From a humble farmer to a great martial arts master

59. Scenery

"Slow down, slow down, hold my hand..."

A carriage stopped in an alley in the inner city's Tianyifang district. Ren Qingshan helped Xiao Cui down from the carriage with great care.

The house has been bought for 1,900 taels of silver. Although it was an expense, it will solve the problem once and for all.

Perpetual ownership.

A large house that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Besides, the child is about to be born, so it's convenient to live in the city, where conditions are better in every way.

After tidying up the house, Ren Qingshan immediately returned to the village and brought his wife over.

"What a beautiful house..."

Her face radiated maternal warmth. As she entered the gate, she felt somewhat uncomfortable amidst the greetings from the servants and maids. She looked at Ren Qingshan with a slightly embarrassed expression and spoke softly.

It is very beautiful.

The courtyard has two sections. The front courtyard is where the gatehouse and servants' quarters are located, and a peach tree is already in bloom.

"Let's go take a look at the inner courtyard."

Ren Qingshan smiled and helped her into the inner courtyard.

The courtyard is paved with bluestone, with a clear pond in the middle where lotus buds are just beginning to emerge. There are three main rooms and two side rooms on each side. Although it is not particularly large, it is quiet.

"Master, you...you've worked so hard."

She watched silently, her eyes shimmering, and a few tears were faintly visible.

Wealth and honor are earned through blood and sweat.

Although I don't understand any grand principles, and I don't know how much suffering men endure outside, just thinking about it makes me feel like I'm on the verge of death.

"Hey, why are you saying all this?"

"We each have our own roles. You give birth to children and take care of the household, while I work hard outside to earn money to support the family."

Ren Qingshan laughed lightly, helped her into the room, and called a maid to come in and boil water for tea.

Everything at home has been prepared; a doorman, a cook, and two maids have been hired.

The gatekeeper, Old Li, and the cook, Sister Fang, were hired by the child dealership. They were honest and hardworking. The two maids, named Tao'er and Xing'er, had signed indentures and were gentle and obedient.

This matter was handled personally by Ren Yaokang, demonstrating the rigorous selection process by the government, and there were absolutely no problems.

"Madam, please have some tea."

Xiao Cui had never enjoyed such service before. Looking at the two of them, she couldn't help but think of her own past. Her face softened, and she smiled as she asked about the situation.

Ren Qingshan sat with her for a while, explaining everything he could think of. Seeing that she was a little tired, he helped her into the bedroom to rest.

Only then did he go out.

In this world, it is common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, but Ren Qingshan would never mistreat his wife who had stood by him through thick and thin.

Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things.

……

Crackle, crackle!

Two strings of bright red firecrackers went off on the street, exuding a festive atmosphere and attracting passersby to stop and look at the sign above.

Qingshan Rice Line.

Four neat, square regular script characters, with a line of smaller characters at the bottom right corner reading: "Inscribed by Fang Anzhi in the spring of the year Yi Si."

"Anzhi" is Fang Yanping's courtesy name. This signboard was commissioned by Ren Qingshan and was written by him. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell at a glance, which can save unnecessary trouble.

Originally, Fang Yanping was unwilling to do these things, but when he saw the couplets provided by Ren Qingshan, he gladly agreed.

First line: Rice fills countless granaries, yet we only seek a small profit to make ends meet.

The second line reads: "The scales are accurate for a thousand years; may fair prices bring peace to the people."

Horizontal scroll: We don't sell expensive rice.

Compared to other rice shops, this business philosophy is truly unique.

After all, most grain stores make a meager living on ordinary days and only get rich during famine years; none of them would make such a promise.

"Congratulations on your great fortune! May your wealth flow in abundantly!"

"Master Ren, my father asked me to come and present you with a congratulatory gift."

"Brother Ren, hahaha, what a great couplet!"

"Senior Ren, my master has sent a congratulatory invitation! Wishing you abundant wealth and a constant stream of guests!"

Congratulations were heard incessantly.

On one side of the entrance, Ren Qingshan, dressed in a blue robe, was chatting and laughing with passing guests. He said that instead of holding a housewarming party, they had already booked more than a dozen tables at the restaurant to celebrate the opening of the business.

This is the prestige of a late-stage Silver Blood True Qi martial artist.

In this county town, he was already second only to the six great jade marrow experts, so of course he was in the limelight.

But no one knew that Ren Qingshan... was now at the Jade Marrow level!

In the shop.

The three of them—Li Guangmin, the manager borrowed from the Lu family; Lu Jingsong, the newly accepted apprentice of Ren Qingshan; and Ren Xigen, a nephew of the Ren family—had a clear division of labor and were busy managing the business.

Li Guangmin was the old manager of the Lu family business. His family lived in the county town, and he was first invited to help out.

Lu Jingsong is a collateral branch of the Lu family. He is fourteen years old this year, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, big hands and long feet. Although he has not yet learned martial arts, he is mature beyond his years. When choosing disciples, Ren Qingshan selected him at a glance and took him in as a registered disciple.

Ren Xigen was the nephew who was the first to express his opinion when the ancestral hall was purchased; he was quite clever.

The area in front of the gate was bustling with activity.

A carriage slowly approached and stopped not far away. Lu Jiu led the way, followed by a portly man with a wealthy and dignified appearance, who strode forward with his head held high.

Ren Qingshan had a sudden thought and guessed the person's identity.

If there are no surprises, it should be Lu Haichuan, the head of the salt merchant Lu family and Lu Qingyi's father.

This person is really fat, probably weighing over 200 pounds.

However, Lu Haichuan was also skilled in martial arts when he was young, and was a Silver Blood Realm martial artist. However, he suffered a serious injury once, which caused his martial arts to decline. It was precisely because of this serious injury that he achieved what he has today.

On that occasion, he shielded a powerful figure in the canal transport from a fatal arrow.

Wealth earned by risking one's life.

"Lord Ren, hahaha, congratulations! I just returned from the prefectural city yesterday and heard that your shop has opened, so I came to offer my congratulations. I have prepared a small gift for you to accept."

Lu Haichuan smiled憨态可掬 (endearingly simple-minded), appearing exceptionally warm and even somewhat humble in front of such a large crowd.

"You're too kind. There's no need for such formality between our two families."

Ren Qingshan smiled and said, after exchanging pleasantries with him for a while and receiving a few other people, seeing that it was almost lunchtime, he took them to the restaurant next door.

As the guests gradually arrived and the restaurant became crowded, Lu Haichuan looked at everyone present and was secretly alarmed.

True Qi expert Zhao Qianfeng, Garrison Commander Niu Ben, Demon Suppression Division Liu Yunfei, Constables Guan Shanyue and Pang Ziyan, Silver Blood Martial Arts Fanatic Pang Ziqian, Eight Directions Martial Arts School Master Zhang Haolei, Tiger Subduing Martial Arts School's young talent Wang Jingyong, Flying Dragon Gang Leader Duan Feihong, Yushugou Gathering Hall's Li Yiming, Rice Industry Guild's Qian Fu'an... all of them are either rich or noble, and all of them are martial arts experts, starting from the Silver Blood level!

Someone of Liang Dachang's stature, the owner of Dachang Casino, could only serve tea and water as a guest here.

Although there are so many people here today, they are all just here to show their support, like casual acquaintances.

Even so, it is truly frightening.

What a huge honor!

Lu Jiu was equally shocked.

How long has it been?

How long has it been?

This Ren Qingshan already had such a illustrious reputation?

It seems that Kill One-Line Blade's formidable record has truly made him famous overnight and propelled him to great heights!

However... they have that ability.

Thinking of the precious sword, he had already told the master about it.

When the master came, he instructed that he would find a suitable time to speak privately, and that we should not cause any trouble for anyone during the grand opening.

To avoid causing trouble, the old man didn't bring Fang Yonggang with him when he came.

……

The atmosphere was warm and joyful as everyone ate and drank.

Wait until it's over.

It was already past mid-afternoon.

After finishing his social engagements, Lu Haichuan approached Ren Qingshan, saying he had some private matters to discuss and asked him to find a quiet private room on the spot, with Lu Jiu guarding the door.

"Brother Ren, we really owe you a lot for the Lu family's situation this time."

He first expressed his sincere gratitude before slowly getting to the point.

"Brother Ren, I have a favor to ask. Would you mind selling me the knife that Yixiandao left behind?"

……

……