Once, I wanted to be a good person

So, of course, everyone also knows that the noble faction represented by Fang Ze now has almost all the elder generation dead, and the new generation is in short supply. Moreover, they were utterly defeated at the council meeting two days ago, completely withdrawing from the core of power in Xida State, merely a prestigious Awakened Clan in name, with only the status and titles.

So when they saw Fang Ze actually coming to pay respects to He Weidao, everyone present was secretly exchanging glances.

Fang Ze ignored this kind of notification, akin to humiliation, as well as the gloating gazes of the crowd. He was even "enjoying it." Of course, Fang Ze is not a masochist, but because the more arrogant He Weidao appeared, the more it indicated a problem with his mindset.

With everyone watching the spectacle, Fang Ze went into the manor.

Although He Weidao said Fang Ze could go straight in upon arrival, it didn't mean he could see He Weidao anytime he wanted. Therefore, Fang Ze was led by the butler to the side hall, waiting for He Weidao to finish his work and come over to entertain him.

After the butler left, Hei Yu, slightly angry, said to Fang Ze, "Young Master, that person is obviously!"

Fang Ze raised his right index finger to his lips, then slightly shook his head, signaling her to be silent.

Hei Yu then remembered that they were on He Weidao's territory, making some things inconvenient to say.

Even though He Weidao's butler was a bit presumptuous, He Weidao himself seemed to maintain some limits. Within five minutes, another butler came to inform Fang Ze that he could go over to meet He Weidao.

Fang Ze followed that butler, walked through the luxurious corridor, and arrived at He Weidao's study.

The butler gently knocked on the door before opening it and said to He Weidao inside, "Chairperson, Family Head Fang Ze is here."

Inside, He Weidao responded with a gentle "hmm." The butler stepped aside and signaled Fang Ze to enter.

Fang Ze stepped forward, then saw He Weidao standing behind the desk, writing, accompanied by someone Fang Ze knew very well: Jiang Cheng.

He stood next to He Weidao, head lowered, intently preparing ink for him.

This man, who, though merely a former municipal councilor, was once proud to the heavens, now, even as an executive councilor, seems lowly as dust....

For a moment, Fang Ze even felt he was just a "trophy," something He Weidao flaunted to everyone: Look, what's the big deal about being the head of one of the three major noble families of Xida State? Isn't he just my servant?

Fang Ze's entrance did not stop He Weidao from writing. With a grand gesture, he completed the last character of "Open and Aboveboard" and then, wearing a smile, put down the pen and looked at Fang Ze, simply saying, "You're here."

Fang Ze nodded, then slightly bowed to He Weidao, "Chairperson."

He Weidao nodded, then patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder, saying, "You can go rest now. I will have a chat with Family Head Fang Ze."

"Yes," Jiang Cheng bowed respectfully, then put down the priceless ink stick and walked out.

Since Fang Ze was standing at the door, Jiang Cheng happened to come face to face with him, and Fang Ze noticed...he seemed to hardly recognize Jiang Cheng.

Perhaps due to the drastic changes, the entire aura of Jiang Cheng was no longer frivolous, becoming extremely steady, his face expressionless, his pupils so dark they seemed to absorb all light.

And facing Fang Ze, his old life-and-death enemy, his expression didn't change in the slightest.

Watching him leave, as the door closed, He Weidao's voice sounded in Fang Ze's ear, "Sit down."

Returning to his senses, Fang Ze noticed He Weidao already by the sofa, pointing at the sofa opposite him.

Fang Ze nodded, walked over, sat down, and straightforwardly said, "Now the entire Eastern Administrative Region is in chaos, but Chairperson seems quite leisurely."

Hearing Fang Ze's words, He Weidao chuckled, then slowly, with a low tone, said, "An old saying goes, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. Policies must remain consistent to give the public a sense of safety and trust. The biggest taboo is panicking and making spur-of-the-moment changes when problems arise, which would only disrupt and erode the public's trust."

Upon hearing He Weidao, Fang Ze shook his head, "That may be true in peacetime. But now Xida State is facing warfare. The entire northwest border is threatened by Tuoya State."

"And neighboring Yunlan State has seen half its territory fall, needing support."

"At such times, should we not quickly mobilize and respond swiftly?"

Hearing this, He Weidao chuckled, "Yunlan State's council will handle their matters. Tang State is also assisting. There's no need for us in Xida State to worry yet."

"As for the rebelling Tuoya State, didn't their two Absolute Pinnacle demigods already suffer one death and one serious injury? They don't have the spare capacity to attack Xida State in the short term."

"Therefore, we don't need to be overly concerned. Just focus on our own tasks with peace of mind."

Hearing He Weidao, Fang Ze's brows furrowed slightly, and he asked, "Now that our opponent is unstable and has just suffered a major defeat, why not take advantage and expel the enemies?"

He Weidao smiled faintly, "Our opponent has been planning for over ten years, always plotting their arrival. It's not that their foundation is unstable."

"Regarding their major defeat, that's true. But we haven't been without losses either."

"Xida State has lost two Town Gods of Zhenzhou, the Jiang Family was almost massacred, and the Bai Family has retreated, reducing the state's power by more than half."