Chapter 858: Separation of Powers
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Ashbi nodded, thinking that Li Yunmu’s words were correct. If the slum dwellers and the descendants of the four great clans stayed together, it would definitely lead to conflicts. That would make joint administration of the city rather troublesome. And the problem of whether the people of the four clans should be punished or not would also appear.
If they were punished, then the four great clans who are his subordinates would be disappointed in him. If they were not punished, then Chen Xiu would not accept that. The current social structure had been prevalent in Asura City for a very long time, so it was impossible for it to change overnight.
That was why the best method was for the two of them to divide their territories. After that, no one’s subordinates would be allowed to cross into the other territory.
The patriarchs of the four great clans snorted but did not say anything. The entire upper city was occupied by the four great clans, so their residences were naturally extremely large. Even if they took in all the branch family descendants of the middle city, it would still be a trivial matter. Not to mention that they only had to bother about half the population.
Just then, they had retorted against Li Yunmu only to annoy him.
Li Yunmu saw that no one was opposing him and continued speaking. “This matter can be considered as settled then. Now, all the residents of lower city are under my management, so they naturally cannot be called slum dwellers. I am the sixth ancestor of Asura City so I have the qualifications to create a clan. The slum dwellers of lower city will be combined into a clan, and its name will be Ground Clan.”
When the four patriarchs heard the name of the clan, smiles appeared on their faces. Could that even be considered a name? Ground Clan sounded very uncouth.
The four looked down on Li Yunmu in their mind. Did he really think that just because he had the qualifications to create a clan, he could do so casually?
A clan’s most basic foundation was bloodline inheritance. How could anyone enter a clan without any bloodline ability? The reason why the residents of lower city were abandoned was because their bloodlines were muddled, making them unable to display any bloodline ability.
In short, Li Yunmu was being shortsighted.
Everyone kept silent, so the matter could be considered as over. Ashbi turned to look at the young Li Yunmu and said with a faint smile, “I understand the matter about division of territory and creating a clan. In a minute, I will inform all the people of Asura City about it. Do you have anything else you want to discuss before that?”
The four patriarchs looked at the calm Li Yunmu, hoping in their hearts that he would leave quickly. Previously, the four of them were the most respectable people of Asura City, but now they had to show respect to a branch family descendant. They could not act out of line, so as not to give him any leverage.
But Li Yunmu did not leave, and the four of them could not say anything, just continue to wait.
“There is still the division of power of belief and resources. Elder brother, can you tell me about how the division was done when you and the four great clans were in power?”
When Li Yunmu spoke again, he approached the problem of why he had not seen any shops in Asura City. It was certain though that all the resources of Asura City were gathered in the hands of the four great clans and the city lord.
Ashbi placed down his cup and said in a bored voice, “Previously, the resources like herb gardens, mines, as well as mortal territories were equally divided among the four great clans. Usually, the power of belief was collected by the four great clans which I then handed over to G.o.d father. G.o.d father usually would return 10% of the total power of belief to be divided among the city lord’s mansion and the four great clans.”
After hearing that, Li Yunmu took a sip of tea and looked at the slight change in the complexions of the four patriarchs sitting underneath/
“So the clan patriarchs have come to hand over the resources this time?” he asked with a sneer.
“We haven’t. Lord sixth ancestor, the resources of Asura City have always been managed by the four great clans, and there have been no mistakes. Therefore, the four of us came this time to request for the city lord to allow us to continue being the ones to manage the resources,” Deva Clan’s matriarch said while smiling with a hint of respect.
Li Yunmu nodded, indicating that he understood. Doro Clan’s patriarch then supplemented, “Sixth ancestor, we four wanted to pay a visit to you as well. After visiting the city lord, we would have gone to you, but you came here and just happened to talk about the matter of resources.”
“I understand, you want to continue managing the resources of Asura City, so I naturally agree.”
“Really?”
The eyes of Doro Clan’s patriarch began to s.h.i.+ne, and he smiled, but the other patriarchs revealed a hint of suspicion on their faces.
Li Yunmu nodded, then said, “Naturally. After all, you are my elder brother’s subordinates, so why would I have any problems with you a.s.sisting him in managing the resources? But you don’t need to trouble yourselves over my portion of resources. I will send my people to take care of them.”
The eyes of Doro Clan’s patriarch dimmed, and he clenched his hands then relaxed as a wave of fury rose in his heart.
Jiao Xiu looked at Li Yunmu with confusion in his eyes. The branch family descendant before him had come from Morrow Clan, but how did a person with such a fierce mouth had never entered his eyes?
“Sixth ancestor, you want to dispatch people to manage the resources? Are you planning to send the descendants of Ground…. Clan? If my memory doesn’t serve me wrong, the descendants of the Ground Clan should only be a group of powerless people,” Deva Clan’s matriarch probed.
“We are on the eve of the great war right now, so if sixth ancestor dispatches the descendants of Ground Clan to manage the resource production and a subordinate of other ancient G.o.ds manages to occupy them, the responsibility will be heavy.”
Li Yunmu shot a glance towards the matriarch and said in a cold voice, “You don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. Manage your own affairs.
“Then the matter of resources is also decided. You four patriarchs, remember to divide every resource into half after you return. As for power of belief, every year we get 10%, so each of us will get 5%.
“Now that everything is settled, I will take my leave and not bother you all anymore.”
Li Yunmu said everything he wanted to say in one breath, placed down his tea cup, and walked out of the hall.
After his figure disappeared, the expressions of the four clan patriarchs turned gloomy. One does not visit a temple without a reason. The first thing Chen Xiu did after G.o.d father’s decree appointing him as a ruler was to separate their powers.
Thus, their power and influence would be divided into half, the amount of resources they obtained previously would also be divided in half, and the power of belief would also decrease from 10% to 5%. Previously, each clan received 2%, now that would be slashed to 1%.
“d.a.m.n it, this b.a.s.t.a.r.d goes so far as soon as he is appointed to the top post. How hateful. If G.o.d father wasn’t a.s.sisting him, I would’ve crushed him with one slap.”
Rahu clan’s patriarch slapped the table in front of him with a gloomy expression, and the small table immediately shattered.
Ashbi was no longer full of smiles like before either. His face grew dark. He looked at Rahu clan’s patriarch and slowly said, “If you want to blame someone, then blame your ancestor who rebelled and was executed, and by that lost you your authority. You should wake up to the fact that you aren’t in control of Asura City anymore.
“Everything will happen according to my younger brother’s plan. Divide the amount of resources properly. As for the remaining resources, I will leave them to your clans to take care. But I warn you, this matter is important, so don’t spoil it. It won’t be tolerated.”
“Yes!”
The four patriarchs took control of their expressions and retired from the hall.
After coming out of the city lord’s mansion, the four of them looked at each other and saw the anger in each other’s eyes.
Jiao Xiu suddenly smiled and said, “This b.a.s.t.a.r.d wants to divide resources, then let’s make it easy for him. Something like resources, if we say it’s good, then it’s good, and if we say it’s bad, then it’s bad.”