Moreover, Meng Zhao was not keeping all the spoils for himself. He was giving thirty percent of the profits to Beitang He, the benefit of everyone wallowing in the mire together.
Keeping all the spoils for himself might feel satisfying, but it could also easily offend others.
Divide the profits, let everyone gain something—that was the way to make things last.
Beitang He was unlike his father, Beitang Ang. He was far from content with staying put. That much could be seen from his collusion with people of the Demonic Path, as well as his covert cooperation with Meng Zhao to seize command of ten thousand Yangwu Army troops.
For a person like this, benefits were the best means of binding him. Thus, Meng Zhao used thirty percent of the proceeds in exchange for his support.
Wiping out eleven factions was no small matter. Meng Zhao did not dare risk the condemnation of the world by forcing the matter through with a hard-line stance.
He needed people of weight by his side to wave the banners and cry out for him.
To take down so many forces within Lingwu City at once, his own strength was one aspect; he also needed outside coordination and assistance. Beitang He could undoubtedly provide that.
Beitang He was also taken aback. He did not want Meng Zhao's strength to expand too quickly and grow too powerful, but that did not mean he did not want the power in his own hands to increase. Those were two different matters.
Besides, with Meng Zhao's temperament and the forces at his command, even without his help and response, he might not have been unable to overpower those families. He would merely be adding flowers to brocade. To obtain such substantial gains was still a profitable deal.
With