"It's simple. In Xuanyuan Hill, if there's no descendant in the family, they could adopt a son from the same clan. If there's no descendant in the family, if outsiders know that, a lot of people would come here to adopt the descendant. The continuation of the family line is a major event for clans. As long as the adopted son changes his name and becomes a citizen, he would be treated like his biological son. Anyone who interferes with him would offend the public. In this way, after the old man passes away, his stepson or adopted son would inherit the land and property of Xuanyuan Hill. Who would spit out the meat that they have eaten?"
"Just like Lame Liu from our street. Because he was injured when he was young, he couldn't have children and couldn't find a wife. Back then, a bunch of relatives of the Liu family came from Zhongzhou and fought to pass their children to Lame Liu. Because of this, a bunch of people from the Liu family almost got into a fight. Lame Liu chose his nephew as his stepson. That nephew treated Lame Liu even better than his own father. Lame Liu didn't have to worry about his old age and funeral expenses."
"If so, many clans could bring many outsiders to Xuanyuan Hill in the name of adopting adopted sons and stepsons so that those adopted sons and stepsons could enjoy many conditions and opportunities in Xuanyuan Hill." Zhang Tie asked out of curiosity.
"It was indeed like that hundreds of years ago. It's said that many families in Xuanyuan Hill would have at least 10-20 stepsons. Actually, they were all the children of their brothers, sisters or relatives. As a result, the schools in Xuanyuan Hill were overcrowded. Later on, the imperial court issued a strict order that the stepsons and stepdaughters of those who didn't die could not be naturalized. Those who died could only adopt one stepson and stepdaughter. Therefore, the custom of adopting stepsons and stepdaughters in Xuanyuan Hill was stopped!"
Zhang Tie became thrilled as he replied, "Hahaha, I've not imagined that such a thing could happen in Xuanyuan Hill!"
"That's right. Anyway, there was no ban at the beginning. Everyone was taking advantage of this loophole. If you don't do this, then you'd be a fool. If there were really relatives or old friends who came to you to ask for help, how many people would be able to keep a straight face?"
After hearing Old Zhou's words, Zhang Tie became silent at once. Indeed, others were too cunning. Now that there was a way to send their kids to Xuanyuan Hill and enjoy the top educational resources and various opportunities, those who had connections would always seek for such a chance.
However, the prohibition in Xuanyuan Hill could only block half of this loophole. As for those who had really lost their heirs and adopted children to inherit their family properties, Xuanyuan Hill could only turn a blind eye to it. This was the tradition and custom of Hua people. However, in this way, the land in Xuanyuan Hill became more and more precious. More land was distributed; less land was taken in. Besides the imperial households of Taixia Country who might have some flexible land, it would be very difficult for others to squeeze into the circle of Xuanyuan Hill. The standards and thresholds for those who wanted to enter Xuanyuan Hill grew higher and higher.
'Although I've made a lot of meritorious deeds in the Earth-elements Realm, I could only gain land outside Xuanyuan Hill. I could imagine how difficult it would be for others to enter Xuanyuan Hill.' 'No wonder Bai Suxian said that major clans and nobles in Taixia Country could be divided into two categories, first, those who could squeeze into the circle of Xuanyuan Hill; second, those who were outside this circle. It seems to be reasonable.'
Zhang Tie pointed at a gaily-painting pleasure-ship on the river as he asked, "What's wrong with that gaily-painting pleasure-ship? Is there such a dissolute business in Xuanyuan Hill?"
"Heh heh, in Xuanyuan Hill, such dissolute businesses are not allowed to go ashore. This is a rule that has been passed down for hundreds of years. It's also a feature of Xuanyuan Hill. These gaily-painting pleasure-ships could enter the Golden Water River of Xuanyuan Hill in the daytime; in the evening, they would enter the three major lakes. Childe Cui, don't be fooled by that small gaily-painting pleasure-ship. This gaily-painting pleasure-ship could even earn a lot of money a day on the Golden Water River. Additionally, this gaily-painting pleasure-ship is a business of gold and silver. Those who could board gaily-painting pleasure-ships are all rich and noble. They treat gold coins as dirt. Those who could run such a business in Xuanyuan Hill must be related to big figures living in the emperor's imperial city more or less. Without such a background, such gaily-painting pleasure-ships could not leave the Golden Water River at all …"
"How could someone in the emperor's imperial city intervene in such a business?"
"Those who could settle down in Xuanyuan Hill must have a lot of family members, subordinates and clans on their backs, regardless of the three chancellors and nine ministers. Additionally, they have to eat and drink. Additionally, they have to spend a lot of money in Xuanyuan Hill. A clan needs to maintain its dignity and communicate with others. Even if a person could earn thousands of stones a year in the emperor's imperial city, he might have tens of thousands of people waiting for his salary. Although this gaily-painting pleasure-ship business doesn't sound good, it's also a legal business. Additionally, it could earn a lot of money. By the way, we could collect some intelligence. Of course, those decent clans in the emperor's imperial city don't need their family members to run this business in the public. They only need a trustworthy steward and an agent to handle this business well.
Why not? "Old Zhou said as he glanced at Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian seriously for a short while before revealing a firm smile," Now that Childe Cui asked about this, it means that Childe Cui doesn't care about the circulation of money and grains at home. If you two are 17-18 years old, it's normal that you don't care about the circulation of money and grains at home. However, given Childe Cui and Miss Bai's demeanor and the way they talked on the way here, you must have experienced big scenes. You must be born in rich clans. Based on my experience in sailing on the Golden Water River for so many years, although you two look ordinary today, you must be low-key on purpose. Given the two points that I mentioned just now, you two must be born in clans of provincial governors. Even if you're poor, you're not worse than a clan of provincial governors! "
'I've not imagined that a boatman on the Golden Water River could have such a vision.'
After promoting to a knight, especially after sweeping away the wealth of those Three-eye Association clans in Waii Subcontinent, Zhang Tie really didn't care about money anymore. Wealth had really become his worldly possession. Besides, Zhang Tie's business of all-purpose medicament was in full swing, which created great wealth for Zhang Clan every day. Neither Zhang Tie nor his clan lacked money. Additionally, there were only Zhang Tie and his elder brother's clan members in Jinwu City. Zhang Tie thought for a while, 'There might be many clans with knights across Taixia Country; however, there are few clans that don't lack money. Many clans in Huaiyuan Palace and Zhu Clan, the provincial governor of Yanzhou Province have businesses for making money too.'
However, there was one thing that Old Zhou didn't think of, or perhaps with Old Zhou's experience and foresight, it was impossible for him to think of it. That was, when large families did business or dabbled in various industries, earning money was one goal, but there was another goal that was even more important than earning money — influence! Even those clans that didn't lack money were still doing businesses and dabbling in various industries, such as Zhang Tie's elder brother. 'Why?' They did it for something other than money! The so-called rich and powerful did not only refer to having money, but also power. What was power? It was influence. A mountain of gold and silver piled up in a warehouse would not produce influence. It was just a pile of metal. However, if it was invested in many industries, it would affect the interests of many people. It would penetrate deep into people's basic necessities, and it would produce a strong influence and control.
Influence was the word that was truly valued by the big clans.
Whether a clan was doing business for money or for influence was the most important watershed to test the power of a clan. This watershed was as significant as whether major clans could have a deep foundation in Xuanyuan Hill. Some clans might pretend to be rich at their own cost; however, they could never pretend to be rich at their own cost. At least in Zhang Tie's opinion, Zhang Clan was not doing business for money anymore. After making a certain amount of money, it would be meaningless to make the same amount of money again and again. All the businesses were serving a higher purpose of the clan. For instance, those major clans and consortiums on the Western Continent and the other subcontinents started to control the media, military-industrial complex and grain circulation. These businesses were not only for money. Emperor Xuanyuan didn't establish Gold and Power Law for money.
Although the gaily-painting pleasure-boats on the Golden Water River seemed to be dissolute, they were actually a place for cultural entertainment and gatherings. They could spread news and make friends with people from all walks of life. To a certain extent, they could influence the cultural and entertainment circle of Xuanyuan Hill and create public opinions and specific pop culture among some high-end people. The latter ones might be valued by the major clans in the emperor's imperial city who controlled these gaily-painting pleasure-boats. Zhang Tie would not feel strange even if the real big boss of these gaily-painting pleasure-boats was the Supreme Court of Taixia Country, not to mention some major clans in the emperor's imperial city.
After hearing the words of the small gaily-painting pleasure-boat and Old Zhou, Zhang Tie thought about many things at once. Zhang Tie's heart raced as he suddenly took out a gold coin and pinched it before throwing it towards Old Zhou.
"Old Zhou, catch it!"
Old Zhou caught that gold coin skillfully as he grinned, "Childe Cui, you can pay for it when we go ashore!"
"Hahaha, Old Zhou, I find you're interesting. Let's make friends. Old Zhou, if you want to make money, you can come here in 3 months or have one of your sons bring this gold coin to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory in Youzhou Province. I will give your Zhou family a unique business on the Golden Water River and show you how it feels to make a lot of money every day. I will gift you a rich man in Xuanyuan Hill …" Zhang Tie burst out into laughter.
Old Zhou lowered his head and looked at that gold coin in his hand as he found a deep fingerprint on it silently. It must be made by Zhang Tie just now.
Elder Zhou secretly took a deep breath. He thought to himself, could it be that the Zhou family's opportunity has arrived? No wonder he had been dreaming these past few days. He dreamed that there was no fire in his house, but it was blazing. This was an auspicious sign that the family was going to prosper.
Additionally, given Zhang Tie's look, Old Zhou could tell that Zhang Tie was not a man who talked nonsense. Although Old Zhou couldn't figure out what Zhang Tie meant by a unique business, he was clear that it was just a matter of lip service for Zhou Clan to be rich in the eyes of someone.
After putting away that gold coin meticulously, Old Zhou became more respectful towards Zhang Tie, "Childe Cui, Miss Bai, if you don't mind, after we go ashore, I will have my wife prepare some drinks and dishes for you and invite you to have a meal in my humble home!"
"Haha, Old Zhou, don't be so polite. If you really want to thank me, when your family develops that unique business in the future, I will have no qualms about eating and drinking for free …"
Old Zhou revealed another smile on his swarthy face. He had long known that Zhang Tie was not a commoner; however, he had not imagined that Zhang Tie could be so polite to such a small figure like him.
At this moment, Bai Suxian had finished making the peach blossom liquor as she served it to Zhang Tie with a big smile.
"What unique business can you think of on the Golden Water River?" Bai Suxian asked Zhang Tie using a battle qi.
Bai Suxian had heard Zhang Tie's words. She knew that Zhang Tie would not make such a joke about a commoner. However, as she couldn't figure out what unique business could Zhang Tie find for a common boatman, Bai Suxian became curious about it.
"Haha, you will know it by then!" Zhang Tie took the peach blossom liquor and had a sip as he told Bai Suxian using a battle qi.
Zhang Tie indeed thought of this business from the gaily-painting pleasure-ship on the Golden Water River after hearing Old Zhou's words.
'Now that others could do business on the Golden Water River of Xuanyuan Hill, I could also do it. When I can manufacture high-power alcohol and various engines in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, is it difficult for me to find a unique business for Old Zhou on the Golden Water River?' 'As long as Old Zhou's boat was modified a bit and added an engine and a propeller, it would be as fast as a speedboat on the water.'
When Zhang Tie imagined that Old Zhou was driving a small boat with an engine on the Golden Water River in Xuanyuan Hill, drawing a white line on the river surface and making all the onlookers dumbfounded, Zhang Tie couldn't help but burst out into laughter.
'I'm afraid that there's no better advertisement for Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory than this!'
Peach blossom liquor was one of the specialties of Xuanyuan Hill. It was named after the peach blossoms in Xuanyuan Hill. This liquor was soft, sweet, fragrant and glutinous. Because peach blossoms were used to brew it, it looked rosy and carried the fragrance of peach blossoms. In Xuanyuan Hill, many families would collect peach blossoms in front and behind their houses and brew peach blossom liquor. After coming to Xuanyuan Hill, it was almost a necessary "sightseeing" to taste peach blossom liquor on the Golden Water River. It was said that if lovers could drink a cup of peach blossom liquor on the Golden Water River, they would be in love with each other.
This was also one of the reasons why the Golden Water River was the most romantic place in Xuanyuan Hill. Besides those gaily-painting pleasure-ships, couples and lovers could be seen everywhere on the other cruises and boats.
Standing at the prow of the boat and drinking peach blossom liquor with Zhang Tie, Bai Suxian's cheeks were rosy like a fairy. As a result, Zhang Tie couldn't stand throwing a few more glances at her.
"Childe Cui, Miss Bai, the bridge in front of us is Horse Bridge …" Old Zhou's voice drifted from their back.
Actually, even without Old Zhou's reminder, Zhang Tie had already seen it. Just a few thousand meters away, there was a steel arch bridge over the Golden Water River.
The bridge was very magnificent. The arch of the bridge could even pass 10,000-ton huge ships. On the side of the bridge which was close to the emperor's imperial city, there was a wharf, which was full of ships with special banners.
On the bridge, Zhang Tie saw a gate tower like a triumphal arch at the entrance of Xuanyuan Hill. At the top of the gate tower, there was a statue of a golden horse, which was sparkling under the sunlight. The entire bridge guarded an entrance of the emperor's imperial city in the periphery of Xuanyuan Hill.
The 12 bridges over Golden Water River were named according to the 12 earthly branches of Hua people. The 12 earthly branches of Hua people corresponded to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Beasts. Each bridge was decorated with totems and sculptures corresponding to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Beasts. As time went by, commoners in Xuanyuan Hill called the 12 Chinese Zodiac Beasts Bridges.
Watching the Horse Bridge in the distance, Zhang Tie was thinking about the map of Xuanyuan Hill.
After entering the emperor's imperial city from the Horse Bridge, Zhang Tie would arrive at the Horse Avenue of the emperor's imperial city. After entering the Horse Avenue for 30 miles, he would see the Agricultural Affairs Mansion of Taixia Country ruled by the finance minister of Taixia Country, one of the top 9 ministers in Taixia Country.
All the 9 finance ministers of Taixia Country had fixed official residences in the emperor's imperial city. The official residence of the finance minister was close to the Finance Minister Mansion on one side of the Horse Avenue.
Zhang Tie didn't know whether it was intentional or not as he was not proficient in the knowledge of geomancy and city construction in Taixia Country. However, given the pattern, the 12 agencies of the top three chancellors and the nine ministers in Taixia Country were also related to the main roads leading to the emperor's imperial city through the 12 zodiac bridges.
Watching the Horse Bridge in the distance and the flock of sparrows flying over the bridge, Zhang Tie's eye light flickered …
Xuanyuan Hill had the most birds. There were over 100 species of water birds in the three lakes outside Xuanyuan Hill. In Xuanyuan Hill, sparrows and pigeons were the most common birds. The willows on the bank of the Golden Water River were shady, which was the favorite place of sparrows. Pigeons in Xuanyuan Hill were concentrated in some squares and parks. After living in Xuanyuan Hill for a long time, those pigeons were not afraid of people at all …
The small boat sailed towards the Horse Bridge. Just when it was less than half a mile away from the bridge, an incomparably gorgeous pleasure boat sailed towards it from a distance of a hundred meters, brushing past the small boat.
On the gaily-painting pleasure-ship, a group of men and women were talking about something on the open deck which was covered with richly ornamented beams and painted rafters.
Zhang Tie didn't pay attention to them because there were too many gaily-painting pleasure-ships on the Golden Water River. After throwing a glance at that gaily-painting pleasure-ship, Zhang Tie had moved his eyes away and started to pay attention to the scenery on the bank of the emperor's imperial city. Unimaginably, the moment Bai Suxian caught sight of those people, her qi turned icy like a hedgehog whose hair stood up.
"Fang Xinyi …"
Those people on the gaily-painting pleasure-ship almost discovered Bai Suxian and Zhang Tie at the same time. Those young people stopped talking at once as they looked at Bai Suxian and Zhang Tie. (To be continued)
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