As for how to deal with the powerful, hard bones that were the Wu, Song, Ding, and Xun factions, Meng Zhao had long since drafted a plan in his mind.
The Ding Family and Xun Family were two of the top three families in the Aristocratic Family Alliance. Their power and status ran deep, making them difficult to handle.
Therefore, they were not Meng Zhao's first targets. At the very least, he would not move rashly without certainty of success.
The Wu Family and Song Family were different. Although these two great families were also upper-middle-tier powers within the Aristocratic Family Alliance, compared with the Ding and Xun clans, they fell far short. Whether in individual strength or influence, they were nowhere near the latter two.
Moreover, while the Wu and Song Families appeared to share breath and branches, advancing and retreating together as one body, they were ultimately still two separate forces, with weaknesses to exploit. Song Zhiwen's existence in particular was an enormous hidden danger.
If it did not erupt, then so be it. But once it did, the two families cutting off all ties would be the mildest outcome. If it grew serious, it would become a war to the death.
Song Zhiwen, upon whom the Song Family had pinned great hopes and regarded as its heir, was very likely the son born of a scheme by Wu Zunyuan, the Wu Family head. If they learned this news, Meng Zhao did not believe the Song Family would swallow the insult in silence.
By a fortunate coincidence, Meng Zhao had learned this secret long ago. It counted as a trump card clenched in his hand—once played, it would produce results.
Strictly speaking, whether it was the Zhou Family or the Wu and Song Families, the key to bringing