Chapter 224

「Qi, Fuxi, regarding the matter of the dragon clan, how do you view it? If we just let it go like this, I fear it will cause dissatisfaction among all clans. 」

Di Jun had just sent away the two primordial divinities of the snake clan, and hurried over to discuss; since Yinglong widely spread the method of evolution, in this period the Hall of Lingxiao has almost had its doors worn out by people from all clans.

They either serve in the Heavenly Court or are major clans of the wilderness with considerable influence; meeting Di Jun is not difficult for them.

Moreover, they are all under the Heavenly Court's rule, and in the past they have fully cooperated with Di Jun's arrangements, giving him no reason to refuse.

Qi and Fuxi are equally helpless; they also don't know how to handle it now, but Yinglong's action is undoubtedly beneficial to the wilderness, since compared to the dragon clan, most clans have no advantage.

After transforming into the dragon clan, it can indeed strengthen the wilderness's overall strength, but the disruption to the wilderness's current situation is also not small.

In the short term it's not yet apparent, but once time passes, the dragon clan will inevitably become an immovable colossus in the wilderness.

Moreover, the later dragon clan with mixed blood may not surpass the original species; from this perspective, this method indirectly weakens the dragon clan and the myriad clans of the wilderness, which is advantageous to the Heavenly Court.

After a slight hesitation, Qi spoke bluntly: "Now we also have no good solution; wanting to resolve the impact brought by Yinglong is still too difficult."

"In my opinion, to untie the bell one must find the person who tied it; the matter caused by Yinglong should be resolved by Yinglong himself."

"At the same time, first take the Dragon Gate under the Heavenly Court's ownership; those who have not yet transformed into true dragons shall be returned to the peaceful original clans, and if that's not possible, let them re-establish a clan."

"Otherwise, if left unchecked, the dragon clan may become top-heavy and will also harm those clans now submitting to the Heavenly Court."

Di Jun nodded in agreement; after Fuxi saw that Qi had stopped speaking, he then added:

"What Qi said is reasonable, but it's still too gentle; since Yinglong devised this method, it is for the dragon clan's benefit, yet expecting him to resolve it is still overly confident."

"In my view, Qi's words should not only be carried out immediately but also summon Yinglong to offer counsel; at the same time, we must also change this method, adding some drawbacks."

Seeing Fuxi's faint smile, Qi couldn't help but ask curiously: "What drawback could make people give up the dragon-transformation method? Know that the dragon clan's foundation far exceeds that of the vast majority of wilderness clans, being the foremost in scales and armor."

Fuxi didn't beat around the bush, but directly explained to the two of them:

"For example, not being able to have an empress would both solve the dragon clan's mixed bloodline issue and ensure the future dragon clan won't become top-heavy."

"The bloodlines of the wilderness clans themselves will not be affected; I suppose they would also agree, so the changes brought by dragon transformation will remain limited to the individual and the dragon clan."

Fuxi didn't say the following words, but everyone understands in their heart that the Heavenly Court can also, by seizing the Dragon Gate, easily recruit and subdue the elites of all clans who wish to undergo dragon transformation.

Upon hearing this, Di Jun was overjoyed and immediately ordered: "Come, issue an order to the dragon clan, letting Yinglong enter the Heavenly Court to offer counsel, and inform Donghuang to prepare to lead the heavenly troops of the Dipper Department to the shores of the Eastern Sea to seize the Dragon Gate; as for when to set out, further notice will be given."

"Notify all clans that this matter already has a solution, so don't bother me again."

Outside the palace gate, a voice came through, and all that was heard was the reply: "Received the order."

The Dragon Gate is not an ordinary object but a precious treasure of scales and armor; Di Jun worries that Yinglong may not be willing to simply hand it over so easily, and notifying Taiyi is merely a precaution.

Seeing that there is hope for resolving this matter, Di Jun's heart relaxed considerably, and he then turned to Fuxi and asked:

"The time for the lecture on the Dao is approaching; the trigrams you spoke of have already emerged. Fuxi, when do you intend to embark on the path of the Grand Primordial Dao?"

Qi also turned his gaze, wanting to know Fuxi's plan; after all, Fuxi has now embarked on the path he himself created, so whether he will go to listen to the lecture remains uncertain.

Fuxi smiled and said:

"Given our current cultivation level, in my view it will take only three to five aeons to achieve."

"However, the last time I went to Chaos to listen to the Dao, I gained a lot; now that the lecture on the Dao is imminent, even if I go again and gain nothing, what's the harm? It's just waiting an extra three aeons at most."

"Moreover, I think not only I, but Taiyi also intends to do the same."

Di Jun nodded and said: "I have also asked Taiyi, and his opinion is the same; breakthrough is not urgent, and while listening to the Dao in Chaos is not important for him, it can also provide plenty of inspiration."

Seeing that they have their own plans, Qi also does not interfere; the lecture on the Dao by Hongjun is a rare opportunity for all primordial divinities, and it's only three aeons, which the Heavenly Court can afford to wait.

Di Jun saw that the two had rare leisure, and then recounted the recent problems he had encountered, saying: "The three types of migration, to seek balance in the wilderness, have progressed slowly; aside from the scarcity of living beings in Bei Fang continent, there is no major obstacle; the rest only needs time to let it slowly recover."

"As for the Dong Fang continent, it is somewhat troubled; the east is too vast, and the past conflict among the three clans was fierce, with the two main battle lines both in the east, leaving behind too much residual poison."

"The number of scaled creatures far exceeds my imagination; the shortage of birds and beasts is hard to make up for, with no external force to resist; even if there is immigration, it's merely a drop in the bucket."

"The Nan Fang continent is likewise, except that too many have transformed into birds, and scaled creatures have vanished."

"Moreover, the hatred accumulated between them is too deep to dispel; the migration policy of the Xifang Dalu has also slipped into weakness; they dare not forcibly resist the Heavenly Court's orders, yet they hide everywhere, which only lets this matter fall into a predicament."

"What is the solution to this matter?"

Di Jun certainly has a way to handle this in mind, but since this matter has not yet been implemented, it's hard to gauge its extent, so he wanted to hear the opinions of Qi and Fuxi.

Qi pondered for a moment, but also had no good solution; he felt this matter is essentially a slow grind, and can only rely on time to wear it down.

Fuxi also didn't know how to handle it; after a moment's hesitation, he said: "Why not we increase the scale of each migration?"

Fuxi also doesn't know whether this method will work, but this is the only idea he can think of; the regulation of Dong Fang and Nan Fang is originally carried out simultaneously, but previously it was done in batches, and now seeing no effect, we might as well try expanding it.

Di Jun saw that neither had a good solution, so he could only propose his own idea; he felt this method, although somewhat fantastical, still has room for implementation.

As Di Jun explained leisurely, Qi and Fuxi were somewhat surprised by his whimsical idea; he actually wanted to regulate the wilderness climate by controlling heavenly timing. Through climate change, he would make those beings migrate voluntarily; Qi also thought this could be done, but the risk is too great, so he raised his own question:

"The wilderness is too vast; with our current strength, crossing the continent would still take considerable time, and how are those ordinary beings supposed to migrate voluntarily?"

Fuxi also feels the same; we can't possibly use the plague department to cause a plague just to make them migrate. Moreover, controlling heavenly timing means the stars and constellations must cooperate tightly; otherwise a mistake would cause a great disaster affecting the entire wilderness, so we must be cautious.

Although we think this is a good idea, the lecture on the Dao is imminent, and the five of us are not in the Heavenly Court; if we let them coordinate the operation on their own, Qi would not be reassured.

Fuxi also spoke in opposition, feeling the risk is too high, the matter is of great importance, and should not be acted upon lightly; at least it is not something we can do now.

The Heavenly Court now holds overwhelming advantage; the best course is to seek progress through stability, rather than resorting to risky maneuvers during a time of great upheaval in heaven and earth.

Di Jun's idea naturally has his own calculations; if we act according to this method and succeed, then the Heavenly Court will surely have no trouble thereafter.

After all, if even such difficult matters can be resolved, then future difficulties will not become obstacles for the Heavenly Court.

But seeing that Qi and Fuxi do not support it, Di Jun can only gather his thoughts, continue to seek stability, and slowly adjust the three categories of balance.

"There is still another matter that needs our discussion: although the Heavenly Court has now entered the proper track and gathered most of the heavenly gods and earthly deities, it can only maintain the current situation and finds it hard to exert its own influence over the wilderness."

"To mobilize the wilderness, whether for tax collection or delivering orders, we can only rely on those major clans; in the short term this is fine, but for long-term maintenance it is ultimately unsuitable."

"Our authority cannot reach the grassroots of the wilderness, with those major clans in between, introducing too many variables."

"Take tax collection as an example: in just eighty aeons, the number of corrupt officials uncovered is shocking."

"No matter how strict we are, repeatedly issuing orders, it is ultimately hard to eradicate corruption; even control is difficult. Do you have any solution or viable method?"

Qi and Fuxi frowned, feeling this matter is extremely thorny; corruption persists despite efforts, and those major clans even intend to let it slide; although the Heavenly Court is strong, with its current manpower wanting to control it is somewhat beyond capability.

"Currently the Thunder Department has few duties and little entanglement with the wilderness clans; why not assign the corruption matter to the Thunder Department, dispatching several teams specifically to handle it? This should be able to regulate the atmosphere for a period of time."

Later, those people will grow accustomed to the Thunder Department's methods; then we can switch to another department to take charge, and after a few rotations we should be able to reduce a lot.

Qi opened his mouth to suggest, but this approach merely treats symptoms, not the root; it still works in the short term, but in the long run it will inevitably revert to the original state.

Fuxi then added after Qi:

It is also possible not to rely solely on one department; after subsequent rotations, we could have two departments jointly audit, or multiple departments jointly investigate.

This avoids letting them grow accustomed to the Heavenly Court's methods, and a joint effort by multiple departments can also eliminate internal risks as much as possible, preventing those people from bribing them.

Di Jun nodded; their words were both mature, able to accomplish this with the lowest risk and few complications.

After a slight hesitation, Qi added: 'Sometimes we could also apply thunderous methods, picking out the most serious cases to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.'

Saying this, a fierce look flashed in Qi's eyes, and he further said: 'Let each clan supervise itself; if problems arise, the losses to the Heavenly Court shall be made up by them, and not only that—not only must they compensate, but they also need to be heavily punished.'

If those corrupt acts were not intentionally allowed by them, how could they have escalated to this point? Now that the Heavenly Court's situation is set, we cannot let them continue like this!

Those heavily corrupt clans shall be directly relocated to impoverished lands; if anyone refuses, heavenly troops will arrive immediately!

Di Jun quite approved of this move; previously the embezzlement was not much, the Heavenly Court had not yet gotten on the right track, and could still tolerate it.

Now the Heavenly Court has already established a firm footing; carrying out this move again, how could we indulge and tolerate it?

Good, I will soon issue an edict on this matter, so as not to provoke too strong a reaction; past matters, I can refrain from pursuing, but future offenses will certainly not be forgiven!

Qi nodded; the matter of tax corruption is settled, and what follows is the dissemination of orders. After a brief thought, Qi added: 'The Heavenly Court should also no longer stand above the Nine Heavens; control over the Wilderness must be more detailed, and it would be best to bypass those great clans and directly manage the Wilderness.'

As for the previous relocation, those great clans certainly had other motives; although they did not defy orders, they also certainly did not put in their full effort.

In my view, it would be better to directly relocate a few great clans, to give a signal in the Wilderness, thus reassuring the small clans and also serving as a warning to them, displaying the Heavenly Court's authority.

At the same time, we should add positions, ideally one person per mountain; although they are not innately divine, managing a single mountain is sufficient.

We should try to select people with prestige in that area; their strength can be relaxed, since we do not expect them to go to the battlefield—we only need to convey orders, letting the Heavenly Court know the local situation, so as not to be deceived.

Di Jun also considered whether this was feasible; after all, the Wilderness is vast, and to achieve what Qi said, managing so many positions would probably be too difficult.

Fuxi's eyes lit up, and he said: 'This proposal suits my wishes; at that time, with layered establishment and tiered management, those who can enter the Heavenly Realm will necessarily be few, and management will not be difficult at all.'

The Wilderness has many mountain gods; we can fully reuse them, letting them manage a region, and the difficulty is not great—this is a low-authority, heavy-responsibility post, which is somewhat inappropriate.

Di Jun thought it over and easily came up with a solution, laughing: 'This is easy; just casually give them some titles, set the rank high, and according to the highest rank's title give them salaries, share the benefits and fortune—then they will certainly have no complaints, and outsiders will not look down on them because of low rank.'

Most mountain gods reside in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains; they fall under the jurisdiction of the Three Mountains and Five Peaks Department, previously overseen by Kunpeng—how is the progress now? It seems we still need to inquire a bit.

After thinking about it, Qi hesitated and asked: 'Such authority is almost greater than ours, all placed in Kunpeng's hands—what kind of person is he, and can he truly be trusted?'

Fuxi fell silent, feeling it somewhat tricky, but Di Jun was unconcerned, saying: 'This is also easy; mountain gods are not limited to serving in just one department—this is for managing mountain spirits and products, a mundane affair, so we can simply assign this to the Fire Department, overseen by Nüwa.'

Qi and Fuxi stared agape, unaware that such a solution existed; though reasonable, it stripped away their authority.

PS: I've been working overtime a lot lately, so the update is late, but I'll be free soon—hope everyone casts a vote to encourage me!! (End of chapter)