Star Gate

Chapter 723: Stealing Away Talent (I)

The two old men were rather surprised by the kind of plant spirit that Li Hao knew. It was general knowledge that plant spirits were greedy existences. Well, they couldn’t be labeled as greedy as this was just their nature. No matter how many mysterious power stones one gave them, the plant spirits would suck them all dry.

Many plant spirits were hanging on to life by a thread after so many years. That they survived at all was due to the longevity of their being. They would scramble to absorb even a hint of energy that appeared around them. Spitting out one droplet of Water of Life in return was to the seeker’s good luck. Otherwise, if one met a spirit like General Pagoda, what could be done if the spirit absorbed one million stones and didn’t offer anything as compensation?

The two old men were hesitant about Li Hao’s proposal to accept refugees. This would be a difficult matter. It wasn’t just an issue of rations, but that a sudden influx of refugees would pose too many problems. Silver Moon lacked in all areas of infrastructure. Everything about these people’s day-to-day would have to be taken into account. It wasn’t as simple as Li Hao worded it, that they could simply just put everyone to work.

A matter like this was complicated beyond imagine.

“It’s a good deed for you to want to accept a portion of refugees...” Director General Zhao was silent for a long moment. “But you must keep in mind that the human heart is at times greedy. Once they have eaten and drank their fill, they may want more or enjoy better treatment. If you don’t satisfy them then...”

“I know, but this is an age of the strong!” Li Hao declared coldly. “I do want to do something, but if they prove too greedy to be satisfied with their station in life, then I will bring my fist to bear! They know full well the situation in the three northern provinces and Near River. If they wish to not know the meaning of contentment, then they can know how it feels to not be content!”

“So you understand as well,” sighed Director General Zhao. “In that case, what was a good deed might cause us to be cursed at by others instead!”

He shook his head with a sigh. It was hard being a good guy in this day and age.

“It’s not like Silver Moon has a good reputation to begin with.” Li Hao didn’t care.

“......” The two old men nearly choked on their spit. What...

“I mean it!” chuckled Li Hao. “We’re northern savages in the eyes of other people. This is an uncivilized land of barbarians! To be honest, people come to Silver Moon only when they have nowhere else to go. I know that sheltering refugees comes with a high cost and I’m just flapping my lips around, that this might cause both of you to lose all of your hair, but sometimes, I feel that doing something is better than doing nothing. I will do my best to fulfill all of your requests...”

The young man knew that it would be a very tall order. It was easy enough for him to say that the food he’d deliver would feed one hundred million people. Was food the only thing they needed?

Of course not!

Director General Zhao sank into deep thought and responded after a long while. “We’ll think about this, we can’t give you an immediate answer.”

Li Hao said nothing further. It was already a great show of face that they said they’d think about it. He’d be overbearing if he insisted further.

“Li Hao, perseverance is required in all matters.” The quiet Deputy Zhou stroked his mustache. “We are more worried that you’re just barging around with temporary enthusiasm, that you’re throwing out whatever ideas you think of. Do you have clear goals? Sometimes, meandering around is the greatest enemy!

“You might think of resisting today, saving others tomorrow, but chose to give up because there is no hope the day after that,” he said slowly. “You must consider the consequences of such actions. Silver Moon can give you some support, but we will not rampage with you if we lack the assurance to do so. Strictly speaking, you do not give us any confidence at all!”

The deputy wasn’t afraid of drawing the young man’s ire, he simply reminded in a soft voice, “Silver Moon lacks a person with drive to take center stage, but we do not want someone who will give up halfway. What is your goal? What are you willing to sacrifice in pursuit of it? You want us to follow your commands as soon as you open your mouth. Are your good intentions worth anything?

“Silver Moon has been quiet for two hundred years and might be dragged into the abyss if we follow your ideas.” He shook his head at the young man. “That will not do! What road are you seeking to walk? You must be certain of it yourself! If you want to charge forward without looking back, we can support you somewhat. But you cannot adopt the style of killing people today because I feel like it, then leaving to roam the martial world tomorrow because you don’t feel like it...”

Li Hao blinked, lost in a daze.

“Ever since the ancient times, those who accomplish great deeds have possessed great perseverance!” Deputy Zhou looked calmly at him. “If you cannot impart sufficient confidence to even those around you, then are you to let outsiders support you? On what basis? Are they to risk their lives for you?

“Are you lost in your identity as part of the eight families? Or do you really think that you’re omnipotent? You did well in the battle at Skystar City, but what have you done after it?”

“I am finding my footing and taking it one step at a time...” Li Hao answered solemnly.

“No!” Deputy Zhou shook his head. “You’re just proceeding aimlessly and deciding on tasks without a plan. It’s Silver Moon today and Skystar City tomorrow. This won’t do! You must keep in mind that if you are to do something great, then you are no longer a martial master of the martial world. You will be a true leader. Is this what a leader does?”

He did not approve of some of Li Hao’s methods and thoughts. If the young man proceeded in this vein, he would not amount to anything significant. Commencing his affairs in a haphazard manner might result in wrongdoing coming from good intentions.

Li Hao furrowed his brows.

“You don’t agree?” Deputy Zhou smiled faintly.

“A bit.”

“Then I ask you, have you considered whether or not Silver Moon citizens agree to taking in refugees?” laughed Deputy Zhou. “You have good intentions, but what will we gain in return for paying such a hefty price? As a leader, you need to consider more than just taking action. You also need to give thought to gains. Indeed, gains!

“These are very materialistic concerns, but we are not your subordinates. For us, we would like to know what we can reap from this. Making empty promises is even better than not saying anything at all. Perhaps you think that rewards will naturally come in the future, but why are we to believe you?

“If you think empty promises are useless, the truth of the situation is, people will think that you will not give them anything in return for their labor. You won’t even draw a pretty picture for us!”

“So you mean...?” Li Hao blinked.

“Even if it’s a bunch of empty promises, you should say something like this and that will happen if this succeeds. Whether it’s promotions or reputation, or something in the future... Doing something for us in the future is a marked sight better than what you offer now!

“Martial masters love getting carried away,” sighed Deputy Zhou. “They rely on loyalty and the bond of brotherhood in everything. That’s the mark of a martial world brute! When have you ever seen a martial world brute rule over the world?

“The ancient Human King may have focused on killing others, but he also knew how to properly use people, how to give them hope and expectations. He said that he would lead humanity to prosperity. It didn’t matter if you believed it or not, someone would. That was enough! And you?

“What can you bring us?” Deputy Zhou looked at the young man. “A land torn apart by war and devastation? Or will you die and your dao disperse, leaving nothing behind? Be realistic, Li Hao. No one will pay the price for your dreams unless it is our dreams as well!”

Li Hao sank into deep thought.

“Ole Zhou, he is young...” coughed the director general.

“No no, I’m just reminding him. He needs encouragement,” Deputy Zhou smiled. “He also needs some realistic suggestions, not just unfettered praise. He will easily lose himself with the latter!

“There must be plenty in Skystar City now who admire him. He’ll get used to compliments and find good advice that’s jarring to the ear hard to accept. However, this is Silver Moon’s future, so we cannot let him bet our home according to his whims.”

“So what does Deputy Zhou think I need to do to instill hope in the people...” Li Hao asked after being silent for a while.

“That’s easy, you can’t only think of shying away from conflict, lying low, or keeping a low profile,” laughed Deputy Zhou. “Staying out of the spotlight is no longer an option for you! The best course of action is setting your next goal so that everyone can work toward it, so that we can fight for it!

“You beat the nine ministries today, the three great organizations tomorrow, the royal family after that. You also want to take on Near River and the pirates... Li Hao, do you think of yourself as a god?” The deputy sighed with resignation. “You can’t be like this! That will only make people afraid and disappointed.

“They’ll feel that the entire world is their enemy, that won’t do! Aren’t you doing this for revenge? Then just focus on your revenge! If you say that you want to exterminate Red Moon, people will choose to stick to the sidelines. But now, you’ve become an unstable factor and everyone wants to eliminate you!

“You can raise another banner in the name of revenge. For example, Red Moon might be seeking to destroy the world, so you eradicate them for world peace. Even if it’s a false declaration, it’s still better than what you’re doing now!” Deputy Zhou was truly resigned and heaved a sigh. “Just say it if you want to move against the nine ministries. Announce that you will only attack the nine ministries, for what, for why, and for how. What will we receive after you succeed? There will naturally be people willing to risk their lives for you then!”

Li Hao listened in a daze, was that so? I should set a goal, a clear goal, and tell everyone that I’m working toward this goal? Is that it?

...that makes sense!

Otherwise, he thought about attacking different targets on different days, but he might not end up beating anyone in the end. When that was the case, he would be surrounded and mobbed to death!

“The Inspectorate may be an opportunistic institution, but so what? When it comes to conquest or revenge, these are the characters that you want! Why refuse them? Why engage in open hostilities with them? Does it make you feel better to step on them? Why can’t you lower your head to go to them for another discussion, a deep conversation? When there are enough opportunistic fellows, they’ll become your supporters!

“Will it satisfy you only when you turn fair-weather friends into enemies?”

“Ahem!” coughed Director General Zhao, but that didn’t deter his deputy.