The afternoon was mostly spent in the carriage.
After little Ximo got tired from playing, she lay down in Yuchi's arms and fell asleep.
Yuchi also closed his eyes to rest, and when he got home, he hadn't even stepped inside when he saw a mountain of people at the door.
They were all families looking to form alliances with the Wei Family.
But when they saw Yuchi walk in, they hardly dared to show any excitement.
Yuchi was still very amicable.
He smiled and nodded at them, exchanging a few pleasantries.
For instance, "Have you eaten?"
And, "Did you sleep well?"
And then, "What are you up to?"
The people beside him were dumbfounded, and Yuchi secretly cursed them for not understanding humor and old jokes.
Then, he carried little Ximo back to the bedroom.
He asked the maid to take good care of her and placed a golden bottle on the table.
He himself went to the well in the courtyard to rinse off.
The infrastructure is lackluster; on the way to the Twelve Linked Huts, a long stretch of road is dirt.
Though the dirt road was somewhat compacted, the weather was dry, and as the horses ran ahead, the carriage ate dust from behind.
By now, his whole body was covered in both sweat and dirt.
After a good wash, he finally had a small moment of leisure.
"If only a pretty young lady would feed me some grapes, that would be nice."
Yuchi spread his wet hair loose, squinted his eyes, and leaned back in the chair.
Mmm.
He had a bit of the languid air of a poetic immortal.
The courtyard was filled with the sound of bustling activity, and outside, the sunset was like a blaze of fire on the horizon.
"The sunset is infinitely beautiful, yet it's near dusk."
Yuchi spontaneously said this.
Then with a blush, he slapped himself, "No one is around, don't show off!"
Back on topic.
The six great families do not allow private acceptance of minor families.
Even if the minor families realize the situation and wish to submit to the six great families, the six can't agree.
Minor families must be handed over to the commerce association for handling.
This isn't the property of any of the six great families; it's commerce association property.
Every year, profits are divided into six parts and shared.
And Yuchi's chance to show off diminished as he started coming up with some verses in his mind.
The authorities arrived.
It was the assistant.
Wow.
Quite the entrance.
And when Yuchi listened to the assistant's introduction, the situation changed.
He stared wide-eyed, tilting his head, looking at the other's smile, black dots in white eyes full of surprise.
Is that even possible?
Yuchi was speechless, "Second brother, come with me to take a look."
Wei Fei put down the snack he was eating, "Ah, alright."
Then followed along with the assistant towards the government office.
Once at Xufu Town's government office, Yuchi saw the vacated estate opposite it.
Finally.
"Impressive!" Yuchi sincerely exclaimed.
He had tasked the Wei Family with scouting commerce association estate locations, but who knew the authorities would catch wind of it?
Darn!
There's a mole in the crowd!
The key is the authorities' reaction was surprisingly swift this time.
In six hours, they'd completely emptied the estate opposite the office and sent people to clean it inside and out.
This three-step estate was exceptionally bright.
Various chambers, residences, meeting halls, all fully equipped.
And this was originally the office's weapons depot, the office's land, now directly gifted to the commerce association.
"Even the plaque is ready!"
"They're practically cradling the commerce association and carrying it inside!"
Yuchi held his forehead.
"United Commerce Association Xufu Town," didn't catch it at first, looked again and got it.
"Xufu Town United Commerce Association."
The plaque was grand, likely created by some master.
It was already hung above the door, exuding a quiet dominance.
He knew the Wei Family might have insiders at the government office, but didn't expect it to be so blatant.
Don't let me catch you.
If I catch you, I'll grab your legs, spread them, and toss you directly at the tree.
"President Wei, how do you find this location?" The assistant stroked his small mustache, his face plastered with a sycophantic smile.
"You're too kind."
"Since the office is so supportive of our Xufu Town's local commerce association, we are indeed profoundly grateful!"
Yuchi bowed in response.
"No worries, no worries, President Wei you're too kind, this is all part of what we should do."
"We really have the people's future in mind."
"Since the commerce association has just been established, we're definitely here to help right away. It's also a surprise for you all!"
The counselor also made a bow and said.
"Really! I'm truly moved!" Yuchi squeezed out a tear.
"It's okay! This is all what we ought to do!" The counselor cried too.
Forcibly poked his own eyes, making the eye sockets red.
"From now on, we're only separated by a road."
"If you need any help, you can just say it!"
The counselor had a heroic look.
"That's great!"
Yuchi gently wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes, "Our commerce association will resolutely stand behind our government office."
"Under the leadership of our wise and mighty county master, we're moving forward step by step!"
"Really!?"
"Yes!"
The young man and the old fellow hugged each other, both in tears, leaving the people beside them dumbfounded.
Alright.
I know I'm lying, you know I'm lying.
I know you know I'm lying, and you know I know you know I'm lying.
But anyway, the government's action speed is truly fast.
Directly putting the commerce association next to the government office, so the association won't become lawless.
After all, it's just a matter of a street; if it truly jeopardizes the peace and prosperity of Xufu Town, the office will come with knives immediately.
Then I'll see how you old bandits plan to escape.
Of course, it's also very convenient for checking accounts.
Especially the association's tax silver, which pertains to the government's livelihood and cannot be neglected.
And Yuchi?
He is astonished and yet somewhat relaxed.
Originally thought the world was quite backward and feudal, but current circumstances are not too bad.
Though the government is a bit greedy, as long as they are somewhat sensible, it's fine.
The fear is paying and yet no service in return.
And Yuchi can feel that the government is cautious yet supportive of their association.
He also understands having a large commerce association is advantageous for investigations.
Otherwise, so many small families are impossible to track.
And the association can just casually run away?
No way, right!
So the government forcibly involves the commerce association.
And Yuchi thinks that at this stage, the association needs government protection.
Wait until it grows larger, then reassess the situation.
If the other side is downright foolish, as hopeless as a rotten mud, then it's alas.
What does 'alas' mean?
Yuchi, "Direct rebellion."
Follow me, draw an Immortal Robe Pavilion on the left, then draw an Ascension Gate on the right.
Can't control you anymore, huh?
There's nothing to hide here.
Then this isn't over yet, the counselor made space.
Introduced a woman behind Yuchi, "President Wei, this is the patrol from the town."
"I asked her to protect you; wherever you go, you can take her."
"So there's no danger."
Yuchi was instantly speechless.
Has the government really calculated to this extent?
Even started planting spies?
"Hello."
Yuchi smiled and bowed.
He truly saw the steel Barbie.
Yuchi completely believed Xun Xian could punch a bull to death.
"Greetings, President." Xun Xian heartily made a fist salute.
But when speaking again, Yuchi also looked at Wei Fei who has been standing silently.
Smiling cutely, "Counselor, this is my second brother."
"Second brother also wants to go to the government to learn some management tactics, so I don't know what the counselor thinks?"
The counselor's face instantly turned helpless.
Oh crap.
This little guy reacts quickly indeed.
You come, I go at a fast pace!
Then gritting his teeth, "Sure, why not?"
"Though we can't offer some formal arrangement, if he wants to learn, it's definitely possible!"
"Later on, there's always an opportunity for assessment; surely possible!"
Wei Fei was originally evaluating Xun Xian, pondering if this woman could choke him single-handedly.
Now hearing this, his face becomes horrified.
His heart sinking bitterly.
My tavern leisure and music; all gone!