Chapter 721 - The Origin of the Legendary Families

Xiong Zhi narrowed her eyes at the characters she recognized at the screen.

"So in those twelve families, the Tangs, Lus, Xiongs, and Guans are included, am I correct?"

"Yes." Linfeng nodded. 

If the Zhou family had not fallen, perhaps they would also be part of those families. Unfortunately, it had been a long time since they were taken under the Xiong family's wing when this happened. 

"The four families were awarded due to their special merits that were appreciated by the common people…"

The origins of the four legendary families.

The Xiong family was a family of merchants who supplied many unique specialities and tributes from various parts of the world to the imperial family. They also maintained affordable pricing for basic needs and regularly committed to charity, which supported the poor populace at difficult times when the prices were unstable due to unscrupulous merchants and bribed officials. 

The Lu family were descendants of a medical clan who usually dealt with the rivers and lakes. They also had several exemplary doctors who were accepted into the palace as royal physicians. Their practitioners voluntarily healed and treated the poor populace without fee, or at least at a very small price. They had helped a lot of people when various diseases ran rampant in ancient Huaxia at that time.

The Guan family were originally a family of scholars. They rose from a peasant family after a family member passed the imperial exams. After getting ȧssigned to a distant poor county as a county magistrate, they remained true to their passion in helping the suffering citizens. When refugees filled the land and swarmed at the county gates, they organized the county well and provided shelter to the refugees, when other lords refused to do so.

The Tang family were descendants of a low ranking military family in the borders. Due to their low origins, they were always discriminated against by the superiors and were always ȧssigned to the chaotic border towns as garrison commanders. Despite this, they devoted their lives and energy to protect the common people from dangers, at the price of their own loved ones' lives. Their merits along the years were enough to reach the general rank in the army, but they were suppressed and were only given the honorary plaque.

The other families were also the same, who served the royal families and were admired by the people. 

They all did not possess noble titles and were looked down at by the aristocrats, so the royal family instead rewarded them with this. 

This made the families equal to a low rank noble despite not having a title, yet at the same time, they would also not pose any threat to the reigning powers.

Linfeng smiled coldly. He could already understand what Ming Zhi Yi was trying to do.

Therefore, this excavated plaque did not have any marks of belonging to a specific family, and anyone could claim them as their own.

He said to Xiong Zhi, "In a few moments, we might witness the greatest battle in the organization's history."

At this time, Ming Zhi Yi was still fervently delivering his spiel. 

"When the Great Uprising took place and the dynasty turned, the plaques were lost or destroyed during war. A lot of families did not survive the war, hence, most of the families awarded with such honor ceased to exist. However..."

Ming Zhi Yi glanced at the legendary families.

The heads of each family wore somber faces. 

They naturally recognized the item. It was a precious item that was always written in the family records and diaries of their ancestors!

Their ancestors' regrets were always palpably expressed whenever they recounted the lost honorary plaques that glorified their families to reach their current status. It was also the presence of these plaques that the rebellions had spared their families, although only few of them managed to survive in the end.

It was always written: 'If the next generations could find the honorary plaques that our founding fathers always longed for, it is of greatest service done to the clan and is worthy of the sincerest gratitude.'

Ming Zhi Yi showed a beatific smile. "However, there are families who received these honors and still exist today. This junior may be presumptuous, but the elders should know how much worth this plaque truly has."

Many eyes settled on the legendary families, along with hushed whispers.

"...." Old Xiong solemnly called his granddaughter's name. "Zhi'er."

Xiong Zhi turned to Old Xiong. "Yes, Grandpa."

"....I think I need a helping hand."

"...?" Xiong Zhi was stunned. "You need money?" 

The one who possessed a large treasury akin to a dragon's treasure trove was actually saying this?

Old Xiong nodded. "Just to be safe. Give me as much as you can lend to me. I think the money I have on myself today will not suffice."

As the rules of the auction, only the amount deposited on their membership card could be used for bidding. This was why they must deposit in advance before attending the auction. 

XIong Zhi's small mouth was open. She was perplexed. 

Her grandfather's pocket money today was more than fifty billion. 

Grandpa was saying that it would not suffice? What kind of price did this tablet have?

"A lot of people here might not understand. But you, as a Xiong, should understand it well." Old Xiong put a hand on Xiong Zhi's shoulder. "Even if we go bankrupt today, we must get that plaque no matter what. We can get our money back later on. But the regret of our ancestors and our family's honor could not be easily repaid. This is the only opportunity where we can bring honor to our families' ancestors, and to always be remembered… If other families took this from us, then it is over, we lost our only chance to have it."

Old Xiong glanced at the other legendary families' tables. 

Like the pair of Xiong grandfather and granddaughter, they were also whispering to their butlers and grandchildren. 

"And it is not only me who is thinking of the same thing."

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