Su Family Village.

An unfamiliar carriage rolled up dust and stopped at the village entrance, immediately causing a stir. For this impoverished, isolated mountain village, a four-wheeled carriage was a rare sight that only wealthy families in the town could possibly own. And any outsider could bring opportunity, or herald trouble.

Villagers working in the fields straightened their backs, women picking vegetables at their doorsteps stopped their hands, even children chasing and playing halted their steps, all looking curiously and with a touch of wariness toward that imposing carriage.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Dequan’s heart sank heavily. His first thought was: Trouble has arrived! Is it from those in town who are jealous of the paper-making workshop, or people behind that mysterious Merchant Chen? He jogged to the village entrance, forcing a cautious and humble smile onto his face, though his heart felt like a tightly drawn bowstring.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a decently dressed, kindly-faced, slightly plump middle-aged man stepped down.

Zhao Dequan hurried forward to greet him, probing, “Sir, you are… looking for someone?”

The middle-aged man sized up the lean man before him, glanced at the nervous, plainly dressed villagers behind him, and maintained his gentle smile, not directly stating his purpose.

“May I ask, who is Zhao Dequan, Village Chief Zhao?”

“That’s me, that’s me.” Zhao Dequan grew even more nervous inside.

Only then did the middle-aged man take a letter and a document stamped with a bright red official seal from his robe.

“I am surnamed Wang, entrusted by someone to deliver this letter and this document to Village Chief Zhao. You will understand upon reading them.”

He handed over the letter from Su Ming and the official document.

Zhao Dequan took them. When he saw the bright red seal of the County School, his hands trembled slightly, and his hanging heart finally settled completely to the ground.

It’s done!

It’s really done!

He opened the letter and quickly scanned it. In the letter, Su Ming used concise language to clearly arrange the follow-up plan.

Reduce production, show weakness, share profits, maintain secrecy.

The sudden news momentarily stunned Zhao Dequan, followed by wild joy! So it wasn’t trouble, but a massive backer actively coming to their doorstep!

The caution and humility on his face were instantly replaced by excitement and awe. He was about to bow deeply to Mr. Wang, his voice trembling uncontrollably, “So… so it’s Mr. Wang from the County School! Ah! This old man is blind! I didn’t know such an honored guest had arrived, my neglect! My neglect! You must be tired from the journey, so tired!”

The villagers behind him, though not fully understanding the specific meaning of the document, vaguely sensed from words like “County School,” “official seal,” and the Village Chief’s suddenly respectful attitude that a big shot had arrived, and it was a tremendous piece of good news! Their gazes toward the carriage instantly shifted from wariness to curiosity and awe.

Only then did Mr. Wang smile and gesture to stop the bow, “Village Chief Zhao, no need for such courtesy. I am here on orders from Director Zhou to handle the workshop handover matters. Let’s just follow official procedures.”

Zhao Dequan carefully folded the letter paper and bowed deeply to Accountant Wang.

“Mr. Wang, I understand everything. You must be weary from the journey, please come rest in the village. We have prepared simple tea and humble fare.”

Accountant Wang waved his hand with a smile, “No need for a meal. Director Zhou instructed to handle official business officially, without disturbing the village. I’ll go check the workshop accounts first.”

Zhao Dequan hurriedly led him toward the workshop.

The paper-making workshop in Su Family Village was more… rudimentary than Accountant Wang had imagined.

A few half-open thatched sheds, several large lime pits, and a row of wooden racks for drying paper were all there was.

The air was filled with a strange odor mixing lime and wet paper pulp.

In the workshop, only a dozen or so villagers were working, their movements listless, the whole scene looking desolate and quiet, far from the image of making a fortune daily he had envisioned.

Following prior instructions, Su Yang handed over a “specially prepared” account book.

Accountant Wang took the account book and casually flipped through a few pages.

The accounts were kept very simply, with income and expenditure clear at a glance. However, the daily output and profits were pitifully small.

“Recently… business hasn’t been good?” Accountant Wang asked seemingly casually.

Zhao Dequan immediately “perfectly appropriately” showed a worried expression and sighed, “Ah, Mr. Wang, you don’t know. Our little workshop relies entirely on that method Su Ming came up with by tinkering. It was good for a few days earlier, but once the news spread, several families in town grew jealous. They sent people to threaten us and demand the formula. How can our small arms twist the big legs? We had no choice but to stop for now, reduce output, to avoid bringing great disaster upon ourselves.”

Zhao Dequan’s words were half-truths, half-fabrications, sounding perfectly reasonable.

Accountant Wang nodded and didn’t ask further.

His purpose for this trip wasn’t to audit accounts in the first place.

Accountant Wang closed the account book and smiled, “It’s fine. From today onward, this place bears the County School’s nameplate. Those people likely won’t dare act recklessly anymore. You just focus on running it well.”

After inspecting the area, he prepared to take his leave.

Zhao Dequan hurriedly stuffed a pre-prepared, heavy cloth bag into his hand.

“Mr. Wang, this is a small token of respect from the workshop for the County School this month. It’s not much, but please forward it on our behalf. Also, this bit is for your tea money. I sincerely hope you won’t refuse.”

Accountant Wang weighed the bag in his hand, the smile on his face becoming more genuine.

“Village Chief Zhao, you’re too courteous.” He said verbally, but his hand didn’t push it away, “Since that’s the case, I’ll accept it graciously. Rest assured, I will report truthfully to Director Zhou.”

Accountant Wang accepted the silver, boarded the carriage, and drove off under the awed gazes of the villagers.

After seeing off Accountant Wang, Zhao Dequan stood at the village entrance, watching the dust raised by the carriage gradually settle, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He touched the heavy document stamped with the County School’s great seal in his robe, feeling as if in a dream.

A few days ago, he had been carrying another equally heavy, yet entirely different thing—two dry share contracts—running around with similar anxiety.

That was right after Su Ming had settled in at the County School and sent back a letter and contract samples with someone. The letter explained clearly: one copy for Clerk Sun in town, one copy for Second Young Master Zhou Kang of the Zhou residence.

He delivered Clerk Sun’s copy one evening, timing it for when the clerk finished his duties, waiting in the quiet alley behind the county yamen’s back gate.

Clerk Sun pretended ignorance while knowing full well, speaking in official jargon, but when his shrewd eyes scanned the contract and saw the words “half-percent dividend, paid quarterly” and the bright red village public seal, the smile on his face became a bit more genuine. He casually tucked the contract into his sleeve, only vaguely saying, “Village Chief Zhao, you’re thoughtful. We’re all working for the community. This clerk will naturally consider giving appropriate care,” before walking off with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Dequan knew the first hurdle of “the King of Hell is easy to meet, but his little devils are hard to deal with” had been opened with silver.

Delivering the contract to Zhou Kang made his heart drum even louder. He steeled himself and went to the Zhou family’s detached residence, only to be thoroughly snubbed as expected. Zhou Kang wore a long face, didn’t even glance at the contract, his words dripping with sarcasm, complaining the dry share portion was too small, like tossing scraps to a beggar.

Zhao Dequan smiled apologetically at the time, but remembered Su Ming’s instructions. Bowing deeply, he spoke with extreme humility, yet carefully embedded key phrases like “Director Zhou,” “County School pilot project,” “when the workshop scales up in the future, the tide lifts all boats” into his speech.

Listening, Zhou Kang’s impatience gradually turned to suspicion and uncertainty. He stared fixedly at Zhao Dequan, as if trying to see from his face whether this was a threat or the truth.

Finally, as if thinking of something, he snorted coldly, grabbed the contract with extreme impatience, glanced at the words “half-percent dividend, paid quarterly,” disgustedly threw it on the table, and spat out a single word from between his teeth: “Get out.”

Zhao Dequan felt as if granted amnesty, hurriedly retreated, his back breaking out in a cold sweat. He knew Zhou Kang had tacitly consented, but had also noted down this humiliation. Yet, they had temporarily bought a protective talisman with silver.

Now, with the County School’s official document in hand, looking back, Zhao Dequan more deeply appreciated the danger and brilliance of Su Ming’s move. Without the “officially supervised, privately operated” status from the County School pressing down, would Zhou Kang have been content with just those dry shares? He would have likely pounced long ago to devour the workshop whole.

He didn’t dare delay, immediately taking Su Shan, carrying the pre-prepared first “dividend” silver calculated according to the contract terms, and rushed to town again without stopping. This time, he carried an extra bit of confidence in his robe—that County School document.

The first stop was a small official office in the west of town where Clerk Sun handled public affairs.

Clerk Sun was bent over his desk writing something. Seeing Zhao Dequan and Su Shan, his brow subconsciously furrowed, his tone carrying its usual impatience, “You again? What is it? Speak quickly, I’m busy here.”

Zhao Dequan put on an apologetic smile, stepped forward, and unobtrusively placed a money pouch containing three taels of silver on the corner of the desk, slightly covering it with a document.

“Clerk Sun, nothing else, just came to report good news to you.” Zhao Dequan lowered his voice, his face wearing just the right amount of respect and flattery, “Thanks to your blessing, the official document for our village’s little workshop to become ‘officially supervised, privately operated’ by the County School arrived today. As per the contract agreement, this is the workshop’s dry share dividend for this quarter. This is… a small token of our regard. The workshop just started, times are tough, it’s not much, please don’t disdain it. We’ll still need to rely on your care in the future.”

Clerk Sun extended two fingers, extremely naturally flicking the money pouch into a drawer, his movements smooth as if practiced countless times.

“Mmm, noted.” Clerk Sun’s tone softened considerably, even taking on a hint of “encouragement,” “Since it’s a pilot project personally designated by Director Zhou, then do it well, don’t cause any trouble. On the town’s side, if there’s any movement, I will naturally… mmm, handle it appropriately.”

“Yes! Yes! Thank you, Clerk Sun! Thank you, Clerk Sun!” Zhao Dequan repeatedly expressed gratitude, pulling Su Shan as they bowed and retreated.

Zhou Kang was already fuming inside because his eldest brother had turned that broken workshop into some “pilot project.” When he saw Zhao Dequan and Su Shan arriving with gifts again, he didn’t even give them a decent look.

“What is it?” He sat in his master’s chair, holding a teacup, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

Zhao Dequan smiled apologetically, placing an exquisite wooden box containing three taels of silver on the table, his movements somewhat more composed than last time.

“Second Young Master, as per the contract agreement, this is the workshop’s dry share dividend for this quarter. According to the regulations above, we must deliver it to you on time.”

Zhou Kang glanced sideways at the wooden box. Hearing the number “three taels,” and thinking of his elder brother’s actions, his anger flared. He snorted coldly, “Now you know to follow the rules?”

Zhao Dequan didn’t get angry either, just bent his waist even lower, but his tone remained steady, “Second Young Master, please calm your anger. It’s a small business, just starting, and these are troubled times, truly difficult. Fortunately, it now bears the County School’s nameplate, with Director Zhou personally overseeing it. He sent Accountant Wang to audit the accounts, saying all future income and expenditure must be reported monthly.”

He spoke as if to himself, yet also as if for Zhou Kang to hear, “Director Zhou said this ‘officially supervised, privately operated’ pilot is the first of its kind, must be done properly. In the future, when the workshop’s path smooths out and its scale expands, the profits will naturally… hehe, the tide lifts all boats, the tide lifts all boats.”

These words precisely pinched Zhou Kang’s vital point. His hand holding the teacup froze mid-air.

Elder brother personally sent someone to manage the accounts? And “must be done properly”?

Even he, foolish as he was, understood this workshop couldn’t be touched now. At least not openly! If he caused trouble now for the immediate profit of a few taels, ruining the “political achievement” his elder brother valued, the consequences…

Zhou Kang’s face turned green then white, his fingers gripping the teacup turning pale. Finally, he spat out a few words through clenched teeth, “Understood. Leave the things. You may go.”

Zhao Dequan and Su Shan exchanged a glance, the heavy stone in their hearts finally dropping. They bowed and retreated outside the door.

Only after walking out of the Zhou family’s detached residence did Su Shan finally let out a long breath, the clothes on his back soaked through.

“Brother Dequan, this… really worked?”

“It worked!” Zhao Dequan’s back truly straightened much more this time, his face showing unrestrained joy and admiration, “Xiao Ming’s move is called using force against force! With Director Zhou, that great deity, standing guard, even if Zhou Kang is greedy, he has to swallow this anger! From now on, we’ll just follow the contract, on the surface, no one owes anyone anything!”

He looked toward the town’s direction, his heart filled with emotion. That silent, reticent mountain village youth had truly become a great tree capable of sheltering the entire village from wind and rain.

Night fell, in Su Ming’s small courtyard.

He had just finished a round of cultivation when Zhao Rui rushed in like a gust of wind.

“Su Ming! My dad and your dad just came to the County School gate area to deliver a letter. They didn’t call us because they were in a hurry to travel back. This is the letter my dad gave me for you!”

Zhao Rui stretched his neck nearby, his face full of curiosity and… a trace of barely noticeable envy and sourness.

Su Ming unfolded the letter, quickly read it, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

“My dad wrote you a letter? What’s it about? Why didn’t he write to me?” He fired off questions like a string of firecrackers, his tone carrying a bit of displeasure and grievance at being ignored. His dad came all the way to the County School and only brought a letter for Su Ming, didn’t even see his own son?

Su Ming put away the letter paper, “Nothing major. Just that the workshop and home are both fine, telling us to focus on our studies.” He didn’t elaborate on the details about the County School document, Zhou Kang, or Clerk Sun. Some things, the less Zhao Rui knew, the better.

Hearing “nothing’s wrong,” Zhao Rui visibly relaxed, but hearing the four words “focus on your studies” seemed to poke a sore spot. Then he found an excuse and left the courtyard somewhat resentfully.

The courtyard grew quiet again.

Su Ming walked to the well, drew up a bucket of water, and leisurely washed his hands.

The cool well water flowing over his fingertips completely calmed his chaotic thoughts.

“Disciple, not bad. You’re already playing these worldly power games quite skillfully.” Lin Yu’s voice sounded.

“All thanks to Master’s excellent teaching.” Su Ming replied calmly.

“Less flattery.” Lin Yu snorted, “Remember, these are just techniques, external things. Your own strength is the true principle, the foundation. This well is your root. Don’t get carried away by this small victory before your eyes.”

Su Ming nodded. He raised his head, looking at the crescent moon reflected in the well.

The moonlight was cold and clear, the water surface deep and dark.

The matter of paper-making could finally be considered temporarily concluded.

Borrowing the great tree of Zhou Wenhai, using the name of “officially supervised, privately operated,” they had finally covered up this hot potato.

Although hidden dangers weren’t completely eliminated—Zhou Kang, Clerk Sun, and even that mysterious “Merchant Chen” could still become future troubles—at least, for now, it was temporarily framed within a relatively safe set of rules.

His gaze could finally break free from the invisible shackles of the mountain village behind him, leap over the blue-tiled roofs and flying eaves of the County School, and cast itself toward that vast, boundless unknown world.

Cultivation, and the bizarre and fantastical world of immortal cultivation Master spoke of… All of this converged into a brand-new journey, slowly unfolding before his eyes.

In this world, the only thing one can truly rely on is oneself.

He lifted the wooden bucket and poured another full bucket of ice-cold well water over his head.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep