The four great families of Wang, Kong, Qin, and Li were equal in status and power, with little difference in their strength.
Qin Ruhuo, Wang Quanqui, Li Zihao, and Kong Xiangxi feared none of each other and respected no one.
Of course, among the four, Wang Quanqui and Kong Xiangxi held slightly higher positions.
The reason for their slightly superior status was that their strength was a bit greater than Qin Ruhuo and Li Zihao.
Wang Quanqui cultivated the Law of Space, one of the ten strongest laws among the three thousand laws. He had already cultivated seven branches of the Great Dao of Space.
It was precisely because of this that Wang Quanqui's status was slightly higher than the others.
Kong Xiangxi, on the other hand, cultivated the Law of Literature, which was very mysterious among the three thousand laws. He had also cultivated seven branches of the Great Dao of Literature.
Qin Ruhuo cultivated the Law of Soul among the three thousand laws, and he had cultivated six branches of the Great Dao of Soul.
Li Zihao cultivated the Law of Earth among the three thousand laws, and he had also cultivated six branches of the Great Dao of Earth.
Of course, although there were some gaps in their strength, they were not large, and their statuses were naturally similar.
Qin Ruhuo, Wang Quanqui, Li Zihao, and Kong Xiangxi were all top-tier existences ruling over their respective domains. Setting aside talk of exceptional wisdom and far-sightedness, at the very least, they were cunning and experienced, rarely suffering losses.
In normal times, they resided in their respective family domains, each occupying a corner of the world.
Because their own forces were powerful and dominated the Purple Continent without rivals, they rarely joined forces to fight. They each acted independently.
Only when decisions concerning the fate of all the aristocratic families were made would they gather together to discuss the way forward.
When the four discussed important matters, naturally, each person had one vote. Matters with more votes would pass, and those with fewer votes would not.
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"First, let's eliminate those miscellaneous scoundrels hiding in the dark, and then we'll have a decisive battle with the Liu Imperial family. Does everyone agree with this suggestion?"
Wang Quanqui said.
"Agreed!"
Qin Ruhuo was the first to speak. His own subordinate had been annihilated. If the boss didn't step forward, his other subordinates would definitely abandon him.
"Agreed!"
Li Zihao said with a smile.
"Agreed"
Kong Xiangxi's cold voice came.
...
"Since everyone agrees, then let's prepare. After we have a good talk with that fellow Liu Xie, we can take action. This time, any force that does not obey us must be eliminated."
"Unlike in the past, this time, we must cooperate wholeheartedly, otherwise, we will definitely be exploited by outsiders!"
Wang Quanqui's tone was filled with emotion and warning.
The Liu family losing the tripod was both their opportunity and a whirlpool that could swallow them.
"Hahahaha, no matter what, the Liu family has held the position of Immortal Emperor for countless years. If I can seize this position, I can show off a little when I meet my ancestors!"
Qin Ruhuo said after a loud laugh.
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"Indeed, after so many years, this opportunity has finally arrived. If we don't act now, perhaps there won't be another chance. Let's take a gamble!"
A powerful fighting intent erupted from Li Zihao.
...
"As one who carries the glory of our ancestors, one should aspire to surpass them!"
Kong Xiangxi's words were resolute and firm!
The imperial capital, Chang'an.
Liu Xie sat on the dragon throne, wearing a royal crown and a robe embroidered with ten thousand dragons. He looked down at his officials with a grim expression.
"The Wang, Kong, Qin, and Li families have sent people to negotiate with us. How should this matter be handled?"
Liu Xie asked.
"Reporting to the Immortal Emperor, your humble servant believes that although the four great families are royal families, they are ultimately subjects of the Immortal Emperor. They have no right to negotiate with us!"
Liu Adu, the Minister of Rites, spoke righteously, his voice filled with infinite confidence in the imperial court.
In fact, Liu Adu was not unaware of how severe the current situation was, nor did he not know that Immortal Emperor Liu Xie absolutely wanted to negotiate.
However, as the Minister of Rites, his position forced him to speak up.
As a leader of a faction, after Liu Adu finished speaking, many officials below naturally agreed, believing his words to be reasonable!
Liu Xie, sitting on the dragon throne, his expression immediately turned unsightly upon hearing this.
Although he knew of Liu Adu's difficulties, he did not want to hear such nonsense at the moment.
What he wanted to hear most now was a practical solution, not any damned rules or etiquette.
After reprimanding Liu Adu a few times, Liu Xie turned to look at others, wanting to hear their opinions on the matter.
Liu Zhan, the Minister of War, frowned and stepped forward, saying, "Reporting to the Immortal Emperor, your humble servant believes that the Wang, Kong, Qin, and Li families have been rooted in the Purple Continent for many years and have deep foundations. Although they are subjects, that is merely a nominal title. In reality, they are feudal lords."
"The current situation is not very good for us. The rebellions in various regions have not yet been quelled. I believe that this negotiation is a good opportunity for us. I hope the Immortal Emperor will see clearly!"
...
"Minister of War, do you know what courtesy is?"
"There is an order of precedence: Immortal Emperor, aristocratic families, ministers, minor officials, rogue cultivators. This is called seniority and hierarchy."
"There is a hierarchy and a system of laws and regulations between ruler and subject. How can there be negotiations between an emperor and his subjects?"
"This is simply a huge joke. What is your intention, Minister of War?"
Upon hearing Liu Zhan's words, Liu Adu could not help but jump out again and retort.
In fact, being the Minister of Rites was not an easy job.
Although the Ministry of Rites was the department with the least power among the Six Ministries, it had many trivial matters to deal with daily, and it was not a lucrative position.
Moreover, under certain special circumstances, the Minister of Rites had to stand up and say something, otherwise, his position would be unstable.
Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Rites, a department specifically responsible for etiquette. If the way of music and rites collapses, what is the point of rites and music?
It was precisely because of this that even Liu Adu, who normally had a very good relationship with Liu Zhan, had to righteously refute Liu Zhan at this moment.
One must fulfill one's duties while holding a position.
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"Exactly, Minister of War, are you perhaps scared?"
Liu Junkai, the Left Minister of Rites, said sarcastically, his brows filled with disdain.
"What did you say? You scoundrels?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhan could no longer hold back and retorted.
...
Subsequently, the imperial court descended into chaos.
The officials were roughly divided into two factions: one supported negotiation, and the other opposed it.
No one would back down, and they argued incessantly in the imperial court.
"Enough, all of you, be quiet! This court session is adjourned. We will discuss it again tomorrow. Dismissed!"
Seeing the chaotic ministers, Liu Xie, with a dark expression, flicked his sleeves and left.
Afterward, the officials, who had been arguing heatedly, dispersed.
In the study, Liu Xie sat at the head seat with a very unpleasant expression, looking at Liu Chuang, Liu Shan, Liu Gao, and Liu Jing.
"This time, the Wang, Kong, Qin, and Li families sent people to negotiate. Do you think they are sincere or deceptive..."
Liu Xie said with a grim expression.
Liu Chuang pondered for a moment and said, "Since they are the four families who have taken the initiative to seek negotiations, it must be because they have discovered something and do not wish to be a stepping stone for others. Therefore, they want to cooperate with us first and join forces to eliminate those hidden figures."
"I don't think there's any harm in talking to them. Those guys hiding in the dark are really too annoying."
"If we really fight to a mutual destruction with those four families, we might very well be stabbed in the back and killed by those guys."
...
Liu Xie's expression changed slightly after hearing this.
Eliminate those who are fishing in troubled waters and observing from the sidelines first, and then fight for supremacy. This idea is indeed very good.
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"I think so too. In the cultivation world of the Purple Continent, besides us and the four great families, there are still some aristocratic families and other forces that can threaten us!"
Liu Shan followed up.
"Immortal Emperor, I also think this is a good suggestion. Let's eliminate those who are causing trouble behind the scenes first, and then concentrate our strength to destroy the four great families and their accomplices. Only then can we truly become the masters of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, not just nominal masters!"
Liu Gao said with bright eyes.
"Yes, let's first eliminate all those who are fishing in troubled waters, and then we'll deal with the so-called four great families. The malpractices left by the first generation Immortal Emperor will be resolved in our generation!"
Liu Jing said with unmatched dominance.
...
After hearing the words of Liu Chuang, Liu Shan, Liu Gao, and Liu Jing, Liu Xie's originally grim expression improved significantly, and his furrowed brow relaxed.
"Those insignificant individuals dared to scheme against us, they must pay the price."
"Since everyone agrees, I will accept the conditions of the four great families. We will join forces to clear the field first, and then determine the final winner."
Liu Xie said domineeringly.
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"Liu Jing, you will immediately go to the negotiation site and negotiate with them. No matter what, as long as we don't suffer any losses, that's fine."
"I have no other requirements."
He paused and said to Liu Jing.
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"Liu Jing obeys the Immortal Emperor's decree. I will set off immediately!"
Liu Jing said.
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"Liu Chuang, Liu Shan, Liu Gao, the three of you will first mobilize the five major legions and be ready to act at any time."
Seeing Liu Jing agree, Liu Xie then turned his gaze to the others.