The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

This idea is very grand.

Xu Qing estimates that it cannot be realized in a short time.

But it's alright, with a plan, then one can proceed.

When the time comes, let Black Mountain Old Demon, this creator, truly see what "Human Dao" power is.

The numerous scholars left mostly in frustration.

But there are also those with active minds; building a palace requires a lot of manpower and resources, which is a great business opportunity.

Now the atmosphere in the Southeast has completely gone astray.

Many scholars realize that official positions are limited, and since the purpose of being an official is to make money, why not directly make money?

Moreover, the Southeast has always had a commercial atmosphere.

Now many scholars are starting to engage in business; although most come to spend money, some have made a fortune and turned their lives around thanks to their extraordinary insights.

After making money, they donate themselves to become supervisors, imperial scholars, and their status rises accordingly.

Especially through the Recovery Society, many grassroots clerks have direct and indirect ties with the Recovery Society, making it easier for its members to do business.

Brothers help brothers!

If not for the sudden death of Xu Liushou, the development momentum of the Recovery Society would have been much faster.

But this matter isn't all bad; it was an unexpected internal purification that expelled those with weak wills and reorganized the Recovery Society's ethos.

Xu Qing is very aware that the Recovery Society's rectification is not a short-term task; it requires ongoing efforts, otherwise it will soon degenerate.

The human heart is such; it cannot be constrained by etiquette and morals alone.

After the scholars dispersed, the family heads of the Four Great Families stayed behind.

The Wang Family Head did not speak, but Duke Wei did, saying: "Gongming, we all support you in the matter of the palace, but you must also pay attention to our affairs."

Xu Qing understood Duke Wei's meaning.

Now the Recovery Society's influence is substantial; if Xu Qing were really dead, its collapse would be inevitable, but since Xu Qing has revived, this matter demands Duke Wei and others' attention.

The Recovery Society's erosion of grassroots power is equivalent to undermining the foundation of the Four Great Families.

The key point is that the Four Great Families themselves have a large population, so there are sincere individuals joining the Recovery Society, and even some have rebelled to the Heavenly Gang, troubling the family heads.

They do not wish to prohibit the Recovery Society but to create a similar association, with Xu Qing as the overseer, but it must prioritize absorbing prominent scholars from the Four Great Families.

In simple terms, the Recovery Society has low entry barriers, and they want to create a high-end Recovery Society.

If you can't beat them, join them!

And Xu Qing wants to gain control over the Southeast; the Four Great Families cannot be bypassed.

Their ecological niche is incredibly important, not less significant than the three major Tusi families in Qian Nan Province.

"We are all loyal to Your Majesty, as clear as the sun and moon. The Recovery Society's idea is to help the world, but the Emperor represents the country, which we must protect. Shall we establish a Dragon Assistance Association?"

"Dragon Assistance Association?" Duke Wei seemed like he didn't hear clearly.

Xu Qing's face turned dark, but he explained patiently.

This old fox is still restless, wanting to rebel!

However, Xu Qing really has a theory, and he proposed the virtual monarch system for the Dragon Assistance Association. It means the Emperor should learn from Zhou Tianzi and govern indirectly, with affairs of the Southern handled by them, the ministers.

Virtual monarch system, universal sovereign, is also the ideal social form of Confucianism.

Once this theory was put forward, even the Wang Family Head was tempted.

He knew well that Xu Qing was leaving a backup plan; if the old Emperor passed away, and a new one took the throne, Xu Qing might implement the virtual monarch system to counter the new Emperor.

As for directly rebelling against the old Emperor, in his view, the issue isn't Xu Qing being unable to do it, but the cost is extraordinarily high.

Xu Qing's current credibility is comparable to the old villain Sima before the oath in Luoshui; if he rebels against the old Emperor, it would be a major blow to the entire noble system.

Even if Xu Qing succeeds in taking power, would the ministers below be convinced?

Hierarchy and respect are truly crucial factors for national stability.

Moreover, the favor Xu Qing has received from the old Emperor is extraordinarily substantial.

Actually, Xu Qing believes that three years later, he can survive with the trait of the Heavenly Demon Undying, while the old Emperor may not.

No matter if Black Mountain Old Demon represents the Heavenly Dao or not, Xu Qing, after the Changbai battle and understanding of Black Mountain Old Demon, knows one thing for sure: the Old Demon absolutely cannot tolerate an immortal Emperor.

Previously, Black Mountain Old Demon was Xu Qing's mortal calamity.

But three years later, Black Mountain Old Demon is definitely the old Emperor's mortal calamity.

Based on his judgment, the possibility of the old Emperor passing this mortal calamity is extremely low.

Once the old Emperor dies, even if Xu Qing doesn't rebel, he cannot hand over the power.

Xu Qing even has a rather extreme thought: if the old Emperor dies, let the Imperial Grandson take the throne.

Indeed, he believes that if the old Emperor doesn't die, Prince Yu is certainly doomed.

The old Emperor, having succeeded in cultivation, certainly wouldn't leave a vigorous Crown Prince behind.

So in a certain sense, Prince Yu is also a mortal calamity.

It's becoming a chain reaction!