Chapter 344: Chapter 271: Are You Disappointed?_2

Gu Zhan rose and cupped his hands, saying, "The name of Director Qin is truly thunderous to my ears as well. To have the pleasure of meeting you today is a true fortune!"

Standing beside Qin You, Yang Ge suddenly looked toward Gu Zhan, his brows slightly furrowing,

for Gu Zhan was showing Director Qin the courtesy due to an equal.

However, though he was displeased, he did not say more.

"Come, everyone, please take your seats!"

Wei Wuya beckoned for Qin You and his entourage to be seated.

Among those from the Astronomical Bureau on this trip, aside from Supreme Grandmasters Qin You and Yang Ge, there were also several Grandmasters.

When Qin You and the others had sat, the Supreme Grandmasters headed by Wei Wuya began to exchange idle chatter.

The others in the great hall remained silent,

for in such a setting, even the Grandmasters sensibly refrained from speaking.

After a while of false and polite conversation, Wei Wuya seized the opportunity to turn to the main subject, saying, "Fellow Daoist Qin, I wonder what reply the Court has for our Yunxi sects’ proposals of late?"

Saying this, Wei Wuya sighed softly, "It is not that we, the Yunxi sects, refuse to obey the Court’s arrangements. The Court entrusted the heavy mantle of maintaining order to our various sects, but truly, Yunxi Land is too remote, its people fierce, and its makeup far too intricate. We have failed the Court’s trust.

Some time ago, this even led to Demon Dao disciples wantonly slaughtering the common people, a crime we cannot fully absolve ourselves of. We know our abilities are inadequate, and with no other choice, can only fail the Court’s kind intentions. We request the Court send the Government Office to govern directly.

However, Director Qin, be assured: although the people of Yunxi are fierce, if the Court implements policies suited to local conditions, stability should be quickly restored. Our sects will of course give full support. Now, by the efforts of the Righteous Dao Martial Arts, the major threat of Demon Dao has been driven into the Ten Thousand Mountains, opening the passage to the Northern Territory. The Court’s task of administration will no longer be so troublesome."

Gu Zhan sipped his tea, quietly amused at how this old fox Wei Wuya spoke so tactfully, though his meaning was clear enough.

Namely: the schemes you at Court deployed thirty years ago to sow discord among our sects have already been exposed by us. We are not playing along anymore—either you retract your intrigues and we pretend nothing happened, or we’ll ally with the White Lotus Sect of the Northern Territory to attack your Yundong directly. The choice is yours! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Qin You smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Wei, your words are too grave. Yunxi has always been a place of mixed dwellings and turbulent order. Fortunately, for years now, with the aid of the Righteous Martial Dao in administering governance, the fruits are clear to all.

Yet, as Fellow Daoist Wei says, the Martial World Sects cannot compare to the Court’s unified regulations. At times, conflicts are inevitable and unified law is indeed necessary. Thus, after receiving your feedback, the Court took prompt action..."

Then,

the few Supreme Grandmasters began a lengthy round of back-and-forth wrangling,

Qin You striving to secure the Court’s interests, while Wei Wuya and company naturally fought for those of the Yunxi Martial World.

This tug-of-war dragged on until midday,

after which everyone arranged to have lunch before launching into the second round of their tiresome stalemate.

Finally, by sunset,

the two sides reached a unified understanding.

Both the Court and Yunxi Martial World took a step back,

The Court would not interfere with the internal powers of the various factions, but Yunxi must return any noble titles conferred in years past by the Court.

The Yunxi Martial World initially hoped to make the Court suffer a loss for its efforts, but Qin You stood firm. In the end, all the sects agreed to return their noble titles, but secured another policy tailored to local conditions in its place.

On this, Yunxi would establish Inspectorates (Inspectors’ offices) for each Dao, directly under the control of the Court’s Six Ministries. To speak plainly, Yunxi would remain only nominally under the Court; Yunzhou’s Yingtian Prefecture would have no authority to meddle in Yunxi’s affairs—just giving the Court a face-saving gesture. If the Six Ministries themselves want to come govern, that’s their prerogative, but with mountains high and the Emperor far away, their reach can only extend so far.

Yet, Qin You was not easily dealt with either,

and immediately proposed establishing Embroidered Uniform Guard Zhenfu Bureaus and Military Garrison Offices in each Dao of Yunxi.

The reasoning was simple: the Court could not fully withdraw. But right now, it was indeed powerless before the Yunxi sects. So they planted a foot in the door here—since the Embroidered Uniform Guard Zhenfu Bureau and Military Garrison Offices are under Yingtian Prefecture of Yunzhou, there remains a leverage point for future intervention in Yunxi should the opportunity arise.

At last, after another round of wrangling,

the Yunxi sects also accepted the proposal, knowing well that there was no way the Court would truly abandon Yunxi—it would always leave behind a foothold. This was unavoidable.

However, the Yunxi side did not seek outright independence in any case. If there must be a pretense, so be it. Should the Court ever restore the unified strength of yore, these Martial World sects would not truly dare to confront it head-on.

Thus, the final outcome was one all parties could accept,

The Court secured its leverage and reclaimed the noble titles, while Yunxi gained rightful official status, unconstrained by hereditary honors.

For noble titles passed through generations, a boon to commoners, are the root of chaos for Martial World Sects. Now, with the Inspector’s office, there is no hereditary burden—whoever is the Sect Leader may hold the office.

...

This day’s wrangling and tug-of-war made for a pleasant gathering between host and guests; in the end, with everything agreed, stamped, and finalized, all was settled.