As long as we clearly distinguish between the inner lineage and the Foreign Race, the roots of the inner lineage won’t be disrupted.

I’ve also thought about it. Even though they are of the Foreign Race, we should give them a generational naming sequence. It will make distinguishing them easier.

The generational sequence your grandfather established—’Guang, Zong, Yao, Zu, Xiao, Ren, Li, De, Fu, Ze, Chang, Yuan’—has only reached the ’Zong’ generation with you and your brother.

Therefore, I’ve also decided on a generational sequence for the Cheng Family’s Foreign Race members. We won’t call them the Foreign Race anymore, but the ’Earth Branch Lineage.’ The inner lineage will be the ’Celestial Branch Lineage.’"

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang was a little surprised and said with a laugh, "Father, where did you come up with those names? They sound a bit mystical."

But Cheng Guanghai’s expression remained serious, without a hint of a smile. "Watch what you say. The Cheng Family’s ancestors are protecting us. This also corresponds to the story of the Immortal Ancestor you made up. It all complements each other."

Cheng Zongyang’s lips twitched slightly when he heard the words ’ancestors are protecting’.

Ever since some of the elders saw that certain people couldn’t leave their names or any marks on the beast hide of the Immortal Ancestor’s Oath, they became firm believers that the Cheng Family’s ancestors were watching over them.

But Cheng Zongyang didn’t bother to explain, nor would it have been easy to. He let them do as they pleased and was happy for them to think that way.

As a result, in their future considerations, these elders had to be mindful of the ancestors’ influence. On the first and fifteenth of every month, they would go to the ancestral hall to solemnly make offerings.

This idea of the Celestial and Earthly Branches was something Cheng Guanghai had found while looking through some books, and he felt it was a fitting way to distinguish between the inner lineage and the members of the former Foreign Race.

Seeing his father’s earnest expression, Cheng Zongyang dropped his smile and said seriously,

"That works. So, what generational sequence have you chosen for them?"

Cheng Guanghai said, "For the men, it will be a sequence of ten characters: ’Yuan, Wen, Zheng, Jun, Ming, Jia, Shi, Dao, Yong, Chang.’ For the women, an eight-character sequence: ’Shou, Zhen, Xi, Shu, Fang, Zhen, Qi, Yu.’ I found all of these in the classic texts you brought back. Their meanings are quite auspicious."

Cheng Zongyang didn’t know much about such things, but if the elders thought it was fine, then there was no problem. "I have no objections," he said. "How do you plan to proceed?"

Cheng Guanghai shot his son a look. "Weren’t you the one who proposed this?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "That’s not what I meant. I was just wondering if you were planning to hold an ancestor worship ceremony to announce their induction into the clan?"

Only then did Cheng Guanghai nod. "Of course. When someone joins the Cheng Family, it must be announced to the ancestors. Although they are not related by blood, since they are joining, they will be treated as a collateral branch. As for the family registry, your cousin has already recompiled it according to your instructions. After the ancestor worship ceremony, we can add those sixteen people to the Earth Branch Lineage."

Cheng Zongyang then asked, "How many are male and female? What are the ages of the oldest and youngest?"

Cheng Guanghai replied, "Nine females and seven males. The oldest is a girl, the same age as you. The youngest is a boy of eleven. They are all orphans, and they all joined willingly. In the future, their chosen husbands can only marry into our family, which will help strengthen the Earth Branch Lineage."

Cheng Zongyang was silent for a moment before saying, "I will draft another Immortal Ancestor’s Oath, specifically for the people of the Earth Branch Lineage. This will also help protect the primary interests of the Celestial Branch Lineage."

"Good." Cheng Guanghai had no objection to this. ’With the ancestors’ protection, we don’t have to fear betrayal!’

’As long as the Cheng Family’s Main House doesn’t do anything outrageous or immoral, no one can harm us in the slightest.’

With the matter settled, Cheng Guanghai prepared to go back and check for an auspicious date. Once one was chosen, they could open the ancestral hall for the ceremony to induct the new members.

As long as they all signed the contract and became part of the Cheng Family’s Earth Branch Lineage, the clan would not be stingy with resources. They would receive better and more than any Outsider, letting others know the benefits of joining the Cheng Family.

"Oh, right, Father. Now that we’re starting to integrate the new members, there’s something else I envisioned that can be set in motion. It concerns the clan’s overall interests and long-term development. When you have a moment, please see how much public property the village has."

"Public property?" Cheng Guanghai was confused. "Isn’t all of it ours, the Cheng Family’s?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly. "It used to be. But once outsiders join and the contribution system is established, the line between public and private will be drawn, and it won’t just be about clan property anymore. Father, trust me on this. Have Second Aunt run the numbers. After the Earth Branch Lineage is formally established, I’ll explain it to everyone."

"Fine, always so mysterious." Cheng Guanghai shook his head, but he knew this concerned the clan and was aware of his son’s capabilities, so he wouldn’t stand in the way.

He then took six sticks of incense from beside the altar, lit them, and handed three to his son.

"You’ve been away for a few days. Come and offer some incense to the ancestors," Cheng Guanghai said.

Cheng Zongyang nodded, took the three incense sticks, and knelt, raising them above his head in reverence.

A moment later, Cheng Zongyang left the ancestral hall.

His father would handle the matters they had discussed, so Cheng Zongyang didn’t worry about them. He had plenty of other things on his mind; at the very least, he could get started on making bricks.

The village layout was a bit chaotic right now. If he knew how to make cement, he would have definitely started with that.

But with bricks, new houses would be sturdier and more attractive. Even the grounds and the village’s main roads could be paved with them. They had many uses.

He made his way to the Ministry of Works Hall.

He found Gao Yongzhuang, the master mason in charge of construction. Gao Yongzhuang was now also the head of the construction workshop.

The Ministry of Works Hall was a sizable building located behind the Martial Arts Hall. It consisted of more than ten interconnected rooms clustered together to form the entire complex.

This area was chosen mainly because it was large enough to accommodate a department like the Ministry of Works Hall with its many divisions.

Inside the construction workshop’s building, a dozen or so people were busy writing and drawing.

When the light was suddenly blocked, they all looked up toward the doorway. Recognizing the visitor’s face and status, they cupped their fists in salute.

"Greetings, Young Clan Leader!"

"No need for formalities," Cheng Zongyang said with a smile. "I’m here to see Master Gao. Please, carry on with your work."

"Yes, Young Clan Leader," the crowd replied in unison.

Gao Yongzhuang, who had put on some weight since his arrival, stepped forward, cupped his fists, and asked, "Young Clan Leader, what are your instructions?"

When it came to respecting Cheng Zongyang, it could be said that no one held him in higher regard than the members of the Ministry of Works Hall. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He placed great importance on their craftsmen and provided them with excellent welfare and benefits. Not only that, but he also encouraged them to be creative and conduct research, with rewards for any successful results.

This was something they had never experienced before, so naturally, they revered Cheng Zongyang. They felt a profound sense of loyalty, as if they would die for someone who truly appreciated them.

"Let’s talk outside so we don’t disturb their discussion." Cheng Zongyang smiled slightly and turned to walk toward the open space outside.

Gao Yongzhuang followed behind, and Cheng Zongyang immediately asked, "Have you figured out the technique for firing bricks?"

"Well..." Gao Yongzhuang said, embarrassed. "I’ve asked some colleagues and tried to replicate the process from their descriptions, but every attempt has failed. I have failed to meet your expectations, Young Clan Leader. Please punish me!"

By the end, he was filled with self-reproach.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "There’s no need for that. This isn’t something that can be accomplished overnight. Practice, theory, and inspiration are all indispensable."

"Thank you for your understanding, Young Clan Leader!" Gao Yongzhuang cupped his fists in thanks once more.

"I found out the brick-firing technique on my trip to the county seat. Take this down, then have your men give it a try."

Without waiting for Gao Yongzhuang to process, he recited the entire brick-firing process used by Ma San and his men, repeating it twice.

Gao Yongzhuang knew his own memory wasn’t perfect, and that the faintest ink is better than the best memory. He quickly had someone write it all down.

Finally, Gao Yongzhuang said excitedly, "Rest assured, Young Clan Leader, we will definitely succeed in firing them this time!"

"Alright. Get to it, then. Notify me once you’ve successfully produced them." Cheng Zongyang waved his hand and left the Ministry of Works Hall.

"Yes, Young Clan Leader!" the men shouted in unison.

As far as Cheng Zongyang was concerned, he would never be stingy with rewards for anything that could speed up the village’s development. It all came down to whether the person had the Ability to deliver.

Although he had knowledge of countless technologies from his past life, he could count the ones he remembered on two hands, and even those memories were hazy.

With nothing else to do, Cheng Zongyang headed toward the farmland.

Along the way, he thought about the Gold Panning Workshop.

After accounting for what had been used, the Golden Sand stored in the Storehouse over the past two months or so amounted to less than one hundred taels. This was mainly because the gold content in the more recent sites was low, meaning the deposits were nearly exhausted.

But this "low" amount was still far richer than what could be found in some mountain gold mines!

Arriving at the farming area, he watched the villagers at work, planting rice seedlings that were already calf-high. A smile spread across Cheng Zongyang’s face.

’This is the future!’