The world was vast—so vast that even Dao Xuan Tianzun himself might sigh at the sheer inefficiency of conquest.
If Gao Family Village relied solely on its own manpower to expand, the world would have changed dynasties twice before they finished laying roads to the next province. To truly grow, they needed more people—and not just any people. They needed the right ones.
Dao Xuan Tianzun had long been mentally prepared for this: absorbing, co-opting, and reshaping other forces. Still, he wasn't about to invite just anyone to his divine banquet.
Bandit lords and lunatics like Wang Zuogua, Bu Zhan Ni, Fan Shan Yue, or that glorified guerrilla Li Ying? Absolutely not. Their resumes practically screamed "betrayal pending."
But those like Zhao Sheng, Xing Honglang, or even the dignified Wang Cheng'en—the Shaanxi Commander—now those were candidates worth cultivating.
Dao Xuan Tianzun folded his hands in thought, the corners of his mouth curling with amusement. "Time to expand the staff."
He shifted his divine focus to Gao Family Village.
Finding Gao Yiye this time was mercifully easy. The last time he'd searched for her, she had blended into the crowd so perfectly he'd almost filed a missing-persons report with Heaven's HR department. After that, he'd decreed that she wear white garments adorned with bright red embroidered patches.
Now, even amid a crowd, she was unmistakable—a walking festival lantern of virtue and visibility.
She was currently standing in line in front of a newly opened shop: The Dao Xuan Tianzun Cake House.
Dao Xuan Tianzun blinked. "They're using my name to sell pastries now?"
A quick scan revealed the truth—and a wave of reluctant pride. The shop sold "old-fashioned cakes," the same type of eggy pastry he'd once accidentally crushed during that infamous "cake rain" incident in Heyang County. Local bakers, those industrious devils, had reverse-engineered the recipe and turned it into a phenomenon.
The shop was packed. The line stretched down the street.
"Ah," Dao Xuan Tianzun murmured. "Accidental economic reform. You're welcome, Gao Family Village."
He watched Gao Yiye at the front of the queue buy three cakes—one for herself and one each for her secretaries, Qiu Ju and Dong Xue. The three nibbled delicately, smiling with that universal expression of bliss reserved for people eating something both sinful and socially acceptable.
He couldn't help but chuckle. Truly, nothing motivates mortals like sugar.
"Yiye," he called.
Her head shot up, eyes bright. "Dao Xuan Tianzun! You're here!"
Ever since the village had expanded, the divine presence above it had grown less constant. She often looked up and saw only empty sky. So, hearing his voice again filled her with warmth.
Dao Xuan Tianzun's tone was light, teasing. "I've been watching you for a while now—patiently queuing for cakes."
She flushed. "Ah? Why didn't you call sooner?"
He wisely kept the real answer to himself. Watching her fret over dessert was too entertaining.
"Listen," he said instead. "General Wang Cheng'en of Shaanxi will soon send someone to Chengcheng County to borrow grain. He'll likely go straight to Magistrate Liang Shixian, but since all that grain originates from our stores, it'll eventually lead to you."
Gao Yiye nodded earnestly. "Understood. We should give him some grain."
"No," Dao Xuan Tianzun said, smiling. "We don't give. We negotiate. Unless he agrees to certain… arrangements."
Gao Yiye blinked, lost.
Fortunately, her secretaries were far more worldly. Qiu Ju leaned in, whispering, "The Tianzun means we find his weakness and make him… cooperative."
Gao Yiye frowned. "But isn't that something bad people do?"
Dong Xue chuckled. "Not necessarily. Sometimes good people have to act bad just to keep worse people in line."
"Exactly," Qiu Ju added. "Merchants call it 'strategic partnership.'"
Gao Yiye thought for a moment, then asked, "So what do we want him to do?"
Dao Xuan Tianzun's grin turned sly. "Nothing too ambitious. He's broke, underfed, and overworked. All we need is for him to open a few military positions. We'll place our own people inside his ranks."
The two secretaries exchanged a knowing glance and stifled a laugh. "Dao Xuan Tianzun can be quite mischievous."
Gao Yiye still didn't fully grasp the scheme, but she trusted her advisors—and more importantly, she trusted him. "Understood! Then we'll head to Chengcheng County right away."
The electric train whistled like a mechanical dragon as it carried them the thirty li to Chengcheng County in what felt like a single blink.
When Gao Yiye arrived, dressed in white and framed by her red-stitched mantle, the entire town seemed to pause. People dropped to their knees. "Lady Saintess!" they cried.
Magistrate Liang Shixian practically sprinted out of his yamen, bowing so hard his hat nearly flew off. "Lady Saintess! If I'd known you were coming, I'd have met you at the station myself!"
Gao Yiye smiled politely. "Dao Xuan Tianzun has sent me with a decree. I've come to relay his divine instructions."
Liang Shixian immediately straightened, hands clasped. "Please, Lady Saintess."
"Soon," Gao Yiye said, "someone from Shaanxi General Wang Cheng'en's command will come to borrow grain. When that happens, do as follows…"
She explained the plan exactly as instructed.
By the time she finished, Liang Shixian's smile had evaporated. "Eh? Wait—what?"
The magistrate stared, mouth agape. "Dao Xuan Tianzun wants… people from Gao Family Village to take official positions in the Ming army?"
A chill ran down his spine. What exactly are we building here?
He forced a smile, bowing again—but his mind was racing.
No… this isn't just village business anymore. This is something far bigger.