47: Chapter 47 Royal Council

Back at the Wang Family residence, Wang Gang's heart could not find peace for a long time.

His decision to go to the Pei Family residence had been largely a gamble.

Long before going to the Pei Family, he had spent an entire night thinking carefully.

He had considered seeking refuge with the Li Family, but quickly dismissed the idea. The Li Family did indeed have a Five-Viscera Martial Artist and possessed the most accumulated wealth among the three major families.

However, that Five-Viscera Martial Artist of the Li Family was only at the Early stage of Five Viscera Realm. Furthermore, that person was still in their prime.

If they joined the Li Family, the Wang Family might not survive, and even if they did, they would have no hope of rising to prominence for a very long time.

Seeking refuge with Chen Yuanba also seemed like a viable option; as long as Chen Yuanba was willing to protect the Wang Family, no major power within Wuyang County would dare to move against them.

But this was predicated on Chen Yuanba remaining in the position of Chief of the Evil Suppressing Department.

In the Great Jing Dynasty, for official positions below the third rank, the term of office for the same post could not exceed ten years.

According to his knowledge, this year was already Chen Yuanba's final year in his term at the Evil Suppression Bureau.

Once winter passed and spring arrived, Chen Yuanba would inevitably be transferred away from Wuyang County. Whether he would be promoted or transferred to a lateral position would depend on the merits he had accumulated over the years, his own strength, and his connections with the higher-ups.

If even one condition was not met, it would likely be a lateral transfer.

But whether it was a lateral transfer or a promotion, once Chen Yuanba was moved, the Wang Family would lose its protection once again.

In other words, choosing to seek refuge with the Evil Suppression Bureau would only grant them a few months of protection.

A few months was far from enough time to support the emergence of a new Five-Viscera Martial Artist in the Wang Family.

Besides, even if a Five-Viscera Martial Artist were truly born, could they contend with the Pei Family?

Others might not be clear about Wang Yang's strength.

But as Wang Yang's younger brother, how could he not know?

Wang Yang had been only a single step away from the Mid stage of Five Viscera Realm.

For Pei Qingyun to be able to kill his brother, his strength had to be at least at the Mid stage of Five Viscera Realm.

Even if the Wang Family could produce a new Five-Viscera Martial Artist, they would still be unable to compete with the Pei Family.

However, the Pei Family also had one disadvantage: Pei Qingyun was old.

His advanced age was the Wang Family's opportunity.

Pei Qingyun likely wouldn't have a problem holding on for a few more years.

With a few years' time, the Wang Family might not be without a chance.

When Pei Qingyun eventually grew too old, if the Wang Family could produce a new Five-Viscera Martial Artist, they might be able to return to being a third-rate noble Family.

As for the magistrate's yamen, he had never even considered it.

But all of this had a prerequisite: he had to convince the many Wang Family Elders to agree to this plan.

"Time is running out, I must be quick." Thinking of this, Wang Gang rapidly contacted the numerous Elders of the Wang Family.

Due to Wang Yang's death, the internal state of the Wang Family was a complete mess. Many clansmen realized the Wang Family's predicament; seeking a chance at survival, many of them had already become disloyal, and some were even thinking of changing their surnames.

Even without outside forces intervening, a great internal upheaval was about to play out within the Wang Family.

Even with Wang Gang acting as the temporary Family Head, he could not change this situation.

This was one of the reasons he was seeking a way out.

The Wang Family Estate.

The Family Council Hall.

Wang Gang sat upright in the main seat of the council hall, his gaze sweeping over each Wang Family Elder as they arrived.

But after waiting for half an hour, the number of Elders who had come to the council hall was less than half of the total number of Wang Family Elders.

From this, it was evident that as the Acting Family Head who had just taken the main seat, he had nowhere near the prestige that Wang Yang had possessed.

He had anticipated this situation before the meeting began, but seeing so few people show up still left him very frustrated.

Wang Gang looked around, thinking about whether he should hold out a bit longer.

At that moment, a personal guard beside him whispered a few words in his ear.

In an instant, Wang Gang's expression shifted, and a strong killing intent flickered in his eyes.

Thus, he waited no longer.

"All of you Elders are well aware that I have gathered everyone here today to find a way out for the Wang Family. Yet, many Elders have disregarded the Family's interests and failed to attend such an important meeting. I believe they intend to defect from the Wang Family and must be severely punished."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked.

They never expected that Wang Gang wouldn't start discussions immediately, but instead would hold the many Elders accountable, even labeling them as traitors.

"Family Head, you absolutely must not," one Elder said.

"Why must I not? As Elders of the Family, if even they disregard the Family's interests, how will the other clansmen of the Wang Family look at us? Have you thought about that?" Wang Gang roared.

"Please calm your anger, Family Head. I believe the Elders who didn't come have no intention of betraying the Family; perhaps they were just delayed by other matters," an Elder named Wang Shi said.

"I understand that Elder Shi is saying these things for the sake of Family unity. But has Elder Shi considered whether any matter at this time could be more important than the survival of the Family?" Wang Gang said unhurriedly.

At this, Wang Shi was rendered speechless.

Calming down, Wang Shi also understood the new Family Head's determination; it seemed he intended to reorganize the Wang Family.

Just like that, the council hall suddenly fell silent.

Seeing that he had achieved the desired effect, Wang Gang stopped wasting words. However, he did not reveal his decision right away.

Instead, he first sought the opinions of the Elders present.

The result was obvious: not a single Elder could propose an effective plan.

The only one that seemed somewhat decent was Wang Shi's proposal to abandon the Wang Family's current foundations and relocate the entire clan to another county.

But Wang Gang immediately rejected this plan.

Furthermore, he explained the feasibility of the plan to the public.

First, given the Wang Family's scale, the leading powers of other counties would never welcome their arrival. Even if the Wang Family forced their way in, they would certainly be met with hostility from all the major local forces.

Within a few months, the Wang Family would fall into ruin.

Of course, falling into ruin elsewhere was still better than being left to rot in Wuyang County.

Wang Gang had also considered this plan.

Besides those points, the most important factor was that the trade routes between counties had not yet been reopened; the Wang Family simply could not leave Wuyang County.

As the discussion progressed, the eyes of the Wang Family Elders grew increasingly desperate.

The Wang Family's predicament seemed to be a dead end.

No one could have imagined that the powerful Wang Family would face the risk of extermination overnight.

Looking at the pale-faced Wang Family Elders, Wang Gang knew the effect he wanted was nearly achieved.

All the Elders present had to realize that the Wang Family was already at a dead end before they could have the determination to find life in a death trap.

Only in this way could he logically propose the plan to become a subsidiary of the Pei Family.

If he had proposed it at the beginning, it would have surely met with universal opposition.

After a moment of silence, Wang Gang finally spoke slowly, "I have an idea that might secure a glimmer of hope for the Family, but you Elders might not be able to accept it."

"Please speak, Family Head, do not have reservations. The Wang Family has reached this point; what is there that cannot be said? As long as it can save the Wang Family, I wouldn't hesitate even if it cost me this old life of mine." Before Wang Gang could even finish, Wang Shi immediately voiced his stance.