Chapter 289 Under the Wutong Tree, the Devil Enlightened
Chapter 289 Under the Wutong Tree, the Devil Enlightened
The days passed leisurely as usual, flowing slowly in the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture.
As the end of the Year of the Snake draws near, the market in the city becomes increasingly noisy, as if it has been ignited with lively fireworks.
Stalls selling New Year's goods have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, one next to the other, filling the streets.
The stalls were filled with colorful New Year pictures, each of which was painted with auspicious patterns, including a fat baby holding a carp, symbolizing wealth, and the blessing of heaven, symbolizing a smooth career. The bright colors sparkled in the sunlight, attracting many passers-by to stop and choose.
The red lanterns hanging high swayed gently in the wind, and the red halo spread out, reflecting the joy on people's faces.
At the street corner, a craftsman selling sugar figures was displaying his special skills. The translucent golden syrup flew up and down in his hands. In the blink of an eye, lifelike sugar figures were born. The sweet aroma filled the air, tempting the children so much that they clung to the adults' clothes and refused to leave.
There is an extra surprise in this year's New Year market. Not only are fireworks and firecrackers much cheaper than in previous years, but the workmanship quality has also improved by several levels.
The packaging of those fireworks was extremely exquisite, with beautiful patterns painted on them. After opening them, the gunpowder inside was evenly filled and the fuse was of moderate thickness. It was obvious at first glance that they were carefully made.
The vendors shouted enthusiastically and showed their fireworks to passers-by, attracting many people to stop and inquire about the prices.
It can be said that in the land of Southern Zhili, except for the fact that grain prices were higher than in previous years, all other aspects showed signs of prosperity.
In fact, the price of grain could have been lowered a little, but with Xu Liushou's insistence, the grain transportation was never interrupted, and grain from the south was still transported to the north in an endless stream.
His only requirement was that the payment must be made in silver coins.
This move put the nobles and gentry in the north in a tight control. In order to buy food smoothly, they had to firmly maintain the status of silver coins. After all, no matter how much silver there was, if there was no food, the northern land would really not be able to bear it.
Although the grain prices in the south are not low, they are extremely high in comparison with those in the north, with the prices changing almost every day.
As grain prices continued to rise, Prince Yu's order was soon passed down from the capital, requiring all parts of the north to vigorously promote high-yield crops during the spring plowing season.
The arrow has been put on the string and has to be fired. Now, even the powerful gentry in the north have given their full support to this matter.
It's really strange to say that when the old prime minister and the old emperor were in the capital, it was extremely difficult to implement this kind of thing. They encountered obstacles everywhere and various forces resisted openly and secretly.
But now, with the passage of time, everything has turned around. The powerful and wealthy have actively participated in the promotion of high-yield crops, and have also searched for farmers who grow high-yield crops and humbly asked for their planting experience.
Nowadays, many gentry feel that the world is becoming increasingly difficult to understand. The north and the south are clearly in a state of confrontation, and the Great Yu Dynasty is constantly plagued by internal and external troubles, but this year's situation seems to have been cast by a magical spell, and it is actually getting better and better.
The North not only vigorously promoted the planting of high-yield crops, but also set off a wave of building workshops. Although the price of grain was a bit high, the powerful gentry thought about it and invested their money in the construction of workshops.
As a result, cattle and horses became scarce in the workshop and became popular commodities. Moreover, due to the shortage of food, it became extremely easy to recruit workers. People did not even have to be paid. As long as they were provided with food, many people were willing to come and work.
However, as the competition for recruiting workers in workshops became increasingly fierce, some powerful people realized that if they only provided food, most of the people they recruited would be the old, the weak, the sick and the disabled. This would not work. Even if they only provided food, it would still be a losing business.
After all, young and strong men would go to the south to work whenever they had the chance.
...
...
Yan Shan came to the duty room where Xu Qing worked. His face was full of fatigue and a bit of worry.
"Sitting in the hall."
As soon as Yan Shan spoke, his voice was filled with helplessness. "The resistance to the Social Affairs Investigation and Statistics Department is much greater than we expected. Many people are secretly making trouble and trying to delay it. Some people even spread the word that we are setting up a spy agency to monitor everyone, causing panic among the people."
Xu Qing smiled when he heard this: "Wei Zhong, are you scared?"
"I'm not afraid, but I feel there will be a lot of resistance and I'm worried about messing things up."
Xu Qing smiled slightly: "Don't think these people are so powerful. When I first met you a few years ago, I was penniless. At that time, do you think there was much resistance to what I did?"
"The resistance the chairman faced at that time was so severe that it could be said that the sky was falling. This is also what I admire most about the chairman. You seem to be not afraid of those big shots, nor of any power." Yan Shan said this with sincere admiration.
Xu Qing: "Do you know what the reason is?"
"I don't know." Yan Shan shook his head.
I guess no one in the world can figure out the answer to this question.
Why Xu Liushou?
Xu Qing said leisurely: "Because you only see how powerful these people are, and you only think that they have great power, but you don't see that they are all human beings. Inside, they are no different from ordinary people, they are all very empty. As long as you can see through this emptiness, these people are just paper tigers in your eyes. Even if you are just an ordinary person, these people are not worthy of your admiration, and you don't need to belittle yourself because of them."
As he spoke, he patted Yan Shan on the shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid. Even if you make a big mess, I will clean it up. I'm not afraid, so why should you be afraid?"
"Boss, I am still too timid. I'm sorry." Yan Shan didn't expect that the boss could say such words, completely eliminating his worries.
Xu Qing smiled: "Remember my words, they are more afraid of me than you are of them."
"only."
Xu Qing's words gave Yan Shan complete peace of mind.
Xu Qing watched Yan Shan leave.
The investigation of Fushe's social affairs is in full swing.
However, Xu Qing took a vacation at this time.
A total of seven days of leave.
He returned to Xu's residence in Jiangning Prefecture and saw no one.
Because, with the actions and controversies of these days, his primordial demonic energy actually accumulated and grew rapidly.
At the same time, the Zifu Yuanzong, which is based on the Heavenly Demon Art, is about to usher in a major breakthrough.
All the servants in the Xu Mansion were given holidays.
Now the Xu Mansion is almost empty, with only Xu Qing and his family of three left.
Feng Wu brought the child.
Xu Qing sat cross-legged under the paulownia tree.
His long hair was loose, his black silk was like a waterfall, and his devilish energy was emanating from his body. He looked very much like Wu Tian in the sequel to Journey to the West in his previous life.
Of course, Xu Qing thought he was much more handsome than Buddha Wu Tian.
The mandala formed by the black mist bloomed one after another on Xu Qing's shoulders, and each petal was tearing at the light of the sky. The gnarled branches of the sycamore tree were dyed black iron by the devil's qi, and the juice flowing between the leaf veins was actually the innate qi.
The bloodstain between his eyebrows suddenly split open, reflecting the three thousand evil obstacles of the mortal world:
The ten thousand word petitions submitted by the members of Fushe who were sanctioned by the party had been burned by Yan Shan and could never reach Xu Qing's sight. However, the evil thoughts generated by these words were twisted like cursing centipedes, and like a curse, they appeared from the void and entangled Xu Qing's demon body.
"Break!" A thunderous sound exploded from Xu Qing's throat.
The primordial demonic energy that was wrapped around his body suddenly collapsed and condensed into a black hole vortex at his dantian. The vital energy within a radius of ten miles was violently torn away, and unexpectedly formed an upside-down hurricane eye in the crown of the phoenix tree. Black chalcedony oozed out from under the bark, which was the "phoenix tree heart" catalyzed by the primordial demonic energy.
And Xu Qing's ability to devour the vitality of all things actually came from his own son.
The power of the devil is to transform himself into freedom.
The magical power that the fourth-generation Black Mountain Old Demon realized by himself was stolen by Xu Qing using his own transformation. The difference is that he named this magical power - "Bei Ming".
It sounds very Taoist!
The roots of the phoenix tree pierced the earth veins, and poured the fire evil accumulated in the earth veins for thousands of years into the three yin meridians in his hands.
The Three Yin Demon-Slaying Sword reaches a new level!
When Xu Qing slowly opened his eyes, the demonic energy in the sky flowed into his body, and under the influence of the Ziwei Emperor Vein, it formed a dark golden imperial crown.
The evil thoughts from all living beings have now become fuel for tempering Zifu Yuanzong.
With the breakthrough of Zifu Yuanzong, a strange fluctuation appeared in Xu Qing's Zifu.
The dark golden imperial crown shone brightly, echoing with the purple palace, and it even had the potential to open up the primordial universe.
Xu Qing mobilized his mind and used the Xuantian visualization method as a guide to stimulate the hidden veins of his soul and communicate with the power of the four symbols and constellations between heaven and earth.
In an instant, the shadows of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, and Black Tortoise slowly emerged in the Purple Palace.
The blue dragon coiled and twisted, its scales gleaming with a faint light, its whiskers fluttering in the wind, and it let out a high-pitched dragon roar;
The white tiger was in a sturdy posture, exuding a fierce and murderous aura, with its eyes wide open, and it let out a deafening roar towards the sky;
The Vermilion Bird flapped its wings and flew high, its body ablaze with flames, its light dazzling, and its clear cry pierced the void;
The black tortoise is entwined with snakes, steady and heavy, and the texture on its shell sparkles with mysterious light, as if containing endless mysteries.
They roared towards the sky, emitting a powerful and ancient aura, as if announcing the birth of this inner world.
At this moment, the paulownia trees outside seemed to be pulled by some mysterious force and began to tremble violently.
The black chalcedony on the trunk became increasingly dense, spreading along the roots to the ground.
Then it broke out of the ground and rushed towards Xu Qing's Purple Palace. In a dazzling light, the phoenix tree was taken into the Purple Palace and took root in the center of the inner world.
As soon as this paulownia tree entered the inner world, it began to exude powerful vitality and vigor.
Its branches and leaves are like a canopy, covering the sky and blocking out the sun.
Each leaf sparkles with crystal light, as if containing endless mysteries.
The roots of the tree are deeply embedded in the soil of the inner world, connected to the earth's veins, and continuously absorbing the essence between heaven and earth.
Xu Qing was pleasantly surprised to find that the paulownia tree not only stabilized the foundation of the inner world, but also brought endless vitality to the inner world.
The vitality it exudes is like a sweet rain, nourishing every inch of the inner world.
The shadows of the four constellations were also slowly rotating around the paulownia tree.
Their strength blends with the vitality of the paulownia tree, forming a wonderful balance.
The wood power of Qinglong makes the paulownia tree more vigorous, its branches and leaves become more luxuriant, and new buds continue to sprout.
The white tiger's golden power gives the paulownia tree a tough quality, making the trunk harder.
The fire power of the Suzaku injected fiery vitality into the paulownia tree. The tree trunk seemed to be burning with invisible flames and was full of strength.
The water power of Xuanwu makes the paulownia tree more vibrant, and its essence flows among the trees like a gurgling stream.
Xu Qing was immersed in the marvelous changes in the inner world. He felt that his connection with this world was becoming increasingly close.
He can mobilize the power in the inner world at will, whether it is the power of the four constellations or the vitality of the paulownia tree, he can use it.
This powerful feeling of strength gave him a feeling of being omnipotent.
This may be a characteristic that only the Creator possesses.
However, Xu Qing knew very well that this was just the beginning.
Although Zifu Yuanzong had broken through and his inner world was initially established, his cultivation journey was still long. In terms of magical powers, he was still far from the level of a creator.
It was only because of the special abilities of Zifu Yuanzong and Tianmo Gong, the magical power of the Wutong tree, and the characteristics of the four constellations in Xuantian's visualization method that he opened up an inner world that only a creator could possess.
Although this inner world has begun to take shape, it still needs to be continuously improved and expanded.
Nowadays, in terms of size, it is only as big as the Wutong Courtyard.
Moreover, the external situation is still complicated. He needs to face and resolve the reforms of the Fushe, the confrontation between the North and the South, the pressure from the Black Mountain Demon, and the layout of the old emperor.
Xu Qing stood up slowly, his thoughts wandering.
Just then, a burst of crisp laughter broke Xu Qing's thoughts.
He turned around and saw Feng Wu holding the child, looking at him with a smile on her face.
The child waved his hands, seeming to feel the powerful aura emanating from his father.
Xu Qing walked up, gently touched the child's head, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
At this moment, he is no longer the Xu Liushou who shoulders the heavy responsibility of the world, but just an ordinary father who enjoys the warmth of his family.
...
...
Enjoying this moment of family warmth, Xu Qing's heart was filled with tenderness.
He spent the New Year with his son seriously. At the same time, Xuanhu's younger brother, Princess Dongming's son, was born on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
This child's birthday is the same day as Xu Qing's.
Princess Dongming gave him the nickname "Tiger Head".
Xu Qing did not pay too much attention to his son, nor could he pay too much attention to him.
But privately, he still asked Su Lianqing to send someone to keep an eye on Princess Dongming to prevent any other unexpected events.
However, this is just the best effort. What can really work is Xu Qing's ability to enter the other person's dreams and directly understand the other person's inner thoughts.
But he couldn't appear in her dreams too often, so as not to give Princess Dongming too much expectations.
The New Year has passed.
Portraits of the old emperor were hung in all government offices in Southern Zhili.
In addition, there is also a portrait of Emperor Wenchang.
It’s this portrait of Emperor Wenchang. The more I look at it, the more it looks like—Xu Liushou!
There's nothing wrong with it.
The belief in Emperor Wenchang originated from star worship. Wenchang Star is regarded as a symbol of literary fortune. It determines the success or failure of scholars in imperial examinations and the rise and fall of their official careers and is highly respected by scholars.
Isn’t this the kind of work that Xu Liushou does?
This is called professional matching.
If Emperor Wenchang doesn’t look like Xu Liushou, then it must be Emperor Wenchang’s problem!
In any case, Xu Qing's portrait was secretly placed together with the old emperor's portrait.
The censors were unable to report Xu Qing.
Firstly, it was done by a clerk in the yamen himself, and secondly, people said it was the Emperor Wenchang.
As for the clerks in the yamen, this move was partly the intention of his superiors and partly because Xu Qing had won the hearts of the clerks by organizing the clerk selection examination.
It can be said that these clerks who had just joined the yamen were even more loyal than the general members of the Fushe.
There is no way. Since ancient times, the most powerful relationship in the Dayu Dynasty was not even between in-laws, but between teachers and students.
The favor of granting someone honor and fame is greater than the favor of one's parents.
Especially under the recommendation system of the Western Han Dynasty, the relationship between the recommender and the recommended person was closer than that between father and son or brothers. It can be said that they prosper together and suffer together.
With the portrait of Emperor Wenchang, Xu Qing's influence among the clerks grew.
Moreover, the reverence from the clerk is one of the most favorite foods of the Taichu Demonic Qi, and it is very helpful for Xu Qing to strengthen the Taichu Demonic Qi.
As Xu Qing's influence among the scribes grew like wildfire, the thoughts of reverence that came from the depths of the scribes' hearts gathered together like stars, continuously integrating into his practice and providing the richest nourishment for his primordial demonic energy.
Driven by this mysterious force, his path of cultivation quietly underwent earth-shaking changes.
The paulownia trees in Xu Qing's world seemed to be summoned and blessed by some powerful force, and they became more and more vigorous and magical.
The originally thick trunk is now as solid as a rock, and the texture on it is like ancient runes, engraved with the mysteries of heaven and earth; the lush branches and leaves stretch out wantonly in all directions, covering the sky and blocking out the sun, and every leaf sparkles with crystal light, as if it were the most dazzling gem in the universe.
What is even more amazing is that the vitality emitted by these branches and leaves is no longer confined to the small space of the inner world, but like a lively elf, it begins to slowly overflow the boundaries of the inner world and spread to the outside world.
Xu Qing clearly felt that his connection with the outside world had become closer than ever before.
This connection, like an invisible net, closely connects him with every clerk who respects him.
He seemed to be able to see through the leaves of the phoenix tree and directly see the thoughts and emotional fluctuations in the hearts of each clerk. When the clerks were busy running around for official business, the leaves would tremble slightly, exuding a tenacious and positive atmosphere; when the clerks encountered difficulties and felt anxious, the leaves would curl slightly, exuding a hint of worry.
This mysterious perception made Xu Qing feel both surprised and excited.
He knew that this was a major breakthrough in his practice and a new connection he had established with the world. Through this connection, he could better understand the needs and ideas of the scribes, and thus better lead and manage them. At the same time, he could also use the power of the scribes to further promote the reform.
In order to better control this wonderful ability, Xu Qing calmed down and focused on communicating with the paulownia tree.
He closed his eyes and tried to feel every breath and every pulse of the paulownia tree, trying to find the mystery of the spiritual connection with the clerks.
In this process, he gradually realized that this ability was not a simple perception.
"The Great Demonic Qi."
During the process of comprehension, Xu Qing discovered that the Tai Shi demonic energy was rapidly decreasing.
He suddenly realized a new problem.
"Sure enough, the path of the demon is full of difficulties."
Xu Qing sighed secretly.
(End of this chapter)