The open and covert struggle between the Noble Clans and the Great Tang Imperial Family over the new Scholarly Mansion has already seen several rounds of strategic maneuvering.
"Elder Ye of Jinzhou has made a decision and will personally go to Youzhou to et with Prince Zhao," Ye Ming said slowly.
"I have heard as much," Lin Che replied impassively, slowly nodding his head.
Lin Lang, who stood behind him, bowed his head.
The Jinzhou Ye Clan and Qingzhou Ye Clan had no intention of changing the rulers of the land. This was still the realm of Great Tang. However, there was more than one person with the surna Zhang, not just Empress Zhang Wantong. The late Emperor Zhang Qilong’s Empress was the direct daughter of Ye Yan, Clan Chief of the Qingzhou Ye Clan. Therefore, the Qingzhou Ye Clan naturally had a choice: Ye Yan’s direct maternal grandson, Crown Prince Zhang Hui of the Eastern Palace.
Owing to the different paths taken by the two Ye clans, the Jinzhou Ye Clan naturally sought another target. This target, Prince Zhao of the Northern Lands, could basically be considered the second most proficient warrior in the Royal Zhang Family, second only to Empress Zhang Wantong.
Prince Zhao’s fiefdom was located in Youzhou, where he had been at loggerheads with the Youzhou Forest Clan for half a lifeti.
Contrary to what one might expect, there was now a possibility of cooperation between the two sides.
Since the Jinzhou Ye Clan had chosen Prince Zhao, they would certainly do everything in their power to nd the relationship between Prince Zhao’s Mansion and the Youzhou Forest Clan.
And whether it was Prince Zhao or the Youzhou Forest Clan, if they wanted to succeed, they would have to join hands to avoid internal friction.
So the choice of the Youzhou Forest Clan was also set long ago.
The two Ye clans were not in the sa boat, and the two Lin clans were even less likely to sail together.
Not to ntion that the North and South Lin Clans were already on bad terms; even if they were close, they would not choose the sa investnt target at this mont.
Therefore, the choice of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan was also fixed: to join forces with the Qingzhou Ye Clan and to support and protect Crown Prince Zhang Hui.
It was only that the Jiangzhou Lin Clan had previously been leaderless and suffered heavy losses. But now that Lin Che had returned, everything was finally getting back on track.
Of course, the two Ye and two Lin clans had chosen different sides. However, this did not an they would further draw clear boundaries and go to war.
After all, they still had a common opponent at the mont. For a considerable period, cooperation between the two sides would outweigh their opposition.
"What about Jingxiang and Suzhou?" Lin Che asked slowly.
Ye Ming said, "Later on, there should be so response. Once Brother Chengming returns, everything can be settled. Before I ca to Jiangzhou, I had just been to Suzhou. After I leave Brother Chengming’s place, I will continue on to Jingxiang."
Lin Che nodded. "I appreciate Brother Hongzhen’s efforts in diating."
After chatting for a few more monts, Ye Ming took his leave.
After Lin Lang saw off the guest, he returned to his father’s side. "Father, has Elder Chu chosen the Crown Prince?"
The Fang Clan of Jingxiang, the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, and the Chu Clan of Suzhou were lined up along the Grand River. In the past, the Jingxiang Fang Clan upstream and the Suzhou Chu Clan downstream effectively bracketed the Jiangzhou Lin Clan. The Fang and Chu clans had frequent interactions and many intermarriages, often uniting to constrain the Jiangzhou Lin Clan.
Their good relationship with Xin State Dragon Tiger Mountain was also a factor in this.
More than ten years ago, a great battle took place. In it, Lin Qun, the previous patriarch of the Lin Clan, and Li Qingfeng, the forr Celestial Master of Long Hu Mountain, perished together. Afterwards, the Jingxiang Fang Clan and the Suzhou Chu Clan kept a close watch on Jiangzhou.
Lin Che pondered. "Qingzhou Ye, Suzhou Chu, along with us, the Jiangzhou Lin Clan... It’s hard to say about Jingxiang’s side. However, for a short ti, we will no longer be enemies."
Among the Noble Clans and Renowned Families, many years of interactions had likely led to nurous grudges and complications.
But in the ti to co, they would more often be closely allied because they shared a common enemy.
Although Lin Che was inside the house, his gaze was directed northward, towards the Capital City. There, a young emperor had recently ascended the throne. A newly established Scholarly Mansion, still in its nascent stages, embraced all and did not discriminate based on student origins. It seed insignificant, yet it could potentially uproot the very foundation of the noble families.
"And what about the Long Hu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion?" Lin Lang asked softly. "I heard that the Jinzhou Ye Clan is also very concerned about Long Hu Mountain."
Lin Che replied, "Prince Zhao and the Crown Prince are not enemies for now. Naturally, this ans we and the Jinzhou Ye Clan are even less likely to be."
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