"If it can be done, four families are far better than eight. Two would be even better than four—it saves a lot of trouble. I asked you here to help me. You just need to trust me."

"This subordinate understands."

Li Tonghua cupped his hands. "I will keep an eye on things for you and ensure there is no chaos in the County Town. But what about the grain supply for the common people? We didn’t bring that much food. Even counting what the various families have, if we’re to keep the County Town running normally, the grain supply will only last about four months."

Li Mingxin shook his head slightly. "That is no longer our concern. It’s something for those eight families to worry about. Understand?"

Li Tonghua froze for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "My thinking hasn’t adjusted yet. Forgive me, my lord."

"It’s fine. We’re not strangers." Li Mingxin rose and walked toward the door. "From now on, there’s nothing that requires my decision, so do not disturb me. You can handle everything else as you see fit."

His Cultivation progress was already being held back. The entire reason he’d come here and delegated all authority and affairs was to free himself up to focus on his Cultivation, striving to reach the Fifth Grade before he turned thirty.

’And just like that, the problems of the County Town’s food rations and economic stability are now on the families’ shoulders. He wasn’t the paternalistic governor of Da Liang County Town. Why should he bother with all that?’

’Now, he didn’t need to waste his energy on such trivialities. Otherwise, how would he find the time for his Cultivation?’

"Yes," Li Tonghua replied.

「At the entrance of the Li Courtyard.」

"Are you sure you won’t hand them over?"

Lu Yan demanded, staring at Cheng Zongyang.

At that moment, Cheng Zongyang saw the men from the other families glaring at him with ill intent. He let out a derisive laugh.

"You wouldn’t believe me even if I swore on my life. Anyone who dares cause trouble in Tiantuan Village won’t leave alive, let alone those men of yours! And another thing..."

At this, Cheng Zongyang’s gaze turned cold and menacing.

"West City’s territory is right there. Come and get it if you have the guts. But be prepared to be annihilated! The Cheng Family is more than willing to increase its tribute!"

With that, Cheng Zongyang and Li Lu climbed into their carriage, ignoring the murderous glares from the other families.

"Arrogant brat!"

Lu Yan snorted. ’Once we’ve all secured our own territories, we’ll deal with him properly.’

’This new management model of Li Mingxin’s has completely disrupted our plans.’

’Autonomy for each territory!’

’If we’d known it would be like this, we never would have let the others establish themselves so easily. Now it’s just turned into direct competition.’

"Everyone," Lu Yan said, "here’s my proposal: each family will first secure its own territory. After that, the six of us will join forces to eliminate this kid and his pathetic little gang. We can divide West City’s territory amongst ourselves after that. What do you say?"

He Shujun chuckled and nodded. "I agree."

’He couldn’t wait for the Lu Family to move out, anyway.’

The others, however, remained silent. They each had their own schemes regarding this matter and needed to consider it carefully.

「On the main street, inside the carriage.」

Li Lu’s brow was tightly furrowed as he looked at Cheng Zongyang. "Brother Cheng, in this situation, I’m afraid West City has become a target for everyone. I suspect those six families will join forces against us." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Cheng Zongyang nodded, not refuting Li Lu’s point. But he spoke with an unconcerned air.

"It’s nothing to worry about. Li Mingxin’s method of granting territorial autonomy allows the families to gain more, but it also gives them more to lose. It will be simple to drive a wedge between them."

’An alliance is a good idea in theory, but it’s also unreliable.’

’No family wants to suffer heavy casualties in a fight, only to be devoured by the other families afterward.’

’Therefore, it would only take a few words to turn them against each other.’

At this, Cheng Zongyang added, "They won’t make any rash moves in the short term. Since they have autonomy over their territories, they have a lot more work to do. They won’t do anything reckless until they’ve stabilized their own domains."

Only then did Li Lu’s expression relax. He then took out a piece of paper and looked at Cheng Zongyang.

"Is the tribute you have to pay the same as the gangs?"