The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Yingtian Prefecture, some unknown pleasure venue.

Xu Qing, Master Wu, and Minister of War, Hong Xuan, were all present.

The bidding matter had already started, and the remaining tasks naturally had professionals to execute. The Great Yu Dynasty was rich in talents, but it depended on whether there were opportunities for them to play a role.

Xu Qing's main task now was to grasp the overall direction and be a good judge of talent.

Governing the country always requires a grasp of both military and civil governance, and both must be strong.

Xu Qing previously dealt with civil affairs, and the military must also keep up.

Due to his merits in the Liaodong war, Master Wu was smoothly promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

Six years ago, one should know, Master Wu was still just a County Magistrate; life's encounters are truly unpredictable.

Master Wu knew in his heart that the key was following the right person and entering a better environment.

The ancients said well, "A person's worth or lack thereof is like a mouse; it depends on where they are situated."

Master Wu deeply agreed with this now.

Whether a person has prospects indeed resembles a mouse; it's determined by the environment they find themselves in. The warehouse mouse lives in a granary, with plenty of food and a comfortable environment; the latrine mouse lives in a toilet, with filthy food and a harsh environment.

Human destiny is often limited by their environment, which far outweighs personal capability in its impact.

Even for Xu Qing, achieving such high accomplishments now was largely due to the environment and the bronze mirror.

Had it been those keyboard warriors from his past life, embarking on strategic discussions and planning the realm within novels, under the same conditions, wouldn't they have achieved similar feats? Perhaps they would have three wives and four concubines, surrounding themselves with admirers!

Speaking of this, this year he had to fulfill his agreement with the Eastern Sea Princess.

Although bearing the Heavenly Demon Body, he could still transform essence into enlightenment, giving birth to children.

By then, helping the Eastern Sea Princess return to Fusang, Xu Qing might experience the status of a Five-star Admiral and become the Supreme Emperor of Fusang Island.

In any case, reaching this point now, fulfilling the agreement with the Eastern Sea Princess was necessary. Many of Xu Qing's affairs required cooperation with the Fang Immortal Dao and the East Sea Gang.

Especially the Daoist Gu from the Fang Immortal Dao, who in Xu Qing's eyes, could now match a hundred thousand forces.

Shared interests are the true link between people.

As beautiful as love is, beyond that stage, it's like fleeting colored clouds and fragile glass.

It's not that love isn't good, just that amidst the materialistic red dust, it appears exceptionally extravagant and rare.

Overall, the point is not to test love with material wealth.

Xu Qing organized his thoughts and quickly outlined the key points of this secret meeting.

Master Wu and Hong Xuan quickly understood.

Xu Qing was actually planning to establish a Martial Arts Academy under the Ministry of War.

The Martial Arts Academy would not only have Martial Arts courses, but also Dao Skill courses. The teachers of Martial Arts would be selected from the Martial Arts tournaments, choosing those with a good reputation and clean backgrounds.

Although many Central Earth experts were lost in the Changbai battle, there were still a significant number of Martial Artists at the Bone Training level and even close to the Refining Internal level.

The Martial Arts Academy didn't need to teach too many profound Martial Arts theories, the key was to train the grassroots Military Officers of the new-style army.

This move was equivalent to challenging the Aristocratic Military Families of the Great Yu Dynasty, giving people like Scholar Lei, who previously had no path to rise, an opportunity to climb upward.

Temporarily starting a pilot in South Zhili.

Mainly, because during the battle at Taihe Mountain, the old Emperor caused opposing forces across the land to temporarily not dare to stir up trouble, thus giving Xu Qing some space and time to reorganize internally.

Otherwise, once such a move against the Aristocratic Military Families appeared, various border troubles would quickly emerge.

"The standards of the Martial Arts Academy should neither be too high nor too low. I suggest having Master Wu as the Mountain Master of the Martial Arts Academy, what does Master Hong think?"

Hong Xuan nodded slightly, then said, "How will these students be arranged after graduation?"

"The students will be trained towards becoming Military Officers, and I also plan to establish a new type of army, temporarily called the Black Cavalry, established with three thousand people. The military salaries will be solved locally, with funds allocated from Yingtian Prefecture. This Black Cavalry is also to escort reforms and road construction." Xu Qing directly explained the intent.

Hong Xuan knew that the old Grand Secretary Zhang Tai'a had also trained new armies, such as the Jinghai Guard, among others.

However, back then, he was not yet the Minister of War and naturally had no merit.

Xu Qing's current strategy perfectly aligned with Hong Xuan's interests.

Unless he achieved a bit of military accomplishment, how could he highlight his importance as Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of War?

Whether it was the Martial Arts Academy or the Black Cavalry, they were matters under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, and once achievements were made, he would still have a chance to become the Chief Minister of Military Affairs and Cabinet Chief.

Speaking of which, the old Emperor was indeed interesting.

Elder Liang and Huo Jing both served as Grand Secretaries, but he resolutely did not give them the seat of Chief Minister of Military Affairs, leaving it directly vacant.

Since the establishment of the Military Affairs Office, only Zhang Tai'a had served as Chief Minister of Military Affairs.

Then came the focus of the gathering.

Master Wu, as an old visitor of Yingtian Prefecture's pleasure venues, took the initiative to invite his current superior Master Hong to experience the customs and traditions of South Zhili.

Xu Qing took his leave and was responsible for the tab.

Lord Xu was a principled man, he wouldn't engage in free exploits.

Nowadays in South Zhili, especially the pleasure venues of Yingtian Prefecture, competition was extraordinarily fierce. Things like storylines and role-playing emerged.

So, given the opportunity, even the ancients indulged in play!

…

…

After returning to his residence in Yingtian Prefecture, Xu Qing quietly entered King Lin's dream.

This Martial Arts Academy, on the surface, aimed to cultivate new troops and new Military Officers, but in truth, Xu Qing intended to accomplish a deeper matter through it.

That was to define the Martial Arts System of the world.

Previously, the grading of Martial Arts primarily involved delineations in realms, especially during the early stages like Muscle Training, Bone Training, Skin Training, and Meat Training. Once gifted individuals existed, their combat power disregarded these foundational realms.

Therefore, Xu Qing planned to focus on actual effects, dividing the Martial Arts of the world into nine grades based on combat power.

The nine grades perfectly corresponded to the grade levels in the officialdom.

It was well known that in the Great Yu Dynasty, anyone with abilities was a fan of bureaucracy.

Ultimately, the Great Yu Dynasty was an official-centric society.

The lowest was the Ninth Grade, the highest was the First Grade Grandmaster, and above the First Grade was the Martial Saint.

After defining the Martial Arts System, and following some experiments and adjustments, he could then proceed to define the Daoist System.

No matter what, as long as these two tasks were accomplished, Xu Qing's status in the Cultivation Realm would be even more stable than his status in the scholarly realm.

One might say, "A commoner can be a teacher for generations, a single word can become the law of the world!"

Of course, setting grades is not enough; we must also compile basic Daoist skill and martial arts textbooks, and edit and organize Daoist Scripture and Martial Arts Scripture.

These are all matters of great merit and achievement, enough to make Xu Qing immortal in people's hearts.

These tasks require a large amount of manpower and martial strength. Relying solely on one person is not impossible, but with fewer participants, the motivation for everyone to drive this forward would be insufficient.

There needs to be enough influential people involved. Because they have personal interests, they will have the motivation to promote it; otherwise, who would be interested?

When opportunity knocks, Xu Qing naturally thought of his elder brother.

King Lin was strengthening his body, brimming with energy, but suddenly felt sleepy.

This time he didn't resist and went straight to sleep.

Actually, after a few times, King Lin also had some insights and could resist drowsiness, but he wanted to see what Xu Gongming was up to this time!

Xu Qing was concise and got straight to the point.

"What, you want me to be the Head Instructor of the Martial Arts Academy?"

Xu Qing nodded: "Doesn't big brother want to?"

King Lin: "I am used to being a lone wolf in the East Sea, I look down on your bureaucracy and its ways."

Xu Qing: "I was saying, many of these students will become military generals in the future, perhaps even famous throughout history. I thought, in future records, big brother would also have an important role. Since you don't want it, then forget it."

"Wait, it's not entirely out of the question."

Xu Qing smiled slightly: "By the way, this also helps to clear big brother's name."

"Will the Emperor agree to that?"

"Does big brother underestimate little brother? Such trivial matters, I can decide by myself. The Minister of War and the Assistant Minister are both my people!" Xu Liushou boasted unabashedly.

King Lin was skeptical, but he trusted Xu Qing's promise.

Although he thought about establishing a nation overseas someday, if he could achieve greatness at home and leave his mark on history, who wouldn't want that?

Returning home in glory, honoring the ancestors, would be far more splendid than being a king in some barbaric land overseas.

Who in their lifetime wouldn't want to return home wealthy and sing a grand anthem...

Liu Xiang thought similarly in this regard.

It can be said that after achieving success and fame, if one cannot show off in front of their hometown elders, something would feel amiss.

Then Xu Qing mentioned the matter of the nine grades of martial arts.

"To establish grades in martial arts naturally requires participation from heavyweight figures to lead, otherwise there's no credibility."

King Lin deeply agreed, feeling that this heavyweight leader must surely refer to him.

Then Xu Qing changed the topic, "I plan to invite Master Xiong Chan as well."

King Lin's smile abruptly disappeared.

Xu Qing comforted him: "My good elder brother, having the Martial Saint and you involved in this is really for your benefit. You see, by doing this, you are on par with the Martial Saint!"

King Lin: "What's so great about a Martial Saint, I will eventually..."

Old Lin made a bold statement.

Xu Qing: "How about I ask Master Xiong Chan to spar with you when the time comes."

"Forget it." King Lin was aware enough to recognize his limitations.

Xu Qing laughed and said: "Actually, there's another opportunity. I previously promised the Grand Secretary to help the East Sea Princess restore her nation. Now that the Eastern Barbarian Martial Saint was injured at Taihe Mountain, it is a great opportunity to help the East Sea Princess. When the time comes, big brother can go with me, and we can join forces to settle old scores. Perhaps we can even take advantage of the opportunity to help you break through."

King Lin's eyes lit up, "This plan suits me perfectly."

Challenging a young, peak Martial Saint, of course, left King Lin uncertain.

Picking soft, ripe targets is always better!

Ah, what a hero he, Lin, once was, also led astray by his virtuous younger brother!

…

…

Thus the matter was settled.

The Ministry of War would take the lead, Master Wu would be the Mountain Master, King Lin the Head Instructor, and Master Xiong Chan would serve as the Chief Advisor. It was indeed a grand lineup.

Moreover, this time they would compile the Martial Arts Scripture and establish grades for the world's martial arts system.

This move had far more impact in the Wu Lin than the martial arts conference.

It was also a reorganization of the world's martial arts system.

Gu Wuji and Ren Tianyou, who survived the battle at Changbai Mountain last time, were also invited to become instructors at the Martial Arts Academy.

Of course, King Lin as the Head Instructor was the most outstanding.

Learning the arts of war and literature is ultimately to sell them to the emperor.

What, Xu Gongming isn't the emperor?

Then he'll come up with another idea!

King Lin studied history and knew that overly meritorious subjects often met unfortunate ends.

He still thought he'd find a chance, during the cold weather, to give his virtuous brother an extra cloak. At that time, as King Lin, perhaps he could even become a First Class Duke.

After all, one must have dreams in life.

King Lin thought so, but he wasn't particularly urgent about it.

Given the ages of him and his virtuous brother, they could afford to wait; they could even outlive the old emperor through patience.

Moreover, King Lin knew that revolting against the old emperor would not be good for his brother's reputation.

As for Prince Yu, who even counts?

By then, if Prince Yu ascended the throne, arranging for his brother to receive Grandmaster Dong's treatment, even bedding down in the emperor's palace overnight wouldn't be impossible.

However, no matter what, they had to get past the old demon of Black Mountain first.

King Lin heard from Xu Qing that the old demon of Black Mountain would appear again.

But he was not afraid, thinking that if he could die at the hands of the world's greatest, it wouldn't be a life wasted.

He always believed in living grandly, dying grandly too.