The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Upon investigation, only Mr. Liang, the Elder, is the most suitable.

On the other hand, the Grand Secretary's control over the Ministry of Revenue is no longer as strong as before, partly because Minister Wang has pledged allegiance to Prince Yu.

Speaking of which, Minister Wang's rise to his position was supported by the Grand Secretary, only to be backstabbed so quickly.

But looking from Minister Wang's perspective, an overly powerful Grand Secretary is bound to be checked and balanced. If he doesn't turn against him, others will. Better to seize the power himself.

After all, he's just grabbing power, not sabotaging the reform.

Of course, the Grand Secretary doesn't agree with this view, for the reforms are only superficial to this point. The current favorable situation lies in the profits from maritime trade, which are temporary. No one can predict the future. Only by implementing deep reforms can we resolve some of the fundamental problems of the Great Yu Dynasty and thus prolong the lifespan of the Dynasty.

If the underlying issues are not addressed, the benefits of maritime trade will soon fall into the hands of the nobles and the wealthy once again.

Take for instance the land occupation system implemented by Sima Jin, which was effective at the start and benefitted the people, yet after a decade or so, it no longer worked.

Originally thinking he could only be a paperhanger, the Grand Secretary was motivated to go further with Xu Qing's emergence.

Xu Qing didn't mind much; since the Grand Secretary was willing to try, he was also willing to support.

Even if they failed, they would gain precious experience through practice.

On this, he and the Grand Secretary saw eye to eye.

In doing things, success doesn't have to come in one's time; it's enough to just start them.

Humanity has never lacked smart and talented individuals. Accumulating wisdom and striving generation after generation, assessing successes and failures, will naturally lead to spiral ascension.

Even his previous world of Da Qing had made progress in some aspects and deserved credit.

Of course, it deserved criticism as well.

Inheriting this world, one should be ready to accept both praise and insult.

To bear the stigma and misfortune of the country comes with standing in such a position, and it's not determined by personal will.

Judging merits and faults is a task for later generations.

As someone living in the present day, Xu Qing could only do what he was capable of. Perhaps he might perform poorly, even regress historically in some aspects, but he still wished to accomplish more.

There are too many people in this world who prefer doing nothing to avoid making mistakes. Given that he could live another life here, even if brief, he wanted to be different.

After all, who hasn't dreamt of being the protagonist of the world?

Seize the opportunity and go for it.

…

…

"Western wind is fierce, wild geese cry under the frosty morning moon... The vast passes are as solid as iron, and today I walk them anew..." Xu Qing strolled and sang, returning to Feng Mansion.

Feng Qintian, listening to the song, found its spirit to surpass even Su Xin.

His favorite literary figure in life was the Public of Jiaxuan.

In his prime, he commanded thousands of men with banners, with embroidered saddles, his cavalry crossed the river at the beginning. Yan soldiers arranged the formations at night with silver Hu Jue, Han arrows flew in the morning like golden slave maidens.

Though one cannot reach it, one's heart longs for it.

Xu Qing finished his song and smiled at Feng Qintian, "Brother Feng, everyone speaks of the Capital City as a den of dragons and a pit of tigers, unfathomable and fraught with danger. But you wield a sword, and I carry a knife; where in this world can we not go?"

Feng Qintian couldn't help but feel his heroic spirit surge, "Wherever Young Master wishes to go, this humble one will follow unto death."

Xu Qing leisurely returned to Feng Mansion, where Mr. Feng said, "I was just about to go out and find you. A eunuch from Longevity Palace just brought a single-word decree for you, inscribed with the character 'auspicious'."

"Auspicious?"

Feng Xifeng: "I guess the Longevity Emperor wishes for you to visit him at Longevity Palace on an upcoming auspicious day."

Xu Qing naturally trusted his father-in-law's judgment, and asked, "On which day is the next auspicious one?"

"In three days."

Xu Qing laughed: "A request for three days in advance seems not to be a setup for a treacherous banquet."

Feng Xifeng: "When you see His Majesty, make sure not to speak carelessly."

Xu Qing: "Teacher rest assured, His Majesty intentionally needs me; he's not going to harm me. Of course, I'm not foolish either."

Feng Xifeng: "I know you can be humble and flexible, I just worry you might get too arrogant now."

Xu Qing: "Mmm, I will certainly heed the adult's advice."

Feng Xifeng said no more, lest he annoyed his son-in-law with his nagging. Is it that he's getting old? He's been somewhat nagging lately. Thinking of his grandchild's birth next year, his heart immediately filled with boundless anticipation.

With the next generation comes hope.

Not hoping for the grandchild to stand out from the crowd, but holding onto this thought, his heart felt different.

Xu Qing, still as unrestrained, treads the lethal Capital City. It's a battlefield of life and death, yet he strolls as leisurely as ever.

Truly inscrutable.

Little does he know, his son-in-law might very well be short-lived.

Even if he knew, as long as Feng Wu wished for it, Feng Xifeng would not oppose.

…

…

Xu Qing returned to his bedroom to cultivate his Divine Soul.

He did not rashly let his soul leave the body, because the Dynasty Destiny of Capital City was extremely strong, which would greatly suppress his Divine Soul upon departure.

However, once he donned the Purple Emperor Dragon Armor, this suppression would be much milder compared to many Dao Skill masters.

Even so, Xu Qing would not reveal the Purple Emperor Dragon Armor lightly.

Moreover, since being afflicted by the Profound Yin Gang Sha of the Black Mountain Demon, Xu Qing clearly recognized the formidable protection the Purple Emperor Dragon Armor offered to the Divine Soul.

He constantly focused on deepening the cultivation of this Divine Skill.

In the Capital City, Xu Qing distinctly felt that the cultivation speed for the Purple Emperor Dragon Armor was faster.

It seems compared to Yingtian Prefecture, the truly deserving Great Yu Capital City indeed offers a significant boost to the cultivation of this Divine Skill.

But with the upcoming meeting with the old emperor, all these Divine Communication Skills must be kept under wraps.

At the same time, Xu Qing was always aware of the changes in Luck Little Jiao and was ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

There are always trees left in the mountains; there's no need to worry about not having firewood.

Better not to take chances.

After midnight, Xu Qing began to cultivate the Golden Light Spell, his Grandmaster Level Qi-Blood continuously deepened. As dawn broke, Xu Qing opened his mouth and absorbed a strand of Purple Qi into his abdomen.

Only with this night's cultivation was it complete.