The system only arrives when you're old? Then let's create a super-rich family!

(To those who are following the story, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I revised over a hundred parts of the earlier chapters this afternoon. The highest level was changed to the Grand Secretary system, and the ending of the previous chapter was changed to these Grand Secretaries meeting the protagonist. You don't need to go back and read it again.)

The heavy conference room doors slowly opened inwards.

A solemn aura instantly swept over us, making us unconsciously slow down our breathing.

The spacious, top-tier conference room was decorated in a minimalist style, yet exuded an air of profound solemnity.

At the center of the long conference table, Zeng Yunqi sat upright and composed, his gaze calm and profound, exuding an air of authority and command.

The remaining elders of the Dragon Kingdom were arranged on both sides of the long table, each with a calm expression and a dignified presence.

Lu Zhou stood respectfully to the side, then stepped forward half a step, gestured with his hand to Qin Zheng in front of him, indicating that he should offer him a seat, and said:

"Mr. Qin, please have a seat."

A glint flashed in Qin Zheng's eyes; he understood in his heart, but showed no sign of it on his face.

He slightly restrained his relaxed aura, took a light breath, and with a proper and solemn expression, nodded slightly to the person in the main seat and the people on both sides.

"Greetings, esteemed Grand Secretaries."

The elders on both sides nodded slightly in response, their gazes falling on Qin Zheng discreetly, scrutinizing, probing, and considering.

Under the watchful eyes of the high-ranking officials, Qin Zheng calmly and slowly took his seat in the guest seat opposite him, his back straight and his posture composed.

After a brief silence, the probing in the conference room officially began.

One of the senior officials, who was seated on the left, was the first to ask a question. Although his tone was calm, every word he uttered was sharp.

"Mr. Qin, I've invited you to a private meeting today for two reasons."

"Firstly, you previously stated publicly that the Qin family is the bloodline of the First Emperor. This matter is of great importance and overturns historical records. We need more accurate verification and evidence."

"Secondly, the Qin family suddenly appeared in the world with a terrifying wealth of one hundred trillion. Such a wealth far exceeds the accumulation range of ordinary families. We must carefully verify whether the source is completely compliant and clean to eliminate potential risks."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other elders turned their heads and stared intently at Qin Zheng, waiting for his reply.

Qin Zheng, who listened in silence throughout, had already seen through everyone's thoughts.

A group of cunning old foxes who have been in politics for decades, with meticulous minds and profound calculations.

The so-called verification of the authenticity of the First Emperor's bloodline and the inquiry into the origin of billions of assets are all just a pretext and a prelude.

What they really coveted was the Qin family's terrifying cash flow of over one hundred trillion!

The "Road to the East" international project is in dire need of huge financial support, and the Qin family's huge sum of money is their real target.

As for questioning the authenticity of the bloodline, it's merely a tactic to gain leverage over the Qin family and seize control of the conversation.

Qin Zheng chuckled inwardly, but his face remained completely expressionless.

Since the other party wanted to test his bottom line and find a reason to control the Qin family, he could take this opportunity to test the higher-ups' true attitude towards the Qin family and see if these high-ranking officials would shamelessly make exorbitant demands.

Having made up his mind, Qin Zheng avoided the topic of the authenticity of his bloodline, offering no further explanations. Instead, he directly addressed the core concerns of the crowd, speaking calmly and frankly.

"Gentlemen, you flatter me."

"The Qin family's wealth of over a hundred trillion is the foundation accumulated by their ancestors over two thousand seven hundred years through generations of steady inheritance. Every bit of wealth has a traceable source and is by no means black money of dubious origin."

"If there were any shady sources or potential violations, no matter how well the Qin family hid it or how meticulously they did it, with over two thousand years of heritage and such a large amount of funds, it would be impossible for it to be completely without a trace."

"We will not choose to enter the WTO smoothly today, but will instead take the initiative to align with national development."

In order to completely prevent everyone from repeatedly pressuring him about the source of the assets, Qin Zheng took the opportunity to pick up the previous investment topic, took the initiative to express his opinion, and seized the initiative in the conversation.

"Furthermore, I have already made my position clear regarding the investment in this 'Eastern Route' international project."

"The Qin family will definitely give its full support to this project. The official will give a certain amount, and the Qin family will invest directly without any hesitation."

The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the conference room subtly shifted.

Upon hearing this, the elders who had originally intended to inquire about how the Qin family had accumulated such wealth began to wonder how much the Qin family should invest.

Thirty trillion? Forty trillion? Or fifty trillion?

Or...more!

With trillions of yuan at its disposal, the Qin family could easily revitalize an entire international project by taking out just a portion of it, bringing immeasurable international influence and economic benefits.

As the room fell silent in contemplation, Zeng Yunqi glanced subtly at the composed Qin Zheng and spoke calmly:

"Mr. Qin, are you serious? If our official authorities were to order the Qin family to invest all of this trillion in this project, would the Qin family have no objections?"

Swish!

The other elders immediately looked up, their eyes filled with surprise, and all turned to look at Zeng Yunqi, who remained calm.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat, and they were secretly alarmed.

Asking for a hundred trillion right off the bat? That's the entire Qin family's wealth. Isn't that a bit too greedy?

Even if the country seeks development and projects need funding, it is wrong to take such a one-size-fits-all approach and completely destroy the foundation of a top family.

Even if it's cut in half... demanding 50 trillion would still be reasonable.

Everyone shook their heads inwardly, but no one dared to interrupt. Instead, they all turned their gaze back to Qin Zheng, curious about his thoughts.

Qin Zheng cursed inwardly, thinking to himself, "That old fox is indeed cunning and shrewd."

This is not an inquiry; it is clearly a test and pressure.

Yet his expression remained unchanged, calm and composed. Meeting Zeng Yunqi's deep gaze, he slowly spoke, deliberately changing his form of address, subtly implying something deeper.

"If the Grand Secretary speaks up personally, then of course it is possible."

He deliberately abandoned the term "official" and used only the term "Grand Secretary".

The meaning couldn't be clearer.

In official matters, the Qin family has its bottom line and considerations; however, if you, Zeng Yunqi, were to ask for it in your personal capacity, the Qin family might grant you that favor.

The boundaries and distinctions between public and private are clearly evident.

Zeng Yunqi, being a shrewd and calculating man, instantly understood the deeper meaning in Qin Zheng's words. A smile flashed in his eyes as he quickly suppressed the oppressive aura around him and slowly spoke to defuse the situation.

"Mr. Qin, there's no need to be nervous. It was just a joke."

Qin Zheng immediately smiled, looking relaxed, and responded casually.

"Is that so? Well, what you just said, Elder, really did startle me a little."

He secretly grumbled to himself.

If he had pretended to be generous and reluctantly agreed just now, Zeng Yunqi would definitely have given a different explanation now.

They will surely take the opportunity to praise the Qin family for their profound sense of righteousness, their concern for the country, and their grand vision, using empty fame to completely bind the Qin family and drain their resources without compensation.

The other elders also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it was just a test; they didn't actually ask for billions of dollars.

If the top leadership were to forcibly drain the Qin family's coffers today, and the news were to leak out and spread throughout the country's elite circles, the consequences would be unimaginable.

All established families and wealthy individuals are living in fear, lest their heritage be targeted and forcibly seized by the state.

At that time, a large amount of capital and talent will flow out of the country, and no one will dare to settle down and develop in China.

The Dragon Kingdom has always adopted a policy of appeasement towards top-tier families. As long as they abide by the law and actively cooperate with the country's development, they will be given sufficient respect and space, and the country will never arbitrarily suppress or exploit them.

Zeng Yunqi put away his joking expression, straightened his attitude, changed the subject, and stopped probing and pressuring, speaking in a much more frank tone.

"Mr. Qin, there's no need for you to hold back or worry. We will not force or pressure you on the amount of investment for this project; we fully respect the Qin family's own wishes. You can proceed according to your means."

Seeing this, the other elders echoed the sentiment, their tone carrying a subtle admonition, intending to guide Qin Zheng to increase his investment.

"Mr. Qin, the 'Road to the East' is a national-level global international project with a very wide reach. Its future profit potential, resource benefits, and international influence are all top-notch."

"The Wang, Bai, Li, and Xie families have always been driven by profit. Upon hearing about the project, they prepared funds overnight before the meeting even ended, rushing to get involved and seize the opportunity, which is enough to show the value of the project."

The crowd spoke gently, but every word they uttered was a subtle hint to the Qin family: to contribute as much effort and get involved as possible.

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng immediately understood what the elders were thinking.

From beginning to end, no one really cared about the authenticity of the First Emperor's bloodline, and no one was willing to take the initiative to vindicate the Qin family.

Everyone's focus is forever tied to that trillion-dollar fortune.

The only way to officially prove the lineage of the Qin family to the First Emperor, overturn historical records, and legitimize the family is to offer sufficient benefits and sincerity in exchange for official endorsement.

Once the benefits are in place, the formal recognition will naturally follow.

Having grasped this crucial point, Qin Zheng stopped hesitating and solemnly announced the amount.

"In that case, I'll be frank."

"In this 'Road to the East' international project, the Qin family has invested 30 trillion yuan to fully support the country's development."

The atmosphere in the meeting room became slightly somber after these words were spoken.

All the Grand Secretaries, including Zeng Yunqi, frowned almost imperceptibly.

Thirty trillion.

Among the four great families, this is an overwhelming investment, far exceeding the total of the others, and can definitely be considered a strong support.

However, when applied to the Qin family, which possesses a foundation of trillions, this approach appears somewhat conservative and insufficient.

Thirty trillion is less than forty percent of the Qin family's total assets, far below everyone's expectations.

Everyone felt a little disappointed, but no one voiced their dissatisfaction.

Zeng Yunqi quickly relaxed his brows, regained his gentle smile, and was the first to express his gratitude.

"Great! Thank you to the Qin family for their understanding and strong support for the construction of this national-level project."

The other elders nodded in agreement, their faces beaming with smiles, their words filled with recognition and gratitude for the Qin family.

As the atmosphere of the meeting gradually eased and everyone seemed ready to wrap up and adjourn, Qin Zheng spoke up at the opportune moment, taking the initiative to stop the conversation.

"Esteemed ministers, I have another matter I would like to request your assistance with."

Zeng Yunqi's expression was gentle, and he slightly raised his hand.

"Mr. Qin, please speak freely."

Qin Zheng's expression suddenly became serious, his tone solemn and sincere, and his gaze swept over all the elders present.

"As you all know, my Qin family is a direct descendant of the First Emperor. However, the conclusions drawn from thousands of years of history books have been deeply ingrained in people's minds, and it is difficult to change people's preconceived notions. Now that the Qin family is officially entering the world, our greatest wish is to set things right and clear the name of our ancestors."

"Therefore, the Qin family is willing to add another five trillion yuan on top of the existing amount, all of which will be invested in this international project. We only ask that you, the esteemed elders, provide assistance and corroborate our testimony when the Qin family publicly reveals its bloodline identity, so as to quell public opinion."

Zeng Yunqi turned his gaze slightly to his colleagues on both sides and asked in a low voice.

What do you all think?

An elderly senior official spoke first after deep thought, his words clear and fair.

"In my opinion, this matter can be approved."

"The appearance of the First Emperor's bloodline will inevitably cause heated discussions across the internet and shock the entire nation. The risk to public opinion is extremely high, and it is very easy to breed various incidents. It is indeed necessary for the authorities to step in to maintain stability."

"Furthermore, the Qin family has been rooted in Jiangnan for many years, and has taken on almost all local livelihood, infrastructure and high-end science and technology innovation projects, which have truly driven the local economic take-off, benefited the people and helped development, and made great contributions to the local area."

"Now, it is investing heavily in supporting national-level international projects. In terms of its foundation, strength, vision, and contributions, it is enough to stand at the top level. Helping the Qin family clear its name is not only to calm public opinion and stabilize the overall situation, but also to retain high-quality capital, help the country's long-term development, and allow the Qin family to take root in China and give back to their homeland with peace of mind."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to the Grand Secretary, his posture sincere.

"The Qin family thanks the Grand Secretary for his understanding and leniency."

Since it's all the old fox putting on an act, Qin Zheng naturally has to do it properly too.

He believes that without this additional five trillion yuan in sincerity, the other party would never have uttered such fair, comprehensive, and all-out supportive rhetoric.

Life is like a play, and everywhere is a stage; you can't fail to perform well.

Seeing this, the other elders nodded in agreement and echoed the sentiments, all acknowledging the transaction from the perspectives of social stability, economic development, and the overall interests of the nation.

"This is feasible and beneficial to the country and its people."

"The Qin family's sincerity is evident and they deserve official support."

"Stabilizing the Qin family means stabilizing a large part of the economic foundation."

Seeing this, Zeng Yunqi finally made the final decision:

"Since everyone has reached a consensus, then this matter is settled. If Mr. Qin intends to reveal his background in the future, he only needs to inform us in advance, and the authorities will step in to verify and vindicate him."

"Thank you, esteemed elders!" Qin Zheng bowed again, showing utmost courtesy and sincerity.

Just as everyone thought the meeting had come to a successful conclusion and was preparing to leave, Qin Zheng's voice rang out again.

"My esteemed ministers, I have one last request."

Everyone paused, turning to look.

Qin Zheng raised his eyes, his expression calm, and said, word by word:

"The Qin family is willing to donate 10 trillion yuan free of charge, specifically for projects such as public welfare, grassroots construction, and assistance to the people in Longmin, without seeking any investment returns or taking any shares in the projects."

"I only ask for a place to stay at Cloud Mist Mountain Villa."

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly after those words were spoken!

The elders, who had originally worn gentle smiles, all turned slightly grim, their eyes instantly becoming serious and hostile.

Those present were all top-level core members, and no one understood the special nature and uniqueness of Cloud Mist Manor better than them.

That was the highest-level security base and core recuperation center in the Dragon Kingdom, exclusively for use by top-ranking officials and dignitaries, and an absolute symbol of status and authority.

For decades, no prominent family or business tycoon has ever been able to set foot inside or obtain the right to stay.

Qin Zheng's move was no longer a simple request, but an attempt to break the top-level rules that had remained unchanged for decades, and it carried a hint of provoking the rules.

But everyone looked at Qin Zheng, their hearts filled with conflicting emotions.

Ten trillion! A donation made free of charge! All for the benefit of the people! No return required!

This huge sum of money can renovate countless grassroots infrastructure projects, help countless impoverished people, and implement countless projects that benefit the people. It can greatly improve the national livelihood system and its value is immeasurable.

With such immense sincerity and such generous rewards, no one dared to refuse easily, and no one was willing to give up for nothing.

In an instant, all eyes were on Zeng Yunqi, awaiting his final decision.

Zeng Yunqi's expression was calm and composed, revealing neither joy nor anger. After a few seconds of silence, he slowly asked a question.

"Mr. Qin, there are many nice villas within the first ring road. With your financial resources, you could buy them all. Why are you so fixated on Cloud Mist Villa?"

Qin Zheng knew that the matter could be discussed when he saw that Zeng Yunqi and the other elders did not immediately refuse.

As expected, it wasn't that Cloud Mist Manor didn't allow wealthy and powerful families to stay; it was just that most people couldn't afford the price, or rather, they couldn't come up with that much money to buy a spot.

He feigned nonchalance and slowly replied:

"I visited General Lin before and happened to visit Yunwu Mountain Villa once. The security, natural environment, and tranquil atmosphere there are all top-notch in the country, making it the most suitable place for retirement and quiet recuperation, nothing more."

Zeng Yunqi shook his head slightly, his tone resolute, still choosing to refuse.

"Mr. Qin, there are countless excellent residences in the country, there is no need to insist on Yunwu Mountain Villa."

The other senior officials had mixed feelings upon seeing this.

On the one hand, it's a good thing that Yunwu Mountain Villa has maintained its unique character.

On the other hand, it's heartbreaking that ten trillion has just vanished like that.

Qin Zheng did not expect Zeng Yunqi to be so insistent on this matter, even if it cost ten trillion to buy a single spot.

However, he has plenty of money.

Moreover, he had previously stated that others couldn't buy it because they weren't offering enough money.

And he just happened to have plenty of money.

Qin Zheng's smile remained unchanged as he nodded to Zeng Yunqi and said:

"This junior understands the Grand Secretary's concerns."

"Thus, the previously promised 10 trillion yuan in free donations will be fulfilled as scheduled."

"In addition, the Qin family hereby promises to invest one trillion yuan every year thereafter to continuously support the development of people's livelihood and public welfare in Longmin."

"Your Excellency, what do you think?"

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell into complete silence.

A one-time expenditure of 10 trillion, plus a long-term, stable annual output of 1 trillion!

One trillion a year, ten trillion in ten years, and thirty trillion in thirty years!

Over time, this amounted to a terrifying sum of money, enough to shake up the entire nation's livelihood!

Such sincerity and dedication far exceed the value of a single spot at the resort.

Zeng Yunqi's words of refusal, which were on the tip of his tongue, suddenly caught in his throat, and he could no longer utter them.

He remained silent for a full ten minutes; the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the final result.

After a long while, Zeng Yunqi let out a long sigh, the persistence in his eyes completely melting away, and slowly relented.

"That's it. It's just a place to stay; compared to the livelihoods of countless families and the development of the country, it's insignificant."

Qin Zheng's lips curled up slightly upon hearing this. Sure enough, the saying "money can make the devil turn the millstone" is a hard truth!

"Thank you, Your Excellencies, for your generosity!"

A spot at Cloud Mist Villa, a symbol of status and power, is secured!

(The short drama is now available. You can watch it by clicking the wish button in the bottom right corner. The adapted plot is quite interesting, so book lovers can check it out!)