From the fake emperor to the concubine

We must find a compromise.

"Elder Lu," Zheng Yi said, "sending someone to stay in Qingyun City is acceptable, but that person's authority must be limited."

"What do you mean?" Lu Tianming asked.

“This person is merely a liaison, responsible for relaying messages and coordinating communications,” Zheng Yi said. “He cannot interfere in the affairs of Qingyun City, nor can he boss around City Lord Wang. Any problems must be resolved through formal channels, not by this liaison making decisions on his own.”

Lu Tianming pondered for a moment, "That will work too. But this contact person must be able to attend important meetings of the City Lord's Mansion and understand the decision-making process of Qingyun City."

“Attending the meeting is allowed, but only the right to observe is permitted; there is no right to vote,” Zheng Yi said.

“Okay.” Lu Tianming nodded.

“There’s one more thing,” Zheng Yi continued, “The choice of this contact person needs to be acceptable to both sides. If Lord Wang feels it’s unsuitable, he can request a replacement.”

Lu Tianming frowned. "This condition is a bit excessive. Whom the Lu family sends is, of course, the Lu family's decision."

“If the contact person and the city lord are not on good terms, it will affect the cooperation between the two sides,” Zheng Yi said. “Therefore, the best choice is someone acceptable to both sides.”

Lu Tianming thought about it for a moment, and finally nodded.

“Alright, I can accept this condition,” he said, “but on the condition that Lord Wang cannot request a change of contact person without a valid reason. There must be a legitimate reason.”

“Of course.” Zheng Yi nodded.

He turned to Wang Tianhai, "Mr. Wang, what do you think?"

Wang Tianhai pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“Very well,” he said. “I accept this condition.”

A smile appeared on Lu Tianming's face.

“Then it’s settled,” he said. “In a month and a half, Qingyun City will submit to the Lu family. During this time, City Lord Wang can do some preparatory work. The Lu family will send a liaison to remain in Qingyun City to handle communication and coordination.”

"What about resources and protection?" Wang Tianhai reminded him.

“There’s no rush,” Lu Tianming said. “We’ll discuss this in detail after Qingyun City officially submits. The Lu family won’t mistreat its own people.”

Although Wang Tianhai was somewhat dissatisfied, he didn't say anything more.

Gaining a month and a half is already a significant achievement. As for resources and protection, we can discuss that later.

"That's settled then." Lu Tianming stood up. "Today's negotiations are over. I'll go back and report to the family head, informing him of the results of today's discussions. I will return to Qingyun City in a month and a half to formally complete the procedures for submission."

"I will see Elder Lu off." Wang Tianhai also stood up.

"No need," Lu Tianming waved his hand. "Lord Wang, please stay. I can walk by myself."

He glanced at Zheng Yi, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Mr. Dark Night, today's negotiations were made possible thanks to you. You are very capable."

"Elder Lu, you flatter me," Zheng Yi said calmly.

"I hope we'll have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future," Lu Tianming said, turning and walking out of the hall.

His figure disappeared through the doorway, and the sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Only Zheng Yi and Wang Tianhai remained in the hall.

Wang Tianhai let out a long sigh of relief, feeling completely exhausted, and slumped into the chair.

“Thank you, sir,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. “Without you, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to handle today’s negotiations.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Wang,” Zheng Yi said. “However, today’s result is not ideal.”

"Yes," Wang Tianhai said with a wry smile, "a month and a half is too short. I originally wanted to get three months, but I only managed a month and a half."

"Moreover, the Lu family will send someone to stay in Qingyun City to keep an eye on you," Zheng Yi said. "This is like planting a spies right under your nose. From now on, you'll have to be extremely careful in everything you do, lest they find out."

Wang Tianhai nodded, his face full of worry.

"Sir, what should I do?" he asked. "What can I do in a month and a half?"

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, "A month and a half may be a short time, but it's not like we can't get anything done."

What suggestions do you have?

"First, strengthen the defenses," Zheng Yi said. "In the next month and a half, strengthen the defenses of Qingyun City as much as possible. Repair the city walls, set up formations, and increase patrols. Even if the Lu family doesn't attack, it's always good to be prepared."

"Secondly, recruit experts," Zheng Yi continued. "Your biggest weakness right now is the lack of reliable experts by your side. If you could recruit a few Mahayana Realm experts to help you, your situation would improve significantly."

“Recruiting experts?” Wang Tianhai said with a wry smile, “Easier said than done. How easy is it to recruit experts at the Great Ascension Realm? They either already have allies, or they are too arrogant to even look down on a border city lord like me.”

“We can give it a try,” Zheng Yi said. “The Tianyuan Domain is so vast; there must be some idle experts willing to work for money. You can spread the word, offering high salaries to recruit guards; perhaps someone will apply.”

Wang Tianhai thought for a moment, then nodded. "I can give it a try."

“Third, contact other forces,” Zheng Yi said. “During the negotiations just now, I hinted to Lu Tianming that other powerful families were also interested in Qingyun City. While this was a bluff, it wasn't entirely impossible.”

"You can send someone to contact other powerful families and sound them out. Perhaps some families are willing to cooperate with you against the Lu family. Even if not, you can use the conflicts between these families to put pressure on the Lu family."

“Also,” Zheng Yi added, “we need to contact the Town Administration Bureau as soon as possible. As an official institution, the Town Administration Bureau probably doesn’t want to see the nine great families become too powerful. If you can get the Town Administration Bureau’s support, the Lu family will have some reservations.”

Wang Tianhai listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

“Sir, you are absolutely right,” he said. “I will do as you say as soon as I return.”

He paused, then said, "Sir, I have another request."

"What's up?"

“The liaison sent by the Lu family is definitely not someone to be trifled with,” Wang Tianhai said. “I’m worried I won’t be able to handle him. I wonder if you could stay in Qingyun City for a while and offer me some advice?”

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment.

Staying in Qingyun City to help Wang Tianhai deal with the Lu family is no small matter. He originally didn't want to get involved in the affairs of the nine great families, but now that he's embroiled in it, extricating himself won't be easy.

Moreover, he and Wang Tianhai were partners. Helping Wang Tianhai was also helping himself. If the Lu family controlled Qingyun City, it would also affect his future plans.

“Alright,” he nodded. “I can stay for a while to help you deal with the Lu family. But not too long; I have other things to do.”

"Thank you, sir." Wang Tianhai was overjoyed. "With you here, I can rest assured." He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside.

Outside the window was the city lord's mansion's back garden, with lush flowers and trees, rockeries and ponds arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern. The afternoon sun shone into the garden, making everything seem so peaceful and serene.

But Wang Tianhai knew that this tranquility was only temporary. In a month and a half, the Lu family would officially take over Qingyun City. At that time, everything would change.

“Sir,” he turned to look at Zheng Yi, “do you think I can protect Qingyun City?”

Zheng Yi looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

“Master Wang, I won’t lie to you,” he said. “The situation is very unfavorable for you. The Lu family is one of the nine great families, with immense power, which you, a mere border city lord, cannot contend with.”

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope,” he continued. “If we are well-prepared and utilize all available resources, we might be able to find a way out.”

"Most importantly, don't give up." Zheng Yi looked into Wang Tianhai's eyes. "As long as you don't give up, there's still hope."

After listening, a resolute glint flashed in Wang Tianhai's eyes.

“Sir, you are right,” he said. “I will not give up. I have toiled for twenty years to finally reclaim my position as city lord. I will not let anyone take it from me.”

“That’s right.” Zheng Yi nodded.

The two discussed some more details, and then Zheng Yi said goodbye and left.

He didn't return to Tianyuan City immediately, but instead wandered around Qingyun City to learn about the situation there.

Although Qingyun City is just a small border town, it is not small in scale. It has tens of thousands of inhabitants, mostly ordinary people, along with some merchants and cultivators. The city streets are wide and clean, lined with shops, bustling with activity.

As Zheng Yi walked and observed, he discovered that the people of the city had a very high opinion of Wang Tianhai. They all said that Wang Tianhai was a good city lord, much better than Li Tiancheng before him.

"It seems Wang Tianhai still enjoys some prestige among the people," Zheng Yi thought to himself. "This is an advantage."

He continued wandering around the city and unknowingly arrived near the city wall.

The city walls of Qingyun City are about five zhang high, built of bluestone, and look very sturdy. There is an arrow tower at intervals along the city walls, where the city guards are stationed.

However, Zheng Yi discovered that the defensive structures on the city walls were very rudimentary, lacking any advanced formations or restrictions. He feared they would be difficult to withstand a large-scale attack.

"Defense is indeed a major problem," he thought to himself. "It must be strengthened as soon as possible."

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.

He turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a blue robe walking towards him. That man was Chen Feng, Wang Tianhai's confidant.

“Mr. Dark Night,” Chen Feng bowed respectfully, “Lord Wang sent me to find you.”

"What is it?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Lu Tianming just sent a letter," Chen Feng said. "It says the liaison from the Lu family has been arranged and will arrive in Qingyun City tomorrow. City Lord Wang would like to invite you back, sir, to discuss a possible response."

"So fast?" Zheng Yi frowned.

The negotiations had just ended, and the Lu family already sent a liaison? Isn't that a bit too hasty?
"The Lu family is indeed no pushover," he thought to himself.

“Okay, I’ll go back now,” he said.

He followed Chen Feng back to the city lord's mansion and arrived at Wang Tianhai's study.

Wang Tianhai was sitting behind his desk, looking at a letter with a furrowed brow.

"Sir, take a look at this." He handed the letter to Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi took the letter and read it once.

The letter was written by Lu Tianming. It was brief, stating that the liaison sent by the Lu family was named Lu Yunfei, a member of the Lu family with a cultivation level at the late stage of the Integration Realm. He would arrive in Qingyun City tomorrow, and asked City Lord Wang to make preparations for his reception.

"Lu Yunfei," Zheng Yi read the name aloud. "Master Wang, have you heard of this person?"

“I’ve heard of him.” Wang Tianhai nodded. “Lu Yunfei is Lu Tianming’s nephew, a direct descendant of the Lu family. It’s said he’s shrewd and meticulous, and highly valued by Lu Tianming.”

"Lu Tianming's nephew?" Zheng Yi frowned. "It seems the Lu family values ​​Qingyun City highly, having sent a direct descendant as a liaison."

“Yes,” Wang Tianhai sighed. “I originally thought they would send an ordinary subordinate, but it turned out to be a direct descendant of the Lu family. This person is definitely not easy to deal with.”

"We have to deal with him, even if he's difficult," Zheng Yi said. "Since he's coming, we should be prepared to welcome him."

"What suggestions do you have, sir?" Wang Tianhai asked.

Zheng Yi thought for a moment, "First, we need to make sure our reception is up to standard. Even though we don't like him, we still need to put on a show. If he feels respected, he's less likely to find fault."

"Secondly, we must keep a close eye on his movements. He's the Lu family's informant, and he'll definitely be gathering information everywhere. We need to be wary of him and not let him know too much."

"Finally, maintain a certain distance from him. Don't be too cold, nor too close. Being too cold will make him feel hostile, while being too close will give him an opportunity to take advantage. Maintaining an appropriate distance is the best strategy."

Wang Tianhai listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

“The sir is right,” he said. “I will remember this.”

"Oh, right," Zheng Yi remembered something, "Where is Lu Yunfei staying? What are your plans for arranging things for him?"

“I intend to have him stay in the guest quarters of the City Lord’s mansion,” Wang Tianhai said. “This way, it will be easier to take care of him and also easier to keep an eye on him.”

“That’s not appropriate,” Zheng Yi shook his head. “If he lives in the city lord’s mansion, he’ll have more opportunities to gather information. It would be better to let him live outside, in a nicer house. That way, we can show respect while maintaining a distance.”

Wang Tianhai thought about it and felt it made sense.

“Very well, we will do as you say, sir,” he said. “I will send someone to prepare immediately.”

As expected, Lu Yunfei arrived early the next morning.

He entered Qingyun City with a dozen or so followers, riding a tall horse.

Lu Yunfei was about thirty years old, handsome, and had a refined demeanor, clearly a young master from a prestigious family. He wore a magnificent brocade robe and a jade pendant at his waist, looking very imposing.

Wang Tianhai personally greeted him at the city gate and treated him with great courtesy.

"Young Master Lu, I've long admired your name." Wang Tianhai bowed respectfully. "Please come into the City Lord's Mansion for tea."

"Lord Wang, you're too kind," Lu Yunfei returned the greeting with a smile. "I'm new here, and I hope Lord Wang will take good care of me in the future."

His attitude was very amiable, and his words were very tactful, leaving no room for criticism. (End of Chapter)