Chapter 890: Inside Story |
In the Governor's Mansion of Jiuqu Province, there are specialized personnel responsible for various matters. Important figures like Wen Dong True Monarch naturally receive special treatment. Wen Dong True Monarch accepted enough benefits and is unwilling to offend the influential figures behind the scenes. Naturally, he should turn a blind eye to their actions.
At critical moments, he should even take the initiative to lend a helping hand and establish a good relationship with them.
In comparison, the relationship with Meng Zhang and the generous gifts offered by Meng Zhang seem somewhat insignificant.
If it were just that, Wen Dong True Monarch would have refused Meng Zhang's request for help.
However, this incident involves not only the strong force from beyond the river attacking the local forces of Jiuqu League but also other aspects.
Initially, Zhang Wei Neng, the Grand Marshal, offered very generous conditions to quickly pacify the various cultivation forces of Jiuqu League. Instead of weakening them, it allowed them to retain a semi-independent status.
Such an approach does not align with Dali Dynasty's traditional external conquests or their consistent style.
Within Dali Dynasty, many are dissatisfied with this and believe that Zhang Wei Neng, the Grand Marshal, is too weak and has conceded too much to the major cultivation forces of Jiuqu League.
There are factions within the court of Dali Dynasty, and political struggles are prevalent.
Some high-ranking officials within Dali Dynasty view Zhang Wei Neng's previous actions as a temporary measure.
The consequence of such actions is that it led to the emergence of many semi-independent feudal lords in Jiuqu Province.
This is detrimental to the rule of Dali Dynasty and will pose many hidden dangers.
By utilizing the power of civilian forces such as the Datong Trading Alliance to sort out the local forces in Jiuqu Province, it will contribute to the long-term stability of the region.
These people take action willingly, thinking it will benefit Governor Zhang Wei Neng as well.
However, they have not considered or do not care about what Zhang Wei Neng thinks.
As the Governor of Jiuqu Province, Zhang Wei Neng considers the region his own territory.
It is only natural that he would have reservations about outsiders coming to his territory and acting as they please.If these external big merchant families were only using normal business methods, it would be acceptable. Even if Governor Zhang Wei Neng had some opinions, he wouldn't easily reveal them. But they have caused such a huge disturbance, clearly exceeding Governor Zhang Wei Neng's tolerance limit. Especially in this incident, they even involved the garrison troops stationed throughout Jiuqu Province, which is even more infuriating.
The strongest army stationed in Jiuqu Province is the Northern Garrison, personally commanded by Zhang Wei Neng, which is usually not easily mobilized. The garrison troops stationed in various places are considered inferior within the Dali Dynasty system, with the strongest members being at the Gold Core level and overall relatively weak. The members' capabilities vary greatly.
Even though the garrison troops are not very strong, they are still under the command of Zhang Wei Neng. These big merchant families have crossed the line by meddling with the garrison troops for their own interests, which is something that Governor Zhang Wei Neng cannot tolerate.
As for their attempts to manipulate the cultivator army and take unauthorized action, Zhang Wei Neng has made up his mind that he cannot allow them to act as they please.
Since Wen Dong True Monarch is a staff member in the Governor's Mansion, he naturally stands firmly on the Governor's side. Zhang Wei Neng did not hide his thoughts from Wen Dong True Monarch, and naturally, Wen Dong True Monarch wants to share the worries of his superior.
Meng Zhang's visit at this time aligns with Wen Dong True Monarch's intentions. Wen Dong True Monarch subtly revealed that Governor Zhang Wei Neng is very dissatisfied with the actions of those external big merchant families.
Of course, as the provincial governor, Zhang Wei Neng cannot directly intervene in this matter. Wen Dong True Monarch's words pleased Meng Zhang. As long as Governor Zhang Wei Neng doesn't take the enemy's side, there is still room to maneuver in this matter.
Meng Zhang immediately complained to Wen Dong True Monarch, accusing these external big merchant families of using conspiracy and deceit, framing innocent people, and falsely accusing them of crimes, causing unrest and fear among the people in Jiuqu Province.
If not handled properly, it might even lead to a civil war in Jiuqu Province.Meng Zhang voiced his grievances on behalf of the small group organized by You Hongzhi True Monarch. Although his words were somewhat exaggerated, he managed to touch upon Wen Dong True Monarch's greatest concerns.
Those external big merchant families were accusing the local cultivation forces of being rebellious parties, intending to suppress them. Even the weakest cultivators would not sit back and do nothing. Once a major conflict breaks out, Jiuqu Province will certainly not be at peace. Prolonged warfare would lead to even more adverse consequences.
As the provincial governor, Zhang Wei Neng certainly would not want to see his ruled territory engulfed in war and devastation.
Wen Dong True Monarch hinted to Meng Zhang that Governor Zhang Wei Neng is aware of their grievances. He explicitly informed Meng Zhang that only Governor Zhang Wei Neng has the authority to decide who the rebels are in the entire Jiuqu Province. Others' claims are merely nonsense and have no credibility.
Given the recent turmoil in Jiuqu Province, Zhang Wei Neng will personally rectify the garrison troops, particularly the local garrisons. With Wen Dong True Monarch's words, Meng Zhang gained some confidence. This way, they wouldn't have to fear those external big merchant families employing the official power of the Dali Dynasty to mobilize large armies and eradicate the local cultivation forces.
Though Wen Dong True Monarch didn't explicitly state it, he implied that the local cultivation forces could band together and confront the external big merchant families. In such a situation, neither side would easily initiate a large-scale war. At most, there might be small-scale skirmishes. When the standoff lasts long enough, Governor Zhang Wei Neng will intervene under the pretext of mediation, and all the disputes will be quelled.
Meng Zhang didn't fully trust Wen Dong True Monarch, but under the current circumstances, he had no choice but to follow the latter's advice for a glimmer of hope. If they didn't stand against the official forces of Dali Dynasty and only resisted the big merchant families, Meng Zhang believed he had the confidence to put up a fight. The local cultivation forces in Jiuqu Province were not weak, and as long as they united, even if they couldn't defeat the enemy, they could maintain a standoff and delay the situation without much trouble.
Meng Zhang sought help from Wen Dong True Monarch not because he expected their relationship to have a significant impact. He suspected that Governor Zhang Wei Neng might not be pleased to see those native individuals from the Dali Dynasty acting recklessly and causing various disturbances within his ruled territory.
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