Zhu Zonghu, after inviting Zhang Yu over, summoned all the councilors and Upper Layer figures within the city-domain to discuss the matter together. This decision would undoubtedly determine the future course of Sleeping Foothills.
Everyone was certain that this was undoubtedly a scheme of the Council of Elders, intended to create conflict behind King Xi's army and provoke a clash between them and King Xi's side.
Sleeping Foothills had likely successfully resisted King Xi's pressure twice in succession, drawing the Council of Elders' attention and giving them value worth exploiting in the Elders' eyes.
Yet for them, this was undoubtedly an opportunity as well.
With this nominal position, if King Xi died from the onset of curse-power, Zhu Zonghu could accept all the territories, population, and military organizations under King Xi's rule in the name of righteousness. Nor was that all. Hao Clan tradition granted the succeeding clan heir the authority to decide how to deal with the fief; it was not a matter solely for the clan king to decide.
Thus, once he became King Xi's clan heir, even if King Xi now enfeoffed more clansmen, he could declare it contrary to clan law and refuse to recognize it, then launch a righteous punitive campaign. The benefits here were simply enormous.
After some discussion, they ultimately decided to agree. Whether or not such a matter arose, King Xi would certainly move against them because of the previous two conflicts.
It was merely that King Xi was presently at the front lines, leaving him unable to draw too much strength back from the front. Doing so would instead make the allied armies suspect that something had gone wrong in the rear.
But once King Xi returned, the outcome was foreseeable.
Since that was the case, they might as well agree.