Chapter 703: Chapter 168: Mr. Fang Makes a Move, Turning the Tables! [Ten Thousand Words]_3

"I have already ordered that no one from the entire family is allowed to go out. We will not proceed with anything else until Mr. Fang completes his investigation; no matter how important the matter is, no one is allowed to leave."

"Everything has been arranged, Mr. Fang, rest assured."

Zhu Shaoyun said with a smile.

With an air of composure.

However, upon knowing it was Fang Che, everything was arranged beforehand, polite and proper, enough etiquette, enough enthusiasm, generous and bright.

"Family Head Zhu truly lives up to being the top tycoon; just this one capability already surpasses more than ninety-nine percent of people in this world!"

Fang Che complimented.

"Mr. Fang is too kind."

Zhu Shaoyun replied, "Our Zhu Family has always been grateful for the guardians’ kindness. How could we not show it? Mr. Fang and the esteemed adults rise early and rest late, labor day and night, not knowing how much you have contributed to the well-being of the people in your jurisdiction, which provides us ordinary people with a peaceful life; when the esteemed adults visit, of course, we must prepare thoroughly, even if it saves you a little time, it can also reduce your fatigue a bit."

Fang Che nodded and remarked, "It is good that you have this heart. If everyone in Baiyun State could be as understanding as Family Head Zhu, we in the Guardian Hall would be so relieved."

"Mr. Fang praises too much."

"But everyone else need not be busy."

Fang Che said with a smile, "I will ask Family Head Zhu a few questions, it’s fine. Family Head Zhu, you don’t have to be restrained, you’re already at an old age, seeing it makes me uncomfortable."

"Hahaha... Mr. Fang, please ask, I, Zhu, will speak everything I know, leaving nothing unsaid."

"Family Head Zhu, which generation Family Head are you in the Zhu Family?"

"Counting from my great-grandfather, I, Zhu, am the seventh generation."

"The seventh generation... well, it seems that everyone in your family is quite long-lived."

"Mr. Fang jests; as someone who has seen and known much, you naturally understand that once wealth accumulates to a certain extent, it cannot be preserved without force and background."

Zhu Shaoyun explained, "Therefore, ever since my great-grandfather successfully established the business, we’ve been searching far and wide for renowned teachers for our descendants, and even in marriage, we try to find daughters with good aptitude from Martial Artist Families... to optimize the bloodline."

"Thus, with each generation, everyone can live a bit longer. In fact, if it weren’t for my grandfather mishap during martial arts practice, I might still be managing affairs outside now."

"You’re modest."

Fang Che remarked, "Your family hasn’t expanded much over the past thousand years, but the business has grown larger and larger, truly extraordinary."

Zhu Shaoyun laughed heartily and said, "Mr. Fang, you misunderstood this matter. Because the business grew, the family also expanded; but our situation differs from other families, if a descendant is capable, we assign them a commercial line to be responsible for, or they could start a commercial line themselves."

"As long as they establish themselves successfully, then this commercial line is theirs, and it is up to them where to settle, as long as this commercial line is still nominally part of the Zhu Family and a certain amount of profit is submitted annually; all other operations, we do not interfere with."

"Therefore, over the years, the descendants of our Zhu Family have spread across the continent, and some have even become Martial Arts Families. As for the present location, it’s merely the ancestral home, or you could call it the headquarters. However, in some places, there’s already a gap with the external branches. Here is the ancestral foundation, always maintaining a supreme status, that’s all."

"So that’s how it is."

Fang Che nodded.

Accompanying them for tea, Yun Jianqiu and Jing Xiuyun both showed a knowing expression.

There was nothing wrong with these words.

"Then, I would like Family Head Zhu to provide the names of the family descendants outside, indicating which city they are in, just give me a list."

Fang Che said quite naturally, "This isn’t difficult, is it?"

Zhu Shaoyun’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes quickly contracted, then he smiled broadly, saying, "Not difficult, not difficult, but this needs to be verified again."

"No problem."

Fang Che said gently with a smile, "Waiting a few days is not an issue."

Zhu Shaoyun felt a bit relieved.

Fang Che then warmly asked, "Just now as I passed through the living room, that large painting on the wall is truly remarkable. It’s my first time in my life seeing such a majestic yet ethereal painting. May I ask the name of the painting?"

Zhu Shaoyun became more cautious and said, "The painting mentioned by Mr. Fang has been passed down from the ancestors and has been hanging on the wall for so many years, called ’Heavenly Palace, Jade Palace.’"

"A good name indeed."

Fang Che exclaimed, "It’s just a painting, but once seen, one feels as if they’ve entered the realm of immortals, truly a good painting! This painting, I find it particularly appealing."

Zhu Shaoyun said with a bitter smile, "Actually, I, Zhu, have long wanted to replace that painting, but since it’s a relic from my great-grandfather, it cannot be easily replaced. Actually, it’s just a painting, and having hung for so many years, it indeed should be replaced."

Jing Xiuyun and Yun Jianqiu exchanged a glance.

Only now did they perceive that throughout the conversation, Fang Che and Zhu Shaoyun had been engaging in a verbal duel.

Fang Che said, "Such paintings are not often seen, Family Head Zhu, no need to worry, I am a public official, how could I possibly engage in acts of forceful acquisition, hahaha... I just genuinely like it, and wish to look at it a few more times."

"Good painting, good painting indeed."

Fang Che turned to Yun Jianqiu and Jing Xiuyun and said, "Do you know, when looking at a painting, what should you look for?"

Without waiting for them to answer, he continued, "When looking at a painting, ordinary people look at whether it is true or detailed; whether it resembles reality; but those who truly understand art, look at a painting’s artistic conception! That transcends the brushstrokes, and that is the essence of a truly good painting!"