Lingzhang

Chapter 786 The Three Provinces Are Settled
At this moment, the head of the Tao family spoke words of complete and utter conviction.

Whether he truly admired Yue Hanzhang or not is unknown, but at least he had already conceded defeat.

This is the result Yue Hanzhang wanted.

The authority bestowed by the golden words of the elders of the Dao Alliance headquarters, and the coronation bestowed upon them by the great cause of the Dao Alliance, are all very good.

But at this moment, Yue Hanzhang wanted more of a statement from a stubborn, powerful family head like the Tao family head.

The overall situation of this alliance is not something I, Yue Hanzhang, am eager to take the initiative to manage.

It was once entrusted to your hands for your management.

The situation has deteriorated to this point because you have completely lost control.

I, Yue, have wiped out countless formidable enemies that even our ancestors and kings could not contend with.

Today, the power to control the overall situation of the Dao Alliance is something you all begged me to take over!

then.

Upon hearing what the head of the Tao family said, Yue Hanzhang simply nodded with a slightly reserved air.

"Is what Patriarch Tao is saying from the bottom of his heart?"

Upon hearing this, the head of the Tao family, who had just straightened up, bowed down again.

“Every word I just said came from the bottom of my heart!”

But Yue Hanzhang still wouldn't let him off the hook and hurriedly pressed him for more information.

"So, you patriarchs, are you really not in a difficult position to have me take charge of these prefectures that were once dominated by stubborn aristocratic families?"

Faced with such a barrage of questions, even the current state of mind of the Tao family head clearly required him to take a deep breath before he could continue speaking calmly.

"The so-called alliance of stubborn aristocratic families is nothing more than a loose network of channels we formed for some business exchanges. It is not fundamentally different from the aristocratic merchant alliance that King Lingye formed when he sold Dao Sea spiritual items."

"But when it comes to the greater good of the Dao Alliance, there are no diehards, no alliances, only individuals who have an inescapable duty!"

Upon hearing this, Yue Hanzhang nodded again, seemingly in agreement.

"Master Tao is right! When it comes to a greater cause, there is only one person who has an inescapable duty!"

"So, that's what everyone thinks?"

"There are no objections to Yue taking charge of the Dao Alliance?"

The head of the Tao family kept silent.

His pale face only showed a deep sense of sorrow.

Everything that has happened today will inevitably be recorded in the annals of history in great detail, becoming a major event for the Human Alliance at a crucial juncture.

And his conversation with Yue Hanzhang would certainly be recorded word for word.

People in the future, through those cold words, will not know that Yue Hanzhang's scheme, like a cunning plot, was watching the various aristocratic families slide into the abyss. They will only see these families who have ruined everything begging Yue Hanzhang to come out of seclusion, as if they had visited him three times.

He had repeatedly begged to relinquish this power to oversee the overall situation.

His repeated statements provided Yue Hanzhang with the most solid legal foundation.

They remained silent as well.

There were also the sacred realms of various noble families that Yue Hanzhang had scanned.

At this point, Yue Hanzhang stopped speaking and insisted that all the heads of the aristocratic families appear together and say something, just like the head of the Tao family.

This silence, without uttering a word, is already their statement.

And that's why we've ended up like this.

Firstly, Yue Hanzhang needed to establish a comprehensive legal foundation for his overall command.

Secondly.

Just like how he repeatedly issued orders to the moderate aristocratic alliance.

These repeated questions directed at the entire conservative aristocratic family were also Yue Hanzhang's way of testing the extent of his authority.

Then Yue Hanzhang understood.

At least at this moment, the heads of the various powerful families may have been angry, but they dared not speak out.

that's enough.

Therefore, the next moment.

Yue Hanzhang turned around and looked in Liu Jingqiu's direction.

"Although Wang Xiaoyu ultimately committed rebellious acts and deserves to die, some things still need to be reasoned with when we trace their origins."

"The reason why the Wang family of Xiguan has fallen into such a state of chaos is that some aristocratic families have crossed the line and started to attack, plunder, and even kill the Wang family's resources and members."

"This action is a blatant disregard for the laws and regulations of the Dao Alliance!"

"Even though such a prestigious family has now suffered the tragic fate of being destroyed, ultimately it is all their own fault!"

"Those who are already dead, we will not speak of them again."

"But those who are still alive and who participated in the wanton attack on the Xiguan Wang family, all the ancestors and kings, I don't care what level they are, the Xunfeng Division will arrest them one by one and punish them in accordance with the law!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jingqiu accepted without hesitation, cupping her hands in agreement.

"I will obey the decree of King Lingye!"

Immediately afterwards, Yue Hanzhang scanned the Zhuzhou star field again.

"And it is precisely because all the cultivators had committed sins in the past."

“Some powerful families in Zhenzhou have been completely wiped out in this bloody internal strife, and no longer have the strength and foundation to control a prefecture.”

“Such aristocratic families are not worthy of receiving financial support from the Dao Alliance to allow them to recuperate and thrive.”

"Instead, we should hold those responsible accountable to the end and determine their guilt, not only by holding individuals accountable but also by holding the entire aristocratic family accountable!"

"Therefore, the Mengjiangwei family of Bazhou, the Liu family of Longchi in Shuzhou, the Zhai family of Cuiyun in Dingzhou, and the Xu family of Yinya in Luzhou."

"These four aristocratic families have all been stripped of their status as prominent families of Zhenzhou! They have been reclassified as ordinary aristocratic families of the four prefectures!"

"This decree, issued by Yue, shall take effect immediately!"

"Anyone who dares to disobey will face the calamity of having their family destroyed and being exterminated. I, Yue, am making this clear beforehand, so do not remain obstinate!"

As soon as the words fell, Liu Jingqiu's voice followed without hesitation: "We respectfully obey the decree of King Lingye! From this moment forward, all departments of the Dao Alliance of the four states will cooperate with the Patrol Bureau to monitor the various power transitions of these four aristocratic families. Anyone who dares to disobey the law will be executed on the spot!"

As she spoke, Liu Jingqiu glared menacingly at the sacred realms of the four families.

The truly top-tier Venerable King had already perished at the hands of Wang Xiaoyu.

Some were in dire straits, like the Mengjiang Wei family, where only a few old and incompetent Venerable Kings remained, barely managing to keep the protective talisman array running.

They dared not raise any objections in the face of the aggressive Liu Jingqiu and the indifferent Yue Hanzhang.

Even calmly speaking...

The fact that they still hold the status of an ordinary state-level aristocratic family is already a testament to Yue Hanzhang's leniency.

then.

The various noble families silently accepted this.

Yue Hanzhang's clear voice continued to ring out.

Elder Liu.

Liu Jingqiu responded, "Yes."

Yue Hanzhang raised his hand and pointed in two directions.

“The powerful families have already been held accountable, but a state cannot be without a powerful leader who can control it. The chaos in the states must be dealt with.”

"Therefore, according to the stories of Jinzhou and Yanzhou, the Dao Alliance Headquarters and the Beihai Tiandu lineage should reorganize and rebuild a brand-new Zhenzhou Dao Academy in Bazhou, based on the old Mengjiang Dao Academy, to take control of this state."

"Its tentative name is Zidu Taoist Temple!"

"In the boundless starry sea, the first master of the Purple Capital Sacred Realm will be Senior Zong Daoquan of the Beihai Tiandu lineage."

Liu Jingqiu nodded again in agreement.

Yue Hanzhang then looked in the direction of Shu Prefecture.

"Similarly, in Shuzhou, based on the old Longchi Taoist Temple, a brand new Zhenzhou Taoist Temple will be reorganized and rebuilt to take the lead in this prefecture."

"Its tentative name is Yangdu Taoist Temple!"

"In the Star Sea, the first Lord of Yangdu Sacred Realm will be temporarily appointed by Senior Shi Fangda of the Beihai Tiandu lineage."

Finally, Yue Hanzhang looked in the direction of Dingzhou.

"Then, in Dingzhou, based on the former Cuiyun Taoist Temple, a brand-new Zhenzhou Taoist Temple was reorganized and rebuilt, taking the lead in this prefecture."

"Its tentative name is Luodu Taoist Temple!"

"The first Lord of Luodu Sacred Realm will be Zeng Yunhe, a senior from the Beihai Tiandu lineage!"

At this point...

In this region, where chaos breeds the most, the格局 (structure/pattern) of the three states has already been established.

The three Saint Realm Masters selected by Yue Hanzhang were chosen after careful consideration, with Zong Daoquan being the most suitable master to impart the Dao and teach the Dharma.

If it weren't for Yue Hanzhang's desire to project his authority further, back when he was establishing the Yudu Taoist Academy in Jinzhou, Yue Hanzhang would have considered Zong Daoquan.

Among the masters of these sacred realms, Senior Shi Fangda has the closest relationship with the Dao Alliance headquarters.

To be honest...

Starting with Shang Shi, then to Gui Ye Shen Henian, and even Gu Qinghan under Yue Hanzhang, the Beihai Tiandu lineage, young and old, all had some grudges and friction with the various departments of the Dao Alliance in the past.

The only exception was Senior Shi Fangda.

After achieving success in his cultivation at the Tiandu Taoist Academy, he became a patrol officer in the Beiting Protectorate at that time.

Later, with the fall of the former Beihai Kingdom, he was transferred to the Wuzhou Patrol Office and eventually retired to Wuzhou.

Born into a Taoist academy, he travels as a wandering wind spirit.

He served in the north and retired to the south.

Shi Fangda, who appears to be the most sinister in style and temperament, is actually the one with connections to all sides.

From a geographical perspective...

To the southwest of Jinzhou is Bazhou, and to the southwest of Bazhou is Shuzhou.

This is the furthest point of this "tentacle" of the Beihai Tiandu lineage.

The entire Bazhou region extends deep into the heartland of the Southern Kingdom and the alliance of stubborn aristocratic families.

With senior scholar Shi Fangda in charge, it's the perfect fit.

And the other side.

Dingzhou, located in the southwest of Yanzhou, needs a strong, readily combat-ready force to garrison this area where diehards, moderates, and neutral families are intertwined.

thus.

With his new Daoist approach based on the Zhuxiang School, Zeng Yunhe, who could withstand the blessing of more star arrays, was the perfect choice, just like Qin Linhui and Jiang Lingxiu.

Beside Yue Hanzhang.

Liu Jingqiu repeatedly agreed.

Yue Hanzhang's selection of a candidate was so meticulous that Liu Jingqiu couldn't find any fault with it.

At this moment, Liu Jingqiu's gaze was directed towards Luzhou.

This state is located deep in the southern part of the country, and it does not border any of the previously established states; it is an exclave.

In the boundless sea of ​​stars, there is the ability to teleport to Mount Sumeru, and perhaps the borders of various states can be reached in an instant.

However, in reality, many things are constrained by actual geographical location.

Simply by overtly or covertly blocking some resource channels from all sides, it is enough to restrict the development of such an enclave state.

This is tantamount to handing over one's "weak points" and "vital points" to powerful families!
While Liu Jingqiu was agonizing over this,

Yue Hanzhang's gaze, however, was fixed in another direction.

"Before we talk about Luzhou."

"Let me first talk about the Wang family of Xiguan, and then about Jizhou..."

(End of this chapter)