In any era, the general trend is that the strong set the rules, and the weak obey. However, on a smaller scale, there will always be some special circumstances.

Within the Qing Dynasty's territory, the rules on a large scale were established by the imperial court. However, in some smaller regions, the specific rules were formulated by the local authorities.

This is the saying, "The mountains are high and the emperor is far away," or, in other words, "The local official is more powerful than the county magistrate."

In the small town of Zichuan, Prince Yong, the fourth prince, should have been the one to set the rules.

Unfortunately, the people in power here are the Uriyangkhad.

While the Fourth Prince was indeed stronger than the Uriyangkhad, the Uriyangkhad was a first-class earl bestowed by the imperial court and the garrison commander of Zichuan Town, wielding absolute power over the eight thousand cultivators in Zichuan Town.

The Fourth Prince had always wanted to win over the Uriyangkhai, but he had never been able to do so.

For the Fourth Prince, the grand feast prepared by Rong Xi was a golden opportunity.

"Please let them in!"

Upon learning that Uriyangkha and Zuo Tang had come together, the Fourth Prince was overjoyed. He knew very well that he had been exiled here by the Crown Prince.

Perhaps, after some time, if the city is attacked by a horde of monsters, Prince Yong himself may die in the line of duty.

Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, there have been quite a few princes who died while guarding the frontier.

Dorgon, who once held immense power, was killed in the line of duty when he encountered a raging torrent of monsters while guarding the frontier.

Even a heroic figure like Dorgon couldn't escape such an end, so the Fourth Prince certainly didn't think he could be any better than Dorgon.

Therefore, he had to save himself.

To save themselves, they must first take control of the small town of Zichuan.

If he could completely control the 8,000-strong army of garrisoning cultivators and significantly improve their cultivation levels, he would have a trump card in his hand.

While easily protecting themselves, they might even be able to challenge the Crown Prince.

During the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di rose up with a large army stationed in the northern border region, and managed to defeat the enemy with fewer troops and the weaker forces, seizing the throne from his nephew.

Now, the Fourth Prince feels that if the Crown Prince continues to pressure him, he is willing to fight to the death.

Uliangha and Zuotang entered the main hall of the city lord's mansion one after the other and greeted the fourth prince very respectfully.

"Generals, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat!"

The Fourth Prince looked at Uriyangkha and Zuo Tang, who were bowing to him, and spoke to them warmly.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

After bowing and expressing their gratitude, Wuliangha and Zuotang sat down on the chairs next to them.

"I have invited you two generals here today because there is something I wish to discuss!"

The Fourth Prince chuckled and recounted the matter of the grand feast, then smiled and said, "This grand feast will be shared by all eight thousand garrison troops!"

"ah?!"

Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, both Wuliangha and Zuotang were somewhat bewildered.

There are at least three to five thousand independent cultivators in the small town of Zichuan. Add to that the garrison of cultivators, and the total number reaches several thousand. How much food would be needed to prepare for such a grand feast for so many people?

Furthermore, as far as they knew, there was only one master chef in the Fourth Prince's residence in the entire small town of Zichuan.

If one person prepares spiritual food to feed tens of thousands of people, can that person manage it?

"Your Highness, are you serious?"

Uliangha stared at the Fourth Prince, feeling that this matter was very unreliable.

The Fourth Prince smiled faintly and said, "How could I joke about such a thing? News has already spread from the Nine Provinces Tower that all the rogue cultivators are on the invitation list!"

"The garrison of cultivators belongs to the imperial court. As the city lord, it's unreasonable for me to neglect my own people and go after those rogue cultivators first!"

The Fourth Prince's words were both reasonable and persuasive.

Uriyangkhad was speechless.

Zuo Tang then slowly spoke, saying, "Your Highness, you only have one spirit chef in your residence, how can you possibly prepare spiritual meals for tens of thousands of people so easily?"

The Fourth Prince smiled slightly and said, "You really know too little about spiritual cuisine. The value of spiritual dishes is no less than that of elixirs, but the preparation of spiritual dishes is much more convenient and faster than alchemy."

"Of course, this is the secret of the spirit chef. Even I, who am not familiar with the methods of spirit cuisine, cannot explain it!"

"In short, you two should go back and inform everyone that they should take turns going to the Prince's Mansion at noon!"

"In that case, on behalf of everyone in the army, I thank Your Highness!"

Uriyangkhad immediately expressed his opinion.

In just a short time, Wuliangha's thoughts had completely changed. He couldn't care less whether a spirit chef could actually produce so many spirit dishes, nor did he care whether there were enough ingredients.

If there isn't enough spiritual food, it will be just the right opportunity for the Fourth Prince to lose more than he gains.

I believe that if things really come to that, he will definitely gain the new emperor's praise. As for whether the small town of Zichuan will break into chaos as a result, I imagine the new emperor in the capital wouldn't care at all.

The Fourth Prince gave a brief explanation and then had someone send Wuliangha and Zuotang back.

After Uriyangkha and Zuo Tang left, a scholar walked in from the back door of the main hall, bowed and stood beside the Fourth Prince, and whispered, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid Uriyangkha will not submit easily!"

"How so?"

The Fourth Prince looked at the scholar beside him, "What have you discovered?"

“Master, Uliangha’s performance was too calm. A spiritual chef preparing spiritual meals for tens of thousands of people would seem unbelievable to anyone with common sense.”

“Uliangha has eaten spiritual food before, so perhaps he knows something about the skills of a spiritual chef!”

The Fourth Prince glanced at the scholar and said, "Dai Duo, I know you mean well. However, let's not bring this up again."

"yes!"

Dai Duo responded respectfully, stood aside, and said no more.

"The Princess Consort is preparing this grand feast, and the manpower in the manor may not be enough. Here's what you should do: take your men and go back to the manor to help out!"

The Fourth Prince pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "From now on, you should speak less, do more, observe more, and see who among the rogue cultivators has potential!"

"Hmm, and also the guards of Zichuan. Take a look at their eight captains; is there anyone suitable to recruit?"

The Fourth Prince did not want to sit idly by and wait for his death; he had to take the initiative.

His wife had paid a heavy price to host such a grand feast. If he couldn't seize the opportunity to turn his family's bad situation around, it would be a real waste of all these good things.

"This servant will go immediately!"

Dai Duo quickly led his men away.

The Fourth Prince remained at the City Lord's Mansion, pondering how to subdue the Uriyangkhai. He would not harm the Uriyangkhai unless absolutely necessary.

After all, the Uriyangkhai truly made outstanding contributions in guarding the borders of the Qing Dynasty.

Unless it is ultimately proven that the Uriyangkhai is on the opposite side of him, the Fourth Prince will try every means to win over the Uriyangkhai and make him fight for him.

Of course, such an approach involves too many unknowns, and one wrong move could lead to complete failure. But in life, some things are worth trying. What if it works?