The current situation couldn’t help but remind him of a terrifying scene from history in his past life.
The court exhausted its resources to support the vassal kings under its rule, ultimately dragging itself down, and eventually, those vassal kings beca a threat that endangered the royal family’s rule.
Shen Yuan paced back and forth in front of the desk, his expression grave.
The initial reason for providing a stipend to several affiliated clans was to quickly distinguish them from mundane families, aiding the Shen Family in governing the city better.
On the other hand, the Shen Family lacked a solid foundation, hoping to enhance its strength swiftly through this thod.
Unexpectedly, it has now beco a burden due to this move.
As he was frowning, a figure slowly approached the doorway.
"It’s rare to see you troubled, truly unusual."
Upon hearing this voice, Shen Yuan’s face showed a hint of a smile. Turning around, he looked at Shen Chongming at the entrance and said, "After three years of seclusion, what have you gained?"
Shen Chongming smiled and clasped his hands, "Luckily, I haven’t let you down. With the help of so techniques from the ’Shenxiao Jade Mansion Five Thunder True Technique Secret Record,’ I also visited the Black Water Pavilion to comprehend three Jade Scrolls of the ’Twenty-Four Solar Terms Celestial Rotation True Seal’. After verifying them, I’ve made significant gains."
"Oh?"
Shen Yuan looked at him with so surprise.
The ’Shenxiao Jade Mansion Five Thunder True Technique Secret Record’ is a true technique, inherited from the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm.
The ’Twenty-Four Solar Terms Celestial Rotation True Seal’ is considered a higher existence than the true technique. To comprehend so insights from these two cultivation techniques wouldn’t yield diocre results.
Shen Chongming, as he spoke, a flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing a translucent jade scroll.
"Grandfather, this is a technique spell I realized during this seclusion, which I nad ’Purple Thunder Break Extre.’ It can also suit magical artifact weapons like spears and arrows that excel in point-breaking techniques."
"Apart from those like with a mutated Thunder Attribute Spirit Root, it should also be suitable for cultivators with Gold Attribute Spirit Root to practice."
"This spell is extrely powerful, focusing force on a single point, easily breaking through protective spiritual power shields of cultivators in the sa realm, and even so lower-quality magical robes cannot resist it."
"However, this spell is also very domineering. Practicing and executing it recklessly below the fetal breathing realm could be dangerous."
"How it should be passed down, I’ll leave for Grandfather to decide."
Shen Yuan took the jade scroll, his divine sense probing into it, took a quick glance, and was sowhat surprised.
With his knowledge and experience, he could certainly see that the ’Purple Thunder Break Extre’ spell that Shen Chongming comprehended was very exquisite.
But similarly, as he ntioned, it’s not easily manageable.
Without the nourishnt of an immortal embryo, the fragile ridians within a Qi Cultivation cultivator might not withstand such an outbreak.
However... perhaps he could attempt to simplify and modify it.
Since the arrival of the Immortal Sect, he had read nurous books related to cultivation and absorbed the insights from breakthroughs made by his descendants; his knowledge and foundation had grown trendously.
Simplifying the ’Purple Thunder Break Extre’ spell shouldn’t be a problem.
Having an idea in mind, he directly put away the jade scroll and solemnly said,
"Now that you’re out of seclusion, you can handle this ss."
"These past few years have been hard on the old man."
As he said this, he briefly narrated the major events of the past three years to him, outlining the current deficit dilemma the Shen Family faces.
After listening, Shen Chongming’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said in a deep voice, "If that’s the case, then let’s cut off the stipends of the major affiliated families."
Shen Yuan pondered slightly, then suddenly chuckled, "Handle this as you see fit."
"Oh, by the way." Suddenly recalling sothing, Shen Yuan said in a deep voice, "Chongxu, that little bastard, has created a romantic debt; you’ll need to handle that as well."
"Don’t let the child be born without a title."
After saying this, he leisurely left the courtyard and headed toward the Black Water Pavilion.
Shen Chongming watched his back in astonishnt.
Secretly, he chuckled bitterly, shaking his head and murmuring, "In ten years..."
"In another ten years, when Xiuzhuo grows up, I’ll also gradually hand over the family affairs to him."
"By then, I can retreat and focus on cultivation peacefully..."
...
Mountain Foot Academy.
With hair as white as snow and an aura of twilight about him, Lu Zhiyuan sat in the pavilion.
Across from him sat Shen Chongming and Shen Chongxuan, the two brothers.
Shen Chongming adjusted his sleeve and looked at Lu Zhiyuan.
Just after coming out of seclusion, his grandfather Shen Yuan presented him with a big dilemma.
Cutting off the stipends of the affiliated families wasn’t as simple as it sounded.
If mishandled, causing them to harbor resentnt, it might sow the seeds of trouble for the future.
After much contemplation and with no suitable solution in mind, he could only co to the academy to seek the help of Lu Zhiyuan and Shen Chongxuan to devise a reliable strategy.
After listening to Shen Chongming’s plan, Lu Zhiyuan thought for a long ti before slowly speaking.
"The biggest taboo with this move is haste."
"I still rember when I was eager to promote new learning and implent reform strategies."
"However, I overlooked the interests of all parties, almost losing my life as a result."
Shen Chongming nodded thoughtfully.
"Please enlighten , Master."
After so deliberation, Lu Zhiyuan continued, "You can temporarily reduce the stipends of each clan under the na of a Clan Court assessnt."
"These past years, eager to gain achievents, many clansn, except for the Anyang Zhao Family, have engaged in nefarious acts. The Clan Court has not pursued them deeply because your grandfather ntioned that it’s a ti of need, as long as they don’t cross the line, warnings suffice."
"I suggest that during the annual ancestral sacrifice assessnt this year, you bring up this stipend reduction and observe the reaction of each family."
Just as Lu Zhiyuan finished speaking, Shen Chongxuan supplented, "Where there are penalties, there must also be rewards. Proper rewards and punishnts will make them accept willingly."
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