I Only Know How to Bully Noobs

Chapter 96: Still, You're the Thoughtful One

"Organize a Martial Gathering？"

Feng Siyuan’s expression changed with interest. He sat up straight, adopting a listening posture."Go on."

Chen Ming took a sip of wine to moisten his throat. "In this world, there are plenty of lower-level martial artists who have no way to rise up. Brother Feng, you must know this well. Just in our Qingfeng County alone, how many young people chase their martial dreams and join the seven major trading companies each year？"

"The other fourteen counties in Jiangzhou must be the same. It’s just that in our Qingfeng City, martial arts aren't flourishing—everyone in Jiangzhou knows this. So most of them go to Jiangzhou City looking for opportunities."

"You can’t just go poaching people from others’ territory, but even the four great sects can’t forbid people from leaving, right？ As long as we can organize this Martial Gathering and attract all the youth in Jiangzhou who want to learn martial arts, why would we worry about not recruiting talent？"

Feng Siyuan was clearly moved, but still had some doubts.

He sighed in the end. "It’s a pity. The Feng Family’s ancestral rules prohibit us from acting too high-profile. My father wouldn’t approve of this."

You already booked out the entire pleasure house, and you’re saying that’s not high-profile？

Chen Ming said aloud,"Brother Feng, you’re being shortsighted. Why use the name of Guanglong Trading Company？ Just get an older Third Grade Expert to step out, claim he’s looking for a successor, and let your company’s people spread the news around. In less than a month, Qingfeng City will be swarmed by young martial hopefuls from all over."

Feng Siyuan slammed the table with a shout. "Brilliant idea！"

He couldn’t sit still anymore.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the living room, getting more excited the more he thought about it. "This plan is feasible. Brother Chen, you’ve really helped me solve a huge problem. How should I thank you？"

"Brother Feng, now you’re being too polite. I just want to meet some young experts from other regions."

……

That night, Chen Ming and Feng Siyuan chatted late into the night, discussing the details of the Martial Gathering.

Chen Ming’s thinking was simple—he didn’t want to go to Jiangzhou City.

That place was too dangerous and full of major powers.

Whether it was the four great sects or the three great aristocratic families, they were all guarded by First Grade Experts.

Some might even harbor peak-level experts above First Grade.

One could imagine how many second-generation elites resided in Jiangzhou City.

He was just a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

Going there, he’d be a nobody.

Without a sect backing him, if one of those second-gens took a dislike to him, he might be buried alive.

Staying in Qingfeng City was much better. Not only did Zhao Xiyan, the daughter of the Governor, value him—even a second-gen from the trading world like Feng Siyuan treated him with respect.

Turning down such treatment to go take risks in Jiangzhou City would be utterly foolish.

Of course, the plan for this “Martial Gathering” was still only verbal between him and Feng Siyuan.

Whether it could actually be held was uncertain.

This matter probably wouldn’t be resolved so quickly.

If it didn’t work out, he’d just find someone else.

The seven sea trading companies always lacked people and recruited year-round.

Sooner or later, he’d find one daring enough to host this Martial Gathering.

But just two days later, Feng Siyuan came knocking personally.

As soon as Chen Ming heard it was him, he hurried out to greet him."Brother Feng, sorry I didn’t come to meet you earlier..."

Feng Siyuan interrupted,"No need for these formalities between us. Good news—my father agreed. He said as long as it’s not done in the name of Guanglong Trading Company, I can do whatever I want. The two of us can go all out now."

Chen Ming was a little surprised.

Feng Siyuan’s father was the actual manager of Guanglong Trading Company—essentially the CEO. He hadn’t expected him to be so bold.

It seemed Guanglong Trading Company really was short on manpower.

He asked,"What about the Third Grade Experts？"

Feng Siyuan waved his hand and said,"Already found them. Two in total. I’ve been busy with this the past couple of days. They were previously enshrined protectors of our company and retired to their hometowns due to age."

Chen Ming’s eyelid twitched.

To casually find two retired Third Grade Experts—these sea trading giants were indeed incredibly powerful.

Feng Siyuan frowned. "But there’s a problem. They’re unwilling to come to Qingfeng City."

Clearly, even Third Grade Experts were aware of that taboo in Qingfeng City.

Chen Ming said,"That’s easy. Just set up a platform beside the Ten Li Pavilion outside the city. Hold the duels there. The two seniors won’t need to enter the city."

Feng Siyuan was delighted."Still, you’re the thoughtful one."

Chen Ming could tell—this young master likely hadn’t done anything practical before. His eagerness to do this was likely to make a name for himself and prove his abilities.

However, his capability was limited. His one redeeming trait was being open to advice.

Chen Ming could only bear the burden and devote more energy to this matter.

He pondered,"Still, to organize this Martial Gathering, just the two of us won’t be enough."

Feng Siyuan immediately asked,"Who else do we need to find? I’ll figure it out."

Chen Ming smiled and said,"Leave this matter to me."

……

In the afternoon, Chen Ming brought Feng Siyuan along to the Governor’s Residence and asked the gatekeeper to report that they wished to see Miss Zhao.

At this point, Feng Siyuan naturally understood as well—whether the Martial Gathering could be held still depended on the attitude of the Six Doors Authority.

After all, just a few months ago, Lord Governor had held a “Martial Gathering” which provoked an attack from the Cult of Eternal Life, resulting in the disappearance of several aristocratic youths, who had yet to be found to this day, causing a major uproar.

Now they wanted to organize an even larger Martial Gathering. Lord Governor might not agree to it.

Guanglong Trading Company did have some ties with Governor Zhao. But it would require his father to personally intervene, and that was not going to happen.

Feng Siyuan, realizing this, finally understood why his father had so readily agreed to let him handle it—most likely he had anticipated that the Six Doors Authority would never approve. Yet he had deliberately chosen not to warn him, letting him hit a wall on his own.

Once he figured this out, he could only smile bitterly. His eldest and second brothers had experienced the same thing before, also having been tripped up by their father.

According to his father’s view, unless one suffered setbacks and slammed into a few walls, how would they understand how hard it was to get things done?

In the Feng Family, those who were ambitious and wanted to do things had to undergo such trials to earn the chance to work in the trading company.

Those unwilling to toil and only wanted to indulge simply received their annual silver allowance to squander.

Feng Siyuan had been the latter. But after turning thirty, he suddenly felt that such a life was unbearably dull.

He wanted to contribute to the family, so he took on the task of recruiting Chen Ming himself, which led to the current situation.

Now, he could only hope that Chen Ming would be able to convince Lord Governor through Miss Zhao.

Rumor had it that Chen Ming was quite close with Miss Zhao, though whether it was true remained unknown.

After a while, Feng Siyuan finally saw a beautiful young lady dressed in male attire emerge from the Governor’s Residence, accompanied by only one maid.

What a stunning beauty.

His eyes lit up.

This daughter of the Governor looked even more charming in male garb, lending her a unique girlish elegance.

Unfortunately, she did not spare him even a glance. Her eyes remained fixed on Chen Ming.

Feng Siyuan finally confirmed that the rumors were indeed true.

This daughter of the Governor did hold Chen Ming in special regard and shared a close relationship with him.

At this moment, Chen Ming spoke up."A few days ago, I heard that you had caught a chill, so I didn’t dare to disturb you these past days. May I ask if your health has recovered?"

Zhao Xiyan played with the folding fan in her hand and replied,"It’s already better. Thank you, Brother Chen, for your concern. And this is?"

She seemed to finally notice Feng Siyuan beside him.

Feng Siyuan quickly bowed. "Feng Siyuan of Guanglong Trading Company, greetings to Young Master Zhao..."

He wasn’t too slow, correcting himself on the spot and addressing her as Young Master.

Zhao Xiyan said,"So it’s the third young master of the Feng Family. A pleasure."

Though her words were polite, her expression was very indifferent—clearly, it was only out of respect for Chen Ming.

She was merely being perfunctory.

Feng Siyuan gave a bitter smile.

Before this, just stating his name would earn him instant respect from others.

The influence of the Seven Sea Trading Companies in Qingfeng City was deeply entrenched.

This was the first time he had received such treatment.

But there was nothing to be done—this was the daughter of Lord Governor, and she certainly had the standing to look down on him.

At the same time, Feng Siyuan felt a slight chill—she had immediately stated his rank within the family, which showed that she was very familiar with Guanglong Trading Company.