The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 196 - 110: The King Returns_2

Chapter 196: Chapter 110: The King Returns_2

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"So Gongming, after all that, you just want me to go to Jinyang Prefecture to be the Magistrate?" Mr. Wu looked at his bright student with a puzzled expression.

Xu Qing: "The hometown of County Magistrate Zheng is in Jinyang Prefecture. If my mentor becomes the Magistrate there, he certainly wouldn’t dare to mess around. It would naturally be easier for me to handle matters there."

"Alright, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I also feel that becoming the Magistrate of North Zhili is a good move." Initially, Mr. Wu harbored some illusions, but after Xu Qing analyzed the pros and cons, he had to admit that with his background, going to the Capital would be like cannon fodder, and it’s better and easier to achieve political success as a local official.

Xu Qing also cited the example of Scholar Su from the previous dynasty, who was demoted repeatedly, yet managed to achieve political accomplishments locally, and his reputation kept improving, reaching the peak of becoming the Minister of Rites.

Mr. Wu thought to himself, "Well, he had a brother who was the Vice Minister."

Xu Qing confidently responded, "The mentor has a good disciple too."

A mere Scholar, having such audacity!

Mr. Wu grimaced internally, but acknowledged that this student was a prodigy, only fifteen years old, and already so knowledgeable. In the long run, he could outlast many of the old guard.

Youth is an advantage.

It holds infinite possibilities.

Of course, he was clear that the best position besides being a Capital Official was to be the Salt Inspection Imperial Censor, Grain Transportation Imperial Censor, or Magistrate of Zhili city. Both the salt industry and grain transportation were deep waters, making the Magistrate of Zhili city indeed an excellent choice. Besides, Jinyang Prefecture, being close to the Capital, offered conveniences like sending ice and charcoal tributes during festivals, facilitating easy relationship-building.

Additionally, Jinyang Prefecture was near the sea with a significant port. Therefore, Xu Qing suggested to the Court to experiment with transporting grain from the Southern areas through maritime routes to Jinyang Prefecture.

Not a large amount, just enough to meet the needs of Jinyang Prefecture alone.

This was but a nominal suggestion; the real intention was to advise the Court to station a military force in Jinyang Prefecture, specifically for transporting grain via maritime routes to reduce losses.

History has shown, without military backing, reforms hardly ever succeed.

This proposal would certainly gain support if it was passed privately to the Grand Secretary.

Of course, transporting grain by sea would definitely impact the interests of the grain transportation sector.

Whether it can be implemented would rely on the strength of the Grand Secretary and the steadfastness of the Emperor.

In any case, this was also an opportunity to prove himself to the Grand Secretary.

And such an opportunity, facing pressure from the grain transportation factions, is something others might think of but wouldn’t dare take on.

Mr. Wu’s action was indeed risky, but it was better than getting directly involved in the whirlpool of grain transportation and salt industries.

Since always, rising through the ranks and gaining wealth has involved risks.

Mr. Wu was of course willing to give it a try.

If he didn’t want to progress, he could also simply serve one term as the Magistrate of Zhili city comfortably, which would bring honor to his family.

Xu Qing wasn’t surprised about persuading Mr. Wu. In fact, Wu himself understood that becoming the Magistrate was the best next step, but he was reluctant to relinquish the reputation of being a Pure Stream.

Now that Xu Qing had clarified the advantages and disadvantages, choosing between face and actual benefits was an easy decision to make.

Mr. Wu sought out Xu Qing exactly for making a decision, and now, with his mind resolved, he felt much relieved. He further voiced, "Once I leave, you must be cautious. Eunuch Zhao and Marquis Wuding have used their connection with the Ritual Supervision to present a large amount of silver to the Inner Treasury, hence their safe landing this time. While I am here, they might not touch you directly, but once I’m gone, they might not overtly obstruct the conversion of rice fields to mulberry fields, but they could still trip you up privately, such as making you rank lower in the provincial exams, which they can certainly accomplish."

Xu Qing nodded; he was well aware that although converting rice fields to mulberry was a national policy, actually implementing it locally would face tremendous resistance given the distance from the Emperor.

Eunuch Zhao and Marquis Wuding could very likely resort to underhanded tactics.

Other sneaky moves didn’t worry Xu Qing, but he was most concerned about the provincial exam, as becoming the Top Scorer was supremely beneficial to him, or at a minimum being the Five Classics Leader.

If he couldn’t secure at least the title of Five Classics Leader, even being sixth in rank wouldn’t mean much.

Mainly, he had now offended not only Eunuch Zhao and Marquis Wuding but also Duke Wei’s faction from the native groups in South Zhili.

Without offending these powers, Xu Qing wouldn’t have his current resources.

Nor would he have access to the Golden Light Spell, possibly already lured away by King Lin.

"If it really comes to it, taking to the seas might not be a bad thing," thought Xu Qing. Being able to continue playing the game now is best, but if not, all bets are off.

He just needed to ensure his uncle and aunt were well taken care of, and then switch with Su Lianqing into the underground, determined to ruin these bastards.

What makes his current situation difficult is that Xu Qing still plays by the rules and focuses on construction. If truly backed into a corner, he would start demolishing instead.

If he can’t eat, then no one can.

Once his Divine Soul is refined to Manifestation and his Martial Arts to Refining Internal, where in the world wouldn’t be a place for him to stay?

At most, he would just shift from overt to covert.

When that time comes, he might as well take over the Luo Sect and become its Sect Hierarch.

Of course, for major endeavors, it’s best to have a base. Unless absolutely necessary, there’s no need to give up his foundation.

Once he can withstand initial pressures and stabilize his base, it would be like a snake transforming into a dragon, ready for the world to change.

Xu Qing suppressed his impulsive thoughts.

After consulting with Mr. Wu, he soon left the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard. His tenure was almost up, and he needed to hurry to accumulate wealth.

It can only be said that many things are only cherished when on the brink of loss.

Now for Mr. Wu, this position of Imperial Censor feels like it’s almost someone else’s wife already; he must strive hard.