The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 260 - 130: Proposing Marriage and the Portrait of Chongyang (Seeking Subscriptions)

Chapter 260: Chapter 130: Proposing Marriage and the Portrait of Chongyang (Seeking Subscriptions)

Under Xu Qing’s dictation, everyone clenched their teeth and wrote the petition for the land survey, then signed and stamped it before handing it over to Xu Qing for review.

Sure enough, as soon as they handed it over, they were free to leave.

Seeing this, others who had not left yet began to write even more diligently.

Fortunately, they all learned to read and write from a young age, so document drafting came naturally to them. Once they focused, their efficiency improved significantly.

Before long, everyone had submitted their petitions and was able to leave the Government office.

Xu Qing instructed the clerks to neatly pack the petitions in a box for safekeeping.

At that moment, Xie Quan emerged from behind the screen.

He exclaimed with shock, "Gongming, isn’t this too harsh on them?"

Even Xie Quan, who prided himself as a National Hero, could not have imagined that Xu Qing’s response to the rumors would be so extreme.

However, a land survey truly addressed the root problem of the commoners eagerly offering land and attaching themselves to powerful figures, because those lands and populations they hid did not vanish—they just shifted the tax burdens onto the powerless masses, making their load ever heavier.

Because the Imperial Power does not extend to the countryside, local officers come and go, and as long as taxes are collected, they care not for these trifling matters.

The common folk, when faced with exploitation, often can only endure in silence.

Some even envy the farmers who thrive under nobles, fostering a desire to be slaves themselves.

If the land survey succeeds and lightens the commoners’ tax burdens, in a wealthy place like Jiangning Prefecture, ordinary people could live well, which naturally would diminish their desire for dependency and land offerings.

But such actions would inevitably attract criticism from all over the country, not only antagonizing the aristocracy and nobles of Jiangning Prefecture but also inciting attack from the entire power networks of the South Zhili aristocrats.

The pressure to come would be unimaginable.

Xu Qing smiled and asked, "Teacher Wen Yuan, would you say the problem has been solved?"

Xie Quan’s face twitched as he replied, "The original problem might be solved, but now a greater one has emerged."

Xu Qing chuckled and said, "Please take a seat, Teacher, and listen to me."

"Very well."

Xu Qing then spoke calmly, "Teacher, aside from the size of the problem, do you perceive any other differences between my former troubles and the current ones?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Quan thought for a moment and quickly realized, "Your previous problems, Gongming, were private matters, intra-aristocratic squabbles, but now it’s different—it’s a public affair."

He then had a sudden realization.

If it were Xu Qing’s private matter, it would be a struggle between Xu Qing himself and the local aristocrats and their supporting forces in Jiangning Prefecture.

Now that "land survey" is proposed, although the problem has blown up, it has changed the very nature of the issue.

After understanding this, he still frowned and said, "Although it has become a public matter, causing such a huge commotion is not a wise move for self-preservation. I fear that a slight misstep might lead to your utter ruin."

Xu Qing laughed heartily, "Your words are true, Teacher. But perhaps you underestimate me."

Xie Quan asked, "How so?"

Xu Qing replied, "When I was still a Scholar, I dared to navigate through the officialdom of South Zhili. Now that I have become the Top Scorer, would I be worse than before?"

"Though that makes sense, a child of wealth should not sit in the draft. It’s ultimately less secure."

"Your words suit others, Teacher, but not my current situation. If I go easy, others will plot against me all day long. Look, now that I have proposed the land survey, it’s them who are panicking. The best defense is a good offense, after all."

Xie Quan felt Xu Qing’s reasoning was sound, yet it seemed to lack a core element. With furrowed brows and a sudden spark of insight, he slapped the table and exclaimed, "You crafty Xu Gongming, won’t you tell me the truth? Has Grandpa Taia instructed you in some way?"

Taia is the honorary title of the Grand Secretary, a title bestowed by the Emperor.

This title is significant because of Yi Yin, who aided King Tai Jia as his prime minister, thus known as Taia. Hence, the Emperor granting this title hints at the Grand Secretary as the modern-day "Yi Yin", akin to Huo Guang receiving a similar honor from Emperor Wu of Han.

The ranking of such advisors aligns them with great authority next to the Prime Minister. Beyond that level are the likes of Wang Mang, who is not a mere subject.

As for the Ji Han Ge family, they never deposed an Emperor, so their power falls short in comparison.

Within the court, however, there were some who insinuated that the Emperor was placing too much trust in the Grand Secretary, warning of the danger of "the Tai’a sword being wielded in reverse."

Meaning that handing over significant power might lead to the Emperor’s own harm.

The Emperor replied to the petition: "If I don’t heed your words, am I then bound to suffer harm?"

The Minister replied: "Hard to say."

He was then reassigned to the Northwest Border.

Since then, the authority of the Grand Secretary grew even stronger.

Xu Qing nodded and flashed the letter to Xie Quan, then put it away.

Having seen the Grand Secretary’s handwriting, Xie Quan recognized it and said, "Grandpa Taia certainly aspires to clear the concerns of the realm. Yet such a task, only the spirited and young Xu Gongming would dare undertake, the most arduous and challenging mission under the heavens."

He didn’t state it outright.

Meaning one truly dares to dream, the other truly dares to do.

They are, indeed, prodigies of two generations, geniuses among geniuses, thinking differently from ordinary people.

How difficult is the land survey?

Years ago when Emperor Guangwu of Han, known as a restorer but truly a founder, initiated land assignments, he faced strong backlash from the powerful that nearly shook his foundation.

While through Guangwu depended heavily on the powerful clans and was tied too closely to them, it also shows the perennial challenge of land registration.

Wouldn’t the Grand Secretary know the difficulties?

Would Xu Qing not know?

Knowing the hardships yet still daring to think and act, this is what the ancients called "a true man."

Xu Qing smiled, "Teacher Wen Yuan, there’s no need to flatter me. The land survey may not necessarily succeed, but if the Grand Secretary is strong enough, the initiative to convert rice fields into mulberry plantations will certainly be accomplished."