The structure for the restaurant was up, but without a chef or many ingredients, they could only bring supplies from their own homes.

Xu Dong cupped his fist. "Yes, Sir."

After Xu Dong had also departed, Cheng Zongyang considered how to handle the matters that lay ahead.

He might be fine handling high-level planning, but the finer points of execution and day-to-day operations required people with experience and Ability.

He thought for a moment, then summoned Zhang Chuchu.

"Young Master, what are your orders?" Housekeeper Zhang inquired.

Cheng Zongyang asked, "You’ve lived in Jade Peak County for so long. Do you know anyone in the County Town who understands business and management?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chuchu thought for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "Well... anyone I knew well is long gone. Sir, are you looking for someone who understands the ways of commerce?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly and briefly explained the situation in West City.

When Zhang Chuchu heard that West City would fall under the autonomous control of the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang, who would manage everything, he was visibly shocked.

’Is the Royal Li Family that confident? To delegate so much authority?’

But he quickly regained his composure and fell back into thought.

Cheng Zongyang knew of Zhang Chuchu’s Ability, so he didn’t interrupt his train of thought.

’If I could just let the Soul Slaves out of the Wilderness World, I wouldn’t have this problem. I could have Luo Dingran manage everything.’

’Of course, that’s just wishful thinking. It’s impossible. Otherwise, the dead coming back to life... that would be too terrifying.’

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhang Chuchu finally came to his senses and hurriedly apologized, "Forgive me, Young Master. My mind wandered."

Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly and asked with a smile, "Have you thought of something?"

Zhang Chuchu cupped his fist. "Sir, I don’t have a candidate for a management position, but I do know someone who understands a bit about business. Perhaps he can be of assistance."

"What’s his background?" Cheng Zongyang asked calmly, not rushing him.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Chuchu cupped his fist and said, "Sir, he is from the An Family. A side branch, of course. Since he’s unable to practice Cultivation, he was only responsible for the An Family’s commercial affairs.

"I remember back when Chang Younian was in power, this man was in charge of the An Family’s external trade. Sir, I can’t be certain he’s who you’re looking for, but I have some understanding of his Ability."

"The An Family?" Cheng Zongyang frowned slightly. "You mean the An Family, the Noble Race that was once part of the alliance with the Zhao, Ma, Wang, Fan, and Miao Clans?"

Zhang Chuchu nodded. "Yes."

Cheng Zongyang asked curiously, "Weren’t the main men of the An Family exterminated by Chang Younian and then Luo Dingran, their clan wiped out? Are there still survivors?"

Back then, Chang Younian had seized an opportunity, using the Power of the Reincarnation Bureau to eliminate those six Noble Races in one fell swoop and unify the factions of the County Town.

It was just that Chang Younian’s luck ran out later, and all his hard work ended up benefiting Luo Dingran, forcing him to depart full of regret.

Later, Luo Dingran exploited his conflict with the Wang Family to again borrow the Power of the Reincarnation Bureau, dealing with the Wang Family and the other remaining clans.

It could be said that over the course of those two purges, basically all the prominent men of these six Noble Races were eliminated, leaving only the women and children.

’If I remember correctly, back when I bought those Martial Arts in the black market, some of the people who tried to block my path on the way out were from the An Family.’

’But times have changed. No need to dwell on that now.’

Zhang Chuchu cupped his fist. "Yes. He was lucky. He was away on a trade delivery to Qingfeng County at the time. By the time he returned, the An Family was gone."

"But his wife and children were still alive. He later entrusted me with settling his family of four in South City. With a little help from me, and after they changed their names, they’ve managed to remain in the County Town to this day."

Cheng Zongyang stroked his beardless chin, falling into thought.

’I need talent, and I’m not worried about being betrayed by those I employ. I’ll have anyone who handles core secrets or holds an important position sign a new contract.’

He looked at Zhang Chuchu. "What is his Ability like? Tell me objectively, without any personal bias."

Zhang Chuchu thought for a moment before speaking slowly, "Sir, I’ve spoken with him a bit. I can’t be sure if what he says is true, as there’s no way for me to verify it.

"But according to him, he was responsible for the An Family’s primary sources of commercial income. Since he couldn’t practice Cultivation and was just an ordinary person, he was assigned to handle the family’s business. No matter how much profit he brought in, he was never highly regarded, though his compensation was apparently decent."

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Go and bring him here. I’ll speak with him. By the way, what’s his name?"

"He used to be called An Yiheng, but now he goes by Li Yihuo."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Go ask him. If he’s not willing, don’t force it."

"Yes, Young Master." Zhang Chuchu cupped his fist in acknowledgement.

However, Zhang Chuchu had been gone for less than a moment when he turned back and returned. "Young Master, Steward Zhou is here."

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang smiled, got up, and headed outside.

Only then did Zhang Chuchu depart on his errand.

"Zongyang." Upon seeing Cheng Zongyang, Zhou Zhendong began sizing up the new house as he spoke with a laugh. "If I hadn’t bumped into one of Zhao the Seventh’s men, I’d have had no idea you moved here."

"Big Brother." Cheng Zongying had surprisingly come along as well, which took Cheng Zongyang by surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Cheng Zongyang asked her.

As he spoke, he gestured for them to sit at the stone table in the courtyard. "I’ve taken over West City, and this estate happened to belong to a former clan, so I’m using it now. It would be a waste to let it sit empty."

This house once belonged to the Ma Family, but the original members of the Ma Family had long since vanished, so it was now his property.

He had some men from the Gang clean it out before he moved in. It was a very large, four-courtyard residence.

"My father sent me out to get some experience," Cheng Zongying said, looking a little embarrassed.

Now Cheng Zongyang understood his second uncle’s intentions. He nodded at once. "Alright. I’ll have the housekeeper arrange rooms for you."