Chapter 88: The Tao Family, a Brewing Clan

After leaving the jewelry shop, Li Xuan looked up at the sky; although it was already afternoon, the sky was still early, so he headed back to the building materials store to continue purchasing.

Not until the sun set did Li Xuan fill his belt and prepare to set off back to the manor.

By then the sky had turned completely dark; Li Xuan sighed, decided to depart tomorrow, and checked into an inn in Tian Dou City, waiting for sunrise to return to the manor.

……

Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Li Xuan bought several carts for hauling goods, loaded them, and then set off with a few loads of building materials toward Chunqiu Jiuzhuang.

Since Chunqiu Jiuzhuang will also need its own transport, these carts could be used directly; accompanying the convoy were several shop assistants from the building materials shop, who also had their own carts, and after delivering, they would return on their own.

Because they were following several carts, Li Xuan's party moved slowly and only arrived at Chunqiu Jiuzhuang in the afternoon.

After dismounting the carts, a few shop assistants from the building materials store boarded another cart and left, leaving only Li Xuan and the building materials in the carts.

Li Xuan found a few slaves, drove to the winery, and the Yellow Turban Warrior immediately unloaded the building materials.

Li Xuan also unloaded the building materials stored in the Void Pearl and Kongming Crystal, placing them on the open ground.

"Warrior, my storage capacity is limited; I'll go back to Tian Dou City tomorrow or the day after and should be able to bring all the materials back. We'll make do for now," Li Xuan said with a smile to the Yellow Turban Warrior.

"Thank you for your hard work, Immortal Master; these materials should be enough to build the basement, secret passages, and Wine Cellar, though it will take a month or two to complete," the Yellow Turban Warrior said, smiling at Li Xuan and nodding.

"How's the village at the foot of the mountain?" Li Xuan asked again.

"We had some leftover materials from dismantling the manor that couldn't be used for the new manor, so we gave them to the people at the mountain's foot to build houses. Over thirty homes have been built, and by tomorrow night we should have a hundred, enough for two thousand people to stay," the Yellow Turban Warrior reported to Li Xuan.

"Haha, looks like I'm not the one working hard; you all are," Li Xuan said with a laugh, shaking his head.

"No need for flattery, Immortal Master; this is what we ought to do," the Yellow Turban Warrior said with a smile, nodding.

"Everyone, keep busy; I'll go out again tomorrow or the day after, and when I return I should be able to bring all the building materials back," Li Xuan said with a smile, clasped his fists, turned, and left.

After seeing Li Xuan leave, the Yellow Turban Warrior returned to the construction site to continue working.

After leaving the manor, Li Xuan arrived at the foot of the mountain.

This time the slaves he bought included not only farm laborers but also a family that brews wine; Li Xuan came to evaluate the worth of this brewing family.

With the Yellow Turban Warrior's assistance, near the fields, Li Xuan saw a brand‑new village.

At that moment many slaves were rinsing rice and cooking in the village, preparing dinner.

But the slaves, terrified upon seeing Li Xuan, all turned and walked back.

Yesterday Li Xuan showed his power, truly frightening them out of courage; after all, a person who can control their life and death exerts overwhelming oppression.

At that moment, the overseer of the place ran out of the village. "Greetings, Master," the overseer said, throwing himself flat on the ground and kneeling before Li Xuan.

"Stand up; from now on you need only bow, not kowtow, when we meet. By the way, where are the people who brew wine?" Li Xuan waved his hand, telling the overseer to rise, then continued questioning him.

"In answer to you, Master, this family all lives within the village under my jurisdiction; would you like to see them?" the overseer asked cautiously, looking up at Li Xuan.

"Bring me the clan leader of their family; keep the others still," Li Xuan said, nodding at the overseer.

"Yes, Master," the overseer replied, then hurried away, returning to the village to find the clan leader of that family.

Li Xuan, on his own, found a spot, sat on a large stone, and quietly observed the surroundings.

After a short while, the overseer returned with a thin middle‑aged man.

He wasn't tall nor particularly robust; his features were fairly angular and somewhat handsome, but his eyes held little spark, clearly showing he had been beaten often while enslaved.

"Greetings, Master. I am the Clan Leader of the Tao Family, Tao Lin," Tao Lin knelt directly before Li Xuan, his tone tinged with fear and worry.

"Stand up; I bought you to brew wine for me. Rest assured, I will provide the best cultivation environment and the finest winemaking materials; as long as you produce the final exquisite wine for me, that's all." Li Xuan smiled slightly, then stood and helped Tao Lin to his feet.

"I am willing to lay my liver and brain on the ground for you, and will not stop until death!" Tao Lin knelt again, solemnly promising.

Because the Tao Family is a brewing lineage, with many members and a high price, they had been in the Slave Market for several years; now that they have finally escaped the Slave Market, they are extremely excited.

They are, however, very fearful of Li Xuan's methods.

"How about this: you and your clan leave this village with me; I will arrange a new residence for you, provide sufficient food, and you can start brewing wine right away," Li Xuan said immediately to Tao Lin.

"Yes, Master. I will go fetch my clan members now," Tao Lin said, scrambling to his feet and heading into the village.

Li Xuan didn't stop him; soon, Tao Lin returned leading a group of over thirty people to Li Xuan.

Among them were old and young, men and women; although they differed in many ways, they all shared gaunt, sallow faces and dull eyes.

"Now that you're in my domain, you will be my people. But before that, I will place a seal on you; if it triggers, you'll die a worse death than those who perished yesterday. In return, I can treat you as true confidants and grant you great benefits. Understand?" Li Xuan stood on a stone, his expression cold as he looked at them.

Although they wanted to refuse, they knew they had no means to do so.

"Please, Master, do as you wish," Tao Lin sighed, then approached Li Xuan and respectfully bowed.

"Please, Master, do as you wish!" the other members of the Tao Family also bowed to Li Xuan, then in unison said.

It seems this family, though ruined, still has strong cohesion, and Li Xuan is quite satisfied.

Ladies and gentlemen, happy weekend! (End of chapter)