There were two reports from the north in front of Shen Mu.
The first one was about Old Grandpa Lu. Shen Mu wasn't surprised by the old man's death. He had received news before the new year that the old man was gravely ill. It could be considered a happy funeral for someone of his age. What surprised him was that the old man's successor wasn't Lu Binzhi. The old man remained under house arrest and lost his position as clan lord.
Shen Mu sighed: "Old Grandpa Lu's eldest son passed away early, so Crown Prince Lu doted on his two grandsons a lot. After Lu Binmi's death, I thought the clan lord's position was already in Lu Binzhi's bag. Who would've thought that Old Grandpa Lu's successor would be someone else? "
Lan Jinhai replied: "Lu Binzhi greatly damaged the Lu family's vitality, so Old Grandpa Lu had to give his clansmen an explanation. After all, no matter how much he liked Lu Binzhi, he had to consider the entire Lu family. It was reasonable for him to appoint another clan lord."
Lan Jinhai asked: "Will Young Noble Lu go to Fanyang to offer his condolences?"
Shen Mu laughed: "Forget it, Old Grandpa Lu won't like to see me. Pick an elder from the clan to go in my place."
Shen Mu and "Young Noble Jiang" had a fierce battle. It was him who dragged down this heaven's proud son of the Lu family. In the end, Yang Fan caught up and kicked "Young Noble Jiang" off the pedestal. All of this stemmed from Shen Mu's betrayal of Young Noble Jiang.
Following that, Shen Mu and Yang Fan worked together to put on a good show. They schemed against the seven aristocratic families and broke away from the control of the seven aristocratic families. Hence, he and the Lu family could be said to have a deep grudge. There was really no need for him to pay his respects because the person the Lu family hated the most was Yang Fan, followed by him.
Lan Jinhai said, "Lu Binmi is a smart and capable person. He's also the one who founded the Succession Hall and has a deep foundation and many henchmen there. Moreover, he's also the heir to the Lu clan. It's easy to imagine the results if he were to take over as the clan lord in the future.
Even if the seven aristocratic families don't allow him to control the Lu clan as the clan lord, he can arrange for a trusted aide to manage the Succession Hall. At that time, with the Lu clan's power and the Succession Hall, the Lu clan will become the first among the seven sects and five families!
As long as this situation doesn't change, the Lu clan can sit in this position. This is a result the other aristocratic families do not want to see. So, Young Noble Jiang's fight against Young Noble Lu was not without the support and cooperation of the other aristocratic families. But Young Noble Jiang was the bad guy. "
Shen Mu smiled and said, "Are you fighting for me? No matter what, I'm the one who benefits the most. Besides, by overthrowing Young Master Lu, didn't I also conveniently break away from the control of the Seven Great Clans? Just based on this, I'm not wrongly accused as a villain. "
Shen Mu smiled as he picked up the second secret report. Looking closely, he couldn't help but furrow his brow. This secret report was about Xian Zong. Shen. Shen Mu carefully read the secret report and then he he he he he. Mu Shen Mu Shen of the report. Shen looked.
Lan Jinhai took the secret report and read it carefully. He couldn't help but frown and say, "The Obvious Sect's power is infiltrating the north? Didn't Yang Fan say they chose the east and south and didn't compete with the Hidden Sect? "
Shen Mu muttered, "They say they are in two places, but it is not like two kingdoms with clear boundaries. Maybe this is the Obvious Sect's normal operation, but the boundaries are blurred …"
Lan Jinhai said, "Young Noble, their people have already appeared in Zuo Commandery. If this is just the blurred boundaries, do we have to wait until they expand their power to the north sea, to the barren land of Su Wu before they invade us?"
Shen Mu was silent. Lan Jinhai had a vigilant expression and said, "Young Noble, Chang 'an belongs to the west and is within the Hidden Sect's sphere of influence. But their power in Chang' an is even stronger than ours.
Yang Fan has great power in the officials, and this is where the Obvious Sect has the advantage. We can put this aside for now. However, the Yang Clan owns many businesses in the east and west cities. Through these expansion and infiltration, they have an important position in Chang 'an.
The Yang Clan owns many estates in the Qi Province and is the number one landowner in Xi Qi. Through these, they have many connections with the local clans in Guanzhong. Furthermore, the local tyrant of the Guanzhong region, the Guanlong Aristocratic Family, has a relationship with Yang Fan.
There is also the water transport. The water transport goes from the west to the east. The east is the head, and the west is the tail. Their power moved to the east and seized control of the water transport. Although the water transport has been handed over to us, their kindness to the Shun Gate is as deep as the ocean. With just one word from them, the Shun Gate will betray us. Therefore, they controlled the end of the water transport.
With all these reasons, we have to be cautious. Now, they are interfering with the North River Path and occupying the Obvious Sect's territory. What will they do next? "
Shen Mu frowned and said, "Jinhai, you are thinking too much. Although Chang 'an is in the west, it is still where the Imperial Capital is. It is also where the Obvious Sect's foundation is. Back then, we agreed that the Chang' an region should be managed by both sects together and not under the Hidden Sect's name alone. As for who manages it better, it will depend on each person's ability.
Furthermore, Yang Fan's estates in the Qi Province, his shops in Chang 'an, his relationship with the Guanlong Aristocratic Family, and his relationship with the Shun Faction were all established by him before the Obvious Sect and the Hidden Sect divided their territories. He doesn't have any enmity towards the Hidden Sect. "
Lan Jinhai said, "Jinhai is your advisor. If I only flatter you and say good things, I will be letting down Young Master's trust. Jinhai has to say what needs to be said. Let me ask Young Master, when you first entered the Succession Hall, did you have any thoughts of going against 'Young Master Jiang'? "
Shen Mu was slightly startled, and his expression darkened.
Lan Jinhai said, "There are many things that a person doesn't have any thoughts in the beginning. However, as his faction develops and needs for benefits, there will naturally be changes. This doesn't just depend on the Sect Lord alone. It depends on the Sect Lord and everyone who follows the Sect Lord.
The Obvious Sect has always been dissatisfied with the Hidden Sect catching up. Sect Lord, you won't deny this, right? Right now, the Obvious Sect's various actions have already incited the dissatisfaction of the Hidden Sect's subordinates. If Sect Lord allows the Obvious Sect to continue like this and doesn't take precautions or counterattack, this lowly one is afraid … that the story of Young Master Jiang that day will repeat itself on Young Master. "
Shen Mu's body suddenly shook. Back then, it was Young Master Jiang who appreciated him and brought him into the Succession Hall and promoted him. However, as he developed, a group of people gradually gathered around him, had his own confidants, and had his own forces. Everything started to change.
At that time, he didn't have any thoughts of rebelling against Young Master Jiang. However, as Young Master Jiang suppressed, ostracized, and kept the people around him in check and grievances, he unknowingly walked onto the path of opposing Young Master Jiang until they were like fire and water.
Would this scene really repeat itself?
From ancient times until now, in each dynasty, those familiar scenes had repeatedly played out. Was it all because of the same reason? Was it because people in the martial world had no choice? Was it because in the fight for power, one had to be willing to submit, or else there would be no one else? Was it because he had too much wishful thinking on the Obvious and Hidden Sect's exchange? He and Yang Fan, were they going to be unable to tolerate two tigers on the same mountain?
Shen Mu silently thought for a long time before slowly ordering, "The Obvious Sect has crossed the line in the North River Path. There is no harm in returning the favor and forcing them out. However … do not use force. First report the news of Old Grandfather Lu passing away and Lu Bin Zhi being placed under permanent house arrest to Yang Fan. I will understand the details and find an opportunity to talk with him. "
… …
Lan Jinhai was on guard because of the Obvious Sect's strong rise and the invasion of the Hidden Sect. While he was admonishing Shen Mu, Zhang Jianzhi and the others gradually heard the news that the Emperor frequently entered the Liang Household and couldn't wait to admonish Li Xian.
At the beginning, when Wu Sansi frequently entered the inner palace, Zhang Jianzhi and the others did not know that Li Xian had already visited Wu Sansi. They had thought that Wu Sansi saw that Li Tang was gaining power and was deliberately currying favor. Therefore, he had tacitly agreed to Huan Yanfan's plan to slander Wu Sansi and Empress Wei.
This was actually not very honorable. While slandering Wu Sansi, it also tarnished the Empress' reputation. It was unavoidable that it would damage the Emperor's reputation. This was not something that a loyal official would do. However, they were extremely dissatisfied with Empress Wei's actions of meddling in politics and expanding the power of the Emperor's relatives. They wanted to pull Empress Wei down as well. When there was righteousness, they could accomplish great things and not bother with small details.
However, hearing that the Emperor frequently visited the Liang Household, Zhang Jianzhi started to feel that Huan Yanfan's plan might not succeed. The Liang Household frequently entered the Imperial Palace. If you spread the rumor that he was having an affair with Empress Wei, how would you explain the Emperor visiting the Liang Household? Could it be that the Emperor and Liang Wang Fei were having an affair?
Also, the purpose of spreading the rumor was not to discredit Wu Sansi, but to infuriate the Emperor and cause the Emperor to distance himself from the Wu family. In the end, they could weaken or even eradicate the Wu family, thus establishing new achievements. At that time, the Imperial Court would belong to the faction of the meritorious officials and sweep away the power of the Imperial Family.
However, since it was the Emperor who repeatedly expressed goodwill to the Wu family, and Wu Sansi entered the palace under the Emperor's orders, would this rumor have the desired effect? Would the Emperor believe this kind of nonsense? Also, the Emperor knew very well who it was that wanted to get rid of the Wu family as soon as possible. Once the suspicions shifted to them, would it backfire?
What was especially worrisome was the Emperor's goal in being so close to the Wu family? Could it be … the Emperor wanted to get rid of the hounds when the hares were dead and move against the meritorious officials who had helped him ascend the throne?
Even now, Zhang Jianzhi's group did not feel that after they helped Li Xian ascend to the throne, they vigorously cultivated their trusted aides, causing their chickens and dogs to ascend to the heavens. Then, relying on their achievements and arrogance, they single-handedly controlled the court and forced Li Xian to be a wise ruler.
They felt wronged because they did not have any disobedient intentions. They cultivated their trusted aides because they believed that the people they promoted were loyal to the court and had genuine talent. They promoted these people in order to be more loyal to the court. If they did not use the people they were close to, did they have to promote some dissidents to drag them down?
As for having the Son of Heaven be a virtuous ruler, wasn't this the highest realm that the officials had strived for since ancient times? This was the most ideal political situation. All of this was for the good of the Emperor, for the good of the people. As for whether the Emperor himself was willing or not … when the general trend was irresistible, the Emperor had to agree even if he was unwilling!
But now, it was clear that the Emperor was not willing to accept this' general trend '. He was not willing to follow the plan of Zhang Jianzhi and his group to be the Holy Son of Heaven. In order to break away from their shackles, he began to seek the support of other factions.
Zhang Jianzhi and the others became nervous. After the court meeting, the core members of the meritorious officials did not leave the palace. They used all kinds of excuses to rush to the political affairs party. After Wu Sansi and his group left the palace, they were going to pay a visit to the Emperor under the leadership of the five prime ministers. They were going to violate their dignity and directly admonish the Wu family!
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