Chapter 701
Zheng Fa hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Actually, I also want to prohibit the buying and selling of land, but Senior Sister Zhang advised me to take it slow.”
Uncle Pang rarely showed disapproval, but this time his expression was clear. “Why go to such lengths? If you do this, the Bai Xian Alliance will likely face hostility from many cultivators.”
Zheng Fa knew he was right. Elder Bi Xia in the hall wore a grim expression, as she had the backing of a powerful family behind her.
This was indeed a matter that could provoke public outrage—those who could form families in Xuan Wei were essentially cultivators or those related to them.
“I’ve thought about this for a long time,” Zheng Fa said, scanning the faces of those present. He noticed their expressions of confusion and dissent, realizing that if he couldn’t convince them, his ideas would never take off.
“First, I want to limit the profits from land and even suppress land prices.”
“Hmm?”
“The results from our Agricultural Academy have significantly increased grain production,” Zheng Fa explained. “In the future, the profits from farmland will surely be higher than they are now. But if a large amount of wealth flows into agriculture, the development of the Bai Xian Alliance’s industry will inevitably be restricted.”
His reasoning was straightforward, and Uncle Pang and the others quickly understood, though they felt Zheng Fa was making a mountain out of a molehill.
“On the other hand, our Jiu Shan Sect doesn’t need small sects and families to help us govern the Bai Xian Alliance,” Zheng Fa continued. “I don’t have anything against families, but it seems that cultivators from these families will always prioritize their own interests.”
“Even within the Jiu Shan realm, family powers have emerged.”
“Right now, I can tolerate it, but if this continues, I worry that those disciples will forget their original intentions and might even want to change the algorithms of the Jiu Zhang Suan Ling (Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art)... We must nip this in the bud; this might just be my first step in limiting family influence.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Elder Bi Xia.
To be honest, the cautious thoughts of his beloved master had brought him many conveniences, but the issues they reflected also made him vigilant.
Not to mention the situation at Hao Ri Mountain.
Hearing this, Uncle Pang sighed, knowing Zheng Fa had made up his mind.
“Other sects rely on families for governance because they have few members and a lack of talent. But our Jiu Shan Sect has the Jiu Zhang Suan Ling and students from vocational academies, which allows us to implement direct governance.”
“The Jiu Shan Sect doesn’t need these families and sects; we should first collect a tax.”
Uncle Pang still frowned. “I understand your concerns, but this action will surely lead to dissatisfaction among cultivators, and it could spark chaos.”
“That’s why I’ve been very cautious about this step,” Zheng Fa nodded. “As I said, the timing is perfect now.”
With Hao Ri Mountain lying low, Zheng Fa naturally thought to take advantage of the opportunity to clean up the Bai Xian Alliance and establish a system to prevent future complications.
Seeing the hesitation on everyone’s faces, he added, “What really solidified my decision was the Dong Tian Fa (Cave Heaven Law).”
“What does the Dong Tian Fa have to do with this?”
“I want to establish grassroots schools in the Bai Xian Alliance,” Zheng Fa stated plainly. “Only those who excel can enter the Jiu Shan realm. From this perspective, those family-run private schools and sects are competing with us for talent. Not to mention, the distribution of land will influence public sentiment and enhance the enthusiasm of farmers.”
He understood this very well; he came from a tenant background, and the Zhao family was not particularly harsh.
Yet life in the village was still tough, and what was even more absurd was that those who didn’t rely on the major families fared even worse—because all the quality resources were in the hands of those families.
During his time with the Zhao family, he realized:
Those who were close to the main family would receive attention and resources, and over time, those from family backgrounds would naturally lean towards their kin.
He had to admit he benefited from this, but he didn’t want the citizens of the Bai Xian Alliance to be in the same situation.
Otherwise, even if the productivity of the Bai Xian Alliance developed further, wealth would only fall into the hands of various small powers.
In the practice of the Dong Tian Fa, the Supreme Dao might select talented cultivators, while the Demon Ancestor chose those of noble blood.
Zheng Fa wanted to use education to spread the Jiu Shan philosophy, select talent, and cultivate those who could truly walk alongside him, enriching the Jiu Shan realm and providing spiritual support.
From this perspective, these small sects and families were his competitors.
Essentially, when it came to who the Jiu Shan Sect would rely on in the future, Zheng Fa had two choices:
The traditional cultivator community of Xuan Wei or ordinary mortals.
He simply chose the ordinary people.
This could be seen as the final step in his transformation of the Bai Xian Alliance.
And this was also the reason why Uncle Pang and the others felt uneasy and even wanted to persuade him otherwise.
Listening to Zheng Fa, the head of the Chong Xuan Sect felt a chill in his heart. This Zheng Fa had never called for violence against the sects of the Bai Xian Alliance, but he had long known that Zheng Fa was not as gentle and accommodating as he appeared.
What he didn’t expect was that Zheng Fa wanted more than anyone else, and his ambition was greater than anyone else’s—Zheng Fa’s vision for the Jiu Shan Sect was, in every sense, a sect the Xuan Wei realm had never seen before.
(End of this chapter)
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Chapter 486: No Regrets, the Divine Being Takes the Sun
“Uncle Pang and the others don’t have selfish motives.”
Zheng Fa walked out of Tian Gong Island alongside Senior Sister Zhang, strolling towards his small courtyard.
The two had been silent until they reached the Rainbow Bridge, where they found themselves alone. It was then that Senior Sister Zhang spoke softly.
“Senior Sister, I know.”
The plan to clean up the Bai Xian Alliance, reform land taxes, and suppress families had ultimately passed, but that didn’t mean Uncle Pang and the others fully agreed.
On the contrary, this was the first time a reform had been pushed through almost entirely on Zheng Fa’s own prestige.
Not to mention others, just the three elders.
Elder Yuan and Uncle Huang were indifferent, merely finding it a bit troublesome.
Uncle Pang, however, clearly showed some opposition.
“I know Uncle Pang is also thinking of the Jiu Shan Sect’s best interests.”
It’s worth mentioning that among the current leaders of the Jiu Shan Sect, none were particularly family-oriented:
Senior Sister Zhang seemed to have lost her parents early, Elder Yuan was a homebody, and Uncle Huang, who had lost her husband, only cared about Senior Sister Zhang.
Uncle Pang appeared to come from a family, but it seemed there weren’t many capable members, as none of his disciples bore the Pang surname.
If one were to say they had selfish motives, it would be a bit unfair to them.
Uncle Pang was relatively conservative, and the previous disputes with Senior Sister Zhang’s faction were not purely about interests; they also involved ideological clashes.
“You’re a bit hasty,” Zheng Fa shook his head, his tone reflective. He never assumed he was always right, but he felt quite firm on this matter. “However, if we don’t act now, it will be even harder to do so in the future.”
Uncle Pang’s opposition stemmed from the fact that this system would genuinely squeeze the interests of cultivators.
In the past, if cultivators couldn’t make it, they could return to the mundane world, branch out, and nurture their descendants.
With Zheng Fa’s changes, it couldn’t be said that this escape route was completely cut off, but cultivators would certainly find it less comfortable than before—most directly, these families had previously been kings in the mundane world, but that was no longer the case.
Uncle Pang believed this idea was not very stable, and it was precisely because of this: in the world, when making a cake, it’s all well and good when you’re making it, but when it comes to dividing it, it’s hard to keep the peace.
Zheng Fa was somewhat anxious, also considering that the current high-ranking members of the Jiu Shan Sect had no family interests, but it was hard to say what would happen in the future. Thus, he wanted to establish the rules for dividing the cake from the start.
“Senior Sister…” Zheng Fa seemed to be explaining to Senior Sister Zhang, but also reaffirming his own resolve. “From the very beginning, the Jiu Shan Sect has only suited this path.”
“Only fairness, only by letting everyone know that as long as they work hard and contribute, they can gain wealth, status, and even immortality, can we truly unlock human potential and achieve collective wisdom…”
Senior Sister Zhang suddenly interrupted him, saying, “I know.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, looking at Senior Sister Zhang, who smiled at him. “I’ve thought about it for a long time.”
“What have you thought about?”
“I was thinking, if we have children, would I be willing to let them be treated like everyone else?”
“…”
Zheng Fa blinked, thinking, how did this conversation turn to children?
Senior Sister was perhaps thinking too far ahead…
“I know he can’t truly be treated like someone from a mundane background. Our wealth, knowledge, and even protection will make his path much smoother than others,” Senior Sister Zhang seemed to have genuinely considered this. “But on the other hand, I accept that he should be treated the same as everyone else in the sect—rewarded based on merit, with resources and status determined solely by the Suan Ling.”
Zheng Fa fell silent.
Senior Sister Zhang stood on the Rainbow Bridge, gazing around.
After the Sun God merged with the Clock of Sun and Moon, the mist over the Nine Islands had long since dissipated.
Now, as Senior Sister Zhang looked around, she could see the entire Tian Gong Nine Islands, the bustling activity of the Jiu Shan disciples, and the joyful laughter of the mundane folk on Le Tu Island, all of which resonated in her ears.
“I chose you, and you chose the current Jiu Shan Sect.” Senior Sister Zhang said softly, her back to Zheng Fa. “That means I chose the current Jiu Shan Sect.”
“Whether we walk a path where the whole world is our enemy or ultimately perish and turn to dust, I’ve thought it all through.”
Listening to Senior Sister’s tone, gentle and clear, each word fell like pearls on the ground:
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