20: Family planning

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Chu He.

The clamor at the banquet also quieted down significantly.

The industries left behind by the Li Family were a massive piece of fat meat.

Although Chu He had previously returned those "ill-gotten gains" to their original owners, the core industries that the Li Family had operated for over a century—such as the city's largest casino, the largest restaurant, and several mineral veins—added up to an immeasurable value.

Everyone present salivated over this piece of cake.

But they did not dare to act rashly.

Because they knew that the final ownership of this cake rested solely on a single thought from the young man before them.

The Family Head who asked the question had summoned great courage. He wanted to test Chu He's intentions and see if his own Family had a chance to get a piece of the pie.

Chu He set down his wine cup and looked at that Family Head with a calm gaze.

Being stared at like that, the Family Head's heart began to race, sweat beaded on his forehead, and he regretted his big mouth.

Chu He did not get angry; he merely smiled faintly, his voice carrying clearly throughout the venue.

“The Li Family's industries naturally belong to my Chu Family.”

These words were taken for granted, yet they caused many to feel a secret disappointment.

It seemed this Senior Chu intended to swallow it all alone.

However, Chu He's next sentence left everyone stunned.

“However, my Chu Family has never been good at managing such mundane matters.”

He glanced at Lin Waner beside him and continued, “From today onwards, all Medicinal Pill business within Qingyang City will be fully taken over by my Chu Family Pill Hall—formerly known as the Hundred Herbs Hall. The storefronts and herb fields left by the Pill Treasure Pavilion will also be incorporated under the Pill Hall.”

Hearing this, the crowd nodded one after another. This was expected.

“As for the rest,” Chu He changed the subject, “such as the casinos, restaurants, mines, transport companies...”

His gaze slowly swept over every Family Head present.

“I have decided to bring them out to develop them together with all of you.”

“What?!”

“Joint development?!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was in an uproar!

Everyone thought they had misheard.

Those were hens that could lay golden eggs! Chu He was actually willing to bring them out and share them?

This... what kind of magnanimity was this!

“Of course, it’s not for free.” Chu He's voice rang out again, suppressing all the discussion.

“Families wishing to participate need to show their sincerity. It can be funds, manpower, or your Family's unique techniques.”

“All industries will be unified and managed by the ‘Qingyang Chamber of Commerce’ established by my Chu Family. All participating families can receive year-end dividends according to the share you invest.”

“My Chu Family will take fifty percent. The remaining fifty percent will be distributed among you all according to your contributions.”

“I have finished speaking. Who agrees, and who objects?”

Chu He's gaze swept over the hall once more.

This time, no one dared to have the slightest doubt or disappointment.

Everyone's face was filled with wild joy and excitement!

This was a huge stroke of good fortune!

They had thought that with the rise of the Chu Family, the lives of these small families would become harder.

They never expected that instead of suppressing them, Chu He was willing to lead them to make a fortune together!

Although the Chu Family took the lion's share at fifty percent, the remaining fifty percent divided among these dozen or so families was enough to make their income several times higher than before!

More importantly, it was equivalent to clinging to the Chu Family's thigh!

Who would dare to provoke them in Qingyang City in the future?

“My Wang Family agrees! My Wang Family is willing to contribute one hundred thousand taels of silver to join the Chamber of Commerce!”

“My Zhang Family also agrees! My Zhang Family excels at Artifact Refining and is willing to provide all weapons and protective gear for the Chamber of Commerce!”

“My Liu Family...”

In an instant, all the Family Heads scrambled to express their stance, fearing that being a step behind would mean missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

City Lord Liu Xuan, watching this harmonious and fanatical scene, smiled bitterly in his heart.

He knew that Chu He's move was incredibly clever.

Using the Li Family's industries as bait, he had bound all the forces in Qingyang City to the Chu Family's war chariot without shedding a single drop of blood.

From now on, the Chu Family in Qingyang City would no longer be just a Family, but an unbreakable community of interests.

The Chu Family was Qingyang City.

Qingyang City was the Chu Family.

As the City Lord, he had completely become a mere figurehead... Late at night, in the stillness.

The grand banquet finally ended.

The Chu Family also returned to tranquility.

In the deepest part of the manor, in a newly built courtyard misty with Spiritual Qi, Chu He sat at a stone table with his two wives.

This was the future residence of their Family.

“Husband, your move with the ‘Qingyang Chamber of Commerce’ today was truly brilliant.” Lin Waner looked at Chu He, her beautiful eyes sparkling, “With just a little bit of sweetness, you made everyone in the city willing to work for you. Waner admires you.”

Although Qing'er didn't quite understand these business matters, she knew her husband had done something very remarkable. She gently poured a cup of tea for Chu He, her eyes full of worship.

“It’s nothing.” Chu He smiled, “Just a bunch of rabble. I only need them to help me handle some trivial matters so we don't have to bother ourselves. Our true focus is not here.”

He looked at his two wives, his expression becoming serious.

“Tonight, I want to talk to you about the future plans for our Chu Family.”

Qing'er and Lin Waner immediately sat up straight and listened intently.

Chu He first looked at Lin Waner.

“Waner, you need to get the Pill Hall on track as soon as possible. I need you to do three things.”

“First, basic Medicinal Pills like qi condensation pills and Body Tempering Pills must be put into assembly-line production. I don't require high quality, but the quantity must be sufficient. I want every collateral disciple of the Chu Family to be able to eat Medicinal Pills like candy.”

“Second, elite Medicinal Pills. You need to establish a core Alchemy team specifically to research and refine higher-level pills, such as Foundation Establishment Pills, Barrier-Breaking Pills, and so on. These are for the core members of our Family.”

“Third, and most importantly, is my son Chu Tian. With his Innate Spiritual Body, every stage of his growth requires the top-tier Medicinal Pills to assist him. This is your primary task. If you need any Heaven And Earth Treasure, just ask. Even if I have to poke a hole in the sky, I will get it for you.”

Lin Waner's heart surged with excitement, and she nodded heavily: “Rest assured, Husband! Waner will certainly fulfill the mission!”

Chu He then looked at Qing'er.

His gaze softened considerably.

“Qing'er, you are the Matriarch, the ‘Stabilizing Anchor’ of this home.”

“The Family's internal affairs, finances, and the management of servants will all be your responsibility. You are kind-hearted, but you also need the dignity of a Matriarch. Reward those who are loyal and punish those who harbor double intentions. You may decide on all matters, large or small, in the manor.”

“Additionally, when there are more children in the Chu Family, I plan to open a school to teach them to Cultivate. At that time, the management of the school will also be handled by you.”

Listening to the future Chu He described for her, Qing'er felt a warm current flowing through her heart.

She knew her husband was grooming her and trusting her.

“Mhm! Qing'er will listen to everything Husband says!” She nodded vigorously, her eyes full of happiness.

“Very good.” Chu He was very satisfied with the attitudes of his two wives.

One managing the internal, one managing the external.

One responsible for logistical support, one responsible for technical research and development.

The framework of his Family was now preliminarily established.

“Qingyang City is only our starting point.” Chu He stood up, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, his eyes flashing with a light called ambition.

“Our journey is to the wider world. My son Chu Tian's growth will inevitably attract the covetousness of countless people, among whom there may even be powerful enemies we cannot imagine.”

“So, we must become stronger as quickly as possible. Not just me, but our entire Family!”

Qing'er and Lin Waner were also infected by his heroism and stood up one after another, standing behind him.

“We shall advance and retreat together with Husband!”

Chu He turned back, looking at his two wives who were as beautiful as flowers.

One gentle as water, loyal and unwavering.

One brilliantly talented and full of ambition.

His heart was filled with lofty sentiments.

He thought of the core of the System—More Children, More Blessings.

Having one S-rank son had allowed him to leap from the fourth level of Body Tempering to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage.

What if... Waner also gave birth to an S-rank child for him?

Or even a stronger SS-rank?

Chu He's heart instantly became fiery.

He pulled the slender waists of his two wives into his arms and whispered into their ears with a mischievous smile.

“The future of the Family is a long and arduous road. I think tonight, we should add another bit of effort toward the great revival of our Family.”

Qing'er's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.

Lin Waner's cheeks were also flushed like clouds, beautiful beyond compare, but she did not dodge; instead, she boldly met Chu He's gaze.

“We shall follow Husband's lead.”

“Hahaha! Good!”

Chu He laughed loudly, holding one in each arm, and strode toward their massive bedroom, which was large enough to accommodate seven or eight people rolling around at the same time.

“Tonight, we shall add a new member to the Chu Family!”