Chapter 1045: Internal Strife
After all the scheming and strategic buildup, internal power struggles within the Daoist Order usually culminate in only two forms. They either resorted to force, where the victor had the final say, or, when neither side dared to strike first, it would turn into a showdown of rhetoric and cunning arguments.
All the prior planning and maneuvering merely served to boost one’s confidence and chances. Yet no matter how high the odds, everything would seem meaningless without this final move.
Chen Shuhua said, “Second Deputy Qi, what exactly do you intend to do? Do you plan to ignore Daoist rules and bypass the council? Or do you mean to act willfully on your own?”
Qi Xuansu certainly would not step into the trap that Chen Shuhua laid. He replied, “I dare not bypass the council nor override the Mansion Master. I merely have two proposals. My first suggestion is to report this directly to the Golden Tower Council.”
He deliberately paused to observe Chen Shuhua’s face, which paled slightly.
Qi Xuansu had already weighed the pros and cons. Reporting this matter to the Golden Tower Council was his last resort. But he also knew that Chen Shuhua and her accomplices feared it even more. For him, it was something to avoid unless necessary. But for them, it was absolutely unthinkable.
Sure enough, Chen Shuhua asked, “What is your second proposal then?”
Qi Xuansu answered, “My second suggestion is to convene an internal council, but not just among the Deputy Mansion Masters, but with other high-ranking officials.”
The highest decisions of the Daoist Mansion usually came from a council with only the Deputy Mansion Masters and Mansion Masters, which was what Chen Shuhua wanted. This was based on position. Meanwhile, Qi Xuansu proposed an internal council with more participants based on their ranks. Thus, it would include those normally unqualified, including Spirit Guards of the second rank and above and Daoist priests of the third rank and above. As such, the two first-rank Spirit Guards and aides like Xu Jiaorong were eligible to attend.
Since Great Sage Lan controlled military affairs, the high-ranking Spirit Guards were all under his command. By including them, Qi Xuansu was no longer fighting alone. Also, Xu Jiaorong, being the Great Sage’s secretary, held the highest rank among all the secretaries, equivalent to a regular secretary of the Three Deputy Grand Masters or the chief secretaries of the Three Daoist Heirs. Thus, she was the only third-rank secretary qualified to participate in this council, further strengthening Qi Xuansu’s side.
Another factor was the special status of first-rank Spirit Guards. Since they did not sit in the Deputy Mansion Masters’ council, they generally could not voice opinions unless it was wartime. Thus, they were often seen as inferior to the Chief and Second Deputies. But when the scope expands, such as in major ceremonial occasions, rank alone decided the order. In that case, first-rank Spirit Guards stood right after Wang Jiaohe, an Omniscient Sage, and above ordinary Sages like Chen Shuhua. There were only 12 first-rank Spirit Guards in the entire Daoist Order, far fewer than ordinary Sages, so their standing was extremely elevated.
Generally, a small council was used to set strategy, a medium council decided on tactics, while a large council focused on execution. To put simply, a large council was a mobilization meeting, not a place for detailed debate.