CHAPTER 528: CHAPTER 225: LONGEVITY RICE AND THE NEW GRAND SECRETARY (PART 3)

Xu Qing mocked himself, calling it Xu’s plot and Feng’s decision.

Xu Qing had many ideas, but he also needed his wife to help make decisions; often, Feng Wu’s decisions were actually Xu Qing’s own ideas.

This was the harmony between the Heavenly Sound and the Earth Sound.

During this process, both sides continued to increase their understanding of the world.

The enlightenment of worldly affairs is cultivation.

"Husband, you indeed handled this matter very well, but I’m worried about another issue. I’m afraid that Master Xiong Chan might understand a principle from this: instead of opposing the Court, it’s better to join the Court and seize the highest authority," Feng Wu pointed out a very important hidden danger.

If a Martial Saint opposes the Court, the harm is indeed great, but the Court can still resolve it.

But what if a Martial Saint voluntarily joins?

The transfer of power of the state is not impossible.

Feng Wu continued, "I see Master Xiong Chan is different from many other masters; he has a very strong desire for power. For many masters, court politics is an obstacle to cultivation, but in my opinion, Master Xiong Chan considers these matters part of his cultivation, just like you, husband."

Xu Qing had to commend his wife’s clear insight.

In terms of conditions, Xiong Chan was not inferior to Xu Qing. Once he learned Xu Qing’s methods, many things would go smoothly. Moreover, even if Prince Yu did not interact with Xiong Chan, Xiong Chan would naturally receive support from Prince Yu.

Because the Court needs balance.

Undoubtedly, even if Xu Qing and Xiong Chan became brothers, when it involved their fundamental interests, they would be at each other’s throats.

But it would not prevent them from drinking and enjoying the moon together after fighting.

I have a Great Dao contest with you, but I also deeply admire your cultivation.

No conflict.

It is lonely at the top; only by being at the top together can they appreciate each other, which is also a spiritual consolation.

Xu Qing smiled and said, "Ah Wu, do you not have confidence in your husband?"

"Hmph, I’m just curious about what plans you have, husband?"

Xu Qing: "Ah Wu, don’t forget, everyone has to die, Martial Saints are no exception. Throughout history, all the Saints have perished."

Feng Wu understood Xu Qing’s meaning: no matter what power Xiong Chan might achieve in the future, he is just a wave in the long river of time and space.

And Xu Qing had deeply influenced Xiong Chan’s cultivation, which for a cultivator, was already a victory.

Though my body perishes, my Dao remains.

Who wins or loses?

This is self-evident.

She suddenly realized that in the struggles among cultivators at a higher level, it was indeed about the Great Dao, about the path of cultivation.

Refining Void and Integration is to let oneself transform into Dao and integrate with Dao, to truly pursue the road to longevity and immortality.

Dao is the path.

What Xu Qing practiced is precisely the core of the Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit Path, which is "Integration."

Achieving immortality is the appearance, integration is the essence.

As for what realm counts as integration, and ultimately what "Dao" Xu Qing will integrate with, these are things Xu Qing cannot understand yet.

He only knows he has not taken a wrong path.

If he hasn’t succeeded, it’s a matter of ability, not anything else.

Xu Qing added, "Indeed, Master Xiong Chan is a talent. When he entered the capital, he mentioned the notion of Brahman and self being one, pursuing the true void. If one’s nature is truly void, even if influenced by me, it’s still void. If he really achieves this, all I can do is admire him, it’s his win."

Feng Wu smiled slightly, "Then you must work hard, husband, I don’t want you to lose."

Then, she looked at him affectionately.

...

...

After a peaceful night’s sleep.

Little eunuch Zhang Kun from the Qianqing Palace came to deliver a decree.

Xu Qing followed him to the Longevity Palace.

Not seeing Xuanhu, Xu Qing felt a little disappointed.

After the usual greetings.

"Little monkey, what do you think about the Grand Secretary’s mourning period?" the Longevity Emperor asked, casually flipping through a Daoist Scripture while sitting on the Jade Bed.

"I believe, Your Majesty should revoke the mourning," Xu Qing said honestly.

The old Emperor chuckled, took out a memorial, and tossed it in front of Xu Qing.

It was the memorial from Minister Wang of the Ministry of Personnel, holding the same opinion as Xu Qing, hoping the old Emperor would revoke the mourning.

After reading it, Xu Qing immediately said, "I implore Your Majesty to rebuke Minister Wang."

The old Emperor: "Isn’t he of the same opinion as you?"

Xu Qing: "In his position, he must attend to his duties. As the Minister of Personnel, safeguarding the mourning system is his duty. Now Minister Wang has overstepped his bounds by attempting to let Your Majesty revoke the mourning; this is not the way of a minister."

The old Emperor: "Isn’t revoking the mourning also a supplement to the mourning system? How has Minister Wang overstepped?"

Xu Qing: "Because revoking the mourning is kindness from above, not something a subject should interfere with."

"Then how can you speak on it?" the old Emperor asked with a subtle smile.

Xu Qing: "Therefore, I have overstepped and request Your Majesty to punish me."

The expression on the old Emperor’s face froze, wondering if this youngster held such a grudge against old Wang that he would go down together with him. However, he enjoyed seeing his officials compete against each other, and Xu Qing’s performance fit his desires.

He said, "Chen Zhong, draft an imperial decree to reprimand Wang Gong and deduct a year’s salary. As for Xu Qing, he will receive the same treatment."

Chen Zhong stifled his laughter as he accepted the decree.

Seeing this, Xu Qing promptly thanked him for the favor.

With this tactic, Xu Qing completely disregarded what Wang Gong might think and directly sealed off his opponent. Xu Qing was resilient, not afraid of harming both others and himself with the Seven Injuries Fist.

Occasionally giving the old Emperor an excuse to reprimand him would make the old man happy too.

This is human nature.

Subsequently, Xu Qing discussed the issues regarding Longevity Rice and Yellow Millet Rice, mentioning Xiong Chan’s intention to tribute extraordinary Yellow Millet Rice.

The old Emperor’s eyes lit up at the news.

Xu Qing further explained, "I feel that the items from the Great Zen Temple might not have a very clean origin, in case there are any evil spirits at play, it might not be beneficial to the dragon’s body, so I refused."

The old Emperor expressed disappointment, remarking, "I am the Emperor, I fear nothing from any evil spirits."

Xu Qing: "I thought the same, but I always wonder what if something happens, so I specifically asked Master Xiong Chan to write a Blood Scripture to purify the Spirit Rice, to ensure absolute safety."

The old Emperor nodded in approval, "You always handle things to my satisfaction."

Then the old Emperor changed his tone, "Xu Qing, who do you think would be suitable to be the Grand Secretary after Zhang Elder’s mourning period?"