Chapter 93: Selection

Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Selection

Half an hour later, in the Zhong residence, Yilan Hall.

Yilan Hall was a grand reception hall with two large high-backed chairs at the top, and two rows of chairs on each side stretching all the way to the entrance.

Apart from Zhong Tian, there were twenty-three young masters who had been waiting in the hall. Upon their arrival, they took their seats in the two rows of chairs at the bottom, leaving the two high-backed chairs at the top empty.

The young masters conversed with each other, discussing the severity of the situation and brainstorming countermeasures. Some sighed in frustration, some remained silent, and others were noisy, but the overall atmosphere was quite chaotic.

At this moment, Zhong Tian and Yinglan walked into the hall. As soon as Zhong Tian entered, most of the young masters stood up.

"Big Brother!" They called out anxiously.

However, Zhong Tian walked calmly to the top of the hall.

Looking at the seat on the left, Zhong Tian didn't take it. Instead, he sat in the seat on the right.

Because the seat on the left was reserved for Zhong Shan. Only Zhong Shan could sit there, and no one dared to occupy it, not even Zhong Tian, the eldest son.

"Big Brother, with the eighty thousand troops outside, what should we do?" one young master asked anxiously.

"Yes, our Zhong family was once just a merchant family, but now with the army at our doorstep, what should we do?" another chimed in.

...

Zhong Tian looked at these young masters. If it were two years ago, Zhong Tian would have guided them, but after the Longmen Valley incident over a year ago, Zhong Tian understood something. Some people benefited from Zhong Shan's kindness but didn't necessarily appreciate it, taking everything for granted. Before great gains or great dangers, they might forget their gratitude.

Just like eight days ago when Yinglan asked all the young masters to come back, but some, in the face of imminent danger, actually defected to the court.

What Zhong Tian wanted to do now was to find people who truly regarded Zhong Shan as family, just like he did. And if Zhong Shan were here, he would probably have the same mindset!

"Stop the noise and sit down," Zhong Tian said sternly.

Under the command of Zhong Tian's single sentence, everyone fell silent immediately, settling down together. Of course, some had been seated from the beginning.

Even Ying Lan took a seat in front of a grandmaster chair.

At this moment, the stout man immediately spoke up, "Big Brother, in this expedition to Xuan Cheng, we only have eight thousand city defenders, while Da Kun Nation has amassed an army of eight hundred thousand. If they besiege us for some time, we'll be cut off from food and firewood. How will the common people survive? Our Zhong Mansion won't hold out for long either."

"Yeah, Big Brother, what else can we do? Hold out until the end?" another person anxiously inquired.

"Of course, I am not devoid of compassion. It's normal to have different thoughts in times of crisis; after all, nobody wants to die. With our adoptive father still in seclusion for healing, I'll act on his behalf. Anyone who wishes to leave, I, Zhong Tian, will not stop you, nor will Xuan Cheng. You're free to go," Zhong Tian suddenly changed his tone.

Upon hearing this, all the young masters paused. Allowed to leave?

"Big Brother, is this for real?" Zhong Jin, the one who spoke earlier, asked in surprise.

"Yes, I have credibility. You should all know this. Since I've said it, I'll do it. I won't stop you, but I hope that after you leave, you won't betray the Zhong Mansion," Zhong Tian said solemnly.

The adoptive sons immediately began to whisper among themselves. No one doubted Zhong Tian because all the young masters knew that Zhong Tian learned from their adoptive father, and his word was as good as gold. He would never go back on a promise.

"You have the time it takes for an incense stick to decide. No one is allowed to leave until then. After the incense stick burns out, those willing to abandon the mansion will be escorted out of the city by my men. This is a one-time opportunity. If anyone decides not to leave, but later shows any sign of betrayal during the defense against the army, I will execute them for treason on behalf of our adoptive father," Zhong Tian declared with determination.

Then, Zhong Tian closed his eyes. He said no more, waiting for the incense stick to burn down.

The approaching army meant the city's inevitable fall. After a certain time under siege, Xuan Cheng would fall without even being attacked, and then the eight hundred thousand troops would swarm in, using their lives to fill Zhong Mansion. And with their adoptive father still gravely injured, why was he injured?

The young masters continued to talk, some already trembling with fear, ready to abandon the mansion. Once outside the Zhong Mansion, where couldn't they go? Did they have any grudges with the emperor? Perhaps surrendering now could earn them a decent position. Even if not, the world was vast; there wasn't just the Da Kun Nation. In the Great Song Nation, with what their adoptive father had taught them, they could still live well. To live was to have everything; to die was to be free from worry.

After an incense stick's worth of time...

"Have you made your decision?" Zhong Tian asked solemnly.

"Big Brother, we've made our decision. We'll leave. Perhaps we can leave a spark for Zhong Mansion and come back for revenge in the future," Zhong Jin spoke up again.

And behind Zhong Jin, a group of people seemed to follow his lead.

Zhong Tian narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhong Jin for a while before finally saying, "Very well. You don't need to pack up. Leave immediately. And once you're out of Zhong Mansion, you're no longer associated with us. Don't mention revenge anymore, and don't use the Zhong surname. You can't bear the consequences."

The departing individuals flushed red, but none of them said anything more, preparing to leave.

"Ying Lan, personally escort these people out of Zhong Mansion and see them off from Xuan Cheng. After that, they will have no ties with our Zhong Mansion," Zhong Tian said with some sadness.

"Understood," Ying Lan nodded.

"Go, go, go!"

Twenty people, led by Zhong Jin, followed Ying Lan, bustling out of Zhong Mansion toward the southern city gate.

In the hall, there were still three young masters left. One was the stout man from earlier, and the other two, one around forty years old, and the other around thirty, were among the youngest.

Watching these three, Zhong Tian took a deep breath.