The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 85 - 69 Alchemy Dao

Chapter 85: Chapter 69 Alchemy Dao

Wu Xun’an boarded the ship and naturally chose the best spot.

The Clerk could not stop him and went to consult with others. Then he came back to report to Wu Xun’an: "Sir, we have discussed it, and your matters are of great urgency. We will set sail to the pier of Heavenly Capital first to drop you off, then we will return to unload the goods."

"Wouldn’t this delay your business?" Wu Xun’an asked.

The Clerk hurriedly replied: "Sir, you are concerned about the country and its people; our trivial matters cannot be compared to yours."

Wu Xun’an stroked his beard and said: "You see reason, let’s do as you suggest."

The Clerk sighed with relief and quickly took his leave to instruct the helmsman to prepare to set sail.

Wu Xun’an leaned on the railing and gazed east along the river, then asked Xu Qing beside him: "Gongming, what are you thinking about?"

Xu Qing: "Master, something is not right."

"What’s wrong?"

Xu Qing whispered: "This ship is carrying salt."

Xu Qing trusted no one by nature. After boarding the ship, he took the opportunity to project his Divine Soul from his body. His Divine Soul could now remain outside its shell for a while during daylight without the harsh sun, although it was not as leisurely and comfortable as at night.

What’s more, the cabin was as dark as night.

Xu Qing first eavesdropped on the conversation between the Clerk and those inside and then checked the cargo, only then did he realize that this was an official ship involved in salt smuggling.

Because King Lin had not mentioned salt smuggling to Xu Qing, Xu Qing also did not link King Lin’s trip to the island for a black market payoff with it.

Moreover, King Lin did not originally set out for the salt smuggling.

Xu Qing selectively reported the information he had gathered to County Magistrate Wu, only mentioning he observed some clues.

Whether the facts were as such, of course, required Wu Xun’an’s own judgment.

"If this ship is carrying smuggled salt, that’s not a small amount. I’m afraid it’s worth tens of thousands of Silver." Wu Xun’an was shocked.

Xu Qing: "Master, don’t forget that their Salt Introductions are real; selling those in the black market alone would be worth at least thirty thousand Silver."

Wu Xun’an stroked his beard: "With the Salt Introductions, even smuggled salt could be sold as official salt."

Xu Qing nodded.

Theoretically, Salt Introductions should only sell official salt, but with them, smuggled salt could be sold as official salt, dramatically reducing costs.

"Gongming, what’s your take on this matter?" Wu Xun’an, uncertain about external affairs, had grown accustomed to relying on Xu Qing.

Xu Qing: "Master, remember you once said, ’For the sake of the nation’s life and death, one should not dodge misfortune and seek fortune.’"

Wu Xun’an pondered upon hearing this.

He had been assassinated, which could be said to be personal revenge by bandits, a private matter. Indeed, the rules of the officialdom are such that no matter how significant a private matter is, it is still a private affair. There could be a big fuss if someone died.

But you didn’t die, did you?

Therefore, you must conform to the overall situation, no need to fall out.

It also sounds bad if news spreads, making it seem as if the political struggles of the Great Yu Dynasty are as baseless as gang fights, always resorting to assassination.

Isn’t that just making a mockery, and it could also cause officials to become fearful.

But public affairs are different; the bigger the fuss, the better.

Even a corrupt official wishes to have a reputation for being just and incorrupt.

The key for Wu Xun’an to stay secure in his position as the Imperial Censor lies in having a sense of justice.

Some things can be fudged, but how can one fudge matters of national importance?

After coming to an understanding, Wu Xun’an immediately knew this was an opportunity to boost his political achievements and reputation. Regardless of who’s behind it, behind him is the royal father, His Majesty the Emperor, the Son of Heaven!

Wu Xun’an forcefully slapped the railing and said: "Gongming, you are right. How could this official fail his Majesty’s grace? I will handle this matter."

As the Imperial Censor of South Zhili, theoretically, he could supervise any affair in South Zhili and had a degree of law enforcement authority, provided he filed a report afterwards.

Of course, he could not execute before reporting if dealing with a Court-appointed Imperial Officer, but he could monitor and impeach.

Generally, the Court trusts the judgment of the Imperial Censors; even if an Imperial Censor is wrong, if it isn’t a big issue, they would still support him.

Because the Imperial Censor represents the authority of the Court.

This is also where the Imperial Censor’s ability to deter people comes from.

Xu Qing said: "Master, I have counted; there are at most thirty people on the ship, and with our strength, we can take them. Then have the people from the Riverway Inspection Office come to take over, find out where they were going to deliver the smuggled goods, and with the Riverway Inspection Office, we can wrap up this matter."

In theory, the Riverway Inspection Office could fight smuggling and had corresponding enforcement authority. With the endorsement of Wu Xun’an, there was no legal issue.

It has to be said; Inspector Li is about to have another win handed to him.

Good nephew, being force-fed such a great achievement, it would be hard to vomit it out even if he wanted to.

Inspector Li was also an old subordinate of Wu Xun’an and naturally trusted to use.

He also intended to promote Inspector Li. After all, strictly speaking, his power in South Zhili was still limited. If not nepotism at this time, then should he favor outsiders?

With Xu Qing and Fayue leading, along with the Martial Monks, the people on the ship were apprehended in less than a quarter of an hour.

After all, they were only the ordinary Official Army of the Five Cities Military Department of Heavenly Capital.

Their combat effectiveness was truly mediocre.

After Xu Qing and others handled the situation, the Jiangning Prefecture Official Army they brought along helped watch over the prisoners. Xu Qing then sent a familiar Official Army to inform his uncle. The Riverway Inspection Office was not far, and within less than half an incense stick’s burning, Inspector Li had arrived with his men.

Afterward, the cargo on the ship was checked, and the tarpaulins were pulled back, revealing baskets filled with coarse salt.

Inspector Li knew of people smuggling salt on regular days; such official ships even had passage orders from the Capital’s Ministry of War, and he usually dared not stop them for inspection.

After seeing the ship full of smuggled salt, Inspector Li was still dazzled.

Salt and iron are excessively profitable and fundamental to the state.

It is precisely because of this that people are willing to risk it all.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.