Chapter 883: Consolidation |
Whether it's from Meng Zhang's inner wish or Taiyi Sect's interests, they should unite with the local cultivation forces to resist the fierce dragon from the Dali Dynasty.
However, due to the events of the past years, he has always been wary of the Four Seas Commercial Firm.
Now, with You Hongzhi True Monarch stepping forward to consolidate this matter, he dares not easily join in.
Xu Mengying's visit seems more like an attempt to persuade Meng Zhang to join.
After much contemplation, Meng Zhang finally declined Xu Mengying's request.
Xu Mengying was quite disappointed as Taiyi Sect and Meng Zhang would have been a strong support for them.
But seeing that Meng Zhang had made up his mind, she knew that further persuasion would be futile, so she had to give up.
Before Xu Mengying left, Meng Zhang reminded her repeatedly not to rely too much on You Hongzhi True Monarch and to be cautious.
Xu Mengying was well aware that You Hongzhi True Monarch was unreliable, but she had no other choice. She had to rely on his power to unite enough strength to resist these powerful outsiders.
Upon receiving his orders, An Moran mobilized the main forces of the Secret Hall to investigate the progress of the situation.
In fact, Meng Zhang didn't need to investigate since Xu Mengying kept in constant communication with him, regularly providing him with the latest information.
As the behavior of these foreign big merchant families became increasingly unpleasant, more and more local forces found it intolerable.
You Hongzhi True Monarch had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances all over the world. With him taking the initiative to mediate, there was soon significant progress.
Changchun True Monarch of Changchun Outlook, having become enemies with Wonderful Pill Union after the last incident, stood on the opposite side of the foreign forces.
Although Wonderful Pill Union had not taken action, he remained uneasy and often worried about retaliation.
Relying solely on Taiyi Sect for support seemed a bit weak.
If they were to confront Wonderful Pill Union head-on, this little strength would indeed be insufficient.
After You Hongzhi True Monarch personally visited him, he was quickly convinced to join this small group.
Through You Hongzhi True Monarch's relentless efforts during this period, this covert group resisting the fierce dragon from across the river had been growing stronger and stronger.Power at the Gold Core sect level is not reliable when facing strong enemies.
The high-minded You Hongzhi True Monarch simply looks down on it.
In fact, many small sects that have had unfavorable outcomes have already voluntarily joined these foreign big merchant families.
After all, these small sects were nothing special to begin with, and they have nothing much to lose. They might as well serve as dogs for someone else; it doesn't make much difference since they were already at the bottom.
For the Primordial Spirit sects and families, which are under the control of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, it's not so easy to make them submit.
And attempting to bribe such cultivation forces would require a hefty price and might not even guarantee success.
The main targets that You Hongzhi True Monarch is consolidating are those Primordial Spirit sects and families.
These types of sects and families have suffered the most significant losses due to the influence of the foreign big merchant families.
Apart from the Four Seas Commercial Firm, other factions like the Yellow Lotus Sect, Changchun Outlook, Flawless Valley, and the Shangguan family have also joined this small group.
As the strength of the group grows, its attraction increases, leading more cultivation forces to join.
You Hongzhi True Monarch is truly giving his all to consolidate various local cultivation forces.
The Dark Alliance branch in Jiuqu Province is currently under the control of Dong Qiang True Monarch and True Monarch White Crow.
They are in serious conflict with Taiyi Sect over some industries.
The lower-level disciples from both sides often clash, resulting in fierce battles. However, due to the restraint of the higher-ups, the conflict hasn't escalated for now.
Since Meng Zhang of Taiyi Sect is unwilling to join the small group, You Hongzhi True Monarch didn't force the matter and instead approached Dong Qiang True Monarch and True Monarch White Crow.
Ever since these big merchant families from the Dali Dynasty settled in Jiuqu Province, they have been acting aggressively, seemingly attempting to annex everything.
Even the black market business has been greatly affected.
The primary business of the black market involves trading illicit goods, fencing stolen items, exchanging intelligence, and so on.
To operate a successful fencing business, one needs significant strength and reliability.
The big merchant families from the Dali Dynasty's homeland have far greater power than the Dark Alliance branch and a relatively good reputation, allowing them to easily seize a considerable amount of business.If this continues, the business of trading intelligence in the black market will sooner or later be taken away.
Dong Qiang True Monarch and True Monarch White Crow have been dissatisfied for a long time, but they are hesitant to take action.
Initially, the North Sweeping Grand Army offered favorable conditions to quickly conquer the Jiuqu League, seeking to win over and buy the northern cultivation forces.
After these cultivation forces joined the Dali Dynasty, they maintained a semi-independent status.
However, the Dark Alliance branch led by Dong Qiang True Monarch, having joined early and voluntarily, did not receive such favorable conditions and faced various constraints from the Dali Dynasty.
If Meng Zhang knew about this situation, he might remark that this is not a fair deal.
Currently, the Dark Alliance branch is nominally still subordinate to the Dark Alliance headquarters. However, it has become an intelligence agency under the control of the Dali Dynasty, required to obey the orders of the Dali Dynasty's Ministry of War and official department.
Without clear instructions from above, Dong Qiang True Monarch cannot act recklessly.
He did not outright refuse You Hongzhi True Monarch's proposal but said he needed to consider it further.
After sending away You Hongzhi True Monarch, Dong Qiang True Monarch personally contacted the higher-ups of the Dali Dynasty's Ministry of War, revealing the various difficulties faced by the Dark Alliance branch, hoping for assistance.
Dong Qiang True Monarch is well-informed and knows that these big merchant families from the Dali Dynasty have influential figures backing them.
He doesn't expect to defeat them but hopes that, for the sake of the Ministry of War's face, they can leave some benefits for the Dark Alliance branch while feasting on the spoils, so as not to let the entire Dark Alliance suffer.
Not receiving a definite response from Dong Qiang True Monarch, You Hongzhi True Monarch is not discouraged. Instead, he redoubles his efforts, continuing to consolidate and seek new sources of support.
Amid the life and death crisis facing the Four Seas Commercial Firm, he has put aside past grievances and proactively reached out to the Azure Origin Sect.
In the past, Qing Gu True Monarch betrayed the entire sect for his own path, leading to great changes and internal divisions within the Azure Origin Sect, resulting in a significant decline in their strength.
But even a thin camel is still bigger than a horse, and the Azure Origin Sect, as the former leader of the Jiuqu League, has profound and unshakable foundations.
Even now, there is no sect in Jiuqu Province that dares to claim that they can definitely surpass the Azure Origin Sect.
Qing Gu True Monarch is the only Primordial Spirit late-stage cultivator in Jiuqu Province besides Governor Zhang Wei, and although he usually doesn't bother with the affairs of the Azure Origin Sect, the current sect leader, True Monarch Azure Gem, is also not someone to be trifled with.
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