80: With the dust settled, the crisis in Sujia Village has been temporarily resolved.

Su Family Village.

A strange carriage, kicking up dust, stopped at the village entrance, immediately causing a stir. For this impoverished and secluded mountain village, a four-wheeled carriage was a rare sight, something only wealthy families in town possessed. Any outsider could bring opportunities, or they could signal trouble.

Villagers busy in the fields straightened their backs, women sorting vegetables at their doorways stopped their hands, and even the children chasing and playing paused, all looking at the imposing carriage with curiosity and a hint of wariness.

Village Head heard the news, and his heart sank. His first thought was: Trouble has arrived! Is it those in town who are envious of the papermaking Workshop, or is it the people behind that mysterious Merchant Chen? He scurried to the village entrance, forcing a cautious and humble smile, but his heart was like a taut string.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a well-dressed, kind-faced, slightly plump middle-aged man stepped out.

Village Head immediately went forward, tentatively asking, "Sir, are you... looking for someone?"

The middle-aged man sized up the lean man before him, then looked at the apprehensive, simply dressed villagers behind him. He maintained his genial smile and did not directly state his purpose.

"Excuse me, who is Village Head Zhao?"

"That would be me, that would be me." Village Head grew even more nervous.

Only then did the middle-aged man take out a letter and an official document stamped with a bright red seal from his In my arms.

"My surname is Wang. I was entrusted to deliver this letter and document to Village Head Zhao. You will know once you read it."

He handed over the letter Su Ming had given him and the official document.

Village Head took them. When he saw the bright red seal of the County School, his hands trembled slightly, and his hanging heart finally settled completely.

It's done!

It's really done!

He opened the letter and quickly scanned it. In the letter, Su Ming clearly outlined the subsequent plans in concise language.

Reduce production, show weakness, share profits, keep secrets.

The sudden news momentarily stunned Village Head, followed by ecstasy! It wasn't trouble after all, but a massive patron actively presenting himself!

The caution and humility on his face were instantly replaced by excitement and awe. He was about to bow deeply to Mr. Wang, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "So... so it's Mr. Wang from the County School! Oh my! This old man is blind! I didn't know a distinguished guest was arriving, I apologize for the neglect! It must have been a tiring journey, a tiring journey!"

Although the villagers behind him didn't fully understand the specific meaning of the document, words like "County School" and "official seal," along with the Village Head's sudden change in respectful attitude, made them vaguely realize that a great person had arrived, and it was a tremendous good thing! Their gazes at the carriage immediately shifted from wariness to curiosity and awe.

Accountant Wang then smiled and lightly supported him, "Village Head Zhao, there's no need for such formality. I am here on the School Supervisor's orders to handle the Workshop handover matters. We can simply conduct official business."

Village Head Zhao carefully folded the letter and bowed deeply to Accountant Wang.

"Mr. Wang, I understand everything. You've had a tiring journey, please come to the village to rest. Simple food and tea have been prepared."

Accountant Wang smiled and waved his hand, "No need for a meal. The School Supervisor instructed that official business should be conducted without disturbing the villagers. I will go to the Workshop first to check the accounts."

Village Head Zhao quickly led him towards the Workshop.

The papermaking Workshop in Su Family Village was more... rudimentary than Accountant Wang had imagined.

A few semi-open thatched sheds, several large lime pits, and a row of wooden racks for drying paper were all there was.

The air was filled with a strange smell of lime mixed with wet paper pulp.

In the Workshop, only a dozen or so villagers were working, their movements listless. The entire scene appeared deserted, far from the bustling, lucrative picture he had imagined.

Su Yang, as instructed beforehand, handed over a "special" ledger.

Accountant Wang took the ledger and casually flipped through a few pages.

The accounts were very simple, income and expenditure were clear at a glance. It was just that the daily output and profit were pitifully small.

"Business hasn't been very good recently...?" Accountant Wang asked seemingly casually.

Village Head Zhao immediately put on a "just right" worried expression and sighed, "Alas, Mr. Wang, you don't know, our small Workshop relies entirely on the methods that child Su Ming haphazardly came up with. It was good for a few days recently, but once the news spread, several families in town became envious and sent people to threaten us and demand the formula. How can our small arm twist their big thigh? We had no choice but to temporarily stop and reduce production to avoid bringing about great disaster."

Village Head Zhao's words were half-truths, sounding reasonable.

Accountant Wang nodded, not asking any more questions.

His purpose for this trip was not to audit the accounts anyway.

Accountant Wang closed the ledger and smiled, "No matter. From today onwards, this place will bear the County School's plaque. Those people, I imagine, will no longer dare to be presumptuous. You just need to manage it well."

He looked around and then prepared to leave.

Village Head Zhao quickly stuffed a heavy cloth bag, which had been prepared beforehand, into his hand.

"Mr. Wang, this is a small token of gratitude from the Workshop to the County School for this month. It's not much, please pass it on for me. Also, this is for your tea money, please don't decline."

Accountant Wang weighed the bag in his hand, and his smile became more genuine.

"Village Head Zhao, you are too kind." He said, but his hand did not push it away. "Since that's the case, then I will accept it without being rude. Rest assured, I will report truthfully to the School Supervisor."

Accountant Wang accepted the silver, got into the carriage, and drove away amidst the respectful gazes of the villagers.

After seeing off Accountant Wang, Village Head Zhao stood at the village entrance, watching the dust raised by the carriage gradually settle. His heart was filled with mixed emotions. He touched the heavy document in his In my arms, stamped with the great seal of the County School, feeling as if he were dreaming.

A few days ago, he had been similarly anxious, carrying another equally heavy but entirely different item—two shares of dry stock agreements.

That was after Su Ming had settled down in the County School and entrusted someone to bring back a letter and sample agreements. The letter clearly stated that one was for Advisor Sun in town, and the other for Second Master Zhou Kang of the Zhou Family.

He gave the one for Advisor Sun one evening, waiting in the quiet alley behind the county yamen at the time Advisor Sun finished work.

Advisor Sun pretended not to understand, speaking in an official tone, but his shrewd eyes scanned the agreement. When he saw the words "half a percentage of dividends, paid quarterly" and the bright red village public seal, the smile on his face became a bit more genuine. He casually tucked the agreement into his sleeve, only vaguely saying, "Village Head Zhao, you are considerate. We are all working for the benefit of the local area, so I, this Advisor, will naturally give due consideration," then walked away with his hands behind his back.

Village Head Zhao knew that this first hurdle, where 'it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his imps,' had been opened with money.

Delivering the agreement to Zhou Kang made his heart pound even more. He bravely went to the Zhou Family's separate residence and, as expected, was met with a cold shoulder. Zhou Kang had a grim face, didn't even look at the agreement, and his words were full of sarcasm, complaining that the share of dry stock was too small, like alms for a beggar.

Village Head Zhao offered countless apologies at the time, but he remembered Su Ming's instructions. He bowed low, spoke with extreme humility, but also carefully embedded keywords like "School Supervisor," "County School pilot project," and "when the Workshop expands in the future, the profits will naturally rise" into his words.

As Zhou Kang listened, the impatience on his face gradually turned into surprise and uncertainty. He stared intently at Village Head Zhao, as if trying to discern from his face whether this was a threat or the truth.

Finally, as if he had thought of something, he snorted coldly, snatched the agreement with extreme impatience, glanced at the words "half a percentage of dividends, paid quarterly" on it, threw it onto the table with disgust, and squeezed out a single word, "Scram," through gritted teeth.

Village Head Zhao felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and quickly retreated, breaking out in a cold sweat. He knew that Zhou Kang had silently consented, but he had also remembered this humiliation. However, with money, he had temporarily bought a protective talisman.

Now, with the official document from the County School in hand, recalling it, Village Head Zhao more deeply realized the dangerous and ingenious nature of Su Ming's move. If it weren't for the County School's official supervision of a civilian-run enterprise, how could Zhou Kang have been content with just that small share of dry stock? He would have probably pounced on the Workshop and devoured it whole.

He dared not delay and immediately took Su Shan, carrying the first installment of "dividends" calculated according to the agreement terms, which had been prepared beforehand, and rushed to town again without stopping. This time, he also had an extra boost of confidence in his In my arms—that document from the County School.

The first stop was a small public office at the west end of town where Advisor Sun handled official business.

Advisor Sun was hunched over a desk, writing something. Seeing Village Head Zhao and Su Shan, his brows instinctively furrowed, and his tone carried his usual impatience: "It's you two again? What is it? Speak quickly, I'm busy here."

Village Head Zhao smiled apologetically, stepped forward, and subtly placed a money bag containing three taels of silver at the corner of the desk, covering it slightly with an official document.

"Advisor Sun, nothing else, just here to bring you good news." Village Head Zhao lowered his voice, his face adorned with just the right amount of respect and flattery. "Thanks to you, the official document for our village's small Workshop to be 'officially supervised and privately run' by the County School came down today. As per the agreement, this is the Workshop's quarterly dividend for its dry shares, and this is... a small token of appreciation. The Workshop is just starting, it's very difficult, not much, please don't dislike it. We'll still need your continued care in the future."

Advisor Sun extended two fingers and very naturally pushed the money bag into the drawer, his movements as smooth as if he had practiced countless times.

"Hmm, I see." Advisor Sun's tone softened considerably, even taking on a hint of "encouragement." "Since it's a pilot project personally decided by the School Supervisor, then work hard and don't make any mistakes. As for anything happening in town, I will naturally... well, handle it as I see fit."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Advisor Sun! Thank you, Advisor Sun!" Village Head Zhao repeatedly thanked him, pulling Su Shan as they bowed and retreated.

Zhou Kang was already fuming because his elder brother had turned that broken Workshop into some kind of "pilot project." When he saw Village Head Zhao and Su Shan arriving again with gifts, he didn't even offer a pleasant expression.

"What is it?" He sat in his grand armchair, holding a teacup, too lazy to even lift his eyelids.

Village Head Zhao smiled apologetically and placed an exquisite wooden box containing three taels of silver on the table, his movements more composed than last time.

"Second Master, as per the agreement, this is the Workshop's quarterly dividend for its dry shares. According to the regulations, it must be delivered to you on time."

Zhou Kang glanced at the wooden box from the corner of his eye. Hearing the sum of "three taels," and thinking of his elder brother's actions, anger flared in his heart. He snorted coldly, "Now you know to follow the rules?"

Village Head Zhao was not annoyed; he merely bent his waist lower, his tone steady: "Second Master, please calm your anger. It's a small business, just starting, and it's a troubled time, truly difficult. Fortunately, it now bears the County School's plaque, and the School Supervisor personally oversees it. Accountant Wang was sent to audit the accounts, saying that all future income and expenditure must be reported monthly."

He spoke as if to himself, yet also for Zhou Kang to hear: "The School Supervisor said that this 'officially supervised and privately run' pilot project is a first, and it must be made into an example. Once the Workshop's path is smooth and its scale grows, the profits will naturally... hehe, rise with the tide, rise with the tide."

These words struck Zhou Kang at his most vulnerable point. His hand, holding the teacup, froze mid-air.

Elder brother personally sent someone to manage the accounts? And it "must be made into an example"?

Even he, as foolish as he was, understood that this Workshop could not be touched now. At least not openly! If he were to cause trouble now for the sake of these few taels of immediate profit, ruining his elder brother's valued "political achievement," the consequences... Zhou Kang's face alternated between green and pale, and his fingers gripping the teacup turned white. Finally, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Understood, leave the things and you may go."

Village Head Zhao and Su Shan exchanged glances, a huge weight lifted from their hearts, and they bowed as they exited the door.

Stepping out of the Zhou Family's separate residence, Su Shan finally let out a long breath, his clothes drenched with sweat.

"Brother Dequan, is this... really going to work?"

"It's going to work!" Village Head Zhao's back was truly much straighter this time, his face filled with uncontainable joy and admiration. "Xiao Ming's move is called using strength to counter strength! With the School Supervisor, this deity, holding things down, even if Zhou Kang is greedy, he'll have to swallow his anger! From now on, we'll operate according to the agreement, and on the surface, no one owes anyone anything!"

He looked in the direction of the town, filled with emotion. That quiet mountain village youth had truly become a big tree that could shield the entire village from wind and rain.

Night fell, in Su Ming's Small Courtyard.

He had just finished a round of Cultivation when Zhao Rui rushed in like a gust of wind.

"Su Ming! My dad and your dad just came to the County School entrance to deliver a letter. They didn't call us because they were rushing. This is the letter my dad gave you!"

Zhao Rui craned his neck nearby, his face full of curiosity and... a hint of undetectable envy and sourness.

Su Ming unfolded the letter, quickly read it, and a smile appeared on his face.

Everything was going according to plan.

"My dad wrote to you? What did it say? Why didn't he write to me?" He fired off questions like a machine gun, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance and grievance at being ignored. His dad traveled all the way to the County School, only to bring a letter for Su Ming, not even seeing his own son?

Su Ming put away the letter: "Nothing major, just that the Workshop and home are well, and they want us to focus on our studies." He didn't elaborate on the specific details of the County School document, Zhou Kang, or Advisor Sun. Some things, the less Zhao Rui knew, the better.

Zhao Rui was visibly relieved to hear "nothing major," but hearing the words "focus on our studies" seemed to hit a sore spot. He then made an excuse and left the courtyard dejectedly.

The courtyard became quiet again.

Su Ming walked to the well, drew a bucket of water, and slowly washed his hands.

The cool well water flowing over his fingertips completely calmed his chaotic thoughts.

"Disciple, not bad. You've already mastered these worldly schemes quite well," Lin Yu's voice rang out.

"It's all thanks to Master's excellent teaching," Su Ming replied calmly.

"Stop flattering me." Lin Yu snorted, "Remember, these are all just techniques, external things. Your own strength is the Dao, the Foundation. This well is where your Foundation lies. Don't let these small victories blind you."

Su Ming nodded. He looked up at the crescent moon reflected in the well.

The moonlight was cold, and the water surface was deep.

The papermaking matter was finally temporarily concluded.

Using Zhou Wenhai, this big tree, and the title of "officially supervised and privately run," he had finally managed to cover this hot potato.

Although the hidden dangers were not completely eliminated, Zhou Kang, Advisor Sun, and even that mysterious "Merchant Chen" could still become future troubles, at least for now, it was temporarily confined within a relatively safe set of rules.

His gaze could finally break free from the invisible shackles of the mountain village behind him, pass over the green tiles and flying eaves of the County School, and cast itself towards the vast and unknown world beyond.

Cultivation, and the bizarre world of immortal cultivation that Master spoke of... all of this converged into a new journey, slowly unfolding before his eyes.

In this world, the only one he could rely on was himself.

He picked up the wooden bucket and once again poured a full bucket of ice-cold well water over his head.