Chapter 1266: The Situ Family's Plan

Initially, he had hoped Dou Wenguan would host, but Dou Wenguan was not a native of Golden Plain and lacked sufficient prestige. After much consideration, Yu Hai, as the founder, remained the most suitable choice.

The Soul-Snatching Mirror chuckled, "Pei Kingdom wants to do business with Yangshan, and the Hometown Association is backed by Yangshan's investment. It seems to me that Yu Hai will have no choice but to work for you wholeheartedly."

Having been with its master for a long time, it also understood the meaning of "working for someone."

"It's best for Yangshan to remain behind the scenes; let Yu Hai and the Hometown Association act on my behalf."

This network, the Hometown Association, must be utilized by him and by the Yangshan Islands.

As the Yangshan Islands developed, a significant weakness became apparent: a severe lack of talent.

The saying "It's easy to raise an army, but hard to find a general" rang true for him.

Not only Yangshan but even with the addition of Bailie, they still couldn't gather enough exceptional individuals for He Lingchuan's needs.

The population base itself was simply too small.

He preferred to turn his attention to Golden Plain. This God-forsaken land was like a crucible, where only extraordinary individuals could establish themselves.

Furthermore, Beijia had driven out so many talented individuals, leaving them to languish with unrecognized abilities back in Golden Plain. This presented a significant advantage for He Lingchuan.

He wanted the people Lingxu City didn't.

The other classmates from last night's dinner only woke up and left in the afternoon.

Situ He had successfully connected He Lingchuan and Yu Hai, and with his mission complete, he was preparing to return to the front lines.

However, He Lingchuan called him back to the merchant house and personally poured him a cup of fine tea.

Situ He, who had been in frequent communication with him recently, recognized the gesture and understood He Lingchuan had something to say, so he respectfully took a seat.

When facing He Lingchuan now, he instinctively straightened his back.

He Lingchuan smiled, "Why are you so nervous?"

It's not like a superior is lecturing you.

"I want to ask you, since the battlefield situation is improving and the defeat of Bixia is in sight, what are the Situ family's plans for the future?"

Had this question been asked half a month ago, the other person would have found him presumptuous. But now, Situ He immediately replied, "To reclaim the entire former territory of Gaopu, and then to severely punish Bixia!"

This had once been an unattainable dream for the Situ family.

However, the current battles were surprisingly smooth, and if they could maintain the momentum, perhaps this goal would no longer be confined to a dream.

"Achieving this much, at best, means restoring your nation or establishing yourselves independently. What then?"

Situ He knew He Lingchuan was inquiring about his family's long-term vision.

He pursed his lips. "To strengthen ourselves, and then we can discuss the future."

This was the most pragmatic approach. Even if they reclaimed Gaopu's former territory, they would need a long period of recovery and recuperation to restore the people's livelihoods and build up their strength.

He Lingchuan smiled, "I'm just afraid that even if the tree desires stillness, the wind will not cease."

"Brother He, are you referring to Yao Kingdom?" Situ He asked, his face somber. "Indeed, that country is like a troublemaker, constantly scheming against other nations, both overtly and covertly. Its shadow loomed behind Gaopu's collapse. Now that our situation is favorable, it certainly won't stand by and watch us grow strong."

"That's why I asked how you plan to deal with Yao Kingdom afterward. Any power seeking to develop in the central and western parts of Golden Plain cannot bypass Yao Kingdom, so I assume the Situ family must have a contingency plan."

As a cooperating party, it was necessary for the Yangshan Islands to understand the local power's strategy.

Situ He pondered for a moment before saying, "Only with Brother He's strong support can I reveal my father's and my own thoughts."

He Lingchuan and the Yangshan Islands, standing behind him, were currently one of the Situ family's most crucial sources of aid.

"Please speak freely; I will keep it confidential."

"Yao Kingdom appears to wield absolute power in Golden Plain, seeming to get whatever it desires and completely disregarding the smaller nations surrounding us. However—" he said slowly, "it is also constrained by another power."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan already knew the answer but still asked, "Constrained by whom?"

"Beijia!" Situ He declared. "The one power it fears offending most is Beijia!"

"How so?" He Lingchuan stroked his chin. "Those two countries are tens of thousands of miles apart."

"Eighty years ago, the fifth ruler of Yao Kingdom died suddenly in his prime. The official cause of death was announced as a fall from his horse while hunting, which broke his neck. Unofficial histories in Golden Plain suggested there was something suspicious about it. At the time, I read it and simply dismissed it with a laugh, not thinking much of it. However, after I went to Beijia, I discovered an immense collection of historical records there. When I examined the historical accounts from that period, I found that the fifth Yao ruler had always been at odds with Beijia before his sudden death. Beijia's historical records described him as 'insufficient in tribute and arrogant.' Yet, the subsequent Yao ruler was exceptionally respectful towards Beijia, acting as a dutiful vassal."

He Lingchuan hummed in acknowledgement. So Yao Kingdom had actually paid tribute to Beijia? It made sense, he thought.

"Let me tell you something more recent. A little over two years ago, the current Yao ruler's eldest legitimate son suddenly died of illness. There were also rumors that his father had ordered his death. But I know that at the time, he happened to be in Lingxu City." Situ He cleared his throat. "Incidentally, his death is somewhat related to you, Brother He."

He Lingchuan was greatly surprised, pointing to his own nose. "Me? How am I related?"

He couldn't even recall the name of Yao Kingdom's eldest son; how could he possibly be involved in his death?

At the mention of it, Situ He couldn't help but grin broadly. "The Immortality Elixir case."

"No way?" He murmured. "That coincidental?"

"The name of Yao King's eldest son appeared on the list of Immortality Elixir purchasers disclosed by Lingxu City!"

He Lingchuan was speechless.

Right, he remembered. When the Immortality Elixir case uncovered National Preceptor Qingyang, the mastermind behind it, Beijia, in order to account to its demon populace, had publicly released a list of purchasers containing dozens of names. Although this was likely only a fraction of the actual buyers, it had already caused a huge uproar throughout Beijia. The individuals and prominent families disclosed on the list were transformed overnight from powerful dignitaries into prisoners, with some even losing their lives. Their exposure was primarily intended to appease public anger.

He Lingchuan murmured, "This matter is a bit peculiar."

The Heavenly God had long declared that anyone who privately purchased the Immortality Elixir would be executed! Therefore, who appeared on the list, who didn't, who survived after being listed, and who was condemned to death — there must have been intense behind-the-scenes struggles and intricate considerations. Deep calculations of interests and entangled conflicts surely played a part.

But for the Yao ruler's son to be exposed, that was truly odd.

He was a foreigner, after all.

Did Lingxu City believe that sacrificing him to the heavens to spare the life of one of their own dignitaries was a better option?

His first instinct was that something was amiss.

"After the list was published, the scandal of the Yao ruler obtaining the Immortality Elixir from Beijia didn't actually cause much uproar; the attention was completely overshadowed by the other names on the list. Only someone of my background would have paid attention to Yao Kingdom's affairs."

Frankly, why would Beijia's citizens pay attention to news from a mere Yao Kingdom? Most didn't even know where Yao Kingdom was located.

Their focus was entirely on the Lingxu City dignitaries who had secretly purchased the Immortality Elixir.

"However, half a month later, the Yao ruler's crown prince died, and no one truly knows what happened," Situ He said with a hint of regret. "At that time, Lingxu City had already ordered us to withdraw from our studies, so I didn't have time to inquire further."