Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 278 Abandoning Darkness for Light, Demonstrating Sincerity

Pu Yuan was moved by the vision described by his third son and immediately decided to join the Sun Moon Cult.

Whether the Sun Moon Cult can win or not is not important in order to occupy the Jiangnan region; what matters is that Murong Fu must die.

With his death, the Murong family collapsed instantly, and the entire Jiangnan region was left leaderless.

Even if the Pu family ultimately fails in the competition and does not occupy the Jiangnan region, they can still take advantage of this opportunity to expand their business.

Pu Yuan made a decisive decision: he left his eldest son to continue to deter others at sea, while his second son went to Jiangnan.

The person who proposed the whole plan, Pu Lingzhi, was naturally sent to Suzhou, the core of the world!

As for himself, he wanted to return to the Pu family's old house to keep his senile father and his ambitious second brother in check.

In addition, control of the southern business of the Song state should be taken away from the second brother.

After all, if this plan is followed, the Pu family's business in southern Song will grow significantly.

Moreover, facing the formidable Whale Gang surging from the sea, the Pu family's chances of victory were slim.

This escape route they are currently preparing may very well become the main business of the entire Pu family in the future.

Therefore, it is even more unacceptable for the property to remain in the hands of the second wife.

After arriving in Suzhou, Pu Lingzhi quickly ascertained the situation.

The current situation is that Murong Fu is frantically searching for Dongfang Bubai's whereabouts, but even though Dongfang Bubai is clearly in the city, no one can find any clues about her.

"He was able to make the difficult decision to lead the Sun Moon Cult away from the Ming Dynasty and develop it in my Song Dynasty. He is indeed a great ruler!"

Based on the intelligence he had, Pu Lingzhi quickly figured out what both sides were thinking.

Murong Fu wanted to end the battle as soon as possible and wash away his defeat.

Dongfang Bubai, on the other hand, acted cautiously, making Murong Fu anxious and causing him to panic.

That will be the time for Dongfang Bubai to make his move again.

"Compared to the other, Dongfang Bubai is not only stronger, but also seems to be more strategic."

Pu Lingzhi thought to himself.

As for Murong Fu...

Although he said to his father that Murong Fu was a remarkable person, based on the intelligence he had, he actually thought that Murong Fu was just a brainless person.

However, he had to say that in front of his father, because only in this way could he make Pu Yuan more determined to deal with the Murong family.

But he himself knew exactly what kind of person Murong Fu was.

Even so, he still did not believe that the Sun Moon Sect could maintain its hold on Jiangnan.

Because he knew perfectly well how corrupt the land of Song was.

To survive here, the most important thing is to blend in with the crowd and use your money to satisfy those high-ranking officials.

He was naturally familiar with the Sun Moon Cult's style, which was completely incompatible with the Song Dynasty.

Unless the Sun Moon Cult can change itself.

But Dongfang Bubai, the leader of the cult who was willing to abandon all his achievements, leave the Ming Dynasty, and come to the Song Dynasty to start anew, was probably not someone who was willing to change himself.

But this is a good thing for them, after all, if the Sun Moon Cult really gains control of Jiangnan, they will have no chance.

Pu Lingzhi did not immediately go to the Sun Moon Cult, but instead contacted some families that were still within the alliance.

After fooling them all, they went to the Sun Moon Cult.

After revealing his identity as the son of the head of the Pu family, he was taken to a secret stronghold in the city by the disciples of the Sun Moon Cult.

Pu Lingzhi thought he would only see Tong Baixiong at most, but the moment he stepped inside and saw that fiery red figure, he was jolted awake and his mind became much clearer.

There are many people in the world who like to wear red.

But there's probably only one woman who can be so domineering in red.

Dongfang Bubai, leader of the Sun Moon Cult.

"Pu...Pu Lingzhi of the Pu family greets the Sect Leader!"

Dongfang Bubai sat in his chair, leaning back, and said, "The fourteen merchant families, plus your Pu family, together constitute a considerable force and are qualified to negotiate with me."

Pu Lingzhi immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

He never expected that everything he had done these past few days had been seen by Dongfeng Bubai.

"Master..."

Pu Lingzhi's prepared remarks were completely disrupted. After thinking for a moment, he said, "We wealthy merchants from Jiangnan dare not negotiate any conditions. We have paid a heavy price to protect Jiangnan. Murong Fu came and first seized the position of alliance leader, then killed the head of the Zhu family, and then drove my Pu family out of the alliance. It is clearly a case of usurping the throne and discarding the bridge after crossing the river."

My Pu family and the fourteen merchant families in the alliance only wish to restore the peace of the past. Therefore, none of us wish to serve the alliance any longer. We are willing to abandon darkness and embrace light, serving the leader faithfully and pacifying Jiangnan!

He then took out a piece of cloth from his bosom.

"This is a letter of surrender jointly written by our fifteen families. The sect leader is magnanimous, please accept it!"

With a thud, he knelt on the ground and presented the surrender document with both hands.

Seeing this, Dongfang Bubai also sat up straight.

At first, I acted that way just to intimidate the other party, but now that they've knelt down and presented their surrender document, it would be impolite to act that way.

Dongfang Bubai waved his hand, took the surrender document, unfolded it and laughed, "Good, good, good. The Pu family not only abandoned darkness and embraced light in time, but also persuaded the remaining fourteen families to join my Sun Moon Divine Sect. This is a great achievement."

Once my Sun Moon Divine Cult conquers the Jiangnan region, we will reward those who have contributed!

"Thank you, Master."

Pu Lingzhi said, "Now that we have pledged allegiance, should we announce it?"

"Oh? You actually want to announce it?"

Dongfang Bubai laughed and said, "Shouldn't businessmen like you assess the situation and see which side has the advantage before making a decision? Why are you announcing your allegiance to my Sun Moon Divine Cult right now?"

Pu Lingzhi said, "To be honest, Master, that Murong Fu is narrow-minded and intolerant, yet he is also ruthless. In this battle against the Divine Sect, the Murong family will undoubtedly be defeated."

Secondly, Murong Fu has unjustly shirked responsibility, making the Pu family suffer when it was clearly his own fault. Although the Pu family are merchants, we are not spineless; we would not do something so shameful as to swallow our pride.

"it is good!"

Dongfang Bubai praised, "In that case, let your Pu family make this announcement. As for the other fourteen families, let them continue to stay in the alliance."

"The leader is wise."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Pu Lingzhi took his leave.

Dongfang Bubai put the letter of surrender aside and said, "You can come out now."

As soon as he finished speaking, two people walked out from the side hall.

The middle-aged, robust man was Tong Baixiong.

The other person was young, dressed in rich clothes, with a smile on his face and wisdom in his eyes.

However, it was Zhu Renjin, the eldest son of the second branch of the Zhu family.

"Other families have already pledged allegiance to the sect leader without him even lifting a finger, which speaks volumes about his prestige."

"Hehe, don't you think the Pu family is here to steal your business?"

"We are all serving the leader, so how can there be any talk of fighting over it?"

Zhu Renjin laughed and said, "Besides, the more people who pledge allegiance to the leader, the greater the leader's chances of winning. I'm overjoyed, why would I think that way?"

"It's best..."

Dongfang Bubai smiled and said, "I understand the Zhu family's meaning. You may leave now."

"Yes."

After the man left, Dongfang Bubai gave a disdainful sneer.

“These opportunists.” Tong Baixiong said, “Congratulations, Master. If we include the Zhu family, there are now three major families and more than twenty minor families who have chosen to pledge allegiance to our Sun Moon Divine Sect.”

Dongfang Bubai said, "Don't trust them too much. Not only is the current situation uncertain, but even if we achieve final victory in the future, these people may not be reliable."

"My subordinate understands."

Zhu Renjin, having left the stronghold, quickly returned to his home and issued an order: "Closely monitor the Pu family's movements!"

"The Pu family... has joined the Sun Moon Sect. Is it because they truly want to take revenge on the Murong family, or are they, like me, eyeing the Murong family's position in Jiangnan?"

Compared to the Pu family, who have always focused on the sea, the Zhu family has actually been eyeing the Jiangnan region with covetous intent.

Therefore, they have thoroughly studied the Murong family, the most prominent family in Jiangnan.

The Zhu family had known about the Murong family's lack of manpower for many years, but they simply couldn't find an opportunity to take action.

The reason why the Zhu family patriarch surrendered so quickly after Murong Fu appeared was undoubtedly because of this.

Unfortunately, his attempt to steal a chicken backfired, and he never expected Murong Fu to be so unscrupulous.

What he never expected was that after his death, his many descendants would be busy vying for the position of family head.

On the contrary, the second wife, whom he had been suppressing while he was alive, keenly seized this opportunity and sent his eldest son, Zhu Renjin.

"The eldest branch? The head of the family? Hmph! If I can take over this Jiangnan region, then my lineage will truly be the eldest branch of the Zhu family! I will be the next head of the family!"

Profits can sway people's hearts, and wealth can be dazzling.

The wealthy Jiangnan region has undoubtedly aroused the greed of countless people.

The Pu and Zhu families both have their own plans, and other families may well have theirs as well.

Currently, they are generally in a dormant phase, still obedient and subservient to the Sun Moon Cult.

But what Dongfang Bubai clearly wanted was not these verbal submissions, but actual benefits.

She quickly issued her first order.

We are collecting supplies!

In war, logistics are the key!
They work themselves to the bone, so their monthly salary must never be less, and they must be provided with enough food for three meals a day.

Those who practice martial arts, in particular, are all big-bellied men.

If you want to improve your martial arts skills, you can't get magic pills or elixirs, but you can't do without wine and meat every day.

All of this requires ample material support.

The various families were not surprised by this.

The Sun Moon Cult and the Alliance have been fighting for several months, and they are evenly matched.

The alliance has openly blocked all channels for obtaining supplies, so even though the Sun Moon Cult had prepared sufficient supplies long ago, they are bound to run out after these past few months and urgently need replenishment.

Murong Fu was tricked last time precisely because of this.

Although that incident was actually a trap set by the Sun Moon Cult, it does not mean that the Sun Moon Cult does not need supplies.

The order given by Dongfang Bubai now is proof of this.

As for the specific amount of supplies, Dongfang Bubai made no demands, only saying that he wanted to see the sincerity of each family.

Each family understood that any surrender document or verbal submission was meaningless.

Only by assessing the quantity of supplies can we determine whether they are truly sincere in their allegiance!
Although it hurts a bit, it's necessary.

Talking about loyalty without substance is meaningless; even Dongfang Bubai himself doesn't believe it.

As a result, each family began to collect resources.

Upon hearing this, they immediately realized that, besides themselves, there were other forces in the market that were frantically collecting resources.

Who is it?
So hard to guess!

Pu Lingzhi had some suspicions about this situation, but he was still shocked by the number of forces collecting supplies in the market.

If this number is true, then the alliance under the Murong family has probably already collapsed by more than half!

Zhu Renjin was also shocked by this number and immediately ordered an increase in efforts.

The other factions also acted in unison, issuing the same order.

What's even more tacit is that they all chose to keep it a secret and did not inform the Murong family or the Wang family about it.

They even deliberately avoided the Jiangnan region, causing the prices of various goods in other parts of the Song Dynasty to rise by several percent, while the prices in the Jiangnan region only rose by a few percent.

However, it was impossible for the Murong and Wang families to be completely unaware of such a large-scale collective activity.

However, in the State of Song, isn't it normal for commodity prices to rise?
Which year won't prices rise several times for various reasons?

Used to it.

One cannot help but marvel at the unique nature of the Song Dynasty.

If the same situation had occurred in the Ming Dynasty, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have been running themselves ragged trying to find the cause all over the country.

In the Song state, however, not many people cared.

A month later.

The night was dark.

One after another, horse-drawn carriages laden with goods drove forward.

Zhu Renjin, dressed in a black robe, said in a low voice, "Elder Tong, this is the sincerity of our Zhu family. Are you satisfied?"

Tong Baixiong chuckled and said, "Whether I'm satisfied or not is not important; what's important is whether the sect leader is satisfied."

"Yes, yes." Zhu Renjin nodded repeatedly, then asked, "Elder Tong, how does my sincerity compare to that of others?"

Tong Baixiong thought for a moment and said, "Let me put it this way, the Pu family's sincerity is not enough to fill that warehouse."

As he spoke, he pointed to the night.

Zhu Renjin glanced at it and was secretly surprised.

That warehouse was already one of the largest in Suzhou. Although Tong Baixiong said it couldn't be filled to capacity, if it could be used as a unit of measurement, it must have been almost full.

"Hiss! The Pu family is really ruthless. But I'm even more ruthless than them!"

Zhu Renjin thought to himself.

"The Pu family also has businesses at sea, and Pu Lingzhi is from the eldest branch of the Pu family, so he probably won't go all out for this. But my second branch of the Zhu family has no other way out; we must fight with all our might to seize this opportunity!"

This time, I will win!

Both are top-tier families in the business world, but one is the eldest branch that controls the core power of the family, while the other is the second branch that has almost no influence under the suppression of the patriarch.

Although this so-called lack of influence only applies to people at their level.

But this is already an extremely huge disadvantage.

Therefore, in order to show that his sincerity was even greater than that of the Pu family, Zhu Renjin mobilized the entire power of the second branch of the family this time.

Fortunately, they ultimately succeeded in suppressing the Pu family...

At least, that's how he sees it.

But what is the reality?
The crisis facing the Pu family is no small matter. The surging Giant Whale Gang is like a mountain, aiming to destroy the Pu family's maritime foundation.

However, it is almost impossible to defeat.

Therefore, the sincerity they have shown this time can be described as an astonishing figure.

But why can't even one warehouse be filled?

That's a question for gin.

He simply opened a portal inside the warehouse, so of course it couldn't be filled to the brim!

(End of this chapter)