Protect Our Patriarch

Regarding Wang Xiaorui's consultation.

Wang Shouzhe didn't take it lightly, but asked seriously, "Our main residence in Longzuo Wang's Clan has hundreds of courtyards and thousands of rooms. The annual maintenance cost must not be low, right?"

Upon mentioning this, Wang Xiaorui's face turned bitter, "Shouzhe, as a Clan Leader, you naturally understand the difficulties. Even if we try to save on maintenance costs every year, it still costs at least one or two thousand Top Gold."

"If we need a major renovation every ten or twenty years, how can we afford it without ten or twenty thousand Top Gold?"

This maintenance cost is indeed much higher than that of the Wang's Clan in Ping'an. But it's normal, this is a commandery city, naturally everything is more expensive.

"Instead of leaving it vacant and still needing maintenance, why not transform most of the main residence into a restaurant and operate it externally?" Wang Shouzhe suggested.

"A restaurant?" Wang Xiaorui's face changed, and he quickly shook his head, "Absolutely not, absolutely not. This is the main residence passed down by our ancestors. If we operate it publicly, wouldn't that be a disgrace to our ancestors?"

"I'm just making a suggestion." Wang Shouzhe said calmly, "Listen to my analysis, and then Clan Leader Xiaorui can make a decision."

"Our main residence of Longzuo Wang's Clan is located in the highest commercial and political center, surrounded by top-tier families. It is the most valuable place in the entire Longzuo Commandery."

"Every inch of land in Longzuo Commandery is worth its weight in gold. Even a regular room in an ordinary inn costs ten or eight big coppers a day, right?"

"A regular suite with a courtyard is hard to get without a Top Gold. If it's a luxurious top-tier courtyard, it's not surprising to spend two or three Top Gold for a night's stay, right?"

"Currently, we at most use up to a hundred courtyards in Longzuo Wang's Clan. The remaining courtyards can be enclosed with a wall, open a side door and carefully operate it. Specifically targeting high-end customers, such as those spiritual realm cultivators who come to the commandery city for business. Let them feel prestigious, and have a high-end place to stay when they negotiate with others."

"If those two hundred high-end and antique courtyards can achieve an occupancy rate of fifty to sixty percent, it would be three to four hundred Top Gold a day, which is a hundred thousand Top Gold a year."

"In addition, some of the profound courtyards and halls can be set up as high-end restaurants, targeting customers, naturally those in the spiritual realm and celestial realm cultivators. Reservations need to be made in advance, no walk-ins. This part of food and drink costs can easily earn tens of thousands of Top Gold a year, right?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaorui's eyes widened.

Isn't this a total of more than a hundred thousand? Although there are still a lot of expenses, earning eighty to a hundred thousand should be possible, right?

As a celestial family.

The total income of all industries of Longzuo Wang's Clan may not reach this number in a year.

Moreover, the celestial family has huge expenses, with celestial ancestors and various spiritual realm ancestors to support, as well as the younger generation to cultivate. Nowadays, Longzuo Wang's Clan can save seven to eight thousand Top Gold a year, which is already quite good.

This money cannot be used at will, it has to be saved up, in preparation for the future celestial transition.

Wang Xiaorui was already very tempted, but still had some doubts and concerns, "Shouzhe, after all, our Longzuo Wang's Clan is a thousand-year-old family. If we operate the main residence in this way and word gets out, I'm afraid we'll become a laughingstock."

Wang Shouzhe knew that he was burdened with the glory of his ancestors and couldn't let go of his pride, so he continued, "And the remaining thousands of rooms are not to be underestimated. If they are rented to those businessmen or wealthy individual cultivators who want to ask for favors and need a decent place to stay, even if it's fifteen big coppers a day, most of them can be sold."

"If we can achieve an occupancy rate of fifty percent, it would probably add up to tens of thousands of Top Gold."

"Of course, the most important thing is to play up the card of a thousand-year-old family and promote the title of a Purple Mansion realm ancestor, otherwise it won't be worth this money."

A profit of tens of thousands a year.

It's enough to make most celestial families green with envy. Most families don't have this condition! Those who do would probably do it.

"In addition, there is Lingyun Tower, which can also be opened to the public. That's where the Purple Mansion ancestor had his insights into the heavenly path in his later years. Staying there, who knows, one day you might gain the legacy left by the ancestor?"

"To stay there for one night, it must be at least two hundred Top Gold. Anything less than this price is not even worth discussing, it's too insulting to the Purple Mansion ancestor."

This series of words made Wang Xiaorui's heart flutter, the only thing he couldn't let go of was the face of the thousand-year-old family.

"In my opinion, if a thousand-year-old family continues to decline, that's what's really disgraceful. When we have saved enough money to easily complete the celestial transition, or even further return to the peak of our ancestors, that's what's really honorable. If our ancestors have spirits in heaven, they would be pleased."

Not only Wang Xiaorui, but even the elite elders sitting next to him, were all breathing heavily with anticipation in their eyes.

Wang Shouzhe was very familiar with this look. In a nutshell, it's three words, "Afraid of poverty"!

The elders of the Wang's Clan in Ping'an had the same look in their eyes.

So Wang Shouzhe stopped talking and let them ponder on their own.

Now that the two clans are gradually strengthening their ties and becoming closer, if Longzuo Wang's Clan can become stronger, that would be even better.

If managed carefully, it might not yield two or three hundred thousand, but at least eighty to a hundred thousand could be earned. This would undoubtedly bring about a significant improvement to the economy of the Wang's Clan in Longzuo.

At this point, Wang Xiaorui was thoroughly convinced.

Moreover, if he didn't agree, those elders in the Spirit Platform realm would probably not let him off the hook.

After all, over the years, the majority of the clan's resources had been allocated to the main lineage. Only when the main lineage could complete the transition between heaven and man, would many resources gradually tilt towards the collateral lineage.

The main lineage might have had their fill, but there were still many outstanding children in our collateral lineage, struggling every day.

How could they give up such a great money-making opportunity?

"Wang Shouzhe is indeed a god of wealth. With just a little guidance, he has pointed us to a path of great wealth." Wang Xiaorui finally made up his mind.

Then, Wang Xiaorui began to truly seek advice from Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe casually shared the management concepts of high-end hotels he had learned in his previous life with Wang Xiaorui.

Wang Xiaorui listened attentively, nodding his head in realization, as if he had opened up a new world. His eyes sparkled as he said, "Since we're going to do it, let's give it a powerful name. How about calling it, Zifu Palace?

Uh... it's just one word different from Zifu Study Palace.

Clan Leader Xiaorui, you sure opened up your shameless new world quickly enough?

Indeed, once a person throws away their face, the world will suddenly become clear.

But this is also quite good, riding on the name of Zifu Study Palace. This world is very sensitive and reverent to the word 'Zifu'.

And so it went.

Wang Shouzhe was dragged by Wang Xiaorui to chat until late into the night before he was allowed to go back to sleep.

The next day.

After breakfast.

Wang Shouzhe and his party went to pay a visit to Ancestor Zhubo.

Ancestor Zhubo lived in the Wangtian Pavilion under the Lingyun Building, symbolizing looking up to the ancestors and constantly spurring oneself on.

He was tall and dressed simply.

Because he had advanced to the Heaven-Man realm at an older age, he now appeared as a dignified old man.

Even though Wang Shouzhe was already a cultivator in the Spirit Platform realm.

When he looked at Ancestor Zhubo, he still felt that the old man was unfathomable, like a vast ocean, and as majestic as a mountain.

Cultivators in the Heaven-Man realm enjoyed a lifespan of four hundred years.

They had long since transcended their mortal bodies, and were vastly different from ordinary humans. Even their every move seemed to contain infinite terrifying power.

Ancestor Zhubo's gaze first fell on Long Yan.

In his deep eyes, there was a hint of heartache, but more of relief.

"Wang Long Yan pays respects to Ancestor Zhubo." Long Yan was the first to step forward and salute.

Then Wang Shouzhe and the others also came forward to pay their respects.

After the greetings and small talk.

Ancestor Zhubo also spoke with each of the younger generation. He didn't have any air of superiority, but was very approachable.

When faced with questions about cultivation, he patiently answered them one by one.

Two hours later.

After Ancestor Zhubo had given each of the younger generation a small gift.

Only Wang Shouzhe, Ancestor Xuanfu, Ancestor Long Yan, and the head of the Longzuo family, Wang Xiaorui, were left in the room.

Once these decision-makers were seated together, the atmosphere immediately became tense.

Obviously, it was time to talk about serious matters.

Ancestor Long Yan gave Wang Shouzhe a look.

Wang Shouzhe understood and stepped forward to say, "Ancestor Zhubo, there is something I would like to ask."

"When you were supporting the Wang's Clan in the past, did you find out who was secretly harming our Wang's Clan?"

Ancestor Zhubo's face became very serious: "According to my speculation and inference, there is likely a Heaven-Man family involved in that matter. But it's hard to say who it is, as we don't have any evidence."

Ancestor Xuanfu also frowned and said, "Shouzhe, when you wiped out the Liu and Zhao clans, why didn't you think of capturing someone alive for questioning?"

"Ancestor Xuanfu, the Liu and Zhao clans hated me to the bone. Their testimonies would likely be hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and might even confuse my judgment." Wang Shouzhe explained, "It doesn't matter if the ancestors don't know. I have been planning for this for many years, and it won't be long before they reveal their tails. By then, it will be clear who the real snake is."

Ancestor Zhubo said solemnly, "Now that both sides can live in peace, it all depends on how well they hide. Once the other party realizes they have been exposed, will they resort to desperate measures? Shouzhe, I must remind you. The Heaven-Man families are not so easy to deal with."

"Especially Changning Guard, which has been a pioneering guard for hundreds of years. The Huangfu and Lei clans both have their own backers. Our Wang's Clan in Longzuo may not be able to resist."

"I have already taken this into account." Wang Shouzhe said seriously, "Ancestor Zhubo, rest assured. If I'm not absolutely sure, I won't act rashly."

In fact, Wang Shouzhe would not just act rashly. If given the chance to drag things out indefinitely, he would prefer to continue to develop secretly, until he could easily overthrow the Heaven-Man families.

But how could things be so simple?

Even if Wang Shouzhe took various measures, made arrangements, and constantly hid his cards while staying behind the scenes, as long as the Wang's Clan continued to grow, sooner or later, the hidden hand behind the scenes would gradually lose patience."Instead of passively waiting for the other party to make a move at an unknown time, it's better to throw out bait and let them expose themselves. Only in this way can we seize the initiative.

The current Wang's Clan Alliance is not to be underestimated. What he is most worried about is actually the so-called Celestial Clan's backing.

Wang Shouzhe has naturally investigated the backing of the Huangfu's Clan and Yu Lei's Clan thoroughly.

This is also the main reason why he must go to the Academy in the north this time. That is, Wang Shouzhe also wants to seek a powerful backing.

If a local power wants to truly develop, without a reliable backing, it's like a solitary duckweed, lacking a foundation.

"Ancestor Zhubo, I have another question," Wang Shouzhe said solemnly, "Forgive my rudeness, but when our Longzuo Wang's Clan was in the midst of the Celestial transition, our reputation alone was probably not enough to deter the other party, right?"

Ancestor Zhubo nodded, "That's right, back then I was just in the late stage of the Spirit Platform realm, and it was not enough to mediate this matter in Changning Commandery. Therefore, I went to the Academy first, and through connections, I desperately sought an audience with Master Binglan. Although I didn't get to see Master Binglan in the end, I received a letter from her!"

"With this letter, I and Yuchen traveled to Changning Commandery to settle the matter. However, we will never be able to interfere in the affairs of Ping'an Town again. The capital of Changning Commandery will also never allow us to interfere in local affairs at will."

As expected!

Wang Shouzhe secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As he had guessed, Master Binglan did not ignore the matter of Ancestor Long Yan.

In this way, the plan to seek a powerful backing has progressed a bit more smoothly.

"This..." Ancestor Long Yan trembled slightly with excitement, "Master, she actually intervened in this matter for me. She, she... Ancestor Zhubo, why didn't you tell me about this back then?"

"This..." Ancestor Zhubo helplessly said, "This was Master Binglan's intention, and I didn't dare to disobey."

Wang Shouzhe comforted her, "Ancestor, this is Master Binglan's consideration for you. She was afraid that if you knew about this, you would be torn between two sides, and it would only add to your worries and guilt."

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Long Yan couldn't help but sigh.

Afterwards, everyone discussed some matters about strengthening the connection between the two families and some future development plans.

This was only natural, after all, both families had the same ancestor. Now that they had both escaped from some difficulties, they should naturally join hands to plan for the future.

The current Longzuo Wang's Clan, although not a top-tier Celestial Clan, is still a well-established family with a deep foundation. It naturally brings many benefits to the Ping'an Wang's Clan.

This kept them busy until the next day.

It was only then that Wang Shouzhe had some free time.

Then Wang Shouzhe was immediately caught by Wang Lici to fulfill his promise.

In Longzuo Commandery City, Wang Lici could eat whatever she wanted.

Seeing Wang Lici so excited and her eyes shining, Wang Shouzhe decided to take her to the gambling stone market in the commandery city to shear a big handful of wool first, so that they could eat with more confidence.

Along the way, the gambling stone markets in every commandery were Wang Shouzhe's reserved projects. After one sweep, it would take several years for the market to recover.

Some big gambling stone stall owners would probably be crippled in the future.

To be honest, without those spirit stones, Wang Shouzhe, with his extravagant lifestyle, would definitely feel a bit empty inside.

Fortunately, this brat was about to go to the Academy to study, and the Academy provided food and accommodation for core disciples and direct disciples.

With this thought, Wang Shouzhe felt a sense of relief, as if he was about to put down a huge stone on his shoulder.

......

(Continuing to ask for monthly tickets)