The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

This is the Immortal Coal produced by Fang Immortal Dao after years of research and development.

Ordinary coal briquettes produce heavy smoke and lots of ash when used, have numerous disadvantages, are harmful to the human body, and prolonged use can easily lead to illness and even covertly reduce one's lifespan...

But this version of Immortal Coal from Fang Immortal Dao not only lacks these flaws but also, with long-term use, can promote longevity and health.

Don't be deceived by the simplicity of honeycomb coal production; the Immortal Coal brought by Xu Jieyuan is blessed with special Dao Skill. If other families attempt to imitate it, there's no guarantee of its efficacy or potential harm.

If people find the Immortal Coal without the Dao Skill enchantment also useful, Xu Jieyuan doesn't mind everyone copying the method.

Of course, a recent announcement has revealed that the exclusive mining rights to the largest coal mine near the Capital have been purchased by Xu Jieyuan at a high price.

With the endorsement of the Cabinet, strong backing from the Grand Secretary, and tacit approval from the Imperial Stables (which equates to the Emperor's approval).

And since the Imperial Stables are specifically responsible for managing most of the Emperor's private industries, they hold a portion of the ownership of the West Mountain Coal Mine.

Thus, for others wishing to venture into honeycomb coal production, just the cost alone is much higher than that of Xu Jieyuan.

In addition, Xu Jieyuan has set the selling price of the honeycomb coal even lower than that of regular coal briquettes.

Because a large number of disaster victims have been relocated by Yan Shan to the West Mountain Coal Mine, where simple shacks are now being constructed to house these victims.

The emergence of this arrangement has also alleviated the Capital's pressure, so as not to disgrace the Emperor's sagacity with the chaotic sight of a large number of disaster victims gathering in the land of utmost benevolence.

...

...

As Xu Qing resettles the disaster victims and rolls out a series of connected moves, Prince Yu's mentality collapses.

It could even be said that Xu Qing has never considered Prince Yu a real opponent, nor has Xu Qing exerted much effort, yet Prince Yu's side has fallen without any power to fight back.

It's as if the two are not playing the same game.

Prince Yu had wanted to build a reputation as a benevolent prince, planning to engage Xu Qing in a battle of public opinion. The result?

Others don't even play that game with you, they simply change the rules.

"Mr. Dai, how could this happen?" Prince Yu muttered.

Mr. Dai was a bit dumbfounded; he was top-notch in the art of royal intrigue, but Xu Qing's moves were beyond what any cunning strategy could achieve.

They belonged to the realm of Outer Heaven Flying Immortal.

He's cheating.

With such things as the Immortal Coal of Fang Immortal Dao...

With this one strike aimed directly at the very foundations of the state, Mr. Dai was so disoriented that he couldn't find his bearings.

Seeing Mr. Dai's silence, Prince Yu asked again, "Can West Mountain Coal Mine really accommodate so many disaster victims?"

Mr. Dai gave a wry smile, "My prince, the more disaster victims there are, the bigger the catastrophe it is for the Court."

"Why so? Wouldn't it be Xu Gongming who can't support them first?"

Mr. Dai couldn't help but hold his forehead and patiently explained, "Has the prince ever considered, even if there are only ten thousand disaster victims, these ten thousand people are now relying on Xu Gongming for food and working for him. Over time, whatever Xu Gongming says, they will do. Isn't that a terrifying prospect?"

"Just ten thousand people, can they really pose such a great threat? The Capital has a population of a million," said Prince Yu, who, having been raised in the deep palace, lacked an intuitive understanding of the number of people.

Mr. Dai knew that this was the upper class's error in judging the lower class.

Ten thousand disaster victims, twenty thousand, or even more, are just numbers to them.

Of course, without organization, even if there are hundreds of thousands of disaster victims, they are but lambs to the slaughter in the face of a few thousand regular troops. The issue is, now these disaster victims have an organization, and that changes everything.

Mr. Dai laid out the stakes at play.

Prince Yu broke out in a cold sweat, "No, this kind of threat to Jiangshan's very existence cannot be allowed to happen. I must report to the Emperor and stop Xu Gongming from continuing to offer porridge and recruit workers."

"My prince, let's not forget the omen of the 'two dragons not meeting'."

"Ah," Prince Yu remembered the prophecy about not meeting the Emperor, fearing that if he saw his father, he himself would be gone, hence he could no longer take the initiative and said, "I'll write the petition."

Mr. Dai interjected, "Anyone can write that petition, but not the prince."

Prince Yu suddenly understood and grasped Mr. Dai's hand, "Fortunately you reminded me, it really can't be written by me. Well, let's have Shen Mo write it. He was Xu Qing's area exam Teacher, and if he criticizes the hidden dangers in Xu Qing's porridge distribution, it will definitely be influential."

In the hierarchy of heaven, earth, ruler, relatives, and teacher.

Shen Mo could be considered a powerful weapon for Prince Yu against Xu Qing.

It's just that Shen Mo is quite dull and dislikes trouble. This time, Prince Yu can only force him.

However, Shen Mo's adoptive father has recently passed away, and he has been in excessive mourning, shutting himself away and refusing visitors. Even with Prince Yu's coercion, he might not be moved.

But still, it's worth a try.

...

...

South Zhili Guild Hall.

Now in the Capital, all influential nobles, scholars, and Imperial Merchants have been invited here.

Of course, there are some who fear trouble and choose not to come.

Like the Duke of England and others.

They are top-tier nobility; not making mistakes is the most important thing for them.

For people like Xu Qing who are magnets for trouble, even if offered immense wealth, these nobles wouldn't dare get involved with Xu Qing, a harbinger of misfortune.

As for the others who came, naturally, they had their reasons.

Because Xu Qing intends not to sell the Immortal Coal directly but to distribute it through these prestigious old masters in the Capital, and this time the discussion is about the rights to sell it throughout North Zhili.

The North is inherently cold in winter, especially as the bitter cold worsens year by year.

The advent of Immortal Coal is thus of immense significance.

Owning a portion of the sales rights for the entire North Zhili region of Immortal Coal would be like gaining a guaranteed income source for these households.

Anyone would be tempted.