Protect Our Patriarch

Chapter 11 – The hope of the entire clan

Although Wang Shouzhe came to the farm with a purpose, he was not in a hurry, and casually chatted with Wang Xiaozhi about some strange and unusual things.

When he mentioned that he and sixth uncle, Wang Dinghai, caught a 75kg red scaled eel together last night, Wang Xiaozhi slapped his thigh in excitement, “That little brat Dinghai may not be able to catch even one in two years, so this time, you must have brought him good fortune.”

Although the red scaled eel was not as good as the red tail Linggan, it was still considered as a great tonic and was ranked amongst the spirit food.

Spirit food was good to quickly replenish a Xuanwu practitioner’s qi and blood and was a necessity for every Xuanwu practitioner’s survival. Even an old man like Wang Xiaozhi, whose cultivation had stagnated or even gradually regressed in his 70s, needs to consume some spirit food from time to time.

Otherwise, there would be a shortage of qi and blood, which would speed up the decay of the body and the dissipation of cultivation.

The younger generation, on the other hand, needed spiritual food to replenish their qi and blood, which would enable them to grow faster and better.

The two of them were talking and laughing, and within half an hour, the cook and the two sisters set out some farmhouse delicacies, fresh chicken, duck, fish and geese, as well as a big stone pot of red stewed pork.

“Shouzhe, you are a rare visitor, fourth grandpa has nothing else to treat you.” After running into the bedroom, Wang Xiaozhi carried out an antique wine jug a moment later and said with a smile, “Try the good wine which I have treasured for a long time. Drink as much as you can and take it back with you if you can’t finish it.”

As they were talking…

A dark-skinned, mud-covered youth walked in and said in a hearty voice, “Grandpa, you’re biased. This white jade spirit wine of yours, I usually begged for a sip, and you kept refusing! Yet, you brought out the entire jug for fourth younger brother who is here today.”

“Little brat, how can you compare with Shouzhe?” When Wang Xiaozhi saw the young man, he laughed and scolded, “Your timing is really good, just in time for a meal. Go wash up. I’ll keep a cup for you.”

“Third older brother.” Wang Shouzhe arched his hand in greetings with a smile. He knew this was Wang Shounuo, the third oldest in the “Shou” generation, the clan’s seventh generation.

“Fourth younger brother.” Wang Shounuo hurriedly returned the salute solemnly, then smiled, “I’ll wash up first, and return to chat with you.” With that, he quickly excused himself.

By the time the table was set with bowls, chopsticks and wine cups, Wang Shounuo had taken a quick shower and sat to the right (a seat of lower priority) of Wang Shouzhe.

He sniffed at the aromatic dishes and staring greedily at the pot of white jade spirit rice wine, smiling, “I’ve taken advantage of fourth brother today. We haven’t had a meal together for a very long time. I’ll toast you with a few more cups later.”

“The third brother has worked hard for the family. I should be the one to esteem you with a few toasts,” Wang Shouzhe smiled.

“Tong’er, why don’t you quickly pour a cup of wine for your fourth brother?” Wang Xiaozhi was in an extremely good mood, his tanned face glowed as he casually ordered his granddaughter.

“Yes, grandpa.” Wang Luotong picked up the wine jug and poured the wine for Wang Shouzhe, Wang Xiaozhi and then, Wang Shounuo.

The wine was pure white in colour and emitted a mellow refreshing aroma.

Just as the two girls, Wang Luotong and Wang Luojing, were about to go back to the kitchen for a meal, Wang Shouzhe said, “Fourth grandfather, I am not an outsider. Let fourth and fifth sisters sit down and eat together with us.” (Translator: Good man!)

Wang Xiaozhi was taken aback but gave face to Wang Shouzhe. He smiled and said, “Since your fourth brother made this request, then, let’s have a meal together.”

“Thank you, grandpa, and fourth brother.” Wang Luotong and Wang Luojing took the seats with the lowest priority.

Naturally, more mingling ensued.

The two girls, however, ate in good-natured silence, pouring a little wine for the men, every now and then.

“Good wine.” After drinking just half a cup, Wang Shouzhe felt the wine burning within his belly, the qi and blood in his body surging, and his energy gradually flourishing.

The white jade spirit rice wine was brewed from white jade spirit rice and a number of precious medicinal herbs, and its effect in replenishing qi and benefiting blood was far better than that of mere spirit food.　　

It was just that its price was very “moving”. Even Wang Shouzhe could only enjoy it once, as a pot of white jade spirit rice wine weighing several catties could easily cost several Qian gold.

Moreover, spirit wine could only be used as a supplementary spirit food, and one could occasionally take a drink. Otherwise, if you become addicted, it was not good to be drunk all day long.

During this time, Wang Luojing, who was eating in silence, glanced at the wine jug from time to time, pursing her lips as if she was craving for a sip.

“Luotong can drink half a cup. Luojing is too young and can only a little.” Wang Shouzhe picked up the wine jug and poured some for each of his two sisters.　　

“Thank you, fourth brother.” The two girls thanked him joyfully. They had obviously been drooling over the spirit wine for a long time too.

At the same time, Wang Xiaozhi’s face twitched, as if he felt some flesh pain, and whispered, “Shouzhe, isn’t it a waste to give this spirit wine to the two girls?”　　

Wang Shouzhe’s eyes also twitched, this fourth old master were so obvious with his patriarchal thoughts.

“Fourth grandfather, our clan’s children are all the same.” Wang Shouzhe smiled.

“Not the same, not the same, a girl has to get married sooner or later.” Wang Xiaozhi was still rambling heartily.

“Shouzhe, you are at the threshold of the seventh level of the Qi Refining Realm, you are the one who should drink more. Shounuo, you also drink less, leave more for Shouzhe.”　　

Wang Shounuo hastily and awkwardly put down his cup and smiled foolishly twice.

In the eyes of a clan elder like Wang Yaozhi, Wang Shouzhe was the patriarch of the direct lineage, the hope and future pillar of the family. His position was way higher than his own grandson, Wang Shounuo, not to mention his two “money-losing” granddaughters.　　

Fortunately, his grandchildren were used to him, and the meal could be considered a pleasant one. However, under Wang Xiaozhi’s “leadership”, more than half a pot of the spirit wine was left. He planned to send the wine and most of the cleaned pig meat to Wang Shouzhe’s courtyard for him to enjoy alone later.

Wang Xiaozhi’s “biasness” was so blatant that Wang Shouzhe was helpless and had to let him be for the time being.

After the meal, Wang Shouzhe brought up the reason for his visit, “Fourth grandfather, I came to Fenggu Farm because I want to study agronomy from you.”

“Agronomy?” Wang Xiaozhi frowned, “Shouzhe, you are the head of a clan. The most important thing right now is to cultivate hard and advance to the Lingtai realm as soon as possible. Don’t be distracted by agricultural studies and other chores. Fourth grandpa and your third brother will take care of it.”

The purpose of Wang Shouzhe’s visit was naturally to learn more about Fenggu Farm. If possible, he would also like to use modern thinking to enhance the effectiveness of the industry.

However, after dealing with Wang Xiaozhi for the first time, he found that while he was an old man who was loyal to his family, his thinking was hardened due to his old age.

He was not like sixth uncle, Wang Dinghai who listened to everything he said. If he suggests a couple of ideas casually, Wang Shouzhe was afraid that he would anger him.

At that moment, he changed the topic and said, “Fourth grandfather, you misunderstand, I am just the head of the family and I need to know a little bit about the family’s industries. How about this? Can I trouble third brother to accompany me around and enjoy the idyllic scenery?”

“You, never mind, never mind. Just let Shounuo accompany you. It’s the wheat’s growth period and there are many chores in the field, so fourth grandpa will not accompany you.” With that, Wang Xiaozhi took his farming tools and rushed off to the fields.

Hehe~

Although he was already the patriarch, the family elders still treated him like a child and expected him to use his talent to cultivate to the Lingtai realm.

This is like treating him as a mascot, right?　　

Actually, if he could live his life in peace and quiet, Wang Shouzhe would have liked to be a mascot and a rice worm. It was a pity that the Wang clan was not capable enough and the family’s power has waned in just a few decades.

If things continue like this, it won’t take long for the Ping’an Wang clan to be eaten up and wiped out, disappearing completely into history.　　

It was necessary to take advantage of the Wang clan’s foundations, and quickly let the Wang clan rise, at least with the most basic self-protection ability.

“Fourth brother, I’ll show you around, feel free to ask me if you don’t understand anything.” Wang Shounuo got up and arched his hand. He was very polite to Wang Shouzhe, and was even somewhat in awe of him.

For one thing, Wang Shouzhe was the patriarch from the direct lineage, and secondly, his personal strength was many times stronger than his.　　

“Thank you, Third Brother.” Wang Shouzhe politely returned the salute.

“We’ll go too.” Wang Luotong and Wang Luojing followed in a frenzy. They were followed by the servant boy Wang Gui, who helped Wang Shouzhe with his sword, bow and arrows. Four heavily armed family generals followed behind them.　　

The siblings wandered around the farm. It was early summer and the day was getting slightly hot. The humid hot breeze blew on them, and the air was humid.

“Our Fenggu farm is an industry that the ancestor, Wang Zhouxuan himself developed 100 years ago.” Wang Shounuo said somewhat proudly.

“In those days, our ancestors organised the opening up of the tributary rivers, dredging and filling, strengthening the riverbanks, and also building a water gate at the upper reaches of the Fenggu tributary, forming the prototype of the Fenggu farm.

“Subsequently, the clan continued to reclaim and maintain the wasteland, turning the half-dry, half-wet barren swamp into fertile farmland. Generations of the clan have worked diligently to create 3,567 mu of prime land and 200 tenant farmers!”