Duke Wei is deeply entrenched in South Zhili, naturally with an incredibly well-informed network.

On his way here, he was already aware of what Xu Qing wanted with him.

Of course, Duke Wei wouldn't foolishly get involved, but it didn't mean he was completely ignorant of the inner workings. With an uneasy heart, he arrived at Xu Qing's office.

Alas, within just a few years, the dynamics between him and Xu Qing had utterly reversed.

Now Xu Qing had become a figure whose gestures and actions could shake the world, far from that impulsive scholar of yesteryears.

In hindsight, Duke Wei analyzed that Xu Qing's accomplishments today were no fluke; somehow, he was always able to foresee fortune or disaster and bravely take risks, plucking chestnuts from the fire.

Had it been anyone else, they would be merely imitating without genuine ability to achieve the same.

The more it was so, the less he wanted to compete with Xu Qing.

He had already made up his mind to lie flat and accept...

Duke Wei steeled himself mentally and met Xu Qing in the office.

Xu Qing appeared unperturbed, leisurely brewing tea in the office.

The flame was Xu Qing's Vermilion Bird Divine Fire.

It could be said that Xu Qing's mastery of fire was now truly magical.

As the tea was poured out, a mysterious aroma wafted, purifying one's thoughts and evoking a sense of transcendence, as if ascending to an Immortal Palace.

"Duke, you've come at the right time, would you like to try it?"

"I would be honored to."

Duke Wei laughed heartily, savoring the tea.

Xu Qing drank with him.

Afterward, they chatted about domestic matters.

Duke Wei couldn't grasp Xu Qing's intentions and was hesitant to ask, so he could only engage in awkward small talk.

Finally, just when Duke Wei almost couldn't bear it, Xu Qing brought up a serious matter.

Xu Qing intended to have Duke Wei's princely heir enroll in the Martial Arts Academy.

Duke Wei's heart jolted.

The Martial Arts Academy had significant potential now, potentially becoming a focal point of the military power for the future Great Yu Dynasty.

But his young master had past grievances with Xu Qing.

Was Xu Qing suddenly seeking revenge?

It wouldn't seem likely.

With Xu Qing's current status, he wouldn't need schemes to retaliate against his foolish son.

Moreover, his wife was overly courteous to Madam Xu, only hoping the Xu Residence could overlook past grievances.

Xu Gongming was surely not that petty.

For a moment, Duke Wei's mind whirled with countless thoughts, unable to discern Xu Qing's intention.

Xu Qing smiled, "No need to worry, Duke. I bear no ill will, only thought of how the Duke Mansion's ancestors were founding heroes, originally warriors. It's regretful that their descendants have neglected martial arts. In future conquests by the Great Yu Dynasty to uphold the might of our Heavenly Dynasty, it would be prudent for noble families like yours to set an example."

Duke Wei reflected that if not for Xu Gongming forcibly maintaining decorum with the current state of disrepair in the Great Yu, not to mention foreign conquests, the empire would have long descended into chaos.

While harboring these thoughts, he still expressed gratitude to Xu Qing.

"Then it's settled."

"Very well, do you have anything else, Lord Xu?"

"No, that is all."

Duke Wei was baffled, but seeing Xu Qing dismiss him, he dared not linger.

He took his leave.

On the way back, he pondered over the matter.

Returning to the Duke Mansion's study, Duke Wei summoned Yan Fu, "Has the young rascal caused any trouble recently?"

Thinking it over, he still suspected his foolish son might have caused some mishaps.

Yan Fu shook his head, indicating no trace of trouble.

Duke Wei then mentioned the ongoing issue with the Government Office and the disaster relief grain convoy.

Yan Fu replied that with such precarious matters, the young master surely wouldn't dare involve himself.

Relieved, Duke Wei remained puzzled about Xu Qing's intentions.

However, he soon understood Xu Qing's motive.

After Duke Wei met Xu Qing, proceedings for the young master's entry into the Martial Arts Academy commenced.

This was not a particularly significant affair.

But immediately after, Xu Qing dispatched the Embroidered Guard and Inner Factory to apprehend individuals all around, while also forming an Inspection Department with several young Imperial Censors from the Inspection Bureau, tasked with examining warehouses across South Zhili under the Academy's student's protection.

Among them was a new Clerk in the Government Office, Li Xiwen.

Xu Qing, in official documents, identified him as exceptionally capable and elevated him.

Naturally, such minor matters drew little attention.

Now, throughout the South Zhili officialdom, it was well-known that the young master, as an academy student, was embedded in the Inspection Department.

The situation suddenly grew exceedingly complicated.

…

…

"I don't care, if my son loses even a single hair, I'll make sure your illegitimate offspring outside won't survive either," Madam Duke pointed at Duke Wei and scolded.

People say, even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs.

This old beast actually gambled his own son's life for the mansion's affairs, simply inhuman.

Because of Madam Duke's uproar, rumors of a covert deal between Duke Wei and Xu Liushou solidified.

For a time, anti-Xu factions in South Zhili moved like Crane Calls in the wind.

Originally, Xu Qing already had an immense reputation and powerful influence in South Zhili; now he gained support from the century-old established Duke Wei Mansion.

It should be noted, before Xu Qing, Duke Wei Mansion was the authoritative force in South Zhili.

Now with these two giants colluding, no matter how secretive others' activities were, they couldn't remain hidden.

There was no choice; Duke Wei was also forced into this.

At this point, no one would believe him if he claimed he had no connection with Xu Qing.

Precisely for this reason, it was better to affirm the external speculations, otherwise, he would be unjustly wronged to death.

Moreover, he understood clearly, that refusing to align now was blatantly disrespecting Xu Qing, and the old Emperor.

If he obstinately endured and resisted alignment, he was uncertain about the Court's fate, but surely the Duke Mansion would be doomed.

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