The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Xu Qing rolled his eyes and then, disregarding his tough-talking father-in-law, continued, "Last time, Mr. Liang was troubled by Feng Qintian's daughter's matter. I'll host a meal tomorrow to treat Mr. Liang, and I'll need to trouble you to invite him."

Feng Xifeng: "You brat, you're treating me like a go-between."

Xu Qing: "You're being awfully chatty today. Are you coming or not?"

"Going," Feng Xifeng said, in a bad mood.

Xu Qing gave a faint smile: "I'm doing this for your benefit, look at you, not sociable at all. Such matters, isn't it still up to me? All this hard work I'm doing is for your grandson and daughter. Right or not?"

Upon hearing the word "grandson," Feng Xifeng felt a warmth in his heart and asked: "How do you know it will surely be a grandson and not a granddaughter? Have you thought of any names?"

Xu Qing: "No rush, my career is advancing too rapidly. Even if I pick a name now, who knows, it might be outdated by the time of birth."

It's either outdated or absent by death.

Xu Qing now had no taboos and couldn't be bothered with last-minute superstitions.

His survival was reliant not on any savior, but on his own efforts and the bronze mirror.

Feng Xifeng thought the youngster was getting really smug, wanting to offer a word of advice, but considering his own promotion was thanks to his son-in-law, he couldn't bring himself to criticize.

Look at the elder uncle who fought his way up, now still in Lingnan suffering from miasma.

But Elder Uncle takes pleasure amidst hardships, often writing about how Lingnan's landscape and folk customs can't be compared to the opulence of Central Earth or Jiangnan, having their unique charm.

Feng Xifeng could only soothe and echo, even expressing envy.

Then Elder Uncle, very excited, asked if he wanted to come to Lingnan, making it difficult for Feng Xifeng even to reply to the letter.

It's not that he disdained Lingnan, but now he held an important position and couldn't just leave.

...

...

In the Capital, at the South Zhili Guild Hall.

"All members of the Recovery Society's Capital branch warmly welcome the Sitting Hall."

It's no wonder Yan Shan is skillful at organizing; now in the Hanlin Academy, he's not idle, grouping together young Scholars from South Zhili, inviting all who can join the Recovery Society to join.

For the few stubborn ones, members from South Zhili's Recovery Society will go to their hometowns, send their regards to their families, young and old.

Once they receive such news, they naturally join without further fuss.

Xu Jieyuan created the Recovery Society with the aim to treat people with warmth and kindness.

If you refuse, aren't you just asking to drink the cold winds of the northwest?

But it won't come to that.

Xu Jieyuan, he's like timely rain, specialized in bringing warmth to people.

Xu Qing exchanges pleasantries with these key members of the Recovery Society in the Capital for a while, then has the attendants distribute local specialties brought from South Zhili, to everyone's joy unspeakable.

Xu Qing and Yan Shan proceed to the back hall, and Xu Qing pats Yan Shan on the shoulder, "Weizhong, you've worked hard these days."

Yan Shan: "It's my duty. I'm grateful to Brother Gongming for helping with my mother's situation."

Yan Shan was previously worried about Xu Qing's suspicion when he stayed in the Capital. Then, news of his mother's severe illness reached him. It was Xu Qing who intervened and had Elder Dan Xi, a renowned doctor from Yingtian Prefecture, save his mother.

Otherwise, apart from the grief of losing his mother, Yan Shan would be obligated to return home for mourning, disrupting his promising career. Still unsteady in his Capital footing, returning home would mean rebuilding relationships later, in effect, wasting time at the start of his career.

From this, it is evident that if Xu Qing had been suspicious of Yan Shan, he could have simply looked the other way, or, with Xu Qing's means, making Yan Shan's mother pass away subtly wouldn't have been difficult.

But Xu Gongming, known for being ruthless, did none of that, and even when Yan Shan was being used by the Emperor to check Xu Qing, he saved Yan Shan's political career instead.

This was both a surprise and a touch for Yan Shan.

In fact, there has been something similar happening in the Court recently.

Not long ago, Xu Qing's provincial examination mentor Shen Mo's adoptive father passed away, and if Shen Mo had not changed his surname, he would definitely have to return for mourning. Even as a top scorer, this would mean a delay of several years in his career.

Now, Shen Mo no longer has this concern. Moreover, his birth parents had passed away early, and one could say his career is safeguarded from the start, without the risk of sudden mourning obligations.

It is said that Shen Mo vomited blood upon learning of his adoptive father's death, coming to realize the profound love and care his adoptive father had in making him acknowledge his ancestry.

This was his adoptive father personally removing a hidden peril in his career path for him.

The mourning system is actually not very reasonable, but it is also a powerful tool for the Court to prevent powerful officials from growing too influential, as having this weakness makes them easier to deal with.

If one does not have this weakness, then indeed, they are fortunate.

However, our country also has the concept of "seized sentiments," whereby as long as the Emperor retains them, they don't need to return for mourning, but such a decision would lead to a poor reputation in the official circles.

This is something the Emperor is willing to see.

Therefore, unless it is truly for the sake of important state affairs, even if the Emperor seizes their sentiments, ministers will still return for mourning.

Last night, while drinking, Xu Qing boldly suggested an idea to the Grand Secretary, whose father is still alive, after all.

Xu Qing proposed that the Grand Secretary send Elder Zhang to Dragon Tiger Mountain to enjoy his twilight years, considering that no one can write two 'Zhang' characters in one stroke.

With the protection of the Old Heavenly Master, even if the breath left him, his soul could be brought back for a time.

No sudden accidents would occur, catching them unprepared.

The Grand Secretary did not agree on the spot, but neither did he oppose; he only said that Xu Qing needn't worry about this matter.

Xu Qing then broached the main topic with Yan Shan.

The activities of the Recovery Society in the Capital are just a part of Xu Qing's plan. His father-in-law's position as a Six Department Inspector is an injustice if handed over to others.

Yan Shan has also spent a year in the Hanlin Academy and has gained some experience; it is time for him to consider a move.

"Gongming brother, are you suggesting I take over Mr. Feng's position as a Six Department Inspector?" Yan Shan looked unbelieving.

This sounded like a far-fetched dream, but considering that it was Xu Qing who said it, Yan Shan couldn't help but feel hopeful.

In this world, there are only things that Xu Gongming wants to do or doesn't want to do; there is nothing he can't accomplish.

This has been Yan Shan's long-held belief.

This man is like a deity.

"What, Weizhong doesn't wish for it?"

"No, no, no, I just feel like it might be too much trouble for you," Yan Shan said, somewhat shyly.

Xu Qing patted his little brother's shoulder and said, "Weizhong, if you do not fail me, I will not fail you. The position of a Six Department Inspector definitely requires a court recommendation. As long as I can convince the Grand Secretary and the Vice Chief, coupled with Your Majesty's appreciation for you, opposition from others is useless. Oh, also, the Ritual Department needs to put in some effort. In short, that is the target."

Yan Shan did not think for a moment that Xu Qing was boasting; as of today, Xu Gongming truly possesses such influence.

Coming to the Capital to compete for the top scorer, he is here for the merit of the Imperial Examination system.

Otherwise, if a Top Scorer like Xu Jieyuan could dominate court affairs, wouldn't that be a complete loss of face for all the court officials?

It's the court officials who need Xu Gongming to participate in the examination and the Imperial Examination, not that Xu Gongming needs these to assert his authority.

He has power, has people, and has a territory.

If an official title is not conferred upon him, it's the Court's loss.