Excessive ferocity due to caution

Inside the main hall, probably no one expected that the Qin Gongzi, who was especially good at hiding his true intentions in the past, would suddenly become so decisive and powerful after becoming the head of the family!

This wouldn't have been a big deal for them, since these people wielded immense power, and Qin Zheng hadn't cultivated his own faction within the Qin family. They had watched Qin Zheng grow up and knew him very well.

Although these people wouldn't resort to desperate measures like forcing a resignation, they could easily disobey Qin Zheng's orders or simply ignore them.

However, their mindset has now undergone a subtle change.

Qin Zheng's assertiveness, and Qin Qiu's old-fashioned adherence to rules, made them sense something unusual.

"If any elders have any objections to my proposal, please speak up quickly."

Qin Zheng remained remarkably calm throughout, his tone devoid of any fluctuation.

The other elders of the Qin family who had not yet spoken up slowly began to address the issue:

"Qin Zheng... clan chief."

"What you are about to do is not only unstable, but also extremely likely to make enemies. Zhao Yi and the Li and Lü families are now at loggerheads and it's a fight to the death."

"If we help Zhao Yi at this time, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the two families. Forgive my bluntness, but among the four families in the capital, the Qin family is no longer what it used to be. The Jiang family has prospered in recent years because of the Qi Yun Divine Cauldron, but it is still not enough compared to the Li and Lü families. If a direct conflict occurs, it will be detrimental to us in every way."

The old man, Qin Xian, shared his thoughts.

Both publicly and privately, he did not want the Qin family to get involved in the mess between Zhao Yi and the Li and Lü families at this critical juncture.

The other elders agreed.

"Clan leader, your actions will only plunge the Qin family into utter ruin!"

"Yeah yeah!"

"We understand that you are new to power and want to achieve great things and be recorded in the history of the Qin family, but going to extremes is definitely not a proper thing to do!"

Faced with everyone's earnest advice, Qin Zheng took a sip of tea and did not rush to express his opinion.

Elder Qin Qiu, who was in charge of criminal law, returned quickly, and everyone's eyelids twitched involuntarily as they looked at him.

Qin Zheng asked Qin Qiu for his opinion, but Qin Qiu merely raised his eyelids and said indifferently:

"I am only responsible for handling internal affairs of the Qin family, and I have never concerned myself with external matters."

Seeing that he remained silent as always, the other elders secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Qin Qiu supports Qin Zheng, then if Qin Zheng insists on going his own way, it will be really difficult for them to stop him.

But now, without Qin Qiu's support, Qin Zheng is all alone, and they have nothing to fear!

Qin Zheng, with his legs crossed, showed none of the worry and anxiety I had expected, and began to speak calmly:

"You've all been in power in the Qin family for decades, haven't you?"

"Over the past few decades, compared to when you first took power in the Qin family, have you noticed any changes?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"The clan leader refers to..."

Qin Zheng didn't even look at them; his gaze remained fixed on the teacup in his hand, as if he were deep in thought.

"Go back and look through the documents from when you took over the Qin family; they're probably all covered in dust..."

"You strictly control the rising stars in your clan, fearing that a talented descendant might one day ride roughshod over you. But when faced with the oppression and constant encroachment of the Li and Lü families, you only think of seeking peace, even at the cost of ceding Qin family resources. Now, decades later, you might as well take a look at how much the Qin family's influence, industry, and voice in the capital have shrunk."

As soon as Qin Zheng finished speaking, the faces of the men present immediately darkened.

"Chieftain... if you don't understand the whole story, don't jump to conclusions and label us!"

"If it weren't for us old folks holding things together, the Qin family might have been wiped out long ago!"

Qin Zheng's lips curled into a mocking sneer:

"Have you been holding on all this time?"

"Is this constant compromise, constant subservience, and constant cutting of funds and paying indemnities your achievement?"

"I'm sorry... these things aren't just for you 'old folks,' anyone can do them."

As soon as he finished speaking, several elders immediately stood up angrily!

"Chieftain..."

"If you've summoned us today merely to frame and humiliate us old folks, then we're afraid we won't oblige!"

"We still have many important matters to attend to within the Qin family. Farewell!"

Just as they were about to leave, Qin Qiu spoke calmly:

"Having grown accustomed to flattery, you become enraged at a few words of truth?"

The group of people who were about to leave suddenly stopped and turned back in disbelief to look at Qin Qiu.

"Elder Qiu, you too..."

Qin Zheng looked directly at them and said:

"You must all think that my father died young and left me nothing."

"But actually, he left me with a lot."

"Like my father, I will die young."

"But... I have no children."

Do you understand what I mean?

That one sentence made the elders who were about to leave furious!

A chill rose from the soles of everyone's feet, rushing up their spines and into the tops of their heads!

"Chieftain, your actions concern the lives of everyone in the clan. Whatever you do, please think it over!"

The elderly Qin Xian hurriedly tried to persuade Qin Zheng.

When they looked at Qin and Zheng again, their eyes were filled with panic.

Because when they looked into Qin Zheng's eyes, they saw into Qin Zheng's heart.

Qin Xian panicked. He stepped forward, pointed outside, and glared, saying:

"Chieftain, we old folks aren't against you doing things, but who is that? That's a monster! A madman!!"

"How many people did he kill?!"

Qin Zheng countered with:

"Didn't the Lü family kill a lot of people?"

"Did the Li family kill few people?"

"You're afraid Zhao Yi will eat people, but aren't you afraid the Li and Lü families will eat people too?"

Qin Xian was speechless.

Seeing him standing there stunned, Qin Zheng spoke calmly:

"Stop making excuses for your own cowardice and trying to smear the influence of Zhao Yi. It's just that you're afraid of the power of the Li and Lü families."

"My time is running out."

"Let me be frank with you all... If I cannot save the Qin family, I will personally take it to my grave."

Those present trembled as they listened to Qin Zheng's words.

Only Qin Qiu's cloudy eyes suddenly brightened.

Qin Zheng put down his teacup and stood up.

Standing with hands behind his back.

"Then, I'll ask one more time."

"I'm going to hand over Dragon Court Path to that madman Zhao Yi... Anyone have any objections?"

P.S.: Well then, I'll say it again, I'll be up at 3 AM today, anyone have any objections?