Chapter 409: Nominating Feng Lingbo

Early the next morning, Feng Entai personally came to the guest courtyard to find Niu Youdao. They had agreed the day before that Feng Entai, as host, would show him around Tianyu Sect's new grounds.

Bai Yao, who was stationed in the courtyard, came forward and exchanged a few words with Feng Entai. Once he learned that the elder was here to see Niu Youdao, he quickly withdrew, unwilling to meet Niu Youdao. The reason was simple: awkwardness.

Back when they first met, Niu Youdao had been nothing in Bai Yao's eyes. Now Niu Youdao had become his own martial uncle's sworn brother, which made Niu Youdao a generation senior to him. Whenever they met, Bai Yao had to address him properly and politely as "Master Dao."

It was unbearably awkward. Tianyu Sect disciples stationed over in Qingshan Commandery could afford to ignore Shang Chaozong's face, but they could not ignore Niu Youdao's. There was no helping it. He and Elder Feng were brothers. If not for the monk's sake, then for the Buddha's; whenever they met him, they had to politely call him Master Dao.

No one knew how many disciples grumbled inwardly that Elder Feng had been muddleheaded. Why had he gone and sworn brotherhood with this man for no reason? After finding Niu Youdao, Feng Entai left the guest courtyard with him, and the two wandered among the picturesque mountains.

The sect that had originally occupied this place had been relatively small, so its cluster of buildings was not extensive. Now that Tianyu Sect had taken over, its sheer number of disciples meant the grounds were currently undergoing large-scale expansion.

Compared with Tianyu Sect's normal expenditures, the cost of expanding the grounds was not much. Tianyu Sect did not even need to pay for it itself. The congratulatory gifts from the various parties coming to celebrate the relocation were already enough.

Niu Youdao alone had presented ten thousand gold coins as a gift. The commandery governors had naturally given even more. To demonstrate his sincerity, Shang Chaozong had contributed one hundred thousand gold coins on behalf of his two commanderies.

Eventually, Feng Entai and Niu Youdao stood atop a mountain and looked out over the lake and hills below. Under the sunlight, faint purple mist drifted through the landscape. Fish occasionally leaped from the water while birds skimmed across the surface. There was indeed something of an immortal realm about the place.

"What a fine place!" Niu Youdao praised, hands clasped behind his back.

Feng Entai, however, shook his head in dissatisfaction. "It seems Third Brother never visited Tianyu Sect's former mountain gate. It was far better than this. These are the conditions we have for now. The whole sect has to serve the larger situation, so we'll make do."

Niu Youdao chuckled. "You still find this lacking? A great sect really is different."

"Third Brother, I've been in contact with Second Brother," Feng Entai suddenly said.

Niu Youdao slowly turned his head toward him.

"Second Brother told me everything. Not bad!" Feng Entai patted him on the shoulder, looking rather emotional.

Niu Youdao smiled without speaking.

Just then, a disciple skimmed over and cupped his hands. "Elder, the banquet is about to begin."

"All right, I understand." Feng Entai nodded, then turned and gestured for Niu Youdao to accompany him back.

Yesterday's banquet had been for welcoming the guests. Today's was for seeing them off. The people present were still the same. For people like these, eating and drinking were never the real purpose. The matters discussed over the banquet were the actual business. After several cups of wine, the conversation turned to supporting the troops of the five commanderies.

At present, if all the forces of the five commanderies were added together, including the various miscellaneous units, the total was already approaching six hundred thousand men. For the finances of the five commanderies, that was a heavy burden. The question was whether they still needed to maintain so many troops.

Before, the commanderies had been separated, each governing its own territory and each having to bear pressure from all directions. They had therefore been forced to keep larger forces.

Now the five commanderies had been brought together into one contiguous bloc, with friendly territory covering their backs. The pressure on their flanks and rear would be greatly reduced. Cutting two hundred thousand troops without much difficulty could substantially lessen the burden on each commandery. Tianyu Sect, however, eventually stated its position clearly. Nanzhou was the objective.

Everyone should endure the burden for now. Once Nanzhou was taken, six hundred thousand troops spread across the entire region would not be excessive. Tianyu Sect would also exercise restraint in the tribute it demanded and do its best not to increase the burden on the commanderies. Everyone involved understood why Tianyu Sect could afford to be so generous now.

The profits from the liquor business had filled its coffers. Several million gold coins flowed in every year. That one source of income alone already exceeded what Tianyu Sect had once extracted from the commanderies in annual tribute.

Zhao Xingfeng, Governor of Tu'an Commandery, could not resist saying, "Sect Leader, the governing methods used in Qingshan and Guangyi Commanderies are quite good. If our three commanderies could also reduce taxes..."

Before he could finish, Peng Youzai cut him off with one sentence.

"Qingshan and Guangyi Commanderies can provide other sources of revenue. What can your three commanderies provide? Do you imagine Tianyu Sect can swallow all the profits from the liquor business by itself? The annual tribute to Xiaoyao Palace, Zijin Cave, and Lingjian Mountain cannot be interrupted. If we want to take Nanzhou, those expenditures will only grow. Are you going to provide that money? Tianyu Sect is paying for all of it. Enough. Don't bring this matter up again."

Zhao Xingfeng looked embarrassed. He had not expected a mere suggestion to draw such a strong reaction, so he could only close his mouth awkwardly.

Peng Youzai continued, "Five commanderies, each governing itself—that is no problem in ordinary times. But if something happens, the forces of all five commanderies will need someone to command them as one. We need to prepare for that in advance. Who do all of you think would be suitable to coordinate their deployment?"

The moment he said this, Niu Youdao and Meng Shanming instinctively exchanged a glance. They had thought this question would only be raised after Nanzhou was taken. They had not expected it to begin now. Zhao Xingfeng was about to speak again when Niu Youdao coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention first.

"Naturally, Sect Leader Peng should command them all. In terms of prestige, who here can compare with Sect Leader Peng?"

Meng Shanming slowly raised his cup to his lips. He knew Niu Youdao was deliberately making trouble. He did not want unified military command to fall into someone else's hands.

Anyone who was not a fool understood that whoever was given command of all five commanderies now would, in all likelihood, become the future master of Nanzhou.

With Peng Youzai himself dragged into the discussion, Zhao Xingfeng could only swallow the words already at his lips. Saying that someone else was more suitable than Peng Youzai would plainly be inappropriate.

Peng Youzai burst out laughing. "Brother Niu certainly has a fine suggestion, but I don't have that kind of energy. Nor am I familiar with military affairs."

Niu Youdao pointed around at the Tianyu Sect elders present. "Tianyu Sect is full of capable people. Send any disciple you like. He should be more than qualified."

Peng Youzai shook his head again. "Cultivators have cultivators' affairs to handle. Cultivation comes first. Leaving aside the lack of time, we cannot divide too much attention among mundane matters. Otherwise, what need would there be for all these commandery governors seated here?"

"Selecting people for civil and military administration is one thing. Selecting disciples for cultivation is another. Brother Niu, every field has its own specialization. I think it would be better to let those skilled in such matters make the decision themselves. You and I should not meddle blindly."

"Sect Leader Peng speaks reasonably." Niu Youdao chuckled, then turned toward Feng Ruonan. "Princess Consort, you were also born to the military. Who do you think would be suitable to coordinate the forces?"

Feng Ruonan clenched her teeth inwardly. Feng Lingbo shot Niu Youdao a cold look. Peng Yulan was even more furious. By singling out their daughter, was he not roasting her over the fire? Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Meng Shanming all looked at Niu Youdao somewhat strangely. This was hardly something Feng Ruonan could decide. None of them understood why he was deliberately putting her in an awkward position.

Peng Youzai waved toward everyone present. "Cultivators need not participate in this matter. Let the four commandery governors make a joint nomination."

With one sentence, he pressed Niu Youdao back down and pulled Feng Ruonan out of the fire as well. Niu Youdao smiled and raised his cup toward Peng Youzai. That was as far as he could go.

The power of decision was in the other side's hands, and so was control over the discussion. How the topic was framed and guided was entirely up to them. That was a fact he could not change. Zhao Xingfeng spoke again, pointing toward Feng Lingbo.

"Guangyi Commandery came first, and only then did Qingshan Commandery follow. It was entirely because Feng Lingbo opened up the situation in Guangyi Commandery that the two commanderies reached where they are today. Among those present who have served as commandery governors, Feng Lingbo is the only one I truly admire. I nominate Feng Lingbo to coordinate the forces of all five commanderies."

Niu Youdao raised a brow slightly and teased, "Governor Zhao was given a fine name."

Everyone looked at one another. Zhao Xingfeng choked on his words.

What did that mean?

Lan Ruoting immediately played along. "Master Dao, what do you mean by that?"

Niu Youdao drawled, "Xingfeng—'stirring the wind.' A fitting name for someone who likes to stir up wind and make waves."

Some of those present fought back laughter. Others remained expressionless. Zhao Xingfeng's face darkened slightly.

Niu Youdao immediately gave him a cold look. "Judging from Governor Zhao's expression, do you have some problem with me? It was only a joke. Don't take it seriously. Things become unpleasant if you do."

Zhao Xingfeng immediately cupped his hands toward Peng Youzai, clearly intending to ask him to uphold justice. Peng Youzai swiftly raised a hand and stopped him, refusing to let Zhao Xingfeng openly fall out with Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao was plainly picking a fight on purpose. If Zhao Xingfeng really let him seize on some pretext to create trouble, he probably would not be able to withstand it.

More importantly, Niu Youdao controlled one of Tianyu Sect's financial lifelines. Even Tianyu Sect had to be wary of him to some extent. So long as the matter could still be resolved through reason, there was no need to tear faces apart now. Accounts could be settled later, when the time came. Peng Youzai suppressed the exchange.

"Brother Niu, we're discussing serious business. Don't joke around. If sitting here makes you uncomfortable, I can arrange a private room for you."

It was a warning.

Niu Youdao waved a hand. "Sect Leader Peng is too polite. Everyone is simply too serious. I was only enlivening the atmosphere."

Peng Youzai turned his gaze to the others. Meilin Sheng, Governor of Huxi Commandery, spoke next.

"I also nominate Feng Lingbo."

Wu Tiandang, Governor of Wuyang Commandery, immediately followed.

"Agreed. I nominate Feng Lingbo as well."

A trace of delight flashed through Feng Lingbo's eyes. He had already known beforehand that this would be the result. His gaze shifted toward his son-in-law. He wanted to see what Shang Chaozong could possibly do now. Gratitude showed in Peng Yulan's eyes as she looked toward her father. After all those twists and turns, she discovered that her father still favored his own family. She also finally appreciated his foresight. Sacrifice the small to gain the large.

After all that maneuvering, Shang Chaozong had merely been a stepping stone for their own family. Her father's methods truly were masterful. She could not help remembering what he had told her the previous night.

Tianyu Sect was not the Peng family's private Tianyu Sect. Everything had to be done with proper methods and reasons. Once a matter had everyone's support, it became easy to handle. The senior members of Tianyu Sect sitting at the banquet all remained expressionless. One after another, however, their gazes drifted almost imperceptibly toward Shang Chaozong. The result had naturally been discussed among them beforehand. Shang Chaozong toyed silently with the wine cup in his hand. Feng Ruonan sat with her lips pressed tightly together.

Fei Changliu and the others wore grave expressions. Meng Shanming glanced toward Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao gave the slightest nod.

Peng Youzai smiled. "Your Highness, what do you think?"

Shang Chaozong answered coolly, "Does this prince's opinion still matter?"

Peng Youzai said magnanimously, "Speak freely. Everything should be decided through reason. If Your Highness has some better suggestion, say it."

Shang Chaozong looked left and right. After catching Meng Shanming's eye, his cheeks tightened and his voice rang out firmly.

"I concur with the judgment of the three governors. I approve!"

[End of Chapter 409]