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Chapter 837: Chapter 458, You Dare Too?_3 Chapter 837: Chapter 458, You Dare Too?_3 This man was the second largest landowner on Eagle Horse III, a position not low by any means. Ulrich knocked on the table, “Everybody stop, just stop!” Once the conference room quieted down, he turned his attention back to the young man and asked, “Adam Shannon, I’ve noticed you’ve been quiet, and you rarely share your opinions. Let’s hear it, what do you think?” The eyes of everyone present turned to focus on the young man, with many looking on with a hint of scorn. Adam Shannon was not a self-made man who had built his fortune from nothing. Just by looking at his age, one could tell he wasn’t very experienced. He was a successor, who had only recently taken over his father’s assets. Who knows what old Shannon was thinking, letting such an inexperienced youngster take charge. Adam Shannon, for his part, seemed indifferent to these stares; he just smiled slightly and said, “What can a young man like me possibly have to say? It’s best to listen to my seniors. However…” He paused for a moment, then continued, “Whatever the decisions are of the esteemed seniors here, they no longer concern Shannon Corporation. We have made our decision: from now on, we will fully accept assistance from the Alliance, incorporating their management layer. All of our employees will be managed under the Alliance’s system.” Although he spoke these words softly, they were like throwing a huge stone into a tranquil lake, instantly causing a massive uproar! “Shannon Corporation dares to negotiate with the Alliance behind the back of our alliance?!” “How dare you, such a youngster?” “Is this your decision, or your father’s? Bring out old Shannon!” “Traitor!” … A multitude of accusations fell upon Adam Shannon’s head after a brief silence. Ulrich once again managed to control the scene, quieting everyone down. But his face was equally grim. He glared at Adam Shannon’s excessively young face and asked, “Can you tell me what exactly Shannon Corporation is thinking on this matter? Are you really content to give up land that four generations have accumulated?” Adam Shannon spread his hands and said, “It’s not exactly giving it up, is it? The Alliance did say…” “Enough!” Ulrich cut off Adam Shannon’s insincere words, “This might be the last time we hold such a meeting. No matter what conflicts we’ve had in the past, or dirty tricks, at least we shared a bond from the same planet. Just be honest about what you’re thinking, let’s be frank here. Otherwise, if it’s just your family selling out, the rest of us together can make sure you don’t sell at all, or at least make it uncomfortable for you!” Adam Shannon laughed heartily, his words tinged with irony, “But that doesn’t matter. We’ve already made our decision. Whatever you choose to do in the future, it won’t involve us. You can make all the noise you want with the Alliance. But… do you dare?” Ulrich was left speechless. Dare? If they dared, why would they be bluffing in fear here? Adam Shannon’s smile faded, his expression turned serious, “But, you did say one thing that’s correct, out of respect for our shared origins in this world, for the friendship of our ancestors, I advise you all:” “If you view this as plunder, then you will lose everything; the Shannon family is different, we see this as an opportunity.” “Opportunity?” “Could you explain a bit more?” Adam Shannon waved his hand, refusing to elaborate, and walked away. He left a roomful of people exchanging glances. … Shannon signed, and many others did too. How many understood Shannon’s so-called ‘opportunity’ is anyone’s guess. Some signed out of pressure. But Ulrich eventually figured it out. Or perhaps, just before the very last moment, after a visit to old Shannon and a conversation, he was persuaded. On behalf of the Planetary Government, he too signed in the end. The reason wasn’t complicated. First off, this wasn’t something that could truly be stopped. Even if the entire planet stood united and managed to fend off the Alliance, what then? The Alliance was unlikely to take aggressive action. That would look too unsightly and disrupt the unity in Seven Horse Territory. But the ways the Alliance could pressure them were plentiful. The Imperial Tax was in the Alliance’s hands. The right to set the Tax Currency rates by the Star Sector Government was in the Alliance’s hands. Interstellar trade was in the Alliance’s hands. If the Alliance wanted someone to go bankrupt, that entity would go bankrupt. Food could rot in the granaries or be bought at rock-bottom prices; minerals that couldn’t reach the factories were just a pile of useless rocks. And was joining the Alliance’s system really that bad? For these wealthy magnates, maybe not. The Alliance had offered preferential conditions, like for Ulrich himself—if he signed, as the Planetary Governor with the identity of a major asset owner, he would immediately receive a B8 level treatment. Benefits and subsidies, six hundred Tax Currency a year. Ulrich could touch his chest and ask himself: As Governor, did I ever spend six hundred Tax Currency a year purely for my own personal consumption? Definitely not. Just on food, lodging, and entertainment, it wouldn’t amount to that much. He was quite virtuous, advocated frugality, and had aspirations in business. Moreover, what high-end luxuries could Eagle Horse III possibly offer? It paled in comparison. With those six hundred Tax Currency a year purely for personal use, life could well be more comfortable than before—without having to work.