The crowd grew more and more agitated, their montum like a raging storm.
Xu Qing remained composed, unaffected by the turmoil. Once the crowd had mostly vented their anger, he calmly said, "That’s more like it. It’s best to let out grievances and anger, otherwise, it’s not good for your health."
"Xu Jieyuan, what on earth are you thinking?"
"What I think isn’t important; the key is how you all choose to act."
"We can discuss other matters, but land asurent is out of the question. Xu Gongming, you should think this through; you are not alone..."
Xu Qing sighed, "Gentlen, if this is how you speak, there’s no point in continuing. Let be blunt—if any of my family or friends encounter an accident in Jiangning Prefecture, I, this Xu, will only bla those present."
He paused for a mont before continuing, "Rember, I’m referring to each and every person here."
His gaze swept across the crowd, sparing no one.
"Hmph, even if they got struck by lightning while stepping outside, you’d bla us?"
"Of course, for I, this Xu, would ponder why they went outside and why they happened to be struck by lightning. In my eyes, nothing is a coincidence, just like those unfavorable rumors about from the outside world."
Xu Qing’s words, toward the end, crashed like a dull thunder.
The crowd was almost left breathless.
Only then did they realize that they were facing a real master of Refining Internal; if he wished to take action, not a single one of them would leave alive.
Even if after the fact, Xu Qing would have to forsake his family fortune and beco a fugitive.
Thus, the crowd dared not retort.
After all, a young man’s hot blood may drive them to do anything, especially since Xu Qing had already carried out such outrageous actions not just once.
A man’s reputation and a tree’s shadow stand tall, one must respect it!
Xu Qing then clapped his hands, and clerks from the governnt office stread in, carrying trays with paper, brush, and ink.
The crowd was puzzled by Xu Qing’s intentions.
Soon, Xu Qing slowly spoke, "Gentlen, I dictate and you write. This is the petition to request the governnt to reasure the land and revise the Yellow Book. Write as I dictate, sign and seal, and after I have reviewed them, you may leave."
After he finished speaking, he paused, then added:
"My words have been spoken, who agrees, and who objects?"
The mont Xu Qing finished, the atmosphere in the hall beca exceedingly tense.
The clerks could not help but tremble slightly.
Well done, Xu Jieyuan.
Such boldness to bring up such a matter.
At this mont, Lei Juren burst into laughter.
Everyone thought Lei Juren would step forward, but unexpectedly, he said, "My handwriting isn’t good, could Xu Jieyuan arrange for soone to write on my behalf? I’ll just sign and seal, how about that?"
Xu Qing looked at him and nodded.
Lei Juren then took out a piece of broken silver, threw it at the clerk before him, and made a bow with his hand cupped in the other, "Much appreciated."
Seeing Lei Juren willing to bow down to the inevitable, the rest feared that not writing could cost them their lives upon leaving.
After all, once this matter spreads, they did not believe Xu Qing could remain in South Zhili.
His actions this ti were too excessive, threatening gentry, and no one could protect him.
As for now, they would temporarily swallow this indignity. Once they left, they would find a way to ensure their family fortunes would recover from endangernt to security, from darkness to light.
Consequently, when Xu Qing finished speaking, with Lei Juren leading the way, not a single one objected. They diligently began to write the petition under Xu Qing’s dictation, fearing his criticism, each letter penned in impeccable official script.
After all, with such a scandal, they did not believe Xu Qing would avoid becoming the common enemy of all the nobles, Imperial Manor, gentry, and wealthy rchants of South Zhili.
The more they harbored hatred in their hearts, the more they delighted in the thought that after they left, the issue would escalate greatly, uncontainable, to the point where Xu Qing would find himself utterly destroyed, with a most wretched end. They took secret pleasure in this thought.
Xu Qing was fully aware of their malevolent intentions as clear as day, yet his heart remained utterly unruffled.
As he dictated, he recalled a letter received several days ago,
"Land asurent."
Signed by Supre Master Luofeng.
That was the Grand Secretary’s pseudonym.
In this world, one must eventually choose a path.
I heed your counsel, but once the matter escalates, if you cannot handle it, I will follow the Master’s example.
If the Dao does not prevail, I’ll ride a raft into the sea.
It is nothing more than that.
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