There has long been a saying in Linjiang County: three great, four lesser, seven noble families—speaking of the seven noble families of the county.
The three great are the Wu Family of County Magistrate Wu Yang, the Liu Family of the Chief Historian, and the Rong Family of the Inspector of the Clear Transport Departnt. The four lesser are four noble families just slightly below the standing of those three.
However, with the recent collapse of the Rong Family, these seven noble families have beco six.
Between noble families, there have always been certain conflicts. Yet, their relationships are complex; they’ve lived side by side for years, forged bonds through marriage and politics, connections intertwine everywhere.
For example, before the Rong Family fell, Patriarch Rong Yichu had set an engagent with the eldest daughter of the Lin Family. If nothing had happened, their wedding would have been held this year during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
And precisely due to this entanglent among the noble families, internal disputes have always been sowhat restrained, forming a natural alliance against the Transitory Official faction.
Still, every cooperation is founded upon interests. With the fall of the Rong Family, a vast pool of benefit was released; and to fight for these resources accumulated over hundreds of years, the noble families have already set true fires against each other.
And when the Prefecture Governnt threw out the various markets of South City,
The atmosphere among the noble families instantly turned stiff; though given the short span of ti, their mutual dealings are still sowhat restrained.
To prevent causing major trouble, the noble families have only sent younger mbers to handle South City affairs; tacitly, every family dispatched just one Innate Martial Artist to hold the fort.
Yet, an Innate Martial Artist is still an Innate Martial Artist,
Even if each family sends just one, it’s enough to cast a terrifying, oppressive shadow over South City.
After all, for so many years, South City previously only had one Innate Martial Artist from the Celestial Water Gang and two from the Luo Family. Now, suddenly, there are six—crushing local powers into submission.
Within these few short days, South City has seen many violent clashes.
This arrangent by the Prefecture Governnt is rather bizarre,
Regardless of market size, every single one is split into several portions—so in dozens of South City’s markets, without exception, all six noble families have a presence.
With such proximity, conflict springs up easily.
But after a few scuffles, these noble sons began to grasp the underlying aning, started gathering to negotiate territory exchanges, aiming to scatter everyone’s holdings.
For a mont, the storms subsided.
And just at this ti,
The heads of the six noble families all received an invitation, nearly simultaneously.
The host: none other than the infamous God of Slaughter, Gu Zhan of Linjiang City.
After brief hesitation,
The leaders all accepted the invitation. They understood—since they’d co to South City, dealing with its acknowledged overlord was inevitable. All knew this God of Slaughter’s style: brazen, domineering. Rather than face him one-on-one later, it was better to join forces and negotiate any terms together.
...
Night fell, Baihua Building was ablaze with lights.
Tonight, South City’s most famous den of luxury, Baihua Building, was closed for business. Though brilliantly lit, it was unusually quiet—the girls were all sent away, leaving only idle attendants and a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards.
Gradually,
The heads of the six noble families arrived one after another,
Each arrival was extravagant: splendid carriages, spirited entourage of guards, and those noble sons of refined deanor.
Linjiang City is neither small nor large,
Noble families all, even if unfamiliar, their direct lineage sons recognize each other.
Arriving almost at the sa ti, they exchanged polite bows and entered Baihua Building together.
Soon, the spacious lounge of Baihua Building was filled to the brim. These noble sons brought plenty of confidants, trusted n, and personal guard, especially the six Innate Martial Artists—all present.
Gu Zhan had not arrived yet,
Inside the hall, the noble sons busied themselves in discussion.
One could faintly see the focus centered on the Wu Family and Liu Family.
Wu Family sent Wu Ming, County Magistrate Wu’s direct nephew, in charge of South City—a fad youth in Linjiang City, master of poetry and song. It’s said the Wu Family plans to polish him, then recomnd him as a filial and upright candidate for the officialdom, grooming him as Wu County Magistrate’s successor.
The Liu Family’s young gentleman was Liu Yijie, much like Wu Ming, though his status wasn’t as high. Not the heir apparent, nor aiming for an official career, but he already handles the majority of the Liu Family’s Martial World business, likely to be their number two in the future.
The other families’ representatives were similar, but compared to these two, their status was sowhat lower.
The hall was full; only the chief seat remained vacant.
Yet, Gu Zhan did not keep them waiting for long before arriving.
Everyone stood up to pay respect.
Gu Zhan reciprocated each gesture, then exchanged pleasantries and greetings, also listened to the noble sons introduce themselves one by one.
All were noble sons, young leaders of their generation, status and position not low. Their manners were impeccable—even if internally they looked down on Gu Zhan’s background, outwardly, none betrayed a hint of it.
After the round of polite formalities,
Gu Zhan announced the opening of the banquet.
Such a feast was hardly ager—enough riches on jade plates to awe any—but the attendees had all seen the world, none were truly here for the al. Though the banquet had begun, hardly anyone touched their chopsticks.
The only one enjoying himself was Gu Zhan.
The rest rely looked on helplessly, no one wishing to speak first, all waiting in silence.
After a while, Gu Zhan finally set his chopsticks down, lifted a cup of wine, surveyed the others, and said, "Since none of you care for this al, I’ll be blunt. I won’t waste words dodging around."
Gu Zhan drank a cup of wine, then slowly poured another, saying, "I’ve no intention to clash with your families, but I hope you’ll grant so respect. The markets of South City—you’ll need to yield a portion. Don’t force the local gangs to a dead end. And don’t force to a dead end, either."
After a mont’s silence, Wu Ming cupped his hands and said, "Lord Gu, we only conduct honest business. Matters of the markets—you may not fully understand. It’s not as simple as you make it out..."
"Drop the official talk," Gu Zhan waved his hand, "Wan Yan and Magistrate Yang want to take down your families, now they want to use as their blade. But I refuse to be that blade. Your families ought to know your position. Sotis, don’t be too greedy,
Your six families already control enough territory. Greed can choke you to death. I won’t waste more words, you know it as well as I do. Just one sentence: if you’re willing to yield, compensation will be paid. I just ask you leave a way to survive."
Wu Ming smiled, saying, "Lord Gu, you exaggerate—these are just so business affairs. We all proceed through legal channels of the Governnt Office. If you truly care, I’ll make a suggestion: why not ask the Prefecture Governnt again? What do you say?"
Gu Zhan’s eyes narrowed slightly, "So you’re dead set on cutting off my escape?"
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