The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Now, Xu Qing's Heavenly Demon Technique, his Heavenly Demon Transformation stops at the Martial Saint level as its peak.

Even if Elder Fang doesn't take action, the forces in the old Emperor's hands alone are enough to destroy Xu Qing's Heavenly Demon Body.

Then there may not be a second chance for the Heavenly Demon Rushing Seven Lethal Points to help Xu Qing reforge his Heavenly Demon Primordial Spirit.

Moreover, if the old Emperor gives the order, Xu Qing has no doubt that Elder Fang would take action against him.

Of course, the old Emperor would have to be mad to think about firing the donkey now after it's done its job.

The world is far from being at peace yet.

Xu Qing leisurely arrived at the temporary Cabinet.

As soon as Huo Jing saw Xu Qing, he immediately became as calm as water, with a demeanor befitting the Prime Minister!

Then he calmly discussed the current difficulties with Xu Qing.

Whether it's the peasant uprisings caused by the great drought in Guanzhong or the rebellion of the salt workers, the fundamental issue is money and food.

After all, even if you want to kill all the people, you need funds to start things moving, only then can the army be mobilized.

For a Martial Saint, or even Martial Arts Grandmaster level, if it's a method like flying a kite to kill, it indeed would have a destructive power comparable to a large army, but since ancient times, there has been a saying that killing too many ordinary people will lead to unfavorable consequences.

This is also a kind of suppression and balance by the Heavenly Dao.

Of course, you can choose not to believe it.

But aside from Daoists like Black Mountain Old Demon who seek the Dao recklessly, few Martial Saints can really kill without a psychological burden.

On the other hand, if such people existed, but didn't survive until now, it speaks volumes.

Nature, after all, favors survival of the fittest.

In today's world, there is only one Black Mountain Old Demon, not more, all are results of nature's screening balance.

On the way, Xu Qing had already thought of many strategies and said, "The issue in Guanzhong is not urgent, we should first send troops to block the exits of Guanzhong and have neighboring provinces strictly guard against it. This way, we can minimize the losses. Right now, we should first resolve the issue of the salt workers' rebellion."

The rebellion of the salt workers naturally threatens the salt transport of Lianghuai.

Although Xu Qing helped with the reform, the annual salt tax is still the main income of the Court Treasury. Without this basic income, the benefits of the reforms simply cannot fill the gaps in the various parts of the Court.

Why did the salt workers rebel?

This problem is complex and must start with the corruption of the official salt policy.

Because the official salt policy of this country is corrupt, the salt policies are now trending towards futures, naturally leading salt merchants to hoard and manipulate the market, making the salt transport of Lianghuai suffer greatly, and the Court's salt tax revenue decreases year by year.

But the salt tax is the main income of the Court. How could it be given up?

Thus, many burdens fell on the salt workers.

Originally, being a salt worker was a good livelihood, often having extra salt to supplement the household.

Some salt workers even fare better than low-ranking officials.

But with the corruption of the salt laws, such good days are gone forever.

The most direct impact is that the salt workers have to bear the part of the salt tax that they shouldn't have to.

Why is this?

Because the tax of the salt workers is easier to collect.

In fact, this has always been the case in the country, when lacking funds, it doesn't tax the rich but the easy-to-tax groups.

This world doesn't work in a way that just because you're weak, you're right and deserve sympathy.

On this land, the masters only reason with the people who take up knives, and never with the cattle and horses.

Reasoning with cattle and horses only ends with the steel whip.

But if the people have taken up knives, why still reason with them?

Fight for it, why not become the master? If lost, it's just death anyway. A worthless life, if lost, so be it, if won, it's a bloody profit.

Xu Qing cleared his thoughts and continued systematically, "The issue of Lianghuai will also threaten the canal transport. Once something happens to the canal transport, it will affect the livelihood of millions, which is a major issue. I previously governed the water calamities by Your Majesty's order and deeply understand the crucial nature of the canal. So if this is not handled properly, it would be a disaster of great magnitude."

Xu Qing is not being alarmist.

If the people cannot survive, then no matter how good his reputation, he can't stop the rebellions of the people.

Only when the granaries are full can there be virtue, morality, and etiquette. If the belly is empty, there is only the instinct of a beast.

Nowadays, many devils are still lurking. If the country's fortune dips below a certain limit, devils will arise, and chaos will ensue in an instant.

This is not good for Xu Qing, because if the country's fortune declines, the old Emperor cannot help him withstand the Black Mountain Old Demon, can't be a shield!

Even if there needs to be dynastic change in the future, it should be only after the problem of Black Mountain Old Demon is completely solved.

Xu Qing has a broader perspective, unlike the worm-like officials in the Court.

"What does Gongming think should be done?"

"First, publish a decree to lower the salt tax of the salt workers. Since the matter just happened, not all salt workers want to rebel, many were coerced into it, we should first differentiate and win over this part of the people." Xu Qing's method isn't anything new, dividing the masses, getting the people to fight among themselves, are treasures handed down by ancestors, tried and true.

Sigh, he also felt he was becoming more and more detestable, but he's not a true saint after all.

In this world, having thick skin and a black heart means having a tomorrow.

Huo Jing immediately understood, and couldn't help but praise, "Gongming is indeed a capable minister of the times, solving a big problem with just a word."

Xu Qing was noncommittal, "To truly solve the issue of salt law, to fundamentally solve the current problem, Elder Huo was happy too early."

Huo Jing naturally wanted to solve the problem quickly, otherwise, if things blew up, he'd be the first to take the blame as Grand Secretary, forget about a decent retirement, he couldn't even hope for a good name after death.

"What does Gongming think should be done?"

Xu Qing: "Stabilizing the salt workers is only a temporary solution, after all, it was the salt merchants, nobles, and powerful people ruining the salt laws. The problem must be resolved by these people. If not, where will the salt tax be collected? Still, increase the tax on the salt workers, forcing them to rebel."

Huo Jing certainly understood, but he dared not.

Xu Qing laughed, "For bloody matters, I won't let Elder Huo do it, rest assured, I know the limits."

He then said to Yan Shan, "Weizhong, I'll dictate it once, you take notes, then submit it to the Elder for drafting."

Huo Jing's face turned red.

Oh well, oh well, just be the mascot, at least still the Grand Secretary.

Xu Qing's meaning was clear: if you can do it, go for it. If not, listen to me. Stop your whining.

Huo Jing naturally couldn't do it.

An old man, how can he do it?

Huo Jing admitted being old!

If only he were younger.

Alright, back then, he was just a retainer for the wealthy and nobles!

Xu Qing's strategy was simple: first reduce the salt tax for the salt workers, then go after the wealthy merchants hoarding the salt permits. Actually, the wealthy merchants capable of hoarding salt permits are just gloves; the powerful behind them are the real wolves.

Xu Qing plans to follow the trail and eliminate this small group of people.

Though it's just a small group, these guys basically consume most of the profits, and if they continue, they'll consume even more.

Because human greed is limitless, it will only burst them.

Xu Qing's strategy is to stabilize the salt workers first, then go after the fattest pigs, providing concessions to various other stakeholders related to the salt transport.

It can be said to be a relatively suitable strategy at this moment. But in the long run, issues with the salt laws need resolution to truly solve the current troubles, Elder Huo was happy too early.

Huo Jing, determined to solve the problem, knew well that if things got out of control, he would be the first to take the blame as the Grand Secretary, not to mention a graceful retirement, he couldn't even hope for a good name after death.

"What does Gongming propose we do?"

Xu Qing replied, "Stabilizing the salt workers is a temporary fix that doesn't address the root cause. Ultimately, it's the merchants, the nobles, and powerful people corrupting the salt law that must be held accountable. If these issues aren't resolved, where will the salt tax be collected from? It'll still come from the salt workers, forcing them to rebellion."

Huo Jing certainly understood but he didn't dare.

Xu Qing's strategy was clear: if you can do it, you do it. If not, just follow my lead without whining.

Huo Jing's face was flushed red.

Forget it, forget it, just be the Grand Secretary, at least with some respect.

If it wasn't these powerful forces pushing the salt workers to rebel, where would the current dilemma come from?

Xu Qing wouldn't clean up after these parasites.

Just do it!