Chapter 418: Chapter 283 Dispatch_2
Otherwise, if people win a major victory and don’t get a pay raise, do you believe they might chop off your head at night and kick it like a ball? Therefore, such extravagance and excessive taxation are things that other Vassal Kingdom Rulers would have to do as well; it’s just basic operation.
From this calculation, as long as these rebel armies remain to plague Hebei, indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, becoming exhausted and slack, and not initiating a river-crossing campaign to expand their conflict to the whole world, the Mystic Sect wouldn’t bother meddling in their affairs like a dog chasing rats.
As for the Three Constellations, sigh, they’ve started their internal fight again.
Ever since the huge defeat at Huan River, the struggle between the Party Members and the eunuchs suddenly intensified. This time, the defeat was so disastrous, and who should be blamed, take responsibility, and pay, is not something that can be suppressed by just a word from the palace. So, at court, people were vehemently arguing, leading to Party Members accusing eunuchs of ruining the country, while eunuchs accused Party Members of treason, rolling up sleeves for a big fight in the Taiwei Constellation, leaving the government basically paralyzed.
Originally, the eunuchs had control of military power and could violently suppress and sweep away Party Members, arresting them and throwing them into prison. But unfortunately, this time, the army was defeated, and the defeat was so severe—the Northern Army’s five elite camps were completely wiped out, and the only remaining forces were defending against the rebel army at Guan Du. Previously, the Ziwei Constellation had also been hit by someone, and the Ziwei Palace had to be rebuilt at considerable expense.
Thus, the military and economic power of the Immortal Palace’s Three Constellations are now at their weakest, with the new recruits defending the Capital. The Eight Passes Captains are mostly Immortal Faction members, and the unprecedented loss of control of the Ziwei Constellation over the court has occurred.
Therefore, the Great General, who now holds military power, is caught in a dilemma, pressured from all sides by the palace to exterminate the rebellious Party, while Party Members demand he cleanse the court. The Three Constellations are filled with undercurrents, where everyone harbors ill intentions, and everywhere is fraught with danger.
And the Mystic Sect is just watching from the sidelines.
So, what else can be done? Overthrow the Immortal Palace? At times like this? Aid the Immortal Palace? A joke, surely?
Therefore, now the Mystic Sect is merely closely monitoring the situation, and ultimately, the Cloud Platform Peak is just a consultative mechanism. Each of the nine major sects has its own plans and strategies, with some people wooing local Gate Valve elites to consolidate and expand their influence, while others seize the opportunity to infiltrate the main palace to steal the Immortal Palace’s treasures, and still others take the chance to kidnap and extort Gate Valve members, resolving worldly grievances.
In short, a divided and chaotic Immortal Palace is not necessarily a bad thing for the Mystic Sect, especially with the hidden Divine Sect biding its time. Thus, unless direct benefits are seen, no Sect Leader would willingly get involved in this vortex.
"So what does the Inner Mountain want?"
Tie Dan frowned,
"At first, I thought, calling me to Ye Capital at this time, perhaps they’re asking me to kill the Stone Dragon. Although there is a suspicion of borrowing a knife to kill, it aligns with my intention.
But according to your earlier calculations, the Mystic Sect doesn’t seem to intend to meddle in the Immortal Palace’s internal strife?"
Zhao Dan said,
"I can’t say much in detail, but according to mountain rumors, the upper echelon not only doesn’t want to kill but seems to want to woo the Stone Dragon."
"Woo? Are they crazy?"
Tie Dan was speechless.
Seriously, how does the Inner Mountain manage to be so annoying in everything??
Zhao Dan, of course, didn’t dare to complain about Honzan with Tie Dan, but patiently explained,
"Even killing the Stone Dragon won’t solve the problem; we must also woo and control the military leaders under him. After all, what came out of Kan Country is a force of a hundred thousand troops, strong and powerful, with astonishing combat power. As witnessed in the Huan River battle, relying only on the Three Constellations, that group of incompetent people can’t deal with this Border Army. Whether the rebel army can be completely exterminated is still unknown, as well as how much manpower and how long it might take.
Moreover, to block the large-scale invasion of demons, relying solely on our Mystic Sect Disciples, or those Immortal Palace wastrels, is far from enough; we must align with the Hebei military factions. Therefore, the Cloud Platform’s intention is to start wooing one or two leading military figures from the rebel army, so that when they replace Stone Dragon, they can reclaim army morale and gather troops for our Mystic Sect, and rely on them as a defense around the mountain, bringing Hebei’s land wholly under our control."
Tie Dan sneered,
"Playing these tricks won’t work; soldiers always believe in the supremacy of the strong. If you don’t make their heads roll and instill fear on the battlefield, how can you win their allegiance?
Today you may lure them over; tomorrow they could be lured away by someone else—what’s the point? Instead of that, why not recruit troops and establish your own domain, growing stronger amidst the chaos of the world?
Retreat to defend and protect the homeland, advance to compete for the Central Plains, why rely on others?"
Zhao Dan, helpless,
"Senior brother, you may not know, but back then, the mountain also tried Hidden Sword Manor, vigorously wooing Jianghu people, allying with various court forces, secretly preparing to revolt. But despite significant investment, the results were minimal, ultimately being crushed by the Divine Sect; it’s not worth mentioning.
In the end, those who possess some Immortal Fate usually don’t wish to be entangled too much in worldly affairs. Those unable to enter the Immortal Sect only wish to live freely with unmatched skills, leading a wealthy life.
As for those who have read books and know words, being talented and ambitious, most have gone to work as officials in the Immortal Palace. No matter how hard you try to win their hearts, the rural people only recognize the Immortal Palace’s name, which is of no use.
Just relying on the few sent by the sect might be enough to intimidate temporarily, but when it comes to plotting for the world, people just hesitate; no matter how much persuasive talk is used, it comes to naught.
Since that’s the case, it might as well seek cooperation directly with the Gate Valve’s military leaders... "