The deepest affection in Gu Long's world

Chapter 57 A combination of kindness and power
Cao Shan of Tianwei Escort Agency was also an old acquaintance of Fang Yunhua.

When establishing the Huashan Escort Agency, he also learned a lot from the other party, avoiding many pitfalls in advance. The first person he named was not to trick Lao Cao, but because as an old acquaintance, he was a suitable point of attack.

"Old Cao, I know what you're worried about. Because of the checkpoint set up in Shangluo at Nanguan, you have to pay a sum of sword-pattern silver to my Huashan Sect every month to pass through. Does this extra expense make you feel uncomfortable?"

"No way!"

Cao Shan shouted loudly, and Fang Yunhua knew exactly what he was thinking. He had established his authority with the life of the Blood-Clad Scholar, and now it was time to talk about the benefits.

"Old Cao, let's be frank. The mountain bandits active in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan have been relentlessly suppressed by our Huashan Sect. In particular, the Weilang Village, which organized hundreds of people, was completely eradicated only after my Senior Sister Gao beheaded its leader."

Regarding the remaining bandit groups in the three regions, our Huashan Sect will continue to eradicate them completely.

This is a time-consuming and laborious task; aren't you镖局 (security escort agencies) that travel all over the country the first to enjoy the benefits and convenience?

Cao Shan remained silent.

Among these thirty-odd forces, there were also four well-known escort agencies, but after looking at each other, none of them stepped forward to say a word.

Fang Yunhua had anticipated this situation, and he continued speaking.

"Shangluo in the south is just the beginning. Corresponding checkpoints will be set up in Tongguan in the east, Dasuoguan in the west, and Fushan in the north. The forces that hand over the sword-patterned silver will receive a banner from my Huashan Sect."

"In the journey ahead, whether it's escorting goods or running trade routes, if any problems arise, the Huashan Sect will investigate thoroughly."

Upon hearing this, several factions began to look at Fang Yunhua differently.

They stopped hiding and began to seriously consider the usefulness of this flag.

Undoubtedly, this flag still plays a significant role in the southward trade route, because it is well known that Fang Yunhua has a close relationship with Jin Lingzhi of Wanfu Wanshou Garden. In this purge of the Beggar Clan, it was also Jin Siye, the leader of the Jiangnan martial arts world, who was the first to respond.

Exchanging some sword-patterned silver for a guarantee is clearly profitable for these forces that have little influence outside their own territory.

"Young Master Fang, you see, I was just being cynical and judging you by my own standards. My Tianwei Escort Agency will definitely hand over the sword-patterned silver!"

Cao Shan immediately expressed his opinion and began to think about the current situation in the three regions. The biggest power, besides the Huashan Sect, is the Northern Shaolin, which is deeply rooted in Henan. However, despite Shaolin being the number one sect in the world.

But these monks couldn't do much, and always maintained an aloof and superior attitude.

Furthermore, the Southern Shaolin Temple was outmaneuvered by the local tyrant once again. Even if the matter is handled properly and Master Tianfeng gives an explanation to the martial arts world by relinquishing his position as sect leader, his reputation will still be affected to some extent.

Thus, they are firmly united around the Huashan Sect, and can learn from the martial arts world of Jiangnan, also electing the current Huashan Sect as its leader, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The threat theory promoted by Wuhua only indicated that the Huashan Sect wanted to squeeze out the living space of these forces. However, after the leaders of these forces calmed down, they gradually realized something.

That is, the growth of the Huashan Sect is unstoppable, but it is still unrealistic to expect it to grow to the point of squeezing them all out.

The reason they were in such a hurry was because when the Huashan Sect wiped out the Beggars' Sect branches in the three regions, the way they swept away the fallen leaves was truly terrifying. But now, with the imperial court's announcement, not only were the backgrounds of Nangong Ling and Wuhua clearly revealed, but also...

And then there's Li Qi, the mother of these two, who was originally from the Huangshan family and was the culprit behind the decline of the Huashan Sect for more than 20 years. After that, the Huashan Sect doesn't seem so powerful anymore.

Now that they realize that uniting around the Huashan Sect can bring them more benefits, they have become more inclined to align themselves with the sect.

Immediately, many leaders of various factions secretly glanced at a man in official robes standing next to Fang Yunhua.

That was Luo Qiufeng, the chief constable of a prefecture in Shaanxi.

Ordinary wandering martial artists were extremely hostile to those in the imperial court, but those who had risen to prominence understood that cultivating good relations with the government was far more important for the development of their power. This also made them more aware of the current network of connections within the Huashan Sect.

Furthermore, some of the more renowned forces in Henan province recalled an easily overlooked fact: that some people had seen disciples dressed in Huashan Sect attire entering and leaving the Anwang Mansion in the local area.

They had been too preoccupied with recent major events to think things through, but now they have time to deeply reflect on the reasons behind them.

"It seems that you all have thought it through very well."

Fang Yunhua's gaze swept over these leaders of various factions. He believed in the principle of giving a slap on the wrist, then a sweet treat, and then another slap on the wrist. This was the most effective way to manage subordinates, a lesson learned from five thousand years of Chinese history. He genuinely intended to cultivate the three regions into a Jiangnan martial arts world.

However, we cannot take too big a step at once. Once these forces get used to handing over the sword-patterned silver, and report to the Huashan Sect as soon as they encounter trouble, then the final situation of "the sword of Xiyue emerges and chills ten thousand mountains" will naturally be formed.

Before that, there is one last thing to be done.

"Then could you tell us who exactly is secretly instigating you to unite and coerce my Huashan Sect?"

Upon hearing this, the private discussion fell silent once again.

Fang Yunhua continued speaking, seemingly unconcerned.

"Some of you should have already realized that the instigator is likely a villain with close ties to Nangong Ling. They are still causing trouble for my Huashan Sect and are using you all as pawns to be discarded at will."

Think about it carefully. If things fall apart this time, how many people do you think will be left here on Yuntai Peak forever?

They don't value your lives at all!

The leaders of various factions, who have gradually come to their senses, are now constantly trying to distance themselves from the situation, while one after another they are taking the initiative to report others.

Ultimately, without Fang Yunhua needing to continue coercing them, they had already spontaneously identified the three factions.

These are the Yuntai Sword Sect, the Jinshi Society, and the Qin Chuan Alliance.

Meanwhile, the small groups that were originally there surrounded the three families, totaling more than twenty people, and they looked ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

Fang Yunhua was talking quietly with Luo Qiufeng beside him.

"You've identified three families, but it seems your government has only investigated two."

"Is the Yuntai Sword Sect hiding too well? Will we still need to release the evidence of those two families colluding with the Beggar Clan then?"

"Release them later. Also, add some fuel to the fire for the Yuntai Sword Sect. Look at the name of their sect, they've probably been eyeing one of the five peaks of Mount Hua for a long time."

"clear."

Using the Blood-Clad Scholar as the first target was not actually part of Fang Yunhua's plan. After all, it was just a small bonus from the imperial court after he informed them of the Great Desert Plan.

The initial targets of their attack were the Jinshi Society and the Qin Chuan Alliance.

When it comes to this final step, he will need to end it himself.

Fang Yunhua stood up and drew his Lingxiao Sword, walking towards the crowd. The members of these forces consciously parted to create a passage and dispersed to the left and right.

(End of this chapter)