Chapter 580: Chapter 580

Duke Wei: "You should read more of the Recovery Society’s stance theory and contradiction theory; there is great wisdom in it. If Xu Gongming is called the Saint of our time, I truly admire him from the depths of my heart."

In reality, Xu Qing found this aspect the most repulsive.

Many of the methods of struggle within are the secret knowledge monopolized by aristocratic families for promoting officials, yet Xu Gongming simply made them public, what’s his intention?

Is he complaining that the game is too easy!

The crucial point is that Xu Qing is now at the level of a rule-maker in the game; if he considers you worthy, he will utilize these tactics, but if angered, he would simply overturn the table. Thıs content belongs to NovelHub(.)net

Who, apart from the Emperor, could suppress Xu Gongming?

The issue is, the Emperor also currently has no motive to deal with Xu Qing.

After all, the world belongs to the imperial family; if it were smashed, who would grieve?

Xie Quan hinted at Xu Qing’s identity and power, merely emphasizing this point, which was also done for show to others.

Upon realizing this, the Wang Family Head despondently said: "Must we only bow our heads in submission?"

Duke Wei: "I say that the Great Yu Dynasty must have an Emperor; even if the dynasty changes, there still needs to be an Emperor, all submit to others, what’s the difference? Recognize when to admit defeat."

The Wang Family Head knew it was different.

Everyone kneels, but even house slaves vary in status.

Your Duke Wei Mansion naturally doesn’t care, having long flirted with Xu Gongming.

The issue is, the Wang Family can’t board this ship and is forced to compete with Xu Gongming.

This is also the way for the Wang Family to survive.

Now by opposing Xu Qing, they could still receive the Emperor’s covert support, but if they leaned toward Xu Qing, they’d remain outside the core and be punished by the old Emperor.

Duke Wei naturally perceived the Wang Family Head’s concerns but still decided to comfort his old friend. He plays both sides, needing to maintain connections, and cannot abandon the Wang Family.

Currently, Duke Wei sees himself as a lubricant.

South Zhili is vast, and the Xu Family shouldn’t dominate alone.

Otherwise, the old Emperor wouldn’t feel assured.

Yet fostering opposition isn’t good either.

His Duke Wei Mansion and Xu Qing shared both struggle and cooperation, a suitable balance.

Actually, the Wang Family could also play this role, but since Duke Wei Mansion did so first, the Wang Family has no choice.

These are the invaluable conclusions he synthesized from thoroughly studying Xu Qing’s Recovery Society theories.

Nature creates all things, each with its own use.

It is most important to timely position oneself appropriately.

Duke Wei gave the Wang Family Head a good send-off.

That’s it; time to provide for the old wife. The official account and private account are both depleted, better create another while still young.

"We are all but ordinary people, surviving in this world; endlessly rush about in toil, hardly a moment’s respite..." Duke Wei hummed a quaint tune spreading from Jiangning Prefecture, sighing with the anguish of a world weary observer.

Xu Liushou was full of energy, not tiring even after a day’s work, but would always pause at the right time, allowing everyone to rest.

With Xu Liushou here, naturally, the meals improved.

Food is the paramount need of the people.

With better meals, the resentment of laborers and constables dissipated considerably.

Moreover, they realized Xu Liushou was there to support them.

Without him, during this palace construction, due to rushing the work, who knows how many would die in the frigid winters.

Now at least everyone’s living conditions improved somewhat.

Without Xu Liushou here, their lives would be valued less than livestock.

By the way, humans are the best livestock; they have enduring stamina, can resist hunger, are obedient, and rarely resist unless they have no choice.

Thus, Xu Liushou joked that everyone from a lowly background possessed the "Innate Bull and Horse Holy Body."

The crowd listened with amusement and bitterness.

Yet the lofty Wenqu Star willingly wore plain clothes among them, chatting idly, warming their hearts.

Of course, without charcoal fires around, they certainly wouldn’t feel warm.

If warmth was felt, it would be a sign of impending doom, truly dangerous!

This season, laborers ordered by the scholars to construct the palace lived extremely harsh lives, with no hope.

Xu Qing did not despise them, because as the Heavenly Demon of the era, he could indiscriminately disdain almost everyone. All were products of greed entwined with desire, what’s the difference?

People were this way, merely differing in degree.

Truly selfless ones throughout history are rare.

Despising all equates to despising none.

This task was a face-saving project, also for gaining insight into the lives of the lower classes.

Standing at such heights, Xu Qing rarely had chances to understand the lower layers.

"Everyone need not fret; after finishing this work, I will personally pay and ensure everyone receives a chunk of cured meat to celebrate the New Year back home. Plus, having chatted with me, upon returning, you can boast a bit, and maybe your Village Chief might say some kind words about you."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Some echoed in jest, others sincerely.

In their view, the Wenqu Star seemed somewhat childish, but indeed his age wasn’t too old.

The overall atmosphere during conversations was very relaxed.

Even if they misspoke, Xu Qing would simply laugh it off.

Perhaps, a noble like Xu Liushou regarded everyone as ants, so didn’t care, but conversing with such nobles, wasn’t it a fortune rare over several lifetimes?

If ordinary folks couldn’t network with the powerful, they’d struggle to rise above all their lives.

Xu Qing mingled among the people, understanding their joys and sorrows, without preaching grand doctrines, even sincerely offering advice on matters like saving money for marriage.

The palace at Yingtian Prefecture concluded its final half-month construction amidst a surprisingly pleasant atmosphere.

During this time, even numerous Recovery Society members came to join in the work.

This was a rare chance to appear before the figurehead; they must cherish it!

Ordinary individuals aspiring to become scholars aren’t foolish.

Whether they can prosper depends on cultivation by nobles, as it has always been.

Being under the leader’s eyes versus working independently, can it be the same?

The crucial point is that Xu Liushou genuinely intends to promote cold scholars.

After all, the Xu Family had few members!

This was Xu Qing’s disadvantage, yet also an advantage in drawing talent nationwide.

With the palace completed, the Emperor’s traveling palace also arrived at Yingtian Prefecture.

These two timeless figures, sovereign and minister, shall once again meet!

The entire Southeast paid incomparable attention to this meeting.

For the direction of the nation’s grand strategy lay in the hands of these two figures.