The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 234 - 122: The End of the Provincial Examination, Discussing the Dao on the Lake (Seeking Subscriptions)_3

Chapter 234: Chapter 122: The End of the Provincial Examination, Discussing the Dao on the Lake (Seeking Subscriptions)_3

But Officials are different; they have no shortage of intelligent individuals. Even the Grand Secretary has likely understood these matters long ago, but is constrained by his position and does not consider the common people at the bottom.

Moreover, in the eyes of those in power during the Great Yu Dynasty, so long as people are not starving, why would they rebel?

Instead, it is the local nobles who, once they acquire power, seek to oppose the Central authority.

If the Central does not strengthen itself, it will be looked down upon by the local powers, leading to unrest.

When unrest occurs, it is the common people who suffer the most.

Xie Quan clasped his hands and said, "Gongming, your explanation of these matters is as enlightening as the clearing of clouds to reveal the moon, filling me with sudden understanding. I feel that all these years of busyness have been in vain."

Xu Qing: "What I say might not be accurate. It’s merely armchair strategizing."

He truly thought so.

His opinions were merely summaries from historians and economists from his former life, and there were many things he still did not thoroughly understand.

Because social activities are complex and ever-changing.

Only by immersing into the grassroots can one truly understand some principles.

A person can only do so much for the world.

Indeed, heroes can create opportunities, but they must also cater to the desires of most people to have such opportunities.

For instance, when Mr. Jiang launched his northern campaign, he catered to the desires of the people everywhere, which brought about a surge of vitality.

Later, with millions of strong troops and sufficient provisions, he went against the will of the people, and the result was Xiang Yu being trapped and surrounded with no support.

What Xu Qing can do now is to steer a small boat amidst the ocean waves, preventing it from capsizing.

Only by continuously getting stronger can he transform the small boat into a large ship that can withstand strong winds and waves, and protect more people.

The courage of one and the wisdom of one can, at most, only help oneself.

The courage and wisdom of the masses can benefit the whole world.

However, for Xu Qing, if he cannot ensure his own well-being, there cannot be anything further.

After all, he is just an ordinary person, not some heroic warrior sent from heaven.

Fortunately, he has something that distinguishes him from ordinary people.

Xie Quan, having his horizons expanded by Xu Qing, felt somewhat disheartened.

He only felt that everything he had learned over the past decades was now useless.

Even if he entered into the officialdom, so what?

Xu Qing’s words were enlightening but also like a cold bucket of water, quenching his fiery ambitions.

Seeing this, Xu Qing casually said, "Mr. Xie, the purpose of Recovery Society is to apply knowledge for the benefit of the world and to aid the people, adhering to the idea that ’the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual.’ However, we are all young people with limited experience. If Mr. Xie is interested, once you arrive in Jiangning Prefecture, you could offer some critiques and rectifications to our Recovery Society."

Xie Quan had heard quite a bit about Recovery Society in Yingtian Prefecture, and knowing that its main base was in Jiangning Prefecture, and that Xu Qing was the Society’s representative, his interest in Xu Qing and even more so in Recovery Society grew.

Especially since the principle "the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every individual" held extraordinary appeal for ambitious scholars like him.

In reality, not all scholars are loyal to their rulers, but those with a conscience often harbor dreams of universal peace.

Even corrupt officials in the Great Yu Dynasty have died on the dikes during flood defenses.

Even though they also embezzled the funds meant for the dikes.

People are complex and multifaceted.

Pure good or evil is actually quite rare.

Following this, Xu Qing and Xie Quan enjoyed even deeper conversations.

Xie Quan even felt that for someone like Xu Qing to participate in the provincial examinations was an honor for the exams themselves but also a helpless undertaking within the system.

The sage once said, "Let the world provide the substance for my writings."

To use nature and all living beings as the subject of one’s writings, that is truly fine writing.

He, in the past, had not reached this realm, still lingering in the stage of merely crafting polished phrases.

Xu Qing also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

By pulling Xie Quan into the mix, even if he ends up running away, the formal structure of the Recovery Society could still be maintained.

Yan Shan was competent in his actions but could not provide theoretical support for the Recovery Society.

Once Recovery Society truly becomes the top community organization in South Zhili, it must keep up with theoretical development. However, such talents are the backbone of major academies and are not easily swayed.

It can only be said that Xie Quan came of his own accord; Xu Qing had no choice but to accept him.

With a renowned figure like Xie Quan to support him, Xu Qing could also use Xie Quan’s reputation to recruit middle-class scholars and unite more scholarly forces.

Actually, Xu Qing’s time was quickly approaching.

Now, he somewhat felt like Cao Liu in his early days when he was under the patronage of a powerful figure, gradually establishing his own solid following.

So long as he has a firm foundation, no matter how turbulent the future might be, he can survive it. Once the storms have passed, the seeds can be sown again to take root and sprout.

The two continued their exchange over the lake, their interest in the conversation growing stronger.

Xie Quan even, having drunk too much, proposed to become sworn brothers with Xu Qing.

Xu Qing mentioned the issue with Feng Xifeng.

Xie Quan didn’t care at all, each would hold their views.

If need be, Xu Qing could simply address Feng Xifeng as ’Old Brother’.

Knowing these were merely drunken words, Xu Qing paid no attention.

After completing the journey by water and passing the mountain trails and official roads, Xu Qing and his party returned to Jiangning Prefecture, finding many people from the worldly society had arrived.

Guo Zhuang came to meet them, explaining the reason.

The duel between Yan Kong and Gu Wuji was the most talked about event recently in the South Zhili’s worldly society.

Especially Gu Wuji, who came from the north and challenged many southern schools, never facing a defeat.

Now, he was unrivaled.

Thus Yan Kong, the Abbot, together with Guo Zhuang, using the name of the Officials, sold many Observation Cards.

At the time, only those holding Observation Cards could enter Golden Ray Monastery to watch the duel, and they also had to sign a disclaimer. In case of accidents during the observation, they couldn’t blame the monastery.

Despite this, many heroes from the worldly society spent money to buy Observation Cards.

Xu Qing’s face twitched when he heard this.

If only Monk Yan Kong spent as much effort on Martial Arts Training as he did on making money, he wouldn’t need to refine the relic of the Red Moon Monk for his ’Divine Soul’ to ’manifest’.

The atmosphere of South Zhili’s worldly society is feared to be corrupted from now on!

Once his foundation is solid, Xu Qing resolved to organize a South Zhili Martial Arts Tournament and make a hefty profit.

Entry to the tournament would require a dose of Secret Medicine for each participant, not one less!