Chapter 105: Chapter 101: Competitiveness
Translator: 549690339
Mi Clan Emergency Assembly
Compared to the Tang Clan, power is more concentrated in the Mi Clan, making their assembly much smaller.
The current clan leader of the Mi Clan is Mi Jin, who administers the clan’s law and takes charge of financial and domestic affairs.
First Head of the Martial Hall, Mi Hai, commands the clan’s martial strength. Clan Sect Head Mi Hu dominates the division of the sects.
Together with twelve elder clansmen, these fifteen people make up the power center of the Mi Clan.
As the old challengers to the Tang Clan, Tang Ming may think that his grain-collecting action is particularly secretive and difficult to detect, but to the intelligence channels of the Mi Clan, it stands out like a bright moon in the dark night.
Initially, the Mi Clan only assumed that the collection of grain was merely a preparation for the Wancheng Treasure Ship to set sail as soon as possible, but they didn’t expect that once the Tang Clan started collecting, they couldn’t’ stop.
After Tang Ming had collected a full 100,000 tons of new grain, the Mi Clan finally began to sense that something was wrong. They started by increasing the price of the new grain, followed by Mi Jin convening this emergency meeting in order to understand the Tang Clan’s intentions.
Apart from these fifteen highest-ranking leaders of the Mi Clan at the meeting, Mi Hai brought Mi Chu, the second Head of the Martial Hall, and Mi Hu brought Mi Shen. Mi Jin brought Mizhu.
Therefore, nineteen people attended this emergency assembly.
Mi Chu is the most outstanding talent of this generation in the Mi Clan also the second son of Sect Head Mi Hai. If there are no surprises, the next First Head of the Martial Hall will be Mi Chu.
And Mi Shen is the eldest son of Sect Head Mi Hu of the Mi Clan, and the next clan leader designated by the elders’ association.
A prestigious family with centuries of history possesses a unique perception when choosing the wise.
Only the best are worthy of the highest position, whether it’s any post, the rule of succession is never based on heredity, but on competence.
Because the noble clans are well aware that clan strength is like rowing against the current, if you don’t make progress, you will regress. Sometimes it’s not that you’ve become weaker, but that your growth isn’t fast enough. You get surpassed by emergent clans and then perish.
The Mi Clan has seen far too many examples of this.
Rise in the first generation, prosper in the second, decline in the third. Countless clans can’t break the curse, the root cause being favoritism towards relatives and not wisdom.
Clan leaders always want to pass the position down to their children, regardless of their competence.
Even if luck favors and the son turns out to be good, as long as the same mentality is persistent by the third generation, then they are undoubtedly doomed.
Therefore, in the rules of the Mi and Tang families, the conditions for competition are as clear as black and white.
Regardless of the family branches, whether legitimate or illegitimate, as long as you are capable enough to take up the post, the family will give you the opportunity. As long as you prove yourself, even the position of the clan leader could be contested.
Because the real enemy of the clan is never internal but the covetous large and small external clans. If the strength is used for the internal power struggles of the clan, then the downfall of the family isn’t far off.
So even though the son of the clan leader, Mizhu, has decent competence, the candidate for the junior clan leader remains Mi Shen.
Even in this emergency meeting, Mi Shen is allowed to sit across from the clan leaders, while Mizhu, the son of the clan leader, can only stand behind Mi Jin as an observer.
This embodies the essence of elite education, only the capable can occupy it.
The Tang Clan has already collected a full 100,000 tons of new grain and they seem to intend to continue. What are your thoughts?” Mi Jin, sitting in the middle, asked the assembled members.
It seemed as if a question was being asked, but in reality, only Mi Shen was being addressed. After all, when it came to these financial and political issues, Mi Hai was completely clueless. Even though Mi Hu had some exposure to business, his understanding was only superficial.
thus, when confronted with such matters, the main discussion usually took place between Mi Jin and Mi Shen, with Mi Zhu taking notes.
With an air of confidence, Mi Shen said, “The leader need not worry. The actions of the Tang Clan are not preparation for war.”
With this statement, the tone was set for the implications of the Tang Clan’s gram collection activities. This also indicated that the three members of the Martial Hall could start to relax and avoid active participation in this emergency meeting.
“What makes you say that?” Mi Jin asked knowingly, for this was an essential part of his role as clan leader.
Having prepared earlier, Mi Shen detailed his argument confidently, “There are three reasons. Firstly, if they were preparing for war, the Tang Clan would be gather spiritual food rather than newly harvested grain. Large-scale collection of newly harvested grain suggests preparation for an extensive campaign. But the strength of the Tang Clan and our Mi Clan is comparable and we are both situated along the river. If the Tang Clan is preparing for a distant campaign wouldn’t they be afraid of our Mi Clan seizing the opportunity to strike at their weakness?”
“Secondly, the grain gathering matter is being overseen by Tang Ming, who loves to keep things secret but can’t help but reveal everything. If it were a crucial military matter, the Tang Clan would definitely hand it over to Sect Head Tang Kuan, as he is the only one capable of achieving an inconspicuous advance, as subtle as rain.”
“Thirdly, according to the observations regarding the Tang Clan’s grain accumulation, they have bought all the new rice in Xiling market over the past month and have even sent out three merchant groups with hundreds of cargo ships. Thus, the scale of the Tang Clan’s grain collection is quite clearly enormous.”
Gathering grain on such a large scale and in such a blatant manner, the scale of the grain captured does not resemble military backup storage.
With Mi Shen’s elucidation, the clan members at the table started to nod, even the numerous clan elders were very satisfied. His detailed analysis was so precise it was seamless. The vision shown by the 25-year-old Mi Shen was no less than that of a business tycoon immersed in the trade for decades.
“What is their intent?” Mi Jin asked calmly.
“I presume,” Mi Shen paused before saying emphatically, “The Tang Clan intends to monopolize the alcohol industry in Xiling.”
“As the power of Tang Clan and Mi Clan are closely matched, no one dares to engage in war readily. Under such circumstances, competing in business becomes the best strategy to accumulate an advantage.”
“The kind of trade that requires so much grain can only be the alcohol industry The Tang Clan has a merchant group that has just returned from the Liquor Kingdom four months ago. They must have brought back a remarkable new formula which strengthens the Tang Clan’s confidence in monopolising the alcohol industry in Xiling.”
At his judgement, Mi Jin nodded in agreement because his and Mi Shen’s assessments matched almost perfectly.
“Can the Tang Clan succeed?”
Upon hearing this, Mi Shen’s face changed and he answered seriously, “Definitely.”
“The gram in Xiling is monopolised by both the Tang and Mi Clans, but the Tang Clan has over fifty thousand acres more farmland than we do. Now, the Tang Clan no longer releases new grain, and our clan’s new grain from the spring harvest has been largely purchased by the Tang Clan. Before the summer harvest, hundreds of taverns in Xiling will run out of newly harvested rice for brewing. If they can’t obtain any new grain by the autumn, they will need to sell their old stock of liquor in order to maintain their shops.”
New grains are the best, while old liquor is fragrant. Most of these stored liquors have been preserved for years and if opened after ten to twenty years the price could be higher than gold, but if sealed early, it can be sold cheaply.’ “I infer that the Tang Clan will probably hold back the grain for a whole year.” “By next year, the Tang Clan’s new wine will be ready. Although I’m not sure what secret formula they’ve acquired, I imagine it won’t be inferior to long-stored wines from Xiling.”
Not understanding, Mi Zhu asked, “Even if it’s on par, how does the Tang Clan monopolise the alcohol industry?”
“Because in the coming year, Xiling’s alcohol industry will undergo a dramatic decline,” explained Mi Shen to Mi Zhu. “By next year, when the Tang Clan stops hoarding grain and Xiling’s taverns have new grain to brew, how will they continue selling their aged liquor?”
“After being accustomed to old liquor for a year, these customers will find the new wines bland when compared. At this point, the appearance of the Tang Clan’s new wine with its rich flavour and low price will provide an irresistible choice for these customers.”
Instantly understanding, Mi Zhu said, “Then they will definitely buy the Tang Clan’s wine.”
Nodding, Mi Zhu continued, “The Tang Clan’s hoarding of grain for a year will undoubtedly cause the price of new grain to soar. Learning from the fact that they didn’t get any grain this year, Xiling’s taverns will certainly hoard grain at a high price next year. However, when the new wine is unsealed and there are no customers, where will Xiling’s wine industry go from there?”
In Mi Shen’s perspective, the Tang Clan’s grand plan to collude and control the wine industry was like a magnificent landscape painting spread out on the table – so impressive and ambitious!
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