The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 250 - 127: Changing the Door Frame, Reactions from All Parties (Please Subscribe)_3

Chapter 250: Chapter 127: Changing the Door Frame, Reactions from All Parties (Please Subscribe)_3

He already knew that if Xu Qing’s ranking was not among the Five Classics Leader, his father would directly take action to eliminate this threat.

However, to his surprise, the opponent turned out to be the Top Scorer, the foremost of all the provincial examination leaders.

"Alright, no need to make a fuss. Just a Top Scorer, even if he makes a big scene, he’s still just a Scholar. As the Princely Heir of the Duke Mansion, is this the extent of your composure?" Duke Wei snorted coldly.

He wasn’t surprised at all by the news of Xu Qing becoming the Top Scorer in the provincial examination.

Because once he knew that Elder Fang had entered the examination room, he had roughly guessed the outcome, and now it was just confirming that result.

"Who would have thought that this provincial examination would actually bring out Elder Fang to stand for him." Duke Wei actually felt a little disheartened.

But he couldn’t show it.

The more critical the moment, the calmer one must be.

"Father, but this fellow is ruthless and skilled in martial arts, he will surely retaliate against our family," the Young Master said.

Duke Wei spoke indifferently, "Although he has become the Top Scorer now, the power he can borrow is actually less than before. What’s there to worry about."

"Why?" The Young Master was somewhat baffled; shouldn’t Xu Qing, having become the Top Scorer, grow in influence and power?

"You, you’ve been spoiled by me. Tell me, if you had a capable person under you who also has murky ties with another family, even including your adversary, what would you think?"

"Of course, I can’t let him off. First, he must cut off those relationships. If he can be used, keep him; if not, dispose of him," the Young Master replied as if it was the obvious course of action.

For those in high positions, loyalty is the first criterion, sometimes even the only criterion.

Duke Wei said leisurely, "Blessing lies in the place where disaster lodges, disaster lurks where blessing rests. The Taoist Scripture speaks the truth."

The Young Master, lost in thought, said, "So, becoming the Top Scorer, the kid is actually facing bigger troubles."

This thought eased his mind considerably.

This person was too frightening, making him very uncomfortable.

He even dared not admit that he, as the Princely Heir of the Duke Mansion, was ultimately outplayed by another.

Duke Wei: "Not just big troubles, but he’s about to have serious problems. Your understanding of power and strategy is still very superficial. Go back and read more history books, especially that ’Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government’; you must study it repeatedly."

"Yes," the Young Master, having been reassured by his father, relaxed and took his leave.

He had also felt lately that his understanding of the affairs of the world was too shallow and that he needed to learn more.

Watching his eldest legitimate son depart, Duke Wei couldn’t help but sigh.

The boy really doesn’t get it.

All strategies and tactics must be founded on strength.

Strategies and tactics are but minor parts of the grand scheme.

"Don’t be too angry, Old Master," the steward quickly said.

Duke Wei shook his head, "I’m just disappointed."

"In fact, the Young Master has already changed, Old Master should be more patient with him."

Duke Wei nodded, but in his heart, he was very clear that one’s innate talents and gifts are predestined and hard to change.

Bo’er really lacks such talents.

His words just now were all true, but his son never understood that while it’s difficult for Xu Qing to borrow power, it also means that he is, in fact, becoming a prominent figure.

The path before Xu Qing actually had two directions: to follow a powerful patron and thus ascend smoothly to high rank.

The other, a more difficult path, was to make oneself a mighty tree that others would come to rely on.

The former path is easy and bright.

The latter path is difficult, but once successful, the prospects are unimaginable.

For an ordinary Top Scorer, indeed, there is no such opportunity.

But having operated for so many years, how could Duke Wei fail to see that Xu Qing’s earlier arrangements had just prepared the ground for nurturing himself into a mighty tree?

The key was that he had Elder Fang’s support.

This was what Duke Wei took great care to guard against.

Elder Fang played this hand marvelously, using Xu Qing’s status to push him to the forefront, continue to oppose the Duke Wei Mansion, and extricate himself.

Moreover, he had perfectly fulfilled the Emperor’s task— to suppress the Duke Wei Mansion.

This old man, though aged, was not muddled but had become more astute.

Duke Wei could find flaws in any member of the Fang Family who took the Imperial Examination and entered officialdom; it’s just Elder Fang was exceedingly cautious.

"You old coot, aren’t you afraid that after your death, without your support, the Fang family will break down and be destroyed?" Duke Wei was incensed.

But he thought, if Xu Qing succeeds, dominates the Duke Wei Mansion, how could he possibly not take care of the Fang Family?

What if Xu Qing fails?

"At over eighty years old, why bother devoting yourself to the Great Yu Dynasty," Duke Wei harbored both hatred and fear for Elder Fang in his heart.

On the surface, Xu Qing indeed had a harder time borrowing power, but in reality, because of Elder Fang’s support, it had branded Xu Qing with Elder Fang’s label.

Even more brilliant was that outsiders all believed Elder Fang didn’t have many years left.

Once Elder Fang was gone, would Xu Qing then take up Elder Fang’s political legacy?

In that case, whoever tried to win over Xu Qing then, wouldn’t that be...

Surely someone would think this way; the higher-tier the player, the more they prefer long-term planning, and would not fret over immediate gains and losses.

Thus, while Xu Qing certainly has difficulty borrowing power, he can rely on Elder Fang’s relationship and doesn’t need to rush to choose sides.

After all, Elder Fang’s backer is the Emperor.

If one must say whose person Xu Qing is, then he would have to be the Emperor’s man first.

If one must say he has a faction, then it could only be the Emperor Faction.

So when Duke Wei learned that Shen Mo was about to leave Yingtian Prefecture today and return to the capital to report, he was very clear that he had lost a great opportunity.

"Ah, you, Shen Junshan, have always thought highly of yourself and aspire to become the Prime Minister. Now acting as the chief examiner of the South Zhili provincial examination, why didn’t you take the chance to widely recruit followers, what’s the reason for that?"