"Hmm?"
Feng Mou froze, pondering for a moment before asking, "Do you mean to divide the tribes?"
Qiu Yan shook his head. "Not at all. Each tribe has its own distinctive qualities; they are part of the development of the Human Path. Their current state and appearance are choices that arose naturally. All we need do is refine and guide them. Besides, the Grasslands lie north of the Central Plains; their fortunes are bound together. Any changes there will most certainly have no small impact on the Central Plains."
"Are you referring to the herdsmen heading south to raid for grain when the Grasslands fall on hard times?" This piqued someone's interest. Qi Jiulian, who had remained silent throughout, could not help speaking up.
"Your ancestor's Grand Void Learning actually described this: one origin transforms into qi, and all things are connected." Qiu Yan glanced at Qi Jiulian and nodded. "Yet the connection is not limited to direct actions. Even in the unseen realm, there are links, and these have outward manifestations. The formation of the Grasslands and great deserts is related to grazing. If it is not properly managed, the desert may one day encroach upon the Central Plains."
"Encroach upon the Central Plains?" The others were more or less taken aback by those words.
"These are matters for later. Seas turn to mulberry fields; the changes of the world do not happen overnight. We cannot fix our eyes only on the present. Once you hold power, you must remember this."
Feng Mou asked, "But how exactly should this be built? After all, the Three Waters Tribe, the current overlords of the Grasslands, only submit in name. I fear they will not readily allow the court to station officials there. Besides, people of the Central Plains would not be