CHAPTER 524: CHAPTER 224: ELDER LIANG’S HARDLINE STANCE, GRAND SECRETARY OBSERVES MOURNING

If this promise were made by the Court, everyone would certainly doubt it. But Xu Liushou is a Saint of the current age, his words are as solid as Nine Cauldrons. Everyone believes him greatly.

Even if the first advantage goes to the Recovery Society, there is absolutely no issue with everyone following to reap benefits.

Moreover, South Zhili has always been abundant in scholars; no matter how large a family is, those who can rise above are always few.

Xu Liushou, seizing the opportunity of the reform from hereditary chiefs to centralized governance in Qian Nan Province, is planning paths for everyone’s future.

This is indeed a great and virtuous act.

However, among the local people, a traitor emerged.

The Minister Wang did not expect that there was such a significant hidden threat within this matter.

Additionally, Xu Qing specifically chose to draw plans with the Southern Zhili Society members in the South Zhili Assembly Hall while Minister Wang was attending court sessions, effectively preventing Wang from knowing about this in advance.

He had to silently suffer a significant loss.

"This devil star shouldn’t have been allowed back into the Capital!" Wang Gong gritted his teeth, but by the next court meeting, he quickly changed his stance, strongly supporting a special examination trial in Qian Nan Province.

The Minister of Rites and Minister of Personnel, these two major figures, both had communicated; the Grand Secretary had tacitly agreed as well, so the matter naturally passed quickly.

As always, compared to the Tusi, the scholars and aristocratic families in Qian Nan Province are considered a progressive force.

Even though Prince Yu understood the significant implications, he conceded for the greater good under Teacher Dai’s persuasion and did not obstruct.

Prince Yu was utterly discouraged.

Ever since Xu Gongming’s sudden rise, he, a rightful Crown Prince, had repeatedly conceded for the greater good. When would these painful days end?

Moreover, shouldn’t Xu Gongming be the one to concede to him for the greater good?

He is the Crown Prince, he should represent the greater good!

Reality is too merciless!

On top of that, everyone knows Liang Elder’s toughness, challenging the Minister of Personnel directly, even making the latter slap himself on the cheek before leaving the stage.

Through this incident, Liang Elder’s position as the nominal leader of the Southern Zhili Party is unshakable.

Liang Elder has, for years, been about tolerance and harmony in all matters; this is the first time in such a fierce struggle that he has gained the absolute upper hand, feeling very satisfied.

Frankly, nobody is naturally inclined to endure humiliation and concede.

Most of the time it is a matter of necessity.

If one can truly rise to being a Superior, who the hell would want to be a servant?

This battle Liang Elder fought brought him prestige and dignity.

If not for considering the large age difference, Liang Elder could hardly resist appointing Xu Liushou as his adoptive father!

Through this matter, Liang Elder’s authority greatly increased.

And he realized that, unintentionally, his proposals in the Cabinet gained substantial support from the Grand Secretary.

...

...

Yanyue Hall.

"Gongming, during the time I step away from the court, you will have to shoulder more responsibilities." The Grand Secretary expressed with a face full of sorrow.

He actually felt a bit like, "Oh, vast heaven, why treat me so harshly."

As the reform endeavor is gaining momentum, he unexpectedly has to temporarily leave the court.

Xu Qing also felt somewhat helpless.

Whether the Grand Secretary is in the court or not presents him with distinctly different environments.

But the mourning system is indeed a pivotal balance in the court’s Central mechanism, not advisable to alter without necessary reasons.

Indeed, the patriarch of the Zhang Family has passed away.

In fact, had it not been for the Heavenly Master using Daoist Skill to forcibly prolong the patriarch’s life, the patriarch of the Zhang Family would have died over half a year ago.

This time, the Heavenly Master returned from Jiangning Prefecture, whereupon the patriarch’s illness again worsened; even with the Heavenly Master’s skills, it was beyond saving.

As mortal, even with protection from Dao Skill experts, one inevitably suffers from exhaustion due to a frail body.

"Tai’a, my concern isn’t entirely about other matters, I’m just worried that, despite you leaving the court, the reform efforts continue to flourish. Then at home ..." Xu Qing sought to console him.

The sorrow on the Grand Secretary’s face immediately vanished; is this boy even human?

His face flushed, then resolutely he said, "If it truly goes that way, I can be at ease."

Xu Qing: "Actually, once you return home, the reforms in Chu Land will be visible before your eyes. Therefore, it cannot be considered a bad thing."

Returning to Chu Land in his mourning period, personally overseeing the reform, actually in some aspects has a greater impact than remaining in the Central court.

Moreover, having been in the Central court for a long time, the Grand Secretary does lack some practical understanding of local matters; this also presents a good opportunity to review the reform.

Grand Secretary: "You rascal, you can’t seem to let me have a day of leisure, can you?"

"Having tasks to do prevents dwelling in sorrow. Moreover, as the ancients said, ’Worry before the world’s worries; rejoice after the world’s rejoicing ... ’

Actually, Zhang patriarch dying at nearly ninety years old is a blessing in disguise.

Thus, within the Grand Secretary’s heart, though there is sorrow, it’s not overwhelming.

At his position, even if his own son dies, it won’t interrupt major state matters.

This period of mourning is also a consideration of the greater good.

Indeed, without Xu Qing, the Grand Secretary would surely opt to override mourning restrictions to stay in court. However, doing so would bring significant press impact and severely damage his posthumous reputation.

Even though he doesn’t care much for this, if he can avoid "overriding mourning", naturally he would prefer it.

"What do you think should be the focus once I return to Chu Land?"

"Agriculture."

"Not governance?"

Xu Qing: "In my humble opinion, there is no cure for governance. The Grand Secretary has made efforts to clear governance, whether it’s the performance exams or other decrees, all can at most treat symptoms, not the root cause. Of course, it’s not to say these efforts are worthless, it’s just that for now, inquiries into governance issues require more effort with less gain. But agriculture is different, as long as the food supply isn’t a problem, even the worst chaos can’t escalate too far. I implore you, after your mourning period, to personally oversee the broad promotion of high-yield crops like sweet potatoes. Moreover, I believe these crops hold great potential for even greater yields ..."

Sweet potatoes have already been promoted for cultivation in Southern Fujian, and Xu Qing has obtained even better seeds from Fang Immortal Dao. However, promotion remains a challenging endeavor.