12dz 84. Strategy
84. Strategy
At the summit of Junji Peak, the tense atmosphere of pressure exerted by the representatives of the four great families ultimately did not escalate into direct armed conflict. Lin Mo's words, "You can try," coupled with his unfathomable cultivation and the chilling sword intent faintly emanating from the Taixu Ancient Sword, formed an invisible barrier, making Nangong Ao and the others hesitant to act. Their main purpose for this trip was deterrence and division, not to engage in a life-or-death battle on the other side's home turf without a high chance of success.
After leaving behind a series of threatening remarks, the representatives of the four great families led their troops and retreated from Junji Peak in a huff. However, the pressure they brought did not dissipate; instead, it hung like a dark cloud over the hearts of every sect leader who remained. Although the alliance meeting could continue, the atmosphere was noticeably more somber, with many people appearing preoccupied and speaking more cautiously.
Lin Mo watched all this unfold, a cold smile playing on his lips. The four great families thought they could force him to submit through sheer power and force, but little did they know that, having lived two lives, he had long seen through the filth and cracks beneath the glamorous facade of these so-called aristocratic families.
That evening, in a secret room at the temporary residence of Yunyin Manor at the foot of Junji Peak.
The flickering oil lamp illuminated Lin Mo's calm face and Zhao Kun's slightly solemn expression.
"Alliance Leader, the four great families' move was indeed ruthless." Zhao Kun handed over a secret report. "Today, three more minor sects couldn't withstand the pressure and, using the excuse of internal strife, fled the mountain overnight. Of the remaining members, at least half are wavering. If it weren't for the strong attitude and strength shown by the Alliance Leader yesterday, they would probably have already collapsed by now."
Lin Mo took the report, quickly scanned it, then set it aside, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips. "It's alright. They're using external pressure, so we'll divide them from within. Fortresses are often breached from within. The four great families seem like a united front, jointly maintaining their monopoly, but with centuries of accumulation and millennia of heritage, how could they not have disagreements? How could they not have some shady dealings?"
He looked up at Zhao Kun: "It's time to make our 'eyes' planted within the four great families and the smaller sects that depend on them move. I need to know all the major conflicts of interest, the dirty deals, and... the secrets they each don't want outsiders to know that have occurred among the four great families over the past twenty years."
Zhao Kun's spirits lifted. He knew that Lin Mo had placed great emphasis on establishing an intelligence network from the very beginning of Yunyin Manor, investing a great deal of resources and effort. These hidden agents, usually silent, were finally going to be put to good use. "Understood! Immediately activate the highest-level 'Listening to the Wind' plan. All agents must operate at full capacity to gather relevant intelligence."
"Focus on several aspects," Lin Mo added. "First, the misdeeds of their respective core members, especially those involving murder or violating the code of the martial world, which they forcibly suppressed using their power. Second, their secret agreements regarding resource allocation and territory division, and the subsequent disputes. Third, investigate whether they have any clandestine connections with certain forces within the imperial court, or with certain evil sects or foreign tribes. Remember, you need solid evidence, or at least clues that are compelling and difficult to refute."
"Yes!" Zhao Kun accepted the order and hurriedly left to make arrangements.
Over the next two days, the alliance discussions continued, albeit with some difficulty. However, the debate over the details of the draft convention intensified, and the lingering shadow cast by the four great families made many sects that had initially supported the reforms hesitant. As for Lin Mo, aside from making necessary appearances to oversee the overall situation, he spent most of his time in a secret room, reviewing the secret reports continuously sent by his spies from various regions.
After initial screening and sorting by Zhao Kun and several trusted advisors, the most valuable information from these secret reports was presented to Lin Mo.
Late at night, the oil lamp was lit again.
Several scrolls of paper containing key information were spread out in front of Lin Mo.
Regarding the Nangong family: A seven-year-old case has resurfaced. Nangong Jun, a direct descendant of the Nangong family, coveted the beauty of a female disciple from a minor sect. When she refused his advances, he brutally murdered her and disposed of the body. The sect leader went to demand an explanation, but the Nangong family attacked him, accusing him of "framing a powerful family." The sect subsequently vanished in an "accident." The person who handled the matter at the time was none other than Nangong Ao, the now-powerful elder on Junji Peak. Clues include the testimony of a Nangong family outer steward who participated in covering up the incident, and the female disciple's senior brother who miraculously survived but has since gone into hiding.
Regarding the Beitang family: Three years ago, the Beitang and Murong families clashed fiercely over the mining rights to a rare jade vein in the Western Regions. They secretly fought several times, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. Although they outwardly reached a reconciliation and agreed to jointly develop the mine, the Beitang family secretly colluded with a band of bandits to repeatedly plunder the jade materials the Murong family was transporting to the Central Plains, causing them heavy losses. The Beitang family handled this matter with extreme secrecy, but one of the bandit leaders, while boasting to his lover after drinking, let slip the information. This lover happened to be a distant relative of a spy from Yunyin Manor.
Regarding the Murong family of Xichuan: The Murong family rose to prominence through medicine, outwardly practicing healing and helping the needy. However, their family secretly conducted a sinister experiment called "human poison," attempting to cultivate fearless and absolutely loyal "medicine-human assassins." The experiment was extremely cruel, requiring living people as subjects, supplemented by special drugs and poison techniques. The experiment took place in a very secluded valley within their family territory, where clues included the remains of medicine-humans who had been kidnapped and managed to escape, as well as the confessions of low-ranking servants responsible for transporting the "experimental materials."
Regarding the Dongfang family: The Dongfang family has close ties with certain officials in Jiangnan and is suspected of repeatedly manipulating local decisions regarding water transport, salt and iron affairs through bribery and threats, suppressing competitors, and reaping huge profits for themselves. There is even a copy of a secret letter, suspected to be between the Dongfang family and a retainer of a powerful prince, which mentions the specific amounts and methods of transferring benefits.
Looking at these shocking intelligence reports, Lin Mo's eyes flashed with a cold light. These powerful families, outwardly respectable and righteous, claiming to be righteous and prestigious clans, were actually rife with despicable acts of thievery, prostitution, and murder. Their maintenance of the old order was not for any sense of chivalry or justice, but merely to protect their privilege of acting recklessly and monopolizing profits.
"That's not enough." Lin Mo put down the last roll of paper and said to Zhao Kun, who was standing to the side, "Although these scandals are explosive, we need a more subtle approach to completely divide them. Making them public directly will certainly damage their reputation, but it may also unite them against a common enemy, temporarily setting aside their differences to focus on a common foe."
He pondered for a moment, then instructed: "Here's what we'll do: subtly leak the news about the Beitang family's plunder of the Murong family's jade materials to the Murong family's rivals in Xichuan through anonymous channels, but make sure the news eventually reaches Murong Feng's ears. At the same time, anonymously send the clues about the Murong family's 'human Gu experiments' to the Miao Five Poisons Sect, which has a long-standing grudge against the Murong family. As for the scandal involving the Nangong family... find an opportunity to let Chief Escort Liu of the Five Willows Escort Agency, who was forced to leave the meeting that day, 'accidentally' learn what happened to his missing confidante from back then."
Zhao Kun's eyes lit up: "Alliance Leader, you're brilliant! This will inevitably breed suspicion among them. How could the Murong family let this go unpunished after learning they'd been stabbed in the back by the Beitang family? The Five Poisons Sect hates this kind of evil witchcraft the most, and will definitely cause trouble for the Murong family. And if Chief Escort Liu knows the truth, he'll probably hate the Nangong family to the core. Even if he doesn't dare to openly resist, he'll surely harbor resentment. Furthermore, the other three families may not be completely unaware of the Dongfang family's collusion with officials; how could they not harbor resentment?"
"Good." Lin Mo nodded. "Let them fight like dogs first. When they're too busy to take care of themselves and are suspicious and wary of each other, that will be the best time for us to push for the passage of the convention. Remember, the actions must be discreet, and the timing must be just right."
"Understood!" Zhao Kun bowed and accepted the order, his face showing a rare excitement. He seemed to see the seemingly unbreakable alliance of the four great families quietly developing cracks under the influence of an invisible force.
Lin Mo walked to the window, gazing at the deep night outside. His gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness, revealing the still wavering leaders of the smaller sects. When the internal conflicts of the four great families erupt, rendering them unable to exert unified and powerful external pressure, the choices these people would make would become much simpler.
The strategy of sowing discord has been laid. Now, all that's needed is to wait for the right moment.