The Proposal

Just as Song Xianzong never died and the Song family continued to rise despite paying compensation to numerous other Lineage, the Chang Kong family and the Ren Household's positions on the Supreme Order Committee remained largely unchanged.

When it was announced to the public, Chang Kongluo, Ren Yisheng, and others were so engrossed in their research that they needed to stay in seclusion for extended periods.

But internally it's a different story.

As Ren Anran's personal bodyguard, Zhang Xuezhou also listened to this internal discussion.

He sat in the waiting room, nearly a hundred meters away from the conference hall.

However, this did not prevent Zhang Xuezhou from having a keen hearing. The constant arguing in the conference hall, with many people trying to gain the upper hand by shouting loudly, made it easy for him to hear them.

The matter was discussed back and forth. Chang Kongyinghao and Chang Kongyinglian made suggestions, while Zhu Bufan, Zuo Lianguang, and others familiar to Zhang Xuezhou strongly opposed it. Zhou Yueyan and others also tried to pull things back and forth, attempting to drag it out as before.

"I've met Chairman Chang Kong and Ren Yisheng, and both of them are indeed unable to accurately assess their own situation. It's better to make a decision about this matter sooner rather than later!"

Ultimately, it was Zhou Xin, the number one member of the Sequence Committee, who spoke up and set the tone for the meeting's outcome.

"The mansion for the elderly needs to be renovated, and it needs to be renovated very well," Zhou Xin said. "After we old folks are finished, you can continue to use it until the day when genetic research solves the problem!"

Zhou Xin made no attempt to conceal the possibility that he too would one day need to enter the Old Age Mansion. He then pointed to Chang Kongyinghao and others, indicating that the middle-aged and younger generations were also highly likely to be unable to escape this fate.

"What about those from other provinces and cities? We can't just let us old folks spend our lives in jail while they live a carefree life elsewhere," Zuo Lianguang said unwillingly.

"Take them all," Zhou Xin said. "At this age, it's time to take a break!"

"How do we determine if someone has entered old age?" Zhu Bufan frowned. "If we arbitrarily invite people here, wouldn't that cause chaos?"

"Based on the experience of several upheavals, everyone starts to falter around the age of ninety. I think I've reached that age, so I'm coming here to retire and enjoy my old age," Zhou Xin said. "If we were to have a few bombings like Song Xianzong's, I believe no Lineage could withstand it!"

Wang Jiangtao's destructive power was too low, but Song Xianzong gave everyone a real shock.

If there were even ten or so instances of Song Xianzong's actions, many Lineage in the Imperial City would be wiped out.

This is a scene that the elderly would not like to see, but it is also a normal reaction of the younger generation in their struggle for survival.

"My uncles and elders are only here to provide for your retirement," Chang Kong Yinghao said. "You will receive all the benefits you are entitled to."

"I strongly oppose this measure. I believe everyone understands the saying 'out of sight, out of mind' better than I do. If I'm truly trapped in my old age in this mansion, I'll be completely helpless!"

Someone else stood up and spoke out.

In previous years, similar incidents have been discussed extensively, but after much back and forth, nothing has been resolved.

But the outcome was already quite clear; Zhou Xin's agreement was a huge obstacle, almost shattering the hearts of the elderly.

Zhu Bufan stood up indignantly.

"What should we do if people reach the appropriate age but still refuse to accept it?"

"It's better to engage in a preemptive strike than to launch a sudden attack!"

The question and answer between Chang Kongyinghao and Zhou Xin caused Zhu Bufan, who had stood up, to slowly sit down again.

"Don't forget, without us old bones, you can't withstand the open and covert attacks from foreign countries," Zhu Bufan said, frowning.

"Committee Member Zhu, other countries cannot avoid this issue either, and anyone who seeks change will inevitably bring more long-term benefits!"

When some people suffer losses, it inevitably means that others gain benefits.

In this transformation, the older generation of leaders suffered the most.

Everyone hopes to resolve the issue of lifespan as they get older.

It is thanks to the efforts of these individuals that significant investment has been made in gene research, resulting in a surge of various research findings.

Zhu Bufan looked disappointed.

He knew very well that once his group retired, the major Lineage would not continue to invest the vast majority of their wealth and resources in gene-based life extension research.

This meeting was not just about building a retirement home; for these people, it was more like severing their last hope for longevity.

You will also be ninety years old!

Zhu Bufan left with a remark and angrily departed.

Today's self, tomorrow's someone else.

It won't be for very long, only twenty to thirty years.

When this second generation of survivors grows old, Zhu Bufan believes they will regret their decision today.

A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one; the growing pains of gene-based longevity research should obviously be resolved as soon as possible.

Zhu Bufan felt that not only were the interests of his own social class being harmed, but the research was also likely to be delayed, which could not only cost them their lives, but also cause them to lag behind other countries in terms of development.

He pushed open the heavy, large red wooden door roughly.

When he heard a soft voice in his ear, "Could it be that Committee Member Zhu is already showing signs of impulsiveness in his old age?", Zhu Bufan felt a chill in his heart.

In the present day, old age is almost like a sword of Damocles, capable of striking down anyone.

Even the rotating chairman of the committee, Chang Kongluo, couldn't escape it, so Zhu Bufan felt it would be difficult for him to avoid it either.

From this moment on, the situation at the top level was reversed.

Previously, the younger generation had to be wary of the older generation going crazy and causing trouble; now, it's the older generation that needs to be wary of sudden attacks from the younger generation.

The case of a long, empty fall serves as an example of guiding a route.

Zhu Bufan walked out of the meeting hall with a heavy heart. When he looked at his son Zhu Wei and Zhu Liangping who followed him up, he felt a sense of unease for no reason.

"Dad?"

"Don't call me Dad. I'm begging you, please don't try to ambush me. Let me live a peaceful life for a year or two. When it's time, I'll go in myself!"

Zhu Wei's voice came through, followed by Zhu Liangping's surprised look, while Zhu Bufan responded in a muffled voice.

His response made Zuo Lianguang, who was behind him, gasp.

The Zhu family's education was quite good, but Zuo Lianguang had no confidence in the Zuo Household's education.

The mere thought of his two good-for-nothing sons, who were incompetent at everything but masters of infighting, filled him with turbulent thoughts.

When the system changes, everything changes.

In the past, others respected him, and he was needed to control and distribute the power within the Lineage.

However, with the new system in the Scarlet Alliance State, Zuo Lianguang was genuinely worried that Zuo Jin and others would send him in prematurely.

This kind of thing isn't too troublesome; if someone poisons his food or sets a few traps, he'll fall for it sooner or later.

He could guard against Zuo Jin and his gang for a day, but he couldn't guard against his two sons every day.

If he were to kill his two sons prematurely, the Sequence Committee would inevitably classify him as being in his twilight years, leading to either trial or, like Chang Kongluo and others, being locked in a small room.

"I can't live like this anymore!"

Zuo Lianguang was sullen, and when he saw Zuo Jin and Zuo Quan outside with their obsequious expressions, he felt a surge of irritation.

"Father..."

Don't call me dad!

Upon hearing Zuo Jin's extremely affectionate address, Zuo Lianguang slapped him before he could finish speaking.

"Hehe~"

Zuo Quan's gloating laughter hadn't even finished when he was slapped as well.

After his two sons behaved themselves after being beaten, Zuo Lianguang snorted and strode out of the conference room.

Behind them, members of the Sequence Committee walked out one after another.

Some people looked somber, some calm, some joyful, and others deep in thought about the causes and consequences of this change.

The death of Wang Jiangtao, the bombing case of Song Xianzong, the absence of Chang Kongluo, Zhou Xin's strong support, and the unsuccessful debut of Ren Yisheng, a newly Ren Yisheng Seventh Sequence member.

For various reasons, this proposal, which would have been absolutely impossible to pass in the past, was finally approved.