Dressed in new clothes, Su Yunjin had Chen Jie summon Ruirui, who was still wearing her old clothes.
Hearing this, Chen Jie went outside, and saw that the area around the horse carriage was already filled with people; almost half of the village was gathered there.
This scene was very much like something from his previous life, in the eighties and nineties, when a car parked in front of someone’s house would draw the entire village to gawk.
Chen Jie walked over and saw Daisy sitting on the shaft of the carriage, with a big peach in her hand, juice running down her chin, telling the other children, "See, this is my brother-in-law’s big horse carriage. Li Ergou, didn’t you say your dad has ridden in a horse carriage before? Was it like this one?"
Below, all the children were enviously watching Daisy on the carriage shaft, eating her big peach.
"Ruirui!"
"Brother-in-law!"
Daisy turned her head, saw Chen Jie, and happily exclaimed, feeling proud that her brother-in-law was giving her face, letting those who looked down on her before see that they couldn’t reach her now.
Chen Jie said, "Your sister told you to go back and change your clothes."
"Oh!"
Daisy said, and spread her arms. Chen Jie warned, "Don’t get peach juice on me."
Saying this, he picked up Daisy and set her down. Daisy ran off from the carriage and bounced back to the house.
Chen Jie was just about to turn back to the house when he heard an elderly voice say, "Jiu Si, are you heading to the county?"
Chen Jie turned and saw it was Great-Uncle. His grandfather’s cousin.
Chen Jie didn’t have a high opinion of him. The last time with Lu San and Yu Sanliu, this old man took sides, so Chen Jie did not look kindly upon him.
Moreover, Chen Jie had been trying to take authority from him.
Chen Jie wanted to give the position of Clan Leader to Uncle Erba.
And he was quite successful at it, for as Chen Jie’s reputation grew, more and more clan members looked to align with him. But now, with Chen Jie’s status, one couldn’t just meet with him if they wished; one needed a mediator.
And the only one who could speak with Chen Jie was Chen Erba.
Therefore, Uncle Erba’s status was increasing day by day.
And as Chen Jie’s status rose, more and more clan members sought him out for opportunities, which only elevated Uncle Erba’s authority.
People are pragmatic; between someone who could provide them with opportunities and someone who only knew how to play favorites and wield his seniority, it was clear whose counsel was valued.
Therefore, at the current rate, within three years, Uncle Erba was sure to become the leading authority of the Chen family in Xiantao Town.
This was, in a way, Chen Jie’s investment returning full circle.
But what did this old man want with him today?
Thinking this, Chen Jie asked, "Oh, Great-Uncle, do you need something?"
The Great-Uncle’s face was squeezed into a smile as he said, "Jiu Si, you’re now the pride of the Chen family, sitting in your own carriage. I always said my brother Yongwang’s bloodline couldn’t be wrong. Look!"
Hearing this, Chen Jie did not respond.
Instead, he looked at the old man, sensing the shrewd calculation behind the guise of amity.
Just as expected, the old man added, "Jiu Si, when will you be back from the county?"
Chen Jie responded, "Hmm, that’s hard to say, Great-Uncle, if there’s something you need, say it now, I’m about to leave."
"It’s like this, Jiu Si, a lot of the young folks in the clan want to venture out but haven’t found a way. You’ve made good for yourself, why not help them all out?"
Chen Jie laughed at this and said, "And how would I help?"
The Great-Uncle suggested, "Jiu Si, I’ve thought of a solution for you. Look, each year I could select a few young men for you, then you can use your connections to place them in the fishery, groom them well. This way, you’d both aid the clan members and expand your influence."
"The Fishing Guild is dangerous, not like the village where everyone can help you. There, you have no one but clan members. Isn’t that right?" he advised, still smiling.
Could Chen Jie not see through the old man’s ploy?
To recommend a few young men each year and then have Chen Jie place them in the fishery.
That would turn him into a tool. Even if Chen Jie wanted to help some clanspeople, surely it wouldn’t need the old man’s referrals.
If he agreed, this old man would instantly become the spokesperson for Chen Jie, and then who would dictate who got into the fishery if not him?
His power would grow even greater, and he would likely recommend his own allies. What would that lead to?
He’d become a tool for the old man’s machinations; a less astute person might take the bait and even count the money for him after being sold out.
But Chen Jie wasn’t a fool. Seeing through the old man’s pretense, he remarked, "Great-Uncle, ha ha ha... you sure play a good game."
"Jiu Si, what do you mean?"
The smile froze on the Great-Uncle’s face.
Chen Jie said, "No offense, just that you’re old, and the affairs of the young are not for you to meddle in. If you enjoy your retirement, you might have a comfortable end. But if you stick your nose in everywhere, I’m afraid it won’t end well for you!"
"Jiu Si, what do you mean? I’m doing this for your benefit," the Great-Uncle defended.
Chen Jie laughed and said, "Please, spare me. You’re trying to pull rank on me now, huh? You haven’t been dealt with for favoritism before; do you think you’re really that influential?"
"Chen Jiu Si, how dare you speak to the Clan Leader like this? He is of your grandfather’s generation!"
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