"Luoxia Prefecture should be the most stable among the four prefectures of Lingyang Prefecture, right?"
Qian Nishang leaned back in her chair, gazing at her fair, jade-like fingers.
Compared to the other three prefectures of Lingyang Prefecture, Luoxia Prefecture was undoubtedly in the best situation.
Although the Wangsheng Tower and rebels existed, their scale was not significant and was still within the range that various forces could contend with.
Even if one wanted to eradicate them, at least on the surface, it would not require much effort.
However, for various reasons, including the Prefectural Governor's Office of the imperial court, all forces were merely in a standoff with them.
In fact, it was not just Luoxia Prefecture; most places within the Great Yu Dynasty maintained a similar situation.
Before the appearance of the new emperor, no faction would act rashly, fearing that a single wrong step would lead to eternal damnation.
"Although the situation is relatively stable, the trade routes of Mingxin Pavilion have been continuously cut off."
Qian Nishang sighed, her slender fingers massaging her temples.
Over the years, at least one-third of Mingxin Pavilion's trade routes had been severed, and there was no sign of this trend stopping.
Even some forces that had cooperated for decades or even centuries had defected to Haohan Tower.
Currently, the overall profit of Mingxin Pavilion had decreased by about twenty to thirty percent.
If this situation were to continue, they might as well cease operations and sell off their assets for a quick resolution.
"To the point where Mingxin Pavilion is in such a predicament?"
Ji Yuan frowned, appearing somewhat incredulous.
While as a merchant association, their main focus was on business operations,
their strength was by no means inferior to any force within the prefecture, and they were even far stronger than some sects.
To speak of nothing else, the number of cultivators in the Three Realms alone, combined by the Qian and Zhuang families, exceeded ten.
Coupled with the extensive network of connections they had cultivated over the years, even the top-ranked forces within a prefecture would not dare to claim they could easily defeat them.
"Important trade routes are naturally escorted by cultivators in the Three Realms."
Qian Nishang shook her head. "However, ordinary trade routes are frequently intercepted."
The individual value of these goods was not high; they were all ordinary spiritual materials.
In fact, many were consumables primarily supplied to cultivators in the First Realm.
But the sheer quantity was enormous. In just a few years, Mingxin Pavilion had lost over a million taels of silver on these routes.
The loss of silver was secondary; the impact of the inability to supply normally was what truly troubled Mingxin Pavilion.
"No matter how many people we have, we cannot dispatch them all."
She shook her head, a cloud of gloom seemingly settling upon her brow.
If fewer escorts were assigned to trade routes, there would be a risk of goods being stolen.
And if too many escorts were assigned, not to mention the costs involved, it would also disrupt Mingxin Pavilion's operations.
The simplest point was that if more escorts were assigned to one trade route, there would naturally be fewer for others, resulting in a net loss.
"In that case, I might have a way to help a little."
Ji Yuan's eyes suddenly gleamed, and a smile appeared on his face.
Upon hearing this, Qian Nishang's spirits immediately lifted, and she looked at him with eager eyes.
Seeing this, he did not hesitate and immediately shared his thoughts.
In fact, Ji Yuan's method was very simple: to build Tianyi Water God Temples along all mountain roads.
As long as the basic incense offerings and wishes were maintained, if any trade route encountered problems,
his divine avatar could descend a wisp of divine consciousness through the statue.
Although it could not exert its full strength, this divine power clone would be sufficient to overwhelm ordinary cultivators in the Second Realm.
While its power might be insufficient, it could suppress ordinary Spirit Sensing Realm cultivators when facing the Dao rhyme of the Third Realm.
However, there was a very difficult aspect to this.
The Great Yu Dynasty strictly controlled mountain and water deities, prohibiting the birth of any wild gods.
The imperial court feared that too many wild gods would dilute the dynasty's overall fortune.
"Over the years, our relationship with the Prefectural Governor's Office has been quite good."
Qian Nishang pondered for a moment and then spoke to herself.
Under normal circumstances, she would have dismissed this proposal without a second thought.
But now, with the entire Great Yu Dynasty in turmoil, this was precisely their opportunity.
Ji Yuan had also seen this, which was why he had made such a suggestion.
He wanted to leverage the current situation to develop the Water God Temples as quickly as possible and gather a large amount of incense and wish power.
After that, even if the new emperor ascended the throne and the situation completely stabilized,
what had been obtained would not be easily taken away.
Even if what he possessed was sufficiently important at that time, he would not be unwilling to accept an imperial edict of enfeoffment.
Although becoming an officially recognized deity under the imperial court would impose many restrictions,
as long as one's strength was sufficient, one could still contend for a certain degree of influence.
"This matter still requires careful consideration."
Qian Nishang spoke softly, having already made up her mind.
However, to fully implement it, considerable planning was still needed.
She paused and then asked, "What do you want?"
Although this matter would also bring immense benefits to Ji Yuan,
the sheer amount of incense and wish power alone was difficult to compare with wealth and riches.
However, compared to his contributions, it was still somewhat lacking.
"That depends on what you can give me,"
Ji Yuan said with a half-smile.
He did not state specific demands, wanting to see what the Qian and Zhuang families would ultimately decide.
While trusting Qian Nishang was not wrong, she could not represent the entire Qian family, at least in certain aspects.
The attitude of the two families would determine the future cooperative relationship between them.
"I will give you a satisfactory answer in three days."
Qian Nishang left with these words and then rose to leave.
Although she was a woman, she never hesitated in her actions, even possessing a somewhat decisive demeanor.
After she left, Xue Yang and the others exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat unnatural.
They had not expected that such an important matter would be discussed so openly between Ji Yuan and Qian Nishang in front of them.
Conversely, Zhao Yuansong remained as calm as ever, it was unclear if he was accustomed to it or had long seen through the intention behind this act.
"Elder Ji, rest assured, we will never leak this matter."
After a long hesitation, Xue Yang spoke to guarantee.
In fact, even if they wanted to spread the word, in Luoxia Prefecture, where they were unfamiliar with the terrain, they would not find many channels.
Ji Yuan had never worried about such issues. Upon hearing their assurance, he merely smiled and did not respond.
That day, the group stayed at the Qian family residence. Xue Yang and the others took a good bath and changed out of their Jiuxuan Sect attire.
Given the current situation and their condition, being low-key was highly beneficial.