The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 271 - 133 Yin Yang Dao, Purple Mansion Primordial Sect (Please Subscribe)_2

Chapter 271: Chapter 133 Yin Yang Dao, Purple Mansion Primordial Sect (Please Subscribe)_2

You should know that the reform process always starts easy and gets more difficult later. It eventually touches the deeper areas, and without someone formidable like a dragon, it’s absolutely impossible to continue reforming and thus save the day.

In Cheng Guang’s view, even if the Grand Secretary successfully implements reforms, it’s merely papering over cracks, allowing the Great Yu Dynasty to appear glorious. It cannot eliminate the deeply rooted maladies that beset the dying stages of any dynasty.

As for how to go about it?

Cheng Guang himself doesn’t know.

But he is aware that only those with exceptional innate talent might have a slim chance of succeeding.

He has read Xu Qing’s examination papers from the county exam; they were upright and bold, brimming with the spirit of ancient sages. Moreover, the man has not yet turned sixteen. Such a person, presumably born with innate knowledge, could hardly be cultivated solely through secret inheritance to this air and manner.

Grand Secretary: "There’s no need to discuss this matter further; I have my own plans."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Guang no longer pursued the topic.

Yet, ideas began to form in Chen Fu’s mind.

His ambitions were not as pure as Cheng Guang’s, nor did he have the unfathomable wisdom and strategy of the Grand Secretary. His main approach was to hide his talents and bide his time.

...

...

The tug-of-war in the court over "land surveying and implementing the One Whip Law" continues. Mr. Liang, the Elder, arrived first at Jinyang Prefecture, ready to take the sea route.

Since both Jinyang Prefecture and Jiangning Prefecture have seaports, one can take a sea ship directly. Furthermore, the Grand Secretary emphasized repeatedly that for this trip to Jiangning Prefecture, to question the local scholars, there should be no deviations.

In reality, the fundamental reason is that Mr. Liang, the Elder, knows if he traveled by the Canal and official roads, too much information would leak along the way, leading to endless trouble.

Taking the sea route, the journey would be uneventful.

He left the Capital to avoid trouble, not to seek it.

With the status of Minister of Rites and Scholar of the Cabinet, the standards and treatment for leaving the Capital on official duties need not be mentioned.

The current Magistrate of Jinyang Prefecture, Mr. Wu, is Xu Qing’s former mentor.

He had already received news from his fellow townsman, Assistant Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Personnel, and came to greet him.

Seeing the pomp of Mr. Liang, the Elder, accompanied by the local officials and scholars, he welcomed them.

Mr. Liang, the Elder, knew that he had to pass through Jinyang Prefecture on his way to the sea and could not avoid Mr. Wu and his associates, thus he did not deliberately avoid them.

Moreover, Magistrate Wu was not only the instructor of Xu Qing’s county exam but also a man of Assistant Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Personnel.

Assistant Minister Zhang’s position, if advanced, would at least reach the ranks of Minister of Rites or Minister of Revenue, or he might enter the Cabinet directly.

In terms of Xu Qing’s previous life, this would be considered the ultimate peak of half-step Elder.

Such a personage warranted the Grand Secretary to give way three steps regularly.

Knowing his background, Mr. Liang, the Elder, wasn’t too proud.

Although the Ministry of Rites is prestigious, it doesn’t wield much power and has little benefits. Of course, if he could endure in his tenure, rising to be the Vice Chief wouldn’t be a problem.

If the Grand Secretary fails in his reforms, it might be necessary for someone like Mr. Liang, who can navigate both sides, to balance the court and serve as the Grand Secretary.

This is also why Mr. Liang, the Elder, was reluctant to join the court’s political strife.

As long as he could retire smoothly, the posthumous title of "Wen Zheng" (Literary Decorum) might be too much to hope for, but "Wen Zhong" (Literary Loyalty) was definitely within reach.

After the banquet and warm reception, and the spirits were high,

Mr. Wu whispered, "As the Elder heads to Jiangzuo, it’s essential to understand the local customs and practices. I have prepared two local entertainments for the Elder, to alleviate boredom and to help you understand the regional customs of Jiangzuo."

A spasm crossed Mr. Liang, the Elder’s, lips—he was from South Zhili himself, how could he not understand?

But it’s the thought that counts from little Wu.

Besides, having been away from his hometown for years, he indeed needed a refresher on Jiangzuo.

Mr. Liang, the Elder, did not turn down the offer, and when it was time to rest, he saw two charming figures, twin sisters. They were top-quality thin horses from Huainan, one named Nong Ying and the other Nong Yue.

Already stripped of their clothes early on, they were warming the bed for Mr. Liang, the Elder.

After a session of care, they also used their bodies to warm Mr. Liang, the Elder’s feet and hands.

"Ah, what’s all this about?"

Unable to help himself, Mr. Liang, the Elder, sighed and then had a good night’s sleep.

The next day, Mr. Wu came personally to see him off, presenting two boxes of local specialities for Mr. Liang, the Elder, and also requesting him to deliver a letter to his disciple.

Upon reaching the sea ship, Mr. Liang, the Elder, first checked the local products, which were truly fine goods in shades of yellow and green.

Then, in private, he opened the letter Magistrate Wu had asked him to deliver, only to find that the contents were blank.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Liang, the Elder, couldn’t help but smile, "What a subtle move."

The true intent was to ask for Mr. Liang, the Elder’s, disposition, as the content of the letter wasn’t important.

It was also for Mr. Liang, the Elder’s, own good.

If Mr. Liang, the Elder, wished to ask Xu Qing for a favor, he could directly add content to the blank paper, as Magistrate Wu’s personal seal was on it, sufficient to serve as a token.

Mr. Liang, the Elder, was very satisfied with the reception and praised Mr. Wu to his attendants, "Jinyang Prefecture’s Mr. Wu could at least become an Assistant Minister of the Six Ministries in the future."

He then felt that such praise was not sincere enough and continued, "If given the opportunity, becoming a Minister of the Cabinet is not impossible either."

This dynasty has had a Third Class Scholar who reached the position of Minister before. That was a child prodigy from a hundred years ago, who passed the examination at the age of sixteen.

Thus, unless Xu Qing, the next year, participates in the examination, the record for the youngest Scholar in the dynasty remains unbroken.

...

...

Mr. Liang, the Elder, commanded by decree to leave the Capital, news of which quickly spread to Yingtian Prefecture.

At this time, Xu Qing had already asked Governor Li Wendding to act as a matchmaker for a marriage proposal. What followed was the preparation for the marriage. He temporarily stayed in Yingtian Prefecture, without returning home.

After acting as a matchmaker, Governor Li Wendding then took his leave to return to the Capital.

Clearly aware that South Zhili was stirring lately, he took the opportunity to withdraw.

After coming in contact with Li Wendding, Xu Qing discovered that Li Wendding’s Martial Arts were unfathomably deep. He was at least at the level of Refining Internal and possibly higher.

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