The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 94 - 72: Magical Duel (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 94: Chapter 72: Magical Duel (Please Subscribe)

Academician Zhou chatted idly with Xu Qing about household matters, and he also mentioned Inspector Li’s river inspection office. It turned out that the Reform Faction, in order to increase fiscal revenue, planned to set up a major checkpoint at the ferry crossing from the Jiangning River to Black Water Lake, right below Qixia Mountain, named the Huli Pass.

This place is bustling with boat traffic and is a critical commercial hub of South Zhili.

If a checkpoint could be established here, it could significantly increase the country’s tax revenue.

Especially since the matter of the official boat smuggling salt came to light, it further strengthened their resolve to set up the checkpoint.

Moreover, the core concept of the Reform Faction is to strengthen the military and enrich the country.

There are approximately four similar tax checkpoints being planned in South Zhili. In particular, the Huli Pass that Academician Zhou mentioned, they temporarily discussed planning to ask the Court to directly appoint a Ministry of Revenue official to take on the role of Tax Envoy, to be led directly by the Court, without local interference.

Because they have to establish a checkpoint, the first step is to eradicate the local bandits on both land and water.

That means the burden on the river inspection office will increase.

Academician Zhou also specifically hinted that the higher-ups are very determined this time, so the bandit suppression campaign around that area will be carried out resolutely to the end.

In fact, many water bandits and mountain bandits in South Zhili are backed by local scholars and aristocrats or the powerful in Yingtian Prefecture. Hence, it is not surprising that news of this suppression campaign was released in advance.

If the opposing party is sensible and withdraws early, it can reduce the intensity of the campaign; if they resist to the end, it could be used to curb the power of local strongmen and scholars.

The Court’s attitude toward local power groups is to use them but also to guard against them.

They are used because imperial power does not reach the countryside; they rely on them for tax collection. Yet they are guarded against to prevent local powers from growing too strong and to suppress land annexation.

Generally speaking, the Court compromising with local forces and consequent accelerated land annexation is often a sign of a dynasty’s decline.

Now, signs of this are beginning to appear in South Zhili.

Xu Qing’s attendance tonight also signifies him acting on behalf of Inspector Li, to understand the higher-ups’ intent while helping Inspector Wu integrate into their Reform Faction’s small circle in the Heavenly Capital.

Otherwise, Academician Zhou would not have rushed to find Xu Qing to discuss matters.

Frankly, Xu Qing can play a role in smoothing interpersonal relationships.

Equivalent to a middleman, responsible for connecting and bridging relationships.

After listening, Xu Qing actually thought even more. If such a bandit suppression campaign is to be carried out, Black Wind Village would inevitably face a tremendous impact.

This matter is a bit troublesome.

He had just collaborated with King Lin not long before; now, as the Court moves to suppress bandits and it affects King Lin, it is hard to say whether this Heavenly King brother might throw the blame onto Xu Qing.

Xu Qing has always liked to plan for the worst before it rains.

It seems that after returning, he will have to think of a way to resolve the hidden dangers of this matter.

In fact, if viewed from the right angle, what seems to be a bad thing could also turn out to be a good thing.

Of course, turning disadvantages into advantages requires extremely careful implementation.

Once this matter unfolds, more and more people who rely on him for a living emerge from both the lawful and illicit worlds; in fact, many things become beyond his control.

The advantage is, the larger his power grows, the greater the security for Xu Qing himself and the more his ability to resist risks increases.

Especially during the time Magistrate He presides over Jiangning Prefecture, it is a beneficial period for Xu Qing.

Once a new Magistrate takes over, the situation will change.

Moreover, it is unknown what caliber the person succeeding Inspector Wu in the position of County Magistrate will be.

One can only hope the new party is sensible.

Fortunately, he has secured Magistrate He’s support; otherwise, if the new County Magistrate wanted to harm Xu Qing, he would indeed face considerable trouble.

Academician Zhou truly regarded Xu Qing as his own kin, which was why he discussed these local government affairs.

Do not be fooled by his current role as Academic Supervisor; it is merely a temporary transition.

For an Imperial Examination aristocratic family like the Taicang Zhou Clan, familiarity with governmental affairs starts from early cultivation. As a result, after passing the Imperial Examination in the future, they will be promoted faster than others.

Whatever the time, the Court always needs diligent and competent officials.

Academician Zhou is currently involved in selecting scholars for governmental service, but after this busy period, perhaps he could be promoted to roles such as Governor in local offices, or assume important positions in the Six Ministries or Inspection Bureau.

Thanks to the last idea Xu Qing had given during the examination papers, which greatly inspired Academician Zhou, his current government papers have substantial content to write.

As for the actual effects?

Frankly, an Academic Administrator’s achievements mainly hinge on boasting; as for substantive work, having a facade already suffices.

Furthermore, in dealing with the affairs of the Songzhou Xu Family, Xu Qing had truly helped Academician Zhou tremendously.

With that one accomplishment, Academician Zhou has enough to claim credit from the superiors.

As for the entire Zhili Province conducting a serious examination of the school registers, even with a strong background, Academician Zhou might have to leave in disgrace when the issue escalates.

If the situation gets too big, it might even lead to calling the Academic Administrator from the Taicang Zhou Clan’s base to intervene.

You target me, I target you.

After a long conversation, considering other urgent matters, Academician Zhou reluctantly instructed Xu Qing to go down and rest in preparation for the evening banquet.

Watching Xu Qing leave the study, Academician Zhou became increasingly satisfied with him because Xu Qing naturally has some talents that allow him to clearly understand world affairs.

"This young man is valiant and displays generosity, such a character, placed in a time of chaos, would undoubtedly have the potential to be a heroic figure dominating a territory. Back in the day, I praised him saying that one day he would become a warrior for all under heaven; it seems that this day won’t take too long to come," Academician Zhou thought of his prematurely deceased sister, feeling both heartache and relief for her.

"This marriage matter must be settled soon, lest someone beats us to the punch," Academician Zhou wrote swiftly, preparing to send a letter to the Capital. The big ideas should be set first; as for the engagement, it could be held after the next Imperial Examination session without delay.