Meng Zhao understood these two pieces of information to mean that Yanzhou's upper-tier powers were relatively united, exclusionary toward outsiders, and highly autonomous.
Especially under the leadership of someone influential, those traits would be brought to their fullest extent.
If he could obtain Tan Changming's support, winning the backing of most of the upper-tier powers might not be difficult at all.
This further strengthened Meng Zhao's desire to form a marriage alliance with Tan Changming's family. To achieve a hegemonic ambition, he had to unite every force he could draw in. Though relying on one's wife was not a flattering way to put it and easily drew contempt, when the real benefits landed in one's mouth, they were truly sweet.
As for Wu Dazhi, Meng Zhao did not have many thoughts about the man. If he truly managed to enter the Divine Saber Hall in the future and receive its cultivation, perhaps he would have some prospects.
In the end, the group was arranged to rest at a manor in Kaiming City's western district. It was also Lu Hou'er's personal property. Though it did not cover an especially vast area, its interior arrangements were elegant and refined.
The manor followed an overall square layout. Its front gate faced the river, and it had three successive courtyards—front, middle, and rear. Each courtyard further had two smaller adjoining gardens and a flower garden as embellishments, so quite a number of people lived within.
Aside from Pai Gang's elite disciples, most were pretty-faced, obedient, and cautious maidservants, as well as broad-shouldered, stout-waisted, capable matrons.
Meng Zhao and Monk Cheng Kong were assigned to live in the eastern adjoining garden of the middle courtyard, while Monk Huikong and the other two rested in the western adjoining garden.
According to the original plan, they were