renown. The future inheritor of the Xu family is definitely him. In their eyes, Father's retirement is natural and logical. The aristocratic families won't have the slightest suspicion."
Xu Mingyuan was thoughtful. "So Father's retirement will inevitably become an important trump card for the Xu family."
"Not just me. Tantou, Xueji, Yunnu, they'll also grow to become layer upon layer of trump cards for our Xu family under the radiance of you and Shitou."
"After all, with just you two alone, it's enough to create an aristocratic family prosperous for three or four generations."
At this moment, Xu Mingyuan finally understood.
Xu Chuan was doing this to respond to unknown crises.
His gaze had probably long ago ceased to be on Qingjiang's aristocratic families, instead focusing on the commandery city's families, and even the legendary immortal cultivation families.
"Father, what Ahyuan needs to learn from you is probably endless." Xu Mingyuan's lips showed a bitter smile. He truly felt Xu Chuan's vision and perspective were incomparable to anyone.
"That's an overstatement." Xu Chuan was quite comfortable with this flattery.
"Alright, back to the main topic. Ahyuan, remember, great disaster is also great opportunity. This moment is precisely when our Xu family should strive with all our might to rise to another level."
"As long as it's not illegal, boldly do it."
"Your son understands."
The next day, Xu Mingyuan took many servants to visit surrounding villages, surveying land.
Several days later, he went to the county office to find County Magistrate Wu to discuss this matter.
Seeing the Xu family wanted to purchase such extensive farmland and mountain forests, and connect them centered on Dongxi, County Magistrate Wu knew their ambitions were considerable. However, the Xu family had no illegal actions whatsoever.
Moreover, the county office truly needed such a large amount of silver in reserve, whether for pacifying disaster victims or for conscription subsidies.
He was still considering how to raise the funds.
The commandery city definitely wouldn't care about these things. It all needed to be resolved by the local government office itself.
"Forget it. I imagine the Xu family will need several years to digest such extensive land and mountain forests."
After thinking briefly, County Magistrate Wu agreed to this land and mountain forest transaction with the Xu family.
After Xu Mingyuan acquired the land and mountain forests, he immediately had people begin clearing them, so that after this drought disaster, they could plant medicinal materials, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
On another front, Xu Chuan had Xu Mingwei mobilize manpower to dig small lakes adjacent to rice paddies and farmland. If this succeeded, henceforth this water source would be exclusively for the Xu family's rice paddies and farmland use.
Even if encountering such a drought disaster again, they could persist for a year.
This was a major project requiring considerable manpower.
Those nearby without means of livelihood, hearing the Xu family provided food and drink, immediately chose to become temporary workers.
Over a thousand sturdy men were arrayed like a wall, iron shovels flying as yellow earth filled the sky.
Work songs carried from the lakeshore straight to the clouds. Those tens of thousands of arms rising and falling like waves, shovel tips breaking earth like thunder in the abyss.
In the blink of an eye, deep trenches appeared, causing old gentlemen watching from both shores to stroke their beards in amazement, "Truly a thousand people digging earth like moving mountains! Such momentum, even when Great Wei excavated the canals back then, it probably wasn't more than this!"
In just seven or eight days, one quarter of the small lake had been excavated.
On Xu Mingyuan's side clearing mountain forests, large quantities of trees were felled daily, made into various furniture, sent to Qingjiang County for sale, or cheaply sold to some returning refugees.
…
[Today's divination: Medium-upper. At the hour of chen, an immortal official will come to Dongxi Village to bring down water]
Getting up early to practice, Xu Chuan saw the divination information, a three-part smile at the corners of his mouth.
In recent days, news of immortal officials using techniques to bring down sweet rain had been coming from time to time.
And now it was finally Dongxi Village's turn.