……

However, since the clan leader had arrived, the Xu Anming family had no time to think too much. They hurriedly welcomed the clan leader, Xu Anbang, into their home.

Compared to Xu Anming’s ordinary direct lineage family, Xu Anbang, who was already at the early peak of the Spirit Platform Realm, was clearly a big figure in Changning Guard. Whether it was information or other sources of news, Xu Anbang had an absolute advantage.

Xu Anbang’s attitude was very amiable. He was polite to Xu Anming’s family, asked about their well-being, and even showed a caring elder’s demeanor towards Xu Chunyun, treating her as if she was a direct daughter married out from the Xu Clan of Changning.

This made Xu Chunyun somewhat flattered.

In her lifetime, she had never had a one-on-one conversation with clan leader Xu Anbang.

Finally, Xu Anbang turned his attention to Wang Shouxin, his attitude amiable and cordial: “Shouxin, you are our son-in-law of the Xu Clan of Changning. We are all family. You should come back more often and strengthen our bonds.”

After expressing his concern, Xu Anbang no longer disturbed their family reunion, only reminding Wang Shouxin to stay a few more days in the Xu Clan of Changning.

Then, he left.

As soon as Xu Anbang left, the members of Xu Anming’s small family immediately became lively again.

The three sisters-in-law were even more affectionate towards Wang Shouxin and his wife. They even arranged for the servants to notify the younger generation to come back, saying that they should pay their respects to their aunt and uncle.

After that, the lively scene was temporarily set aside.

In the evening.

In the private study of Xu Anbang, the clan leader of the Xu Clan of Changning, Wang Shouxin was drinking spiritual tea and sitting across from Xu Anbang.

There was also a middle-aged couple accompanying them.

The woman was about forty years old. She was good-looking and had a graceful and beautiful demeanor.

The man was also very handsome, calm and composed, his face as calm as water, obviously an important figure in the Xu Clan of Changning.

The woman was named Wang Liuqin, the fifth of the Liu generation of the Wang’s Clan of Ping’an, and also the fifth aunt of Wang Shouzhe and Wang Shouxin.

The man was named Xu Anfeng, the thirteenth of the An generation of the Xu Clan of Changning.

Wang Liuqin and Wang Shouxin were both direct descendants of the marriage alliance between the Wang’s Clan of Ping’an and the Xu Clan of Changning, and they were also the ties of blood and relationship between the two families.

Wang Shouxin, as the eldest brother of the Shou generation, had always been under great pressure and burden. He was always calm and never took risks.

Because of this, many people thought that Wang Shouxin was naturally a bit dull.

But Wang Shouzhe knew that his elder brother Wang Shouxin was also very smart and could keep his composure.

He had been working in the Xingmao Silkworm Farm with his father Wang Dingchuan since he was eighteen. Now he was fifty-three years old and had long been able to stand on his own. Under his management, the silkworm farm had been developing steadily over the years and had become one of the pillar industries of the Wang’s Clan.

Such a person could not be simple.

Clan leader Xu Anbang of the Xu Clan was reading a letter.

After reading it, his brow relaxed, and he said with a smile: “I understand the intention of Clan Leader Shouzhe. This time, the cooperation between our two families has been fully entrusted to you by Clan Leader Shouzhe.”

As he spoke, Xu Anbang’s gaze towards Wang Shouxin became even more significant.

From the letter, it could be seen that Wang Shouzhe trusted and relied on Wang Shouxin very much, and might even have plans to cultivate Wang Shouxin into the Spirit Platform Realm.

If this move was successful, Wang Shouxin would become a significant figure in the Wang’s Clan for the next hundred years or so.

“Clan Leader Xu.” Wang Shouxin’s face was serious, “My fourth brother once said that the Xu Clan of Changning and our Wang’s Clan of Ping’an have been in-laws for over a hundred years, and our blood has long been fused. Moreover, during the most difficult time for our Wang’s Clan of Ping’an, the Xu Clan of Changning took good care of us. Just the premium purchase of raw cocoons from the silkworm farm has left a deep impression on our Wang’s Clan of Ping’an.”

Wang Shouzhe was always a grateful person.

Although the two families had had grievances in the past and their feelings for each other were lukewarm, the Xu Clan of Changning had taken care of the Wang’s Clan of Ping’an out of respect for their past relationship.

He had to acknowledge this kindness.

Apart from being a bit snobbish and too conservative, the Xu Clan of Changning didn’t have any major flaws.

“Shouxin, you can just call me Fifth Uncle~ Calling me clan leader is too formal.” A hint of gratification appeared in Xu Anbang’s eyes.

Although the previous care for the Wang’s Clan of Ping’an was just out of respect for their past relationship, and he didn’t expect any return.

But a family that could always remember your kindness was naturally more suitable for deepening relationships and cooperation than a thankless family.

After both sides confirmed that they had the basis for cooperation, Xu Dingbang spoke with a serious expression: “To be honest, our Xu Clan of Changning is in trouble.”

“This is within expectations.” Wang Shouxin sipped his spiritual tea and said calmly, “Changning Guard is so small, having two Heavenly Human Clans is already quite crowded. Neither the Heavenly Human Huangfu’s Clan nor the Heavenly Human Lei’s Clan would like to see another Heavenly Human Clan rise.”

The only difference was whether they could put aside their dignity and directly take action to attack.

“Our Xu Clan of Changning also has its own weaknesses. We have been meticulously working in the weaving field for nearly two hundred years, but our foundation is too weak. This has given the Huangfu’s Clan an opportunity to attack you. In my fourth brother’s words, we have been too comfortable and don’t understand the need to be prepared for danger in times of peace.”

“This……”

Although Xu Anbang was a bit upset, he knew that the other party was telling the truth.

His face was heavy and ugly: “The former Huangfu’s Clan somehow got a new weaving technology, and the cost of reeling silk and weaving silk is only half of ours.”

“Now they are purchasing all the raw cocoons in the surrounding areas at a price 50% higher than ours, forcing us to raise our purchase price to meet the production and supply demands of raw silk and silk. But in doing so, we are not only failing to make a profit, but also constantly losing money.”

“Under normal circumstances, our Changning Xu Clan could afford to compete with them. But now, our Ancestor is gathering resources to break through to the Heavenly Realm, and we are still short of at least 100,000 Top Gold. We had planned to borrow money based on the income from silk over the next ten years, but we didn’t expect to be targeted by the Huangfu Clan.”

Xu Anbang said with a worried look, “You know that our Ancestor is already 165 years old. The longer we delay, the lower the success rate of breaking through to the Heavenly Realm.”

“Uncle Wu, have you ever thought about selling a large portion of our assets?” Wang Shouxin suggested lightly.

“Shouxin, you don’t know the whole story.” Wang Liuqin spoke for the first time, “In fact, the family has already pawned some assets. If we pawn more, it will hurt the vitality of the family. If the Ancestor fails to break through, the Changning Xu Clan is very likely to decline.”

Once a family shows signs of decline, it is very likely to fall into a vicious cycle and continue to decline.

Wang Liuqin’s concern was not unreasonable.

For a Heavenly Realm family, the transition of power is not a simple matter.

Once they fail once, they will be greatly injured. If they fail twice, whether the Heavenly Realm family can survive is a question.

For an eighth-rank family to break through to the Heavenly Realm, it’s even more difficult. It depends on luck and even centuries of accumulation.

One hundred and fifty years ago, the Changning Xu Clan had tried to break through to the Heavenly Realm, but unfortunately, the Ancestor at that time failed and fell during the tribulation.

And it was from that time that the Changning Xu Clan began to show signs of decline.

If they sell assets to attempt the breakthrough again and fail, whether the Changning Xu Clan can maintain the title of an eighth-rank family in the next few decades is a question.

It’s always hard for a family to rise, but to fall, it happens incredibly fast.

“The Ancestor believes that he has at most a 50% chance of breaking through to the Heavenly Realm this time.” Xu Anbang said somewhat helplessly, “Even the Ancestor himself is not willing to put all his eggs in one basket. Otherwise, if he fails, how can he face our ancestors?”

This was not unreasonable. The Changning Xu Clan was a family with a history of more than 300 years. If they risked everything, where would that leave the entire family?

Breaking through to the Heavenly Realm was important, but it was even more important for the entire family to continue peacefully.

Xu Anbang took a deep breath, slightly embarrassed but still said, “Shouxin, Uncle Wu knows that your Wang’s Clan is doing very well now, and the family has a lot of surplus cash. Uncle Wu is thick-skinned and wants to ask you, can Wang’s Clan lend us 100,000 Top Gold to give the Ancestor a chance to break through to the Heavenly Realm?”

Wang Shouxin frowned, “The biggest problem for the Changning Xu Clan now is that its pillar industry has been targeted. The ability to repay in the future is in doubt. If it weren’t for this, I believe the Changning Xu Clan would not have asked us for help.”

“That’s right.” Xu Anbang looked somewhat dejected, “The Huangfu Clan’s attack at this time is also aimed at undermining our Ancestor’s determination to break through to the Heavenly Realm.”

“They even sent a middleman to hint to us that as long as the Ancestor gives up this opportunity to break through to the Heavenly Realm, they don’t want to fall out with us and will withdraw from the weaving industry.”

Promoting to the Heavenly Realm family is the common wish of every eighth-rank family.

But now, the Changning Xu Clan is facing a dilemma.

“Uncle Wu, forgive me for being blunt.” Wang Shouxin said seriously, “Once some things start, it’s hard to take them back. Maybe the Huangfu Clan will keep their promise and withdraw from the weaving industry in the short term. But who can guarantee that they won’t make a move again in thirty years, or fifty years? Is the Changning Xu Clan willing to be suppressed like this generation after generation?”

Xu Anbang realized that Wang Shouzhe, the head of the Wang’s Clan, must have had a plan for this.

He immediately asked, “Shouxin, let’s not beat around the bush. What is the intention of the head of the Wang’s Clan?”

“We can lend the 100,000 Top Gold.” Wang Shouxin said, “But in the future, our Wang’s Clan will permanently own 40% of the shares in the weaving industry of the Changning Xu Clan.”

Xu Anbang’s face changed dramatically, “Shouxin, isn’t that too much? You want to take 40% of our shares for just 100,000 Top Gold, isn’t that like taking advantage of a fire?”

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Wang Liuqin quickly stood up to mediate, “Master, please calm down first. I believe that Shouzhe and Shouxin are not the kind of people who would take advantage of others. There must be some hidden information.”

Xu Anbang’s face eased a bit, but he was still somewhat unhappy.

He stared coldly at Wang Shouxin, wanting to hear what this young man could say.

“Actually, Uncle Wu, there’s something you don’t know.” Wang Shouxin flicked the tea leaves, and calmly dropped a bombshell, “Over the years, our Wang’s Clan has also been researching silk reeling technology and weaving technology. If it weren’t for our consideration of the relationship with the Changning Xu Clan, I’m afraid the weaving industry of the Changning Xu Clan would have been out of the game even without the Huangfu Clan’s move.”

What?!

Xu Anbang was so shocked that he almost dropped his teacup.

Wang Liuqin and her husband were also taken aback.

No matter how hard they thought, they never expected this situation. But it’s very simple to prove this, Wang Shouxin had no reason to lie to them.

Wang Shouxin, however, seemed to have anticipated their reaction and remained calm and composed.

He had always been in charge of the silk farm, and the new technology was also developed under the guidance of his younger brother, with the managers of the farm exploring and figuring it out bit by bit. No one had more say in this matter than him.He spoke eloquently, briefly explaining the efficiency of some human or water-powered silk reeling and weaving equipment developed by the Wang’s Clan. He then said, “Uncle Wu, once our two families start cooperating, with our advanced technology, we can actually trap Huangfu’s Clan in it, unable to extricate themselves.”

Xu Anbang’s face became more and more animated.

He was a competent clan leader, very familiar with the family’s pillar industry – the weaving industry.

If what Wang Shouxin said was true, wouldn’t it be as simple as holding back Huangfu’s Clan?

In the future, they could even massively increase production capacity and continuously merge and develop. With this, even if they gave out forty percent of the shares, or even fifty or sixty percent, the Xu’s Clan of Changning would still make a huge profit.

However, after the excitement, he calmed down again: “Clan Leader Shouzhe is indeed capable of revitalizing the Wang’s Clan. This move of his, I’m afraid, requires us to confront Huangfu’s Clan directly, or at least tie up some of their energy and financial resources, right?”

“Of course. Otherwise, why would we, the Wang’s Clan, lend out a hundred thousand Top Gold and only hold forty percent?” Wang Shouxin calmly said, “And Uncle Wu, you don’t need to be too afraid of Huangfu’s Clan. My fourth brother has a plan that can make Huangfu’s Clan go for wool and come back shorn, stuck in a quagmire they can’t get out of.”

Xu Anbang’s eyes lit up, almost wanting to agree immediately.

However, he eventually said, “This matter is of great importance, I need to discuss it with the Ancestor. Anfeng, Liuqin, you send Shouxin back to rest.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

Wang Liuqin and Xu Anfeng responded in unison.

Following that, Wang Shouxin also got up to leave.

His goal for today had been achieved. Faced with such temptation, and the covert resentment towards Huangfu’s Clan, the Xu’s Clan of Changning would definitely choose to cooperate.

Later, Wang Shouxin had a brief chat with his fifth aunt and uncle. It wasn’t until late at night that he returned to his room in Lixiang Garden.

This was specially arranged for him and Xu Chunyun to stay temporarily.

But as soon as he entered the door, his legs went soft, and he almost ran away.

He saw Xu Chunyun had drunk some wine, her face was a bit flushed, and under the red candlelight, she looked exceptionally enchanting.

She beckoned to Wang Shouxin with seductive eyes: “Husband, come here.”

I won’t go over. You’re so enchanting, are you going to eat people?

Wang Shouxin shook his head like a rattle.

“Wang Shouxin, you dog, come here!”

“Chunyun, don’t be impulsive, let’s talk nicely.”

“No, I’m happy today. I’ve never been so proud in my life. It feels great! I said, as long as you make me proud, you can do whatever you want.”

“You, don’t mess around, help…”

…