Chapter 456 - 317: Four-Way Melee (18)
Chapter 456: Chapter 317: Four-Way Melee (18)
’I don’t know when they learned to do that.’
You could say that every living being in Zhao Chi’s territory was, at this moment, reveling in pure bliss.
That is, until just before 4:00 PM.
A message arrived from his great uncle, Zhao Qizong:
"All family Lords and members of the Zhao Family, come to the conference room for a meeting at 4:00 PM. Do not be late."
Zhao Chi lifted his head from Gu Qing’s smooth thighs.
He got dressed and teleported out.
Many people were attending this meeting. The members of the Zhao Family, including those without territories, were present. Zhao Huai and Zhao Jiao were among them.
The conference room was packed with a total of 48 people.
Fifteen people sat at the central table. The Clan Leader, Zhao Shizhang, sat in the main seat, flanked by four of Zhao Chi’s uncles and ten of his aunts.
Zhao Chi’s cousins from the same generation were all in the gallery seats behind them.
The corner where Zhao Chi usually sat was occupied by one of his sisters-in-law.
He found a random spot against the wall.
"Zhao Chi, here’s a chair for you."
Su Qin came over, carrying two wooden chairs.
Zhao Chi immediately took them. "Okay, thanks."
"Don’t mention it!"
After speaking, Su Qin placed the two wooden chairs together and sat down next to Zhao Chi.
After a little while longer, everyone was seated.
Zhao Shizhang looked left and right, then cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Alright, let’s stop the chatter. The meeting is starting."
The room quieted down.
Zhao Shizhang smiled. "No need to be so serious, everyone. It’s not bad news. Qizong, you can begin."
His great uncle, Zhao Qizong, nodded.
"Alright. I’ll explain our current situation and what we need to do.
"Most of this information comes from the Holy Race... uh, the Alien Race... hmm, the Holy Race..."
Zhao Qizong changed the term three times in a row.
He was clearly hesitant.
"Let’s just stick with Holy Race.
"Everyone should change how you refer to them from now on. Those of the Alien Race want us to call them the Holy Race, so that’s what we’ll call them.
"When you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to lower your head. This isn’t weakness; it’s for survival.
"Most of the information I’m about to share comes from the Holy Race. Don’t believe all of it, but you can use it as a reference.
"Right now, the nobles of our Snowfield City are basically done for. They won’t be able to hold out much longer, and the Holy Race will take complete control of Snowfield City.
"The resistance forces are also scrambling for territory. They’ve occupied the entire west, and a portion of the Southwest as well.
"However, there isn’t just one resistance army, but many.
"This means they are doomed to fail against the Holy Race.
"You could say that, for the foreseeable future, Snowfield City will be the Holy Race’s domain...
"And it’s not just our Snowfield City. The nearby Human cities—White Grass City, Celestial Peak City, Withered Leaf City, Xinxiang City, Ambition City, and so on—have all been occupied by those damn wolves... I mean, the Holy Race.
"Those of the Holy Race... this name feels so damn awkward, but we have to get used to it... They clearly came prepared.
"Although we might want to resist, our Zhao Family simply doesn’t have the strength. We should just focus on quietly developing ourselves.
"If they tell us to pay taxes, we pay taxes. If they demand more, we give them more. Staying alive is what’s real; everything else is an illusion.
"Do you all understand this?"
The room erupted in discussion.
Although most people were unwilling to be ruled by the Alien Race, the reality of the situation was laid out before them. They had to accept it, whether they wanted to or not.
Everyone knew that the resistance forces would have a hard time succeeding. It was already a feat for them to unite against the nobles; it was too much to hope they could drive out the Alien Race.
Besides, the numerous resistance factions had already started fighting amongst themselves.
It was a life-and-death struggle over territory.
Hearing that other nearby Human cities were in the same situation only made everyone feel more lost.
It seemed that Obedience to the Alien Race was now truly the only path forward.
Su Qin turned her head to look at Zhao Chi.
Seeing that he was deep in thought, she didn’t disturb him and turned back, sitting quietly.
The crowd discussed for a while before Zhao Qizong clapped his hands, signaling for silence.
"Alright, that’s the situation.
"The nobles are in their death throes, the resistance forces are caught in an inextricable conflict, the Holy Race is slowly encroaching on every region, and we... we need to focus on surviving.
"Captain Kiro... has raised the taxes again. It’s barely acceptable, but we still have to pay what we’re told to pay.
"However, there is a piece of good news: we can now freely enter and exit Snowfield City.
"Of course, it’s not complete freedom. We’ll still be monitored by the Holy Race when coming and going, and we’ll have to pay another tax each time we enter or leave the city.
"But this also means we can re-establish Trade with the nearby towns."
Everyone was surprised to hear this.
This was indeed good news.
Previously, during the rule of the nobles, all routes out of the city were closed.
No one could leave without special permission.
Any Supplies produced by the Lords or residents could only be sold to the nobles at a low price, who would then handle all external Trade themselves.
Under those circumstances, not only were taxes high, but it was also impossible to earn much money.
Now, under the rule of the Alien Race, although the taxes were even higher, the ability to leave the city meant they could go to other cities to Trade.
This would allow them to earn more money. Even with the higher taxes, they could grit their teeth and accept it.
The world’s Technology hadn’t developed in a linear fashion. Instead, it was scattered, with pockets of innovation here and there.
Many master Craftsmen possessed their own unique techniques.
For example, the Silk Stockings Zhao Chi made from Gu Qing’s Silk could be considered one such unique technique.
His semi-public Super Bright Kerosene was another.
The Craftsmen and major families in every city all had their own exclusive techniques.
None of which were ever shared with outsiders.
Therefore, if they could engage in trade, the market would expand. Selling these unique products to more people would mean earning more money.