"Indeed, this is also a method. Since we ourselves are tied up, let's create dissension among the enemy."
"Pit them against each other?"
"An interesting idea. Let's do that. Let them form their families, and we can offer support."
The five Purple Mansion Machine Cultivators said in unison.
After the top echelons of the Liu Clan's imperial family discussed and decided, the order was issued to the Ministry of War of the Great Jin Celestial Dynasty.
...
Several influential figures from the Ministry of War sat in the main seats, with high-ranking officials of the Ministry of War, all of Nascent Soul stage late-tier or higher cultivation, on either side.
However, these individuals were all members of the Liu family.
This was a Ministry of War exclusively for the Liu family.
In addition, the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Revenue were all dominated by people with the surname Liu.
This was the epitome of a dynasty ruled by a single family, with a single surname.
...
Opposite these people was an even clearer, large projection map with more detailed location markers.
This projection map displayed the distribution of all noble families in the major domains, with Wu Tao's Wu family also listed.
Following this, loyal attendants distributed planning documents, vaguely titled "The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan," to the high-ranking officials who also held positions as Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of War.
An elder in a senior staff officer's uniform, who had been standing by the projection map, also held a thick stack of documents and waited quietly.
Upon receiving a nod from Minister Liu Zhan, who occupied the head seat, this white-haired elder began to speak to the assembled high-ranking officials.
"Since the chaos of a hundred years ago, starting with the conspiracy and betrayal of the Wang, Li, Kong, and Qin families, the problem has only worsened to this day."
"The authority of the Great Jin Celestial Dynasty's central government has greatly diminished, to the point where, outside the core thirteen domains, not a single major domain takes the central government's directives seriously."
The elder advisor paused, observing the impatience on the faces of the important figures below, and wisely cut short the preamble, directly addressing the topic everyone wanted to know.
"Given the unfavorable situation, especially the establishment of the Wang, Li, Kong, and Qin families' influence, the court has gradually lost its voice in the major domains. Even in terms of taxes, not a single domain has paid."
"The cultivator armies under the central government have been severely depleted from dealing with the incessant rebellions in various regions, gradually losing their control over them. Each region has become a source of rebellion."
"To address this situation, His Majesty and the four Ancestors have devised and implemented 'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan'..."
...
"The contents of 'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan' have all been distributed to you; it is that document."
"'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan' designates eight designated, legally recognized feudal lords with the permission of the Great Jin Celestial Dynasty's central government, to counter the rebellions of the Wang, Li, Kong, and Qin families, as well as other families..."
"This will at least maintain a buffer of several decades, allowing the Great Jin Celestial Dynasty's central government to accumulate strength, lay the foundation for suppressing rebellions in the future."
"Below is the list of first-tier families from various domains collected by the Ministry of Personnel, ranked by strength. Please look at the White Jade Immortal Wall behind you. Now, let's look at the first one."
As he said this, the senior staff officer, who was in the early Nascent Soul stage, could not help but feel a touch of pride.
Here were all these influential figures within the Great Jin Celestial Dynasty, yet they all had to listen to him explain.
However, this senior staff officer was wise and did not let his inner pride show on his face.
On the surface, the senior staff officer maintained a cautious, diligent, and humble demeanor as he continued.
"The first is the Yi family."
"The Yi family is extremely powerful, with a total of five late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivators and twenty to thirty Nascent Soul cultivators. While they lack Purple Mansion stage cultivators, their influence is immense, almost on par with the Wang, Li, Kong, and Qin families."
"Currently, the Yi family has also betrayed the central government and is fiercely attacking surrounding families to expand their territory."
After organizing the documents, the senior staff officer said, "According to the latest news, while the first candidate family, the Yi family, has not explicitly refused us, they have made exorbitant demands for substantial benefits."
...
Hearing this, the faces of the dozen or so great figures seated there became extremely grim.
Several princes even slammed their tables fiercely.
It was important to remember that although they were all members of the royal family, there was still a difference between a prince and a prince regent.
However, before the commotion could spread, Liu Zhan, the Minister of War, with a dark expression, prevented further escalation.
This unfortunate senior staff officer, already under immense pressure from being surrounded by more than ten late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivators, now felt the combined impact of over a dozen powerful auras, turning his face pale.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the senior staff officer continued, "The second candidate family is the Gong family."
"The Gong family is also very strong, only lacking one late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator compared to the Yi family; the rest are similar."
"According to those who have contacted the Gong family so far, their attitude is ambiguous, and progress has been slow."
"Hmph, it seems the Gong family are fence-sitters, leaning both ways. Well, as long as they don't attack our core thirteen domains, we'll leave them be for now. Once we have the freedom, we'll deal with them later."
A responding elder figure below voiced his agreement.
"The third candidate family is the Mi family."
"Compared to the previous two families, the Mi family's strength is somewhat weaker, but their demands are relatively simpler."
"The official responsible for their progress reported that the Mi family is very interested in 'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan,' but they have also made some requests. We'll discuss those later..."
...
"Oh, good. Finally, a family has responded. I was truly afraid that all families would refuse, which would have been troublesome."
"As for their conditions, as long as they are not too excessive, it's fine. We need to set an example for the first family!"
Hearing this relatively good outcome, Liu Zhan decisively made his decision.
Upon seeing Minister Liu Zhan's agreement, none of the other influential figures in the Ministry of War voiced any objections. The senior staff officer immediately placed a checkmark next to the Mi family's name, making a notation.
"The fourth candidate family is the Ke family."
"The Ke family has explicitly rejected our plan and subsequently eliminated the personnel we sent to communicate with them..."
"They are subtly becoming a significant new threat to the Dragon Tiger Forbidden Army stationed in the thirteen core domains."
Minister Liu Zhan rubbed his temples, his eyes flashing with ferocity. He roared in thunderous anger, gritting his teeth, and said, "Since the Ke family is so uncooperative, send troops to annihilate them."
The other influential figures in the Ministry of War did not object.
This was all because the Ke family was too arrogant, showed too little respect, and utterly disgraced them.
"The fifth candidate family is the Tuoba family."
"The fifth family, the Tuoba family, is significantly weaker than the previous four. The family has two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, and ten Nascent Soul cultivators. However, they are very cooperative, and their conditions are relatively simpler. Personnel who have made contact have reported that the conditions are almost settled."
"I didn't expect the Tuoba family to be so sensible. This will save us a lot of trouble."
...
"Hmm, it's indeed somewhat unexpected. However, the Tuoba family has some Giant bloodline and is generally ostracized among many noble families. Their prompt acceptance of our conditions is understandable..."
The speaker was the First Prince, Liu Xiu, who had some vested interests with the Tuoba family and thus spoke a few good words.
...
"Well, since the conditions are almost settled, let the officials who were negotiating continue to follow up."
Minister Liu Zhan made his decision.
...
The senior staff officer nodded and said, "Understood. I will arrange it immediately."
...
Next, the senior staff officer saw the next name and said.
"The sixth candidate family is the Lu family."
"The Lu family also has two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, but fewer ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators!"
"The Lu family's current progress is stable. Negotiations have been ongoing. The latest condition is to release a high-ranking member of the Lu family imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. Further details await confirmation."
Hearing this, Liu Zhan waved his hand, signaling to move on.
...
"The seventh candidate family is the Ku family."
"The Ku family's strength has dropped another notch, with only one late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, though they have more ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators..."
"The eighth candidate family is the Ku family."
"The ninth candidate family is the Xiao family."
"The tenth candidate family is the Yao family."
"The eleventh candidate family is the Wang family."
"The twelfth candidate family is the Yu family."
"The thirteenth candidate family is the Di family."
"The fourteenth candidate family is the Chu family."
After the senior staff officer rattled off the names, he waved his hand, indicating he had finished.
"Gentlemen, the above fourteen first-tier families are the candidates selected by our staff department as suitable for 'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan,' along with their utilization plans in the near future."
...
Minister Liu Zhan first glanced around and, seeing no objections, spoke.
"Very well, 'The Feudal Lord and Throne Plan' has officially commenced implementation. Currently, there are fourteen suitable candidates."
"Therefore, from these fourteen suitable candidates, we will select the final eight to become the eight recognized feudal lords of the central government."
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