The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Looking down on whom?

The old Emperor suddenly laughed, "Peng Lao's words make sense. Then appoint Feng Xifeng as the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs at the Military Affairs Office, commanding the three borders to quell the rebellion. As for the matter of the Minister of Personnel, we will discuss it after the year's end."

The old Emperor decisively settled the matter, and no one else objected.

The Ministry of Revenue is wealthy, does Xu Gongming lack money?

Yunzhou too is a place rich in coal mines. As long as old Feng takes the technology and management rights of Immortal Coal there, Yunzhou's people will likely rejoice as if receiving sweet rain.

This plan was mentioned in Feng Xifeng's memorial as well.

…

…

After returning, the steward came to greet the former Minister of Personnel, Elder Peng. Once in the study, he took out a contract document.

Master Peng glanced at it and tapped it against his own arm, "It's all your fault, how can you not control this hand of yours!"

Then, delightedly, he picked up the contract. With this contract in hand, coupled with Xu Gongming's guarantee, the wealth of the Peng family for the next ten years was assured.

As for matters beyond that?

Only heaven knows.

After all, people depart and tea cools. If he does not take this wealth now, there may not be such a good opportunity in the future.

Minister Wang and Prince Yu would not offer such a high price to a soon-to-depart Minister of Personnel.

Furthermore, old Peng is a seasoned bureaucrat. He has long sensed the old Emperor's intention and wouldn't offend the Emperor at the juncture of his departure.

This world still belongs to the old Emperor. To cozy up to Prince Yu too early would only provoke the old Emperor's disdain.

At this moment, compared to the exclusive contract for Immortal Coal in his hometown, he was more envious of Feng Xifeng having such a good son-in-law.

If he had Xu Gongming as a son-in-law, how could the Peng family not continue to prosper for decades?

Xu Gongming, unlike other ministers born of humble origins, has his power rooted at the grassroots. Even without a government position, he wields significant influence, different from the ministers at the Court's center.

His roots run deeper than even those of someone like Minister Wang from a prominent family.

Unless Prince Yu succeeds and enacts a party ban against members from the Recovery Society or suppresses officials from South Zhili...

Otherwise, Xu Qing's foundation remains unshaken.

…

…

Feng Xifeng was just about to return to his residence after the court session when Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel pulled him aside, saying, "Qiu Yuan, come to my place for a drink."

Feng Xifeng was about to decline but agreed upon hearing that his son-in-law also went to Zhang's residence.

Minister Zhang was also sweating profusely. Had he not been prepared and connected Xu Gongming and Minister Peng in advance, he might have been caught off guard today.

If Huo Jing were to gain credit for quelling the rebellion, Zhang's dream of becoming Minister of Personnel would be completely shattered.

At this point, old Zhang could no longer conceal his relationship with Xu Qing as father and son-in-law and felt compelled to make his stance clear.

…

…

Zhang's residence.

"Uncle Zhang, greetings to Father-in-law," Xu Qing greeted.

The guests and host took their seats.

Minister Zhang said, "Nephew, it's fortunate you laid the groundwork; otherwise, I'd suffer a big loss this time."

Previously, he merely acted as a mediator, and never expected Xu Qing could deliver a crucial strike using Minister Peng, helping him fill a significant void.

Xu Qing waved his hand, "I don't have such great ability. Actually, the Prime Minister would not agree to let Huo Jing take over as Minister of Personnel, and the Emperor has the same intention. My action was merely taking advantage of the situation."

"Be that as it may, if Minister Wang utilized the power of the Ministry of Revenue to ensure Huo Jing goes to quell the rebellion, the Grand Secretary might have no choice but to agree for the greater good," Minister Zhang clearly understood that the Court's affairs were very complex and interconnected.

For the greater good, sometimes concessions and compromises are necessary.

Xu Qing, truly the Great Yu's first Divine Sword, the Outer Heaven Flying Immortal, can decisively cut through entangled affairs.

Having now established the Purple Mansion, Xu Qing appeared more transcendent, unconcerned with worldly matters. He said, "May I boldly suggest, rather than seeking the position of Minister of Personnel, you might aim for the position of Minister of Revenue."

"Why?"

The position of Minister of Revenue, though not bad, clearly cannot compare to that of Minister of Personnel.

Being the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Minister Zhang naturally harbors a strong obsession with the position of Minister of Personnel.

Xu Qing: "May I ask, my lord, in reforms, what is the primary concern?"

"Naturally, it's purifying governance," Minister Zhang stroked his beard and said.

Xu Qing: "Precisely because of this, my lord should step back and see the broader horizon."

Minister Zhang, rising from humble beginnings to his current position, naturally achieved it through more than just fortunate connections; he himself is astute. He immediately grasped the deeper meaning in Xu Qing's words.

With reforms becoming more profound, the responsibilities of the Minister of Personnel will only grow.

In truth, it's not that he couldn't foresee this, but he was reluctant to concede.

The greater the responsibility, the greater the power.

With Minister Zhang's ambition, he naturally wouldn't be swayed by a few words from Xu Qing, stating, "Gongming's words are true, I shall reconsider."

He quickly understood that while Huo Jing couldn't obtain the position of Minister of Personnel, Minister Wang, in supporting the establishment of the Military Affairs Office, would surely expect something in return.

Could it be that the Grand Secretary is inviting Minister Wang to leave the Cabinet and assume the position of Minister of Personnel?

Since the establishment of the Military Affairs Office reduces the Cabinet's power, staying in the Cabinet becomes somewhat unnecessary, and as a compromise, Minister Wang might not refuse the idea of leaving the Cabinet to become Minister of Personnel.

Moreover, as a staunch supporter of Prince Yu, Minister Wang joining the Ministry of Personnel to help the Grand Secretary purify governance would evidently be more effective than Minister Zhang.

Xu Gongming indeed sees things clearly.

However...

Minister Zhang understands that politics isn't about fighting and killing; even if Minister Wang and the Grand Secretary have different stances now, they might still cooperate on specific matters.

After all, people of the Great Yu Dynasty ultimately prefer moderation and compromise.

And Prince Yu also has the motivation to support reforms.

For the world will eventually be his.

This is also why, despite Prince Yu's dislike for Xu Qing, he sometimes still has to support Xu Qing.

Thus, when the matter of Immortal Coal arose, after Prince Yu sent Shen Mo to probe with a memorial, he then refrained from further meddling.

Position determines mindset!

…

…

After eating and drinking to their fill, the father-in-law and son-in-law returned home together.

On the way, Minister Feng asked, "Gongming, can Minister Zhang really not become Minister of Personnel?"

Xu Qing replied, "Given the current situation, it is indeed out of reach. However, if I intervene, the outcome might be different."

Feng Xifeng twitched the corner of his mouth.

But honestly, having just secured a great job thanks to his son-in-law's influence, he really didn't have the confidence to say anything in rebuttal.

"Do you intend to help him?"

"It depends on Uncle Zhang's attitude," Xu Qing smiled slightly.

Feng Xifeng felt a bit dazed, as if seeing his son-in-law as a submerged dragon that could surface at any moment to summon storms.

"Gongming, did you gain any major insights at the Wenyuan Pavilion?"

"Yes, but..." Xu Qing was about to speak when he suddenly looked up at the night sky, where a star in the Ziwei Doushu unexpectedly brightened.

Feng Xifeng, being knowledgeable, immediately exclaimed, "That's Mars."

The last time Mars soared high and shone brightly in the sky was when the nation was fractured a century ago.

During that time, the Great Yu Dynasty produced two Martial Saints.