**Chapter 10: Cooperation**
Chen Da Niu and Chen Fangfang went to Xu Chuan's house again, just in time for lunch.
Bai Jing naturally welcomed them.
Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan didn't go to the village school—they studied at home on their own schedule. Sometimes, the Chen siblings would bring their school textbooks and homework for the two brothers to reference.
It had to be said: Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan were intelligent. Their knowledge was no worse than the schoolchildren's, and their understanding of the world was broader.
In real life, they were even better.
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**Three nights later.**
Chen Erzheng stepped through the evening glow, carrying a bottle of fine yellow sorghum wine, and walked into the Xu family's yard.
"Sister-in-law, is my brother-in-law back?"
Seeing Bai Jing in the hallway in front of the main hall, supervising Xu Mingyuan practicing calligraphy, Chen Erzheng shouted with a smile.
"Your brother-in-law should be back soon. If you have something to discuss, sit down and wait a while. Stay for dinner."
"Thank you, sister-in-law. This is good wine I stole from my father—he's been hiding it for more than ten years. There's not much left."
Bai Jing smiled in surprise, took the wine, put it away, and brought him a stool.
Chen Erzheng looked at Xu Mingyuan's calligraphy and nodded. "This is better than my Big Ox's writing. Your sister-in-law teaches well."
"How could I? You know your brother-in-law Chuan Ge does all the teaching. I just supervise them to complete the assignments their father gives every day."
"Chuan Ge's level of learning—he could be a teacher at the village school."
Bai Jing smiled quietly. Hearing others praise her husband naturally made her heart glad.
"What are you talking about, so happily? Here you are, Second."
Chen Erzheng turned to look and saw Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei walking with hoes over their shoulders, their trousers rolled up. Xu Mingwei also carried a wooden bucket in his hand.
"Chuan, you're back."
Xu Mingwei handed the wooden bucket to Bai Jing and grinned. "Mother, Dad and I caught a lot of field snails today."
"Oh, quite a lot." Bai Jing smiled. "But field snails need to sit in water for a day or two, otherwise they'll have mud in them. That'll be for you, Dad, and Second Uncle to go with your wine."
"Second, do you have something to discuss? Let's talk. Dinner will be a little longer."
Chen Erzheng nodded.
Just then, Xu Minghu saw Xu Chuan return. He trotted over and demanded that Xu Chuan play with him.
Xu Mingwei scooped up Xu Minghu. "Tan Tan, big brother will play with you. Big brother will do some boxing and show you."
"Okay, okay! I want to watch the punches!" Tan Tan clapped his hands happily.
Xu Mingwei set him down and began practicing his forms. With each punch, the air let out a series of sharp pops.
Chen Erzheng was startled. He stared at Xu Mingwei practicing in the courtyard for a long while.
"Chuan, Shitou is amazing. He looks like a real warrior. In a few more years, I'm sure he'll become a true martial artist."
Chen Erzheng's understanding was ultimately limited.
If his brother had been there, he would have seen at a glance that Xu Mingwei was already a powerful warrior—born one.
To become a third-rate warrior, you only needed to open thirty-six acupoints.
After so many years, Chen Daming was still only a second-rate warrior. Though he had some talent for martial arts, it was only average. He would likely remain a second-rate warrior for life.
"My brother also said that you wouldn't be able to practice the *Minor Dragon Elephant Skill*. I think he has no talent for judging."
Chen Erzheng laughed twice. "Next time I see him, I'll definitely tease him a bit. I don't know how his Green Jade Pear trees are doing."
"Alright. Tell me—what did you come to see me about today?"
Chen Erzheng said, "The other day, Aiyuan talked to my two kids. I think his idea is very good."
"Now, you've built the Xu family up to a certain scale. If you want to expand again, you can't do it alone. You know I'm fairly idle—I don't mind handling things. You can let me do the work."
"That would be great."
"Does Uncle Chen agree?"
"My father thinks very highly of you. As soon as I told him, he agreed. He said I've finally got a clear head."
Xu Chuan smiled. "Then which cooperation model are you choosing?"
"The second one—both families sell separately. Your family's profits are all yours. My family's profits—thirty percent."
"Thirty percent profit—that's not a small amount. Are you sure?"
Chen Erzheng patted his chest. "Even forty percent would be fine."
"Your kindness is enough. I appreciate it."
"Chuan, you're not saying no, are you?" Chen Erzheng looked a little panicked.
"No. I was going to say—twenty percent is enough. You do the planting yourself. It doesn't matter how much you produce. I'll only be responsible for guidance. As for selling—your family sells your share, but my family will also send someone."
"It's not that I don't trust you. It's just about being fair."
"Second, you're not planning to handle the sales yourself, are you? You're busy enough."
"Naturally not me—but someone from my family." Xu Chuan smiled. "He's very talented in business. Let him take time to follow you around, broaden his horizons. That would be a very good experience for him."
"Aiyuan is indeed sharp. Without him making this suggestion, I never would have thought of it."
Xu Chuan nodded. "Also, I suggest you talk to your brother. Use some of the money to hire a few honest, trustworthy martial artists—to prevent accidents."
"You're so thoughtful." After careful consideration, Chen Erzheng said, "I heard from my father recently that there's been a disaster in the west. A lot of refugees are coming our way."
"Is that so?"
Xu Chuan narrowed his eyes. He felt he should divine the good or ill fortune of this matter when he had time.
Lately, he'd been busy with farming and had only used his divination to predict the weather.
After the two agreed on the terms of cooperation, Chen Erzheng's anxious heart finally settled. He thought that when he went home tonight, he'd finally be able to sleep peacefully.
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**That night.**
Chen Erzheng got very drunk. Xu Mingwei had to help him walk home.
But on the way, someone suddenly jumped out. A stick came down on Xu Mingwei's head—
And broke into several pieces.
His hand loosened. Chen Erzheng fell straight to the ground with a groan.
Xu Mingwei turned his head to look.
Though the night was hazy, his eyes were anything but ordinary.
In the dark corner stood a ragged beggar, a wooden stick in his hand, his body trembling slightly. His eyes stared like a wolf's.
Seeing that he'd struck with all his strength yet the other party was completely unharmed, the beggar's eyes filled with disbelief.
"Who are you?" Xu Mingwei shouted.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the disheveled beggar turned and ran.
Xu Mingwei wanted to chase him, but Chen Erzheng grabbed his leg and shouted, "Mother... mother..."
Xu Mingwei couldn't leave Chen Erzheng alone there. He picked him up and carried him home.
Then he didn't forget to warn Xu Yan not to go out at night, telling her what had happened—how he himself had been struck.
If not for his strong physique, the two of them might have been robbed, or worse.
"Stay safe, Shitou."
When he got home, Xu Mingwei told Xu Chuan about the incident.
"A beggar?"
"Sounds like someone who's been displaced for a while."
"Don't go out after dark for now."
"I understand, Dad."
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