For the next three days, it was destined to be sleepless nights. Despite his cultivation advancing to the ninth level of the Mortal Realm, Yuchi felt no waves.
A thick stack of files lay before Yuchi.
The files detailed the conditions of various families in Xufu Town, including the recent distribution of the textile industry.
Reading by the lamp at night, his eyes were sore from the fumes of the oil lamp.
Thus, over the course of three days, Yuchi gained a basic understanding of the textile families in Xufu Town.
He had a relatively long-term plan in mind.
He pushed the door open and stepped outside.
Not in a hurry to find his second brother, Wei Fei, he meticulously recounted the contents of the book in his mind.
Once he was sure there were no issues, he took a deep breath.
"Strike while the iron is hot and get this done! Otherwise, it will be difficult the second time!" Yuchi thought.
...
Wei Fei was playing with little Ximo.
When he saw the young man in a black robe appear under the round gate of the courtyard, he quickly asked the maid nearby for help.
The maid sensibly picked up little Ximo, sneaking a respectful and excited glance at Yuchi out of the corner of her eye.
Although Yuchi hadn't boasted about saving Qian Wenshi, the Duan family was well aware.
It was this third young master who had somehow found a Divine Medicine, saving Qian Wenshi's life.
Otherwise, the current situation would have been dangerous!
Now, everyone in the Duan family showed great respect when they saw Yuchi.
Except for little Ximo, who didn't think that way…
"Daddy! You've finally come, daddy!" Little Ximo shouted anxiously at Yuchi, her voice heart-wrenching.
No, little sister, I really don't want to become a father so suddenly.
Really don't want to.
The key is what does my second brother think of me?
He treats me well!
He smiled wryly.
"It's uncle!"
Yuchi patted little Ximo's head, "Go play with your sister first, uncle has something to discuss with your daddy."
"Daddy, Ximo wants to go outside to play!" Little Ximo pouted.
Anyway, everyone close to her was "daddy."
Fine!
This can't be changed back.
Yuchi was speechless, and a copper coin appeared in his hand.
"Do you want it?"
"Want it!"
"Then be good?"
"Good!"
"Go play with your sister?"
"Mhm, mhm!"
Little Ximo left with the maid, smiling happily.
This little girl, at such a young age, already loves money. What will she be like when she grows up?
"It's all thanks to third brother's teaching." Wei Fei said awkwardly.
"Haha."
Thus, only Yuchi and Wei Fei were left in the courtyard.
Yuchi admired his second brother, truly feeling he was a handsome man, and the reputation of the second son of the Wei Family was well-deserved.
Now that he no longer gambled, he had the demeanor of a graceful young man.
If he were a girl in this lifetime, he probably couldn't escape the grasp of a young master like Wei Fei.
Wei Fei felt a bit flustered under Yuchi's admiring gaze.
A few days ago, his eldest brother had come to remind him that their third brother might come to him for something in the next few days.
Whatever he said, just do it, and make sure the job is done beautifully!
If done beautifully, then he'd get some silver taels to go out and listen to music!
It's been a long time since he's seen those girls.
Do they miss me?
...
One incense stick later.
Yuchi detailed the situation to Wei Fei, who listened in great astonishment.
"Third brother, do you really want to gather all the leaders of Xufu Town together?" Wei Fei was shocked.
This third brother of his, when he said something, it was spectacular!
He actually wanted to invite all the heads of families in Xufu Town for a meal!
It's been years since something like this happened, and normal people wouldn't invite their competitors for dinner.
They'd rather wish for the other's downfall!
"Not all, only those who hold at least a ten percent share in the textile industry are invited, anyone below that is not invited," Yuchi replied.
"Ah? Is that so? Then why aren't we inviting others?" Wei Fei couldn't understand.
He took the list Yuchi handed over.
Wei Fei thought that since they were inviting guests, they might as well invite more people.
Yuchi's answer was very simple, "They are not qualified, we need to sacrifice the small for the big."
Sacrifice the small for the big?
Protect the big or the small?
Wei Fei didn't understand.
Seeing the confusion in Wei Fei's eyes, Yuchi explained: "The matter is of great significance, and the long-term internal strife needs to be resolved. We cannot invite them to the negotiation as they would only disrupt things, not to mention causing displeasure among other high-status leaders. Business-wise, they are not qualified to sit with us as equals, or at least not at the moment."
"..."
"Alright!"
Wei Fei heard Yuchi's decisiveness.
"Go early and return early, no matter how others ridicule you, you must invite all those who meet the criteria."
"It's set for tomorrow, at the hour of the rooster, at Xufu Town's largest tavern, the Lamp Flower Tower."
"Families can come with multiple people, but in the final negotiation stage, only one can speak for them."
"This is not a game, it's a business matter, make sure they understand the seriousness of the situation."
Yuchi was serious.
"Alright! I will definitely fulfill third brother's request!" Wei Fei nodded vigorously.
He changed his clothes and left by carriage.
Yuchi watched Wei Fei leave; he needed to explain the situation to his father, Wei Xubing.
...
"Chi'Er, you don't need to explain too much to this old man."
"If you have an idea, just go verify it, it's only a meal. I can still afford that."
Wei Xubing stroked his graying beard, looking more and more favorably at his third son!
Indeed, he had inherited his clever mind.
But…
Is it really possible to persuade the other families?
Xufu Town has been turbulent, everyone's in the textile business, and no one yields to another.
It's just money spent on some experience for my third son!
...that works too!
Wei Xubing did not believe this matter would have substantial progress.
Yuchi respectfully took his leave without making any promises.
Take it one step at a time.
If the people from the other family are smart, that's good, but if they're as dumb as insects...
Then it'll be like playing music to a cow; communication will be difficult.
...
At the Zhangsun Family, Wei Fei had just left.
There were three people in the meeting hall.
The person at the head was a burly man; it's hard to imagine this brawny figure was actually that of an old man.
His name is Changsun Hao.
Patriarch of the Zhangsun Family, on the same level as Wei Xubing of the Wei Family.
"Dad, what medicine is the Wei Family selling in their gourd?" Changsun Cheng, his son, was frowned and puzzled.
"Maybe they came to make peace?"
In the corner stood a long-haired girl with sharp eyebrows and masculine features.
She was a handsome young girl named Changsun Mei, the eldest daughter of Changsun Cheng, and the eldest granddaughter of Changsun Hao.
These three formed the core decision-makers of the Zhangsun Family.
So, purely in terms of speaking authority, the Zhangsun Family had more concentrated power, and other members usually had no say.
Changsun Hao recalled Wei Fei's invitation, and he wasn't quite sure either.
Logically, the Wei Family should know the Zhangsun Family's stance.
The Qi Family was just a fuse.
And then you tell me the fuse didn't ignite a fight between the two families, but instead drew them closer?
How is that possible!?
"We'll see when the time comes. It's just a dinner party, after all. We still have to go," Changsun Hao said steadily.
Father and daughter, Changsun Cheng and Changsun Mei, exchanged glances.
Let's see!
Could the Wei Family genuinely dare to declare war?
And if so, the Zhangsun Family is no easy target either!
...
Similar incidents were rapidly unfolding in Xufu Town.
Wei Zhe was shuttling between the four families over the next few days.
He delivered notification invitations one by one, emphasizing the importance of the situation.
This ensured that the six major clothing families of Xufu Town were all informed.
The day after tomorrow at the You hour, at the largest Lamp Flower Tower in the city, see you then.
All the prominent families were bewildered and didn't know the Wei Family's intentions.
Were they called for a meal?
Is this possibly a Hongmen Banquet!
But no worries!
If the Wei Family dares make a move, surely they'll dare to counterattack!
...
The Twelve Linked Huts received the news secretly, but they made no comment.
Nor did they secretly meddle.
The reason was simple.
Firstly, there was a mysterious mentor behind Yuchi, whose capabilities were extraordinary.
Secondly, it was a family matter.
The Twelve Linked Huts were very interested in knowing what would happen, but they couldn't interfere with others' business.
This was ethics.
Also, it was for the sake of the Twelve Linked Huts.
...
The government "inadvertently" received the news too, definitely "not" from Yuchi!
Upon hearing about the six families' matter, the yamen was flustered.
The next morning, the yamen sent people to the Wei Mansion, asking to verify the possibility of this matter!
Wei Zhe received them at the Wei Mansion, confirming the small gathering scheduled for today at the You hour.
His words were simple, "It's just a small gathering anyway."
"Alright then!"
The yamen was distressed.
Xufu Town was a Clothing Town, where 80% of the tax revenue came from the clothing industry.
Oh my!
At the You hour, if six bosses set out for a small gathering and one fool barges in midway to wipe them all out?
"Hiss!"
The Xufu Town County Magistrate might collapse and die!
These are the financial backers!
If the financial backers are gone, what about the County Magistrate's concubine!
Who will feed the advisor's sweat-blood horse!
So this kind of mistake must not happen!
But now the yamen couldn't prevent this from happening, as they were in an absolutely weak position.
They had only one method to take.
Clear out the Lamp Flower Tower!
Clear out the Lamp Flower Tower!
Clear out the Lamp Flower Tower!
Repetition signifies importance; that was the County Magistrate's direct order!
They dispatched the strongest head constable and constables to provide protection!
The government officials groaned.
Wondering which genius at the Wei Family proposed this; it's just annoying.
Each of them prepared early, front and back, with over 200 people from the yamen surrounding the Lamp Flower Tower in two circles!
From this moment onwards, things began to escalate inexplicably.
When the six families saw how the yamen acted, they couldn't back down.
Advisors were required to be present.
Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage came.
These were Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, each standing grim-faced with a knife in front of the Lamp Flower Tower.
Most of them appeared to be in their fifties or sixties.
Each family brought two Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.
Which meant that for this gathering of the six families, there were twelve formidable Foundation Establishment people altogether!
Not to mention the guards of each family.
The guards stood on either side of the government officials, dressed in each family's attire, making the Lamp Flower Tower impenetrable!
This caused the Twelve Linked Huts to lose their composure...
Fine!
Fine!
Fine!
With all of this happening, we can't pretend not to see!
The Twelve Linked Huts deployed their entire force.
All twelve leaders arrived!
The weakest was at the twelfth level of Qi Cultivation, and the strongest was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment!
With the You hour about to arrive, the twelve of them sat in the first-floor lobby of the Lamp Flower Tower, eating and chatting with smiles.
Their expressions were filled with emotion!
Who's hosting this behind the scenes with such capability?!