The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 45 - 41: Worldly Affairs

Chapter 45: Chapter 41: Worldly Affairs

Hearing Xu Scholar’s words, his face twitched.

Half of the Xu Family’s land in Songzhou would amount to tens of thousands of acres.

Even Master Qian, who had seen and experienced much, couldn’t help but feel his heart race upon hearing Xu Scholar’s stakes. With those tens of thousands of acres, even a Scholar who is aiming for higher degrees would have to think it over.

Initially shocked, Xu Qing then slowly spoke, "Old Master Xu, are you truly willing to part with it?"

"For the sake of the family enduring this calamity, what is there not to part with?" Xu Scholar replied with a bitter laugh.

Xu Qing looked at Xu Scholar peculiarly and spoke faintly, "If the old master is willing to part with these lands, why not bring them out to cooperate with the land survey?"

He then shook his head, reciting a piece of official documentation, "If any scholars or powerful families actively cooperate with the land survey, all past grievances will not be pursued."

Xu Scholar had never imagined that Xu Qing wouldn’t be moved by half of the Songzhou Xu Family lands; instead...

"No, that’s not right. This young man is an orphan from the Jiangning Xu Family. With these lands and the reputation as a Scholar, revitalizing the family business would be just around the corner. How could he remain unmoved?" Xu Scholar was greatly alarmed inside, having never seen such a worldly and shrewd youth before.

Logically, a young person who achieved the minor academic accolade would be solely focused on reading the Saintly Books, how could he understand so much about the human heart and worldliness?

Xu Qing, speaking to the shocked Xu Scholar, continued, "I have a good memory. I remember everything that I read in the imperial report. Does Old Master Xu not read the imperial report?"

Though nominally tailored for local officials to keep abreast of the Court’s political landscape.

In fact, anyone slightly influential locally knows the contents of the imperial report.

And for this reason, policies regarding the land survey are covered in the imperial report.

This was the Grand Secretary’s attempt to lessen the resistance against land survey by the powerful, scholarly families.

Frankly, the surveying of lands across the realm was to increase the tax base, extending the Dynasty’s rule.

Such matters are carried out by every dynasty.

Those who handle it poorly are short-lived dynasties.

If handled well, the Dynasty could continue.

Xu Scholar’s face turned pale, then he bowed his hands, "My wise nephew, truly, a single remark has awakened the dreamer in me. Please accept an old man’s respect."

Xu Qing didn’t dodge this bow.

By accepting this bow, he had managed to save face for both parties.

Why so?

Xu Scholar sought Xu Qing’s help for reasons certainly not to be disclosed, and from the dark Qi Fortune, this matter was notably troublesome.

Xu Qing subtly hinted through the text of the imperial report that he had seen through Xu Scholar’s schemes.

If Xu Scholar didn’t wish to escalate tensions, he needed to back down gracefully; otherwise, a close examination of this affair would result in losing face, including for County Magistrate Wu.

Normally, botching this matter is expected.

However, causing loss of face such that even the intermediary cannot step down gracefully means offending many, exhausting the goodwill of forebears.

After an exchange of pleasantries, Xu Scholar left behind a token of fifty taels, and did not take the deeds with him. Xu Qing did not refuse; it was the other party’s way of making reparations.

It’s one thing to keep score in one’s mind, and yet another to do so openly.

By accepting, it meant that face was saved for both parties.

After Xu Qing left, the Zhou Family came over, saw the gift left by Xu Scholar, and joyfully said, "Qing boy, this distant relative of yours, Old Master Xu, sure is generous."

Earlier, the Zhou Family had been behind the screen in the front hall, directing people to serve tea and water while listening to their conversation.

They really believed that Xu Qing was guiding them through the confusion, and they felt grateful.

Xu Qing invited the Zhou Family to the courtyard, which was open and empty, and whispered, "Auntie, this matter is somewhat complicated, let me explain it to you in detail. When you respond, also keep your voice down, so as to avoid ears all around and prevent the news from spreading out."

The Zhou Family now regarded Xu Qing as the head of the family and naturally nodded.

Thus, Xu Qing combined his own judgment with the reactions of the local scholars and carefully went over it once.

He felt that the Zhou Family and Historian Li were the closest people to him in this life, and many principles must be made clear. Otherwise, if he kept them hidden and ambiguously, they might easily be influenced by others’ ways, eventually bringing trouble upon himself.

Sometimes, don’t think that human relations are very profound.

Ordinary people understand how to act with a sense of measure; it’s just that they have different channels for receiving information and usually don’t think about it.

If someone were to explain these convolutions, even those who aren’t adept in social etiquette would surely understand.

Such matters, concerning one’s own interests, are typically taken to heart.

Even if not taken to heart, they could serve as a caution.

Xu Qing stuck to the facts without any preaching, further reducing the Zhou Family’s resistance as an elder.

Actually, it’s not just the young who are rebellious; sometimes the elders are even more so.

No matter how eloquently the principles are explained, they won’t listen because the elders often want your compliance, not your reasoning.

This is from a human nature perspective.

When juniors try to instill principles in elders, it comes with a preachy implication.

Firstly, it disrupts the hierarchy, and secondly, it negates the elders themselves. For example, they might think, having lived so many years and experienced so much, aren’t they better than a young whippersnapper?

People, after all, are few who can accept being negated or looked down upon.

Dignity, sometimes worthless, can at other times be more precious than life itself.

Xu Qing, of course, is no saint capable of overcoming the innate flaws within himself, but he’s willing to compromise for a greater goal.

In life, first commit to a goal. With a grand vision and the potential for achievement, just like in gaming, you’ll really want to reach the end.

After understanding, the Zhou Family said, "So, this Old Master Xu harbors ill intentions towards you? Fortunately, Qing is clever; otherwise, our family could have faced a severe fall."

Xu Qing knew that although Li Mansion was now rather affluent, it was nothing but a feather in the eyes of the truly powerful, easily extinguished with a flick of a finger.

He said, "It should not be aimed at me, but they definitely want to use me for their schemes. This matter isn’t completely resolved yet."

Xu Qing understood that, fundamentally, this issue targeted Feng Xifeng and Academician Zhou, and he was merely the pawn the others were interested in.

The ominous Qi Fortune had dissipated a lot, yet remnants still remained, indicating that the issue was not entirely concluded.

"If only I were stronger, then I could directly capture this old man, find out who’s behind him, and settle everything once and for all. How satisfying that would be." Xu Qing felt anger inside, but he knew that now, even if he raged, it would only be futile rage, useless in solving anything.

Xu Qing didn’t plan to let things rest and pacify everyone. He thought the person behind the Xu Family of Songzhou was untouchable for now, but the local scholar wasn’t beyond reproach.

Not to mention that the local scholar had left a gift to apologize. Because of this matter, if Xu Qing were greedy, he might end up sacrificing his entire family.

The local scholar appeared amiable but fundamentally did not care about the lives of his family of three.

Moreover, this matter could also implicate his female teacher and Feng Xifeng.

He secretly weighed his options and decided to seek out County Magistrate Wu.

In fact, County Magistrate Wu had also almost become a victim, and Xu Qing felt he had to defend his old teacher.

Subsequently, Xu Qing set out towards the County Government.