The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Prince Yu's Mansion.

"Mr. Dai, take a look at this." Prince Yu received the copy of the daily living records sooner than the Grand Secretary. After receiving them, he immediately reviewed them and called for his strategist, Mr. Dai, to come immediately.

After Mr. Dai arrived, he took the copy, quickly skimmed through it, then closed it and put it back on Prince Yu's desk.

"Mr. Dai, the old emperor is getting senile. How could he use his own reputation to serve as a stepping stone for Xu Qing?" It was apparent to Prince Yu that after the account from the Longevity Palace was spread, who in the world wouldn't say Xu Qing is a saint of this era?

To provoke a monarch yet not offend.

To not seek fame, but to discuss the way.

Both name and reality achieved.

The wronged souls of the left Shun Gate of the country, and the four admonitions from Zhe...

One by one, the ministers who directly advised and admonished the old emperor mostly ended up in blood pools, exiled, or never employed again.

After so many years, yet again someone is almost admonishing the old emperor, reminding him not to chase after immortality but to care about the great affairs of the world.

And yet, it did not even anger the old emperor.

It could be said that Xu Qing's action would gain quite a reputation among the scholars.

If Xu Qing is a saint of this era, where does that leave Prince Yu who disapproves of Xu Qing?

Like a mirror, the clearer and flawless Xu Qing is, the more he reflects the ugliness of Prince Yu, affecting Prince Yu's prestige in the hearts of the people around the world.

What Crown Prince could accept such a thing?

"Your Highness, do not be impatient. In my view, this is His Majesty's careful consideration for you. Congratulations to Your Highness, my felicitations."

Confused by these words, Prince Yu said.

"Where does this happiness come from?"

Mr. Dai smiled slightly: "The daily record is intentionally not concealed by His Majesty. Things inside the palace, when not concealed, are equivalent to issuing a sacred decree, declaring to the world. From this we can see, in His Majesty's heart, your position as Crown Prince is extremely stable."

Although he is the eldest son, and with the Empress having no children, according to the ancestral laws, Prince Yu is undoubtedly the pillar of the state, but as long as the Emperor hasn't officially appointed the Crown Prince, Prince Yu's heart isn't stable.

After all, the old emperor liked to break ancestral laws throughout his life.

"Teacher, please explain further; the more I hear, the more confused I become." Prince Yu quickly sought advice. He knew that among his people, when it came to understanding the old emperor's thoughts, no one could surpass Mr. Dai, not even anyone else in the world.

Just now, perhaps, another Xu Gongming.

Mr. Dai: "Your Highness, do you remember our discussion earlier about the implementation of the One Whip Law leading to a significant drop in grain prices?"

Prince Yu said anxiously: "Cheap grain hurts the farmers. With the implementation of this One Whip Law, I don't know how many people will go bankrupt or even become homeless this year. Ah, His Majesty still thinks a fall in grain prices is a good thing, still being deceived by those corrupt officials, starting things like clear river meetings."

He said this indignantly.

Famers going bankrupt and becoming homeless affects the stability of the world.

This is a huge hidden danger.

When he ascends, he will still be here to suffer the bitter consequences.

Mr. Dai: "Your Highness, you are right, but to say His Majesty is unaware of how cheap grain hurts farmers is also underestimating His Majesty."

Prince Yu: "What's the reason behind this, Teacher? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Mr. Dai: "I just realized it myself. Your Highness, please don't rush and listen to me carefully."

Prince Yu nodded: "Take your time to speak, I am listening attentively."

Mr. Dai: "Actually, in all dynasties, whenever it's tax collection time, the price of grain always falls drastically. No matter the tax system, the result is always the same, only that the damage caused by cheap grain might vary in severity. Of course, this time the implementation of the One Whip Law indeed exploits the people more severely than in previous years. But Your Highness must remember, this year the National Treasury and Inner Treasury are more substantial than any other year, and instead of goods, it's silver. This is much stronger than previous years. Because in previous years, the goods taxes collected were mostly substandard, and the grain was old but registered as new in the Treasury. This couple of in and outs, the difference is huge... What I am talking about is just the tip of the iceberg of the flaws in the old tax laws."

Prince Yu said bitterly: "I only hate that I cannot kill all these corrupt officials."

Mr. Dai advised: "The Court inevitably has to use people. Without changing the system, replacing the officials would yield the same result, the best outcome would only be less corruption, which is just a drop in the bucket for the Court's expenditures.

Your Highness's pity for the people is like the compassionate heart of a Bodhisattva, a fortune for all the people. However, from the Court's perspective, whether the people live peacefully and happily is not the top priority. From my point of view, the top priority of the Court now is to replenish the National Treasury. Without money, the Court can't operate. If the Court doesn't operate, it will naturally cause a great chaos in the world, and the people will suffer just the same. Regardless, the implementation of the One Whip Law is compensating for the empty Treasury. With money, things can be managed.

As such, the people must suffer briefly first.

As for His Majesty organizing a clear river meeting, the intention is to support the Reform and to show the world that the outcomes of the reform are positive. Additionally, with the One Whip Law, both nobles and dignitaries have profited. Everyone has gained an advantage, so who would want to expose this and offend the entire Court?"

"But Teacher, don't you always say, 'The ruler is like a boat, the people like water; water can carry the boat but also capsize it'? The saints also said, 'He who wins the hearts of the people, conquers the world.' If we allow the One Whip Law to harm the people, how shall I manage in the future?"

Mr. Dai: "It's hard to speak of future matters, but the sentiment of the people right now is something Your Highness can gather."

Prince Yu: "Are you suggesting that I should go and console these distressed people? But where would I get so much money?"