A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 1432: Understanding the Higher Intent

This was emphasized heavily because trade involved enormous profits and touched the interests of many people within the Daoist Order. Asking them to give up their source of income was even more painful than killing them.

There was also a constant game of interests between Jade Capital and the regional Daoist Mansions. The local Daoist Mansions would not carry out Jade Capital’s orders just because Jade Capital commanded it. They had their own calculations as well.

The reasons behind this were complicated, but in most cases, it all came down to interests. The Golden Tower Council made decisions for the greater good of the Daoist Order, which inevitably required trade-offs that might harm the interests of local Daoist Mansions. Meanwhile, the local Daoist Mansions acted according to their own interests. Naturally, this created conflict and motives for resistance.

It was similar to the Wei Dynasty, when people repeatedly pointed out that sea transport was cheaper than canal transport. However, canal transport could never be fully replaced by sea transport because the canal transport system sustained the livelihoods of millions of workers. Too many interests were involved, and the resistance was far too great to shake it.

Trade with Fenglin was no different, with too many entangled interests. Even if people could not openly oppose the Golden Tower Council’s resolutions, they could still comply on the surface while secretly undermining them.

Another possibility was excessive enforcement. If the Golden Tower Council instructed them to leave some room for maneuver, but the local Daoist Mansion instead enforced the blockade harsher than necessary, it would provoke widespread resentment. The local Daoist Mansion could use the public outcry to pressure the Golden Tower Council, claiming that it was simply the will of the people.

Preventing over-enforcement would test the ability of a Mansion Master. If handled well, the Mansion Master would be favored by the higher authorities, with hope for further advancement. If handled poorly, then the consequences would be hard to predict.

Zhang Jucheng understood this very well, which was why he attached great importance to the matter.

He had not served as the Jiangnan Mansion Master for long, so he was not yet deeply entangled in local interests. Naturally, he intended to seriously implement the Golden Tower Council’s directives. The key issue was whether his subordinates would cooperate.

That required convening meetings to align everyone’s thinking.

Previously, the Beichen Hall had always been responsible for Fenglin’s affairs, so it was deeply involved in this matter as well. The three senior officials of Beichen Hall each attended the meetings of the three Daoist Mansions respectively.

Sage Qingwei personally went to the Qizhou Daoist Mansion, which was the stronghold of the Taiping Sect and Sage Qingwei’s own power base, as he had once served there as Mansion Master for many years. His personal return demonstrated the Golden Tower Council’s determination and the importance it attached to the matter. Although the Qizhou Daoist Mansion had the largest share of trade with Fenglin among the three Daoist Mansions, and hence the greatest internal resistance, with Sage Qingwei personally overseeing matters, it was unlikely there would be any major issue.

Second Deputy Shen Mingxin went to the Liaodong Daoist Mansion. There were fewer entanglements there, making the situation comparatively easier to handle.

The Jiangnan Daoist Mansion was entrusted to Qi Xuansu. Sage Cihang had once served as the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master for many years, and the current Mansion Master was Zhang Jucheng, Zhang Yuelu’s uncle. Both had ties to him, so it was only natural for Qi Xuansu to take the lead here.

At the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion council meeting, Zhang Jucheng spoke first. “Last year alone, the total trade volume between the Central Plains and Fenglin reached the astonishing figure of 21.9 million Taiping coins. Due to the previous appeasement and preferential policies, Fenglin’s exports exceeded its imports by as much as 9.4 million Taiping coins. A considerable portion of the profits went into the hands of the daimyo across Fenglin. Once they had money, they began funding and supporting the Sonno-joi faction in pursuit of greater political power. If they can produce 10 million Taiping coins to oppose the Central Plains, we may have to spend 20 million Taiping coins in military expenses to suppress them. Therefore, imposing a partial blockade on Fenglin is imperative.

“The blockade of Fenglin is to remove the Sonno-joi faction. Otherwise, every coin they earn from the Central Plains will eventually become a weapon used against us. To put it bluntly, this is a disguised form of aiding the enemy, and it absolutely cannot be tolerated.”

All the Deputy Mansion Masters remained silent. No one voiced any opposition.

Zhang Jucheng glanced at Qi Xuansu. “Next, let’s invite Chief Deputy Qi, representing the Golden Tower Council, to say a few words.”

Qi Xuansu stood up, swept his gaze across the room, and began. “Sage Zhang has already spoken quite comprehensively, especially regarding the necessity and urgency of the matter, so I will not repeat him and will merely add a few points. Some fellow Daoists may say that this is merely total trade volume, not profit, and thus not as exaggerated as it sounds. Furthermore, the Central Plains have also benefited from trade with Fenglin. After all, there are always people willing to do risky business, but no one willingly engages in business that loses money. Trade is supposed to benefit both sides, so why should we injure each other?”

Qi Xuansu paused briefly and raised his voice. “But the situation has changed. We cannot calculate only economic benefits while ignoring political impact. We cannot focus solely on short-term gains while disregarding long-term consequences. We cannot look only at benefits while ignoring disadvantages. The Golden Tower Council’s directive is clear. We must account for politics, the long-term plan, and the balance of benefits and disadvantages. We must view matters from the broader interests of the Daoist Order, recognize the situation clearly, and weigh all pros and cons.”

Li Tianlan muttered softly, “The bigger picture, huh? It’s always this grand game of chess.”

Qi Xuansu’s gaze snapped sharply toward Li Tianlan. “Second Deputy Li, do you have an opinion on the Golden Tower Council’s resolution? Let me remind you that this resolution has the approval of both the Imperial Preceptor and Sage Qingwei. Sage Qingwei himself is currently overseeing the Qizhou Daoist Mansion meeting in person. If you have any objections, you may raise them not only to Sage Zhang and myself but also directly to Sage Qingwei.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Li Tianlan replied flatly, clearly not taking Qi Xuansu’s threat to heart. “I merely don’t understand this so-called ‘bigger picture’ that you speak of. There’s no need for you to escalate things so dramatically, is there? In a council meeting, people should at least be allowed to speak. The sky isn’t going to collapse.”

This old fox truly was difficult to deal with. If not for the matter involving Li Ping, bringing him down would have been no easy task.

But Qi Xuansu was no pushover either. “The Golden Tower Council’s documents were distributed in advance, and everyone here has a copy. The documents clearly explain what the bigger picture means. If someone has not even bothered to read them, then I suggest they leave, study the documents properly, and only then come back to participate in the meeting. We can wait. After all, the purpose of this meeting is to align our thinking.”

Li Tianlan immediately understood why even Wang Jiaohe had been unable to suppress Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu shot another glance at Li Tianlan. “Second Deputy Li, surely you’re not saying that you cannot comprehend the gist of the document? If that is truly the case, then I suggest you return to Wanxiang Daoist Palace for further study. One must never lose the spirit of learning. If you feel embarrassed about it, I can personally apply to Great Sage Shi on your behalf.”

These words showed Qi Xuansu’s hardline attitude, equivalent to tearing away all pretenses of civility.

But Qi Xuansu did not care. From the moment he decided to bring Li Tianlan down, there was no longer any room for leniency.

Li Tianlan had not expected Qi Xuansu to say something like this. No matter what, he was still the Second Deputy Mansion Master. In terms of rank, they were both equal. Yet Qi Xuansu showed him absolutely no courtesy, practically scolding him from a superior position. Li Tianlan immediately felt a surge of anger rising within him.

However, Li Tianlan quickly realized that Zhang Jucheng and Lei Xiaohuan would undoubtedly stand on Qi Xuansu’s side. Furthermore, Qi Xuansu was representing the Golden Tower Council this time and occupied the moral high ground. In a direct confrontation, Li Tianlan had no chance of victory whatsoever, so he forcibly swallowed his anger.

A nearby Deputy Mansion Master reacted quickly and handed a cup of tea to Li Tianlan.

Taking advantage of this graceful exit, Li Tianlan accepted the teacup and took a sip. Yet his hand still trembled slightly. Cracks instantly spread across the cup, but Li Tianlan forcibly held the pieces together with his cultivation, preventing the cup from shattering in the midst of the meeting.

Li Tianlan said nothing further and lowered his head to look at the document issued by the Golden Tower Council. The title was written in bright vermilion ink, which was especially eye-catching.

Qi Xuansu once again swept his gaze across the crowd. “To summarize the document, we are to understand the intentions of the Golden Tower Council and implement the plan.”

Zhang Jucheng said, “Since everyone has no objections, I propose establishing a temporary supervisory group specifically for implementation. I will personally serve as the convener. Chief Deputy Lei—”

Lei Xiaohuan, who had remained silent the entire time, responded, “Yes, Mansion Master.”

Zhang Jucheng said, “You will serve as deputy convener and take primary responsibility for this matter. You’ll have to work hard over the next few days. Draft a proposal as quickly as possible so we can review it promptly.”

“Understood.” Lei Xiaohuan cast a sidelong glance at Li Tianlan.

Zhang Jucheng said, “Very well then. Today’s meeting is concluded.”

Everyone rose and departed one after another.

Zhang Jucheng added, “Tian Yuan, please wait a moment.”

Qi Xuansu remained where he was.

Li Tianlan gave the two men a deep look before turning around and leaving.

Soon, only Zhang Jucheng and Qi Xuansu remained in the room.

It was obvious that Zhang Jucheng had something he wanted to discuss, most likely regarding Li Tianlan.

Qi Xuansu followed Zhang Jucheng to his office.

The moment they entered the office, Zhang Jucheng activated a privacy barrier that isolated the sounds in the room. At the same time, he instructed his secretary to stand guard outside, not allowing anyone to disturb them.

“Tian Yuan, make yourself comfortable.” Zhang Jucheng walked toward his desk. “You really helped out during today’s meeting. Having you play the bad guy worked extremely well.”

Due to their shared enemy, Li Tianlan, the relationship between Qi Xuansu and Zhang Jucheng had rapidly grown closer. At this moment, Zhang Jucheng probably regarded Qi Xuansu even more warmly than he regarded his own niece, Zhang Yuelu.

Qi Xuansu did not stand on ceremony and sat on the sofa. “The Golden Tower Council sent us here for this purpose. After all, we don’t answer to the local Daoist Mansion, so we don’t have as many entanglements and aren’t afraid of offending others.”

“It’s still too early to say that.” Zhang Jucheng sat behind the desk. “Perhaps one day, you will be in charge of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion.”

Qi Xuansu was startled.

At this point, anyone could see that Qi Xuansu had guaranteed entry into the Golden Tower Council. Becoming a Mansion Master was only a matter of time. What surprised Qi Xuansu was not that fact itself, but rather the specific position being mentioned.

The position of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master was extremely important. Much like the Qizhou Daoist Mansion Master, it served as the final stepping stone toward entering the Nine Halls. The influence of Sage Cihang’s faction was tremendous in Jiangnan, so Qi Xuansu had always believed that Zhang Yuelu would one day take up the position of Jiangnan Daoist Mansion Master.

Seeing Qi Xuansu’s expression, Zhang Jucheng laughed. “Surely, you’re not thinking about returning to Poluo to become the Mansion Master, right? The Golden Tower Council most likely won’t give you that opportunity. However, if one day you reach the rank of first-rank Tianzhen Daoist, then you could arrange for one of your own people to govern the Poluo Daoist Mansion instead.”