Chapter 167

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Chapter 167: Not Daring to Speak Freely

"Come in!"

Yi Chen finished his training and instructed.

Outside the door, all three of them felt a tightening in their hearts.

Even Zhong Ren and Feng Yue couldn’t hide the increased respect on their faces.

The high priest took the lead, opened the stone door, and walked inside.

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue followed behind, quickly closing the door.

The room, spanning over twenty square meters and lacking any furniture, felt a bit empty and simple.

However, the people inside the room clearly wouldn’t allow the three leaders of the Flame Mountain Tribe to feel simple.

"Tribe Leader!"

The high priest felt a bit of fear from the heart, recalling Yi Chen, who had made him choose between life and death during their first meeting three years ago.

He quickly chose to follow his heart, immediately prostrating on the ground and kissing the cold stone surface.

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue exchanged glances and reluctantly followed suit, bowing down in worship.

"Get up!"

Yi Chen said calmly.

The high priest crawled up from the ground.

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue got up right after him.

The three of them slightly lowered their heads, avoiding looking directly at Yi Chen.

"I basically agree with the ‘migration and reform’ plan."

Yi Chen spoke straightforwardly.

Although the high priest tried to control his emotions, his expression inevitably darkened.

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue kept their faces calm, but their hearts experienced slight fluctuations.

"Basically agree" did not mean full agreement.

Yi Chen paid no mind to their expressions and had no interest in their reactions.

He instructed, "First, the royal city will be located on the plain, and its scale will be expanded tenfold."

The high priest and the others looked surprised.

After hesitating for a moment, Zhong Ren finally spoke up, "The scale of the royal city on the plain, according to the plan, has already reached over fifty square kilometers, which is enough to accommodate a million people.

"We won’t need to consider expansion for the next several decades. Expanding recklessly now, and directly increasing it tenfold, will significantly extend the time needed for construction."

"Additionally, this will lead to the residents in the city becoming scattered, making management more difficult."

"Furthermore, the planning of the royal city was based on the different geographical environments of the two selected locations. It must meet factors like water transport, land transport, and a variety of considerations."

"Expanding tenfold would completely disrupt the plan, and we would have to choose a more suitable location again."

"Exactly!"

Feng Yue nodded and then offered his opinion, "According to the current planning of the Royal City, it is sufficient for future development."

"Then let’s choose a new location!"

Yi Chen said lightly.

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue believed that a Royal City of over fifty square kilometers was enough for future growth, but Yi Chen did not think so.

This was because Zhong Ren and his partner’s plan was based on a future increase in population, allowing for new city developments.

Yi Chen, from the beginning to the end, had never considered the plan of building separate cities.

Constructing separate cities would help in managing and utilizing the vast land,

but it would not aid him in improving the average strength of his people.

To maintain control over his tribe, he aimed to accelerate their training and make it easier for them to comprehend the laws of nature. He only intended to refine one precious item, focusing on continuously expanding its capacity.

In this situation, having a more concentrated population was naturally better.

As for the many inconveniences and impacts on tribal development, Yi Chen considered them an acceptable cost.

In cases where he could not explain himself well, Yi Chen chose not to explain at all.

"Yes!"

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue greatly wanted to imitate the famous ministers in history, daring to openly advise against Yi Chen.

Because they knew countless citizens of the federation were watching.

If they could hold firm to their convictions, be strong and upright officials, and clearly discuss the numerous drawbacks of expanding the Royal City tenfold, they would surely be remembered in history and gain countless followers.

Even if they could not accomplish their task, they could return to the federation one day with both fame and profit.

Yet when they stood before Yi Chen, they realized that being an open advisor was indeed a bit difficult.

Yi Chen’s presence was too powerful.

Even a lightly spoken sentence from him brought an overwhelming pressure that left them feeling anxious.

This was completely different from what they had thought when they arrived.

They had always felt that due to their mental resilience, combined with not being native locals, they could easily respond and speak freely in front of Yi Chen.

"Useless!"

Seeing that the two dared not argue, the high priest silently cursed in his heart.

He had been hoping that they would dare to confront Yi Chen directly, even slamming the table in front of him.

Then they might provoke Yi Chen and get themselves dismissed!

These two guys, when differing from him in political views, would turn tables without hesitation.

What a joke! Did they think an old man like him was easy to bully?

Now that it’s the Tribe Leader, they just lay low.

…

"Useless! They clearly know Yi Chen’s decisions are wrong, yet they don’t even dare to stand by their opinions."

"Indeed a bit useless! I initially thought these two were quite good. Zhong Ren is decisive and efficient, and Feng Yue is skilled in strategy, far surpassing the high priest."

"Resulting in being just as useless as that old high priest."

"I often hear you boast about how quick-witted Zhong Ren is, how he handles emergencies decisively, and how he can make the best choice in an instant. And yet… whatever Yi Chen says, goes. Is that really the best choice?"

"These two probably think that it’s better to avoid trouble and keep the task as the priority! They want to avoid angering Yi Chen and getting dismissed, losing their chance to complete the mission."

"It’s a waste of Yi Chen promoting them to be Vice Councilors, allowing them to enjoy the highest welfare benefits of the Flame Mountain Tribe."

"I wonder what Yi Chen was thinking when he suddenly decided to expand the planning of the Royal City tenfold."

"Perhaps he thinks bigger is better, so he won’t have to worry later! Yi Chen doesn’t think too much about such matters."

"Yi Chen doesn’t want to think about it because he focuses all his time on creating skills and training."

"In such circumstances, this was the time for these two to show loyalty and capability, but they just gave up."

The audience in the live room felt no pressure from the two and continuously criticized them.

Logically, standing from the perspective of humanity, they would hope that Zhong Ren and Feng Yue could accomplish their task, successfully approach, or even gain control over Yi Chen.

However, they had lost hope in the two long ago and didn’t take that stance to heart.

Not standing from their own interests clearly meant that they were considering the issue from Yi Chen’s perspective.

Knowing that Yi Chen’s decision would impact the development of the Flame Mountain Tribe, the two still dared not argue, which led to their extreme dislike from the audience.

…

"Next, there’s the noble title system you proposed. The idea is good, but it’s just empty titles and some benefits, which are meaningless."

Yi Chen spoke, "Based on different titles, grant various size territories. As long as it doesn’t conflict with the tribe’s laws and regulations, the lord is qualified to establish other rules within their territory."

"Moreover, different titles come with different statuses, including privileges like sentence reductions or immunity from punishment. Please prepare the specifics and give me a copy."

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue exchanged glances, both wanting to say something but holding back.

The introduction of the noble title system was a result of their power struggle.

They introduced this system to promote the tribe’s future development and to elevate their own status.

The first batch of noble titles awarded at the founding of the nation would be worlds apart from those awarded later.

They did not expect Yi Chen to suddenly elevate the power and status of the nobility.

Dividing territories, increasing privileges, and even providing immunity were all on the table.

Without a doubt, it might drive the people crazy in the early stages, greatly promoting the future development of the Flame Mountain Kingdom.

But in the long term, it would definitely bring more harm than good, with many parasites and injustices emerging in the kingdom.

More and more nobility would undoubtedly become a significant hidden danger for the kingdom.

"Yes!"

The two eventually nodded in agreement.

They had no choice but to remain silent.

They thought that perhaps it would be better to submit documents later to express the downsides of these privileges.

Arguing directly in front of Yi Chen was too much pressure.

Yi Chen continued, "As the special privileges for status increase, the difficulty will rise proportionally. The list of titles you proposed is all nullified. Only the high priest will temporarily be awarded the title of baron."

The high priest widened his eyes, secretly pleased.

Is this a good thing?

According to the noble title system established by the Political Council, there are five ranks: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

He and the leaders of the four armies would all be granted the title of marquis.

The Vice Councilors and branch councilors would be given the title of earl.

Then, the higher-ups from the four armies, the Political Council, and the high-ranking members from each branch, along with some warriors and citizens who made significant contributions to the Flame Mountain Tribe, would be awarded viscount and baron titles, respectively.

He was only granted the title of baron, which on the surface seemed like a significant drop.

But in reality, he was the only official awarded a title, above the four leaders and the two Vice Councilors.

"Yes!"

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue were somewhat surprised.

They did not expect Yi Chen to consider the downsides of the title system and raise the difficulty significantly.

If they had known earlier, they would have offered their advice just now.

Perhaps they could earn Yi Chen’s appreciation and favor.

"Additionally, regarding hereditary titles, change the system to reduce a title every three generations."

Yi Chen instructed.

"Understood!"

Zhong Ren and Feng Yue instantly felt a pang of regret.

Increasing the difficulty of obtaining titles and reducing ranks based on heredity, Yi Chen’s thoughts completely coincided with their concerns about the title system’s downsides.

Unfortunately, they had not had the courage to bring it up earlier, missing out on a great opportunity.

"Implement the remaining plans as you intended for now, and you’re dismissed!"

Yi Chen waved his hand, ending the meeting.