Chapter 209: Chapter 208 Veto
"31 votes in favor, rejected."
Le Yu’s ’immature proposal’ ultimately didn’t pass.
It’s not that those who opposed it were all ’short-sighted’ or ’birds who die for food’ hoarders. They just didn’t see it as the best solution.
Or rather, the tone of Le Yu’s proposal didn’t align with the style of the Silver Blood Association.
Deception is the Silver Blood Association’s guideline for external actions.
Betting separately is the survival secret of the casino in chaotic times.
"Although the Linhai Army runs rampant in Dongyang, they will eventually leave. Ultimately, this land belongs to the Silver Blood Association, to the merchants, officials, and the Heyang Army. If we merchants all pledge allegiance to the Linhai Army, how would Governor Quan Yuan view us? Or Governor Yun Tianhe? Or Governor Gaishiwen?"
"Friendly relations with Blue Flame are necessary, but the Governor’s office, the Ministry of Proclamation, and the Heyang Army are forces we must maintain relationships with."
"Don’t forget, Xuanzhu County is still Governor Yun Tianhe’s territory, and Dongyang District remains Governor Quan Yuan’s sphere of influence."
"Even if military expenses can be halved, each of our families would lose at least forty percent, which would severely affect the business operations of the association for the whole year."
Le Yu smiled as he listened to everyone’s reasons and nodded:
"Everyone makes valid points, but today we need to discuss a preliminary solution, so feel free to express yourselves—though there’s no need for pointless absurdities. Even if you intend to deceive Blue Flame, you must present a fat enough bait to possibly stall him temporarily."
"In life, everyone eats shit. It’s not embarrassing, but either swallow it quickly or spit it out promptly. Right now, even if we can’t spit it out, let’s not think about chewing it soft and fragrant, or else it’ll only nauseate both the shit and us."
Though coarse, it’s true.
The Silver Blood Association has assassinated Blue Flame once already, and the result was Blue Flame demanding an even higher price.
The Silver Blood Association can still undress itself, but if they continue to shy away from it, don’t blame the Linhai Army for taking action themselves.
’Further discussion after the meeting’ is impossible. Even though every member is selfish, the connection within the Sea of Consciousness gives them a simple consensus: they can’t delay; a result must be discussed and implemented, even if it’s wrong, better than doing nothing.
The Silver Blood Association has grown from small to large over hundreds of years, facing several extinction crises. Though there have been dark moments where everyone chose the wrong option together, more often, they have united with a singular focus to turn the tides.
Making a mistake is a matter of ability, but leaving a blank is a matter of attitude.
As long as they work together, there’s always a solution.
After an hour of brainstorming, the capitalists finally agreed on decisions:
① Dispatch someone to contact Chenfeng Governor Lv Zhong; as long as they bypass Blue Flame’s scorched earth approach, Lv Zhong will surely favor the Silver Blood Association, a slow and steady source of wealth;
② First send supplies to the Linhai Army to stabilize them, making sure they eat well and dress well, preventing any thoughts of robbery. Plantations are everywhere in Dongyang District, so everything is negotiable;
③ Contact Quan Yuan, Yun Tianhe, Huyan Xiu, Gaishiwen and other protectors, asking them to leverage their networks to trouble Blue Flame, hopefully igniting Blue Flame’s backyard, at least preventing him from continuing his arrogant ways;
④ Each family, according to their association’s size, gather some cash and send it over, pleading for installment payments, offering interest if needed.
Damn, these merchants were really fooling the new president just now.
As Le Yu slightly exaggerated the threat of Blue Flame, they immediately proposed several feasible decisions.
Contacting Lv Zhong is a fundamental solution; appeasing the Linhai Army addresses immediate concern; leveraging protectors to use their networks is attacking from behind; sending money declares their stance and tempts with profit.
Tackling it from four sides, if all are effective, no matter how formidable Blue Flame is, he’ll certainly be scared off, leaving Dongyang District crying in shame.
Le Yu endorsed the Silver Blood Association’s decisions and had no intention to obstruct.
The real contest isn’t happening at this moment.
After appointing those responsible, Le Yu announced the end of the meeting but suddenly remarked at the end: "Remember to send the Linhai Army’s food expenses to the Jing Family. To care for the five hundred Linhai elite’s living and diet, it’s too much for the Jing Family."
Upon hearing this, Silver Blood merchants were somewhat dismayed.
Silver Blood Association presidents have historically had a tendency to use public means for private gain. Although former President Listening Gu did it discreetly, Le Yu was particularly blatant.
Using a principal as a metaphor, Listening Gu quietly increased prices on school uniforms, cafeteria, and snack stands where everyone has to spend money. While everyone felt exploited, it was necessary, hence little resentment.
Whereas Le Yu is like ’You all must buy this extracurricular practice book, I compiled it, cough up the money.’
Not only did everyone hand over the money, but they were also threatened by Le Yu using the Linhai Army, akin to primary students buying summer homework with pocket money, making anyone unhappy.
Despite this, they raised few objections.
As the president said, in life, everyone eats shit. The president’s piece of shit is relatively small, so swallowing it quickly is better, without chewing, or risk getting poked by thorns.
But after the meeting ended, not everyone left immediately.
Because there was still a good show to behold.
In the shadows of the conference room, a hooded figure slowly emerged.
"President Jing." Beneath the hood was an excessively young voice, like the sound of wind chimes made of bamboo: "I represent the Assassins."
"What should I call you?"
"Yu."
Le Yu inquired, "Your assassination attempt failed, so what about the Silver Blood Association’s commission?"
"According to the agreement, the deposit from the old president is non-refundable," Yu replied. "If the assassin we dispatched doesn’t die, we’ll attempt another assassination. But now, our two assassins, ’Chen’ and ’Black’, are both dead, thus the commission ends."
"Moreover, from now on, we will no longer accept any assassination commissions concerning ’Blue Flame’."
Le Yu raised his brows slightly, "Is it a matter of capability?"
"It’s a business issue," Yu responded calmly. "We’ve understood the details of the assassination and are aware of Blue Flame’s special characteristics; killing him is possible, but the cost is too high... President Jing is a businessman; surely you understand the principle of revenue balance."
"But I more understand what ’monopoly’ means," Le Yu laughed. "The existence of Blue Flame essentially broke your ’murder monopoly.’ Unlike you, people like Blue Flame are rare. As long as you eliminate him, you’ll remain fearsome Assassins, with business everywhere, or else you’ll surely lose clients’ trust."
Yu shook his head: "President Jing misunderstood. Blue Flame’s strength is only a minor part of the reason. The greater reason is that the leader believes he’s more valuable alive."
"Why say that?"
"The more chaotic the world, the better our business."