Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Jiangdong.

It is a region conceptualized within this area, located on the southern bank of the lower reaches of the Celestial River of the Great Song Dynasty.

A thousand years ago, the Jiangdong region gradually developed into a prosperous area and became a key financial and tax hub for various dynasties.

At that time, due to great chaos, various forces declared independence on this land and became countries, with the Wu Clan controlling the Jiangdong region and establishing a regime called the Wu Kingdom.

Later, as the country was unified again, the Wu Clan conformed to the prevailing trend and submitted to the unifying emperor of the time.

After two more dynastic changes, the Wu Clan still stood strong in the Jiangdong region, swearing allegiance to whoever held power.

Ultimately, as the world fell into great chaos again, the Chu Clan established the Great Song Dynasty. To reduce the influence of the Wu Clan in the Jiangdong region, it faced oppression from the court and suffered devastating blows.

However, due to the deep-rooted influence of the Wu Clan in Jiangdong, where every aspect was dominated by them, and the Grand Ancestor Emperor's desire to swiftly stabilize the realm, the entire Wu Clan was not exterminated.

Only the main line of the Wu Clan was pruned, with its strongest branch eliminated, and a collateral branch of the Wu Clan was supported to reestablish the Wu Family.

At the same time, the Wu Family became one of the Seven Great Noble Families.

Compared to illustrious families like the Xiao Family and the Liang Family, the Wu Family's reputation outside Jiangdong was not very prominent.

And while the various noble families like the Xiao and Liang families expanded their influence and power through intermarriage, the Wu Family never married outside, whether it was the original main line or the new Wu Family.

Of course, the refusal to marry outside meant not marrying within Jiangdong, nor allying through marriage with other noble clans within Jiangdong or officials appointed by the court to Jiangdong.

In short, the Wu Family's marriages ensured their daughters only married Jiangdong men, and their sons only married Jiangdong women.

For outsiders wishing to marry Wu Family daughters, it required marrying into the family and settling in Jiangdong, and they also needed official status.

Linzhou is the throat for Jiangdong. If Jiangdong people wish to go out, they must travel upstream along the Celestial River, which requires passing through Linzhou.

Therefore, with Linzhou having a new owner, the Wu Family naturally is well aware of it.

The Wu Family Mansion.

This is the ancestral residence of the Wu Family, with a history of over a thousand years. Every brick and tile within the mansion holds a heavy historical imprint, stained with the blood and tears of the Wu ancestors.

In the main hall, male clan members of the Wu Clan are gathered.

A slightly dark plaque hangs in the hall, bearing four large red characters written a thousand years ago, reading "The Vast Ocean and Boundless Sky".

Sitting at the head is the septuagenarian clan leader of the Wu Clan, Wu Yanqing, seated on a master's chair made of huanghuali wood, older than his ancestors. His hands rest folded on a cane.

The hall is as silent as a cicada's winter, and Wu Yanqing sweeps his gaze over the clansmen, speaking softly: "Has everyone gone mute? Didn't you all usually have plenty to say?"

Seeing that no one still spoke, he looked at the middle-aged man sitting first in line on the right—his eldest legitimate son—and said, "Changlin, you start by discussing the current situation and your views on this Marquis of Pingting County."

"Yes, Father." Wu Changlin nodded, then said, "Currently, the world is in chaos, with numerous warlords rising, the most powerful being Xu Guozhong, who controls the Capital Camp with its 150,000 Imperial Guard. Next is Prince Huai, then King Chong, and afterwards, Luo Guang's Celestial Master Army, and...then the newly emerged Chen Army led by Chen Mo."

Due to Chen Mo's unknown personal strength and his emergence as a newcomer with little foundation, Wu Changlin placed him at the end.

However, despite being last, he posed the greatest threat to Jiangdong.

Seeing his father's nod, Wu Changlin began to speak his views on Chen Mo: "This man seems to have appeared out of nowhere, quickly making a name for himself. Despite his humble origins, he has, at less than the age of majority, a strength comparable to Liang Song.

Moreover, based on my current understanding of him, each time he acts, it surpasses ordinary expectations. When he was in Yu State, everyone thought he would dispatch troops to Longyou, yet he launched a surprise attack on Linzhou. It was believed he would leverage the move to threaten Linzhou and attack with the Celestial Master Army from two sides, but unexpectedly, he signed a non-aggression pact with Prince Huai."

"Indeed, Changlin, you have exerted considerable effort." Wu Yanqing leaned on his cane and said, "As the saying goes, when the world is in chaos, monsters arise. This man is precisely such a monster."

This is not meant as an insult.

"Father, according to military books, after Chen Mo has taken Linzhou, the next step should be to advance into Huai State or descend upon Jiangdong. Now that he has signed a non-aggression pact with Prince Huai, the target remaining is only Jiangdong." Wu Changlin furrowed his brows.

The faces of the clansmen in the hall also grew serious upon hearing this.

If Chen Army's next step were to descend upon Jiangdong.

Then the Wu Family faced three choices.

First, organize a defense of Jiangdong's sons, fighting to the death.

But the Wu Family historically lacked such tenacity in their bones.

Second, submit and surrender.

Third, pay for peace.

"Our people of Jiangdong have always been law-abiding, stable, and peaceful. For hundreds of years, due to the natural barrier of the Celestial River, we've been spared from war and disaster. Jiangdong has been peaceful for a long time, and starting a war now is not something I'd like to see." Wu Yanqing, being old, just wanted to hand over the reins to his son stably and did not wish to stir up trouble.

However, among the Wu Family, someone is bound to have a different viewpoint. A clan member said, "Patriarch, we don't need to rush into this. We hold the natural barrier of the Celestial River. From what I understand, Chen Mo's army lacks a navy, making it impossible to descend upon Jiangdong.

Furthermore, the water route to Jiangdong is only calm from September to October; at other times, the waters are turbulent, and now September and October have passed. Also, in naval battles, our Jiangdong disciples are second to none, with none daring to challenge us. We hold the advantage in a battle with them."

However, the Wu Family, having been peaceful for so long, preferred stability, and since the Wu Family was not short of money, it was better to buy peace than to fight.

Thus, a clan member suggested, "Patriarch, from what I understand, Chen Mo is only eighteen this year, unmarried though he has taken several concubines, showing his ambition and discernment in choosing a wife.

And our Wu Family, being an ancient and noble family, absolutely meets his standards. Why not marry into Chen Mo's family?"

"Unacceptable."

Hearing this, Wu Yanqing immediately opposed the idea. Marrying into Chen Mo's family would be akin to taking sides with him. He preferred stability and did not want to get involved in the various power struggles.

Paying for peace was different, as it did not involve deep entanglement.

However, his words were simply, "Wu Family daughters do not marry out."

The Wu Family decided to pay for peace.

But as the earlier clan member suggested, there's no need to hurry. If Chen Mo truly comes to Jiangdong to fight them, they will pay then.

If he remains inactive, they will continue to watch and wait.