vstars Chapter 41 The Wang Family Seeks Peace, Li Xuan Demands a Price
Chapter 41 The Wang Family Seeks Peace, Li Xuan Demands a Price
In Qingyun County, the wind direction changes three times a day.
The news of Xu Cheng'an's defeat at Black Stone Mountain and his public admission of defeat spread throughout the county town in just half a day.
They were talking about it in the teahouse.
They were talking inside the tavern.
Even the old man selling vegetables knows this saying—
"The young master of the county town has been forced to kneel by the young patriarch of the Li family."
The shock this event caused was greater than how many spirit coins the Li family earned or how many shops they seized.
Because that means:
The Li family is no longer a small force in Qingyun County.
Instead, they are newly rich who can directly compete with powerful outsiders.
⸻
East Market.
The area in front of Li Family Shop No. 5 was packed with people.
People who originally bought spirit rice and healing powder are now mostly there to watch the excitement and share in the joy.
"Is this the Li family's shop?"
"I heard that the young clan leader was standing behind the counter doing accounts yesterday."
"Really? Someone of that stature personally tending the shop?"
"What do you know? That's called being pragmatic."
Li Yuanshan stood behind the counter, so busy that steam was billowing from his head, but his mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.
"queue!"
"One at a time!"
"Limit of 5 jin (2.5 kg) of Qingyu Lingmi rice available today!"
"I'll write down the name of anyone who cuts in line!"
The workers were running around so fast their feet barely touched the ground, while the accountant's abacus was clicking away furiously.
The daily turnover was nearly half as much as usual.
⸻
Li Yuanlie stood at the door with his sword in his hand, like a door god.
Looking at the crowded people, he frowned impatiently.
"Why are these people staring at me when they're just buying things?"
The waiter next to him whispered:
"Master...they're not looking at you."
"I want to see who defeated the young patriarch of the Xu family yesterday."
Li Yuanlie was immediately displeased.
"I'm also very good at fighting."
The guy wisely shut up.
⸻
The Zhao family residence.
Zhao Yuancheng, beaming with joy, personally visited the mountain with generous gifts.
He knew very well that the Zhao family had made the right bet this time.
If we say that what happened before was a collaboration...
Now is the time to latch onto someone powerful.
In the side hall, Zhao Yuancheng had just sat down when he greeted everyone with a smile and a cupped-hand salute:
"Young Master Li has made a name for himself in one battle, and no one in Qingyun County will dare to underestimate the Li family from now on."
Li Xuan held his teacup, his expression calm.
"You're too kind, Master Zhao."
Seeing that he was neither arrogant nor impatient, Zhao Yuancheng respected him even more.
It's not difficult for a young person to achieve success.
It's frightening when someone can remain stable after achieving success.
⸻
Just then, Chen He strode inside.
"Young clan leader."
"The Wang family has sent people."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Zhao Yuancheng's eyes lit up, and he instantly guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.
The Wang family can't hold on any longer.
⸻
After a while.
A middle-aged steward was led into the hall, looking reserved and no longer displaying the arrogance of the Wang family.
The man who came was named Wang Fu.
He was the former manager of the Wang family grain store in the East Market.
He bowed and clasped his hands as soon as he entered the room.
"Greetings, Young Clan Chief Li. Greetings, Clan Chief Li."
Li Tianheng sat at the head of the table, his expression indifferent.
"What is it?"
Wang Fu took a deep breath and forced himself to speak:
"My master has sent me here... to negotiate peace."
Zhao Yuancheng almost spat out his tea.
It's really here!
The Wang family, who had been suppressed in Qingyun County for twenty years, actually took the initiative to come to the Li family to negotiate peace!
⸻
Li Yuanshan was stunned when he heard this as soon as he entered the room.
"Peace talks?"
"Do they even deserve it?"
Li Yuanlie walked in carrying a knife, grinning.
"Are we outmatched?"
Wang Fu's face flushed red, but he dared not utter a single word in response.
The situation has changed now.
The Wang family has no right to be assertive.
⸻
Li Xuan looked calmly at Wang Fu.
"How should we discuss this?"
Wang Fu quickly replied:
"The patriarch said that the Li and Wang families had no mortal feud and were both local families of Qingyun County, so they should not suffer mutual destruction."
"If the Li family is willing to stop, the Wang family is willing to give up two shops in the East Market and compensate three thousand spirit coins as a sign of sincerity."
As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the people in the hall varied.
A month ago, these terms would have been considered exorbitant.
But it can be placed in today's context—
too low.
⸻
Zhao Yuancheng lowered his head and drank his tea, forcibly suppressing a smile.
Wang Tonghai hasn't come to terms with reality yet.
They're still using the same old attitude to negotiate.
Li Yuanshan was so angry he laughed.
"Two bunks?"
"Three thousand spirit coins?"
"Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar?"
Li Yuanlie nodded seriously.
"That's definitely less."
"At least one more arm is needed."
Wang Fu's forehead was sweating.
The Li family members are all so difficult to deal with.
⸻
Li Tianheng didn't speak, but only looked at Li Xuan.
These days, he's used to letting his son make the decisions for such important matters.
Li Xuan put down his teacup, his tone indifferent.
"Go back and tell Wang Tonghai."
"Peace talks are possible."
Wang Fu's eyes lit up.
But the next moment, Li Xuan continued:
"First, the Wang family will withdraw from all businesses in Dongshi."
"Secondly, compensate with 10,000 spirit coins."
"Third, hand over 30% of the Wang family's pharmaceutical distribution to the Li family for operation."
"fourth--"
Li Xuan's eyes turned slightly cold.
"Wang Tonghai personally went to Black Stone Mountain to apologize."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Wang Fu's face turned deathly pale.
This is hardly a peace negotiation.
This is like cutting off flesh and bleeding it out, then stomping your face into the ground.
⸻
Zhao Yuancheng's heart pounded wildly.
ruthless.
It's too cruel.
If the Wang family truly agrees, although they won't be wiped out, they'll be essentially crippled.
Li Yuanshan was thrilled.
"The young clan leader is right!"
"Add some more warehouse space!"
Li Yuanlie nodded as well.
"And the arm."
Wang Fu almost burst into tears.
Can you guys please stop worrying about my arm?
⸻
Wang Fu said in a trembling voice:
"Young Clan Chief Li... these conditions are a bit too harsh."
Li Xuan looked at him indifferently.
"Heavy?"
"When the Wang family launched a night attack on my mountain gate, destroyed my spiritual fields, and sought outside help to suppress the Li family, did they feel it was too much?"
"Now that we can't afford to lose, are we talking about priorities?"
With just one sentence, Wang Fu was left speechless.
⸻
Li Xuan waved his hand.
"Pass on the message."
"If no reply is received within three days—"
"I personally went into the city to collect the debts."
Wang Fu trembled and quickly took his leave.
When I left the Li family ancestral home, my back was soaked with cold sweat.
He suddenly understood.
Now, the Li family truly holds the initiative.
⸻
After Wang Fu left, the atmosphere in the hall became much more relaxed.
Zhao Yuancheng couldn't help but ask:
"Does the young clan leader think Wang Tonghai will agree?"
Li Xuan smiled faintly.
"Won't."
Zhao Yuancheng was taken aback.
"Then why set conditions?"
Li Xuan looked towards the county town.
"Because I'm not waiting for him to agree."
"It's to let the whole county know—"
"The Wang family has fallen so low that they have to beg for peace."
Zhao Yuancheng gasped in shock.
This young man even uses peace negotiations as a scheme.
⸻
A look of relief flashed in Li Tianheng's eyes.
The Li family used to rely on him to stay afloat.
Now, Li Xuan is able to lead the entire family forward.
⸻
at the same time.
The Wang family ancestral home.
Wang Fu knelt in the hall and repeated Li Xuan's words verbatim.
Snapped!
Wang Tonghai slammed his hand on the armrest, his face turning ashen.
"This is outrageous!"
None of the elders echoed this sentiment.
Because everyone knows that.
Li Xuan dares to speak like this now because he truly has the qualifications.
After a long silence, an elder whispered:
"Master..."
"If we don't agree, the Li family might really have to go into the city."
The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive it was suffocating.
⸻
Black Stone Mountain.
Night fell.
Li Xuan stood in front of the fifth mu of spirit-gathering field, surrounded by swirling spiritual mist that made his figure appear hazy.
The system panel slowly appeared in my mind:
The enemy proactively sought peace.
[Increased Family Prestige]
[Family Luck +18]
[Current Luck: 500]
[Milestone Achieved: 500 Qi]
[Reward Preview: The Sixth Acre of Spiritual Field Unlocked]
Li Xuan's eyes brightened slightly.
The Wang family hasn't fallen yet.
But the Li family's next move came next.
He slowly raised his head and looked at the lights of Qingyun County.
"Three days later."
"It's time to close the net."
Chapter 41 (End)