The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 381 - 168 Seven Azure Dragon Constellations, The Old Emperor’s Intentions (Please Subscribe)_3

Chapter 381: Chapter 168 Seven Azure Dragon Constellations, The Old Emperor’s Intentions (Please Subscribe)_3

Feng Wu: "In times of chaos, your move just now would make others believe it’s a heavenly mandate."

She paused, then added: "It’s best not to reveal this Dao Skill in public, the Court is very wary of such skills."

Skills related to the dragon have always been taboo in the Court, though there are exceptions where the emperor’s magnanimity allows it. However, such emperors are few.

Most emperors are extremely suspicious by nature.

It’s said in jest that everyone is out to get me, but it’s also the truth.

Xu Qing nodded. This Divine Skill, even if unutilized, can protect his Divine Soul. Together with the protection of the Five Great Demons, even if a being like the Luo Sect Master came in person and unleashed their power, they might not breach Xu Qing’s soul defenses.

Of course, more cultivation of the Purple Qi and enhancing the temper of the Purple Emperor Dragon Armor is necessary.

This simply requires persistent effort and can be practiced anywhere, as long as one remembers to cultivate the Sunrise Purple Qi daily.

Cultivating Purple Qi is also a hallmark of saints.

After all, have you not heard about the Purple Qi coming from the east for thirty thousand miles!

...

...

"Marquis, we are old acquaintances, there is no need for such formalities." After integrating the Seven Azure Dragon Constellations, Xu Qing returned to his mansion in the Heavenly Capital, residing long-term in the Inspector Government Office, lest others think he was living off others!

This visit was to Marquis Wuding.

Listening to these words of old acquaintance, Marquis Wuding couldn’t help feeling a bit awkward.

What old acquaintance, it was more like "no beating, no interaction."

But such past grievances had already dissipated in Marquis Wuding’s mind.

Given Xu Qing’s current status and power, he deserved serious treatment.

As the two were exchanging pleasantries, Guardian Eunuch Zhao Jinzhong from Yingtian Prefecture also arrived.

Seeing Eunuch Zhao, Marquis Wuding felt a bit awkward and greeted him: "Eunuch Zhao, what brings you here?"

Upon seeing Marquis Wuding, Eunuch Zhao darkened, thinking this sly fellow is here to hog everything.

Both had their own silent critiques but were outwardly friendlier than brothers, and exchanged pleasantries with Xu Qing.

Xu Qing couldn’t stand it and directly addressed them, "Gentlemen, may I know the purpose of your visit?"

Eunuch Zhao: "Xu Jieyuan, I know you have connections. His Lordship intends to set up a weaving office in Jiangning Prefecture, specifically in charge of the silk trade."

He lowered his voice, "Actually, it’s to monitor the movements in the Southeast."

Xu Qing nodded. Jiangning Prefecture already has personnel from the Inner Factory and Embroidered Guard, such as the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard which is an outpost of the Inner Factory.

Now it’s just that the old emperor wants to legitimize it.

And boldly implant agents in Jiangning Prefecture.

It’s indeed pushing forward with supporters and phasing out non-supporters.

Xu Qing knew the old emperor was on guard against him, his actions were so decisive, first Yan Shan and now the Jiangning Weaving Office.

But having his father-in-law as the Six Department Inspectors did save some face.

Xu Qing: "What do you two have to do with this matter?"

Eunuch Zhao replied: "Xu Jieyuan, we’re all old acquaintances. It’s better to use someone familiar. The weaving office’s official role will still primarily focus on the silk trade, and now that you control the sea routes, silk production, and own a dyeing workshop, the profit margins are huge. I only wish to have a share."

"What does setting up the weaving office have to do with me?" Xu Qing was puzzled.

Marquis Wuding replied: "Xu Jieyuan seems unaware, but we’ve received news from the Inner Court that the Ritual Supervision proposes Xie Quan to take charge of the Jiangning Weaving."

Xu Qing was taken aback; he had anticipated the emperor’s wariness, but not that Xie Quan would be involved.

This is an agency serving the Inner Court, indeed bypassing the Outer Court.

Key is, the appointee is a Civil Servant from the Outer Court, closely related to Xu Qing.

The emperor’s move was intriguing.

Though Xu Qing controlled raw silk, dyeing workshops, and sea routes, the leader of the maritime trade was naturally the Court, otherwise why would the Court dispatch the Navy to purge pirates?

Now that Jiangning Weaving was headed by Xie Quan, who is also the son-in-law of the prominent Zhu Family from South Zhili, who has vast business dealings,

It effectively integrates the Zhu Family into the Court-led maritime trade.

So, why would the Zhu Family engage in smuggling when as Imperial Merchants they could monopolize and profit even more?

This set of maneuvers,

Bound Xu Qing within the Court’s maritime strategy.

With such silk trade roles, it reduced resistance in the Southeast and ensured monopoly, isn’t that a gold and silver mine?

The old emperor indeed had a grand scheme.

After this move, there came a great reward.

The Zhu Family could not refuse this outcome.

Xu Qing grasped the old emperor’s intentions; no matter how much they earn, the emperor’s share can’t be less.

Thus, inevitably, the emperor’s trusted followers also had to be involved.

Marquis Wuding and Eunuch Zhao, as the old emperor’s eyes and ears in the Southeast, clearly had to participate.

They came early to curry favor with Xu Qing, lest they couldn’t mix in later or got cheated by him.

Their visit here was clearly to convey the old emperor’s message.

Xu Qing understood; there are regrets in over-reaching.

He had no reason to refuse.

He efficiently started discussing with the two.

Eunuch Zhao and Marquis Wuding also breathed a sigh of relief, fearing Xu Qing’s rejection would complicate matters.

After all, involving money, everyone is happy to earn, definitely joyous.

Now Eunuch Zhao and Marquis Wuding saw Xu Qing as extremely pleasing and exceptionally polite, almost treating him like a Buddha.

...

...

"Your Majesty, currently perhaps only the Azure Dragon Purple Qi may cure the injury on your body." In Longevity Palace, the Chaotian Temple Master sighed lightly.

"Azure Dragon Purple Qi? Isn’t there dragon energy in the Capital as well?"

Chaotian Temple Master replied: "Your Majesty, this is a Divine Soul injury from practicing Dao Skill. The Azure Dragon Purple Qi I mentioned can only be obtained from cultivating the Seven Azure Dragon Constellations in the Celestial Stars Divine View, perfectly corresponding to this condition."

"Celestial Stars Divine View, Seven Azure Dragon Constellations? Where can this method be found?"

"I am unclear, this method belongs to the top-ranked Celestial Stars Divine View among the Taoist sects, perhaps the Heavenly Master at Dragon Tiger Mountain knows," the Chaotian Temple Master said thoughtfully.

The old emperor fell into deep contemplation.

He suspected that the Chaotian Temple Master deliberately mentioned Dragon Tiger Mountain.

But whether to try it or not.

Suddenly, he clutched his head as his headache flared again.