Chapter 160: Wealth is available, but immortality is hard to find
Chapter 160: Wealth is available, but immortality is hard to find
Wanyun Restaurant.
Fang, the leader of the Yizi Huijian Sect in southern Fujian, sat down at the same table with Xu Qing with a sullen look on his face. The young man in brocade clothes in the restaurant earlier was his only son, who now stood beside Fang with his head lowered and his eyes lowered.
As for the other members of the Dongming Gang, they have been detained by the Jinghai Guards.
There was another reason why Patriarch Fang dared to come. He donated an official position of "Guerrilla General" in southern Fujian, and the Fang family was a wealthy family in southern Fujian.
In essence, it is a mixture of black and white, not just the underworld and the green forest.
Since ancient times, in places where the emperor is far away, local nobles have become more and more bold in their actions.
To put it bluntly, once the imperial court eliminated a local powerful family, another one would soon emerge, and become even more alienated from the imperial core.
Before fighting the outside world, you must first make peace with the inside.
When the internal situation is not stable enough, external troubles will be temporarily delayed.
The imperial court controlled the world mainly in some core areas, the so-called "inside", while southern Fujian belonged to the "outside" and could not shake the overall situation of the world.
A powerful person like Patriarch Fang, who bullies others and abuses his power in the local area, actually lives a more comfortable life than many other families of scholars in Southern Zhili.
He said, "Xu Jieyuan, Fang is here. You name a price. How can you let my son and I go?"
No matter how arrogant he is in the local area, he knows that he is at the mercy of others.
But Sect Master Fang didn't believe Xu Qing would do anything drastic.
He came not only for his only son, but also as a test representative of many powerful families in southern Fujian.
Of course, the one being tested was not Xu Qing, but the navy representing the will of the imperial court.
Whether it was a surprise attack or something else...
The Dongming Gang really suffered a great loss this time.
The imperial navy will also be stationed in Jinhua Prefecture for a long time to control Dongming Island. Wherever the troops go, the coastal nobles will have to consider the next situation.
In their view, Xu Gongming is now the sharp weapon of the reformists in the southeast, and his attitude is enough to illustrate the attitude of the central government officials in the court.
Xu Qing smiled slightly: "I heard that Master Fang has been doing the sea protection business. I wonder if you are interested in expanding the business?"
Sect Master Fang immediately became interested, "How do we make it bigger?"
Xu Qing: "Master Fang, what do you think of the future prospects of the Dongming Gang?"
"In the past, the court's navy in the southeast could not go out to sea and had low combat effectiveness, so they could run rampant on the sea. Now that the court has raised its own navy, they naturally cannot act tyrannically along the coast as they did in the past. But Xu Jieyuan may not know much about the Fangxiandao behind them."
"Oh, I heard that Heshan Dao also has a great influence in Dongming Gang. Why did Sect Master Fang only mention Fang Xian Dao?"
Sect Master Fang: "The foundation of Heshan Dao is on land, while the foundation of Fangxian Dao is in the South Sea Islands. Xu Jieyuan knows that the South Sea is very large, with vast seas and countless small countries. Now Fangxian Dao has the greatest influence in the South Sea Islands. And these countries also rely on Fangxian Dao to help them resist Westerners. Nowadays, the disputes on the sea are more intense than those in the last years of the previous dynasty. Both martial arts and spirit masters have emerged in endlessly. If it were not for the blessing of the dynasty's luck, many South Sea spirit masters and evil spirits would not dare to enter the prosperous inland areas. I don't think the Dayu Dynasty would be peaceful."
Xu Qing said calmly: "All the Taoist traditions in the world come from the Central Plains. The Fangxian Dao is a Taoist tradition that retreated from the Central Plains, but it can still have such an influence in Southeast Asia. If the Great Yu Dynasty did not have the dynasty's luck to suppress the world, would the Central Plains, with its vast land and abundant resources, outstanding people and beautiful scenery, have fewer outstanding people than overseas? What's more, the Great Yu Dynasty still has the Martial Saint to suppress them. Once they take action, they will be no different from chickens and dogs."
Sect Master Fang was speechless for a moment.
Upon seeing this, Xu Qing realized that within the scope of what Sect Leader Fang knew, there probably weren't any Ghost Immortals or Martial Saints among those overseas forces.
However, it is unknown whether there is a powerful existence that is hiding from the world and secretly manipulating secular forces.
But no matter how strong he is, he is not as strong as those people like Chongyang Patriarch of the previous dynasty.
The land of Middle-earth has always been a paradise on earth, with outstanding people and beautiful scenery, and is coveted by people overseas.
This kind of place is the most likely to give birth to sacred beings like immortals and Buddhas.
How can pond water give rise to a dragon?
For example, there was the Warring States Period in Fuso Island and there was also the Warring States Period in Middle-earth. Can they be the same?
Afterwards, Xu Qing asked Patriarch Fang many questions about Nanyang.
Although we may despise it strategically, we still have to take it seriously in reality.
After he understood it, he combined it with the information he already knew and had a rough outline. Then, Xu Qing proposed the specific cooperation with Sect Master Fang.
Near-shore maritime trade is mainly conducted along the coastline, where supplies and fresh water can be replenished at any time, and transactions can be carried out every time the ship stops. The transportation cost of sea transportation is so low that it is almost negligible compared to land transportation.
Even the trade of normal goods can bring in huge profits.
Not to mention goods such as silk, porcelain, and tea that are in short supply overseas.
Thirty times the profit is an understatement.
With the cooperation of local tyrants like Fang, Xu Qing's general layout on the near-sea route will be no problem. Moreover, as local tyrants, they have good eyes and ears.
Even though the Dongming Gang was a pirate, they still had to rely on the coastal nobles for supplies and could not leave the land. Only by opening a gap here could the Dongming Gang's chronic illness be truly cured.
By the way, it can also further expand the secret power of the Red Flower Society.
Do great things for the court and seek personal gain for yourself, and things will naturally be accomplished one by one.
While the imperial court was using Xu Qing, Xu Qing was also enjoying the shade of a big tree.
If there are changes in the world by then, you will take responsibility for them; if there is no change, you will not be easily killed by the running dogs because you are a big tree with deep roots.
Of course, all this presupposes that he can survive his own short-lived crisis.
Three years is still too short.
Xu Qing urgently needs to open the Xuantian Treasure House to see if he can get more useful things, or make new breakthroughs in cultivation.
The news that Jinghaiwei and Xu Qing successfully captured Dongming Island quickly spread to all directions.
...
...
"Duke Wei refused to help us take that mountain." Ren Tianyou looked surprised, even though he emphasized that there was a treasure on the mountain and that there would be great benefits after taking it.
The Duke of Wei still refused.
In addition, he also learned that Gu Wuji of Zhengangmen was preparing to open a martial arts school on Dongming Island, and this matter was supported by the Weiguo Mansion.
Dongming Island is now Xu Qing's territory.
Although the Duke of Wei's Mansion didn't say anything.
Ren Tianyou still felt a chill down his spine.
The problem is, even if he gave up everything, it was impossible for him to join Xu Qing.
Because the Giant Whale Gang’s roots are in Yingtian Prefecture, which is the territory of Duke Wei.
Unless he abandons his brothers and starts anew.
But without these gang members, Ren Tianyou was nothing more than an expert in martial arts. Whether it was taking care of himself or seeking continued improvement in martial arts, without the support of power, just eating and drinking on a daily basis was a hassle.
Because martial arts masters are fine when they are young, as long as they have enough meat, they can always maintain their martial arts skills, or even make some slight progress. But once they get older, they will have to go down the road of "never tired of fine food, never tired of delicate meat".
The requirements for masters of the soul are naturally not low in this regard.
The reason why Dachan Temple has become a holy place for martial arts in the world is because they have a killer weapon - Huangliang Rice.
The stable output of yellow rice ensures that Dachan Temple can continuously produce masters of internal organ training and maintain their level in a stable manner over a long period of time, thus strengthening the cohesion of masters in the temple and naturally ensuring that Dachan Temple has an extremely high lower limit.
Although Jinguang Temple is the Taoist lineage of Zen Master Hongyue and has many martial arts from the Great Zen Temple, it cannot produce a steady stream of experts in internal organ training like the Great Zen Temple does. It has to be said that Huangliangmi is an important reason for this.
Red-haired Yan Kong sighed: "It seems that Xu Gongming is responsible. We still underestimated him."
"Master, Dongming Island has fallen into Xu Gongming's hands. Now I feel like a thorn in my side. What do you think we should do?"
Red-haired Yan Kong clasped his fists and said, "Boss Ren, thank you for your hospitality these days. Let's say goodbye now." He felt that Ren Tianyou could no longer help him get his things back, so it was time to leave. Ren Tianyou: "..."
He looked incredulous, but the red-haired Yan Kong had disappeared on Ren Tianyou's ship like a ghost.
He ate and drank from him these days, and even cheated him of his martial arts experience. He just left like that? Although Ren Tianyou also received guidance from the red-haired Yankong, but...
He felt abandoned by the whole world.
He just wanted to protect his own foundation, to make money, to get opportunities, what was wrong with him...
However, the departure of Red-haired Yankong gave him a loud slap in the face.
He really can't.
...
...
A hundred miles away from Dongming Island, on a huge ship.
"What? Dongming Island was conquered by the imperial navy?" A majestic woman on the giant ship had an incredible look on her face.
She had a pretty face, was in her early twenties, and had a heroic look between her brows.
This is Princess Dongming.
After her subordinates reported what had happened, Princess Dongming frowned. She had only been away for a few days, but she didn't expect such a big mess to happen.
"Gather the men and let's take back Dongming Island." Princess Dongming gave the order decisively.
"Wait a minute." An old Taoist said nearby.
"Master Gu, what do you mean?"
The old Taoist said, "Izumo, the most important thing for us right now is to open the treasure house in Liubo Mountain, not to engage in meaningless fighting on Dongming Island."
"Dongming Island is of great importance. How can it be a meaningless dispute?" Princess Dongming frowned.
The old Taoist said, "The fact that the imperial navy was able to capture Dongming Island shows that the Yu Dynasty has begun to attach importance to coastal defense and has trained navy. With the foundation of the Yu Dynasty, as long as efforts are made in this regard, there will be a steady stream of navy coming to sweep the coast. Even if you take back Dongming Island, you will not be able to defend it. Moreover, as long as people of our generation are successful in cultivation, we can naturally watch the rise and fall of the dynasty. Wealth can be obtained, but immortality is hard to come by. This Liubo Mountain is an extremely important opportunity, and we cannot miss it."
Princess Dongming: "Master Gu, you always talk about immortality, but who have you seen who has achieved immortality? Master Chongyang? Master Lu? Didn't these famous masters of the past also die? For those of us who are immortal in this world, it's only through our achievements."
Although she knew that the Taoist had extremely high cultivation levels, she did not believe in such illusory things as immortality.
The old Taoist shook his head: "Izumo, in fact, even if you can take back Dongming Island once or twice, then what..."
Princess Dongming was silent: "We can't just sit back and watch the Yu Dynasty's navy show off its might on the sea, leaving us with no place to stand."
The old Taoist smiled and said, "You are wrong. The strength of things is constantly changing. The Yu Dynasty navy is strong, but it is only at this moment. As long as you are patient, there will be another moment soon. The Dongming Gang has made a lot of money in these years. Besides, it is only Dongming Island that has been lost, not all the territory. Be patient, and things will naturally turn around."
Princess Dongming considered the pros and cons and knew that the old Taoist was right.
Now that the imperial court is serious about its actions, if she resists head-on, she will only lose her core strength and become a scapegoat for others.
It’s better to take a step back and wait for new opportunities.
She asked again, "Didn't you say that the lock of the Liubo Mountain Treasury is extremely difficult to open?"
The old Taoist said, "I have recently refined the Purple Thunder God Fire Talisman. With the power of this talisman, I may be able to forcibly break the Heartless Lock. However, after forcibly breaking it, it will inevitably cause the divine beasts under Liubo Mountain to move abnormally, which will be detrimental to our ability to take out the treasures inside. Therefore, I have to ask Heshan Taoist to borrow the Mi Tianxiang for use."
"You said before that I have sent someone to come."
"Then let's start tomorrow."
...
...
Xu Qing temporarily handed the beautiful woman Madam Haisha of the Haisha Gang over to Su Lianqing for detention. There was nothing more important at the moment than taking the Xuantian Treasure House in Liubo Mountain first, so everything else had to be put aside.
He also waited for Feng Wu.
"If we delay, something unexpected will happen. Let's set off now." Xu Qing said directly without being affectionate with his wife.
Feng Wu nodded. For something as important as this, the sooner the better.
They boarded their own ship, followed by the navy of Jinghaiwei.
Although they had just experienced a great war, since Xu Jieyuan had summoned them and offered them enough benefits, these naval forces were naturally willing to help.
The reason for the expedition was simple: to continue to eliminate pirates.
It is better to use the remaining courage to pursue the enemy!
On the boat, Feng Wu clearly felt that Xu Qing's temperament was more cold and murderous than before.
She was surprised and asked directly.
Xu Qing: "Killing people is like mowing grass. You will also disregard life. I am in this process. But there is no chance to breathe right now. Let me readjust. Don't worry, I will pay attention to this aspect."
Feng Wu: "Soul cultivation is extremely unpredictable. Once you get caught up in an obsession, it's hard to break free, or you kill indiscriminately and get deeper and deeper. I know that my husband is a natural talent, but the more so, the more he needs to control his mind. Being strong without self-control is not truly strong."
Xu Qing: "I am very proud of myself for conquering the island this time. Aren't you afraid that I will get angry if you admonish me like this?"
Feng Wu smiled: "I now regard you as my closest relative, so I am willing to say this. If you are angry, stay away from me, and I will find a way to calm you down."
Xu Qing smiled: "I thought you would ignore me."
Feng Wu: "Why ignore it? That's not the solution to the problem. If the mountain doesn't come to me, I'll go to the mountain. Unless you are no longer the mountain I want."
Xu Qing sighed: "Sometimes, I really feel that wealth and fame are really insignificant. It's a pity that in order to transcend the world, you must have the capital to transcend the world."
"Then let's work together." Feng Wu keenly sensed that Xu Qing had deeper concerns, not about the Prime Minister, not about the threats from all sides...
what is it?
She was curious but didn't ask because she understood that this might be a big secret of Xu Qing and he didn't want to share it with others.
If that's the case, why should she get to the bottom of it?
The sea breeze blew towards him, and Xu Qing felt much refreshed all of a sudden. The power of his soul poured into the sea. Waves continued to surge out, turning into a giant hand in mid-air, and then reached into the sea again.
Soon, a white fish was caught by a giant hand in the water and lifted into the air.
It struggled left and right, but couldn't leave the giant hand formed by sea water, as if there was an invisible force wrapping around the giant hand of sea water.
Suddenly, the giant hand exploded.
Turned into sea rain.
The white fish in the water also fell into the sea.
Feng Wu clapped her hands, "My husband, your spiritual power has increased a lot."
Xu Qing said slowly: "This is nothing. I was thinking that if I can control this fish, others can also control me. It is best to control your destiny in your own hands."
The fish is free in the water, but it is not truly free.
To gain true freedom is the most difficult thing in the world and it is almost impossible to achieve.
When he thought about how difficult it was to achieve his life goals, Xu Qing became full of motivation.
After an unknown amount of time, Gao Gongyuan, who had followed Xu Qing and his wife aboard to help them find Liubo Mountain, shouted, "Found it!"
Ahead, the sea fog slowly dissipated.
At the end of the long sky, a fairy mountain floating on the sea came into everyone's sight.
(End of this chapter)