Chapter 131.1 The Grand Ambition to Rule the World (1/2)
Chapter 131.1 The Grand Ambition to Rule the World (1/2)
Qing Capital. Inside the royal palace!
Wang Ke walked in front, followed by a large procession of Wang clan members. His big cousin-brother kept him company at the front.
“Clan Lord, the situation is quite grim. Although we reacted the quickest and hoarded the most money and food, all the major military clans vying for prominence contacted their ancestors in the immortal sects; they were quickly strengthened thanks to their backing!” the big cousin-brother reported, sounding worried.
“What is there to worry about if we have money and food? As for their backing, don’t you have me as a backer? Immortal sects can’t be too overt when taking part in mortal wars! They cannot join in the fighting! What is there to be afraid of? Or are you worried that they may have more Innate Stage commanders than us? Don’t worry. Throngs of Innate Stage cultivators from all cultivation towns will soon join our ranks! No one is as influential as me in the cultivation towns!” Wang Ke reassured his big cousin-brother with expansive confidence.
“Understood! Thank you, Clan Lord!” said the other respectfully.
“How are things in the capital?” Wang Ke asked.
The big cousin-brother elaborated, “We made sure our army didn’t take a single cent from the commoners in the Qing Capital. We didn’t take anything from the clans and officials. It’s just that they’re not allowed to do massive gatherings or pass messages outside the capital during the war! We will leave them be as long as they isolate themselves!”
“Good.” Wang Ke nodded.
“Oh yes, Clan Lord, some military clan lords have already started declaring themselves emperors and naming their dynasties! What dynasty name should we use? We await your decision!” the big cousin-brother asked expectantly.
“Dynasty name?” Wang Ke looked at the latter and his other men with a doubtful look.
“You haven’t scored any significant victory, and now you want to start thinking about how to name the empire?”
“Yeah!” the clan members replied excitedly.
“Hmm, give me some time to think about it! But first, tell me more about our situation!” Wang Ke said.
“The Wang Clan currently has a firm hold in twelve cities aside from the capital itself. We are considered as one of the most powerful military clans in the empire!” said his big cousin-brother proudly.
Wang Ke dug a bit more, “How do the immortal sect disciples look at us?”
“Ahh?” his big cousin-brother was at a loss.
Wang Ke asked again, “What I’m asking, now that the Wang Clan declared its independence, what’s the attitude of the immortal cultivators watching over the Mortal Zone?”
“We… We’re not sure!” Big cousin-brother replied, “They don’t seem to care about wars in the Mortal Zone. They’re only concerned about whether other cultivators from the opposition are interfering in the war!”
“Ridiculous!” Wang Ke reprimanded them, “We are at such a critical stage, yet you’re not trying to gain the favor of the immortal sects? Seriously, those big bosses can zap you out of existence if they’re ever unhappy with you guys! How can you not care about them? I was about to take over the Great Qing Empire a dozen years ago, but I failed because the immortal cultivators stepped in at the most critical time! Seriously, you’ve been ignoring them?”
“We… we…!” Big cousin-brother and his subordinates lowered their heads in shame.
“Have you investigated their locations in the capital?” Wang Ke asked again.
“Yes, we know where the immortal cultivators are staying; it’s just that we didn’t dare disturb them!” Big cousin-brother replied.
Wang Ke issued orders. “Now, immediately, get some people to prepare gifts and visit the righteous disciples! If they don’t accept the gifts, just leave them at their doorsteps! They can reject them, but you must do it anyway! Damn, those cultivators may not help you, and that’s okay; but your lives may be at stake if they ever choose to drag you down!”
“Yes, Clan Lord. Right away!” his clan members acknowledged immediately.
“Hold on!” Wang Ke called out.
A seemingly bored Zhang Zhengdao was nearby, glancing around while picking his nose.
Wang Ke turned and looked at him, and so did all the others.
Zhang Zhengdao’s face froze, “Why are you guys looking at me? Is there a rule that says I can’t pick my nose?”
“Zhang Zhengdao, go with my men and visit the righteous disciples!” Wang Ke said.
“Why?” Zhang Zhengdao was puzzled.
Wang Ke explained, “They may outright reject the gifts handed by my men! But you can lend a hand by acting as an elder of the Heavenly Wolf Sect. Make sure they accept the gifts!”
“Oh wow! How strange!” Zhang Zhengdao said with surprise, “I didn’t know you would ever send gifts to others! Aren’t you an iron rooster through and through?”
“Bullsh*t! This has to do with politics; you know nothing!” Wang Ke said, “Chat with them while you’re at it and see if you can get them to buy some insurance plans! The cultivators watching over the Mortal Zone didn’t show up at my company’s opening ceremony, so they may not be fully aware of my insurance plans. In any case, both the righteous and the demonic factions clash frequently in the Mortal Zone; they need insurance! Remember the techniques I taught you. You must sound generous and passionate while always being respectful. You are making an appearance as a provider of happiness, not as a beggar!”
Zhang Zhengdao was surprised to hear Wang Ke’s plan. “Ohh, okay, I get it. The gifts are just for show! You want their money!”
Wang Ke rolled his eyes. Don’t talk so much and get on with it if you understand!
“If that’s the case, you must increase my commission!” Zhang Zhengdao demanded anxiously.
“You’ll have a twenty percent commission if you seal a deal on your own!” Wang Ke offered straightaway.
“Twenty percent? When… when did you become so generous?” Zhang Zhengdao felt exhilarated.
Twenty percent! It’s a first for him to give me such a big share.
“Go on!” Wang Ke urged.
“Okay! Hahaha, wait for my good news! Righteous disciples? I’ll be sure to visit each and every one of them, haha!” Zhang Zhengdao was excited as he left with a few Wang Clan members.
Wang Ke didn’t take that seriously, though. How many of those watchers in the Mortal Zone would really have money to buy insurance plans?
“Is Second cousin-brother here?” Wang Ke asked.
“Yes, he’s been waiting in the courtyard for quite some time. He invited many people over!” Big cousin-brother explained.
“Okay!” Wang Ke nodded.
His big cousin-brother took him to a massive courtyard in the palace.
Once reaching the place, the clan members following him stepped back automatically and stopped following him. Not even Big cousin-brother entered.
Wang Ke went into the courtyard alone.
In the courtyard—five hundred youths half-knelt and looked at Wang Ke with eyes of excitement and adoration.
“Greetings, Clan Lord!” the large group greeted passionately.
The one leading them was the oldest of the bunch. He resembled Wang Ke’s big cousin-brother, but he had a stiff expression. The leader was none other than Wang Ke’s second cousin-brother.
“The Brocaded Guard Commander greets the Clan Lord!” the second cousin-brother proclaimed as a greeting.
“Second cousin-brother, you don’t have to do this. The Brocaded Guard was only set up when I was preparing to establish a new empire, but it’s been way too many years. The Brocaded Guard no longer exists!” Wang Ke said with a smile.
Second cousin-brother replied respectfully, “Clan Lord, although you’ve stopped us from using that name, we have never forgotten our identity! Not all the Wang Clan members have been born with this privilege. The Wang Clan took in lots of orphaned beggars who have become part of the Wang Clan through all these years. They may not be in the Mortal Zone and following the Clan Lord’s leadership, but they’re doing much better in the major cultivation towns! The Clan Lord no longer cares about the Brocaded Guard, but deep down we know that everything has been given by you! We are all members of the Wang Clan! We are all faithful to you, Clan Lord!”
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“Okay, please get up!” Wang Ke waved a hand.
“Yes, Clan Lord!” Everyone stood up.
Second cousin-brother then introduced the five hundred members, “Clan Lord, according to your requirements, I’ve chosen the best youths from amongst our clan members. We thank you for supplying us with spirit stones to cultivate. Some of them are cultivation geniuses; they are greatly talented! The best among them reached the Innate Stage at just twelve years old!”
Wang Ke looked at the youths standing before him, feeling satisfied. It felt like the donations he gave to charities back on Earth; impoverished youths worked extra hard, and they became extremely successful.
“Good!” Wang Ke commended.