The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 280 - 135: Reproduction (Please Subscribe)_3

Chapter 280: Chapter 135: Reproduction (Please Subscribe)_3

Cultivation requires even more money than pursuing a career through the Imperial Examination; hence, they are inseparable from the other three major families.

The Wang Family has the most significant official influence and owns the most farmlands. Still, they do not have many hidden lands and populations; their fields are primarily accumulated and developed over generations.

If the farmland is to be measured, the impact on them is not particularly significant, but they still predominantly oppose the survey. This is because a series of officials around the Wang Family have done plenty of hiding their slaves, lands, and populations.

There’s no need to mention Duke Wei, as a noble lineage, they naturally oppose the measurement of farmland, which is one of their primary sources of income.

In addition, there are many members of the Imperial Family during the Great Yu Dynasty who also hide populations and evade conscription.

Strictly speaking, the Imperial Family and nobles are the greatest resistance to the "farmland measurement" decree, with the Civil Servant Group coming in second.

This is because civil servant families rely on the career paths provided by the Imperial Examination, where rises and falls are the norm.

Nobles and the Imperial Family, on the other hand, inherit their status.

But that doesn’t mean civil servants have no motivation to stop this decree, and there are also divisions within them. Many descendants of the major families, such as those from the Cheng Family and the Zhou Family, have joined the Reform Faction. They not only have idealists but also deeply recognize the inherent ills of the Dynasty, wanting to heal the Dynasty by cutting to the bone. This will also enable their families to continue developing and extending as vines on the Dynasty, the big tree.

Changing dynasties is both an opportunity and a risk.

Unless absolutely necessary, these great families actually do not wish for major changes in the world.

But when that day really comes, other than a portion of idealists, most will bow their heads in acceptance.

The four Family Heads gathered to discuss the matter of Xu Qing, with Duke Wei having been troubled by it all along. Now, seeing others also troubled, he felt somewhat relieved.

After the discussion, the Zhu Family Master was the one who was most disgusted and vehemently against Xu Qing’s reach into overseas trade. The Lu Family and Wang Family were also displeased, but not as resolute, while Duke Wei truly wanted to kill Xu Qing on the spot, but people have to live in reality.

Duke Wei Mansion can be said to be the leader of the other three families and also their shield.

Thus, he is currently the most uncomfortable one.

The Emperor has been watching him too closely, just waiting for Duke Wei to make a mistake to take the opportunity to sort him out.

After all, Duke Wei Mansion has many other branches, and if the main branch has issues, it will be an opportunity for the branches. Whether this will lead to a loss of the family’s influence is something the smaller branches will consider only after integrating into the larger family.

One should not add to one’s worries over things not yet in hand.

Duke Wei sighed deeply, "At this critical juncture, dealing with Xu Qing is not realistic; everyone needs to consider my situation."

He gestured a bow towards the other three Family Heads.

Zhu Family Master said coldly, "Are we just going to let him off?"

Duke Wei shook his head, "He wants to get involved in overseas trade simply because he relies on having that Lin bandit as his ally. If we break his arm, can he continue doing so?"

Zhu Family Master furrowed his brows, "That Lin bandit roams the seas freely; taking him down is not so easy."

Duke Wei smiled, "I have already found out which seaport Lin bandit uses to resupply, located in Wuzhong County, Jiangning Prefecture. When the time comes, we can have Sea Sand Gang and Giant Whale Gang join forces. When he resupplies, we’ll wipe out his men, then block the seaports of Jiangning Prefecture. Even if Xu Qing covers the sky with one hand in Jiangning Prefecture, he’ll just be a trapped beast in a cage."

"When do we act then?"

Duke Wei’s mouth twitched upon hearing this, "Now is not the time yet."

"Why not?"

"Mr. Liang’s ships are currently docked in Wuzhong County. If we act now..." When Duke Wei first uncovered this news, he was quite excited, only to quickly realize Mr. Liang’s ships were stubbornly staying at the seaport of Wuzhong County, and his excitement dissipated completely.

One can only say that Xu Gongming is indeed enigmatic.

Hearing this, Zhu Family Master couldn’t help feeling frustrated, "This guy is just too strange."

If "forcing the nobles of Jiangning Prefecture to write a petition" was Xu Qing’s premeditated plan, then Mr. Liang’s case can only be attributed to heavenly help, beyond any stratagem’s explanation.

Duke Wei actually suspects that it’s a trap set by the Grand Secretary.

Because according to his intelligence, Mr. Liang’s imperial mission was to go directly to Jiangning Prefecture to investigate a case, with no permission to interfere elsewhere.

A special decree for a special task!

If one understands Mr. Liang’s character, they would know this old sly fox would most likely take the sea route to Jiangning Prefecture to avoid trouble.

However, among Jiangning Prefecture’s seaports, Wuzhong County’s is not a major one, but Mr. Liang has docked his ships there, which is indeed strange.

But the fact that Wuzhong County is the farthest from the center of Jiangning Prefecture might be a reason.

In any case, the situation has reached a point where it’s somewhat awkward.

The Lu Family Head nodded in serious agreement.

The Lu Family Head is relatively calm and goes with the flow type.

Wang Family Head laughed and said, "Looking at that young man’s style, he might not be impervious to both soft and hard tactics. It’s just right to attend his grand wedding and observe him further."

The Wang Family mainly mingles in official circles and appreciates and supports young talents.

If it weren’t for Xu Qing’s early connection with the Feng Family, he would have considered marrying an outstanding eligible direct daughter from his family.

Although Zhu Family Master was angry, he was not impulsive, knowing that if Xu Qing couldn’t be taken down for the time being, there was no need to complicate matters unnecessarily.

He said, "I wonder how the central power struggle will turn out in the end."

Wang Family Head stroked his beard and said, "In my opinion, surveying the entire nation’s farmland is utterly impossible now. Most likely, the project will start from Shuntian Prefecture and then Jiangning and Yingtian Prefectures as pilot areas, leaving the rest untouched. However, the policy of converting rice fields to mulberry fields will probably be settled before the end of the year, and thereafter, the price of raw silk will plummet."