The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 355 - 160: Wealth is Attainable, but Longevity is Elusive

Chapter 355: Chapter 160: Wealth is Attainable, but Longevity is Elusive

Wan Yun Restaurant.

Sect Leader Fang of the Wuxia-genre One-Character Wisdom Sword Sect from Southern Fujian sat grim-faced at a table with Xu Qing. The young man previously in the restaurant, dressed in brocaded clothes, was his only son and stood submissively beside Sect Leader Fang at this moment.

As for the other members of the East Sea Gang, they had already been arrested by the Jinghai Guard.

The reason why Sect Leader Fang dared to come was another matter; he had donated to secure the position of a Guerrilla General in Southern Fujian, and the Fang Family belonged to the local aristocratic families in the area.

Essentially, it was a mix of both black and white forces, not purely underworld greens.

In places far from the Emperor’s reach, local aristocratic families act more boldly.

Plainly speaking, should the Court eradicate a local aristocratic family, another one would soon rise, with even more centrifugal force from the central Court authority.

To ward off external troubles, one must first ensure internal stability.

When internal affairs are unstable, external troubles are merely put on hold.

The Court’s control over the realm mainly rests upon some key areas, known as the "interior," while Southern Fujian belongs to the "exterior," which cannot shake the overall situation of the world.

Such local potentates as Sect Leader Fang actually live a more comfortable life than many scholarly families in South Zhili.

He said, "Xu Jieyuan, I, Fang, have come as you demanded. Name your price, how can you agree to let me and my son go?"

He may be overbearing in his own territory, but he understands the principle that he is now the fish on the chopping board at the mercy of the knife.

Yet Sect Leader Fang did not believe Xu Qing would resort to extreme measures.

He was here for his only son, but he also represented many other aristocratic families in Southern Fujian coming to probe.

Of course, they were not probing Xu Qing, but the Imperial Navy that represents the will of the Court.

Whether it is a surprise attack or something else...

The East Sea Gang indeed suffered a heavy loss this time.

And with the Imperial Navy set to be garrisoned long-term in Jinhua Prefecture, controlling Dongming Island with pointed spears, the coastal aristocratic families cannot help but consider the next situation.

In their view, Xu Gongming is now the sharp edge of the Reform Faction in the Southeast, his attitude is enough to reflect the stance of the central Court’s chancellors.

Xu Qing smiled faintly, "I have heard that Sect Leader Fang has always been engaged in the maritime escort business, I wonder if you might be interested in expanding it?"

Sect Leader Fang immediately showed interest, "How to expand?"

Xu Qing: "What do you think will happen next for the East Sea Gang?"

"Before, the Imperial Navy in the Southeast couldn’t sail out to sea and was lacking in combat effectiveness, so they could run amok at sea. Now that the Court has raised its own Navy, they naturally can no longer act willfully along the coast as before. But Xu Jieyuan may not understand the Fang Immortal Dao that backs them."

"Oh, I’ve heard that Heshan Tao also has a significant influence within the East Sea Gang. Why does Sect Leader Fang mention only Fang Immortal Dao?"

Sect Leader Fang: "Heshan Tao’s foundation lies on land, while Fang Immortal Dao has its roots in the Southern Ocean Islands. Xu Jieyuan, you should know the Southern Ocean is vast, with boundless seas, countless small nations; currently, Fang Immortal Dao wields the largest influence in the Southern Ocean Islands. Moreover, these nations also rely on Fang Immortal Dao to help them resist Westerners. Nowadays, the strife on the great seas is even more intense than at the end of the previous dynasty, with Martial Arts and Divine Soul Experts emerging in great numbers. If it weren’t for the Great Yu Dynasty’s Dynasty Destiny shielding us, and because many Divine Soul Experts as well as evil spirits from the Southern Ocean do not dare to enter the prosperous inland areas, I think the Great Yu Dynasty wouldn’t be at peace."

Xu Qing indifferently said: "All Daoist lineages in the world originated from Central Earth. Fang Immortal Dao, having been driven out from Central Earth, still has such influence in the Southern Ocean. If it weren’t for the Great Yu Dynasty’s Dynasty Destiny suppressing the age, do you think that the vast and spiritually rich land of Central Earth, capable of producing extraordinary individuals, would have fewer such individuals than the Overseas? Besides, the Great Yu has the Martial Saint to suppress it; once they take action, those people would be no different from chickens and dogs."

Sect Leader Fang was at a loss for words for a moment.

Seeing this, Xu Qing knew that within Sect Leader Fang’s knowledge, among those overseas forces, there was likely no existence at the level of Ghost Immortal or Martial Saint.

But whether there are hidden figures not emerging into the world, secretly manipulating secular forces, is also unknown.

Still, no matter how strong, they are not stronger than the likes of the previous dynasty’s immortal master Chongyang.

The land of Central Earth is always coveted by those Overseas, a land where Heaven descends, and where the talented and the land itself are spiritually enriched.

Such places are most likely to nurture divine and immortal-like beings.

How can a pond nurture a dragon?

For instance, Fusang Island had its Warring States era, and Central Earth also had its Warring States era; can the two be compared?

Afterward, Xu Qing asked Sect Leader Fang many things about the Southern Ocean.

Strategic contempt is one thing, but reality must still be given due respect.

Having understood this and combining it with what he already knew, he had a general outline. Only after that, did Xu Qing propose the specifics of collaboration with Sect Leader Fang.

Maritime trade near the coast mainly follows the coastline, allowing for replenishment of supplies and freshwater at any time. Each stop also allows for trade, and the transport costs of shipping are so low compared to land transport that they are almost negligible.

Even for regular commodity trading, the profits are incredibly large.

Not to mention goods like silk, porcelain, and tea, which are in high demand overseas.

A thirty-fold profit is an understatement.

With the help of a local strongman like Sect Leader Fang, the general framework of Xu Qing’s near-sea routes is not a problem. And as locals, they have well-informed contacts.

Even if the East Sea Gang were pirates, they would still need to rely on coastal aristocratic families for supplies, unable to leave the land. By making a breakthrough here, one could truly eradicate the persistent problem of the East Sea Gang.

Additionally, it would help further expand the undercover influence of the Red Flower Society.

Doing great deeds for the Court, while seeking personal interests for oneself, naturally, things can be accomplished one by one.

As the Court uses Xu Qing, so too does Xu Qing enjoy the shelter of the big tree.