Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 422 Reforming the Puyinshan Guild Hall

The medicinal herbs found a market.

The weight on Li Xiangming's heart was finally lifted.

In the following days, he turned his attention to the Puyinshan Guild Hall, summoning key merchants such as Zhang Zhi'ang to appease them and propose a plan to reform the guild hall.

The traveling merchants who had just lost the trading post were like frightened birds, all behaving with extreme caution, constantly saying that it was inappropriate and that they needed to consider it further.

Seeing that time was being wasted day by day, Li Xiangming gradually lost patience and finally stormed off.

Before leaving, he arranged for Li Xiangguang to repair the formation of the Taibai Restaurant.

Li Xiangguang was a key member of the animal trapping unit. After the unit was restructured, he served as Li Xiangming's deputy for a time.

With Li Xiangming being transferred back home and the Tianzhu Demon Hunting Team being disbanded, Li Xiangguang joined the Jinguang Demon Hunting Team and became Li Xiangting's deputy leader.

Therefore, Li Xiangguang was quite famous in Puyin Mountain, and many people recognized him.

However, not long ago, the Golden Light Demon Hunting Team and the Spirit Eye Demon Hunting Team merged, and Li Xiangguang's position as deputy leader was in jeopardy. In addition, Li Xiangming, who had returned to Puyin Mountain, urgently needed the assistance of trusted confidants, so Li Xiangting sent him back.

The traveling merchants were surprised by Li Xiangguang's appearance, but they were more curious about the array formation at Taibai Restaurant, and asked one after another, "Vice Commander Li, when did the Li family set up an array formation at Taibai Restaurant?"

There is no formation.

Li Xiangguang shook his head. The Li family was indeed setting up large-scale formations, but these formations had nothing to do with Monkey Valley.

"No formation?"

The traveling merchants looked at each other in bewilderment, then hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

"Don't you understand yet?"

Madam Feng sighed, "We can only leave once the formation is repaired. Without the formation, it will never be repaired. In other words, if we don't agree to Master Li's conditions, we can forget about leaving here."

As soon as Madam Feng finished speaking, the room erupted in an uproar.

The traveling merchants surrounded Li Xiangguang, shouting incessantly, "Deputy Commander Li, your Li family can't do such domineering things!"

“That’s right, we’re all on the same side. Who hasn’t done their part for the Li family?”

"Deputy Commander Li, quickly go and plead with Hall Master Li on our behalf!"

"enough!"

Zhang Zhiang shouted loudly, then glared at Madam Feng before saying in a deep voice, "I know Master Li's character. He won't do anything to harm us, so everyone doesn't need to worry too much."

The traveling merchants looked at each other and gradually quieted down.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhiang slowly said, "Everyone should seriously consider Hall Master Li's suggestion. This delay will not benefit anyone."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Master Li is the founder of the guild and is closely related to us. He is qualified to make a proposal. Don't always think about excluding the Li family; that's impossible."

No one understood the thoughts of the traveling merchants present better than Zhang Zhiang.

Although the Puyinshan Guild Hall was established by Li Xiangming, and although this move brought a superior business environment and substantial profits to itinerant merchants, the merchants still harbored a deep sense of apprehension towards the Li family.

The reason is simple: itinerant merchants are small in scale, while the Li family is large.

If the Li family wants to get involved in a certain business, the traveling merchants can still compete with them by relying on the guild hall. However, if the Li family has a deep-rooted influence in the guild hall, everyone will only be able to work for the Li family.

Who would willingly do something for someone else's benefit?
Especially in the past few years, itinerant merchants have become accustomed to the Li family's laissez-faire attitude towards the guild hall, allowing them to divide up the spoils.

"It's not that we oppose Master Li's proposals, but these proposals are of great importance. For example, dividing the current members into three levels—isn't that a way to create chaos?"

Someone dug a deep tunnel.

"That's a bad word."

Zhang Zhi'ang shook his head and patiently explained, "Our association, including itinerant merchants, caravans, and chambers of commerce, already has 146 members. However, most members joined for temporary convenience or for future planning. These members are not often active in Puyin Mountain, and they neither enjoy the benefits of the association nor contribute much to it. To be honest, neither you nor I, nor they, are very satisfied."

"Dividing members into tiers is a way to achieve balance. Higher-tier members, like those of us here, enjoy more benefits while also bearing the responsibility of operating and expanding the club; while lower-tier members, although receiving fewer benefits, also bear less responsibility. As long as we improve the membership promotion mechanism, allowing ordinary members to have a way to improve their tier and gain more say, then who would be dissatisfied?"

"What Chairman Zhang said makes some sense."

Old Wu also stepped forward, his voice hoarse, and said, "The pricing power for monster materials at the exchange has always been in the hands of a few of us, and other members have long been dissatisfied with this. I have raised this issue with Chairman Zhao many times, but Chairman Zhao doesn't have a good solution either. After all, not every member is able to attend the pricing meetings on time. Some people can't even come to Puyin Mountain a few times a year. Are we going to give them the same rights as us?"

“That’s right. The association is no longer in its early stages. It’s time to clarify the boundaries of power and responsibility. We don’t want to be seen as having special privileges.”

Some people immediately expressed their agreement.

The other merchants exchanged glances, and most of them agreed that the argument made sense. So they stopped their resistance and started a heated discussion.

After some time, the noise in the room subsided.

Zhang Zhi'ang picked up a pen and paper and said carefully, "Based on Master Li's proposal and the results of our discussion, I have reached the following conclusion: From now on, our Puyin Mountain Guild will adopt a system of electing a public head. Anyone who joins the guild must purchase a seat. Seats are divided into primary, intermediate, and advanced levels, with fees of 50, 100, and 200 spirit stones respectively. Each member will also need to pay an annual membership fee equal to 10% of the seat fee."

"After paying the fees, junior members can directly purchase monster materials from the trading house through the guild's channels; intermediate members, in addition to enjoying the rights of junior members, can also entrust the guild to customize purchase orders and hire monster hunters to escort monster materials through the guild's connections; while senior members not only have the above privileges, but can also participate in the nomination of committee members."

"The committee members are elected by senior members with strong financial resources and outstanding reputation, with a maximum of one hundred members. New members can replace the previous members at the election meeting held every three years."

"The committee is the highest decision-making body of our association. Any major matters that affect the association and the business environment of Puyin Mountain must be discussed by the committee. However, due to the large number of committee members, who may not always stay in Puyin Mountain, we have set up a board of directors outside the committee, with a maximum of seven members, to be responsible for the daily management of affairs."

"To facilitate the management of the association, once a director is elected, he must reside permanently in Puyin Mountain. If he fails to fulfill this duty, he will be considered to have voluntarily relinquished his directorship. In addition, only directors are eligible to elect the head of the association. The head of the association, formerly the president, is responsible for overseeing the overall affairs of the association. He serves a five-year term and can be re-elected after his term ends."

"Given Chairman Zhao's disappearance, we should also elect a vice president to assist the chairman in his work or to take on important responsibilities should the chairman be in trouble. However, in order to limit the power of the board of directors, I propose that the vice president be elected by the committee members."

"That concludes my summary and suggestions. Do you have anything to add?"

After Zhang Zhiang finished speaking, the traveling merchants looked at each other without saying a word.

All the points that needed to be argued had been argued; Zhang Zhi'ang was merely restating the consensus that everyone had reached, so naturally no one voiced any objections. The specific list of committee members and directors, however, couldn't be discussed and decided in just a day or two.

The current reforms have only established a framework.

But as long as the framework is solid, the details will follow.

After a period of silence, the traveling merchants began to express their opinions one after another.

Old Wu was the first to speak: "I have no objection."

"Let's do it this way."

"I agree!"

The Puyinshan Association currently has 146 members, but it has two heads, a president and a vice president, seven directors and one hundred committee members.

In other words, everyone present could occupy a favorable position in this reform, or at least become a committee member. So what reason was there to oppose it? But at this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes stood up: "I have no objection to the content of this reform of the guild hall, but there is one thing I have doubts about."

Zhang Zhiang frowned: "Go on."

The middle-aged man in fine clothes said in a deep voice, "Regarding the issue of membership fees! In the past, the membership fees of our guild have always been controlled by the Li family. Each member paid one hundred spirit stones, and with one hundred and forty-six members, the total was fourteen thousand six hundred spirit stones. Although the guild was founded by Hall Master Li, who among you here hasn't contributed to the guild and shed sweat? On the other hand, the Li family's investment in the guild is almost negligible, yet they reap the benefits without lifting a finger. I believe this practice is inappropriate."

"Sigh~"

Many people gasped in shock.

The issue of seat fees is actually an open secret.

But no one dared to bring it up publicly, because asking Li Xiangming to give up his seat fee would be tantamount to killing him.
Old Wu hurriedly warned, "It's fine if Chairman Zhou mentions it in private, but don't talk about it in front of Hall Master Li!"

Zhou Jing glanced around at everyone and said loudly, "Master Li prides himself on his impartiality, so he probably won't make trouble for me just because of a few truthful words. It's not that I'm deliberately targeting Master Li, but this question is like a thorn in everyone's heart, making people wonder: Was the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall established by Master Li to benefit the vast number of demon-hunting cultivators and traveling merchants, or is it merely a tool for his personal enrichment?"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell into dead silence.

Zhang Zhiang hurriedly turned around to check, and fortunately Li Xiangguang had already left the room. He wiped the cold sweat from his face, grabbed Feng Niangzi beside him, and whispered a rebuke: "Feng Niangzi, do you want to kill all of us?"

Madam Feng looked completely bewildered: "I didn't, I really don't know."

"You don't know? Wasn't Zhou Jing the one you recommended for the position?"

Zhang Zhi'ang grew even angrier, his knuckles clenching until they turned red. Madam Feng, pale with pain, could only whisper in protest, "I only accepted spirit stones to do a favor."

"You're so foolish!"

Zhang Zhi'ang shook his head helplessly and released Madam Feng. The other merchants were already in a panic and gathered together to whisper among themselves. Only Zhou Jing stood there alone, looking particularly isolated and helpless.

"It's Hall Master Li!"

Suddenly, someone shouted.

Everyone turned around and saw Li Xiangming, dressed in a green robe, standing at the door with a cold face. Every merchant who was swept by his gaze trembled with fear.

Just when the atmosphere on the field reached its most tense point, Li Xiangming suddenly laughed: "Well said! It's a good thing that Chairman Zhou was able to point out the unreasonable aspects of the association in front of everyone!"

The traveling merchants were completely bewildered and even more frightened, as if something was blocking their throats, preventing them from making a sound.

Li Xiangming was indeed smiling, especially when he saw the traveling merchants putting on such a docile appearance. These people were both sheep and wolves, sometimes bolder than tigers and leopards. Before he could even reap the rewards, some of them were already eyeing his seat fee.

He was so angry he laughed.

After laughing, Li Xiangming walked up to Zhou Jing step by step and asked coldly, "How long have you been a member, President Zhou?"

"Half a year."

Zhou Jing swallowed hard, her voice trembling slightly.

"Well, you're a newbie, so I don't blame you."

Li Xiangming turned to the others and asked, "Is there anyone else who thinks that my Li family has made no contribution to the association?"

Zhang Zhi'ang quickly shook his head, saying firmly, "Back then, we were driven to the brink of despair by Zhang Mazi. It was Master Li who established the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall, took us in, and borrowed the prestige, resources, and intelligence of the Li family. Only then were we able to drive Zhang Mazi out of Puyin Mountain, leading to our current glory. Master Li's contributions to the guild hall are unparalleled to this day. Without Master Li, there would be no Puyin Mountain Guild Hall. We will never forget him!"

"That's right, everyone can see the dedication that Master Li has put into the guild."

Others echoed.

Zhou Jing was clearly taken aback by Li Xiangming's prestige, and she was completely stunned.

Anxious, Zhang Zhiang gave Feng Niangzi a wink. Feng Niangzi hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and stepped forward, saying, "Zhou Jing, you don't need to come to Puyin Mountain anymore. I will refund your seat fee."

Zhou Jing clenched her fist and looked at Madam Feng.

However, Madam Feng had already turned around, and the other traveling merchants all avoided his gaze.

"I see."

Zhou Jing smiled silently and left the scene dejectedly.

Looking at Zhou Jing's retreating figure, all the merchants present felt an invisible pressure.

Before today, everyone thought that by banding together, they could have more say in front of Master Li, but after today, that dream will probably be shattered.

Of the dozen or so people, not one dared to disobey Master Li.

Before this, how could they have imagined that they would behave this way?
Only Zhang Zhi'ang took a deep breath.

Among the people at the Puyinshan Guild Hall, besides Zhao Jindou, he had the most contact with Li Xiangming and understood Li Xiangming's personality best.

Master Li always keeps his word. He says he'll establish an exchange, and he does; he says he'll close Monkey Valley, and he closes it.

Why do people still dare to stop him?

Could it even lead to a coup?
This is because Master Li never does anything that harms others for personal gain. As long as the difficulties of the traveling merchants are explained, Master Li will always come up with a win-win solution.

For example, establishing the Puyinshan Guild Hall!
Back then, no one was willing to pay the seat fee of one hundred spirit stones, but now they've made back ten or a hundred times that amount, haven't they?

This time, Master Li proposed reforms to the guild hall, and any wise person can see the guild hall's future development potential in this proposal.

The reason everyone is "reserved" is to strive for more benefits, but it is by no means an opportunity to oppose Master Li.

Who doesn't know that Hall Master Li is a Foundation Establishment cultivator?
Is he a genius from the Li family?

Fearing Li was something done to show Li, the head of the hall, to demonstrate one's weak position, but this couldn't be done too far, otherwise Li would overturn the table.

Zhou Jing's simple statement that the seat fee was unreasonable was not just "excessive," but a complete violation of Master Li's bottom line, no less than snatching food from a tiger's mouth!

Who wouldn't be envious of the seat fee of tens of thousands of spirit stones?

But without this seat fee, why would Master Li worry about the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall?

Is it truly out of selflessness, for the benefit of demon hunters and itinerant merchants?

If Zhao Jindou heard these words, he would probably laugh his gold teeth out on the spot.

This is such a simple principle that everyone understands.

Zhou Jing, however, spoke arrogantly and insisted on provoking Master Li, which was truly perplexing.

(End of this chapter)