The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 276 - 134: Calling the Wind and Summoning the Rain (Subscription Request)_3

Chapter 276: Chapter 134: Calling the Wind and Summoning the Rain (Subscription Request)_3

This has a certain appeal to the ordinary local gentry and bullies.

After all, the Recovery Society’s proposition clearly states that once there is great disorder under heaven, lacking order, it will cause great harm to everyone.

The Recovery Society advocates for the re-establishment of a more stable order to alleviate conflicts between different social strata.

Although this cannot be achieved, at least it presents an attractive vision.

Those who have read books are very clear that great governance follows great chaos. Because only then is it easier to re-establish order.

If there is no great chaos, it will be like the Western Jin, inheriting the maladies of the previous Han dynasties, at its inception already resembling the dying breath of a dynasty.

Xu Qing of course knew that the ideology of the Recovery Society was hollow, filled with idealism.

But having a framework is what attracts people, and how to fill it in would naturally be answered in practice.

Ultimately, no matter what you want to do, you need people.

As long as more and more people join his ship, it will naturally form a new interest group, to struggle against the old powers, thereby preserving itself and then perhaps having the chance to save the world.

But that’s just a chance.

By then, the people on his ship may have become new tyrants, more likely than not.

Right now, Xu Qing cannot consider so much; first, he must secure his standing and make his livelihood, only then does the future exist.

Only by getting through today can there be a tomorrow.

Only by making it through Jiangning Prefecture can he grasp the world.

After exchanging pleasantries with Scholar Hu for a while, Xu Qing finally got to the point and said, "Does Mr. Hu still remember the tea we drank last time at the government office?"

"I remember, it was truly exceptional."

Xu Qing smiled: "It’s not quite exceptional, but it does have its unique traits. What’s more important is that I plan to enter the tea business. Does Mr. Hu have an interest in joining as a stakeholder?"

Scholar Hu: "The tea business is fiercely competitive, may I ask what insights Xu Jieyuan has?"

Xu Qing shared his general strategy, mainly involving having famous figures like Xie Quan from Yingtian Prefecture hype it up, then add some exotic stories to spice it up. However, none of these were at the core of the matter.

Finally, Xu Qing revealed his hand, saying, "The real huge profits of tea lies in maritime trade, it’s the same with silk. I intend to open up this trade route."

Scholar Hu thought of Xu Qing’s relationship with King Lin, who is now a famous pirate in the East Sea, yet has also grievously offended powerful factions like the Sea Sand Gang and the Giant Whale Gang, as well as the Eastern Barbarians. The current situation at sea was just as perilous as Xu Qing’s previous predicament.

Scholar Hu understood that maritime trade, despite its risks, also came with immense profits. The profits from silk and tea after sailing are often more than thirty times the original, indeed very lucrative.

This is why Duke Wei Mansion could have its powers entrenched and complex, claiming to be the uncrowned king of the Southeastern Land, due to the enormous profits from maritime trade.

The Court has always coveted these profits, but struggles to find an opening.

Could it be...

Scholar Hu’s thoughts ran wild, and he swallowed before saying, "I know nothing of business matters; I will follow Xu Jieyuan’s lead."

Xu Qing smiled, "I heard that Mr. Hu’s family owns several dye houses and tea plantations..."

"I will put them all in as shares," Scholar Hu immediately stated his position.

After all, these local gentry were originally only able to get by on very little, relying on these nouns. If they could cooperate with Xu Qing and get directly involved, the profits would be far more than tenfold of what they had before.

Xu Qing nodded and said, "More friends will likely come to visit me, and we’re all from the same hometown; we see each other often. This incident is a blessing in disguise. I’ll trouble Mr. Hu to send them off for me and take the opportunity to discuss what we’ve just talked about."

Scholar Hu was inexplicably overjoyed, "Xu Jieyuan wants me to explain to them on his behalf?"

Xu Qing: "Does Scholar Hu find it tiresome? Should I seek someone else more capable?"

"No, no. I am willing to serve Xu Jieyuan in these humble tasks," Scholar Hu responded, feeling rejuvenated as if he had taken spiritual pills and elixirs.

It really pays to be early.

Xu Qing then handed over a token to Scholar Hu.

Scholar Hu joyfully accepted it and then took his leave.

He feared that if he left too late, others might come and take away this task.

After Scholar Hu left, Su Lianqing came out and asked with confusion, "My Lord, why did you just hand over such an excellent opportunity to him?"

Xu Qing replied, "Professional matters, of course, need to be handled by professional people. Our understanding of the local gentry and the powerful families can’t compare to that of Scholar Hu. Besides, the distribution of interests is a profound matter."

Su Lianqing had an epiphany, "I see. Scholar Hu first wades into these troubled waters, and if later there are any complaints of unfairness, they will surely come to My Lord to seek justice. By then, My Lord can not only reprimand Scholar Hu but also grant minor favors to them, thus winning over their hearts. If you tightly control the conversation from the start, while they may show submission on the surface, they will not be convinced in their hearts."

Xu Qing laughed lightly: "It’s not that complicated. In the end, it’s difficult to do things right but easy to find fault. We’ve grown larger now, and there’s no need to try everything ourselves; we can simply cross the river by stepping on the stones others have felt out."

The Grand Secretary used him as a pawn and fell into a trap.

Now isn’t he also using others as pawns, setting traps.

Sigh, people eventually become the very thing they hate.

...

...

After Scholar Hu left Xu Mansion in the Heavenly Capital, he certainly knew that Xu Qing was using him as a pawn to test the waters, but it was still an opportunity he had to seize.

Even if power was poison, one could not let it fall into others’ hands.

He even started to admire Xu Qing more.

Holding the upper hand, Xu Qing did not wipe out his enemies ruthlessly but instead seized opportunities in a timely manner, advancing and retreating freely.