Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 37 37 Chapters on Promoting Unity through Threats

Zhao Jingge, seeing this situation, stopped the two and said, ”Enough, no need for those useless words. Let us solve this matter first, and discuss the rest later.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Keqin, with a solemn expression, said, ”I have just calculated. We currently have twenty-one spirit fish in hand, nineteen under a hundred years old, one First-Rank Green Carp over a hundred years, and two First-Rank Red Carps over two hundred years. The total of the spirit fish meat is twelve thousand jin.

This is not a small number. Relying solely on retail is far from enough; we must develop new major customers or try to send it to further workshops for sale.

Of course, it would be best to persuade old customers like Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Room to reconsider.”

After finishing, Zhao Keqin thought for a moment and added, ”This is only our production for half a year.”

After he had spoken, someone interjected, ”If there were new major buyers, we would have found them a hundred years ago. Now, looking for one? A single word, difficult!”

Once the topic was broached, members of the Zhao family began discussing vehemently.

Someone exclaimed, ”The worst we can do is sell a little bit at a time, drag it out for a while, and see if thereʼs a turn of events; after all, the family just had some surplus. We can still support for a year or so.”

”No, thatʼs too passive. I think, itʼs best to send someone to old customers like the Hundred Refinement Room to gather information, and if needed, lower the prices a bit.”

”Ninth, arenʼt your words passive as well? I think thereʼs something odd at the core of this issue. Weʼd better stay idle for now. Letʼs plan after the two elders have reached Foundation Establishment,” another argued.

”Thatʼs not good either. Our Zhao family, after all, is a Cultivation Family that has produced several Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The more difficult the times, the more we need to hold our ground. Otherwise, letting others see the frailty within our family will lead to late regrets,” someone contended.

Hearing this, Zhao Keshang quickly agreed, ”Thatʼs right! We cannot show weakness proactively.”

At this moment, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly cursed, ”Nonsense! Without a Foundation Establishment to stand guard, the harder we act, the more obviously frail we appear. Do you think those Foundation Establishment Cultivators are fools?”

Zhao Jinpeng, the radical member of the Zhao familyʼs main branch, was always at the forefront when it came to conflicts with the second branch.

After he spoke, others began to express their suggestions and views.

Zhao Sheng listened quietly on the side, nodding or shaking his head occasionally.

Through this matter, he realized that not all members of the Zhao family were incompetent; some were quite capable.

When everyone else had spoken, only Zhao Sheng remained silent.

This appeared quite strange.

Zhao Jingge looked at Zhao Sheng, recalling the events from a few days ago.

He then tried asking, ”Chong He, would you like to share your thoughts?”

Zhao Sheng smiled and did not decline, directly stating loudly, ”All present are my elders. If there are any discrepancies in what I am about to say, please correct me.”

Having said this, he began, ”First, we need to clarify one issue. In this matter, who are our enemies? Who are our friends?”

Not giving the crowd time to think, Zhao Sheng continued, ”Are Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Workshop our enemies?”

As he spoke, he declared decisively, ”No! They are not the enemies, because even if the Zhao family were to be defeated, they wouldnʼt benefit greatly.”

”Then... who are our enemies? Whoever stands to gain the most from our downfall is our enemy.”

At this point, seeing that the people were growing impatient, Zhao Sheng sped up his speech, ”The spirit fish were returned. Those who suffer are not only our Zhao family but also our old customers.

So, there must be someone offering greater benefits, such as promising that after the downfall of the Zhao family, the prices of spirit fish will drastically reduce and other such empty promises.”

Just then, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly interrupted him, challenging, ”Youʼve rambled a lot, but itʼs all useless talk. What we urgently need now is a solution to this issue.”

Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, ”Actually, this matter is quite easy to solve. Since they donʼt want it, letʼs not sell it for a while and just endure for a few months.”