The Family Hierarch's Proof (before battle)

The hall was chill with a tense air,

and those present all sat in complete silence.

Then there was Jia Yuanchun, with her lips slightly curled into a mirthless sneer.

And at the center of it all sat Jia Xichun, unsure of what to say next.

Well, everyone…

Jia Yuanchun, seated next to the Hierarch's seat upon which Xichun sat, smoothly takes control of the situation and begins the assembly.

Honored heads of houses, lords of each family, their proxies, members, and...

She nods lightly, acknowledging our awkward presence.

And… little Xichun's guests, whose stay here at… our H Corp. seems to be extending without a foreseeable end.

Isn't she technically from Q Corp.? What's up with her acting like she's any less of an outsider than we are?

Yeah, and… did everyone catch that? "Our" H Corp.?

Regardless of everything else, the fact that she hijacked the meeting from the get-go is ridiculous… especially with Jia Xichun, the Family Hierarch herself, presiding over this official assembly.

Clearly, she is using the pretense of assisting the Hierarch to assert her own dominance over these proceedings.

As we are all aware, venerable former Jia Mu has always discussed with and confided in me about the matters of the greatest import, the momentousness of which steered the very course of H Corp.'s prospects.

Even after I departed the family for Q Corp., venerable former Jia Mu has always written missives to confer such matters with me.

Something about it smelled suspicious, but we'd already missed the window to challenge her to present us with proof without breaking decorum.

Thus, as it naturally follows that I would be the inheritor of the venerable Jia Mu's will, I shall be presiding over this regular assembly, which we convene now to discuss and determine the future of H Corp.

What a grandiose and self-important introduction. It seemed clear to me that she considered herself to be the main character of this scene, or something.

Your grace certainly befits your station, Lady Yuanchun.

We are all impressed by your utmost dedication to the citizenry of Hongyuan despite your already saturated schedule...

We can hardly thank you enough for your magnanimity, Lady Yuanchun.

Ah, my parents - a true shame that they couldn't be here - have always sung praises of your expertise, Lady Yuanchun.

…….

Responses from the participants are just as protracted, only obsequious instead of arrogant.

As heads of some of those houses were under investigation for consorting with the forces foreign to Hongyuan…

... their vacuum was filled by their children's generation, many of whom we had the pleasure of meeting during the Family Hierarch war.

Very well. Then shall we…

… welcome Jia Xichun, the next person to sit upon the seat of Hongyuan's Family Hierarch?

G-greetings, I am -

Now, let us begin.

For many years, all those who have gathered here have toiled day and night for the eternal prosperity and growth of H Corp.

…….

Jia Xichun's expression immediately sours as Yuanchun unceremoniously cuts off her self-introduction.

First on the agenda for this assembly are urgent discussions and passage of new major policy items that have been tabled for far too long: Distributive Contribution Rights Auctioning policy, Quarterly Amnesty policy -

H-hold on, big sister Yuanchun.

Passing the Distributive Contribution Rights Auctioning policy would... allow the open auction for any remaining rooms the day before reconstruction days... And, uh... the Quarterly Amnesty wouldn't do anything but… give unfair advantage to certain families and high-net worth individuals by... guaranteeing them large real estate assignments regardless of their performance in the previous quarter...

Jia Xichun stutters a little, flustered, before continuing.

My point is, these policies are going to rattle H Corp.'s economy the moment they go into effect.

Besides, these policies were pretty much drawn to favor lining the pockets of a select few families and high-ranking officials of H Corp. -

Ahem, ahem… if I may, venerable Hierarch. 'Lining the pockets'? That is quite an odd turn of phrase to refer to the bare minimum of respect the society might repay to its highest-contributing members, don't you think?

Oh, before we continue, Xichun... I'm not entirely certain if you are aware, but ever since the ascension of the new Family Hierarch, the perceived value of Hongyuan has been racing to the - for lack of a better word - rock bottom.

Clearly, this demonstrates Hongyuan's concern and... its lack of faith in the newly appointed Family Hierarch.

Therefore, it naturally follows that our most urgent task at hand is to put a stop to this value and reputation free-fall and restore prosperity and greatness to Hongyuan once again.

Yeah, okay, and that's my - That's the Family Hierarch's job, right? Why are you -

If you had perused H Corp.'s articles of association, you would have known that, should H Corp. be deemed to be in a state of crisis, the four great houses and the board of directors' voice may also carry de facto power in the assembly.

And the board of directors - that's us - has determined that we are now in a state of crisis.

State of crisis... what crisis? Everything that led to my ascension to the Family Hierarch was legitimate, down to the final approval!

These unseemly rumors and slander are tanking our value, which we have built up assiduously through years upon years of toil… So, what is this, if not a state of crisis?

And who wouldn't doubt the new Family Hierarch's qualities, when this decline has coincided precisely with her ascension?

... Jia Yuanchun was somehow turning the room against Xichun, without presenting a single shred of evidence, portraying her as some burdensome Hierarch who was single-handedly tanking H Corp.'s value.

No one in the assembly, not a single representative from any families present, stepped up to point out how Jia Xichun's swift actions were what finally repelled the outside forces that had marched right up to Hongyuan's front yard…

… or how she deftly maneuvered her forces to quell the embers of war by quickly taking control of the chaos within Daguanyuan.

She hadn't shown any glaring signs of incompetence since her ascension despite her relative inexperience, but…

Hmmmm…

Everyone in Hongyuan's board of directors, the heads of each family, averted their eyes as though all of that had somehow, inconceivably, slipped their minds.

So you take yourself to be a qualified individual for that responsibility, Xichun?

Very well. Then proceed.

We're all waiting for you to begin your briefing before the assembly regarding the last thirty years' quarterly net revenue records for Hongyuan's Singularity-related businesses, your calculations on next year's fiscal debt forecasts, and the exact recipe and variation numbers for the Boluses that have been registered in the last five years.

Th-that's, uh…

The venerable Hierarch has not received that data prior to the meeting. You must all be aware of the chaos that followed the ascension - we are still indexing all available materials to -

Isn't that funny. Not once in the history of Hongyuan has the Family Hierarch ever failed to provide immediate and detailed answers regarding Hongyuan's historical statistics.

…….

Jia Yuanchun must've known all along, too.

She must've known how the previous Family Hierarchs were all directly supplied with an immense repository of information through the Xianhuang Worm or something of the equivalent…

And she's using it to target Xichun's weakness, knowingly asking questions she, the first Family Hierarch without the Anamnaworm, couldn't possibly answer.

The responsibilities tied to the venerable seat of the Hierarch, Jia Mu(家母), are matched only by the great power bestowed upon it. Thus, how are we to leave the matters of the Wing to someone who is, so evidently, unprepared for the task?

Given the present circumstances, our hands may be forced to call to vote the motion of no confidence.

<The motion of no confidence?>

A motion of no confidence, when passed by the high-ranking political officials, can result in the removal of the chief executive from office.

So they're going after Xichun's power.

… So this is the picture Jia Yuanchun wanted to paint. Impotent Family Hierarch stammering and stumbling through her first meeting to the total and near-unanimous lack of support from the H Corp. board of directors.

Whatever jargon they're on about, seems to me they've got not an ounce of respect for the lass or us.

Never trust twats overly obsessed with numbers and optimizations. They'll be the first ones to kick you out the moment they no longer see you as useful… tch.

You're not the only one who's pissed off, so can you please stop shaking your leg for a second? Don't need to make our frustration any more obvious, you know...

My arse would've left the chair long ago if it weren't for this, lass…

In H Corp., should the board of directors unanimously vote in favor of the motion, certain parts of the Family Hierarch's powers will be removed. It is entirely possible that she will become a Hierarch in name only.

Oh, so they're threatening to fire her unless she falls in line. This is some needlessly convoluted way to -

The assembly will now consider the motion of no confidence.

Are there any objections to bringing the motion of no confidence against Family Hierarch Jia Xichun to the floor?

H-hold on. The vote of no confidence isn't an item you can invoke so lightly -

… The Shi family has no objections.

… Let's say the Wang family has no objections, either.

Xue family, too.

The arrest of the previous family heads seems to have changed precisely nothing. Those in power wore more youthful faces, but their tongues still carried the same old resistance to change.

The new family heads were just as uncooperative as ever, and everyone seemed to be solely interested in staying in Jia Yuanchun's good graces.

New faces, same old.

And needless to say… Heathcliff wasn't the only Sinner fuming with rage.

… 'Tis far too vexing to simply watch and do naught.

Right? I knew you wouldn't let this slide, Don Quixote. They're walking all over Xichun like she's not even here...!

… Forsooth, we cannot let such injustice transpire unabated.

Hey… seems like we're both on the same page.

That's it, I'm not going to hesitate to make myself heard again… This time, I want to be courageous... with your help, Don Quixote...

Come on, let's do this together…! Okay?

Very well… I am in agreement!

Yeah… Then let's go on three, at the same time.

If there are no objections…

One… two…

… the assembly will put this resolution to vote in a month, and…

… three…!

Here, I ob - OBJECTION!!!

Bloody hell - Oi, have you gone mental?!

Sinclair stood tall, at the center of the entire room's undivided astonishment… alone.

… Eh?

Don Quixote, still firmly in her seat, gazed upon Sinclair's proud stand, and rubbed her nose.

Young Sinclair… thou hast evolved indeed. What an unmitigated pursuer of justice thou hast become, with such unrelenting fervor and utter disregard for decorum…

Certainly, mine efforts have… finally borne fruit…

What… what the hell!? Did Don Quixote or Heathcliff suddenly rub off on you or something?

… No, wait, no! No!

What happened there, Don Quixote…? We were going to - what happened to objecting together…?

Hoh? I had taken thy suggestion to mean that we must voice our dissatisfaction through the official channels borrowing the titles of the illustrious Red Gaze and the department of LCC?

Disputes in succession of power on such a high level of government are hardly ever resolved with rash grandstanding... Wouldst thou not agree?

Why are you normal all of a sudden…!?

Lad... what just happened? What happened to the clammy, meek boy?

W-well, that's…

I guess I just… assumed that this is how Limbus Company rolls, now…

… There seems to have been an unexpected outburst from… Xichun's guests.

Withdraw your objection, and we will consider this a momentary loss of control and not enter it as an official statement.

Uhh, uhmm… it was… uhm…

Sinclair's eyes were shaking like someone with his life on the line.

…….

If not… I take it that you have full confidence in her abilities.

So please, I encourage you to elaborate. When and how will Xichun demonstrate her aptitude for the responsibilities of the Family Hierarch?

I, uhm… I…

His voice continues to shrivel into a corner.

He can't. And how could anyone?

How could anyone, when we all had a very clear view of her path to ascension?

During the Family Hierarch Evaluation, Jia Baoyu donated the coins he received from Jia Qiu to you - essentially, you pity-partied your way to victory.

<P-pity partied…?>

And for your ascension, Jia Qiu and those outsiders from an upstart company had to, almost literally, carry you to the seat.

Has there even been a single victory attained by your own hands in that entire process?

Ah, but have we not all been witnesses to the qualities she exhibited during the Family Hierarch Evaluation and her own ascension? You must have no shame, snaking your forked tongue in the audience of both heaven and earth like an unwitting buffoon.

That's when quiet, even footsteps broke through Jia Yuanchun's merciless dismantling of Jia Xichun.

…!

Yet, I see the point.

The Hierarch, with her grace, needs only demonstrate her already-established qualifications before all.

This is no place for an outsider to speak… but proceed. Just how will she prove herself before us?

Hmm? What an odd statement, coming from a fellow outsider who's been chattering for minutes on end? Forgive me, I could only presume from your verbosity that the right to speak in this forum was open to all outsiders.

…….

You have said it yourself, no? That the vote on the no-confidence resolution will proceed in a month.

That seems to give the venerable Hierarch a month to regain the trust of each family.

What…?

It is rather clear to me that there are many who find their own defeat in the Family Hierarch war difficult to accept… Such a doubt is easily resolved. A match between clans should lay out the results quite obviously.

… Very well. A fair challenge between clans.

Which would preclude the participation of the Family Hierarch's Heishou Packs and the Jialan guards.

… So you would remove her <ruby=Cannon>pao(砲)</ruby> and <ruby=Chariot>ju(車)</ruby> before the game even begins? Why not make this 'test' a series of sparring matches in both academia and martial arts, if such is the case?

… Hah. What audacity… Do you truly have that much faith in Jia Xichun's abilities?

You must know the consequences of failing these matches, no? It would be a unanimous, one-sided end to the vote of no confidence. And naturally, any and all rights appertaining to the Family Hierarch shall be transferred to the board of directors.

That is fine by us. You are free to choose any champion whom you see fit.

… Unfortunately, your underlings don't seem to share your inflated confidence -

But, in the midst of the confused, flabbergasted silence from the other Sinners, a clear, carefree, yet defiant voice rings out - Hong Lu's retort.

That's not true at all, big sister Yuanchun.

We actually have just as much confidence in Xichun as she does~

His wide eyes stare directly and unblinkingly into Jia Yuanchun's.

It occurred to me that this might be his way of expressing anger.

… Impudent child. How dare he stare me down like that…?

Then you are welcome to try.

One month. You have but one month to prove before all in audience that she is, indeed, fit to be the Family Hierarch. Should you fail… the vote may as well be a mere formality.

In other words…

Should she successfully prove herself, none of you shall again rightly challenge the independent rights and powers bestowed upon the Family Hierarch.

The consequences of such recalcitrance would be no different from those that the traitors are facing, wouldn't you agree?

Well, then. We will excuse ourselves now.

Wait, I - I'm -

Zigong turns around toward us with that same, mysterious smile, and slowly directs us outside the assembly hall.

We may call them 'sparring matches', but you must know that each and every one of them is a test to prove your claim to the seat of the Family Hierarch.

A month is a time far too brief for drastic improvement, regardless of for whom it may be. Learning from a proper master for ten months straight might teach you a few things, but…

… who knows how long the search for one such master might take? Not to mention the official channels through which you must bring them past Daguanyuan's walls, which may take up to two months. Why not relent now, and relinquish but a part of your powers as the Family Hierarch to the board of directors -

It seems that this fellow outsider's mental faculties are impressively lacking.

My lord has spoken in the past that, when in the presence of three people, at least one of them is bound to be a teacher of mine.

And here they are, aren't they? Jia Xichun's masters, each carrying something new to teach her.

All thirteen of them.

Zigong gestured confidently toward the flabbergasted Sinners, and the assembly came to an end.