Chapter 288: Chapter 177: Personnel Arrangements; The Tunnel-Digging Project

"This tunnel will begin south of the Ministry of Works Hall, winding downwards. It will run from the southern entrance of the former Golden Bridge Village straight north, ending underneath a large warehouse in Tiantuan Village."

"That warehouse is a sealed structure with only a main gate. Plus, its location in the southeast corner is quite convenient. We can construct an underground space beneath it to serve as a temporary storage area.

As for the area in between, I also plan to build an underground transfer station, protected by a few Geomagnetic Stones.

This way, personnel from Tiantuan Village can deliver supplies to the transfer zone in the middle. Our own people will then handle the transport from there. That way, no outsiders will know where the tunnel leads, protecting the secrets of Cheng Family Village."

After Cheng Zongyang finished speaking, everyone fell into thought.

Zhou Hansong asked, "Zongyang, this method is good, but isn’t the route too ambitious? It will take a very long time, and we don’t know the subterranean conditions. Problems could easily arise. There are many issues here; it’s easier said than done."

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Correct. That’s why the main force for digging the tunnel won’t be us. It will be an Exotic Beast!"

At this, everyone was stunned.

"What kind of Exotic Beast?" Cheng Guanghai asked.

Cheng Zongyang said, "An Exotic Beast that excels at digging tunnels. Its Ability is quite special. For it, digging a tunnel is as easy as us digging through mud. As long as we plan the route and have someone to guide its path, digging the tunnel won’t be a problem. Our people just need to provide support and clear away the excavated earth."

"There’s an Exotic Beast like that?" Cheng Guangshan was astonished. "Would an Exotic Beast be so obedient?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "It was tamed by someone else, and I’m planning to acquire one. Its sense of smell is extremely powerful. Not only can it dig tunnels, but we can also use it to find Medicinal Materials, minerals, and more. I’ll bring it back next time."

"Excellent, excellent!" Cheng Guangshan laughed. "If such an Exotic Beast truly exists, we’ll have to treat it like a treasured possession."

With that, no one had any more objections.

With the two main issues settled, Cheng Zongyang began to discuss the route for the underground tunnel with everyone.

The goal was convenience and simplicity.

In the end, after some discussion, they changed Cheng Zongyang’s initial plan, replacing the detour with a direct route.

From the Storehouse, it would run straight to the ground beneath the former site of Golden Bridge Village. That location would serve as the transfer point, and from there, it would continue straight north to the warehouse in Tiantuan Village.

With the Geomagnetic Stones, our own people wouldn’t cross through the transfer zone. Only enemies would dare to enter it.

If an enemy manages to enter the underground passage from the warehouse, it would mean Tiantuan Village has already fallen and the Geomagnetic Stones were ineffective against them.

Therefore, to prevent enemies from reaching Cheng Family Village through the tunnel, two forked paths would be opened on the left and right of the section that turns back from Golden Bridge Village toward Cheng Family Village. These forks would be filled with various traps, primarily for confusion and ambush.

If they don’t take the forked paths and head straight for Cheng Family Village, our only option will be to detonate explosives and collapse the tunnel.

That’s right. Cheng Zongyang had already tasked Emperor Huang, who possessed an Artisan’s Talent, with creating explosives. Following his vague instructions about a ratio of one part sulfur, two parts saltpeter, and three parts charcoal, Emperor Huang had succeeded after many attempts, though it wasn’t yet in mass production.

When the time comes, it can be used in the underground tunnel.

If the section of the tunnel leading to Cheng Family Village cannot be defended, we’ll just blow up the entire passage!

The depth of the underground tunnel was set at thirty meters below the surface.

He refused to believe that any Martial Artist below the Innate realm could break out from thirty meters underground!

Once the decision on the underground tunnel was finalized, Cheng Zongyang asked his father to have the people from the Ministry of Works Hall scout for a suitable route later.

As the meeting concluded, Cheng Guanghai and Cheng Zongyang returned to their own house.

His mother, younger brother, and younger sister were already asleep.

In the study, Cheng Guanghai asked Cheng Zongyang, "From the people you’ve been assigning, are you planning to have your maternal uncles’ branch of the family handle external affairs?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded calmly. "More or less. Father, Cheng Family Village will become our core. As long as Cheng Family Village stands, even if our external foundations suffer catastrophic destruction, we can always start over."

"As for the Zhou Family’s lineage, some of them will have to be dispersed outwards. As long as the core of the Zhou Family remains in Cheng Family Village, the disciples who are sent out will work with peace of mind.

Furthermore, with people from the Earth Branch Lineage assisting in management, this mutual oversight will only make our external foundations more stable."

Cheng Guanghai listened in silence, not saying a word.

Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang’s tone softened slightly. "The development of Cheng Family Village needs time to mature, but our external affairs require manpower.

As we get more and more Martial Artists here, I will begin assigning them to posts outside. As long as their families are in Cheng Family Village, their loyalty won’t waver."

After hearing this and connecting it to the previously discussed plans, Cheng Guanghai looked up at Cheng Zongyang and frowned.

"You want to gradually send out all the villagers with different surnames? And then replace them with new orphans or new villagers?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled faintly. "In a way. But it’s not exactly as you imagine, Father. Here, let me give you an example. It might give you a clearer picture."

"Take Zhang Guangwen, for example. He is currently an Instructor in the Martial Arts Hall and has become an Eighth Grade Martial Artist under our tutelage. He also has a wife and children.

The County Town is short on people. If I send him out, his wife and children will stay here. At the same time, I will continue to bring in new orphans or talented people who have fallen on hard times.

As time passes, Zhang Guangwen’s children will grow up, and so will the other orphans we bring in.

These people will all become talented individuals, Martial Artists, and they will also marry and start their own families. They will find their spouses from within the village. Once they are married and have their own children, they can be sent out on assignment, and then Zhang Guangwen can be transferred back.

Of course, during this time, Zhang Guangwen will certainly be allowed to return to the village periodically to reunite with his wife and children. We will also provide better benefits to the families of those who are posted externally.

This way, those who are sent out will have loved ones in the village to care about. They will then serve the Cheng Family with all their hearts to secure better benefits for their families. At the same time, this rotation of personnel prevents any one person from accumulating too much power and deceiving their superiors."

After listening and carefully processing the details, Cheng Guanghai looked at his son, his expression growing more and more complex.

’My son is truly skilled at these subtle methods of manipulating people.’

’This isn’t some dark manipulation. It’s done openly and honestly, in a way that benefits everyone, without threats or exploitation.’

’Even those who understand the system would still participate willingly.’

’It’s because they genuinely want their families to live better lives, and perhaps even for their children to "inherit their fathers’ positions" in the future.’

The model for the Cheng Clan Public Property had already taken shape. Although it hadn’t been implemented yet, as his son’s plan unfolded, it would complement the Cheng Clan Public Property plan in the future, enough to unite all those who work for the Cheng Family.

Cheng Guanghai sighed. "As your father, all I can do is manage Cheng Family Village well for you. Once your generation has matured, I can smoothly hand it over to you. But the Zhou Family... you must remember not to do that kind of thing to them."

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang understood his father’s meaning and smiled.

"Father, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no family can stir up trouble. The Zhou Family’s position has long been determined. They won’t overstep, nor will they decline."

’In his initial plan, the Zhou Family would exist as stewards, assisting the Cheng Family in managing the entire clan. But slowly, after the third generation, he would gradually separate out the fourth generation.’

’The Zhou Family also needs to develop and will grow in numbers. Their descendants won’t share the same unity as their ancestors who "conquered the lands" together. They will only feel unwilling to remain subordinate.’

’Therefore, to prevent a situation where a future generation of the Zhou Family rebels against their superiors, the best way is to gradually separate them at the appropriate time, allowing them to form their own independent family.’

’How the Zhou Family and Cheng Family will develop in the future is a matter for another time.’

’But what he told his father was true. As long as he was around, no one could even think of stirring up trouble.’

"That’s good." Cheng Guanghai was relieved.

Just then, Cheng Zongyang suddenly asked, "Who did Brother Zhenyuan choose?"

Cheng Guanghai couldn’t help but smile. "She’s from the Earth Branch Lineage. Her original name was Liu Cai’Er. She’s sixteen. After joining the Earth Branch Lineage, her name was changed to Cheng Shou’Er according to the generation name. While studying, she’s also been helping your second aunt handle matters in the Household Affairs Hall. She’s quite pretty and very sensible."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly.

’The purpose of the Earth Branch Lineage is to assist the Cheng Family in managing its future industries. As for marriage, it’s fine as long as both parties are willing. It can’t be forced.’

"When are you going to..."

Before his father could finish, Cheng Zongyang knew what was coming. He cut him off and started walking out.

"Father, get some rest. You have to be up early tomorrow morning."

Seeing this, Cheng Guanghai couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

’But then he remembered his son was only sixteen, so he wasn’t in a hurry.’

’He just couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness when he thought of his other son, who hadn’t even hit puberty yet but was already dreaming of having two wives.’