bookrandom Chapter 141 Preserving Strength to Enjoy the Benefits, Strictly Reviewing Treasure Hunting
Chapter 141 Preserving Strength to Enjoy the Benefits, Strictly Reviewing Treasure Hunting
Zhou Qingfeng looked on with admiration and gently patted Zhiqi's shoulder: "Zhiqi, you acted decisively this time and your intelligence gathering was extremely detailed. I will record this as a great achievement for you, and you will be richly rewarded when we return to the city."
Upon hearing this, Zhiqi was deeply moved, and his face flushed with excitement. He replied respectfully, "Young Master, you flatter me. I only wish to serve you and do my job well. This would be the greatest honor of my life."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the weapon holder with a smile.
Those who achieve great things must clearly define rewards and punishments. If merits are not rewarded and mistakes are punished, over time, who will still be willing to go through fire and water and serve like a dog or horse?
The person in charge of the weapon is not only worldly-wise but also capable of completing tasks excellently. They are loyal, reliable, and have a bit of luck.
Such subordinates deserve more opportunities for development.
So Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said, "The rules for using tools must not be broken, and those who do good deeds should be rewarded."
"Go to Master Chen's place to heal your wounds first. Jin Wei, see him off."
At this moment, Jin Wei, who was standing solemnly at the door, immediately entered the military tent upon hearing the sound, respectfully clasped his hands to receive the order, and then helped the person carrying the weapon away.
Xiao Hongyun, assessing the situation, offered a timely suggestion: "Old Zhou, the news will probably spread soon. Shouldn't we send our dragon riders deep into the secret realm to plunder the treasure before their main force arrives?"
Zhou Qingfeng shook his head, his gaze deep: "There's no need to rush. I have my own plans for this matter."
"These 100 Devouring Dragon Riders are key pieces in my game of controlling the overall situation, and I absolutely cannot afford to lose them easily."
“The secret realm is extremely dangerous now. Even cultivators at the Devouring Fiend Realm have a slim chance of survival. If we were to send all the dragon riders into it, it could cause unbearable losses, or even result in the complete annihilation of the entire army.”
"At that time, we will lose control of the situation, and various forces will take advantage of the situation and no longer take us seriously."
Therefore, Zhou Qingfeng insisted on proceeding according to the original plan, allowing all parties to clear the risks within the secret realm on their own, and then he would take possession of and distribute the treasure after it was moved out.
In this way, others take risks while you reap the benefits.
They preserved their own strength while also gaining control over the distribution of wealth.
With the return of the Gu family head and the weapon wielder, the news spread rapidly.
Representatives from various families arrived one after another to discuss the next course of action with Zhou Qingfeng.
Everyone hoped that Zhou Qingfeng would send his dragon riders to explore the secret realm and unearth treasures together.
However, Zhou Qingfeng delayed answering, citing the fact that the dragon riders were exhausted and needed to rest, and asked everyone to wait patiently until all the family reinforcements had gathered before discussing the grand plan.
A few days later, the main forces of the major powers finally assembled, set up their respective camps, and awaited orders.
In the center of the military tent, representatives including the Gu family head, the Wei family head, Ma Ruyi, Mao Yuling, Zhu Jianxin, Song Ye, the First Duanmu, the First Yujing, and the First Jinse were all present.
Zhou Qingfeng sat firmly in the main seat and spoke frankly: "The situation inside the secret realm has been roughly explored. The reason for gathering everyone today is to discuss the specific action plan for excavating the treasure."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Qingfeng gave Jin Wei a wink. Jin Wei immediately understood and took out a copy of the secret realm map to distribute to the representatives of each family.
Zhou Qingfeng then announced: "The maps in your hands have marked the potentially dangerous areas within the secret realm. You may lead your respective groups into the secret realm and explore for treasures according to the map's guidance."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes revealed undisguised joy, but no one interrupted, waiting for Zhou Qingfeng to continue with his instructions.
Zhou Qingfeng looked around and said seriously, "I understand everyone's excitement at this moment, but in order to prevent anyone from embezzling the treasure and to ensure the smooth progress of the operation, I need to propose the following regulations."
“When each family sends people into or out of the secret realm, they must undergo strict inspection, and all personal items must be registered one by one; if anyone is found to have embezzled treasures, they will be severely punished.”
"At the same time, all the excavated treasures must be handed over to us for inventory and cataloging. After all the treasures have been excavated, we will calculate the total value and make it public before distributing it fairly."
"Does anyone have any objections to this?"
Ma Ruyi was the first to raise her hand and said with a relaxed smile, "I agree. With so many people involved, it's inevitable that some will be tempted to be greedy. Strict scrutiny is definitely necessary."
First Duanmu also expressed his support. Seeing this, the others, although they may have their own plans, all nodded in agreement. After all, strict review is to protect the overall interests, and unified submission for redistribution is the right that Zhou Qingfeng, as the special envoy of the treasure-hunting mission, should have.
Seeing that no one had any objections, Zhou Qingfeng stood up and ordered, "In that case, let's get started. Everyone can return to the camp to prepare the troops. The excavation of the treasure will officially begin tomorrow."
Everyone stood up one by one, bowed to Zhou Qingfeng to say goodbye, and hurriedly returned to their respective camps to organize their manpower.
After the leaders left, Ye Tingxiu, Xiao Hongyun, Master Chen, Old Cripple, Jin Wei, and others remained in the military tent to listen to Zhou Qingfeng's next instructions.
Zhou Qingfeng calmly gave the instructions: "Jin Wei, you take the guards from the Zhou residence and be responsible for counting the valuables and making a register."
Jin Wei understood his meaning and bowed, replying, "Jin Wei obeys."
Zhou Qingfeng continued, "Old Ye, Old Xiao, I have already reached an agreement with the head guard. He will lead a hundred dragon riders to guard the entrance and cooperate with you to screen people entering and leaving the secret realm."
Ye Tingxiu and Xiao Hongyun exchanged glances, cupped their hands, and said, "Yes, sir."
Zhou Qingfeng then looked at Master Chen: "Master Chen, please set up a detection array at the entrance to ensure that no item carried can escape detection, in order to prevent anyone from hiding treasures."
Master Chen smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I am willing to serve the Fourth Young Master."
Zhou Qingfeng finally turned his gaze to the old cripple. After a moment's thought, he decided not to make any further arrangements. After all, the old cripple was not a subordinate, and this trip was only to ensure his safety. The old cripple would not interfere in other matters.
Everything was arranged in an orderly manner. At dawn the next day, a large number of people registered and passed the review in an orderly manner before stepping into the Xi Yi Treasure Secret Realm and beginning the arduous journey of clearing away dangers and excavating treasures.
Time flies, and seven or eight days have passed in the blink of an eye. Every day, cultivators lose their lives in the secret realm. However, as the number of casualties increases, the amount of treasures transported out also increases day by day.
During this period, some people who attempted to hoard treasures were indeed discovered, but this was all within expectations. Once caught, they were immediately and severely punished. Gradually, the people below realized that they could not escape the investigation and gradually became more obedient.
Zhou Qingfeng remained calm and composed, sitting firmly in the central command tent. He personally went to inspect the entrance to the secret realm every day, and spent the rest of his time reading miscellaneous books to broaden his knowledge or focusing on cultivation to improve his skills.
In the past, I was either on the road or fighting against various forces, so I couldn't cultivate at all. Now that the situation is gradually stabilizing, the excavation work is on track, and there are safe camps, so I have started to cultivate.
After finishing the Plague Pill, Blood Pill, and Five Organs Pill in his hands, he began to absorb the Qi of the Three Calamities into his body, like peeling away layers of the boiling turbid Qi between heaven and earth.
As time passed day by day, more than 20,000 people worked day and night to clear away dangers and excavate treasures.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Jin Wei entered the military tent, clasped his hands, and reported: "Young Master, most of the dangers within the secret realm have been eliminated. What remains is mainly excavation work. Would you consider entering the secret realm to personally inspect it?"