Chapter 145, Increasing Income and Reducing Expenditure, and Discussion on Reform

Translator: Raznick

 

Pagoda Peak, within the Central Palace.

 

Today, all Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Zhou Clan gathered in the Central Palace, but not to discuss matters of life and death for the clan.

 

Though the importance of what they were discussing was clearly no less significant.

 

Especially as the Zhou Clan’s financial problems were exposed, the elders were astonished.

 

In the past, elders of the Zhou Clan had the right to inquire about clan affairs, and they had a duty to supervise.

 

But unless the Clan Leader was facing a major decision they couldn’t easily make, actively inviting the elders to participate, the elders wouldn’t typically investigate clan business.

 

This was a demonstration of trust in the Clan Leader, and also a way to avoid wasting time on these matters.

 

After all, the true contribution of these elders to the clan was the powerful combat strength they could provide, and their expertise in profession.

 

So, the Clan Leader managed the clan’s internal and external affairs, responsible for governing the clan, while the elders focused on cultivation, providing combat strength—this was the operating model of many cultivating clans and sects.

 

The Zhou Clan was no exception.

 

However, just because they didn’t usually inquire didn’t mean the elders were truly unaware of clan affairs, or ignorant of things that threatened the clan.

 

After all, those who could become clan elders had cultivated for decades, even centuries, experiencing all sorts of significant events.

 

Simply by virtue of that experience, even someone lacking in innate talent could discern the good from the bad, and understand the severity of certain issues.

 

Therefore, when Zhou Chun spoke of the potential financial redemption crisis looming over the Zhou Clan, everyone present immediately took it with utmost seriousness.

 

Indeed, as Zhou Chun pointed out, while the population crisis was equally grave, its impact and resolution would unfold over a longer timeframe, allowing for gradual mitigation.

 

But a financial redemption crisis was entirely different.

 

If the crisis was to trigger and only then attempt to find a solution, it would be far too late!

 

Therefore, at this moment, all population concerns were temporarily cast aside by the elders; their sole focus was on one thing.

 

How to resolve or postpone the potential financial redemption crisis!

 

And at this moment, facing the expectant gazes of Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi and the clan elders, Zhou Chun spoke eloquently, “To resolve the financial crisis currently facing the clan, there are essentially two methods: increasing revenue and decreasing expenditure.

 

“The clan’s current avenues for generating income are somewhat limited, severely restricting the clan’s earnings. Therefore, we must find ways to expand new revenue streams and enhance the profitability of existing ones.

 

“Decreasing expenditure naturally involves controlling and suspending unnecessary spending, achieving the effect of reducing costs.”

 

Speaking here, Zhou Chun was unreservedly forthright, “In fact, I have already analyzed and studied the clan’s income and expenditure records over the past fifteen years and found that if it weren’t for the Scarlet Glow Iron mine and the massive sales of Touch of Despair, the clan’s financial redemption crisis would have begun years ago!”

 

Though it sounded boastful, it was undeniably the truth.

 

Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi nodded sincerely, “Yes, if it weren’t for your discovery, Zhengchun, of the Scarlet Glow Iron mine and your assistance in developing the Touch of Despair poison to stabilize the Spirit Beast Pavilion clientele, the clan would truly have had barely a spirit coin left in its coffers.”

 

The other clan elders naturally knew these were Zhou Chun’s merits, and their gazes upon him were filled with admiration and gratitude.

 

Zhou Chun shook his head, saying, “But now the Scarlet Glow Iron mine’s output is nearing depletion, soon to lose all value for large-scale mining, and the raw materials for Touch of Despair have also risen in price considerably. This item can no longer bring much effective profit to the clan.”

 

“Then what should we do? Zhengchun, you mentioned opening up new revenue streams. Do you have any better ideas?”

 

Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui looked expectantly at Zhou Chun, hoping that this remarkable clan successor would once again contribute to the clan, and renew their lifeline.

 

The others also turned their expectant gazes toward Zhou Chun.

 

Seeing this, Zhou Chun immediately nodded and said, “Let’s talk about how the clan can make money.

 

“Currently, the clan’s income sources are mainly in three areas: market shops, rental fees from rogue cultivators, and trade with other powers.

 

“The market shops seem stable now, but under intense competition, simply maintaining the current income is already quite remarkable. To see any significant growth, unless we launch a new product with excellent effects and high output!

 

“The rental fees from rogue cultivator are certainly promising. Our Zhou Clan currently has a good reputation, attracting many rogue cultivator to settle and cultivate near Nine Peaks. If three to five hundred rogue cultivator consider our Zhou Clan as a place to cultivate, the annual rental income alone would be considerable!

 

“Therefore, I suggest the Zhou Clan set aside funds to form a security team to protect the rogue cultivator settling near Nine Peaks, strictly crack down on those robbing others in the surrounding area, thereby attracting more rogue cultivator to settle!

 

“Of course, there are also obvious drawbacks to this approach. It could attract targeted attacks from bandit cultivator, and we might also be betrayed by forces jealous of our Zhou Clan’s power. Whether or not to proceed is something we need the opinions of the elder to decide.

 

“Finally, there’s the trade income with other powers, which also holds great potential.”

 

Zhou Chun’s gaze turned toward Third Elder Zhou Daoquan.

 

“The Zhou Clan’s trade income with other powers has mainly been bulk quantities of clan specialties and demon beast fodder.

 

“But, actually, the demon beast we keep can also become sought-after merchandise.

 

“I did some rough calculations. With the clan’s current cultivator population growth rate, the offspring of many of the demon beast we keep will proliferate faster than the clan’s population growth.

 

“Creatures like Green-crowned Flying Snake, Eight Antlers Stag, Rock Armoured Viper, and Fire Wolves, premium demon beast populations, will reproduce at a rate greater than that of common demon beast as long as sufficient food is provided.

 

“If the beast enclosure can supply even ten lesser demon beast offspring for outsiders to contract each year, it could generate thousands of spirit coin for the clan!”

 

His words fell, and the gazes of the other elder turned towards Third Elder Zhou Daoquan.

 

The beast enclosure of Zhou Clan had always been under his supervision, and he was responsible for all breeding tasks.

 

He knew better than anyone how to improve the offspring output of the beast enclosure’s demon beast.

 

Facing the collective gaze, Zhou Daoquan paused briefly before speaking, “The Eight Antlers Stag is out of the question for now; the population is currently insufficient even for the clan. It is not suitable for external sale until the population exceeds fifty.

 

“As for other demon beast offspring, it is indeed possible to release a portion of them for sale to profit, ten a year shouldn’t be a big problem.”

 

Hearing him, Zhou Chun immediately stated, “That’s not bad; it’s opened up a new revenue stream.”

 

At this moment, Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui suddenly changed expression and spoke, “Speaking of which, how is that Blazing Diamond Monkey doing? It’s been seven or eight years, it should be a superior first-grade demon beast by now, right?”

 

“The Blazing Diamond Monkey did become a superior first-grade demon beast last year, but the beast is not fully mature yet and hasn’t mated with a female Redtail Monkey yet.”

 

Zhou Daoquan continued, “But it should be soon. In three years, it should challenge the monkey king’s position of the Diamond Ape!”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Jiarui let out a soft sigh, “Alas, I hope it can pass on the bloodline, so that my clan can truly have another powerful battle beast.”

 

Initially, Zhou Daoquan mentioned two routes for cultivating the Blazing Diamond Monkey population.

 

Now, several years have passed, and even the Diamond Ape hasn’t managed to breed a new Blazing Diamond Monkey or a new Diamond Ape.

 

To truly realize the population of Blazing Diamond Monkey, the only hope lies with that one Blazing Diamond Monkey.

 

“That’s everything we can realistically implement in terms of increasing revenue right now,” he continued.

 

“Now, let’s move on to cost reduction.

 

“Cost reduction is actually more difficult than increasing revenue, because the clan has already been cutting costs wherever possible, streamlining expenses across the board!

 

“The only two cost-saving measures I can think of are first, to alter the reward system for future clan missions, transforming the purely merits rewards into a combination of merits and treasures drawn from the treasury, clearing out some of the useless inventory.

 

“Second, to encourage clan members to accumulate merits, which can then be exchanged for Foundation Establishment spiritual items!”

 

Reducing costs definitely wasn’t about cutting clan member benefits!

 

Zhou Chun was very clear on this point.

 

The clan’s unity, besides blood ties, relied heavily on the welfare benefits offered to clan cultivators – a significant advantage over rogue cultivators.

 

Cutting clan member benefits was something that should never be done unless absolutely necessary!

 

But even so, after hearing his cost-saving suggestions, Second Elder Zhou Chongshan said, “Exchanging for Foundation Establishment spiritual items… that’s something that probably still needs careful consideration.”

 

“The exchange of Elevating Spirit Fruit caused quite a stir within the clan previously, and if we were to use this to entice clan members to accumulate merits, it would certainly alleviate the payment crisis, but what if a clan member actually managed to scrape together enough merits through borrowing? How would we fulfill the exchange?”

 

Foundation Establishment spiritual items were not easy to come by!

 

Any Foundation Establishment spiritual items, even something like an Elevating Spirit Fruit, were things that require both opportunity and luck to obtain.

 

Therefore, Zhou Chongshan’s statement wasn’s entirely baseless.

 

But Zhou Chun had clearly considered this when putting forward his suggestion.

 

The immediate response was, “Therefore, we need to amend a clan rule: when a clan cultivator accumulates five thousand clan merits through welfare offerings and mission rewards, they can become a Foundation Establishment seed, enjoying priority rights to exchange Foundation Establishment spiritual items!

 

“We can even factor in the merits inherited from a deceased parent’s legacy, thereby increasing the clan cultivator’s loyalty and sense of belonging to the clan!

 

“If someone can still manage to accumulate six or seven thousand clan merits, that proves they are undoubtedly a person widely trusted and respected by the clan— surely it’s only reasonable for us to support their Foundation Establishment?”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Chongshan fell silent, lost in thought.

 

After a moment, before Zhou Chongshan could speak, Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi clapped his hands and called out, “Wonderful! A truly wonderful plan, with sound reasoning.

 

“However, amending the clan rule still requires the Grand Elder’s approval!”

 

With the Clan Leader’s endorsement, Zhou Chongshan on the side frowned slightly, but ultimately refrained from further objection.

 

Seeing this, Zhou Chun readily chimed in, “Naturally. All matters discussed here today should be reviewed by the Grand Elder and executed only after his approval!”

 

“Zhengchun, do you have anything else you wish to say?”

 

Zhou Daoyi looked at Zhou Chun, his face filled with encouragement.

 

He knew Zhou Chun well and understood that Zhou Chun had staged such a grand display today, not simply to present these difficulties and solutions, but that there was likely more to it.

 

From Zhou Chun’s previous conduct, it was clear that he had come fully prepared today.

 

Therefore, he was also anticipating Zhou Chun’s subsequent performance.

 

Responding to his support, Zhou Chun felt profoundly grateful and immediately continued, “Clan Leader is wise. I wish to seize this opportunity to voice some opinions regarding internal clan reforms!”

 

Hearing him raise the word reform again, Second Elder Zhou Chongshan’s eyebrows twitched, his eyes fixed intently on him, and he said, “Oh? What do you want to reform? Not those things from last time, I hope!”

 

Zhou Chun, as if anticipating Zhou Chongshan’s words, immediately smiled, “Second Elder, rest assured, I haven’t taken such drastic steps with this reform.”

 

“Is that so? Then I shall listen with open ears.”

 

A flicker of unusual color passed in Zhou Chongshan’s eyes as he uttered the words softly.

 

Zhou Chun then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, addressing the leadership of the Zhou Clan, “Esteemed elders, I have always believed that our clan’s original internal management structure was somewhat inefficient, slowing down processes and wasting considerable manpower and resources.

 

“Moreover, through extensive surveys and interviews with numerous clan members, I’s also discovered that there are individuals who genuinely desire to contribute to the clan and possess the capability to do so, yet they consistently lack opportunities to work in positions suited to their talents.

 

“Therefore, I intend to make improvements to various aspects of the clan’s internal workings, ensuring that these individuals can contribute and utilize their abilities in roles they enjoy and excel at.”

 

Without waiting for the elders to inquire about his reform plans, he proactively outlined his intentions.

 

“I plan to reclaim the power of the Peak Heads and establish five major halls within the clan: the Internal Affairs Hall, the External Affairs Hall, the Beast Hall, the Arts Hall, and the Medicine Hall, to oversee all matters pertaining to the clan’s operations. Each hall will have an Executive and a number of personnel, with periodic rotations of staff planned.

 

“Furthermore, three separate Executives will be appointed to manage finances, oversight, and justice, reporting directly to the Clan Leader.

 

“All Executives will be accountable to the Clan Leader.”