Douluo: Spiritual Sword-Chapter 560 - 559: Confucian Outside, Legalist Within—The Strategy for Ruling a Nation

Holding Ning Rongrong's hand, the two walked out of the room towards the palace of Heaven Dou's imperial palace. Di Tian, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Qian Daoliu were all present, as were the younger generation like Emperor Battle Team.
Aside from Di Tian, the others were there to discuss the cooperation between the Spirit Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In reality, it was surrender—surrounded by a million troops, there was no other way.
Ning Fengzhi planned to found a new empire. The Spirit Empire was a theocracy, its faith above all. Under Qian Renxue, the people would live well as long as they kept faith and goodness, protected by the Angel God. But this faith-based model wasn't conducive to development.
If good days came just by believing, who would care about progress? Even if Qian Renxue started soul tool research, efficiency would remain low.
In the new regime, Ning Fengzhi decided to govern with virtue and constrain with law.
That is, he would promote Confucian thought publicly, but rely on Legalist principles in practice—combining moral exhortation and legal administration. Confucianism values benevolent rule and ethical guidance; Legalism values rule of law and strict enforcement.
Soul masters would still enjoy the highest status, but in return, they must protect the innocent. As long as they kept the people safe from nobles, bandits, and beast tides, they could live as they pleased. But if a soul master broke the law, their punishment would be doubled—the more privileges, the more constraints.
Ordinary people would be rewarded according to their labor.
It was still not entirely fair, but in a world where strength is respected, true equality is a joke. Ning Fengzhi had balanced things as best he could.
It was possible, given the ratio of ordinary people to soul masters on Douluo Continent was about 1000:1—one thousand supporting one soul master wasn't too great a burden.
As for faith, Tianlin and Ning Fengzhi had discussed it. They didn't object to the spread of Angel God faith as long as it wasn't a harmful cult; regular religions were fine. But faith must not be forced, nor could heresy be punished or negative, despairing messages spread. Violators would be destroyed.
It was for this reason that Qian Daoliu finally let go. Though all people wouldn't only worship the Angel God, this was still very good. Ning Fengzhi reminded him that this was the only way Qian Renxue would not have to oppose Tianlin—he didn't want his granddaughter to be heartbroken.
As for Bibi Dong, only by joining forces could Tianlin fully help her break free from the Evil Spirit Pearl's control. After all, she was Qian Renxue's birth mother, and the Qian family owed her a great debt.
Qian Daoliu had no choice. Reason, emotion, and threat—all three had been used on him. With Chen Xin and Tianlin now unstoppable, there was nothing he could do.
At that moment, Di Tian opened his eyes. With the strongest cultivation, he sensed Tianlin's aura first.
"You're awake?" Di Tian stood and looked at him strangely. "No, not just awake—you're fully recovered? That's impossible; those wounds shouldn't heal in less than a year."
Everyone looked to the door and saw the energetic Tianlin, and were overjoyed.
Especially Chen Xin, who hadn't thought of becoming a god these days. To him, the most important thing was Tianlin and Ning Rongrong's well-being.
"Wow, Xiao Tian, what are you made of? Even Di Tian said it should take a year to recover, but you're fine after two days." Oslo checked Tianlin up and down, patted his shoulders and chest, pulling Ning Rongrong away to listen to his strong heartbeat.
No wonder Tianlin once wanted to cut him down.
Ning Rongrong was exasperated, "Oslo, stay away from my Sword Brother. His heart belongs to me."
"Aw, don't be stingy, sister-in-law. I'm just worried about Xiao Tian. But his heartbeat sounds strong, so he should be fine," Oslo joked.
"Xiao Tian, I'm sorry," Yu Tianheng and others stepped forward.
Tianlin was confused. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because, even though we're your seniors and you always helped us get stronger, we were useless when the crisis came," Dugu Yan said sadly. They'd felt guilty and useless during Tianlin's coma.
"Xiao Tian, next time don't shoulder everything alone. My brother and I may be weak, but we can be your shield. Even if we die, we'll protect you," Shi Mo said.
Tianlin smiled at everyone. "Alright, from now on I'll rely on you all more. In fact, I have something to ask you all soon."
"Great! Whatever you need, just say the word!" Yu Tianheng thumped his chest.
"We'll talk later. Right now, there's something important to do," Tianlin said, stepping forward. "Father-in-law, news of the Spirit Empire and our sect's alliance will soon spread. The two great empires won't sit idle."
"We must send people to defend Gengxin City. Dai Tianjue may tolerate Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun now, but once this news gets out, he'll attack and try to unite with the Heaven Dou Empire in retaliation. To him, the throne is more important than his son."