Jiangnan Dao's Six Gates have gradually declined in both strength and reputation over the years due to Jin Wulin's deliberate indulgence.The only one capable of carefully carrying out supervisory tasks is Zhao Yiming.
As for judgment,that's even more of a lost cause.The prestige of the Six Gates has plummeted in Jiangnan Dao,to the point where even a third-rate small sect doesn't bother acknowledging them.Figures like Lu Xu and Zhao Yiming can only endure silently.
Individuals like Lei Yuan,who have some influence,cozy up to martial sects in the jianghu,gaining a so-called'respect,'but in reality,they are still looked down upon.Su Xin threw the case files in his hands and said coldly,"Waste!People outside say we are hounds of the court,but even if we are hounds,you at least need to look like court hounds.
Instead of asserting authority in other martial sects,you let them bully you to this extent.If the court hounds have your demeanor,I reckon the entire Da Zhou Dynasty would rarely see it."Except for Lei Yuan and others,everyone's faces turned red.
Although they were angry at Su Xin calling them waste,they also felt extremely aggrieved,with a hint of resentment.The current state of the Six Gates in Jiangnan Dao is not entirely their fault;it's the result of Jin Wulin's deliberate indulgence.
In the past,when they clashed with other martial sects,there might have been powerful figures supporting them.But when it came to their turn,Jin Wulin only trivialized major issues,leading to the loss of the Six Gates'authority in Jiangnan Dao.
Even if they now know that Jin Wulin did it intentionally,it's useless.He has been misled by the White Lotus Cult,and now they have to shift all the blame onto Jin Wulin.Lei Yuan exchanged a glance with Wang Jingping and then spoke,"My lord,these are just minor issues.Currently,there's a major issue left behind by Jin Wulin."
Seeing Lei Yuan speak up,Su Xin glanced at him and asked,"What major issue?"Lei Yuan said in a deep voice,"Since several years ago,the Yearly Gang's Autumn Altar hasn't paid a single penny in taxes for all the transportation business in Jiangnan Dao!"
Lei Yuan turned his gaze to the surrounding constable heads,"Everyone knew about this at the time,and I reported it to Jin Wulin.But because Jin Wulin had completely fallen into the hands of the remnants of Wu Kingdom,he suppressed the matter and handed over all the transportation taxes in Jiangnan Dao to the Yearly Gang.He even recalled all the people from Six Gates who supervised transportation at the docks.
You need to understand that it's not just about taxes;it also concerns the safety of the court!Without our Six Gates'supervision,who knows what the Yearly Gang might mix into the transportation?If some prohibited items flow into Dong Jin or the Northern Jin Khanate,then we become criminals of the court!"
Lei Yuan,with a righteous demeanor,continued,"So,I ask Lord Su to take action and reclaim the transportation taxes and supervision rights of Six Gates from the Yearly Gang."As soon as he said this,all the constable heads present showed unusual expressions.Lei Yuan played a tough move this time;wasn't he afraid of provoking Su Xin directly?
Although some constable heads were unaware of the Yearly Gang's matter in Jiangnan Dao,they had heard some rumors.After all,before,there were people from Six Gates specifically supervising transportation,and even if they didn't know the details,they could guess.
The key is that this matter happened many years ago,and Lei Yuan is only bringing it up now,wanting Su Xin to go after the transportation taxes and supervision rights of Six Gates from the Yearly Gang.Isn't he blatantly forcing Su Xin to confront the Yearly Gang?
Even though the Yearly Gang has only one branch in Jiangnan Dao,the strength of that branch is comparable to a first-rate sect.The Altar Master of the Autumn Altar,'Nine Mountain God'Dong Buyi,is a rare figure who has entered the Earth List among the powerhouses in the Divine Transformation Realm.If Su Xin dares to act,isn't Lei Yuan afraid that Su Xin will turn hostile?
Little did Lei Yuan know that he was also very nervous at this moment.After all,Su Xin is known for his audacity.The last time Lei Yuan tried to assert dominance,he almost got killed by Su Xin.This time,Lei Yuan is prepared.If Su Xin dares to act,he will run immediately.Moreover,Chen Bai and Liu Hao have openly expressed their support.If Su Xin does something,Lei Yuan will directly report to Six Gates headquarters.
With so many witnesses,he's just'suggesting'that the chief constable should reclaim the rights belonging to Six Gates in Jiangnan Dao.What's wrong with that?Lei Yuan signaled to Wang Jingping and others,and they immediately stepped forward,saying,"Yes,Lord Su.The Yearly Gang's transportation taxes are partly handed over to the government,but a portion is also kept as our Six Gates'funds.
If we don't retrieve these transportation taxes,the lives of our Six Gates brothers will be very difficult.""Alright,have you all finished speaking?"Su Xin asked,lifting his gaze.
Lei Yuan was stunned;Su Xin's reaction was unexpectedly calm,surpassing his expectations.Su Xin said nonchalantly,"I've noted this.In the future,I will discuss this matter with the Yearly Gang.I've also reviewed the issues with other sects.The Six Gates in Jiangnan Dao has lost much of its influence.Frankly speaking,when the Six Gates speaks in Jiangnan Dao now,it's like farting–no one pays attention.So,this time,I plan to invite all the martial forces in Jiangnan Dao to come together and establish new rules.Only if everyone follows the rules,can our Jiangnan Dao be stable,right?Tomorrow,I will send out invitations.You deliver them to the major sects,explaining the purpose of this invitation.The Yearly Gang will naturally send out invitations,but there's no need to invite the Xiao family."
Su Xin's words left everyone present looking at him with extremely strange eyes.To what extent is this lord inflating himself to utter such words?Does he think he's not 15th on the People's List but 15th on the Earth List,daring to say such things?
Considering the current state of the Six Gates in Jiangnan Dao,not to mention sending invitations for others to come,even if you personally deliver the invitations,there's no guarantee they'll acknowledge you.However,Su Xin has at least shown some self-awareness by explicitly instructing not to invite the Xiao family.
Little did they know that Su Xin's reason for not inviting them was because Tie Zhan had already mentioned that Ge Donglai is constantly keeping an eye on the Xiao family.This time,the Xiao family's actions have become too blatant,drawing dissatisfaction from the court.The Xiao family is well aware of this,so they've recently been behaving more obediently.
Su Xin looked at the constable heads below and asked,"What's the matter?You're not daring to confront those martial sects,and now you're afraid to send invitations?"
Although Lei Yuan didn't know what Su Xin was up to,he understood that Su Xin's face would surely be lost this time.In the current situation,those martial forces wouldn't give face to Su Xin,and he was destined to lose face this time.So,Lei Yuan and others like Wang Jingping readily bowed and said,"We obey the lord's command."
On the other hand,Lu Xu and Zhao Yiming showed disappointment.They originally thought Su Xin was just a bit arrogant,but now it seems that Su Xin is not just arrogant but downright foolish.He doesn't consider his own strength and the current situation of the Six Gates.Does he have the power to set rules for others?
With their respective thoughts,the constable heads from various states left one by one.However,regardless of whether they were hostile to Su Xin or indifferent,they all followed Su Xin's instructions and sent out invitations.
The martial sects in other states in Jiangnan Dao were informed by the local constable heads,while the sects around Jiangnan Prefecture were personally notified by Huang Bingcheng.
Jiangnan Prefecture,as the central and most prosperous city in Jiangnan Dao,had more than seven or eight martial forces above the third rate.For example,the former Jiangnan Renyi Manor,located just outside Jiangnan Prefecture,is now abandoned following the exposure of Jiang Heliu's identity.
When the various sects in Jiangnan Prefecture received Huang Bingcheng's invitations and heard his words,disdain was evident on their faces.They clearly thought this newly arrived chief constable in Jiangnan Dao had gone mad.
Such contemptuous expressions were bearable,at least they didn't say it out loud.However,when Huang Bingcheng delivered an invitation to the second-rate force near Jiangnan Prefecture,the Xunfeng Sword Sect,he was insulted.
In other sects,upon hearing that he came on the orders of the chief constable of Jiangnan Dao,they would at least send a representative to receive him,despite their internal disdain.Although they despised him,they would still be polite on the surface.
But when Huang Bingcheng gave the letter to the Xunfeng Sword Sect,the one who came to receive him was the sect leader's son,Wu Qingyun.Upon hearing Huang Bingcheng's purpose,Wu Qingyun sneered,"What is Su Xin?Does he think being the chief constable of Jiangnan Dao gives him the right to pull rank and see himself as someone significant?Wanting all the forces in Jiangnan Dao to abide by his rules?Is Su Xin even qualified?It's a joke!Go back,this gathering is nonsense.We,Xunfeng Sword Sect,won't attend."
Huang Bingcheng's face turned red with anger.Pointing at Wu Qingyun,he sternly said,"My boss is younger than you,yet he ranks 15th on the People's List.If my boss is nothing,what are you?Moreover,what do you mean by your earlier words?My boss is the chief constable of Jiangnan Dao,representing the court!If Xunfeng Sword Sect doesn't respect my boss,it's like disrespecting the court.Are you trying to rebel?"
Wu Qingyun's face darkened,and he coldly said,"Throw him out!"
With two Xunfeng Sword Sect disciples making a move,Huang Bingcheng was immediately driven out of the Xunfeng Sword Sect,wailing in misery.
