Chapter 841
The Internal Affairs of Qingyun City
Wang Tianhai listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
“Sir, your considerations are very thorough,” he said. “I will certainly do as you say.”
For the next three days, everyone in Qingyun City was busy.
Wang Tianhai ordered the streets to be swept, the city gates to be repaired, and the security to be restored, so that Qingyun City could welcome the arrival of the Town Commander in the best possible condition.
Zheng Yi was gathering intelligence to learn about the background of the Town Commander and Steward Lin.
"Deacon Lin's name is Lin Zhengyang. He is the Third Deacon of the Town Domain Division, and his cultivation level is at the peak of the Great Ascension Realm," Feng Ling reported to Zheng Yi. "He holds a very high position in the Town Domain Division and is responsible for handling affairs in the eastern part of the Tianyuan Domain. It is said that he is upright, fearless of powerful figures, and does not have a harmonious relationship with the nine great families."
"Peak of the Mahayana Realm?" Zheng Yi frowned slightly. "It seems the Town Guardian Division is serious this time."
“There’s one more thing,” Feng Ling said. “From what I’ve heard, the Town Command’s involvement this time isn’t just about Qingyun City. They’ve long been dissatisfied with the expansion of the Nine Great Families, and this is just a way to use the Qingyun City incident to give them a warning.”
“I see.” Zheng Yi nodded. “The Town Command wants to use someone else to do their dirty work, using the events in Qingyun City to curb the expansion of the nine great families. This is good news for us.”
"Why?" Wind Chime asked, puzzled.
“Because the interests of the Town Commandery align with ours,” Zheng Yi said. “None of us want the nine great families to control Qingyun City. As long as our interests are aligned, there is a basis for cooperation.”
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, the city gates of Qingyun City were opened, and the city guards stood in neat rows, their armor gleaming, to welcome the arrival of the Town Commander.
Around 9:00 AM, a cloud of dust rose from the distant official road.
A procession slowly approached, small in size with only about a hundred people, but with an impressive presence. Leading the procession was a golden banner embroidered with the three large characters "镇域司" (Zhenyu Si), which gleamed in the sunlight.
"They're here!" shouted the guards on the city wall.
Wang Tianhai, accompanied by Zheng Yi and a group of officials, quickly walked out of the city gate to greet them.
The procession stopped in front of the city gate.
The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in a blue official robe. He had a lean appearance, sharp eyes, and exuded an aura of authority without being angry. He concealed his cultivation level very well, making it impossible to discern his specific realm, but judging from the aura emanating from him, he was definitely not an ordinary person.
It was Lin Zhengyang, the third steward of the town's jurisdiction.
"Steward Lin, I've long admired your name," Wang Tianhai said, quickly stepping forward and bowing respectfully. "Welcome to Qingyun City, Steward Lin."
"Lord Wang, there's no need for such formalities," Lin Zhengyang said, dismounting and returning the greeting. "I've come here on orders from the Town Garrison Command to mediate the dispute between Qingyun City and the nine great families. I hope Lord Wang will cooperate."
“Of course,” Wang Tianhai said. “Deacon Lin, please come into the city. I have prepared lodgings and a banquet to welcome you.”
"There's no need for a banquet," Lin Zhengyang waved his hand. "I'm too busy with official duties to attend. Let's talk business first."
“Very well,” Wang Tianhai said. “Deacon Lin, please follow me.”
He invited Lin Zhengyang into the city lord's mansion and into the council hall.
Inside the council chamber, tea and refreshments were already prepared. Lin Zhengyang sat in the main seat, with Wang Tianhai and Zheng Yi on either side.
"Lord Wang, I am already aware of the situation in Qingyun City," Lin Zhengyang said bluntly. "The three great families joined forces to attack Qingyun City, but were repelled by Mr. Dark Night with a single punch. The young master of the Lu family was killed, and the alliance of the three great families has thus broken down."
“Deacon Lin is well-informed,” Wang Tianhai said.
"The duty of the Town Guard is to maintain order and law in the Tianyuan Domain," Lin Zhengyang said. "The nine great families have expanded their power too rapidly in recent years, threatening the authority of the Town Guard. Although the joint attack on Qingyun City by the three great families was unsuccessful, it has set a dangerous precedent."
"If the Town Administration doesn't intervene, the nine great families will become even more unscrupulous, seizing cities and expanding their power everywhere. At that point, the order of Tianyuan Domain will completely collapse."
"Therefore, my purpose in coming here is to prevent any single family from controlling Qingyun City." Lin Zhengyang looked at Wang Tianhai, his gaze sharp. "City Lord Wang, do you understand what I mean?"
“I understand,” Wang Tianhai nodded. “I also don’t want any family to control Qingyun City. Qingyun City is my foundation, and I will protect it with my life.”
“Very good.” Lin Zhengyang nodded. “In that case, let’s discuss how to resolve the problem of Qingyun City.”
"What suggestions does Deacon Lin have?" Wang Tianhai asked.
Lin Zhengyang pondered for a moment, then said, "The root of Qingyun City's problem lies in its geographical location. Qingyun City is the gateway to the Eastern Wilderness, and all nine major families want to control it in order to develop the resources of the Eastern Wilderness."
"If we can find a way to allow all nine major families to use Qingyun City to enter the Eastern Wilderness, while preventing any single family from monopolizing Qingyun City, the problem will be solved."
"What Deacon Lin means is that Wang Tianhai is somewhat puzzled."
"My intention is to make Qingyun City a neutral city," Lin Zhengyang said. "Any force wishing to enter the Eastern Wilderness can rent a base in Qingyun City as a springboard. However, they cannot control Qingyun City, nor can they interfere in its internal affairs."
"Whether the City Lord of Qingyun City is still Lord Wang, the Town Administration Division will act as a witness to ensure that all parties abide by the rules. If anyone violates the rules, the Town Administration Division will step in to punish them."
"In this way, all nine major families can utilize Qingyun City, but cannot monopolize it. Qingyun City can also benefit from it, collecting rent and fees. The interests of all parties can be protected."
After listening, Wang Tianhai's eyes gradually brightened.
"Deacon Lin's idea is excellent!" he said. "In this way, Qingyun City will not only preserve its independence but also benefit from it. I completely agree."
"Wait a minute," Zheng Yi said.
"What are your opinions, Mr. Dark Night?" Lin Zhengyang asked Zheng Yi.
“Deacon Lin’s method is indeed excellent, but some details need to be discussed,” Zheng Yi said. “First, how should the rent for the strongholds rented by various forces in Qingyun City be determined? And who should set the rent?”
“This is negotiable,” Lin Zhengyang said. “My suggestion is that the Town Administration and the City Lord jointly agree on a reasonable rent standard. The majority of the rent will go to the City Lord, and a smaller portion will go to the Town Administration as oversight costs.”
“That makes sense.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Secondly, how many troops can each faction station at their strongholds in Qingyun City? If there are too many troops, won’t that threaten the safety of Qingyun City?”
“This can also be limited,” Lin Zhengyang said. “My suggestion is that each force should station a maximum of one hundred people in Qingyun City. Anything exceeding this number will require an application to the Town Commandery and the City Lord, along with additional fees.”
"One hundred people?" Zheng Yi hesitated for a moment, "That's acceptable. But there's still one problem." "What problem?"
"If someone breaks the rules, can the Town Administration Division intervene promptly to punish them?" Zheng Yi asked. "After all, the Town Administration Division's headquarters isn't in Qingyun City. What if someone causes trouble when the Town Administration Division isn't there?"
"I have also considered this issue," Lin Zhengyang said. "I plan to establish an office of the Town Administration Bureau in Qingyun City, and station some personnel there to supervise all parties to ensure compliance with the rules. If anyone violates the rules, the office will handle the matter promptly."
"If the office can't handle the problem, I will personally intervene," Lin Zhengyang's tone became serious. "I can assure Mr. Dark Night that if anyone dares to cause trouble in Qingyun City, the Town Command will not stand idly by."
Zheng Yi looked at Lin Zhengyang and saw sincerity and determination in his eyes.
“Alright.” He nodded. “Since Deacon Lin says so, then I’m relieved.”
"Does Mr. Dark Night have any other questions?" Lin Zhengyang asked.
"That's all for now," Zheng Yi said. "We can discuss the details later."
"That's good." Lin Zhengyang stood up. "Next, I need to inform the Sun and Zhao families to come to Qingyun City for discussions. The Lu family also needs to be notified, although they might be reluctant to come."
"The Lu family?" Wang Tianhai's expression changed. "Deacon Lin, the Lu family's young master was killed by Mr. Dark Night. They must hate us to the core. Won't it cause trouble if we bring them here to negotiate?"
“The Lu family is indeed a problem,” Lin Zhengyang frowned. “But the rules of Qingyun City must apply to everyone, including the Lu family. If the Lu family doesn’t come, they won’t be able to establish a foothold in Qingyun City in the future. This is also a loss for the Lu family.”
"I will inform them; whether they come or not is up to them."
“Okay.” Wang Tianhai nodded.
Lin Zhengyang left the council hall to arrange for the notification of various factions.
After he left, Wang Tianhai finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Sir, what do you think of Deacon Lin's method?" he asked.
“That’s a good idea,” Zheng Yi said. “Let Qingyun City become a neutral city, so that all forces can utilize it, but cannot monopolize it. This way, we can preserve Qingyun City’s independence while also benefiting from it.”
“But we can’t rely entirely on the Town Guard,” Zheng Yi continued. “Although the Town Guard has agreed to intervene, their power is limited. If the nine great families join forces against the Town Guard, they will find it difficult to cope. Therefore, we still need to continue strengthening our own capabilities, just in case.”
“Sir, you are right.” Wang Tianhai nodded. “I will continue to strengthen the city's defenses and recruit skilled warriors; I will never let my guard down.”
That afternoon, Lin Zhengyang sent people to notify the Sun, Zhao, and Lu families, asking them to come to Qingyun City in three days for discussions.
The Sun and Zhao families had been waiting near Qingyun City for some time, and upon receiving the notification, they immediately expressed their willingness to participate in the negotiations.
The Lu family did not give an immediate reply, only saying that they needed time to consider it.
“The Lu family is probably unwilling to come,” Feng Ling reported to Zheng Yi. “From what I’ve heard, after Lu Tianming returned, he reported the situation to the Lu family patriarch. The patriarch was furious and said he would send a large army to avenge Lu Xuanfeng. However, he was persuaded by the other elders of the Lu family, who said that Mr. Dark Night’s strength was too great, and a rash attack would only result in heavy losses.”
"Currently, opinions within the Lu family are divided; some advocate revenge, while others advocate for patience. The intervention of the Town Commandery has made them even more hesitant."
“The Lu family’s reaction was expected,” Zheng Yi said. “They’re now in a dilemma; they want revenge, but they’re afraid of suffering too much loss. The intervention of the Town Commandery has given them a way out. If they’re smart, they should come to participate in the negotiations.”
"What if they don't come?"
“It doesn’t matter if they don’t come,” Zheng Yi said. “The rules of the Town Command apply to everyone. If the Lu family doesn’t come, they won’t be able to establish a base in Qingyun City or explore the Eastern Wilderness. This would be a huge loss for them.”
Three days later, the talks were held as scheduled.
The location is the council hall of the city lord's mansion.
The council chamber had been rearranged, becoming more spacious and brighter. A large round table stood in the center, surrounded by a dozen chairs, enough to accommodate everyone participating in the discussions.
Several landscape paintings hung on the wall, and a few potted plants were placed in the corner, adding a touch of elegance to this solemn occasion.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden dappled patterns on the floor. A faint aroma of tea filled the air, bringing a sense of tranquility.
Lin Zhengyang sat in the main seat, his expression solemn. Behind him stood several officials from the Town Commandery, holding tokens and exuding an imposing aura.
Wang Tianhai sat to Lin Zhengyang's right, and Zheng Yi sat next to him.
Sun Wanli, accompanied by two guards from the Sun family, sat to Lin Zhengyang's left.
Zhao Tiefeng, accompanied by two guards from the Zhao family, sat opposite Sun Wanli.
The Lu family also arrived.
But the person who came was not Lu Tianming, but another elder of the Lu family named Lu Yuanfeng. He was Lu Tianming's cousin, and his cultivation was also at the late stage of the Mahayana realm. His status in the Lu family was second only to the patriarch.
"Elder Lu, welcome." Lin Zhengyang looked at Lu Yuanfeng. "I didn't expect the Lu family to send you."
"Deacon Lin," Lu Yuanfeng said, bowing slightly. "Tianming is emotionally unstable due to the grief of losing his son and is not suited to attend this meeting. The Lu family has sent me to represent them."
“Very well.” Lin Zhengyang nodded. “Elder Lu, please have a seat.”
Lu Yuanfeng sat down in the chair, his gaze sweeping over Zheng Yi opposite him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
Zheng Yi felt his gaze and looked back. Their eyes met in the air, as if invisible lightning was flashing between them.
"Everyone, let's begin," Lin Zhengyang said, breaking the delicate atmosphere.
He stood up and looked around at everyone.
"I have come to Qingyun City on the orders of the Town Guard to mediate the dispute between Qingyun City and various other forces," he said. "Qingyun City is the gateway to the Eastern Wilderness, and it is a fact that various forces want to control it. However, the Town Guard will not allow any single force to monopolize Qingyun City."
"Therefore, I propose a solution: make Qingyun City a neutral city. Any force wishing to enter the Eastern Wilderness can rent a base in Qingyun City as a springboard. However, they cannot control Qingyun City, nor can they interfere in its internal affairs." (End of Chapter)