Undying Life

Chapter 170: Chapter 170: The Competition for City Lord

Five days later, Zhongshan had a general understanding of the situation.

The Great Luo Dynasty had four major princes, each of whom was granted the title of king. Each prince could represent two mid-level positions. Although their cultivation speed wasn't multiplied by twenty as it was when they were princes, it was still increased by fifteen times, which was significantly faster than the original ten times.

The emperor had many offspring, but there were only four princes because these four were the most promising. They weren't necessarily the emperor's sons but could also be his grandsons. As long as they were descendants of the emperor, they had the chance.

Similarly, the princesses were different from those in the mortal world. The female descendants of the emperor were all called county princesses, with a lower status. Only a few exceptional individuals had the chance to be appointed as princesses, with a middle status. They had ten times the cultivation speed.

Princess Qian You was the daughter of the Crown Prince, the granddaughter of the emperor, and was granted the title of princess. She had a middle status in the heavenly and earthly hierarchy and a cultivation speed ten times faster than usual.

Each of the four major princes was an extraordinary figure. The Crown Prince, who was Princess Qian You's father, was the first prince, or the first king.

As for Wushuang City, it was essentially under the influence of the second prince.

The second prince, the Great Xuan Prince, also known as the Great Xuan King, wielded immense power. With his own influence, he could resist the Great Yu Dynasty alone.

In this region, whether civil officials or military officers, most of them were under the Great Xuan King's control. Except for the emperor, the Great Xuan King had the greatest influence here, and no one could match him.

The lord of Wushuang City was under the Great Xuan King's control, as was the military intelligence of Wushuang City. However, the four major city lords were appointed by the court. Among them, the lord of the North City was from the Great Xuan King's faction, while the lord of the South City was from the Crown Prince's faction.

Once a city lord was promoted and left, a new city lord would be selected from among the four major city lords.

Now, it was time to select from among the four major city lords.

Originally, after the court screened candidates, the list would be presented to the emperor, who would then directly appoint one of the city lords. Following the usual practice, along with the previous recommendation from the former lord of Wushuang City, there was no doubt that Mò Bǎilǐ of the North City would be the next lord.

However, the political situation was complicated, and not everyone wanted the Great Xuan King's influence to remain stable. Despite the outward appearance of the prosperous Great Luo Dynasty's capital, the interior was turbulent, with intrigue and conflict in the court, and smoke rising from various corners.

Each of the four princes had their own plans, and with their advisors providing counsel, every strategy and countermeasure was displayed on the small court stage. The complexity of the situation was like the laws of heaven and earth, intangible and unpredictable.

Observing the small court, one could understand the myriad aspects of heaven and earth.

On the court's surface, the emperor observed the battles among his courtiers, sorting out his thoughts as if he were sorting out the laws of heaven and earth, rectifying chaos and restoring order, intimidating the Great Luo Dynasty.

The emperor's words were like divine commands, capable of moving heaven and earth with a single hair. Each day, dealing with complex affairs and governing the court, instead of exhausting his mind, he seemed to be experiencing the principles of heaven and earth, like comprehending the laws of the universe.

Sorting out the world in order to confront the heavenly might!

Wushuang City was a fortress located on the border with the Great Yu Dynasty, a stronghold, a barrier.

The lord of a city held a middle status, enjoying the aura bestowed by the imperial court while also being supported by the city's aura. Although still a middle status, the degree of aura they possessed was much higher than that of ordinary middle-status individuals in the capital.

A middle-status individual's cultivation speed was typically three times faster, but in the position of city lord, it could be three and a half times or even four times faster. Similarly, the former city lord pledged loyalty to the Great Xuan King, and thus, a portion of the aura would also be attributed to the Great Xuan King.

While the aura wasn't plentiful, it was better than none at all. Accumulating a little here and there would eventually accumulate a lot, gradually forming a substantial amount. Who would give up on such an opportunity?

This time, after the court's internal struggles, a consensus was finally reached, which was also approved by the emperor.

The four major city lords would compete among themselves, and the arbiter would be chosen by the common people and officials of Wushuang City. This wasn't the first time such a process had occurred, but it satisfied everyone.

The Great Xuan King believed in his own influence in Wushuang City, where the army was basically his granary. If the former city lord, who had been managing for so many years, lost in the popular election, it would be unacceptable. As for the Crown Prince, he was now quite satisfied. What was originally impossible had now become a possibility, especially since the lord of the South City, Water Tianya, was his man. Sending his most intelligent daughter to assist meant there was a certain chance of success.

Others were quietly observing.

Wushuang City, including its commoners, soldiers, and officials, had a population of ten million, making it a powerful fortress. Among them, there were 1.2 million soldiers, fifty thousand officials, and the remaining 8.75 million were commoners.

Looking at the data at hand, Zhongshan was immersed in a spring of electrical currents. Leaning against the edge of the spring, his mind was filled with thoughts.

In just a few days, Princess Qian You had gathered a large amount of resources to create a completely new environment for Zhongshan, one that was most suitable for his cultivation.

There were practice rooms filled with thunderous energy, pure Yang spirit fruits, and fine wine to aid cultivation. Even a large number of beautiful women attended to him. It seemed ordinary, but this spring could adjust the intensity of the electrical currents, allowing Zhongshan to cultivate at all times.

The external conditions provided Zhongshan with the best, but of course, the best treatment was also because of Zhongshan's abilities. If Zhongshan were a fool, no matter how good his aptitude was, he would only be a thug. Even if he had great potential, his value would not surpass someone who was one realm higher in cultivation.

Zhongshan was a person who distinguished between gratitude and grudges. In the past, he had benefited from Princess Qian You's favor at Bamen Mountain, but he had taken all the fruits for himself. Although it was based on individual abilities, Zhongshan still owed Princess Qian You a favor. Without Princess Qian You, Yinglan would not have received the inheritance of the Bamen Gold Lock Formation. Being treated well here was one aspect, but crucially, Zhongshan still owed Princess Qian You a favor from the past.

Therefore, during these days, Zhongshan had been wracking his brains for ideas.

Water Tianya was clearly at a disadvantage. The army would definitely choose Mo Baili, and many large households in Wushuang City had already been approached by the former city lord. When the time came, they would bring their servants and relatives to support Mo Baili. With the four major city lords controlling the four directions of Wushuang City, Water Tianya didn't have complete control even over the southern part of the city. It would be difficult, very difficult, incredibly difficult for him to win the final election.

After soaking in the electric spring for a while, Zhongshan gently got up and climbed out of the spring. The peerless beauties and maidservants brought by Princess Qian You quickly dried him off and helped him dress neatly. Zhongshan adjusted his clothes and slowly walked out.

As soon as he arrived in the hall, he saw Princess Qian You playing with a teacup, with Ada and A'er standing behind her, and Water Tianya sitting on the side.

Princess Qian You was still dressed in men's clothing, looking very refined.

"Oh? The princess is here? Why didn't you announce it?" Zhongshan immediately approached with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"The gentleman was bathing, so Qian You naturally didn't want to disturb." Princess Qian You smiled.

"Please don't be so polite, princess." Zhongshan shook his head with a smile.

"Gentleman, any progress on the election of the city lord?" Princess Qian You immediately asked.

Zhongshan walked to the chair opposite Princess Qian You and sat down, smoothing his clothes gently.

"Princess, can you tell me about this Mr. Shui Jing? I was thinking just now that it would be good to understand the other party's situation." Zhongshan said.

"Speaking of Mr. Shui Jing, besides my father and the emperor, of course, I admire Mr. Shui Jing the most. I have met Mr. Shui Jing before. He is a remarkable talent in the world, with extraordinary wisdom. However, he likes to keep a low profile. For some special reasons, he resides in the mansion of the Great Xuan King. I have invited him many times, but he has never agreed to come," Princess Qian You said.

Listening to Princess Qian You, Zhongshan frowned. From the few days of contact, Zhongshan could feel Princess Qian You's extraordinary intelligence and her pride. Although she called him "gentleman," it was just a way of keeping him in check, not necessarily genuine admiration. So why did she hold Mr. Shui Jing in such high esteem?

"Mr. Shui Jing and Gulin arrived in Wushuang City three days earlier than me. In just these three days, Mr. Shui Jing persuaded the city lords of the East and West to withdraw from the election, promising to fully support Mo Baili for the North City Lord," Princess Qian You frowned and said.

"So, it means that the East, West, and North cities are all supporting Mo Baili wholeheartedly, while Mr. Shui Jing only has control over the South City, and he hasn't fully mastered even that?" Zhongshan took a deep breath.

"Exactly," Water Tianya nodded slightly, sighing. The situation was indeed very unfavorable.

"Then, does the princess have any arrangements?" Zhongshan asked.

"The princess asked me to secretly mobilize one thousand subordinates to blend in with ordinary commoners in Wushuang City, praising my achievements everywhere, letting the people of the city know that once I take office, taxes will be reduced and numerous policies beneficial to the commoners will be implemented, accumulating votes from the commoners," Water Tianya said.

"I admire what the princess has done," Zhongshan said immediately.

This was propaganda, this was rallying support. Although it was basic, not everyone could do it.

"Sir, you're teasing me. I'm getting people to campaign, and Mr. Shui Jing can do the same. There are also many people in Wushuang City promoting Mo Baili," Princess Qian You shook her head.

"Hehe, campaigning is normal, but this is a lengthy process. I can't quickly turn the tide either. How about this, I have an idea, which the princess can consider," Zhongshan suddenly smiled.

Hearing that Zhongshan had an idea, Princess Qian You's eyes lit up. After all, she had ten counselors under her, but none of them had come up with any ideas. Zhongshan had one in just a few days?

Water Tianya also stared at Zhongshan in disbelief, unsure if what he said was true or false!

Zhongshan then took out a pile of Go pieces from his pocket and placed the white Go pieces on the south side of the tea table, while the black Go pieces representing the four directions of the city were placed on the north side.

Zhongshan picked up one of the black Go pieces near the pile of white Go pieces and smiled gently. "Now, the Great Yu Empire is about to attack Wushuang City. Princess, what do you think this black piece on the south side should do?"

Zhongshan posed a riddle. Water Tianya didn't understand, staring at the black piece on Zhongshan's fingertip with a puzzled expression, while Princess Qian You suddenly slapped the tea table beside her, standing up excitedly.