Chapter Ninety: The Path of Development, Part Two

To bring the elves fully to life, change had to reach far beyond a few minor adjustments; it would take time. Let this new, vigorous way of living begin with the Sun Shrine.

Patrick called the only female elf in the group forward again.

"Anida."

"Chief Patrick."

"Regarding the upcoming expansion of the Tower of Sunlight, I will be adding several functional facilities. From this day forward, you will serve as Chief Data Officer. I place in your hands full responsibility for the operation of all equipment and public facilities within the Sun Shrine, as well as the collection and organization of all records."

"And you will also sit as a permanent council member on the decision council of the Tower of Sunlight, assisting me in future planning by providing the necessary information and materials."

"At your command."

"Ithonis."

"Chief Patrick."

"You will serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Mage Tower. You will be entirely responsible for mage administration and all related matters within the Tower of Sunlight, including the training of new mages and the allocation of magical energy supply quotas. Likewise, you will also serve as a permanent council member on the decision council of the Tower of Sunlight, overseeing the specific arrangements and deployments of the mages."

Ithonis forced out his reply with effort. "At your command."

"Kandiris."

"Chief Patrick." Kandiris, standing to the side, let out a breath of relief at last it was his turn.

"You will serve as Chief Financial Officer. You will be responsible for our material rations, the procurement of spellcasting materials, the reporting of living supplies, the livelihood support of the resident rangers, and the production of goods from the Mage Tower. In the same way, you will also serve as a permanent council member on the decision council of the Tower of Sunlight, overseeing all financial and material administration of the Sun Shrine."

Kandiris trembled uncontrollably, yet still drew in his breath and answered, "At your command."

Patrick turned to the head of the intelligence organization nearby, a former fallen noble who had later gone abroad to make his living as an adventurer.

"Lorne Flowsong."

"Chief Patrick."

"You will found the intelligence organization known as the Watchers, responsible for gathering intelligence across our entire region, monitoring personnel, upholding the statutes and regulations of the Tower of Sunlight, and inspecting the implementation of the decision council's lines, principles, policies, and resolutions. At the same time, you will also hold office in the decision council of the Tower of Sunlight. However, in personnel inspections, you will have only the right of review and the right to collect information."

The new administrative team in Patrick's hands was already beginning to take shape. From here, he would recruit talent and let it gradually grow strong.

The people before him were all brimming with energy. Patrick's Mage Tower was still empty and bare. A successful councilor naturally had many followers; low-ranking clan members with lofty ambitions, ordinary elves seeking to realize themselves, adventurers with special talents all of them sought better living conditions, better environments in which to survive.

In simpler terms, among those who constantly strive for excellence and push beyond their limits, who would not want for themselves, and for their wives and children, a grand house and luxury cars? The reason Patrick had stepped away from development in Silvermoon City was precisely to create a healthy, virtuous pattern of growth for the elf society under his rule. At the very least, every elf should be able to choose his own way of life. If you wanted opportunities to rise, he would give you opportunities. If you preferred to spend your days in leisure, he had a system of free provisions.

After all, no two elves were the same. Patrick could not interfere with other people's way of life, but he needed to shape a society that was positive, upward-looking, and steadily improving; to gather more talent; to give the entire Sun Shrine a distinctly different spirit of life.

If he were to launch reforms across all Quel'Sharas, that would be nearly impossible. The heavyweights in the council would not agree, the king would not agree, and the major clans would not agree. If great change was ever to come, it would have to be forged in blood and fire. So Patrick could only push it forward within his own fiefdom. After all, within his own lands, he was the highest authority. What administrative measures he chose to use were his own affair, and the other members of the council had no power to interfere.

"The repair plan for the Mage Tower has already been approved by His Majesty Anasterian. Soon, the Tower of Sunlight will be expanded according to the requirements, with new space added. A portion of personnel will be assigned to various departments. Together, we will work in coordination and build the Sun Shrine anew."

"If the first batch of recruits proves insufficient in manpower, you may arrange matters yourselves, but you must report it to the Chief Administrative Officer. After a period of time, there will be an inspection and review mechanism. Those who do not meet the standard will be eliminated. This also applies to members of the Cabolon family. Therefore, the factors by which you gain honor and success will not be your clan, nor your status, but your achievements and your real, tangible ability."

What Patrick also needed to change was the very notion of clan politics. Within a clan, no matter your ability, people looked only at whether you bore the name Cabolon. What hope for development could such a family possibly have?

"You are my first followers. You are fortunate, and you are capable. First, let me make one thing clear: the decision council of the Tower of Sunlight is not a lifetime appointment. After working in the Sun Shrine for a period of time, if your achievements are outstanding, you may also be transferred to the Life Forest or to my family in Silvermoon City to continue serving in office. Only when you have brilliant accomplishments across multiple regions, when the politics, military, economy, and population under your governance are all comprehensively developed, will you earn entry into the decision council."

"By then, while assisting the permanent council members, you will also grow familiar with every aspect of political, military, economic, and demographic development throughout my fiefdom. Even then, you will still need distinguished performance before you can qualify for a seat as a permanent council member. Believe me, without genuine ability, you will not get far here with me."

Several newly appointed permanent council members watched as Patrick spoke, casually stroking the Big Cat beside him the spirit of the lynx, Regba. By its build, it was far larger than Patrick himself.

The room fell silent. Higgins Elar Cabolon, newly arrived at the Sun Shrine and a direct scion of the Cabolon family, had been given no significant authority by Patrick. Instead, all such posts had been handed to these so-called outsiders. That made one thing clear: Patrick was not speaking idly. Only by relying on one's own hard-earned ability could one gain the chance to rise.

Master Patrick has his own unique understanding of future development. That was the thought in everyone's heart.

Patrick firmly believed in one thing: great ministers must rise from provinces and counties, and mighty generals must emerge from the ranks. Only when one has excelled at the grassroots and middle levels can one produce outstanding results upon reaching the higher echelons. Sharp strategic vision and profound development policy are not things one can possess by chance. One must both ensure steady, upward growth and listen to the people's voice. In governance, talent is indispensable.

As the saying goes, those skilled in strategy must have far-reaching vision and clear discernment.