The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 399 - 176: The Dancing Clown, Celebrating with Hats Popping Off (3rd Update)

Xie Quan’s expression grew increasingly odd; he’d heard that Xu Qing spent the past half-year in reclusion, studying historical records, specifically searching for questions about the bloodline origin of the North Kongs.

But gossips are human nature.

The more Xie Quan read the article, the clearer and more well-organized it appeared.

Setting aside personal stance, strictly speaking, the content of this article was highly credible.

Xu Qing earnestly said, "We, as scholars, are all cultivated by the teachings of the Master and admire the Holy Virtue. This act is not for personal gain but is a matter of public concern for the whole world. The ancients said that bamboo can be burnt but not corrupted, and jade can be shattered but remains white; though the body may perish, one’s name can endure in historical records."

His last few sentences were also the footnote to this article, expressing his initial intention in writing it.

Seeing Xu Qing being so awkward, Xie Quan couldn’t stand it and waved his hand, "Once this article is published, I fear it will cause great turmoil. Has Gongming not considered the consequences?"

Xu Qing countered, "If the North Kongs truly descend from the Master, wouldn’t falsely demoting themselves in their family tree be the greatest blasphemy against the Master? These people are even less tolerable."

Xie Quan was momentarily speechless.

Actually, as a scholar like him, the idea had crossed his mind, but the teachings of propriety and rituals are the greatest order in the world. Without the teachings of propriety and rituals, what order would there be in the world?

A situation where rituals collapse and music disintegrates would be even worse.

Therefore, it’s not that the North Kong are sacred, but that the people in the world need the North Kong to be sacred.

What would the world turn into if the teachings of propriety and rituals were destroyed?

Xie Quan couldn’t even begin to imagine.

But Xu Qing’s words had truly hit a vital point.

Regardless of whether Xu Qing’s verification of the bloodline was true or not, the falsification in the family tree is always true.

Normally, such issues should be overlooked deliberately by the scholarly circles, glossed over.

But now, with Xu Qing’s status and reputation putting this issue out in the open, pretending to be blind is no longer possible.

Obviously, Xu Qing hadn’t impulsively caused such a big fuss.

Is toppling the Kong family really that significant?

In truth, the North Kong clan isn’t that frightening. If the North Kong were truly so powerful, why would they need to falsify their family tree?

Xu Qing’s motive was to establish a newspaper; with Yansheng Gong Mansion barging in, who else could he take action against if not them?

There couldn’t be a better gimmick than this.

Establishing a newspaper meant Xu Qing would have a solid foundation for his public opinion battleground, which would aid him in his mission to spread Holy Virtue.

It was also an act to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.

Having taken down the Yansheng Gong Mansion, others who wanted to engage in academic disputes with him needed to weigh their odds.

Strike one to avoid a hundred.

The deal was very worthwhile.

Furthermore, Xu Qing openly challenging the Yansheng Gong Mansion meant that the old Emperor’s wariness would likely be greatly reduced instantly.

Xu Qing might not like the old Emperor, but he had to admit that the old Emperor was his greatest backer, more reliable than the Grand Secretary.

With the old Emperor’s endorsement, Elder Fang would take his side.

South Zhili might be filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, but the only real threat to Xu Qing’s sense of safety is Elder Fang alone.

As long as Old Monster Fang doesn’t target him, Xu Qing is as stable as Mount Tai.

Of course, there was no need to spell this out to Xie Quan.

In fact, the most frightening thing about Elder Fang was that his Divine Soul was as solid as his physical body, meaning if Elder Fang decided to kill Xu Qing, escape would be futile for him.

He knew all too well the dangers of being targeted by a Dao Skill master’s Divine Soul.

It was like there was no escape to the heavens or entrance to the earth.

After much thought, Xie Quan did not advise further. He calmed his mind and felt that Xu Qing’s action wasn’t as risky as he had imagined.

After all, Xu Qing was not an ordinary Top Scorer; if one were to rank the influential figures in South Zhili, Xu Qing would definitely be among the top.

Unable to defeat or out-argue him, what else could be done?

Yet, Xu Qing’s action truly possessed the spirit of Zen’s defiance of tradition in scolding the Buddha and cursing the ancestors.

In Zen, worshiping Buddha means worshiping oneself, believing only oneself to be the Buddha – turning oneself step by step into a great Buddha, this is the process of proving the Tathagata.

Xu Qing’s action was akin to worshipping himself as a Saint, and this Saint is not a specific image but the principle and the Dao.

Worshipping the Dao is to worship the Saint, to worship oneself.

This is the doctrine of the unity of the Three Teachings.

Subsequently, Xu Qing and Xie Quan discussed the matter of establishing a newspaper, for which he had already picked a name – the Great Ming Newspaper.

The intention of this newspaper was to illuminate virtuous deeds throughout the world.

However, launching a private newspaper certainly required official permission.

Xu Qing wrote a letter directly to Assistant Governor He, attaching the first article he intended to publish.

After finishing the letter, he ordered a courier to deliver it urgently to Yingtian Prefecture.

Then, he leisurely returned home.

As for Xie Quan, he naturally hurried to write to his father-in-law, requesting help in establishing the newspaper, and also wrote to his scholarly friends who, like him, enjoyed deviating from the traditional path.

Participating in such a significant matter could lead to their names being recorded in history.

He knew that these old rogues would be itching to act upon reading the article.

This was as much help as Xie Quan could offer to young Xu.

...

...

Upon Xu Qing’s return home, Feng Wu was already playing with Cousin Zhou. Seeing her brother-in-law come back, Zhou Pingting hastily came over to pay her respects.

Xu Qing said with a smile, "Don’t be formal, and don’t worry, your matter has been resolved."

"Ah?" Zhou Pingting’s face showed surprise, barely having the time to feel joyful.

Was her brother-in-law this efficient?

Feng Wu said, "Since your brother-in-law says it’s resolved, then it must be. Enjoy your time in Jiangning Prefecture. Leave everything to us."

Only then did Zhou Pingting react, throwing herself onto Feng Wu, "Thank you, cousin."

She was overjoyed.

Feng Wu felt honored by association.

The Yansheng Gong Mansion was indeed terrifying.

But her husband had resolved it with ease.

In fact, she had always felt somewhat insecure about the Zhou Family, but that feeling had now almost completely dissipated.

Firstly, her father was one of the Six Department Inspectors, and secondly, her husband was incredibly capable.

At home, follow father; married, follow husband.

As a woman, the glory of her father and husband is their glory.

Thereafter, having sent Cousin Zhou away, Xu Qing and Feng Wu returned to the study, where Xu Qing spoke of his solution to the problem. Feng Wu, after hearing it, was dumbstruck.

"Husband, is this really how you solve problems?"

"Do you or do you not see the problem resolved?" Xu Qing teased her.

Feng Wu covered her chest and gave him a white look: "It’s a good thing you married me, anyone else might have been scared sick by you."

"I wouldn’t marry anyone else," Xu Qing giggled.

Feng Wu flushed, her eyes filled with affection as she gazed at him; Xu Qing understood, and together they practiced the harmony of Heavenly Sound and Earth Sound, one moment soaring, the next moment low and melodious, like a babbling brook amidst breathtaking scenery...

...

Mr. He is now the Assistant Governor of Zhili Province and has yet to rise above the positions of Governor, Grand Governor and Supervisor, yet he is truly in high spirits.

He is now the foremost official in charge of civil affairs in Zhili Province. Isn’t he more influential than Old Zhou?

Now, for the Zhou silk business in Zhili Province, they have to see Mr. He’s facial expressions, and the elders at home no longer dare to criticize their household.

For a man to wield power, it is the most satisfying thing in the world.

All this he owes to that Xu lad.

Alas, his daughter is not of suitable age. But Mr. He already has the idea of having Xu Gongming marry a level wife. Young as he is, Xu and emerging from a background akin to an orphan of Zhao’s, how could he not strive to broaden his branches and leaves?

He is indeed well-meaning.

Assistant Governor He had just returned from social engagements outside tonight.

It was a small gathering, joined by the Yingtian Magistrate, Marquis Wuding, Eunuch Zhao, and others.

It can’t be helped, it took Duke Wei’s appearance for Assistant Governor He to feel truly esteemed.

Once back home, upon receiving Xu Qing’s urgent message, Assistant Governor He instantly sobered up a great deal, saying, "A letter from Xu Gongming, find me directly next time, do not delay important matters."

He was aware that an urgent message from Xu Qing must mean significant issues; any delay could be harmful to both parties.

Assistant Governor He berated the house steward before opening the letter.

After reading the letter, he was completely sobered up.

Goodness gracious.

He had the steward brew a cup of Three Curves Spiritual Ginseng tea that he usually couldn’t bear to drink, but at times like these, he couldn’t care less. After drinking the tea, his mind raced.

He wasn’t thinking of rejecting Xu Qing.

After all, the current business of the He family relies on Xu Qing, and deep down, it’s all due to the conflict between the He’s silk business and North Kong’s silk business.

Before money and property, let alone North Kong, even if the Master were alive, he wouldn’t step aside for nothing.

Even the Emperor can’t tax businessmen and nobles like them, who does North Kong think they are?

Though that might be said, the issue was not that simple.

Assistant Governor He carefully read Xu Qing’s article, thinking hard.

"This is truly a historian’s indelible pen, not a word can be changed," Assistant Governor He remarked upon the article’s force and grew even more determined. On one hand, he proceeded to approve the publication procedures for Xu Qing, and on the other hand, he began drafting a petition.

The petition to request His Majesty to survey the Kong Mansion’s lands!

The petition was impassioned, like a mighty river surging forth.

Of course, the petition was not for Assistant Governor He to submit himself, but for his backer in the capital to write on his behalf. It was a good opportunity: whether successful or not, there would be no loss, and it would also smooth the way for his superiors to join the Reform Faction.

The Reform Faction’s influence is now unstoppable at the heart of the court.

Naturally, the wise should go with the flow.

If this plan worked out, and the survey of land holdings in Zhili Province followed, Mr. He’s opposition would be greatly reduced. If it didn’t come to pass, then Mr. He would still have an excuse.

Mr. He worked efficiently, and the Great Ming Newspaper’s approval was swiftly arranged.

With Xu Qing and his network’s combined efforts, within a few days, Great Ming Newspaper sprouted up in Jiangning Prefecture and Yingtian Prefecture overnight, publishing content so shocking it was astounding...

...

The first article of the Great Ming Newspaper arrived rapidly at the Grand Secretary’s desk.

And it was delivered just before the Great Ming Newspaper issued its publication.

The Grand Secretary, upon seeing the article, was first taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Why does the Prime Minister laugh?" Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Chen Fu curiously approached.

The Grand Secretary tossed the Great Ming Newspaper to Chen Fu.

Chen Fu caught it and was at first startled, then realized the significance.

The Grand Secretary stroked his beard and sighed, continuing, "Xu Gongming alone is worth a hundred thousand valiant soldiers."

"Lucky for the Prime Minister to have such a man paving the way," complimented Chen Fu, calculating in his mind that, with the matter raised, the Yansheng Gong Mansion had already lost.

They must choose between correcting their genealogy charts or admitting illegitimacy.

The key is whether the Emperor and the Grand Secretary will force them to choose...

...

"Duke Yan Sheng, Zhou’s daughter has already arrived at Jiangning Prefecture. When shall we denounce him? Let him come over and pay respects to the Yansheng Gong Mansion?" A North Kong elder spoke up.

Another elder commented, "Xu Gongming is uncompromising; he may not easily submit."

The first elder replied, "No matter, I have already dispatched investigators and found that there may be issues with the origins of Jiangning Xu Family. This is a record from the ancestors of the Yingtian Gu Family."

The elder produced a yellowed piece of paper detailing an incident where a lesser branch of the Gu Family was coerced by the Jiangning Xu Family, revealing that the Xu Family might actually be the descendants of the rebellious Wenxiang Sect.

He held the document with a look of triumph. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

After the elders of Kong Mansion shared the document in the hall, they all nodded in approval.

With this evidence, coupled with the prestige of the Yansheng Gong Mansion, if Xu Gongming remained defiant, he would be utterly ruined. Furthermore, it would hinder the Prime Minister’s reform efforts and enhance the reputation of the Yansheng Gong Mansion amongst the scholars across the country.

Who could then say that the Yansheng Gong Mansion was inactive?

They were all immensely pleased, yet the real reason behind their discontent with Xu Qing was due to his business dealings with the He Family from Nanyang, which caused a steep depreciation of the silk value they held.

Moreover, he hadn’t come forward to admit wrongdoing?

Utterly preposterous.

Duke Yan Sheng, upon seeing this record, also nodded.

Jiangning’s Xu Gongming, has been gaining quite the reputation lately, but amounted to no more than this, after all.

While everyone was in high spirits, a servant clumsily barged in, holding a document up high, and bellowed:

"Duke Yan Sheng, something terrible has occurred."