Chapter 1902: Two-faced compliance

"The money has been spent, but the goods haven't arrived. We have to wait until these supplies are in hand before we can cut ties with this channel. Otherwise, wouldn't I be stuck with all the losses?" At this, Bai Tan's voice turned firm, "Since the gods abhor Yangshan, we will sever our ties with it as soon as we've received all our goods. We'll then figure out other ways to acquire supplies in the future."

Qingyang scoffed. Having navigated official circles for over a century, she could easily see that Bai Tan was employing a delaying tactic.

"As soon as all the goods are received"? It was more likely that the goods would not be fully acquired before these battles concluded. Once a major war erupted, everything within the nation would be diverted to support the war effort.

Bai Tan's claim of "no longer using the Yangshan brand" was all too simple. They could just change the storefront, change the signboard. It could be called the Prosperity Merchant Guild, or the Treasure Merchant Guild—as long as the name was different, it wouldn't be the Yangshan Merchant Guild anymore.

Of course, such a name change would only apply within Yao Territory. Outside Yao Territory, these merchant guilds would continue to operate under the Yangshan banner; otherwise, how would they conduct international trade?

As Bai Tan himself stated, Yangshan's involvement in Yao Territory was limited to lending its name and providing channels. Now he could remove the Yangshan name, but he absolutely had to retain Yangshan's channels. So, had the gods and Qingyang actually dismantled the Yangshan Merchant Guild in Yao Territory? Of course not. Yangshan had simply changed its name; as long as the channels remained, so did the guild. The same people were still involved, merely operating under a different identity.

Did Bai Tan not realize that his actions were a blatant display of feigned compliance with the gods, a common tactic often described as "pulling the wool over someone's eyes"? But what choice did he have? The Yangshan Merchant Guild's existence was deeply intertwined with the interests of Tianshui City, local bureaucratic elites, and the logistical supply of Bai Tan's own army. At least until the civil war in Yao Territory concluded, he couldn't directly abolish the guild.

Qingyang, feeling apathetic, ceased her badgering of Bai Tan. "Very well, let's proceed with that."

Bai Tan was overjoyed. He rose and bowed deeply, "Your wisdom, Palace Master, is truly profound! I would be grateful if you could convey my absolute commitment to the gods!"

As he prepared to depart, a thought suddenly struck him: "Oh, Palace Master, I nearly forgot—has there been any word from above regarding the religious allegiance of Tianshui City?"

Following the demise of Celestial Venerable Miaozhan, a spiritual vacuum had emerged in Tianshui City, leaving numerous temples in disarray. Who would succeed Miaozhan? Which deity would become the primary god of this region? Bai Tan had already inquired of Qingyang twice but had yet to receive an answer.

Qingyang chuckled inwardly, but outwardly replied, "It's too early; please be patient."

Only a few days had passed since Miaozhan's fall. Yao Territory, and indeed the entire Shanjing Plains, constituted a vital source of faith for the deities of Lingxu. Any god who could assume Miaozhan's mantle would experience a significant boost in both power and standing. Based on Qingyang's knowledge of the divine realm, the higher echelons were likely in utter disarray, and a decision would not be reached anytime soon!

Bai Tan acknowledged, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Just as he was about to bid farewell, Qingyang suddenly posed a question: "After you've subdued Chen Chuihua and brought all of Yao Territory under control, who will be your next enemy?"

The unexpected question caught Bai Tan off guard, and he blurted out, "The Luodian people?"

The Luodian people and the Yao Kingdom shared an ancient enmity. After Yao's collapse, they had indeed caused significant trouble. Qu Ruhai, the Left Clan Head of Luodian, had led his forces south and clashed with Bai Tan for a considerable time, and even now posed a serious threat to Tianshui City's security.

Qingyang snorted dismissively. "Have you never considered that it might be the Great Emperor Jiuyou?"

"He Xiao?" Bai Tan genuinely hadn't given that a thought. Even if rumors of the Great Emperor Jiuyou and the Dragon God were circulating widely, weren't they just that—rumors? Where was He Xiao himself? Where was his army? Not a single trace had been seen thus far. Wasn't it baseless to suggest that the Great Emperor Jiuyou intended to seize Yao Territory?

His immediate priorities were to defeat Chen Chuihua and repel the Luodian people. Why would he invent an enemy and concern himself with a foe that only existed in legends? To put it another way, even if the Great Emperor Jiuyou truly harbored ambitions, the Shanjing Plains were vast. Why would he specifically target Bai Tan first, when there were so many other places he could attack? A rational person would always choose the easiest target, wouldn't they? Although Yao Territory was in disarray, "a lean camel is still bigger than a horse"; its elite soldiers and formidable generals were still far superior to those found elsewhere.

If he could fully secure Yao Territory, Bai Tan's foremost desire would certainly not be to engage in more warfare, but rather to allow the land to recover and replenish its strength. He had even drafted a comprehensive plan for internal governance, ready for immediate implementation upon Chen Chuihua's defeat.

However, since the Celestial Palace Protector had brought up the Great Emperor Jiuyou again, Bai Tan could only respond gravely, "That is indeed a significant threat."

"So, General Bai, what do you intend to do?" Qingyang saw through his pretense instantly. "The gods also consider him a major threat to Shanjing."

"After Chen Chuihua is subdued, I will command an army of 180,000, overseeing a vast population and endless resources. Why should I fear a so-called Dragon God of unknown origin?" Bai Tan declared, thumping his chest. "Palace Master, rest assured, if that fellow He dares to invade, I will make him understand that war is no trifling matter, and then I'll slay him to appease your anger!"

Bai Tan recalled how last year, He Xiao, leveraging the influence of the Yao King, had caused considerable turmoil in Tianshui City, which had truly put Qingyang in a difficult position. What he didn't realize was that his flattery had completely missed its mark. Qingyang's expression soured, and she frowned. "Let me be frank with you: the gods already view the Great Emperor Jiuyou as a grave threat that must be eradicated swiftly. Therefore, you must prepare meticulously. If you can eliminate He Xiao before he becomes a significant problem, you will achieve an unparalleled feat. At that point, even if you were to request a Saint Venerable from Lingxu to serve as the principal deity, they might very well agree."

Bai Tan was startled and exclaimed, "Is that truly so?!"

Qingyang took a delicate sip of her fruit wine. "When have I ever spoken in jest?"

It was a lie. How could the gods possibly take a counterfeit Dragon God seriously?

Bai Tan rubbed his hands together, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "I understand. Thank you, Palace Master, for illuminating the path! As soon as I defeat Chen Chuihua, I will immediately begin preparations for war against the Great Emperor Jiuyou!"

His words implied that he could only overcome one adversary at a time. He needed to secure Yao Territory first before he could even consider eliminating He Xiao.

Qingyang's expression remained impassive. She set down her cup. "You may go."

Bai Tan bid farewell and swiftly departed from the Secluded Lake Villa. His visit to plead with Qingyang had been a rushed diversion from his duties; now, he had to hurry back to the front lines.

As he walked, he muttered to himself, "It's true what they say: you never know the cost of managing a household until you're the one in charge."

"General?" his accompanying guard inquired, puzzled.

Bai Tan offered no reply. The aloof gods, the imperious Qingyang—they only understood how to issue commands. How could they comprehend the true hardships of leading an army, or the countless compromises one was forced to make? Ha, these deities were clearly opportunistic. They wouldn't commit until they saw tangible results, refusing to bestow upon him the blessing of becoming Yao Territory's ruler until he defeated Chen Chuihua. Fortunately, he was on the verge of success.

As for the Great Emperor Jiuyou? Ha, if the gods were truly so desperate to eliminate him, they would help Bai Tan end the war in Yao Territory sooner, wouldn't they?

After Bai Tan's departure, Qingyang remained in the Secluded Lake Villa, sitting in silent contemplation for a long time. She said nothing, merely staring blankly at a withered branch atop the wall. It was early autumn, and this old peach branch hadn't sprouted since spring; it appeared utterly lifeless. What a shame—last year, it had been laden with a profusion of blossoms. Perhaps it knew that spring would be its last, and it was worth expending all its strength to offer its final burst of splendor to the world.