Chapter 359

Wang Chao brought the leadership back, and now they are working in a palace.

"Everyone, I called you here today mainly because of the rumors circulating recently inside the Wanlong Palace, saying that the resources of that spirit stone mine will only last twenty years—I'm sure you've all heard something about it." As soon as Wang Chao spoke, the faces of several department heads changed, and they immediately laughed.

"Since they're just rumors, there's no need to take them seriously, right?"

"Yes, chief, we definitely won't believe these rumors; you can rest assured."

Wang Chao looked at them and nodded: "Although they're rumors, I also know it's probably Yan Buji's doing. Just do your own jobs; don't give the other side a chance to strike at us. Our leadership team has just been formed, and many things we're figuring out as we go. But I understand one thing: if we can't do something, we shouldn't promise it; and if we promise, we must fulfill it. This applies whether it's between me and you all, or between you and your subordinates."

Afterward, Long Batian, standing nearby, said with a hint of warning: "I've heard that a few people have been privately withholding workers' wages, and some, even when the other side met the reward system, hold back payment unless given a favor—this kind of kickback behavior should be reduced from now on."

The several department heads broke into a sweat and immediately said: "We definitely wouldn't do that; it must be our subordinates acting on their own. Rest assured, we will straighten out our subordinates when we go back."

Wang Chao smiled: "That's good. The Dragon People now need everyone to work together; the order we've painstakingly established must not be broken."

"Yes, we will certainly keep it in mind."

After those department heads left, Wang Chao's expression turned indifferent, and he said: "These people—several of them used to be brothers who went through life and death with me—how did letting them manage the Dragon People's internal affairs turn out like this?"

Long Batian chuckled: "Power changes a person, and that's unavoidable. Since you're the chief, you must set aside personal interests and focus on the overall benefit."

"I understand."

Wang Chao thought carefully and felt something was off: "If this news came from Yan Buji's side, how could he possibly know the exact reserves of that spirit stone mine?"

Calculating the reserves of a vein is something ordinary cultivators find hard to do, but in this case Wang Chao asked the priests for help, and indeed they determined that the spirit stone mine would only last the Dragon People twenty years—not even counting a possible future population explosion.

Knowing this, Wang Chao abandoned the idea of fully opening the Dragon People's reproduction method and did not encourage everyone to find dao partners; thus the Dragon People's current population growth is actually still manageable.

Therefore Wang Chao allocated half of the spirit stones mined from the spirit stone mine to develop the two heavy-water veins in the outer seven layers, by cultivating some spiritual materials to ease the Dragon People's resource shortage.

This series of matters involves every aspect of the Dragon People, and the sudden spread of this news also made Wang Chao feel uneasy.

Long Batian fell silent, then said: "Wasn't Yan Buji once in seclusion and then went to the Dead Volcano Crater?"

"You mean... the time when Yang Long competed with you over the demon beast?"

Long Batian nodded: "I guess he went there then, and probably discovered the existence of the spirit stone mine at that time."

Wang Chao startled: "Then why would he...."

"Why not take charge of development himself? Heh, you think someone like him could gather many people around him? No, he just makes us do all the work, then steps in to take over the Dragon People's reins when we can't hold on." Long Batian gave a cold laugh.

Wang Chao's face sank: "Is that his plan? Does he think we'll definitely fail to control the Dragon People's development, so even if he gives up resources, he wants us to first solidify the Dragon People's overall framework, then use scheming to become the Dragon People's chief?!"

Long Batian nodded.

Wang Chao gritted his teeth: "The Dragon People can't stay forever in the Boundless Sea Trench, but figuring out how to leave is also a problem. So we must find other resources, but if there are such people inside the clan constantly undermining unity...."

Long Batian said calmly: "So he has advanced to the Golden Core stage, or perhaps the Martial Dao Golden Core. I asked the priests, and given the heavenly tribulation he previously triggered above the Wanlong Palace, his combat power likely far surpasses that of us Golden Core cultivators."

Wang Chao pondered: "So he's made up his mind that we dare not act against him, while he can act recklessly?"

"Don't think that way." Long Batian laughed: "If he really makes a move, he'd still have to weigh our three Golden Core fighters' strength—even if he can take on two of us, what then? I can't tell how strong Wang Man is."

"But what if...."

Long Batian thought carefully: "If he shows any action targeting our families, we must act."

Wang Chao nodded.

Actually, they were just discussing whether to act against Yan Buji, unrelated to personal grudges; this is a conflict between collective and personal interests. Yan Buji alone is stirring up turmoil within the Dragon People, and Wang Chao, who wants the Dragon People to become better and better, naturally would not allow such a thing to happen.

But they were wary that Yan Buji has hardly any relatives, whereas they do; if they truly broke ties, it would become troublesome.

Fortunately, the current situation is that Yan Buji wants to seize control of the Dragon People; no matter what schemes he employs, they target only Wang Chao and this leadership team, so it won't escalate to a personal feud.

But Wang Chao and the others also know that Yan Buji is an outright villain who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals; thus, if he ever considers attacking their own kin, they will certainly choose to strike first.

Therefore Wang Chao does not dare say he is directly scheming against Yan Buji to kill him; he can only subtly spread Yan Buji's various misdeeds in all aspects, even fabricating lies if necessary.

Likewise, as chief, Wang Chao must also craft his own image to win the trust of more Dragon People, so he can better control all aspects.

Wang Chao does many things, but sometimes he also feels willing yet powerless.

Especially thinking about his old comrades who became officials and then started taking kickbacks, wantonly using their power to squeeze others' hard-earned gains; whenever he hears such talk, Wang Chao feels somewhat....

a displeasure hard to put into words.

This is the entanglement brought about by power and interests.

"I'll go check on his parents first; when you're not busy, you should go see them too—Fei'er is about to give birth, yet you're busy all day, so you ought to occasionally show concern for her." Long Batian said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chao's face rarely showed relaxation: "Alright, I'll make time and definitely go."