The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Xu Jieyuan is truly a great person, the savior of the Capital, he is here to deliver warmth!

This news once released, significantly changed everyone's impression of Xu Qing.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, Xu Jieyuan made his entrance.

The masculine vigor of the Martial Arts Grandmaster instantly filled the room, bringing silence all around.

Of course, considering that some might not be able to withstand it, Xu Jieyuan quickly restrained his aura.

After some pleasantries, Xu Qing went straight to the point.

Starting tomorrow, every household should set up porridge booths to address the food needs of the disaster victims. The more victims a household assists, the greater their share of the North Zhili Immortal Coal sales rights will become.

In addition, those who gained the sales rights need to band together to establish the North Zhili Immortal Coal Chamber of Commerce.

If the sales targets are not met, there will also be a corresponding penalty mechanism, even to the extent of revoking the sales rights...

There are many details.

If anyone has objections, they can still be discussed.

Xu Qing did not use his position to bully others in this matter.

Although goods could only be obtained from Xu Qing, the price of the goods is fixed. If Xu Qing wants to raise the price, it must be agreed upon by everyone.

He even only wants the operational rights for West Mountain Coal Mine, with most of the profits having to be turned over to the Emperor's treasury.

For this reason, everyone trusts even more that Xu Qing can keep the operational rights for Immortal Coal, because anyone else would be excessively greedy and couldn't manage like Xu Qing.

Once they become greedy, costs rise, so how could they compete with Xu Qing who controls the technique of Immortal Coal?

The brilliance of Xu Jieyuan's strategy lies in his willingness to forego immense riches, maintaining very low costs; truly fighting him, no one can compete.

Desirelessness leads to strength.

Even without West Mountain Coal Mine, it wouldn't affect Xu Qing's monopoly over the operations of Immortal Coal.

Moreover, in public opinion, everyone is convinced that without the Dao Skills of Fang Immortal Dao administered by Xu Qing, Immortal Coal is harmful and not beneficial to people.

This subconscious recognition will deepen in people's hearts as the Shuntian Times and the New Citizen Newspaper get distributed.

What about Gu Daoist of Fang Immortal Dao?

Being an Overseas Immortal Master, unfamiliar with life here, relies entirely on Xu Qing to bring him into the Capital, others seeking him out, Gu Daoist wouldn't trust.

Moreover, having a deep relationship with Dongming Princess, almost like father and daughter, who is rumored to be Xu Qing's love interest.

Therefore, no one hopes to wrestle away the control of Immortal Coal from Xu Qing.

This time it's Xu Qing leading everyone to the table to eat; without him, they'd have nothing.

For Xu Qing, even if the Immortal Coal money flows into the treasury, he has a hundred ways to earn the money back into his own hands.

At a certain level, how much wealth one possesses doesn't matter.

Control over affairs is fundamental.

Moreover, this Immortal Coal can still be transported back to South Zhili by sea. It could even be directly mined in South Zhili...

He no longer cares about money now; whenever he wants to do something, there are plenty of people offering money pleading for his help.

Even now, the days of mountains of gold and seas of silver are not as joyful as the days he spent with his aunt, digging for earthworms and raising chickens.

Back then, every little progress in cultivation excited Xu Qing immensely.

If it weren't for the crisis on his life span, he might be content in South Zhili as a tutor, teaching and nurturing, which would also make him happy.

Well, such talk is only suitable for boasting, Xu Qing wouldn't really do it.

"Alright, that's enough about the Immortal Coal, now comes the crucial part, how should we settle these disaster victims in the future?" Xu Qing threw an important question to everyone.

Everyone looked at each other.

Someone suggested, "Why not send them all to West Mountain Coal Mine to mine coal?"

Mining is good, they have food and shelter, it's truly a blessing for these mud-legs.

The crowd echoed in agreement.

Xu Qing said, "I have made a preliminary calculation about the West Mountain Coal Mine matter; three thousand people should be enough, after all, you cannot just dismiss all the original coal mining workers."

The excessive number of people could easily lead to suspicion; once suspicions arise, it would be difficult to accomplish anything.

Xu Qing didn't plan to support ten thousand disaster victims; that would be too many.

The Sima Family's rebellion in the Capital was backed by just three thousand devoted soldiers.

Moreover, Xu Qing himself is a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

Xu Qing's actions have always been about following the trend naturally, without being too radical.

"What does Xu Jieyuan suggest?"

"Most of the disaster victims were originally farmers; now, due to loss of land or disasters, they have no choice but to come to the Capital seeking a livelihood. This time, I have brought some crop seeds from the Southern region, suitable for planting in the North, including some exotic species from the Fang Immortal Dao overseas. Each family here has ample land, so while settling these victims, they could try planting these to observe the results. In addition, I and Taoist Gu are researching some mechanisms, and if produced, will also require a large workforce in the workshops. These workshops will eventually be managed by the Court and all the virtuous. If anyone feels these workshops might incur losses, I myself will take them on."

Xu Qing spoke very clearly.

If it's obviously profitable, it's yours; if not, I'll take it.

Mainly because with Xu Qing's character, he has never broken a promise when it comes to sharing profits.

Moreover, this matter is not urgent; naturally, everyone readily agreed.

After further discussions and confirmation of the general outcome, only then did Xu Qing proceed with the contract documentation...

The matter was complex yet extremely meticulous.

Since each family had their own accounting offices, they would naturally need to go back and meticulously assess everything.

After all, everyone involved had power, so it was difficult for the manipulation to occur; what mattered more was credibility.

Once the written contract was established, unless Xu Qing was ousted, it would not be possible to break the promise.

With his method down, Xu Qing sent everyone away.

Family affairs, state affairs, global affairs, he dared not overlook them and could only handle them personally.

Currently, overall, there were no problems; it was just the details, minor trends that remained.

Xu Qing kept the Grand Secretary fully aware of the operation process.

It also set a good example for the Grand Secretary; that not only thorough land registration could stabilize the realm, there were other methods that could be utilized concurrently.

...

...

On the other hand, the Court was not as focused on Xu Qing's affairs as Prince Yu had imagined.

Because the most important matter for the Court now was the establishment of the Military Affairs Office.

Compared to the restructuration of the upper echelons of power, the matter of Immortal Coal was minor.

It was because this issue of the Military Affairs Office emerged that Xu Qing could calmly carry out the warmth-bringing activities to the Capital. Otherwise, if everyone's attention was on Xu Qing, constantly scrutinizing him, how could it be a good thing?

This fire that Xu Qing started directly burned into the backyard of the Court, essentially repairing the walkway while secretly moving the provisions.

Some prominent individuals even thought it was Xu Qing's deliberate action regarding the Immortal Coal, wanting to stir the waters and make a fuss over the Military Affairs Office.

Moreover, many high officials and nobles had already subconsciously considered Xu Qing as one of the chess players in this grand game of the Court.

After all, Xu Qing's influence was no less than that of the Six Ministers.

Especially since whatever Xu Qing did had the tacit approval of the Emperor and the support of the Grand Secretary.

Keep in mind, within the Court, what position one held was not important; the key was how close one was to the core of power.

The Grand Secretary, of course, knew that the establishment of the Military Affairs Office would definitely face several difficulties, but he was waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity to arise, then he could decisively hammer down.

Unknowingly, during Cabinet meeting discussions, they also started using honeycomb coal for heating and making tea.

As for Immortal Coal, what if it really has life-extending benefits?

Trying it out won't be a loss!