Chapter 990: Chapter 236: The Seat (Additional release for Alliance Hierarch LuDan1.9)
Regarding Tian Chang, Zhongxuan Sheng indeed did not understand him enough.
He only knew that this person was a rising young talent in the Tian family in recent years, and then Jiang Wang had some interactions with him in the Seven Stars Valley.
However, Jiang Wang had hinted that he held some leverage over him.
Knowing this was enough, Zhongxuan Sheng naturally knew how to use it.
As for the overall situation in the Near Sea Archipelago, this stout man already had his own arrangements. He had always conducted business by connecting various parties, seizing the opportunity, and seldom monopolized everything. The same was true in the Near Sea Archipelago.
This time there was some sea trade from No Winter Island, planning to join hands with Hegemon Island.
Unexpectedly, the Tian family was also very active; Tian Chang personally came to talk.
Zhongxuan Sheng naturally would not refuse communication.
Both parties sat down according to their status.
Zhongxuan Sheng was at least twice the size of Tian Chang, squeezing into the large chair, naturally giving off an oppressive feeling. But his chubby face was full of smiles, also making him seem approachable.
He immediately said, "Prince Tian Chang is truly a talented person; I see the future of the Tian family resting on your shoulders!"
Tian Chang, after being blown by the sea breeze for a while, now appeared sharp and efficient. Holding a significant authority during this time also naturally carried a sense of dignity.
But hearing Zhongxuan Sheng’s words, Tian Chang, who already sat on the edge of his chair, almost fell off, "Prince Chongxuan, please don’t joke. The future of the Tian family naturally depends on Prince Anping! I am just following Prince Anping, doing what I can to assist."
Zhongxuan Sheng was not very surprised by Tian Chang’s attitude.
Though young people are naturally proud, the name Tian Anping was enough to crush all arrogance with its overwhelming presence.
Not to mention the newly emerged Tian Chang; even Tian Antai, Tian Anping’s own elder brother, seventeen years his senior and a respectable Prefectural Governor, fears him like a tiger.
However, since there were no other people present at the moment. Tian Chang’s posture was so correct, it showed that he was a person of deep cunning and not to be underestimated.
He became somewhat curious about how Jiang Wang had managed to grasp leverage over such a guy.
"Assisting, assisting," Zhongxuan Sheng casually laughed, "Prince Anping has an impressive ambition."
Tian Chang, shocked and stern, said, "Prince Sheng must not talk nonsense!"
"I drank too much yesterday! I slipped into some nonsensical talk!"
Zhongxuan Sheng chuckled, skimming lightly over the subject and changing the topic: "The Seize Sea Alliance has recently been established, unifying all the forces of the Near Sea Archipelago. The difference between a Near Sea Archipelago governed individually and a seamlessly integrated Near Sea Archipelago doesn’t need to be elaborated by me, Prince Tian Chang surely understands. Many rules have changed, many businesses, have found new scenarios."
Even he didn’t want to provoke that madman. Thus, he merely made a jest and easily moved on.
As for what he truly thought, only he himself knew.
"This is why I have come to visit Prince Sheng." It would be best not to discuss Tian Anping, Tian Chang quickly said, "In the battle of Qi Yang, Prince Sheng’s performance was stunning. In my view, the next Family Head of the Chong Xuan Family could not be anyone but you!"
"That’s natural!" Compared to Tian Chang’s panic-stricken demeanor, facing the ’expectation’ from the other side, Zhongxuan Sheng just grinned, his smile still amiable yet a domineering aura suddenly emerged: "The marquis of Bowang, who else but me?"
"Yes, yes." Tian Chang echoed, "Prince Sheng is a natural genius; I have come today to seek advice!"
Upon the first meeting, both were not in a hurry to make judgments about each other, but rather praised and tested each other mutually.
Zhongxuan Sheng waved his hand dismissively and said, "Since you think highly of me, and I indeed have some capabilities, I’ll take the lead in this sea trade business!"
The market is like a battlefield, but it’s not entirely the same as a battlefield. This so-called "charging into battle" seems to be taking on more responsibility, but in reality, it is about securing a larger share.
Others may go with the flow, but this stout man is flying with the current!
Tian Chang’s thoughts raced, and he said with a smile, "Actually, who charges into battle and who gets trapped isn’t the most important thing. Both our families are looking to maintain long-term relationships. Since Qi Yang battlefield, we have cooperated all the way, and our Tian family has left you years to develop and operate Chongjia Island!"
Chongjia Island had been lost, now deviously falling into the hands of Gu Huaixin’s faction, which the Tian family was obviously aware of.
The Tian family was actually not in a hurry. Because the ownership of the islands in the Near Sea Archipelago was a bit complex, involving operational rights and ownership rights.
It was due to the chaotic period when power on the islands rose and fell daily, and trade between the islands was very frequent.
Today, I lend this island to you for three years, tomorrow you lend another island to me for five years, these were all common occurrences. But the operational rights of various transactions did not affect the ownership rights.
Taking Chongjia Island as an example, although Zhongxuan Sheng had obtained ten years of operational rights, the ownership remained with the Tian family.
No matter what changes occurred, whether Zhong Xuan Family didn’t want to return it or if Chongjia Island was lost. Once the ten-year period was up, the Tian family had the right based on ownership to reclaim Chongjia Island. They could legitimately initiate a war without fear of interference.
These were the rules of the Near Sea Archipelago, recognized by all the islands. Even after the establishment of the Seize Sea Alliance, this had not changed.
If the operational and ownership rights of the islands were not divided so clearly, the Zhong Xuan Family could have played a double act, allowing the island to be "taken" in the ninth year. Then, whom would the Tian family turn to?
Chongjia Island being attacked by sea pirates and breaking defense was purely a joke. But following closely, Jiu Xuan sect drove out the pirate forces and also rightfully obtained the operational rights of Chongjia Island—the nine years of operational rights exchanged by the Zhong Xuan Family.
This was undoubtedly a tremendous wealth.
You see, the Zhong Xuan Family gave up a Prefectural Governor position of Qi Country for these ten years of operational rights for Chongjia Island.
Tian Chang specifically mentioned this to remind Zhongxuan Sheng, once the ten-year period is up, what will your Zhong Xuan Family provide?
At that time, the Tian family would naturally be able to use their ownership rights to force Jiu Xuan sect off the island and also had the right to initiate a war. But after all, what the Tian family handed over to the Zhong Xuan Family was a complete and undefended Chongjia Island. Now, to take it back, they would still have to contend with Jiu Xuan sect.
In this matter, the Zhong Xuan Family was not in the right. So, in this cooperation, should they make appropriate concessions?
Zhongxuan Sheng smiled and then said, "Across the entire Seize Sea Alliance, the council has ninety-nine votes. Excluding the five votes from Diao Hai Building, plus the six votes from Yang Valley and Jueming Island combined, the remaining eighty-eight votes are divided among eighty-eight families. In these eighty-eight families, both our Eternal Winter Island and your Hegemon Island only have one council seat each."
It seemed as if he was beating around the bush, but Tian Chang didn’t seem to mind at all and sighed, "Yes, Diao Hai Building has been rooted in the Near Sea Archipelago for too long, much more massive underwater than above. Although we are backed by Daqi, every piece of meat we bite off, we have to work hard for."
Zhongxuan Sheng looked at Tian Chang nonchalantly and suddenly said, "Our Zhong Xuan Family is willing to return Chongjia Island to the Da Ze Tian Clan unconditionally! We don’t want the remaining nine years at all."
He added meaningfully, "But Chongjia Island is not in our hands now, you have to retrieve it yourselves."
The previous ten-year agreement was signed between Zhong Xuan Family and the Tian family.
If the Zhong Xuan Family gives up the possibility of reclaiming operational rights, it means... the Tian family can directly reclaim the ownership!
These nine years of operational rights, even if the Zhong Xuan Family don’t plan to compete with Jiu Xuan sect, could still be sold to the forces of Yang Valley.
Now unconditionally relinquished.
What is Zhongxuan Sheng planning?
