"Today, we have gathered to settle the dispute before us."
In Prosperity Capital's inner city, the Xuan Wine Pavilion had undergone three full months of renovations and emerged completely renewed. It had also expanded threefold; now that it had reopened, its several floors together could accommodate hundreds.
This had originally been a famous tavern in the Imperial City, but it was now being used to receive several factions.
The people from every faction invited by Liu Shi's letters had all gathered in the first-floor main hall, listening to Liu Shi speak.
Compared to five years ago, Liu Shi now carried far greater majesty. Every movement of his revealed an air of command, born from long residence in high office and nurtured by authority.
Looking over the crowded hall and the people from all sides, he felt that he was no less impressive than Qiu Yan had been in those days. Not only were the various academies represented, but even disciples of several eminent figures from the Daoist Sect were present. Newly risen Buddhist Sect monks sat solemnly in the hall as well, not to mention the Mohists of Heaven's Will, entrenched in the four directions, who had likewise sent representatives.
Yet the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and heavy. The several parties present had many frictions between them, some even bearing deep grudges. They had gathered here only to rightfully obtain the name of orthodoxy from the imperial court and openly plunder Fortune!
Liu Shi understood this perfectly well. A wastrel selling off his father's fields felt no pain; to him, as long as the court made a few promises and acknowledgments, these people could be kept in line, then used to provoke them into fighting one another and maintain a balance. That would be proof of his masterful methods.
"I