The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 436 - 191 Inventory Gains, Saint’s Handwritten Manuscript (Please Subscribe)

Xu Qing and Chen Fu exchanged pleasantries, then came to the study at the Yansheng Gong Mansion.

Chen Fu asked, "Gongming, have you already discussed privately with Marquis Wuding and Zhao Jinzhong about the matter of raiding the Kong Mansion?"

Xu Qing’s mind raced for a moment, but ultimately he decided to tell the truth. Anyone who could hold the position of Chen Fu must be savvy, there was no need for subterfuge, and he frankly said, "Indeed."

Chen Fu said, "That’s good, I won’t ask what specifically you discussed, and you don’t need to tell me. My visit this time actually concerns another urgent matter."

Xu Qing responded, "Please enlighten me, sir."

Chen Fu continued, "This time, the Court has summoned General Yu to East Mountain Province to suppress the rebellion. The support required can’t be sustained for long, so the army will not stay in East Mountain Province for too long. Meanwhile, the Eastern Yi people are eyeing the province, clearly intending to invade. Since many of their ancestors hail from this land, their harm, once unleashed, will certainly be profound and detrimental to the following land registration. After much deliberation, the Prime Minister has made a significant decision..."

A spark seemed to flash through Xu Qing’s Sea of Consciousness, and he blurted out, "Using barbarians to check barbarians?"

Indeed, Xu Qing too had been considering the aftermath of quelling the unrest. This year, the Court had too many concerns; if not for the need to prevent the situation from escalating, they would not have forcibly summoned General Yu.

In reality, these were elite troops of the Nine Borders, primarily used to defend against the Northern Barbarians.

Given the current strength of the Court, it was indeed tough to handle the invasion by the Eastern Yi people.

Thus, starting with diplomacy seemed a wise provisional plan.

The Eastern Yi are the enemies of the Court, but the Eastern Yi people also have enemies.

Chen Fu nodded, "Once I understand the actual situation in East Mountain Province, the Court will soon decree for me to govern the province as its governor, responsible for securing the territory and ensuring public safety, as well as \executing the land registration plan. Since Gongming is here, please lend me a hand."

Xu Qing knew this was a quid pro quo.

He had caused the issue, so he must clean up his mess; as for Xu Qing’s private actions, the Grand Secretary could turn a blind eye.

"I have long said that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the country, sir, it is my inescapable duty. But, Grand Secretary, in what manner do you intend to use barbarians to control barbarians?"

"The Princess of Chuyun from the East Sea Gang is a descendant of the Tensho Imperial Family of Fusang Country. Now that Fusang Country has been destroyed by the Eastern Yi people, the island has come under the domination of the Eastern Yi people alone. However, there are still many forces of Fusang ji people potentially opposing them. The Princess of Chuyun has considerable influence among these factions. The Grand Secretary has already sent an envoy to discuss with the Princess of Chuyun about assisting in her restoration."

Xu Qing sighed inwardly at the abundance of wise men in the world.

Behind the Princess of Chuyun is the support from Fang Immortal Dao.

Xu Qing, who recognized the significance of firearms, had already procured firearms for the Jinghai Guard; how could the Grand Secretary be unaware?

Collaborating with the Princess of Chuyun also opens a channel to purchase firearms from Fang Immortal Dao.

Once the Court’s army is equipped with the powerful firearms from Fang Immortal Dao, it will immediately gain the power to suppress all under heaven.

Regrettably, the biggest difficulty facing the Great Yu Dynasty is not weakening strength, but the inability to clearly distinguish who are truly their own.

This powerful force cannot be fully utilized by the Central Court.

However, to safeguard reforms and provide a temporary solution, it is sufficient.

The Great Yu Dynasty indeed is a crumbling colossal structure. Because of its size, even though it is shaky, it can still manage by sacrificing some non-urgent areas and taking from one place to replenish another.

Xu Qing asked, "Grand Secretary, what do you want me to do?"

Chen Fu coughed once, "The Grand Secretary has high expectations of you and knows you have geniuses like Pei Ju and Changsun Cheng. Therefore, he hopes that you can find ways to cooperate more in this matter."

Changsun Cheng is the very hero of the saying ’kill two birds with one stone’, who almost single-handedly caused a split among the Turkic and reduced threats from the North for the Central Plains Dynasty.

As for Pei Ju, he is even more remarkable. He is the prototype for Evil King Shi Zhixuan, and his real-life achievements are even more impressive than described in novels, serving as a key minister in successive dynasties.

He’s a minister whose name will live in history but also a treacherous official infamous for generations, yet he met a good end.

"Old Deng is hinting at me," Xu Qing thought sarcastically.

He pondered briefly, then said, "I will do my best."

After Chen Fu conveyed the assigned tasks, he continued, "There’s another matter. The Kong Mansion has Six Arts Holy Objects including music, ritual, archery, horsemanship, and literature; I want several of these Holy Objects to be given to the Minister of Agriculture, please handle this, Gongming."

The Minister of Agriculture is the Minister of Revenue, Chen Fu’s nominal superior, one of the Four Great Families of South Zhili – the Wang Family, currently the greatest official, also an Elder of the Cabinet.

Ostensibly, he is an ally of the Grand Secretary, but in reality, he is a man of Prince Yu.

These Six Arts Holy Objects, Xu Qing had already reserved the Saint’s Handwritten Manuscript and the Heaven Shaking Bow, Chen Fu just mentioned several of the Holy Objects as if the Kong Mansion was his own.

These officials, each one has no limit!

Chen Fu clearly wants the items but does not want to take the blame.

Chen Fu probably felt he was too greedy, but given it concerned his superior’s favorites, if he failed to handle this task well, how could he continue as the Minister of Revenue in the future.

Knowing this, people like the Minister of Agriculture might not help Chen Fu get promoted, but could definitely stop him from advancing further.

Chen Fu continued, "After I take up the post of Vice Minister of Ministry of Revenue and govern East Mountain Province, many civil affairs will also require Gongming’s reliance."

Xu Qing knew clearly, this was Chen Fu’s bargaining.