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Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao now needed to conserve their energy and adjust the overall state of their faction, accumulating strength.
They had already plundered the territory of the Eastern Central Plains, encompassing seven major regions. The southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest all stretched for thousands of miles, belonging to prosperous provinces with fertile land and abundant talent, making it a land of spiritual elegance. The most important task now was governance.
As the saying goes, it is easy to conquer but difficult to govern. It is straightforward to engage in plunder with real weapons, but truly managing the territory is not easy. For instance, Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao were currently facing such difficulties.
The newly acquired Eastern Seven States required them to personally oversee all matters below the state level, which involved approvals and was quite challenging.
Fortunately, they had talents sent by Sun Zizhao to the Yushan Kingdom for training and learning to help them alleviate their troubles. These individuals were placed at various levels within the administration, allowing them to monitor the existing personnel in the area while also introducing new systems to replace the old ones. Overall, under the efforts of Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao, the Eastern Seven States had stabilized.
At this point, the entire Central Plains was divided into five parts. The Great Zhou Dynasty led the way, controlling the Central Nine Provinces and the somewhat ambiguous Southern Seven States. Next were the Qi Kingdom, Han Kingdom, and Prairie region—three major vassal states—followed by Sun Zizhao's group that controlled the Eastern Seven States. These five factions formed a tense stalemate where none could overpower the others.
Among them, the thoughts of the Prairie King were particularly difficult to grasp since he had not officially rebelled and still belonged to the court.
However, under such circumstances, with several changes occurring in the court, the Prairie King did not respond promptly. Various rumors circulating during peacetime led to him being labeled as a potential usurper. Although he had not rebelled yet, it seemed inevitable that he would do so eventually.
This matter did not require many people to know; those who were aware understood it well in their hearts but did not openly discuss it. No one could guarantee that the Prairie King would not rebel; his power was substantial with a strong military capable of contending for dominance in the Central Plains. Given this point alone, his true intentions were worth speculation.
Due to the current situation where five major powers contended for control over the Central Plains, everyone hoped their faction could grow stronger and attract more followers. Thus far, both the Prairie King and the Southern Seven States' Martial Arts Association had become highly sought after.
Everyone desired to incorporate the four states of the prairie and Southern Seven States into their territories, especially Han Kingdom and Qi Kingdom.
These two vassal states had long sent numerous envoys using gifts and bribes to seek an audience with both the Prairie King and Young Master Ming of the Martial Arts Association. Their goal was clear: they hoped these figures would voluntarily join their two factions.
The Southern Seven States bordered Western Seven States while the Prairie King's four northwestern states bordered Qi Kingdom; thus each side sought various means to achieve their goals.
Why did so many people want to meet Prairie King Murzaha and Young Master Ming of Martial Arts Association? The reason was simple: as the foremost king in the northwest, he could make significant decisions regarding major affairs. If they could sway him to join their camp, it would greatly enhance their strength and expand their territory—benefits that were self-evident.
As for Young Master Ming, his importance was equally straightforward. He was at the helm of Martial Arts Association; how significant was that?
Young Master Ming controlled Martial Arts Association, which had a symbiotic relationship with Ye Dajin, the wealthiest merchant in Southern Seven States. The reputation of this leading merchant was immense; his business spread throughout Central Plains like blood vessels with his influence permeating every corner. This was just one aspect; Martial Arts Association held similar significance.
In Southern Seven States, various branches of Martial Arts Association were widespread across states, provinces, counties, and even among common folk. The distribution of Martial Arts Association's influence in Southern Seven States was even more intricate and powerful than Ye Dajin's business network.
How significant is the influence of the Martial Arts Association? This is undoubtedly immense. It is said that some lower-level officials seeking approvals find it useless to reach out to their superiors; instead, they turn to the local Martial Arts Association leaders, who can help facilitate matters. In most cases, after offering a small gift, everything can be arranged. This phenomenon is commonplace in the Southern Seven States and is no longer surprising.
From this, one can clearly see the influence of the Martial Arts Association in the Southern Seven States. Even the wealthiest merchants actively seek to align themselves with it, regularly paying fees as a form of protection money. The influence of the Martial Arts Association in the Southern Seven States has long surpassed that of the official government and even the imperial court.
Of course, this does not mean that the imperial court is ineffective or weak; rather, it reflects an old saying: "The High Emperor is far away," indicating that the emperor's reach does not extend this far, which is quite telling.
These various reasons have led multiple factions to urgently seek to win over these two powers and incorporate them into their own territories.
Even the Great Zhou Court has recently issued a series of pacification orders, ostensibly bestowing some favors to ensure that they remain stable and continue under its control. However, no one knows how effective this will truly be.
At this moment, Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao are not anxious at all; instead, they are focused on organizing their internal affairs, ensuring everything is in order. They seem completely unconcerned about the possibility of the Northwest Four States or the Southern Seven States being absorbed by other feudal states or surrendering under the imperial court's pacification orders. Their lack of concern is evident.
Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao share a tacit understanding. Previously, Lu Chen was unaware of how Sun Zizhao managed to obtain the treasure map from Young Master Ming; this matter appears quite complicated on the surface, let alone its true underlying reasons, which likely no one fully understands. Lu Chen does not inquire about it from Sun Zizhao, nor does Sun Zizhao ask him; they occasionally exchange mysterious smiles as if everything is under control.
Lu Chen seems very confident in his grasp over the Northwest Five States. While Sun Zizhao feels a bit anxious about this confidence, Lu Chen remains unperturbed. Neither of them questions the other; they simply share an understanding through occasional glances, each knowing what the other thinks. They are just waiting to see how things unfold.
Other feudal states and even the imperial court are exceptionally busy trying to win over the Northwest Four States and the Southern Seven States. In contrast, Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao are entirely unconcerned about these developments, leaving Yue Shaoting and others puzzled about what these two lords are up to.
The two major feudal states have exhausted all means to win over the Northwest Four States and the Southern Seven States, even proposing marriages.
They send princes or noblemen from their states to propose marriage on the grasslands.
Young Master Ming also has several opportunities to marry into royal families but seems indifferent and does not accept any offers.
The five major powers and four kings have been dividing nearly a hundred large states across Central Plains for over two years—almost three years now—and during this time, there have been no significant conflicts among them.
The imperial court has been unable to recover control over feudal states or the Eastern Seven States. Meanwhile, other major powers have completely ceased their encroachments on imperial territory and have settled down to focus on development and stabilizing their internal affairs.
In the Eastern Seven States, Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao have spent these past few years governing it as if it were a solid iron board. The region is very stable; people live and work in peace, praising Sun Zizhao's benevolent governance widely among themselves.
Jizhou, the largest state in the Eastern Seven States, is located at the entrance from the west into the Eastern Seven States. Boyang Province is situated in the center of Jizhou, where Lu Chen and Sun Zizhao have relocated their administration.
Sun Zizhao originally handled affairs at Fishing Sun, but due to its proximity to the coast, while the scenery was beautiful, its geographical location was too remote to serve as an administrative center. Later, upon Lu Chen's suggestion, they moved to Qinghe City.
Subsequently, Lu Chen advocated for territorial expansion and successfully captured the entire Eastern Seven States. Afterward, Lu Chen again suggested relocating the administrative center to Boyang Province, which led to the current situation.
Lu Chen, Sun Zizhao, and their core generals and important personnel are primarily gathered here.
The reason Boyang Province became Lu Chen's first choice is simple: it is where two rivers converge and has a deeply hidden Dragon Vein that ordinary people might not see, but Lu Chen can perceive it through his insights.
By moving the administrative center here, they could gain the protection of the Dragon Vein, ensuring prosperity for future generations and securing their territory for a hundred years. This was crucial, so Sun Zizhao had no choice but to adopt Lu Chen's suggestion.
After several years of development, the Eastern Seven States has indeed experienced stable and prosperous growth. With Lu Chen and his capable subordinates—those with unique experiences and perspectives who can help develop the economy and improve the living standards of farmers—this is not merely about martial practitioners who only know how to fight; these are two different matters.
Additionally, another reason for choosing Boyang Province City as the administrative center is its formidable defenses. The level of fortification is such that even Lu Chen did not expect it; Thunder Run could not penetrate it, which is quite astonishing.
Boyang Province City is relatively small, perhaps only half the size of the capital city of the Great Zhou, possibly even less than half. However, it is incredibly sturdy, making it a distinctive feature.
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