Chapter 942

He casually picked a spot against the wall.

"Zhao Chi, here's a chair for you."

Su Qin dragged over two wooden chairs.

Zhao Chi immediately took them: "Great, thanks."

"What are you thanking me for, no need!"

After saying that, Su Qin placed the two wooden chairs together and sat down next to Zhao Chi.

After a while longer, everyone had taken their seats.

Zhao Shizhang looked around left and right, then cleared his throat.

"Ahem, alright, everyone stop chatting, the meeting's starting."

The surroundings quieted down.

Zhao Shizhang smiled: "Everyone doesn't need to be so serious, it's not bad news. Qizong, you go ahead."

Uncle Zhao Qizong nodded:

"Alright, let me explain our current situation and what we need to do.

"Most of the information comes from the Holy Clan… uh, the alien clan… um, the Holy Clan…

Zhao Qizong changed his term of address three times in a row.

Clearly he was hesitating too.

"Let's just go with Holy Clan.

"Everyone should change how they refer to them from now on. Those alien clans want us to call them the Holy Clan, so that's what we'll call them.

"When you're under someone's roof, you bow your head when you need to. This isn't weakness, it's for survival.

"Most of the information I'm sharing comes from the Holy Clan. Don't take it all as gospel, but you can use it as reference.

"Right now, the nobles of our Snowfield City are basically done for. They won't be able to hold on much longer. The Holy Clan will be taking over Snowfield City completely.

"The resistance armies are all fighting for territory too. The entire west has been occupied by the resistance armies, and part of the southwest as well.

"However, the resistance isn't a single force, but multiple.

"This means they're destined to be unable to defeat the Holy Clan.

"You could say that for some time to come, Snowfield City will be the Holy Clan's domain…

"It's not just our Snowfield City. Nearby human towns—White Grass City, Sky Peak City, Withered Leaf City, New Hometown City, Ambition City, and so on—have all been occupied by those damned wolves… the Holy Clan.

"Those Holy Clan… this term is really damn awkward, but we have to get used to it… they clearly came prepared.

"Although we want to resist too, our Zhao family really doesn't have that kind of strength. We'll just honestly develop ourselves.

"Pay taxes when they're due, pay more if it's more. Being alive is what matters; everything else is fake.

"You all understand that, right?"

Discussion broke out throughout the room.

Although most people didn't want to be governed by those alien clans, reality was laid out before them—unwilling or not, they had to accept it.

Everyone also knew the resistance armies would have a hard time accomplishing anything. It was already no small feat for them to unite against the nobles this time, so they shouldn't expect them to drive out these alien clans.

Moreover, the many resistance armies had already begun fighting amongst themselves.

Fighting to the death over territory.

Hearing that other nearby human cities were in the same situation, everyone grew even more lost.

It seemed that submitting to those alien clans was truly the only path now.

Su Qin turned her head to look at Zhao Chi.

Seeing Zhao Chi deep in thought, she didn't disturb him, and turned her head back to continue sitting quietly.

After everyone discussed for a while, Zhao Qizong clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Alright, that's the situation.

"The nobles are still struggling in their death throes, the resistance armies are fighting amongst themselves tooth and nail, the Holy Clan is encroaching on every place, and we… need to stay alive.

"Captain Wu Lang… has raised the taxes again. It's barely acceptable, but we still have to pay.

"However, there's one piece of good news: we can freely enter and leave Snowfield City now.

"Of course, it can't be completely free. Going in and out of the city still requires monitoring by the Holy Clan, and entering or leaving the city requires paying tax once more.

"But this way, we can reopen trade with nearby towns."

Hearing this news, everyone felt surprised.

This really was good news.

During the previous noble rule, all outbound routes had been closed.

Unless specially permitted, no one could leave.

Goods produced by various lords or residents could only be sold to the nobles at low prices, and then the nobles would handle all outside trade.

Under such circumstances, taxes were high and there was no way to earn much money.

Now, under the rule of those alien clans, although taxes were higher, if they could go out, they could trade with other cities.

This way they could earn more money. Even if taxes were a bit higher, gritting their teeth, they could accept it.

Technology in this world isn't linear, but scattered—one point here, one point there, very dispersed.

Many master craftsmen have their own unique techniques.

For example, the stockings Zhao Chi made using Gu Qing silk could count as a unique technique.

Or his semi-public super-bright kerosene could also be considered a unique technique.

Craftsmen in various cities, or the great families, all have their own unique techniques.

None of them are shared outside.

So if trade can be opened, the market will expand, and these exclusive products can be sold to more people, earning more money.

The Zhao family also has their own technique, able to craft high-toughness leather gauntlets with +100 durability.

Now it is inherited by Fifth Brother Zhao Jing, who continuously crafts and sells them.

This is the Zhao family's secret; even Zhao Chi doesn't know it.

Usually, it uses special materials.

For example, using snow bear hide, one can craft leather equipment with +50 durability, +2 defense, and +5 cold resistance.

But the Zhao family's technique is clearly more than just this.

It should be made from ordinary leather, perhaps with some special material added.

Otherwise they wouldn't produce such large quantities, nor sell them so cheaply.

Using ordinary leather to produce special effects — low cost, higher profit.

This is also the key to the Zhao family's development into a clan.

If Zhao Chi buys them, it would be even cheaper, since they are his own family's products.

But Zhao Chi has never bought them once.

He prefers iron armor.

If all the female soldiers wore iron armor, that would be great — leather armor would be completely unnecessary.

But other lords aren't as fortunate as Zhao Chi; their subjects are only ordinary races.

Archers and light infantry still must wear leather armor.

So the Zhao family's high-toughness leather gauntlets have always sold well.

If they can be sold to other cities, Zhao Jing no longer needs to participate in combat and can change jobs in the territory to more tailors, completely becoming a production-type lord with all tailors.

When the time comes, mass-producing more high-toughness leather gauntlets will earn the Zhao family even more money.

With more money, the Zhao family will grow stronger, affiliated lords will increase, and the entire clan will grow ever stronger.

Independent traders without a clan can also earn some profit margins through buying and reselling.

Overall, it is indeed a good thing.

But this also faces the risk of large quantities of outside products flooding in; some clans may be impacted, growing weaker and weaker until they fade away.

Everyone discussed for quite a while.

Zhao Shizhang and the others were also discussing among themselves.

The final decision: Zhao Jing will begin expanding production starting today.

Beyond meeting current order demands, produce double the amount of high-toughness leather gauntlets.

The leather gauntlets produced will be transported by Fourth Uncle Zhao Qiye to other cities to develop markets.

And he will bring his two wives — that is, Zhao Chi's two Fourth Aunties, Chang Yuzhu and Chang Yucui — to sell them together.