The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Duke Wei Mansion, study.

Duke Wei sighed deeply, "Xu Gongming is Xu Gongming; anyone who tries to challenge him will gain nothing."

This time, Xu Qing's response was truly exceptional.

Actually, the strategy isn't sophisticated, but it targeted the crucial point.

That point is the water source.

Cotton cultivation requires a large amount of water.

Previously, when Xu Qing was bidding for road construction, he had already planned the resources for reservoirs and river embankments.

Furthermore, the improved waterwheels used for pumping, along with the current steam engines and soul stone mechanisms, can pump water in large quantities. It can be said that, relying on the advantages of these mechanisms and the Court's water management plans, Xu Qing effectively controls a significant portion of South Zhili's water resources.

Though the landlords and nobles have some water resources, they wouldn't give them to the common people for farming.

Be aware, in today's world, any river section has an owner, and fishing shrimp indiscriminately is not allowed.

When the Court develops waterworks, the people can still have some benefit.

The water facilities of the nobles are of no concern to the common people.

Ultimately, no matter how bad the Officials are, there is a baseline; they will do some public works that benefit everyone.

For every advantage the nobles take, they have to repay it twofold or more.

Xu Qing directly cut off the water supply to the cotton fields, striking the vital point, and those causing trouble could no longer stir up trouble.

Because Xu Qing made it very clear: follow him, and you will have food; if not, forget about the cotton fields, even the ordinary farmlands won't get enough irrigation water.

Though execution cannot be perfect in such matters, it is enough to set an example.

Especially in Jiangning Prefecture, Xu Qing can indeed fully enforce his authority.

Yan Fu also admired Xu Qing's ability to repeatedly grasp the fundamental problem and solve it smoothly, commenting, "The petty fear power but don't cherish virtue. Xu Liushou should now understand that it's not that the Duke and you lack benevolence, but that these rogues are simply undeserving!"

Duke Wei stroked his beard and said, "Indeed, governing the world towards the commoners is a big mistake. We nobles aren't born this way but forced by these rogues. The better you treat them, the more they take advantage."

Duke Wei hoped this matter would make Xu Qing reconsider and stand with the nobles.

…

…

"Gongming truly has great tactics; this method renders the new cotton law unopposed." Xie Quan was full of admiration.

Xu Qing: "Just because no one dares oppose it doesn't necessarily mean it's a blessing. Complaints aren't big yet, but they are menacing. If others dare not oppose openly, who knows how much resentment might accumulate inside them."

Xie Quan: "These small people are foolish; whom can they blame? Gongming has always been firm with nobles yet is overly lenient towards the ungrateful commoners. This is not a good thing."

Xie Quan, with his extensive experience, could keenly perceive that although the nobles often have internal conflicts, they can unite temporarily for greater interests, only encountering obstacles due to the likes of Xu Qing.

As for the commoners, even his own servants engage in petty rivalry to gain favor, never uniting to confront the master.

The master could toss a bone casually, sparking fierce conflicts among them, yet they ultimately still feel grateful to the lord and madam.

Thus, Xie Quan didn't quite endorse Xu Qing's class theory proposed in the Recovery Society.

Within the same stratum, the lower the tier, the more serious the mutual harm.

If Xu Qing weren't so approachable regularly, perhaps those villagers wouldn't be emboldened to defy him, incited to meddle with the Li family's ancestral grave.

Xu Qing: "Everyone has wisdom and folly, noble and ignoble people alike. Due to the sheer numbers, ignoble commoners seem far more than ignoble scholars. But who defines virtue and folly?"

Xie Quan: "Naturally, those who hold the discourse's power."

Xu Qing smiled slightly, "Actually, I think the matter isn't about right or wrong, it's just about positions."

He continued, "We solve problems as we should, why be angry with certain people or groups? If the teacher says I'm harsh with nobles, it's unjustified. I only deal with nobles opposing me. Look at those who follow my path, haven't they all gained benefits?"

Xie Quan couldn't help but ponder deeply, then said again, "Ultimately, it creates such impressions."

Xu Qing nodded, "Indeed, fundamentally, it's because some want to smear me, while others believe treating nobles and commoners equally is inherently wrong. But isn't it fairness when heaven views all beings as straw dogs?"

These people don't resent heaven or earth; instead, they resent me, thinking I'm easy to bully, don't they?"

"Um." Xie Quan had no words to reply.

Xu Qing smiled slightly, "The drought in the central area is severe, and Jiangnan also faces drought. This time, we've demonstrated the importance of water management mechanisms; it's time for the next step of action."

Xie Quan immediately understood Xu Qing's real intent, which was using the steam engine for pumping water.

With steam engines, deep underground water can be pumped, requiring coal burning and component maintenance.

Importantly, the manufacture of steam engines is controlled by the Court.

Pumping groundwater can indeed resolve some drought issues, or at least alleviate them, offering people some hope.

For the commoners, as long as there's hope, they won't reach desperation.

Xu Qing's main intention was to widely implement all mechanisms related to life and production.

Hence, roads must be built; without roads, how could these heavy cumbersome machines be transported everywhere?

Not every place has water transportation.

Xie Quan now realized even more that Xu Qing's methods are all interconnected.

Even without the cotton field matter, Xu Qing would find another pretext to achieve his goals.

How can he remain so composed!

Furthermore…

Xie Quan suddenly realized that Xu Qing's waterworks indirectly significantly impact the land controlled by nobles.

Because the allocation of water resources is finite.

If the Court controls more, especially the upper streams, the nobles would have to depend on the Court.

However, the nobles are inherently part of the Court.

But as long as the Monarch and the Prime Minister are strong enough, they can't overstep their bounds legally.

At least in Xu Qing's era, Xu Qing can leverage this to control them.

Xu Qing naturally saw Xie Quan's thoughts and said, "I do plan to issue a new Water Technique in the future. By then, the water used by the scholars and nobles must have a quota and cannot exceed it."

Even if there is a change of dynasty in the future, Xu Qing would prefer to implement the most difficult reforms during the old Emperor's reign.

Because in this way, the New Dynasty would have the opportunity to bestow kindness, and the blame could be shifted to the previous dynasty.

Moreover, the old Emperor's current intention is very clear: to achieve quick success and instant benefits and rapidly increase the nation's strength.

Truly, if a root of calamity is planted, it will be a problem for later.

If they can't survive the calamity of the Black Mountain old demon, what will come afterward?

Therefore, the one most supportive of Xu Qing's bold actions is none other than the old Emperor.

After discussing with Xie Quan, Xu Qing returned to the Xu Residence.

…

…

He now wore a solemn expression.

The blame is not great, but human fear is.

This time, although he used thunderous means to shock people, there were still repercussions.

The Cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Path lies in the thoughts of the human heart.

Now the malice on him is deep, indirectly affecting Xu Qing's Demon Heart.

He has now realized that if he cannot fully succumb to demonic transformation, he must confront various thoughts from the hearts of all beings and maintain his self.

This is also the key to the cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Primordial Spirit.

"Maintaining self, pure self, to the point of sole self, is the key to cultivating Tai Shi Demon Qi. My struggle against these myriad demon thoughts is my cultivation of Tai Shi Demon Qi.

Conversely, assimilating the myriad demon thoughts, dissolving the self, to the point of no self and transforming all living beings, this is the cultivation of Tai Chu Demon Qi."

One is sole self, the other is no self.

The fundamental cultivation of both is diametrically opposite, yet precisely the key to the cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Primordial Spirit, needing both to progress together like Yin Yang Qi.

Sole self and no self become increasingly difficult to reconcile as one goes along.

Moreover, cultivating both to his current realm's limit will inevitably lead to a new calamity of water and fire clash, its terrifying degree no less than the Heavenly Tribulation faced by a creator.

Since it's like crossing a river by feeling the stones, Xu Qing isn't sure if he will face a Heavenly Tribulation in the future.

After all, having cultivated into the Heavenly Demon Primordial Spirit, he is the only one in this world, without any experience to draw upon.

The path he is exploring now suggests the mortal world is the place for the Heavenly Demon to prove the way.

In a sense, choosing either Tai Shi Demon Qi or Tai Chu Demon Qi is better.

Choosing Tai Shi Demon Qi means having a steadfast Demon Heart, unshakeable, killing Buddha when encountering Buddha, killing ancestors when encountering ancestors, killing thoroughly, and achieving true freedom.

Choosing Tai Chu Demon Qi means the Heavenly Demon transforms freely, refining all living forms, existing in the myriad beings of the world, when all beings are immortal, I am Immortal.

Xu Qing chose a third path, to have it all.

Because choosing Tai Shi Demon Qi would mean he has to kill all burdens thoroughly, including his wife, uncle, aunt, and all those close to him.

He truly cannot do it.

Even if immortality and eternal life were placed before him, Xu Qing would not make such a decision.

The existence of life is determined by its form and content, not existence for the sake of existing.

If it were Tai Chu Demon Qi, Xu Qing would have no self; he could be Feng Wu, his uncle, aunt, and all those close around him, but he would no longer be a complete Xu Qing.

At that point, Xu Qing would just be a name, a label, a role in the Heavenly Demon Transformation.

But possessing both, in the future, the conflict between Tai Shi Demon Qi and Tai Chu Demon Qi will become increasingly intense.

Once it erupts, it might even destroy Xu Qing's Heavenly Demon Consciousness, which is truly life-threatening.

Because it would be an internal detonation.

Yet if he successfully walks this path, Xu Qing can hardly imagine what achievements he might attain.

In life, one always faces endless tribulations, and every path chosen has insurmountable hurdles.

Therefore, Xu Qing is not overly troubled.

This life is a series of unsolvable problems.

This is also what makes life interesting and fascinating.

…

…

Fusang Island, by the sea.

The Sword Pavilion of the Eastern Barbarian Martial Saint!

"Tantai Jian."

"Disciple here."

"This Zhanlu Sword is entrusted to you, to guard all that I have left you." The Eastern Barbarian Martial Saint, without joy or sorrow, before his death, gave up everything from his life, using his life's essence to nurture his most proud disciple, Tantai Jian.

"Disciple will obey."

With the passing of one Martial Saint, a new Martial Saint is born.