novelaction Chapter 104 Compromise and Retreat: Appointed Special Envoy, One Person Short of Staff for Preparati
Chapter 104 Compromise and Retreat: Appointed Special Envoy, One Person Short of Staff for Preparati
The council chamber was completely silent.
The atmosphere became somewhat tense due to the opposition from the three elders, Sun, Moon and Star.
As the chief steward of the city lord's mansion, Qiu Chengde, being an outsider, saw everything clearly and understood it perfectly.
Are the three elders of the Sun, Moon and Stars targeting Zhou Qingfeng?
Yes, but not all.
Because Zhou Qingfeng was a rising star personally promoted by his wife.
Stepping into the central chamber of the council chamber signifies the rise of the younger generation.
The younger generation was an external force cultivated by the madam to counterbalance the clan power of the first family within the family. It can be said that the younger generation and the elders were natural opposites.
The opposition from the elders this time is aimed at the younger generation, not at Zhou Qingfeng personally.
The struggle for dominance in the rise of Xiyi City was about securing benefits for the clan.
Because whoever holds the dominant position controls the distribution of benefits.
The elders may have acted stupidly, like pigs in a pen, knowing nothing but how to eat and drink. However, this behavior was determined by their position and status, not because they were actually as stupid as pigs or dogs.
Because they represent the interests of the first three collateral branches of the clan. If you don't fight for the interests of the collateral branches, who will respect you, and who will be willing to elect you as the clan representative?
The three elders, Sun, Moon, and Star, were able to maintain their central positions and wield significant power without falling because of their "foolishness," their ability to "fight for food and drink," and the countless clan members standing behind them.
The First Lady rested her chin on her hand, leaning back on the throne, and glanced lightly at Qiu Chengde.
Qiu Chengde understood immediately and stepped forward, saying, "Commander-in-Chief Zhou is mistaken. It is precisely because Commander-in-Chief Zhou is a genius but lacks strength that he needs more training. Otherwise, how can he become the pillar of my Sword Tower in the future?"
"Besides, the treasure map and the key were both presented by Zhou Fushuai, so it is only right that Zhou Fushuai should lead the team to excavate the treasure."
"If we set Zhou Fushuai aside and replace him with someone else to lead the excavation, outsiders will surely say that we are the first to betray our benefactors and abandon our principles for personal gain, which will greatly damage the reputation of Jianta."
Upon seeing this, the three elders of the Sun, Moon and Stars fell silent. While the interests of the three collateral branches of the First Family were important, the reputation of the First Family was equally important, because a family without a reputation was not far from its demise.
This is a world of five turbidities and evils, not a peaceful world.
In a peaceful world, everyone can be selfish and egotistical. Reputation is worthless. Even if someone is despicable, shameless, untrustworthy, or unjust, the punishment will be minimal. No one will die, and no one will even have to pay any price.
However, the world of five turbidities is different. In this evil world, any family that wants to survive must, no matter how rotten and disgusting it is inside, present an image of loyalty and integrity to the outside world.
Otherwise, if you are labeled as despicable, shameless, and untrustworthy, your family's reputation will be ruined. To put it bluntly, talented people will not want to join you because you are despicable, shameless, and untrustworthy. There is no future in following you.
Other families also don't like to associate with you. They won't include you in their social circles because you are despicable, shameless, untrustworthy, and treacherous. They have to be wary of your fickle nature and potential for backstabbing if they associate with you.
The rulers of an empire will also despise you to the extreme and deliberately suppress you until you are utterly destroyed and have nowhere to be buried. Suppression and exclusion from all over the world are enough to cause a family that has lasted for thousands of years to decline and perish.
Therefore, maintaining a good reputation is the foundation upon which a large family can stand for generations to come.
The three elders, Sun, Moon, and Star, weighed the pros and cons between the family's reputation and interests, and ultimately compromised and yielded.
The assistant commander bowed and said, "Madam, we were careless and considered things too one-sidedly. Assistant Commander Zhou is indeed the best candidate to lead the team to excavate the Xi Yi treasure."
The First Lady leaned back on her throne and said calmly, "Since there are no objections, then the person leading the excavation of the Xiyi City treasure will be Si Lang, Si Lang."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Mother, your son is here."
The First Lady smiled slightly: "You have done a good job presenting this treasure, and I will remember your contribution for now."
"We'll reward you all together when you return with the treasure."
"Now I appoint you as the special envoy for the Sword Tower treasure hunt. I will also transfer a hundred Dragon Riders from my personal guard to you for your command. List the required manpower and resources and hand them over to Chengde for arrangement. We will set off once everything is in place."
Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your son obeys."
With the dust settled, Zhou Qingfeng couldn't help but feel relieved, followed by a surge of excitement.
The First Lady's personal guard is no ordinary force; it is a bodyguard unit that obeys only the First Lady's orders.
The entire guard consisted of just over five hundred people, all of whom were elite heavy armored dragon riders composed of cultivators at or above the Devouring Fiend Realm. In terms of equipment, cultivation level, and loyalty, they were the elite of the elite.
With these hundred dragon riders accompanying and protecting them, their safety would be fully guaranteed no matter where they went.
Even if someone covets the key and treasure map in my possession, they will first have to get past the heavily armored dragon riders.
Unfortunately, these dragon riders can only serve as guards. Finding the treasure's location, opening it, and digging it up will require the assistance of special personnel.
After returning to his residence, Zhou Qingfeng began to compile a list of the manpower needed.
Ye Tingxiu and Xiao Hongyun were the first to be written on the list.
These two are my good friends, so of course I want to include them in any good deals. More importantly, they are trustworthy because they are in cahoots with me, sharing the same fate and being on the same pirate ship.
There are no better candidates to be his deputies.
Next, the team needs at least one expert to lead the way.
Being able to fight is essential, but they also need to be trustworthy and related to you.
Qiu Chengde, who is six stories tall, would certainly be the best candidate, but without a doubt, it wouldn't work.
This trip to retrieve the treasure will take at least half a year. As the chief steward of the city lord's mansion, Qiu Chengde is very busy with official duties. His wife needs him for many things. He can manage to leave for a short period of time, but if it goes on for a long time, he will probably be unable to get away.
After much thought, Zhou Qingfeng suddenly thought of Mr. Liao from the archives. Mr. Liao was an old friend of his, and also Shui'er's master. They were related by blood, so Mr. Liao was the second best candidate besides Qiu Chengde.
After a moment's thought, Zhou Qingfeng wrote the six characters "Mr. Liao from the Archives" on the treasure hunt team's list.
We have both experts and deputies; what we lack now are specialized, multi-skilled talents.
This person must possess skills in medicine, formations, and deciphering ancient cryptic texts.
Such versatile talents are too few and far between, especially since they have to be one of our own.
Zhou Qingfeng frowned and pondered all night, but still couldn't find a suitable candidate.
In the end, he went to the city lord's mansion to find Qiu Chengde and submitted the list he had compiled.
With the year-end approaching, things became increasingly busy, and many matters needed to be settled before the end of the year. As a result, Qiu Chengde was extremely busy and did not have time to look at the list.
Only after checking the accounts in his hand did he have a moment to look up and glance at Zhou Qingfeng, who was waiting patiently.
"Disciple, here is the list. I will arrange the manpower according to the list."
Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Master, I am still lacking a special talent. I would be grateful if you could help me find one."
Qiu Chengde asked, "What kind of special talent?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng explained his requirements: "I know it will be difficult. If we can find people who possess these skills separately, that will also be fine. It doesn't have to be one person who has all these skills."