The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 319 - 148: The Reaction of the Grand Secretary and the Return of Master Wu (Please Subscribe)_3

Chapter 319: Chapter 148: The Reaction of the Grand Secretary and the Return of Master Wu (Please Subscribe)_3

Not only does this require extremely high standards for seagoing vessels, but it also necessitates a profound understanding of the weather patterns.

Therefore, the sailing routes of the Giant Whale Gang across the seas are fixed.

Of course, King Lin’s ships need to set out according to the weather as well, the same goes for Xu Qing’s vessels.

Otherwise, encountering a storm could risk capsizing the entire ship.

Especially the meteorological conditions of coastal waters, which often focus on wind force and tides.

There’s much knowledge involved in this.

Gao Gongyuan is truly a master in this field.

He speaks with confidence, lively and animated with intense self-assurance when discussing the intricacies.

Xu Qing couldn’t deny that in everyone’s field of expertise, they are the protagonist of their own story.

Xu Qing listened intently, activating the state of Absolute Focus, asking questions from time to time and integrating the information with the navigational knowledge in his memory.

In fact, many of these things he had glossed over without understanding before.

Now, with Gao Gongyuan’s explanations based on his rich experience, Xu Qing, in the state of Absolute Focus, immediately gained many insights and could generalize principles from one example.

This surprised King Lin and the others.

As for Gao Gongyuan, he was astounded.

Because some details are such that only an experienced old sailor could inquire about them.

He had to admit, Xu Qing’s innate wisdom that allowed him to influence South Zhili at such a young age, was indeed no empty talk.

If it was anyone else asking, Gao Gongyuan would keep some secrets to himself.

But Xu Qing was different; he could be said to be the savior of Gao Gongyuan’s entire family, and moreover, his family was now exiled to Lingnan, which was the area of Xu Qing’s brother-in-law.

The implications were self-evident.

Moreover, considering Xu Qing’s status, even if he learned all this, it wouldn’t impact Gao Gongyuan’s value.

As for Xu Qing himself, for one, he was somewhat eager to learn, and secondly, understanding these things in advance, even if they were never used, was a preparation against unforeseen disasters.

This was how he always conducted himself, aiming to keep his fate as much in his own hands as possible.

...

...

Capital, Yanyue Hall.

"Grand Secretary, an urgent report has arrived from Jiangning Prefecture."

The intelligence dispatched back from Jiangning Prefecture has even higher priority than from Yingtian Prefecture.

Moreover, unlike the usual urgent messages that cover 800 li, Jiangning Prefecture’s secret letters have a special clandestine channel that allows replies within one day.

Because the Emperor is truly wholeheartedly supporting the Grand Secretary’s reforms, the eccentric talents of Yanyue Hall are now numerous.

This is also a necessary step by the Emperor. Having been established for over two hundred years, the Great Yu Dynasty cannot avoid its eventual decline.

Without reforms, it would be waiting for death.

With reforms, there might be a sliver of hope.

Furthermore, the Emperor, in pursuit of longevity, had already tied his own life force with the Great Yu Dynasty; if it were to crumble, the Emperor would be utterly devastated, without even the possibility of an afterlife.

This made the old Emperor, in the quest for survival, have no choice but to fight with all his might.

Actually, this was also a choice made by the old Emperor himself.

Before he absorbed the dragon’s pulse into himself, the Chaotian Temple Master had already clarified all the advantages and disadvantages very clearly.

The Emperor still chose this path.

Because even if there is an afterlife, he wouldn’t retain the memories of this life, nor would he possibly be an Emperor again; rather than that, it’s better to struggle gloriously against fate once more.

Even the reforms are not his first attempt.

An effort was made in his early years.

It succeeded only in part and still couldn’t prevent the worsening situation in the country.

He had given up before, and now, in his later years, he was ready to make one more determined effort.

The dignity of an Emperor does not allow one to bow easily to fate.

And the will of the Grand Secretary is even more resolute and fearless than that of the Emperor.

There are even rumors that the Grand Secretary might be the reincarnation of characters like former Prime Minister Wang Jing and his ilk...

However, in terms of personal indulgence, the Grand Secretary seems more akin to Li Linfu.

Some say Xu Qing, despite his youth, is heading into a sunset, acting recklessly.

The actions of the Grand Secretary, in fact, show little regard for the future and what comes after.

Moreover, both are marked by their early success.

Currently inside Yanyue Hall, many have noticed the Grand Secretary’s special attention to Xu Qing.

Thus, there are vague rumors that Xu Qing might be the Grand Secretary’s illegitimate son.

The Grand Secretary pays no mind to these rumors, picking up the intelligence from Jiangning Prefecture, and first inspecting the recent land measurements, events at Heavenly Mechanism Palace, and changes at Golden Ray Monastery...

He went through each matter, and finally, his gaze settled on the matter of Xu Qing’s sea voyage.

He stroked his beard and said, "Send for Magistrate Wu of Jinyang Prefecture to see me."

...

...

In the biting cold.

Upon hearing that the Grand Secretary summoned him, Magistrate Wu could only crawl out of his warm and inviting bed.

In recent days, he resolutely bought several lean horses to curry favor with the officials in the Capital and even personally tested them to inspect the goods.

This had inevitably left him somewhat weakened.

Stepping outside and hit by the chilly wind, he shivered to his toes.

But a summons from the Grand Secretary is not to be ignored.

Magistrate Wu had no choice but to mount a fast horse, take his command token, and quickly set off for the Capital along with the messenger.

Rushing all the way to Yanyue Hall.

When Magistrate Wu met the Grand Secretary.

A maid had already offered hot soup, steeped with the aroma of Spirit Ginseng.

After drinking it, he couldn’t help but feel comforted.

Grand Secretary really knows how to treat people!

"Magistrate Wu, I’ve heard that you eradicated many pirates when you served as the Imperial Censor in South Zhili, a truly capable and diligent official."

"Prime Minister, your servant is unworthy."

The Grand Secretary smiled and said, "Since last year, the court has reinstated the Jinghai Guard; the pirates in the East Sea are becoming increasingly rampant. I intend to promote you to the rank of Right Deputy Imperial Censor, leading three thousand Jinghai Guards to inspect the coastal states in Southeast."

Magistrate Wu is currently holding a post of the Fourth Rank, and the position of Right Deputy Imperial Censor is a regular Fourth Rank.