Protect Our Clan Leader

…

“Nephew, you mustn’t.” Wang Dinghai desperately tried to dissuade him, “The Liu Clan’s Family Head is already forty years old, very experienced.”

“Zhe Er, you’re too impulsive,” Gongsun Hui was also somewhat flustered, “As a Clan Leader, he is the Sea Stabilizing Needle of the family…”

They’d be willing to see a fight with Liu Yongzhou as there is a significant gap in strength between them. But challenging Liu Shengye would be too risky without knowing what the situation was.

On the side, Liu Shengye secretly wiped off a cold sweat. Good thing there are some sensible elders in the Wang family, they should advise the young Clan Leader. What kind of thing was that?

Since when do the main generals of the two armies have a death match as soon as they meet? It’s chaotic.

Moreover, he, Liu Shengye, had been living comfortably for many years, and had not fought with anyone for a long time. A death match was no joke.

“Aunt, Uncle Six,” Wang Shouzhe interrupted them directly, “A Clan Leader is just a member of the family, and every member has the right and duty, to shed blood and make sacrifices for the survival of the family. Even more so when it comes to Elder Longyan…”

As he spoke, Wang Shouzhe got increasingly emotional and outraged, as if he was about to explode from repression, and he choked back the last three words he wanted to say.

“Shouzhe!” Wang Dinghai was taken aback and quickly asked in a low voice, “Elder Longyan, she won’t…”

“Rest assured, she’s fine,” Wang Shouzhe looked a bit pale, “It’s just heartbreaking how much Elder Longyan has sacrificed for the family in her life. It’s about time we, the younger generation, stepped forward and shed some blood.”

However, what he said seemed more like an excuse.

With that, Wang Shouzhe turned his gaze to Liu Shengye, “Family Head Liu. Since our two families have such significant conflicts, why not take this opportunity to settle it once and for all. Let’s sign a death duel contract. The loser will withdraw from the Peace River fishing grounds, and their family won’t hold a grudge.” His words were filled with a sense of finality.

“Good, young Clan Leader Wang really has courage,”

“Since the two families have conflicts, why not let Wang fight Wang, and settle it all.”

The onlookers naturally enjoyed the spectacle and called for this to happen. After all, a rare opportunity to watch the two Clan Leaders in a death match was far too intriguing. Immediately, they all started to stir up trouble and instigate this event.

“God damn it! Why is this kid so hungry for blood? Looking at his evasive words, could the rumours be true? If so, that changes everything.” Liu Shengye shuddered, his eyebrows furrowed. After a brief pondering, he changed his tactics, revealing a benevolent look, “My dear nephew, your father and I have been old friends for many years, it’s not too much to call you my nephew. Our three prominent families in Ping’an Town have been established for many years, and we should support and take care of each other. Why should it come to this over such trivial conflicts?”

“So, according to Family Head Liu, are you prepared to compensate for my Uncle Six’s medical expenses?” Wang Shouzhe squinted, a cold smile hanging on his lips.

Compensate for medical expenses?

Liu Shengye’s face darkened, but he was good at hiding his knives in smiles, and his smile became even more amiable at that moment, “It’s inevitable for neighbors to have conflicts. But since this time it’s Yongzhou’s fault, we naturally have to admit it. Here are thirty Qian Gold as compensation for Brother Dinghai.”

With that, Liu Shengye took out three certificates of ten Qian Gold each, and handed them to Wang Shouzhe with a smile, “It’s said that you, dear nephew, are a dragon and a phoenix among people, with potential no less than Elder Longyan back then. You’re sure to be the pillar of our Ping’an Town in the future.”

Thirty Qian Gold?

Wang Shouzhe, who had integrated his memories, knew this was a fortune. He saw the opportunity and took it with a smile, “Family Head Liu, you’re the Sea Stabilizing Needle of Ping’an. I’ve just taken over as Clan Leader, and I’ll be relying on your guidance in the future.”

Absolutely, absolutely!

After Liu Shengye laughed twice, he left the Deepwater Dock Area with his head of household and Liu Yongzhou.

When the onlookers realized there wouldn’t be a fight, they sighed in dismay. It seemed they had missed out on some excitement, and they dispersed in disappointment.

“Nephew, you really know how to handle things.” Wang Dinghai seemed to have let off a burst of steam, his face lighting up with joy, “With just a few words, you turned the situation around and even made that old fox Liu Shengye willingly apologize and make amends.”

But Gongsun Hui looked anything but happy, showing clear worry between his brows.

“Sixth Uncle, Aunt, seeing as we’re all here, why not take a tour on Sixth Uncle’s boat.” Wang Shouzhe smirked, “I grew up without ever having the chance to go out on a boat with Sixth Uncle.”

“Very well, let Sixth Uncle show you a good time.” Wang Dinghai was delighted, “Later on, I’ll show you my unique fishing skills.”

As they were about to board the boat, Wang Shouzhe called over a few household guards. After whispering some instructions to them, they scattered to fulfill their tasks.

Only then did Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui, following Wang Dinghai, head towards the deepwater dock.

Meanwhile.

At the outskirts of Dingpu Ferry, a youthful Liu Yongzhou appeared upset, “Family Head, we planned to take a bite out of the Wangs’ flesh, how did we unintentionally end up apologizing?”

“Yongzhou, you are still too young,” Liu Shengye casually commented with a grin, hands behind his back, “As the saying goes, ‘One man’s meat is another man’s poison.’ At present, not only should we avoid provoking the Wang family, but we should also tread carefully so as not to come into conflict with them.”

“Family Head…” Liu Yongzhou was both irritated and puzzled.

“Based on my speculation, Wang Longyan, that damned hag, is on her deathbed,” Liu Shengye, cunningly whispered, “The Wang family is akin to a dying tiger, and hence, at their most dangerous. If we push too hard, we might provoke a vicious counterattack. Although we of the Liu Clan are not afraid, we certainly do not wish to give the opportunistic Zhao Clan any benefits.”

Wang Longyan!

This name was like a thorn in the throat of Liu Clan, as long as she lived, they dared not sever ties with the Wang family.

“Family Head, is this true?” Liu Yongzhou excitedly inquired.

“When Wang Longyan closed herself off, not even appearing for such significant occasions as heir announcements, I already had strong suspicions,” Liu Shengye chuckled coldly, “Seeing the immature actions of Wang Shouzhe, the new clan leader, I’m more than convinced. Ha, why would I let him have his way? Whether she dies in 2 or 3 years, or perhaps 4 or 5, once Wang Longyan passes…”

“Family Head? We have to wait that long?” Liu Yongzhou was somewhat stunned.

“What do you know? The rise and fall of a family can’t be expected to happen overnight. The Liu Clan has waited all these years. What would a few more matter?” Liu Shengye waved his sleeve as he was helped onto a carriage by his household guards. “Moreover, before Wang Longyan’s death, we the Liu Clan have much to prepare. Yongzhou, remember this: don’t clash with the Wang family without my order, or you’ll face familial punishment!”

“Yes, Family Head.” Liu Yongzhou repressed his anger, feeling helpless, he could only respectfully watch as Clan Leader Liu Shengye’s carriage departed.

…

After leaving a few of his household guards behind to carry out their tasks at the dock, Wang Shouzhe joined Aunt Gongsun Hui aboard Wang Dinghai’s medium-sized fishing vessel, “Define the Sea”. The medium-sized boat, constructed entirely of wood, measured about twenty-five to thirty feet long and over six feet wide.

The towering mast and lowered sail indicated that this was a sailing vessel.

As Wang Dinghai was enthusiastically showing Wang Shouzhe around the ship, Gongsun Hui sternly said: “Zhe Er, Sixth Uncle, let’s have a word on the stern deck.”

The two followed her to the stern of the boat. With a slight tremor, the vessel began to set sail out of the deepwater harbor.

“Sigh~Zhe Er, you went a bit too far today.” Gongsun Hui sighed, “The Old Ancestor, Longyan, sacrificed her entire life for our family, her hardships are countless. You can’t disrespect her by spreading rumors about her, especially not in public. Besides, you even had the guardians spread false information! Your behavior today will surely reach the ears of the elders, and they will undoubtedly admonish you.”

“Um…” Wang Dinghai also seemed flustered, “Aunt, what can we do? Won’t the elders press charges against Shouzhe? The Old Ancestor not only stabilizes our family like the Sea Stabilizing Needle but is also like a mountain in our hearts. Naturally, I have extreme reverence for her.”

“Sixth Uncle, stay calm, just stay calm.” Wang Shouzhe calmly smiled, “The elders are family, I believe that they’ll understand once we reason it out with them. Aunt, let me ask you, how long can Old Ancestor Longyan hang on?”

“Zhe Er, how dare you speak of Old Ancestor Longyan that way? We should not discuss…”

“Aunt, as the clan leader, I must consider the welfare and development of the entire clan,” Wang Shouzhe interrupted Gongsun Hui, “If I can’t even ask or find out about the Old Ancestor’s health, how can I plan for the clan’s future development? If that’s the case, I, Wang Shouzhe, am probably ill-suited to bear the mantle of leadership, perhaps it’s best to find a replacement.”

…