22: Chapter 22 Great Wei's Support

The Su Family began large-scale recruitment of guards and servants, attracting a vast number of refugees who formed three long queues at the manor gates, creating a cacophony of voices.

The Su Family had only been developing for a short time, and what they lacked most were capable lieutenants.

Currently, the only truly competent servant in the Su Family was Luo Qian.

The few Innate Martial Artists trained by the Su Family were loyal but struggled to handle things independently, often becoming indecisive when faced with complex matters.

This batch of refugees from Guangling County happened to be the perfect solution to the Su Family's weakness.

Among Mortals, priority was given to those with talent; among Martial Artists, priority was given to the Innate Realm and above.

At the same time, they had to have a clean background and good character; otherwise, no matter how capable they were, they would be filtered out.

In fact, Su Yang also wanted to recruit a few Cultivators to help manage the spirit fields.

Unfortunately, the Cultivators who escaped from Guangling County were only willing to become Family enshrinements and were unwilling to become low-ranking servants.

"Father, recruiting so many refugees, I'm afraid the Family grounds won't be enough. Should we reduce the area of the spirit fields?"

Su Xuanming stood beside Su Yang.

Looking at the queuing refugees, he felt confused in his heart.

The Su Family currently had sufficient funds, but they didn't have the land to settle so many refugees unless they reduced the area of the spirit fields.

But doing so would lead to a decrease in yield, and they might not be able to meet this year's Taxes.

The Great Wei Dynasty collected Taxes once every ten years, and at the same time, they would evaluate new families in the county seats.

Then, Taxes would be levied at a corresponding rate based on the Family's rank.

Ten years ago, the Su Family had just started and hadn't reached the level to be called a Family, so they had missed the tax collection day.

Now, ten years had passed, and the Su Family's Foundation was already comparable to the Five Great Families.

Since the Family openly had two Cultivators presiding over it, there was a possibility of being evaluated as a Qi Refining Family.

A Martial Artist Family only needed to hand over ordinary grain, treasures, gold, and silver as Taxes.

But if it were a Qi Refining Family, they would need to hand over spirit rice, Spirit Medicine, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, etc., and they had to hand over ten years' worth at once!

Su Yang certainly hadn't forgotten this matter. He responded with a smile, "Don't worry. Yesterday I asked County Magistrate Wang, and Great Wei might fund the development of the surroundings of Qingyuan County, expanding the county seat to accommodate the refugees from Guangling County."

"The Family has sufficient funds and can acquire the newly developed land. But before that, let the refugees squeeze in for a while."

The development of the new area would only be implemented after the Great Wei envoy came to collect the Taxes.

Although County Magistrate Wang was only speculating that Qingyuan County would expand, the guess was likely accurate. After all, the refugees needed a place to settle, and Qingyuan County was the first choice.

With the support of Great Wei, Qingyuan County might even become a second Guangling County.

The Su Family took this opportunity to recruit people and buy land, which could significantly improve the Family's overall strength.

"I'll leave this to you. If any refugees cause trouble, you can make your own decisions. If anything happens, I'll back you up."

Su Yang rubbed his second son's head and walked back into the manor with a chuckle.

Su Xuanming opened his mouth but said nothing in the end.

In his heart, he truly admired his father's bold spirit, actually daring to hand over the task of maintaining order to a nine-year-old Child, really not treating him like a Child at all.

Complaints aside, he vaguely guessed the reason in his heart.

The reason his father did this was to intentionally Cultivate his Family management abilities and train his emergency response skills for unexpected events.

Su Yang was also very at ease with his second son, but he was particularly worried about his third daughter.

That girl gave him a huge headache. When he originally gave her the name 'Jing' (Quiet), he hoped she would be a quiet and focused girl, but the result was that she was even more mischievous than a boy.

At this moment, Su Xuanjing was wandering in front of the refugees.

She had joined the process of screening the refugees' character, showing her fierce expression to those refugees who acted craftily, attempting to intimidate them.

How could the refugees be scared by a cute and fierce little Child?

But just as they showed fierce expressions, they saw Luo Qian standing behind Su Xuanjing, and every one of them was so scared they didn't dare to make a sound.

Seeing this, Su Xuanjing's Aura surged, and her expression became even more 'fierce.'

Su Yang smiled helplessly and then ignored it.

Besides the complicated Family affairs, he had many things to do now.

Cultivating Spells, refining Medicinal Pills, drawing Talismans, and studying the High-Tier Breath Concealment Art and the incomplete recipe for the Foundation establishment pill.

He was simply too busy.

That Golden Core Sword Technique, Sword Transforms into a Long Rainbow, he had thrown to Su Xuanheng for his eldest son to study slowly.

Although his [Heaven Rewards the Diligent] could also help him comprehend the Golden Core Sword Technique, it certainly wouldn't be as efficient as Su Xuanheng's [Clear Sword Heart].

Moreover, he already had more work than he could finish; where would he find the time to study sword techniques?

Family development couldn't rely on him alone. Tasks that his children could handle should be given to them as much as possible.

"Doing everything personally is truly too exhausting."

Su Yang sighed, which happened to be heard by Qin Jiangmei as she walked into the courtyard.

She approached Su Yang with light steps and said softly, "Husband, I have achieved some success in the Dao of Alchemy. I can already refine Low Grade pills and occasionally produce Medium Grade pills. If you don't mind, I can assist you in Alchemy at your side."

"Good, good, good. My wife is truly my capable assistant. With your help, I can relax a lot. As they say, when a man and woman work together, the work isn't tiring."

Su Yang said with a chuckle, his mind feeling a bit of relaxation.

The two entered the Quiet Room together to collaborate on Alchemy, and the tedious process of refining pills was no longer dull.

During the process, Su Yang would take the time to give a few pointers, and Qin Jiangmei's Alchemy skills improved by leaps and bounds.

...

One month later.

The envoy from Great Wei arrived.

The Family heads of various families in Qingyuan County all came to the Magistrates Office to respectfully wait and welcome him.

A luxurious carriage pulled by Yao Beasts entered Qingyuan County, speeding all the way to the Magistrates Office before slowly stopping.

"Welcome, Lord Envoy!"

County Magistrate Wang led the greeting.

The driver sitting at the front of the carriage pulled back the curtain, and a kind-faced middle-aged man walked out of the carriage.

Su Yang's Divine Sense swept over, and his expression couldn't help but shift slightly.

He wasn't surprised that the Great Wei envoy was a Cultivator, but he hadn't expected that even a driver would also be a Cultivator, and one with a cultivation level that wasn't low.

"Ten years since we last met, and County Magistrate Wang's demeanor is as elegant as ever."

The man stepped down from the carriage with a smile. "Are the Taxes prepared this time?"

County Magistrate Wang replied respectfully, "Reporting to Lord Zhang, there have been changes among the families in Qingyuan County. The matter of Taxes still requires your lordship's decision."

Zhang Xian's eyebrows rose slightly upon hearing this, feeling curious.

"I naturally know about the downfall of the Li Family. Could there be other changes?"

"A new Family has been established in Qingyuan. Their Foundation is deep and they can receive a Great Wei rating. This is the Head of the Su Family, Su Yang."

County Magistrate Wang introduced him to Zhang Xian.

Su Yang immediately took a step forward and cupped his fists in a gesture of respect.

"I see. First, hand over your Taxes. After I finish handling the miscellaneous matters, I will go to the Su Family for evaluation and collect their Taxes."

Zhang Xian only gave Su Yang a glance before losing interest.

A Qi Refining Second Layer cultivation—he could barely manage to form a Family, but it likely wouldn't last long.

It wasn't that he looked down on Su Yang, but rather that there were too many similar families.

There were countless Cultivators who returned to county seats to start families and businesses because they hadn't fared well in the cultivation world.

But looking back now, how many of those families could truly develop?

A cultivation Family wasn't as simple as a Mortal Family where having a few children could ensure the Family's continuation.

Zhang Xian withdrew his gaze and looked at County Magistrate Wang with a beaming smile. "Besides collecting Taxes, I have come this time to serve as the Qingyuan Immortal Official and will be stationed in Qingyuan County for a period of time."

"By the order of Your Majesty, I will assist County Magistrate Wang in developing Qingyuan!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's bodies trembled.

County Magistrate Wang's guess was indeed correct; Great Wei would support Qingyuan to become the second Guangling!