The Duke Wei Mansion’s power is too great; if there is also an outstanding heir.
Haha!
Xu Qing, putting himself in the Emperor’s shoes, would also be sleepless, thinking that the Southeastern Land would sooner or later belong to the Court.
"Such a maneuver carries the risk of indeed raising a worthless heir. However, if that Young Master suddenly cos to his senses, it would beco extrely terrifying. Besides, that old thing might have other alternatives unknown to others."
Xu Qing was well aware of the temperant of aristocratic families; they always refuse to put all their eggs in one basket.
He had just finished discussing with Li Gongpu.
Magistrate He’s side had exactly sent soone to invite him to the Governnt office.
He set out from Yingtian Prefecture yesterday afternoon, walked briskly along the way, even traveled through the night, and was faster than the average caravan, so now it was the evening of September 7th.
On the other hand, although Xu Qing hadn’t rested much these past two days, he didn’t decline Magistrate He’s invitation because of that.
After all, his energy allowed him to stay awake for days and nights without issue.
...
...
Following the ssengers sent by Wang, Xu Qing arrived at the Governnt office and t Magistrate He in his study.
"Gongming, how did you fare in the rural examinations this ti?" Magistrate He began by expressing concern.
Xu Qing: "I will surely pass this ti."
Magistrate He laughed heartily and said, "That’s excellent. There is another matter I wish to discuss with you."
"If the Magistrate has orders, please instruct ."
Magistrate He stroked his beard and said: "The policy of converting rice to mulberry cultivation has been implented in Qingshui County for a while. Although it seems to be going well at the mont, in reality, there are still undercurrents surging."
He took out an opened letter and placed it on the desk.
Xu Qing leaned over to look. The content was truly shocking.
"It’s absolutely a rumor."
It turned out that the letter mostly alleged that after King Lin went out to sea and proclaid himself the East Sea Island King, he colluded with the Eastern Barbarians and committed atrocities along the coast of Jiangning Prefecture, even posing a threat to the Wuzhong County town. There were arrest officers from Yingtian Prefecture capturing fugitives who were also kidnapped by King Lin in the county town in broad daylight...
Crucially, there was also a rumor saying that King Lin’s retreat from Qixia Mountain was actually due to a secret collusion with Mr. Xu from Jiangning...
Even if most of the content in this letter was authentic, Xu Qing appeared completely innocent.
Plus, those acts of collusion with the barbarians to commit atrocities along the coast clearly frad King Lin.
He was well aware that King Lin had killed many real and fake barbarians in the East Sea and had occupied a strategic mariti area and an island that could serve as a foundation.
Moreover, while King Lin was in Qixia Mountain, he had never plundered the villagers of Jiangning Prefecture, let alone now.
The logic of the heroes of this era was to plunder and loot outside but to repair bridges and roads at ho.
King Lin, aiming to challenge the status of Martial Arts Grandmaster, could not possibly alter his character so easily.
Magistrate He: "I naturally trust Gongming, but such a baseless rumor surely has its reasons. The problem lies with the ’rice to mulberry’ policy."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qing’s complexion turned ashen, then he gave Magistrate He a bow: "I understand the Magistrate’s aning."
Magistrate He, stroking his beard, said: "Rest assured, Gongming, I will take care of all matters for you."
Xu Qing couldn’t help but admire Magistrate He’s ruthlessness; he actually planned to use the nobles of Jiangning Prefecture as a ans to quickly show results.
It’s no surprise, really, since Magistrate He watched Wu Xun’an be promoted and Feng Xifeng achieve second rank, who currently is the Imperial Censor, and his academic faction’s rival, Academician Zhou, was about to beco Governor.
No wonder he was anxious.
He, as a Magistrate, had less than a year left in his term. How could he climb up without showing so achievent?
Positions in officialdom were like slots for turnips; there’s one for each.
When contemporaries climbed up, one’s own opportunities diminished.
"It’s no wonder Old He was so indulgent in letting build up power in Jiangning Prefecture; he’s been waiting to use as his sharp knife. Anyway, he’s a fleeting official, he can pat his bum and leave when he’s done, not afraid of growing too strong in Jiangning Prefecture."
It will be the subsequent officials who have the headaches.
Xu Qing understood Magistrate He’s logic and couldn’t help but snide in his heart; Old He probably never expected the Duke Wei Mansion to make a move against him.
Maybe he did, but wasn’t necessarily ready to wade into these muddy waters.
However, this was also Xu Qing’s opportunity.
With Magistrate He’s approval, if he beca the Top Scorer, there would be no ntal burden in subduing those nobles.
And if he were forced to flee, he wouldn’t spare those who sched behind the scenes; he had long set his sights on their gold and silver.
Old Wu, Old He, these old fellows, are all scum, all thinking of using Xu Qing for their benefit.
The key is, not playing this ga is not an option for Xu Qing.
In the worldly society, one doesn’t have control over one’s own fate.
Xu Qing returned to the Li Mansion and entered into a state of Yin Yang Coordination with the Old Wutong Tree, replenishing his spirit and strength, and the next day, as planned, he sent away Zhou Family and another pregnant concubine.
After that, Xu Qing went to the Abbot’s room in the back hall of the Golden Ray Monastery, laughing loudly: "Grandmaster Yan Kong, what major issues are you and Master Huang discussing in this ditation room?"
After saying that, he sent a gust of wind with his sleeve to push the door open and enter.
Soone inside exclaid in surprise: "Mr. Xu."
After Xu Qing entered, the person’s gaze stayed on him, filled with imnse astonishnt.
As it turned out, this person was none other than the Abbott of the Great Zen Temple, Xiong Chan line’s secular Disciple Huang Tianhu, currently the Head of Escort at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency of Yingtian Prefecture.
He himself was a top-notch Bone Strengthening Martial Artist and Xu Qing did not intentionally hide his Qi-Blood.
In an instant, Huang Tianhu discerned the profundity of Xu Qing, with disbelief written all over his face.
Aside from Huang Tianhu, there was also a female Taoist in the ditation room.
Yan Kong smiled and said, "Gongming, let introduce to you. You know the Head of Escort Huang, so I won’t say more. We are all on the sa side. This is Daoist i, known as the Iron Immortal in the worldly society, my good friend for many years, who specially ca to assist."
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