Chapter 4: The Clan Leader Is a Bit Fierce

...

"Nephew, absolutely not." Wang Dinghai urgently advised, "Patriarch Liu is already forty years old with seasoned experience."

"Zhe'Er, you are too impulsive." Gongsun Hui also appeared flustered, "The clan leader's status is noble, he's the stabilizing force of the family..."

If it were a fight with Liu Yongzhou, they'd be happy to see it, after all, the power difference between the two sides is significant. But challenging Liu Shengye directly, the situation is too unclear and overly risky.

On the side, Liu Shengye secretly wiped a cold sweat, luckily, luckily, there's someone sensible in the Wang Family, they should really persuade this young clan leader of the Wang Family, what is this after all?

How can the main commanders of two armies have a life-and-death duel right off the bat, this is chaos.

Furthermore, he, Liu Shengye, had lived in comfort for many years and hadn't fought for a long time, a life-and-death duel is no joke.

"Aunt, Sixth Uncle." But Wang Shouzhe interrupted them directly, "The clan leader is also just a member of the family, as a member of the family, everyone has the right and obligation to shed blood and sacrifice for the survival of the family. Not to mention Ancestor Longyan..."

As he spoke, Wang Shouzhe's emotions grew agitated and indignant, as if about to erupt from repression, the last three words stopped abruptly, forcefully swallowed back down.

"Shouzhe!" Wang Dinghai was suddenly flustered, and hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Ancestor Longyan, she won't..."

"Don't worry, she's fine." Wang Shouzhe's face was a bit pale, "I'm just distressed that Ancestor has devoted too much for the family in her lifetime, it's time for us juniors to step forward and spill some blood."

However, no matter how one saw it, what he said seemed like a cover-up.

With that said, Wang Shouzhe turned and stared at Liu Shengye: "Patriarch Liu, since there are so many conflicts between our families, why not take this opportunity to settle it. You and I sign a life-and-death duel agreement, the loser withdraws from the Anjiang Fishery, and the family will not pursue it." His words carried a sense of finality.

"Alright, Clan Leader Wang is indeed a young hero with blood and spirit."

"Since the two families have a conflict, why not resolve it by King against King."

The crowd watching, naturally did not mind the commotion, and the opportunity to see the leaders of the two major families engage in a personal life-and-death duel was a rare spectacle, so immediately, everyone hooted, raising the issue further.

"Damn! This kid is like a hungry wolf? Seeing his dodgy words, could it be... the rumors are true... if so, the situation changes." Liu Shengye shivered, frowned deeply, contemplated for a moment and had an idea, shifted the topic, and displayed a friendly, prosperous demeanor, "Dear Nephew, speaking of it, I and your father are old acquaintances, calling you Dear Nephew is not excessive, right? Our Ping'an Three Families have been rooted in Ping'an Town for many years, all are fellow villagers and neighbors, we should support and take care of each other. Such minor conflicts and contradictions, why go so far, why go so far."

"Then according to Patriarch Liu's meaning, are you preparing to compensate my Sixth Uncle's medical expenses?" Wang Shouzhe squinted his eyes, the corners of his mouth raising a sneering smile.

Compensate for medical expenses?

Liu Shengye's face darkened, but he has always been adept at enduring and pretending to be kind, so he smiled even more amiably, "Conflicts among fellow villagers and neighbors are inevitable, but this time since it's Yoongzhou's fault, we naturally have to admit it. Here are thirty Qian Gold, consider it an apology for Brother Dinghai."

After saying this, Liu Shengye took out three Gold Notes each worth ten Qian Gold, and smilingly stuffed them into Wang Shouzhe's hands, "It's said that Dear Nephew is a dragon among men, with potential no less than the Ancestor Longyan of those years, and will certainly become the backbone of Ping'an Town in the future."

Thirty Qian Gold?

Wang Shouzhe, who had merged with his memories, knew this was already a huge sum, so he immediately decided to accept it with a smile: "Patriarch Liu is the true stabilizing force of our Ping'an, Shouzhe has just assumed the position of clan leader and shall rely on the guidance of Patriarch Liu in the future."

Certainly! Certainly!

After a hearty laugh or two, Liu Shengye left the Deepwater Wharf District with his Household Generals and Liu Yongzhou.

The crowd gathered to watch, seeing that there wasn't an actual fight, let out sighs of regret and disappointment, as if missing out on a major spectacle, they dispersed in twos and threes.

"Still, the nephew has means." Wang Dinghai seemed to let out a breath of foul air, happily said, "With a few words, he turned the situation around and let that old fox Liu Shengye willingly apologize."

Yet Gongsun Hui did not show any sign of happiness, her brows knitted with concern instead.

"Sixth Uncle, Aunt, since we're here, why not board Sixth Uncle's ship and take a look." Wang Shouzhe smiled, "I've never gone to sea with Sixth Uncle since I was little."

"Okay, okay, then Sixth Uncle will take you for a good play." Wang Dinghai said happily, "Later, I'll show you a fishing technique."

As they were about to board the ship, Wang Shouzhe called several Household Generals to him and whispered some instructions. The generals understood, saluted, and scattered to carry out their tasks.

Wang Shouzhe then, together with Gongsun Hui, followed Wang Dinghai toward the Deep Water Berth.

Meanwhile.

Outside Dingpu Ferry, Liu Yongzhou's youthful face flushed with difficulty: "Patriarch, we agreed to take a bite out of the Wang Family, how did it end with us apologizing?"

"Yoongzhou, you are still too young." Liu Shengye said smoothly, smiling with hands behind his back, "As the saying goes, everything has its time and place; given the current situation, we must not only avoid proactively provoking the Wang Family, but also be cautious at every juncture to prevent conflicts."

"Patriarch..." Liu Yongzhou was slightly annoyed and puzzled.

"According to my analysis, the old and immortal Wang Longyan is already at the end of her days." Liu Shengye squinted, with intelligence seemingly at his fingertips, "The Wang Family right now is like a dying sick tiger, it's the most dangerous time. If we push too hard, it might provoke a crazy retaliation. Although our Liu Family is unafraid, we don't want to let the Zhao Family benefit from the side."

Wang Longyan!

This name is a poisonous thorn stuck in the throat of the Liu Family, one day she doesn't die, the Liu Family won't dare to completely tear face with the Wang Family.

"Is this true, Patriarch?" Liu Yongzhou was inexplicably excited.

"Previously, Wang Longyan remained in seclusion and didn't appear even during such a major event as the change of the Wang family leader, I had three to four guesses." Liu Shengye sneered coldly, "Observing that new Jongze Wang Shouzhe is so impatient as to stake everything for a life-and-death fight with me, it confirmed seven to eight of my conjectures. Hehe, I won't let him have his way. Soon two to three years, or in four to five years, when Wang Longyan dies..."

"Patriarch? It will take that long?" Liu Yongzhou was a little dumbfounded.

"What do you know? The rise and fall of a family can't be achieved overnight? We Liu Family have waited for so many years, a few years can't be endured?" Liu Shengye flicked his sleeve and, supported by his Household Generals, boarded the carriage, "Moreover, before Wang Longyan dies, our Liu Family has a lot of preparatory work to do. We won't provoke the Wang Family in any way we can. We have a lot of things to prepare before her passing. Just be patient."

"Understood, Patriarch." Liu Yongzhou suppressed his anger, yet helplessly had to see Clan Leader Liu Shengye's carriage leave.

...

Meanwhile, Wang Shouzhe had left several Household Generals at the dock performing their tasks, while he and Aunt Gongsun Hui boarded Wang Dinghai's medium-sized fishing boat named "Dinghai". The ship was approximately of a medium size, as seen from its sails indicating it was a sail-powered vessel.

Wang Dinghai instructed the ship's crew to set sail from the harbor and wanted to enthusiastically introduce the various facilities on the ship to Wang Shouzhe, but Gongsun Hui, with a serious look, said, "Zhe'Er, Sixth Uncle, let's talk at the stern."

The two of them obediently followed her to the stern. The ship had a slight sway and started to move out of port.

As they gathered, Gongsun Hui sighed and said, "Zhe'Er, Sixth Uncle, we've already arrived, this is important."

"Okay, okay, then Sixth Uncle will show you a good time." Wang Dinghai said happily, "Later I'll show you a fishing stunt."

Just before boarding the ship, Wang Shouzhe called several Household Generals to his side and whispered some instructions to them. Understanding, the generals saluted and spread out to carry out their tasks.

Only then did Wang Shouzhe, together with Gongsun Hui, follow Wang Dinghai toward the Deep Water Berth.