Protect Our Patriarch

However, upon careful consideration, it's indeed quite reasonable. If the Jiaolong Business Firm weren't powerful enough, how could they have monopolized all the businesses along the An River?

Their annual profits must be astronomical.

With such enormous profits, whether it's recruiting or cultivating talent, it's a natural process.

This is the principle that the stronger you are, the more money you make, and the more money you make, the stronger you become. This rule applies universally in any world.

As the boat sailed down the river, Wang Shoujie and Sixth Uncle Wang Dinghai chatted casually, quickly leaving the Wang Clan's exclusive water territory behind. To the left was the vast Lianshi Beach, and to the right was the steep cliff.

The next section of the waterway belonged to the Zhao Clan of Ping'an Town. From Wang Shoujie's perspective, it was a economic zone divided among various powers after a long period of struggle.

After passing through more than ten miles of waterway, the right bank was the Shanyang region, the stronghold of the Gong Sun Clan. Compared to the small Ping'an Town, which was crowded with three aristocratic families, Shanyang Town had only two, with the Shanyang Gong Sun Clan's comprehensive strength far surpassing that of the Shanyang Cao Clan.

The marriage alliances of the aristocratic families were very particular, ensuring the continuation of their bloodlines while also serving as a means of alliance and diplomacy. Generally, families from the same region did not form marriage alliances with each other.

For example, the Wang Clan, Liu Clan, and Zhao Clan in Ping'an Town did not form alliances with each other. This implied a tacit understanding, a principle of "one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers," and they would eventually merge or be eliminated.

Similarly, when forming alliances with external families, they could not choose two families from the same region. For instance, since the Wang Clan was allied with the Shanyang Gong Sun Clan, they absolutely could not form an alliance with the Shanyang Cao Clan, which would be a grave taboo. In return, the Shanyang Gong Sun Clan would not form alliances with the Ping'an Zhao Clan or Liu Clan.

Therefore, the dozens of aristocratic families in the entire Changning Guard, although seemingly complex, were actually divided into five or six marriage alliance factions.

Wang Shoujie was appreciating the scenery along the way while organizing his thoughts. The development of his family's future had to take into account the factor of marriage alliances.

Take the Changning Xu Clan, for example. Currently, the Xu Clan had three Spirit Realms, with their strongest elder having reached the late Spirit Realm, comparable to the Wang Clan's strongest period. However, as in-laws, they still maintained a direct lineage alliance. The Xinmao Silkworm Farm's main business of sericulture also relied on the Xu Clan's existence. Not to mention other aspects, just the fact that the price of cocoons purchased from them was 20% higher than others showed that the Changning Xu Clan still cherished their relationship with the Wang Clan.

If one day Wang Shoujie achieved the Spirit Realm, wouldn't he also cherish the relationships with the Gong Sun Clan, Lu Clan, and others? Anyone could experience a decline, and who would have thought that the Wang Clan, once so powerful, would also decline?

"Guardian, look, that's the Zhao Clan's fishing fleet," Wang Dinghai suddenly exclaimed.

Wang Shoujie's gaze swept across the river, and he spotted a fishing fleet several miles away, with two medium-sized fishing boats among them. The dozen or so fishing boats were arrayed in a grand formation, indicating that their fishing fleet was more impressive than the Wang Clan's.

No wonder, with three aristocratic families in the small Ping'an Town area, the Wang Clan was currently the weakest. Firstly, the Wang Clan had always been plagued by misfortune, and secondly, they had to "thank" the Zhao Clan and Liu Clan for their joint suppression.

However, both the Zhao Clan and Liu Clan knew that if the Wang Clan were to collapse, Ping'an Town would become their battleground. The fact that they didn't form alliances with each other revealed their tacit understanding.

"Heh, they're still using the outdated casting net technology," Wang Dinghai said with a sneer, his sense of superiority rising as he steered the boat.

It was no wonder, since Wang Shoujie had taught him the fixed net technology. Wang Dinghai had secretly set up 30 fixed dredge nets at various hidden locations on both banks, with simple thatched huts nearby for two fishermen to take turns working and resting.

Moreover, those fixed dredge nets utilizing the principle of the seesaw were extremely easy to use, even for an ordinary young person, and didn't require much effort.

Fishing at night on the river was risky, unless necessary, and they usually set out at dawn and returned before dusk. The dredge nets, on the other hand, could be used for nighttime fishing without firelight, which was much safer than fishing on the river.

The fish's activity patterns also showed that they would gradually move towards the shore in the evening, as the shore offered more food opportunities, and the night brought them a sense of security.

Currently, during the fishing season, a single fixed dredge net can catch 1,000 to 2,000 catties of fish overnight, even with average luck. With exceptional luck, it can catch up to 4,000 to 5,000 catties.

With thirty dredge nets, the average daily catch is around 20,000 catties, which is a staggering 200 piculs of various seafood...

To maintain secrecy, Wang Dinghai has stopped operating the dredge nets during the day, dismantling them and covering them with grass. They are reassembled quickly in the evening, taking advantage of the night to catch fish.

After all, the daytime catch is much lower than the nighttime catch, so it's better to increase the secrecy measures.

As for daytime, to avoid raising suspicions, the fishing boats have to go out, even if it's just to catch a few dozen piculs of fish. Wang Dinghai is not satisfied with this and is thinking of ways to increase the number of dredge nets.

When Wang Dinghai reported this to Wang Shoujie in a low voice, Wang Shoujie was also deeply moved. The natural resources of this world are indeed incredibly rich. Even compared to the European and American countries renowned for their natural water resources, this world is far superior.

"Sixth Uncle, we should try to conserve resources as much as possible," Wang Shoujie said with a mix of admiration and concern. "In the future, we can release the smaller fish of the same species."

"That's not possible," Wang Dinghai said with a glare. "These are all worth money, and we catch over ten piculs every day." He paused, unable to bear Wang Shoujie's gaze, and said with a forced smile, "If you really have an opinion, we can have the boat workers gather the small fish and release them into the Fengshui River, considering it our own conservation effort. I can just add a few more dredge nets and catch more big fish."

"That's okay," Wang Shoujie said, knowing that the older generation of the family is too poor and that every extra coin counts. As for advanced ideas like protecting natural resources, it's hard to change their mindset overnight.

The boat sped up, soon passing by the Zhao Clan's fishing boats, which were about two miles away, and gradually moving further away.

From the Fenggu Gate to Donggang, the water route is approximately 120 miles. With favorable winds and currents, they would arrive in about two and a half hours.

Here, the river surface is even broader, forming a large trumpet-shaped mouth. The water flow slows down, and the left bank of the river is the endless Six Flat Mountain range.

The Six Flat Mountain range and its surrounding areas are extremely dangerous, belonging to the unexplored and perilous regions outside the cultivated land. The deeper you go, the more ferocious the beasts become, and even a Spirit Realm ancestor might fall if they venture in recklessly.

On the right bank of the river, there is a vast plain. According to Wang Shoujie's observations on the map and on site, this should be a large alluvial plain.

This fertile land is where the famous Donghai Garrison of Longzu County is located.

Donggang Town is the easternmost extension of the Changning Guard region, adjacent to the Donghai Garrison area.

Donggang's geographical location is extremely advantageous, with a natural deep-water harbor. Over time, it has become a prosperous port with developed shipping and commercial trade.

The Chen Clan, a relative of the Wang Clan, is one of the prominent families in Donggang.

The Chen Clan is a family that has mainly engaged in the shipping business for generations, and although it's considered a relatively young family, having been established for less than a hundred years, it actually has two Spirit Realm ancestors.

The older ancestor is over 100 years old, while the younger one is in his 70s.

In addition, the current clan leader, Chen Dewei, has already reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm at the age of 42. He is currently making final preparations and gathering resources, and is expected to attempt to break through to the Spirit Realm within half a year to two years.

Once Chen Dewei succeeds, the Chen Clan of Donggang will become a three-Spirit Realm family, and their foundation will be even more solid.

It's clear that the Chen Clan of Donggang is quite exceptional in terms of financial resources and luck.

Wang Shoujie gazed at the thriving buildings of Donggang, feeling a sense of admiration. In comparison, the Wang Clan's luck had been somewhat lacking in the past.

Fortunately, with him, Wang Shoujie, things are different now.

Suddenly!

A ship emerged from the inner harbor, distinctive for its massive clan flag, which featured a golden bird flying over the sea.

On the lookout tower, a flag signaler was waving flags.

"Guardian," Wang Dinghai said with excitement, "that's a ship from the Chen Clan of Donggang, using flag signals to ask if we're guests from the Wang Clan. They must have sent someone to welcome us."

"Yes," Wang Shoujie nodded, having already sent a family member to inform the Chen Clan of their itinerary. The Chen Clan's welcome is a normal courtesy between the two families.

Wang Shoujie guessed that it was probably the young clan leader, Chen Fang Jie, who was about to become his brother-in-law...

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