"At the end of the day, the Wu family's foundation is too weak, and they rose too fast. They are not as deep-rooted as the Zhou family … Not to mention other things, just a county magistrate and a registrar are not enough to support the Wu family …"
Wu Ming sighed, stood up suddenly, and went outside the door.
Two maidservants were already waiting for him, and they respectfully tidied up his clothes.
"They are all here?"
"Baishui Village, Bluestone Village, Datian Village … and even the branches of other villages are all here!"
A bright-eyed maid named Lü Rui said softly. Her breath was like orchids, and the warm airflow swept past, carrying the fragrance of her hair, which made Wu Ming very happy.
"Very good! Let's go to the ancestral hall! "
But this was not the right time. Wu Ming naturally gave up the idea of seeking pleasure and came to the Wu family's ancestral hall.
This ancestral hall occupied a large area, with cornices and arches, red bricks and green tiles, which made it look new.
There was a small square in front, where hundreds of people, men and women, old and young, gathered. When they saw Wu Ming coming in, they all bowed slightly with smiles on their faces. Only a few elders still maintained their manners.
This was the Clan of Wu.
Of course, almost none of them could be considered close relatives. Basically, they were all distant relatives, and there were even some who tried to climb up the genealogy of each other.
Such a clan, if one were to really talk about blood relations, it would be laughable.
However, in ancient times, people with the same surname were still a family five hundred years ago! As long as the genealogy matched, outsiders could not say anything.
"Everyone!"
Wu Ming raised his hand slightly.
When the people below saw that this little devil, who was usually famous, seemed to have changed into a different person, with a huge majesty on him, they could not help but be silent.
"Everyone … As the leader of the Wu family, I am very sad to hear about what happened in Bluestone Village!"
Wu Ming spoke with fervor and assurance, but his impression of him was completely different from that lustful and absurd profligate son from before. "This time, I've gathered all of you here to establish a rule for my Wu Clan!"
"… If one doesn't study, one doesn't know etiquette. Which clan in Yunping doesn't have a scholarly family? I see my juniors and nephews plowing the fields and playing in the countryside every day, wasting their good time. I am very sad … I have decided to build a family school and set aside a hundred mu of land as the school field. Any disciple of my Wu family can attend the school for free, and food and lodging will be provided. Those who are outstanding will be rewarded! "
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar below.
The cost of studying is not small, and a young boy eats off his father. Wu Ming is willing to open a school and provide meals, and he wants to give the Wu family's children a bright future. This really shocked the people below.
"Alright!"
At this moment, a clan elder who had been silent all this while clapped his hands and said, "This should have been done long ago! You should have done this earlier! "
Naturally, these people had already received news about Wu Ming and had discussed this beforehand.
Now that he saw that it was indeed a good thing, he naturally supported it.
With a smile on his face, Wu Ming said, "Since that's the case, everyone, follow me into the ancestral hall and decide on the rules. Then, we will worship the ancestors and pass on the law!"
At this moment, the door of the ancestral hall opened. Wu Ming led the men in. The rules were strict, and the women could only wait outside enviously.
The ancestral hall was filled with incense smoke. After the agreement, Wu Ming personally wrote the funeral oration, which was read by a clan elder. Then, they burned it and lit incense to worship the ancestors.
Everything was done in an orderly manner. Wu Ming did as he was told, and he was very dignified. However, no one knew what he was thinking in his heart.
"My dear nephew! By doing this, you have laid the foundation of our clan for a hundred years. I can die in peace … "
"That's right, my dear nephew, it is a great blessing for us to have you as the head of the clan!"
…
A few of the elders were sincerely thinking for the Wu family. They could not help but reveal their true feelings, and tears flowed down their faces.
Wu Ming smiled and responded to each of them, completely washing away the impression that he was a good-for-nothing.
Perhaps, from today onwards, there would be a saying that a prodigal son who repents is more valuable than gold.
He was busy until noon, and then he set up a big banquet and treated a hundred people to a good meal. He specially slaughtered a pig for this. The fragrant and fatty Red Braised Meat, white steamed buns, and all kinds of dishes were served like flowing water. It was incomparably sumptuous. Wu Ming also knew that many people came, perhaps for this meal, and specially asked the kitchen to prepare more portions.
At this time, the village was poor, and it was difficult to eat meat during festivals. When the villagers saw this feast, they were immediately overjoyed, and swept away the food like a whirlwind. Women and children, everyone had smiles on their faces. In the end, they packed up the leftovers and left.
"Young Master!"
At this time, Steward Wu, who was sent to the county town, also returned. His face was filled with shame, "Eldest Miss is in seclusion, and she will not see anyone. I am incompetent!"
"Seclusion, huh …"
Wu Ming touched his chin, "Forget it, you go first, and finish planning the school, and prepare the deed for a hundred mu of land …"
Seeing that Steward Wu seemed to be distressed, he could not help but smile, "Why? Do you think that it's not worth it? "
"That's not it … I was just thinking that if Eldest Miss were to learn of it, she would surely be gratified …"
Steward Wu said a few more words with a smile before bidding farewell to Zhang Xuan. There seemed to be a tinge of redness at the corner of his eyes.
"Speaking of which … that person didn't rely on us after he made his fortune. Instead, he has been with us for several generations. No wonder …"
Wu Ming fell silent for a moment before sighing.
It was impossible to understand the importance of one's clan in one's life until ancient times.
In fact, even if one were to rebel, as long as Wu Ming carried it out, his clansmen and descendants would have no choice but to follow Wu Ming to the bitter end.
Of course, this was only when one was strong. If one was weak, it was not uncommon for one's assets to be plundered and coveted.
However, that was then, and this was now. In the past, Wu Ming's clan was weak, so it was natural for them to be bullied. But now, with the rise of Wu Qing, who had even snatched the position of the clan head, the situation had changed!
"Even though it's a world where an individual can transcend, it's not as if it's useless to form a faction. At the very least, I'll be able to deal with many trivial matters …"
Opening a school to nurture the scholarly spirit of the clan was indeed a huge matter for the clan.
Wu Ming knew that Wu Qing must have harbored such thoughts in the past as well. It was just that she was a woman and Wu Ming was a good-for-nothing, which was why she had been delaying the matter.
But now? Everything had changed!
"Of course, there's a mix of good and bad in the clan, so I'll have to filter them out one by one. Those who have coveted my clan's property should be eliminated right away. As for the other members of the clan, I'll treat them equally …"
These elders were simply too scheming, such that Wu Ming dared not use them.
However, after the younger generation became literate, they would be able to smooth out their edges, and they would be able to use them.
In fact, he could even get some of the descendants to accompany them in their studies. At the very least, they would have to be able to read a few words.
With such perseverance, over a decade, or even decades of painstaking nurturing, the style of his writing flourished. If he was able to produce a few Elementary Scholars or High Scholars, his family's business would be stable and his clan would prosper.
However, this was only for peaceful times. In times of chaos, there was still another way.
Scholars were just seeds. Both the civil and military wings were indispensable!
Now that he was being pressured by the Zhou Clan, Wu Ming was even more anxious to control his strength.
On the second day, when the sun was shining brightly and the weather was still chilly, he ordered the village warriors to gather.
The Wu Family owned twenty hectares of land and two hundred tenant farmers. They were one of the most powerful forces in the area. At this moment, there were more than fifty village warriors lined up in a line. Although they weren't very elite, they were all strong men. That was not bad.
"Cough, cough!"
Seeing Wu Ming walking over, Feng Han coughed lightly. The fifty over people immediately greeted in unison, "Greetings, Young Master!"
"Rise!"
Wu Ming was satisfied when he saw this.
In fact, if the entire fort were to be mobilized, two hundred people could be sent out, but it would delay the operation.
According to the ancient military system, five households had to produce one man. This meant that every five households had to produce a strong man who was released from work. This way, the normal production of society wouldn't be affected.
Now that the Wu Clan had two hundred households, it was easy for them to produce forty to fifty people.
Any more and they could only be used when the fort was under attack. At that time, the entire clan would be soldiers and their lives would be in the fort. A few hundred people would be able to defend against an army of a few thousand!
With regards to controlling these people, Wu Ming was extremely confident.
This was because the life and death of the tenant farmers depended on the main family. If Wu Ming was in a bad mood and confiscated the land, they would immediately become homeless and become refugees.
Dazhou, the annexation of land was getting more and more serious. There were also natural and man-made disasters. Refugees were really on the road to death.
"I propose to rebuild the Patrol Station!"
Wu Ming looked at the drill and announced loudly.
"According to the system, the Patrol Station will have one Village Patrol Officer and five servants. All of them can be registered as officials and receive a share of food and money. There will also be ten helpers. That will be sixteen people!"
There was an Patrol Station in the county that was in charge of robbers. Every village had their own Patrol Station under the jurisdiction of the Patrol Station. However, according to the unspoken rules, if there was a tyrant in the village, the Patrol Station would approve the candidates recommended by that family.
Although they were officials, it was still a way out for the people below. Instantly, there was a commotion.
"Now, the village warriors will be divided into small groups to compete. Sixteen people will be selected and the Village Patrol Officer will be announced!"
As soon as Wu Ming said this, the people below rubbed their fists and were eager to try. With Feng Han managing the order, they were divided into groups and were in full swing.
"What a pity … If Feng Han was the Village Patrol Officer, it would be great!"
Wu Ming could only think about this in his heart.
Feng Han was a genius in the Inner Invulnerability Stage Eight Mortal Body Realm. If he joined the army, he would be promoted to a Secondary Rank Nine Deputy Captain.
Although the Village Patrol Officer had some power and wealth, he was still a lowly official. Letting Feng Han be the Village Patrol Officer was a humiliation.
Although Feng Han had some connections with Wu Ming, he was still a guest in the Wu Family. He could leave whenever he wanted.
"Haha … Compete for an official position? Why didn't you call me? "
Suddenly, a thunderous voice rang out outside the school grounds.
After that, a strong and high-spirited man with thick eyebrows, leopard-like eyes, a beard that was like needles, and a voice that sounded like thunder walked in with a smile.
Although it was late autumn, he was not wearing a shirt. His muscles were like steel and there were centipede-like scars on them. It was a daunting sight.
"He is a good man, but he is a little arrogant!"
Wu Ming's eyes flashed. "Who is he?"
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