Protect Our Clan Leader-Chapter 726 94: Tragedy! The Foundation of Zuoqiu Family is Undermined_2

Otherwise, regardless of his multitude of cunning plans, the Zuo Qiu family just needs to send over two powerhouses from the Purple Abode Realm to secretly take him out and the Wang family would be done for.

Of course, this is because the Zuo Qiu family hasn't been driven to desperation yet. When it finally comes to the point of a desperate leap, whether they will still exercise such restraint is difficult to say.

"Well said, Master Shouzhe is indeed a worthy disciple of Master Changchun." Taishi Ankang burst into laughter, "However, even a small trick, when played to such a degree, is enough to amaze."

Qian Xuehan brewed another cup of tea for the two of them and couldn't help but sigh, "Regardless, we have to thank Master Shouzhe for turning the tide this time. His ability to strategize and anticipate the enemy's movement is truly commendable."

Wang Shouzhe laughed and shook his head, not saying anything more.

In truth, where is the careful strategizing and anticipation of the enemy's movements? It is nothing more than caution, and then caution again.

It has not been easy for the Wang family to reach its current state. So many clan members have grown up from infancy to be able to stand on their own under his watchful eye.

What he carries on his shoulders is the hope of countless clan members, it's their future.

He cannot afford to lose, nor dares to lose.

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"By the way, on the matter of the Cao family, I heard that the Investigation Envoy has returned to the capital?" After having a sip of tea, Wang Shouzhe suddenly recalled something and turned to Taishi Ankang.

"Yes." Taishi Ankang nodded, "The Cao family sacrificed several elders from the Tianren Realm, pushing all the blame onto them and thus extricating themselves. The Investigation Envoy has taken these Tianren Realm elders back to the capital. Once the verdict is out, I'm afraid they'll be sent off to the outer battlefields."

Because there was no direct evidence, the matter of the Cao family colluding with pirates could not be linked to the direct line. The Cao family decisively sacrificed their minor figures, and the Investigation Envoy could only accept this outcome.

This can be said to be a common strategy among prominent families.

However, as a result, the Cao family, in essence, had an arm cut off. After all, the Tianren Realm powerhouses of the Cao family doesn't amount to more than a dozen in total. They have lost a quarter of them at once, greatly weakening their strength.

After explaining this, Taishi Ankang added, "Also, Cao Bangyan has been ransomed back by the Cao family."

"?"

Wang Shouzhe looked up at him.

"I initially had no intention of releasing him, but they offered a ransom of six million to subsidize the damage caused by the pirates in Longzuo County over the years. They were really generous," Taishi Ankang revealed a knowing smile.

In the Great Qian Land where royalty and prominent families share power, there's a set of unspoken rules.

One such unwritten rule allows families to ransom their direct lines as long as the crime committed isn't an act of rebellion against the kingdom.

Of course, the cost is astronomically high.

This is somewhat similar to bail or atonement money. Of course, if he commits any major crime again, there won't be a second chance for a ransom. Therefore, Wang Shouzhe wasn't worried about releasing the tiger to the mountain. For this boy, once he goes back home, he would likely not dare to step out for decades.

Six million Qian gold is even for the Prefecture Mansion, a huge sum of money. Given that the Cao family was willing to spend a fortune to ransom him, it was only natural for Taishi Ankang to let him go.

"Tsk, they really are willing to spend a fortune." Qian Xuehan tsked in astonishment, "If it were me, I would never use such a fortune for the likes of Cao Bangyan."

"Don't say that. After all, Cao Bangyan is a Sky Pride." Wang Shouzhe took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Besides, according to the information I've gathered, I predict that the remaining lifespan of the Cao family's Purple Abode Old Ancestor should not exceed two hundred years."

"Ah, I see..." Qian Xuehan finally understood.

If it was for the Purple Abode succession, then it made sense for the Cao family to spend a fortune to ransom him.

You know, whilst Sky Prides are rare, for a Purple Abode Prominent Family like the Cao family, the requirement isn't specifically for Cao Bangyan.

The issue is that a young man with Heavenly Chosen Talent could take two hundred years at the quickest, and even three to four hundred and fifty years at the slowest, to grow to the Purple Abode Realm.

I suspect the Cao family previously placed all their hope on Cao Bangyan. Now it's too late to start nurturing a successor for the Purple Abode. Cao Youqing, while being a Sacred Land Sky Pride, cannot preside over the family to maintain the class of the family.

Even if they were unwilling, the Cao family had no choice but to grit their teeth and shell out the money to ransom Cao Bangyan.

"Tsk, tsk. The Cao family really incurred a big loss this round." As a noble family head, Qian Xuehan was very sensitive to the flow of funds in the family. After a moment's thought, he couldn't help but gloat over the Cao family's misfortune, "They had to bribe the Investigation Envoy from the Inspectorate and pay huge amounts for ransom.

I estimate that the asset of the Cao family would quickly be depleted. However, it's a good fortune for the Prefectural Governor, who has made a clean profit of six million."

Saying this, he glanced at Taishi Ankang.

This six million was not part of the tax income and the Prefecture Mansion could handle it independently.

Taishi Ankang just laughed.

Knowing Wang Shouzhe's nature well, without waiting for Wang Shouzhe to speak, Taishi Ankang proactively said, "Don't worry, since Cao Bangyan was captured by Shouzhe, I naturally won't pocket the six million by myself. I've already reported it above, I keep three million for the Prefecture Mansion to serve as a reserve fund.

The other three million, though I couldn't directly give it to the Wang family, I allocated it as a subsidy for the development of Qingluo Sea."

"Wei Wenxun has been effectively eliminating the pirates recently. In a few more years, we should be nearly free of the pirates. You can start developing the Qingluo Sea according to plan. When the time comes, you can freely use this fund as long as the accounts look good."