Stronger by Killing

In the Battle of Dao Ma Pass, many exhilarating stories have spread.

For instance, when Gu Zhan was besieged, none of the "Land Immortals" from the Court aided him; they turned a blind eye as three "Land Immortals" went to kill a White Lotus Celestial Mother who was nearly two hundred years old, and none were heard from afterward.

The true identity of the White Lotus Celestial Mother, known to those aware, remains the persona deliberately crafted by the White Lotus Sect, presenting her as the teacher of the Three Saints of the White Lotus.

When it spread that the three "Land Immortals" did not assist Gu Zhan, but instead claimed credit by hunting an "Land Immortal" no longer at their peak, the world was in an uproar. Many said the Court deliberately suppressed meritorious officials, and rumors circulated that Gu Zhan lacked backing, being sidelined by court nobles and other such statements.

For a time, it stirred a mighty storm.

In a forced situation, the Court expressed its intent to thoroughly investigate the siege of Gu Zhan. Besides, to swiftly quell the turmoil, the Emperor decreed summoning Gu Zhan to the capital for duty and formally conducted the ceremony to confer marquisate!

...

The first month of the ninth year of Qingli, Yunzhou Prefecture City, Yuncheng.

Though Yunzhou endured years of warfare, as the central city of Yunzhou, Yuncheng hasn’t been much affected; it remains prosperous, and as the Spring Festival arrives, the entire city rejoices. Both celebrating the end of war and welcoming a new year, the city brims with freshness.

Inside an estate in the city,

Gu Zhan personally writes couplets, while Rong Yichu stands by grinding ink. Watching Gu Zhan effortlessly complete a couplet, he smiles and says, "Lord, this handwriting... is good, very well written!"

Sitting on a nearby chair peeling an orange, Kou Baimen eagerly rises and runs over, subtly praising, "Mr. Rong is right, Lord’s handwriting is indeed good!"

Gu Zhan turned his head slightly, looked at Kou Baimen, and asked, "Xiao Bai, tell me, what’s good about it?"

Kou Baimen stared with wide eyes, pondered for a moment, and said, "Good in... uh, I haven’t read much, honestly don’t know how to evaluate, Mr. Rong is a scholar, surely knows!"

Rong Yichu: "??"

Gu Zhan glanced at the brush characters he couldn’t even recognize, chuckled, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, I am aware of the level of my handwriting."

While speaking, Gu Zhan walked over and slowly sat on the other side.

Kou Baimen promptly carried the peeled orange over and gently fed Gu Zhan.

After eating a segment of the orange, Gu Zhan suggested Rong Yichu sit down and asked, "Tell me, how have things been recently?"

Rong Yichu sat down, offered a respectful gesture, and said, "Lord, while you stayed in Yunzhou to rebuild the local garrison armies, Duke of Lu Ji Fu, and Marquis Pingjin had some reservations, but likely considered your current influence, dared not openly conflict. After all, you are Grand General of Yunzhou, rebuilding the garrison armies is plausible and reasonable, so they said nothing, but met Qin You before returning to the capital for debriefing."

Gu Zhan asked, "Were you able to find out what they discussed?"

"No," Rong Yichu shook his head and said, "We have not yet fully controlled the Yunzhou military; trying to interfere in the Astronomical Bureau and Shuntian Prefecture is challenging!

However, roughly estimated, Qin You will likely return to the capital soon, possibly attaining a position within the Three Dukes, and Yunzhou is his base with deeply entrenched influence. The Court is quite apprehensive of you, Lord, so Ji Fu and Lü Chang meeting Qin You was likely to remind him to be cautious and prevent us from meddling in the Astronomical Bureau!"

Gu Zhan nodded slightly and said, "Officially in Yunzhou, there are three main authorities: one is the military, second the Astronomical Bureau, and third Shuntian Prefecture. Since the Astronomical Bureau has the authority to oversee all officials, their concern about me seizing the opportunity of Qin You’s absence to control the Astronomical Bureau is understandable."

At this moment, Kou Baimen spoke softly, "Lord, it’s difficult to directly control Shuntian Prefecture, but I do have a way to proceed gradually."

Gu Zhan nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Kou Baimen said, "Now, leveraging the chance to rebuild the garrison armies everywhere, I’ve deployed the Martial Arts Alliance throughout Yunzhou. Actually, the martial world influence in Yunzhou, apart from Yunxi, is not very strong, whereas the Martial Arts Alliance gathers Yunxi elites and allocates them throughout, enabling us to gradually form interest ties with local noble families.

As long as we unite with local noble families, at the regional level, we can divide some of Shuntian Prefecture’s powers, and subsequently, we can infiltrate with our people over time. Before long, even Shuntian Prefecture can be infiltrated."

Gu Zhan smiled slightly and said, "It’s a feasible concept, but takes quite long. I am soon heading to the Capital City, which can directly resolve Shuntian Prefecture’s matters."

Kou Baimen expressed doubt.

Rong Yichu chuckled lightly and said, "Lord intends to leverage the merit of vanquishing the White Lotus Sect for the Court to grant a bunch of official positions directly into Shuntian Prefecture."

Gu Zhan nodded.

Rong Yichu softly said, "This strategy is viable, however, Alliance Leader Kou’s plan can also be executed; we can indeed win over local noble families, yet, rather than step-by-step, we should directly use local military forces. Now, as Yunzhou gradually recovers, local noble families are reluctant to cause trouble; as long as interests are offered, they naturally cooperate. Besides, with your current influence, Lord, and the Martial Arts Alliance’s strength, few forces dare oppose, as currently in Yunzhou, no power can directly check Marquis Yun’s Mansion, without a leading force, those noble families are nothing but scattered sand!"

Kou Baimen realized, saying, "Mr. Rong is right, presently Yunzhou lacks forces able to check Marquis Yun’s Mansion, certainly eliminating the need for formalities."