CHAPTER 374: CHAPTER 166 THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE PURPLE MANSION PRIMORDIAL SECT (PLEASE SUBSCRIBE) _2

Three hundred years ago, the Pure Yang Iron Box appeared, causing a bloody storm and then disappeared.

If the tales about the Pure Yang Iron Box are true, the likelihood of the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect being involved is significant.

Moreover, there are rumors that the Pure Yang Iron Box is likely to be overseas.

Because three hundred years ago, the person who possessed this item eventually went to sea.

After careful consideration, Xu Qing said, "The Red Flower Society is expanding in Lingnan and Southern Fujian. Let’s start by focusing on searching for clues in Lingnan."

Su Lianqing replied, "Young Master, our Red Flower Society is built on the foundation of the Lotus Sect, so it has developed rapidly in Lingnan. It has already drawn the attention of Heshan Dao. However, our society lacks highly skilled experts and has suffered several setbacks from Heshan Dao. Fortunately, with Mr. Zhou, the governor’s covert support, we are barely managing."

Xu Qing asked, "What is the current situation in Lingnan?"

Su Lianqing explained, "The local Tusi rulers do not conform to the dynasty’s laws, and only the prefecture city in Lingnan is under the court’s control. Remote areas are under the Tusi’s dominion. Even in Lingnan, it is easy for the native people to become scholars, but very few are willing to pursue education."

Xu Qing knew well, changing the Tusi systems into court-regulated ones could not be achieved in a few hundred years.

Even if it were to be completed, there would still be many aftermath issues to deal with.

Thus, the court often adopts an appeasement approach towards the Tusi, waiting to deploy troops after their large-scale rebellion; this is relatively cost-effective when considering the cost of war.

After all, during a Tusi rebellion, they would occupy county and prefecture cities, which makes them easier to suppress than deploying a large army into the mountains.

In a sense, it’s like luring the snake out of its hole.

Of course, in most cases, local officials also lack the desire to achieve great things.

This situation further exacerbates the conflicts between the native people and the Han people.

For the court, of course, the Han people are easier to control and suppress.

This is also why the Lotus Sect could quickly grow strong in Lingnan.

If the court doesn’t support the Han, they are forced to unite on their own.

Xu Qing said, "Since Mr. Zhou dares to take on the mess in Lingnan, he must be confident. Let the Red Flower Society stay undercover for now and don’t rush. Once the maritime trade routes are stable, I will have my own plans."

While the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect is important to find, maritime affairs are in fact, the most crucial.

He has come to realize this.

The Grand Secretary’s focus on land survey and the One Whip Law are just smokescreens. In reality, it’s about rectifying bureaucracy.

The fundamental goal of rectifying the bureaucracy is not to implement the aforementioned reforms, or rather, not mainly those, but rather maritime supremacy.

Expanding maritime power naturally lays the foundation for maritime trade, and can also alleviate the pressure from Fang Immortal Dao by wielding military influence over the Southern Ocean.

Currently, the court’s strategy is to defend the north and attack the south.

Because, attacking the north could only eliminate a significant threat, but striking southward means tangible benefits of gold and silver; with money, naturally, more troops can be supported.

If the focus were on the north, it would be a bottomless sink.

How could the generals in Liao Dong ever be fully satisfied?

Moreover, training a powerful navy in the south also enables deployment to Liao Dong to intimidate the generals there.

Before this happens, clarifying the bureaucracy actually means stripping the power of the southern-born officials,

Killing not corruption, but removing from the central government officials born in the south, to prevent them from interfering and ruining the Grand Secretary’s grand plans.

This would likely cause significant resentment in the south.

"Every benefit is fought for; resentment is no surprise, what’s crucial is the direction of things," believed Xu Qing, still doubtful of the Grand Secretary’s chances of success, but if this step went through, it could revitalize the stagnant waters of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Currently, Southeast appears calm, but it’s all superficial.

"Elder Fang," Xu Qing couldn’t help but think of that formidable old man.

He knew, with Elder Fang around, Yingtian Prefecture wouldn’t fall into chaos; if Yingtian Prefecture remained stable, so would South Zhili, and in turn, Southeast.

The question was, how long could Elder Fang hold on?

From the overall trend, the decline of the Dynasty was inevitable.

But it was not without variables.

At least Xu Qing couldn’t ignore Elder Fang’s individual role.

If it really came to a head, Elder Fang could handle the rebels single-handedly.

Even if he couldn’t kill them all, it would still buy a period of peace.

Divine powers can’t rival fate; they can’t change the major trends set by the Heavenly Dao, but small trends can still be influenced.

Only by continuously accumulating small advantages, can one possibly turn around the tide of an era.

There’s no room for error in this.

For this reason, Xu Qing wasn’t hopeful about the Grand Secretary.

A single loss would spell the end.

Xu Qing thought of his own journey, which was much the same.

If not for the guidance of the bronze mirror in choosing fortune and avoiding calamity.

It must be said, Confucianism’s principle of "The Path of Utmost Sincerity can foresee the future" being tied to the rise and fall of dynasties, indeed holds merit.

Being able to foresee allows one to avoid mistakes, or make timely corrections.

He still needed to continue his cautious waiting under the Grand Secretary’s wings, waiting for Old Deng to make a mistake, that would be his opportunity.

At that time, he’ll show Old Deng what strategy is.

The chessboard of the world, how can you play without cheats?

The famous founders in history, it looked as though they all cheated.

Xiu’er even managed to conjure a meteorite from the sky.

...

...

...

"Build high walls, accumulate provisions widely, and ascend slowly to the throne."

That’s Xu Qing’s general strategy now.

He has gained some momentum; seeking more would only breed envy.

Xu Qing no plans to meddle in great affairs anymore.

At least, that’s his stance.

"I am very expensive!"

This attitude must be made clear.

In the past, out of necessity, he could only be cheap labor, many benefits were fought for by himself. Now, he is a major internet celebrity in South Zhili, could he still be priced the same?