……

Facing the mysterious Lady Ji, Wang Shouzhe quickly changed the subject while sipping his “Jade Hook Green” to calm his nerves: “Let’s talk about the rewards. You’ve made such a great contribution this time, and naturally, your merit points are massive. What do you want to exchange from the clan treasury? If it’s not in the treasury, I can also find ways to get it.”

“Can I exchange anything?” Lady Ji’s eyes lit up slightly, her captivating gaze fixed on Wang Shouzhe.

“Of course…” Wang Shouzhe was about to say that as long as it was in the clan, everything could be exchanged. But her gaze was so unsettling, as if she wanted to devour him, he quickly retracted his words, “Not everything can be exchanged, of course.”

“Oh, that’s disappointing.” Lady Ji regretfully withdrew her gaze, “I have enough cultivation resources at the moment, and there’s nowhere to spend the accumulated merit points. I suggest, Clan Leader Wang, to expand the exchange list, don’t limit it to just cultivation materials. This way, it can motivate the clan members to work harder.”

Wang Shouzhe broke out in a cold sweat. Your logic is too strong. So, for the development of the clan, I, the clan leader, should put myself on the exchange list?

……

While Wang Shouzhe was entertaining wave after wave of guests in his small carriage.

The main house of the Huangfu Clan, a celestial clan, was filled with gloom.

The usually arrogant servants and generals didn’t dare to utter a word, they too felt the oppressive atmosphere enveloping the entire clan.

Inside the secret chamber.

Huaye Ancestor, who was initially full of vigor, left the room in anger. His face was extremely ugly, his red hair fluttered without wind, covered with a faint layer of flame.

A strong and intense oppressive aura filled the secret chamber, as if he was venting his frustrated emotions.

“The Xu Clan of Changning, the Wang Clan of Ping’an, you’ve gone too far.” Huaye Ancestor’s voice was low and suppressed, “I will not let this matter rest.”

Huangfu Jin Huan, the clan leader of the Huangfu Clan, also looked grief-stricken, his eyes flashing with intense hatred. It seemed that he couldn’t wait to gather his generals and wipe out the Xu Clan of Changning, and then crush the Wang Clan of Ping’an.

But he was very clear that now was not the right time to act.

As the head of a clan, Huangfu Jin Huan also bore a heavy burden. He suppressed the raging anger in his heart and comforted, “Ancestor, now is not the time for retaliation. A major incident has just occurred, and all eyes are on us.”

“Moreover, the disciples of the Purple Mansion Academy are still in our Changning Commandery, overseeing the disaster relief work. Their relationship with the Wang Clan of Ping’an seems to be good. Please, Ancestor, bear with it a little longer. The disaster relief work is almost complete, and they will leave soon.”

Huaye Ancestor, after all, was an old monster who had lived for more than two hundred years. After venting and being comforted, the anger and killing intent in his eyes slowly receded, and he said coldly, “I just didn’t expect that a bunch of little bugs would dare to show their teeth and claws in front of me. Jin Huan, how is the investigation into the cement production base going?”

“That matter is going very smoothly. Our people have secretly infiltrated their peripheral industries and have found out a lot of information.” Huangfu Jin Huan immediately perked up when this matter was mentioned, “However, they are very cautious and extremely careful.”

“This is an industry that can make our clan soar. It’s normal for them to be cautious.” Huaye Ancestor’s eyes flashed with intense greed, “You must be careful and take it slow, remember not to rush and alert the prey. As long as we can monopolize the cement formula, it will be a godsend opportunity for our Huangfu Clan to truly rise.”

The textile industry, although also a huge industry, is full of big players. If we want to truly rise, we will inevitably be targeted.

But the cement industry is different. Those are basic materials needed by the entire Longzuo Commandery, no, even the entire Great Qian. It’s much more powerful than the textile industry.

“Ancestor, rest assured.” Huangfu Jin Huan’s eyes showed a burning desire, “The Golden Beach incident was an unintentional calculation by others. But the cement matter is our intentional calculation of the unsuspecting.”

“Good, very good.” Huaye Ancestor’s eyes were also burning, “As long as we can dominate the cement industry, even the treasures that can prolong life can be obtained. At that time, I will fully support you in your sprint to the Celestial Realm.”

“Thank you, Ancestor.” Huangfu Jin Huan’s heart was burning with excitement.

“Also, try to maintain a good relationship with Lady Ji, and gradually establish a relationship with the Ji Clan through her. The Ji Clan of Longzuo was once a Purple Mansion Clan, even though their current power is not as strong as their peak period, they are far beyond our reach.” Huaye Ancestor instructed.

“Yes, Ancestor.”

……

The next day!

On the Golden Beach of Golden Sand Town.

Autumn is the best time for the operation of the water-powered silk reeling machine and the water-powered weaving machine.

Driven by the large water wheel, the silk reeling machine started to operate. With a not too complicated structure, it realized a semi-automatic silk reeling process.

Only a few skilled workers were needed to oversee a silk reeling machine. And the output of this machine was at least equivalent to the output of dozens of silk reeling workers using foot-operated silk reeling machines.

Wang Shouzhe, Xu Anbang of Changning, Xu Anze of Golden Sand, and Beichen Ancestor were all present. They watched the operation of the water-powered silk reeling machine with awe.

“Such a masterpiece.” Beichen Ancestor of the Xu Clan sighed, “Clan Leader Wang is truly ingenious, to be able to create such a magical thing, you are indeed a reincarnated sage.”

“Beichen Ancestor, you flatter me.” Wang Shouzhe bowed and laughed, “I just saw that the foot-operated silk reeling machine was too hard to work on, so I suggested some improvements. The actual work was mostly done by my elder brother Wang Shouxin and my fourth aunt Xu Zhirou, along with the craftsmen. They devoted themselves to it and figured it out bit by bit.”Wang Shouzhe wasn’t being modest. Most of his work involved providing guidance or offering his “exceptional” “insight” when a certain technology hit a bottleneck.

If he were to devote himself entirely to the development of a certain product, he could certainly achieve results. But as the head of the family, should he spend all his time on research and development?

His elder brother, Wang Shouxin, was a down-to-earth man, more stubborn than Wang Shouzhe. After receiving a task, he would immerse himself in it, and it took him many years to achieve such results.

Worth mentioning is Wang Shouzhe’s fourth aunt, Xu Zhirou. She was a very patient and skillful woman. After Wang Shouzhe lost his mother in his childhood, she took care of the siblings.

Back then, she made many small toys to cheer up Wang Shouzhe.

After the Wang’s Clan entered the fast track of development, due to the lack of talent in various family industries, Xu Zhirou volunteered to manage the silk reeling section of the sericulture farm, taking some burden off the family.

Of course, she also had the idea of earning more merit points for her son, Wang Shounuo.

After all, she was born into the Gold Sand Xu Clan.

Apart from a small amount of gold mining and some fertile fields, most of the Gold Sand Xu Clan’s land was used for mulberry tree planting after reclamation, forming large and small sericulture farms.

Having been exposed to this from a young age, Xu Zhirou was not unfamiliar with silk reeling, so Wang Shouzhe accepted her offer.

Later on, in the field of water-powered silk reeling machine mechanics, Xu Zhirou suddenly demonstrated strong abilities and talent. She even had strong practical skills, and many small structures were constantly designed and improved by her.

The small water-powered silk reeling machine and weaving machine may seem simple, but they actually contain the crystallization of the efforts of the Wang’s Clan members over many years.

Such achievements made Wang Shouzhe feel comfortable and proud. The prosperity of the Wang’s Clan was not supported by him alone, nor was it a king leading a group of bronzes to score points, but every family member was working hard, contributing to the growth and strength of the family.

While Wang Shouzhe and the various family heads and the Ancestor were discussing this matter, Xu Zhirou, after carefully inspecting the water-powered silk reeling machine, came over to report, “Shouzhe, the installation this time is very satisfactory, and the operation is very smooth. The only problem is that we need to consider the water power allocation during the flood and dry seasons.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Fourth Aunt,” Wang Shouzhe said with a bow.

This workshop was supervised by Xu Zhirou, and all the water-powered equipment was installed bit by bit by her with the craftsmen.

“Thank you, Second Sister,” said Xu Anze, the head of the Gold Sand Xu Clan, who hurriedly came forward to show concern for Xu Zhirou.

In fact, he also felt sorry for his second sister. After marrying into the Peaceful Wang’s Clan and giving birth to Wang Shounuo, Wang Luoting, and Wang Luojing, her husband Wang Dingbang died young at the age of thirty-seven.

Since then, she has been raising several children on her own, and the situation of the Wang’s Clan was not good at that time, so life was extra hard. The Gold Sand Xu Clan, as her natal family, helped her as much as they could.

This is why, this time when the workshop was built on the Gold Sand Beach, Xu Zhirou volunteered to take on the entire project. It was both to serve the family and to repay her mother’s clan for their past care for her and her family.

“Sister Zhirou,” Changning Xu Anbang also came forward to show concern, “Thanks to you these days. Some time ago, our Xu family happened to get some beauty-preserving pills. I thought they would be perfect for Sister Zhirou, so I brought them.” Then, he blatantly gave them to her.

Xu Anze of the Gold Sand Xu Clan was taken aback. Although he and Xu Anbang were of the same generation, their families had split a hundred years ago. His calling her “Sister Zhirou” made him a little jealous.

He quickly took out a bottle of pills, “Second Sister, this bottle of Peiyuan Pill is for Luojing. She is now studying in the academy, and I, as her uncle, should show some kindness.” Without waiting for Xu Zhirou to refuse, he directly stuffed it into her hand.

The Peiyuan Pill was a second-grade pill, worth twenty to thirty Top Gold each. Giving out a bottle of several pills was not a small amount for the Gold Sand Xu Clan.

“This…” Xu Zhirou held the bottles of beauty-preserving pills and Peiyuan Pills, looking a little embarrassed, and turned to Wang Shouzhe for help.

Unexpectedly.

Before Wang Shouzhe could speak, the Ancestor of Changning Beichen laughed and waved his hand, “Zhirou is a rare talent in our Xu Clan. She has worked hard for the development project of the three clans. You two family heads are too stingy. Xu Ningwei, don’t you think?”

Xu Ningwei, the Ancestor of the Gold Sand Xu Clan, was Beichen’s nephew. His grandfather, the founder of the Gold Sand Xu Clan, was Beichen’s elder brother, Xu Beixing, known as the Ancestor Beixing.

Ancestor Beixing and Ancestor Zhouxuan were about the same age, and were both outstanding figures of their generation. Unfortunately, due to resource limitations, he remained at the initial stage of the Spirit Platform realm all his life.

And Ancestor Ningwei, Xu Ningwei, was Xu Beixing’s grandson, the second Ancestor of the Gold Sand Xu Clan. Facing Ancestor Beichen, he naturally felt inferior, and he quickly bowed and said, “Ancestor is right.”

With the Ancestor’s words, the two family heads naturally increased their efforts to please Xu Zhirou.

This made Wang Shouzhe chuckle. His fourth aunt had really made a name for herself.

However, it also showed the power of an alliance formed by in-law families. After all, everyone had various blood-related relationships, which naturally made it easy to gain each other’s trust.

Wang Shouzhe was also secretly proud. The strength of a family could not rely solely on him. Everyone had to work hard to make the family stronger.

…