"Uncle, you just don't understand. All these things come according to market demand. Whatever the marketplace lacks, we make it. With everyone brainstorming, we can always come up with a solution. Whether the products are good or not, we'll figure that out after making them."

Master Gu's logic struck a chord with the Celestial Spirit Master, who couldn't help but ask, "What if the market demand is too unreasonable and can't be met?"

Master Gu replied, "Uncle, that's where you're wrong. If there's such a demand, it surely isn't a fanciful whim. By tying it to reality, we can always find a way to solve the problem. Besides, we fear difficulties even less now because you have joined us. Could it be that a dignified Thunder Tribulation Ghost Immortal would be stumped by the demands of mere mortals?"

The Celestial Spirit Master stroked his beard, "Naturally not."

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Come, let's assign this task to my uncle..."

The Celestial Spirit Master's face darkened.

Beast!

...

...

In another part of Yingtian Prefecture, Li Xiwen was busy with the inventory inspection of the warehouses.

He was acutely aware of the importance of this task and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

For every warehouse inspected, he meticulously reconciled the accounts, leaving no detail unchecked. Those tricks hidden away in everyday life gradually surfaced under his scrutiny.

"Clerk Li, there's a problem here!" A Government Official pointed to a pile of goods in the corner of the warehouse and shouted. Li Xiwen quickly walked over and discovered that the records and the actual number of goods were severely mismatched.

He frowned, understanding that there must be unspeakable secrets behind this. As the inspection progressed, more and more problems were being exposed.

The dark corners of the South Zhili officialdom were gradually being uncovered.

This caused those officials with ulterior motives to feel uneasy and anxious. They scrambled to cover their misdeeds or tried to obstruct the inspection.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing sat quietly in the study, examining reports coming from various regions. His face revealed no emotion, but in his heart, he was plotting his next move.

Prince Yu's rising prestige in the North indeed posed a significant challenge, but it also presented an opportunity for him to advance reforms in the South.

"Sir, the Inspection Bureau has sent the latest inspection report." A servant entered the study and handed a document to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing accepted the report and began to read it carefully, unable to suppress a cold smile.

In an instant, the room filled with a chilling air.

...

...

At the Xu Residence, Feng Wu was managing affairs related to the Jiangning Chamber of Commerce.

Though her son's matters worried her, she diligently worked to alleviate her husband's burden.

"Madam, there's a Daoist outside claiming to be Wei Yuan requesting to see you." A maid entered the room cautiously and said.

Upon hearing this, Feng Wu understood that Wei Yuan's arrival might bring some changes.

"Let him in," Feng Wu said calmly.

In no time, Wei Yuan stepped into the hall.

"Junior Sister, it has been a long time." Wei Yuan greeted with a smile. He appeared gentle and refined, with a newfound air of nobility compared to before.

"I hear Senior Brother is now working for Your Majesty and has joined the Shadow Guard," Feng Wu said with a smile, then invited him to sit and ordered tea to be served.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Wei Yuan subtly hinted at his purpose for coming.

He intended to vie for the position of Duke Wei's Princely Heir and had already secured the elderly Emperor's endorsement.

Feng Wu's heart skipped a beat.

She neither agreed nor refused.

Wei Yuan didn't seem to mind Feng Wu's attitude; it was as if he had come merely to announce this matter.

...

...

Meanwhile, at the Martial Arts Academy, Duke Wei's Princely Heir was striving to adapt to life there. He already understood why Xu Qing had arranged for him to be placed here.

Although he felt some nervousness, he also realized that this might be an opportunity to prove himself.

"Heir, today's training is not to be skipped!" a Martial Arts Academy instructor shouted.

Duke Wei's Princely Heir gritted his teeth and struggled to keep up with the training pace. In his heart, he swore to achieve something significant here, to not let down his mother's expectations, and to prevent Xu Qing from belittling him.

...

...

At the Xu Residence study.

After sending off Wei Yuan, Feng Wu read the court bulletin while waiting for her husband to return.

When Xu Qing came back, Feng Wu told him about the day's events.

"Husband, what do you think?"

"Ah Wu, whom do you wish to help?"

"Wei Yuan is a disciple of the Temple Master, so in terms of closeness, we should help him. However, he now has the Emperor's backing, and besides, there have been some past grievances between you and Duke Wei's Princely Heir..."

"So, helping either of them would be unwise, right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's not help either," Xu Qing said with a mysterious smile.

Just then, someone came to report that the head of the Wang Family was visiting with Madam Wang.

Seemingly expecting this visit, Xu Qing asked Feng Wu to greet Madam Wang while he went to see the head of the Wang Family.

In the reception hall, the host and guests took their seats.

"Lord Xu, here is a letter from my eldest brother." The head of the Wang Family directly took out a letter sealed with Minister of Personnel Wang Gong's personal mark.

The head of the Wang Family was relieved that what he feared most had not happened.

The siege of the Capital had been lifted, and Wang Gong did not defect.

However, the situation in the Capital was now more complex.

The Snowfield Living Buddha had been appointed State Preceptor by Prince Yu.

This was a blatant usurpation.

Wang Gong sensed that Prince Yu intended to rebel, and he had to save himself.

The head of the Wang Family thought to himself that it would have been better if his cousin had defected to the grassland; at least, he could take righteous action against kin!

Prince Yu's rebellion was practically a recurrence of the Witchcraft Calamity.

As for the Xuanwu Gate?

The head of the Wang Family thought he must have a screw loose to think Prince Yu could pull that off.

Xu Qing read the letter and smiled faintly, "Minister Wang's concerns are already known to me. Rest assured, I have a plan."

The head of the Wang Family couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

In the Great Yu Dynasty's officialdom, everyone knew that Xu Gongming's promise was worth countless fortunes.

He said, "Is there anything our Wang Family can do? We will certainly cooperate fully."

In the past, the Wang Family held great power in the official circle but paid little attention to commerce because it was considered a minor path.

To put it bluntly, with power naturally came wealth.

With control over power, even the biggest merchant was merely a billfold of the Wang Family, to be tapped at will.

But now things were different.

Not to mention that behind the Jiangning Chamber of Commerce stood Xu Qing, even other families had formed their own chambers. The large merchants and nobles had already formed new interest groups, and the Wang Family's official alliances were crumbling under the pressure of these new organizations.

They directly borrowed Xu Qing's profit-sharing experience to create new chambers, seamlessly blending officials and merchants together, resulting in more cohesive power and stronger organization.

In comparison, the Wang family's old system was outdated.

Moreover, although the Wang Family's pillar Wang Gong was still the Minister of Personnel, he was now aligned with Prince Yu, which meant he could be facing ruin any day.

Now even a blind man could see better prospects in the South.

But Wang Gong remained in the North.

Xu Qing took out a portrait.

"Is this the Chongyang Ancestor Master's portrait?" The head of the Wang Family took it, initially startled, then examined it closely; the more he looked, the more it resembled Xu Gongming.

"There is nothing outside the husk of the universe; some can comprehend before inherent existence."

It was unmistakably the Chongyang Ancestor Master's portrait.

The head of the Wang Family was puzzled.

"Please have Master Wang deliver this painting to the Capital, and have your brother worship it daily. Once done, all perplexing issues can be resolved with ease. Remember to be sincere..."

Xu Qing said serenely, then with a wave of his sleeve.

A gentle evening breeze arose.

The head of the Wang Family blinked, feeling as if he were in a cloud of mist.

When he came to his senses, he found himself unexpectedly in the courtyard of the Wang Family in Yingtian Prefecture.

"Xu Gongming, beyond mortal comprehension," the head of the Wang Family was both terrified and in awe.

Logically, his status was protected by the Dynasty Destiny, making ordinary Divine Skills hard to affect him.

Yet Xu Gongming, with a mere wave of his sleeve, transported him back to the Wang Residence.

Simply miraculous.

What a Divine Skill this was.

The servants, seeing their master suddenly back home, were amazed as well.

But they dared not ask.

The head of the Wang Family hastily returned to his study and unfolded the portrait.

He looked closely and confirmed it was indeed the Chongyang Ancestor Master's portrait, but the face had transformed into Xu Gongming's likeness, even making him feel as if the Chongyang Ancestor Master might have looked just like that.

He carefully packed the portrait and instructed his most trusted aide to deliver the family correspondence and portrait to the Capital as quickly as possible.

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