"Auntie likes it, that’s good enough." Xu Qing replied casually.
Zhou Family: "Alright."
She painstakingly chose for Young Master Qing several maidservants of modest appearance, thinking that Young Master Qing could thus learn about the ways of the world, never expecting that this child truly did not care at all.
It was Old Li who took the task of selecting maidservants seriously, because Zhou Family had ntioned, buying him a concubine.
Zhou Family had already made a choice for Old Li; she picked soone with a good figure, obviously able to bear children. As for the looks, after all, aren’t they all the sa once the lights are out?
As for picking for Young Master Qing, she definitely chose the better ones, to avoid ruining the young man’s appetite, lest he lose interest in that respect later on.
She truly worried herself to death for this family.
After dinner, it wasn’t long before Master Fayue visited.
Zhou Family was now infatuated with Master Fayue, she now had a new hobby, following city ladies to watch theater. After a few visits, she was hooked.
Inspector Li urged her several tis to visit the Inspection Office, but Zhou Family was too lazy to go; the city was much better. The Inspection Office was damp and cold in the winter.
Besides, going there wouldn’t result in having children.
Xu Qing naturally was unaware of his aunt’s new hobby, and even if he knew, it wouldn’t matter; after all, the family was now well-off, and listening to operas was also a good thing.
Life in ancient tis was indeed quite boring; a little entertainnt made everyone overly excited.
Besides, it was good for won to have distractions; otherwise, they would be restless at ho all day.
How does the saying go? Not engaging in futile activities, how would one contend with a finite life?
Living life, always thinking about doing sothing aningful, would also be too uninteresting.
Xu Qing couldn’t help it, otherwise, he would also want to relax.
...
...
In the study, Xu Qing t with Master Fayue.
Fayue brought his palms together and said, "Xu Sanyuan, it is presumptuous of to disturb you early in the morning, please forgive for this."
Xu Qing: "Master, no need to be polite with , and don’t call Xu Sanyuan, just call Gongming."
Everyone calls him that, Xu Qing didn’t mind one more, and calling soone by their courtesy na was a sign of closeness among people.
Moreover, without Fayue’s guidance, he couldn’t understand the function of the Visualization Image.
Fayue: "Then I won’t stand on ceremony with Brother Gongming. I am here concerning the matter you ntioned last ti. Please kindly provide so specific guidance; on behalf of our monastery, I would be imnsely grateful."
Xu Qing smiled: "Actually, start from the incense money. Master only needs to do it this way..."
He talked about his idea, which was that the incense money collected by Golden Ray Monastery could be taken back by the worshippers intact if sothing happened at ho, by showing a token. If they managed to overco their difficulties later and replenish the money, that would be good, but if not, the monastery would not chase after the money.
Fayue listened and was a bit confused, can incense money be returned?
Then what was the purpose of collecting incense money?
Xu Qing patiently explained: "It’s impossible for everyone to co back for a refund, and this way, the temple would also have a large sum of money to engage in other businesses. Even if they did nothing, just putting it in the bank to collect interest is also profit. After all, the incense money from your temple has been dwindling."
Fayue: "But why would they trust the temple to return the incense money, and would more people co to offer incense?"
Xu Qing: "I will guarantee on behalf of the Recovery Society for your temple. If your temple doesn’t return it in the future, we scholars in the Recovery Society, for the sake of our reputation, cannot just ignore it. Moreover, part of your temple’s incense money must also be used for a special project of ours."
"What kind of special project?"
"We in the Recovery Society plan to enhance the level of the eight-legged essay among scholars in our county, helping those from poor families without charge. Their donations of incense money is also contributing to the Imperial Examination efforts of our county."
Xu Qing paused, then added: "As long as they see that students who received help from the Recovery Society have an easier ti passing as scholars, they will naturally be more active in this cause."
Fayue gradually understood that Xu Qing was using his own reputation as a guarantee, using Golden Ray Monastery as a tool for gathering wealth.
This way, Xu Qing’s reputation could directly be turned into cash.
Moreover, Xu Qing was indeed capable of handling this.
Not to ntion, Xu Qing’s own level in the eight-legged essay was top-notch in the county, and Xu Qing had the backing of Magistrate He and Academician Zhou, which are the two most important channels for the child student test, the provincial exam, and the hall exam. Xu Qing had connections in all.
If Xu Qing also managed to handle the new County Magistrate, he could directly offer one-stop services for the coming years.
"Xu Sanyuan definitely can’t make all the scholars sponsored by the Recovery Society pass as scholars, but making soone fail if he wants to is easy."
By then, just by checking the local Yellow Book, it would be clear who had not sent gifts... hadn’t sent incense money, glaringly obvious.
Not offering incense money ans not wanting to be on good terms with the Recovery Society or be friends with Xu Sanyuan.
You are not even my brother, why should I care for you?
This is also a subtle way for Xu Qing to determine the attitude of the lower social class in the Governnt Office toward him, Jiangning’s tily help.
Moreover, clearing up these matters, Xu Qing also knows who he can draw in for cooperation, to grow bigger and stronger together.
Key is, Xu Qing himself doesn’t need to appear in public; just push Golden Ray Monastery to the forefront.
Golden Ray Monastery, of course, benefits a lot from this without trying; it’s hard not to stick with Xu Qing.
Upon analysis, Fayue realized that once this deal succeeds, Golden Ray Monastery wouldn’t have to worry about money, but if they turned against Xu Qing, the Monastery would lose a significant inco.
This has no substantial difference from previously relying on Magistrate He’s influence to attract incense money.
Well, there is so difference.
Playing this ga with Xu Sanyuan brings more money, and it is a continuous long-term inco.
Because it’s like investing in Xu Qing the person.
After the New Year, Xu Qing is only fifteen years old.
What’s more terrifying is that Xu Qing, at his teens, has already gained such a deep insight into human nature, mixing with soone like this, who wouldn’t have prospects?
Let’s do it!
Thus, Fayue agreed without hesitation.
Upon returning, if the abbot disagrees, then he would take over as the abbot.
Seeing Fayue agree, Xu Qing added: "Furthermore, I have another favor to ask."
"Brother Gongming, please feel free to instruct this junior monk." Fayue, now exuding a worldly society air, finds calling him sponsor or Xu Sanyuan sowhat alienating and not conducive to the grand plan.
Xu Qing: "I would like to ask your temple for so dicine."
Fayue showed a troubled expression; he thought Xu Qing was asking for martial arts secret dicine.
Fortunately, Xu Qing’s subsequent words cleared Fayue’s doubts.
"Fertility dicine?" Fayue relaxed after hearing Xu Qing’s explanation.
He pondered briefly and said: "Official Li’s lack of offspring might actually be related to his cultivation practice. The Crane Form Skill is rumored to refine essence into Qi and requires secret dicine during the conjugal act to easily conceive offspring. However, our monastery also has Fertility Soup that strengthens the essence and Qi. If Official Li refrains from practicing martial arts and takes the dicine for several months, this should resolve the issue."
The ingredients of Fertility Soup are quite expensive, so Golden Ray Monastery generally doesn’t offer it to people, using more cost-effective thods instead.
Of course, it also depends on the person.
They generally don’t ss with people of influence, mostly using it on courtesans married to rchants. However, since Golden Ray Monastery has now gone legitimate, they shouldn’t involve themselves in these dirty businesses anymore; they need to find a way to wrap things up to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Xu Qing, regarding the ability of Crane Form Skill to refine essence into Qi, was not surprised, as he had realized it during his cultivation.
His Divine Soul is strong, so he can convert the heat generated by practicing Crane Form into nourishing his body.
This has been key to his early progress.
Later, with "Crane Call," the efficiency of refining essence into Qi improved even more.
But "refining essence into Qi" affecting offspring requires secret dicine for assistance, making Xu Qing realize he should find that secret dicine to further explore the potential of Crane Form Skill.
But this issue might also be related to the Xu Family’s past annihilation, which is why, being weak in his early years, Xu Qing subconsciously avoided it since he was powerless regarding this matter and it only added to his troubles.
"Escaping isn’t a solution, now being judged by the bronze mirror as a short-lived spirit is probably related to this issue. It’s ti to consult my uncle about the Xu Family’s annihilation."
Xu Qing understands that he should make so preparations in advance.
His hands are truly full now, overwheld with myriad concerns.
Feels like struggling within a web of dust.
Still too weak after all.
Otherwise, dealing with chaos would simply be a matter of executing decisions.
His motivation to beco stronger is even more substantial!
"Bronze Mirror, continue to assist in making progress!"
Forward, forward, keep moving forward!
With this thought, his Divine Soul fluctuates, experiencing an inexplicable growth.
Reviews
All reviews (0)