I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

The banquet hall for the New Year's banquet is called a hall, but it is actually an open-air corridor.

Under the flying eaves are carved lacquer beams and columns, and on both sides of the corridor are snow-covered mountain scenery and ponds covered with ice and snow, with the wind and snow fluttering in the air, all in sight.

However, the snow and winter wind could not blow into the banquet hall. Although the corridor was open and spacious, the beams and pillars were decorated with lacquer and concealed with formations, making the hall warm as spring. In this snowy scene, the wine and food added warmth.

Xie Yuan was sitting in the first seat, and he and the others all looked surprised when they saw Xie Bing come in.

Although no one brought the matter to the surface, everyone knew that there were still several factions within the family. The faction that had the loudest voice and the most intense reaction recently was the one that disagreed with Xie Yuan, who was not even twenty years old, taking the position of head of the family.

Longwuyuan is an extremely important place in the clan. Xie Bing has always held a high position among the elders of the family and can be said to be in a position of great power.

And he had previously told Xie Jun that Xie Yuan himself was still a child, younger than many of the students in his academy, and could not teach anyone, so he should not be concerned about how he managed Longwu Academy.

Therefore, Xie Bing has always been regarded as a leading figure in the opposition, and has the same great influence as the pharmacy elder Xie Wen.

But everyone was thinking, how could Xie Bing appear at this banquet?

What is he here to do?
Xie Yuan was slightly puzzled, but said calmly:
"Elder Bing is here, please take a seat."

Xie Bing didn't say anything either, just nodded, then sat down in the empty seat without saying a word.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Xie Lei touched his forehead and said in surprise:
"Xie Bing, what are you doing here?"

Xie Bing, who had a square and resolute face, glanced at Xie Lei, whose beard was as thick as a steel needle and very rough, and said lightly:

"The head of the family is hosting a New Year banquet. Is it strange for me, an elder of Longwu Academy, to come?"

Xie Lei looked at him and laughed:

"It's strange. You didn't even give the new owner face, and now you come over again. Don't you find it strange?"

Xie Bing's face darkened. Not everyone in aristocratic family is scheming and worldly-wise. For example, Xie Lei never considers the occasion when speaking. He says whatever he thinks. He has a strong personality.

The atmosphere was a little strange, Cui Pingjun said softly:

"Elder Lei, Elder Bing, the New Year is coming to an end, it's good to be together, no need to be polite."

Xie Yu also stroked his white beard and said with a smile:
"Since everyone who should be here is here, let's eat."

The two masters didn't say much at this point, but they still stared at each other.

To Xie Lei, Xie Yi's cultivation was higher than his and his talent was better than his, which made him convinced; his management of the family was also impeccable, and the Xie family had developed steadily over the years, and had not suffered much from the absence of a grandmaster.

He understood and believed in Xie Yi. Although he did not fully understand his choice, he thought he could at least give it a try. After all, he had witnessed Xie Yuan's talent with his own eyes and admired it very much. However, those in the family who were still fighting for power and profit at such a critical moment, ignoring Xie Yi's decision, and tripping up the young people before they had a firm foothold, were not only not in line with the Xie family's tradition of respecting the elderly and supporting the young, but also had a great impact on the stability of the family. Xie Lei was very upset and had not been in a good mood when he met the elders such as Xie Wen recently.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Xie Yuan simply said two sentences -

He really only said two sentences: one is that everyone has worked hard this year, and the other is that everyone will have a better year next year.

Although he is the head of the family, he is a junior. There is no need for him to give people a long lecture here. Xie Yuan hates people who delay others' meals at the dinner table the most.

There is no need to say much to those who can come, and there is no point in doing ideological work for those who don’t come, because everyone will vote with their feet.

As long as we continue to prove ourselves, more and more people will come to vote.

Xie Yuan vaguely understood why Xie Bing showed up here unexpectedly, but he didn't say much. He wasn't particularly enthusiastic or cold to Xie Bing, just like everyone else. Xie Bing also never explained much. After drinking and eating for a few times, he said goodbye and left.

Although he didn't stay for too long, even if he just showed up for a short while, it was of great significance to the current situation within the Xie family.

Although the reunion dinner seemed to be small, there were actually many people in the family paying attention to it. Although many masters were eating at home, they had followers coming and going to report on the situation.

Hearing that Xie Bing had actually arrived at the Snow Wind Corridor, many masters and elders were stunned, and some of them even had slightly gloomy expressions.

When they heard that Xie Yu and Xie Lei had come directly out of respect, especially Xie Yu who went very early, many masters who had been swaying with the wind became a little restless, walked around the house a few times, and suddenly put down their chopsticks.

In the banquet hall, Xie Yuan saw a master coming in every once in a while, either sweating profusely, or in a hurry, or with an unchanged expression. They would greet Xie Yu, say hello to him, say that they were delayed by something, and then sit down next to him.

Xie Yuan found it funny in his heart. Would the Grandmaster really be sweating profusely after running such a distance?

But by the end of the banquet, there were very few vacant seats.

Cui Pingjun and Xie Jun's expressions eased a lot, at least Xie Yuan, the head of the family, looked acceptable. Although the new fence-sitters might not necessarily stand on Xie Yuan's side, it was still a good sign.

The elders in the family who had ulterior motives were a little disappointed. It seemed that Xie Yuan's attempt to show his power was not successful in his first year as the head of the family.

After the banquet, the masters said goodbye and left, but one person remained.

The old Taoist priest Xie Yu with white beard and white eyebrows waved to Xie Yuan:

"Xie Yuan, come with me."

Xie Yuan responded respectfully, being extremely polite to the oldest elder and master in the family, no matter if it was him, other masters, or Xie Yi before him.

Xie Yu's experience is quite legendary. He has been close to Taoism since childhood and indifferent to worldly affairs. Just after he turned twenty, he went out to seek immortality and travel around the world. There has been no news of him for decades.

The family thought that he had died in some unknown corner of the world, but Xie Yu suddenly returned to the family and meditated in the clan land. It was just like that, having left home when he was young and returned when he was old.

People don't know much about his experiences over the years, but no one can see through his cultivation.

However, Xie Yu himself said that he was practicing Taoist static exercises. If there were any Taoist practitioners, they could ask him for advice. If they wanted to kill and fight, his skills would not be worth mentioning.

Xie Yuan followed Xie Yu out of the banquet hall and walked up the mountain on the snow.

Although Xie Yu was over a hundred years old, he was dressed in a plain Taoist robe, with his hands behind his back, walking briskly in the wind and snow, and he did not look like an old man at all.

Xie Yuan didn't know why the elder called him, he just followed him silently all the way to the top of the hill, looking down at the Xie family's land in silver and white with the joy of the New Year in the snow.

Xie Yu stood there quietly for a while, his face showing no sadness or joy. Xie Yuan stood silently behind him.

"Xie Yuan, do you know how far back the history of the Xie family can be traced?"

Xie Yu suddenly asked.

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed. He really didn't know the answer to this question. After all, he didn't grow up in the Xie family and didn't go to the Xie family's private school. He only knew that it was more than one or two thousand years old.

As the head of the family, if he is not clear about the family history, he will be caught by the opponents and there will be gossip.

Xie Yu didn't care and just smiled slightly:
"It has been more than 4,200 years since the ancestors of the Xie family came here to cut wood and build houses."

More than 4,200 years...

Xie Yuan chewed on this number silently, and his heart was gradually touched.

This could be the history of a civilization, but it is all condensed in one family.

Although it was because the world was different, with such a heavy history on his shoulders, Xie Yuan suddenly felt the real weight.

"A family with a history of four thousand years has become a part of the history of the Central Plains. The burden on you will not be too light."

Xie Yu said leisurely:
"But over the past four thousand years, the Xie family has gone through countless storms and has remained standing. They have experienced great enemies, disasters, incompetent family elders, the decline of family talents, and extremely difficult times, even more difficult than the Yao family today.

"However, the Xie family still survived. They were knocked down time and time again, but they stood up again and again and made a comeback."

Xie Yu stepped on the snow under his feet and said with a smile:
"This is Dongshan. This word is used to describe my Xie family.

“The Xie family has taken root in this world for four thousand years, and will continue to do so for another four thousand years, no matter what happens in between.

"So, don't feel pressured. No matter how well or badly you do, there are definitely family heads who are far worse than you, but the family still survived. Just do your own job well, and leave everything to time, to future generations, and to the green mountains under your feet."

Xie Yu waved his hands, and the surrounding wind and snow bypassed the two of them, revealing a piece of pure land.

He smiled and said:
"Besides, I believe in Xie Yi's vision, and I am also optimistic about you. Some small obstacles will definitely not stop you."

Xie Yuan was touched when he heard this, and bowed and said:
"Xie Yuan thanks Grandpa for his guidance."

Xie Yu had a kind face. He touched Xie Yuan's head, then took out a pill that was whiter than the surrounding snow, held it in his hand, and slightly suspended it.

"This pill is given to you."

"Grandpa, this is..."

Xie Yuan looked at the pill, which was crystal white and without a trace of impurities, and blinked.

"When I was young, I once discussed Taoism with Jade Void Immortal. I once lived on Luofu Mountain for a period of time and got along well with the Taoists there. Jade Void Immortal taught me the art of alchemy. I have been practicing at home for the past few years and have made some progress.

"This Snow Dragon Pill is my most proud creation. I have only made this one in all these years. Haha, I have wasted a lot of money from the family storehouse.

"Take it. You should have practiced Taoist exercises, right?"

Xie Yu held the pill and looked at Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan nodded:

"When I was in the countryside, a Taoist priest taught me how to cultivate my Qi. The foundation of my internal energy is still from Taoism."

Xie Yu nodded with a relieved expression and handed the pill to Xie Yuan:

"That's good. This elixir is most beneficial to Taoist Kung Fu. Take it to nourish yourself. It should be able to improve your internal strength."

Xie Yuan looked at the pill without a trace of impurities, and his eyes were touched. He had seen many precious medicines, but this was the first time he had seen a pill like this. It must be that Xie Yu had practiced for a hundred years and had taken a lot of the Xie family treasury to make this only pill, which was not an ordinary thing. "Grandpa, isn't this too expensive? You can refine it yourself, maybe it will be good for your body."

Xie Yuan declined.

Xie Yu stroked his beard and laughed:
"My body is in good health, and my skills have reached their peak. I am on a different path from warriors, and it is hard to expect to reach the state of inner and outer unity. It would be a waste to use such a precious medicine. It is better to give it to a young man like you who has great prospects."

Xie Yuan had heard that Xie Yu's martial arts training did not seem to be traditional, and that he was following some of the ancient Taoist methods of gathering qi.

However, in today's era, there are only a few who can go far on this path, and that is the Xuanzhen Sect of Luofu Mountain. Most of the Taoist priests also combine Taoist Kung Fu with modern martial arts.

Xie Yuan's heart suddenly moved, and he asked tentatively:

"Grandpa, is your path of cultivation similar to that of the ancient alchemists?"

Xie Yu hummed and shook his head:

"I am following this path, but I don't know if it is close enough or if it is the right path. Now it seems that I may have taken a wrong path."

He smiled, his expression quite calm.

Xie Yuan hesitated for a moment and asked again:

"Grandpa, have you read the handwritten notes passed down by the ancient alchemists?"

"Of course. I became interested in this road after seeing these ghost paths when I was young."

Xie Yu smiled, as if recalling the past, which happened more than a hundred years ago.

He was silent for a while, shook his head, and suddenly sighed:

"That's all. Life is short-lived. Well, why do you ask that?"

"I am just curious because my grandfather's path of cultivation is different from that of ordinary people. Well, I have read a note written by a pre-Qin alchemist in the fairy palace of Wan Yao Mountain before, but I only got the preface."

Xie Yuan explained.

Xie Yu nodded:

"Well, I've heard about it from Xie Wei. I even asked him about it, but unfortunately it's just fragments and sentences, the meaning doesn't make sense, and it's useless. If you're interested, I have some ancient relics that I can lend you to read. Haha, don't let them interfere with your martial arts training. These ghost ways are harmful to people. Once you get into them, you'll be obsessed and can't get out."

Xie Yuan's eyes lit up when he heard that there were fragments to read. However, seeing Xie Yu's rather regretful expression and feeling the icy touch of the Snow Dragon Pill in his hand, he said:

"Grandpa, I did read the preface. It's quite complete."

"Oh? Really? Even Xie Wei couldn't understand anything, but you are smart. Haha, tell me about it."

Xie Yu showed a little interest and asked with a smile.

But he didn't have high expectations. Xie Wei and Xie Yuan entered the same ruins. Xie Wei didn't see the point, and Xie Yuan was probably the same. Maybe he just wanted to cheer himself up. Well, it's a good thing for young people to be filial.

As he thought this, he listened to Xie Yuan start reciting, and his expression gradually changed.

After Xie Yuan finished reciting the preface that he knew by heart, he saw Xie Yu standing quietly in the wind and snow. He did not speak for a long time, until a layer of snow accumulated on his silver hair and shoulders.

Xie Yuan saw that Xie Yu was acting strangely and did not dare to disturb him, so he just stood there silently for a long time.

It was not until both of them turned into snowmen that Xie Yu suddenly started to wake up and shook off the falling snow, as if he had escaped from a cocoon and was reborn.

With a whoosh, a strong wind suddenly blew up in front of Xie Yuan's eyes, blowing up snowflakes and making his eyes blind.

When he opened his eyes again, there was no figure in front of him. There was only a long dragon-like trail marking the route Xie Yu took when he left.

"Could it be that the preface of this pre-Qin alchemist's handwritten note has great inspiration for Grandpa?"

Xie Yuan seemed to be thinking about something.

Xie Yu lived for a hundred years and practiced Taoism. He was always calm and kind, and no one in the Xie family had ever seen him lose his composure.

He disappeared without a trace without even saying a word. If he hadn't had some great enlightenment, he wouldn't have done this.

Xie Yuan was somewhat happy. It was certainly worth being able to help this elder who loved him so much. Moreover, if he gained something, it might help him solve the mystery of the pre-Qin alchemists' notes. Those ancient fragments might also be of some use.

Xie Yuan was quite interested in these ancient ways. Even if they were just for reference on the path of martial arts, they would probably be useful.

After looking at the Xie clan land in the falling snow, Xie Yuan looked up at the pure white sky again, patted the snow off his body, and walked down the mountain leisurely.

New Year's Day.

A big event happened in the capital, or in the entire Dali.

The fourteenth prince of the late emperor held the late emperor's will, abolished the throne, and held the coronation ceremony in the Temple of Heaven, and named the reign as Yuanxin.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, he posthumously named the previous emperor as Emperor Wuli and deposed the crown prince as King Li.

Afterwards, the new emperor appointed Wang Yunzhi, the head of the Wang family of Langya, as prime minister. Wang Yunzhi accepted the prime minister's seal on the spot and was in charge of the world. All officials were convinced by him.

"Li means compromise with the officials and the noble families, while Wu means still respecting the martial arts of the late emperor, which is also the duty of a son and the result of the game.

"Then, by appointing Wang Yunzhi as prime minister, it means that there will be no war with the aristocratic families. The royal family is ready to recuperate. The aristocratic factions in the court and the opposition will turn their attention to the Wang family, and either take the Wang family as the leader or fight for their own interests. They will not give the new emperor too much resistance."

Xie Yuan discussed a series of changes that would follow the new king's accession to the throne with Cui Pingjun in the study.

Cui Pingjun nodded gently:
"You've seen it quite thoroughly, so what do you think will happen next?"

"The Wang family is already the top family, and now they have been granted great power by the emperor. They can call the wind and rain in Dali. But a big tree attracts the wind. No matter whether it is other forces or the largest Cui family, they will not allow the Wang family to grow stronger and will definitely conflict with them. The Wang family is actually a shield for the royal family, the first bird to stand out, and attracts firepower for the royal family. Why would Wang Yunzhi do the same? He should not be unable to see it."

Xie Yuan was a little confused.

Cui Pingjun said slowly:

"This has to start with the origin of the Wang family. They are disciples of the saints, and have always been particularly enthusiastic about the relationship between the monarch and his subjects. They have always loved to serve as officials in the court. Almost all the heads of the Wang family hope to add a record of being a prime minister to their resumes.

"Of course the emperor doesn't really value the Wang family. With Wang Yunzhi's vision, he would have seen the emperor's intentions. But as the grandmaster of the Wang family, he is naturally not afraid, and he will not miss this opportunity. I guess what he is thinking, once he has secured his position as prime minister, the Wang family will be powerful, so why should they fear challenges? By then, the new emperor won't be able to drive him away even if he wants to."

Xie Yuan nodded slightly to show that he understood.

Cui Pingjun said again:
"Do you have any instructions for our Xie family officials in Beijing?"

Xie Yuan said slowly:
"Under the circumstances, the Cui family and other forces will naturally compete with the Wang family. We don't need to get involved. Let them preserve their strength and retreat when necessary. Now is not the time for us to fight."

Cui Pingjun nodded:
"I'll tell Xie Jun and ask him to pass the order along."

Xie Yuan looked at Cui Pingjun and asked:

"Has the Cui family already started a fight with the Wang family?"

"They started fighting right after the coronation ceremony, and they were even planning it before that. Although they didn't fight openly, according to my information, everyone from the court to the common people to the warriors, from farmland, water transport to business, they were all suppressing each other. Warriors from many places have come to challenge each other, but the scale is still controlled at a small level, mainly for sparring."

Cui Pingjun looked calm, having expected this:

"After the great battle in the palace, my eldest brother will definitely not let the Wang family off easily, and the Wang family will not let the Cui family off either."

Xie Yuan nodded solemnly. When gods fight, the fish in the pond suffer.

Although he was not an innocent party in the Xie family, the dispute between the two great families would probably affect the entire Central Plains.

The key point is that, according to their deduction, it would be difficult for the two families to really reach any conclusion, so they would tacitly stop fighting and then look at the other family that could influence the situation but was very weak, that is, the Xie family.

The three-legged tripod has always been stable, but now one of the legs is a little weak. If the other two want to be the strongest, their first target is not the opposite side, but the side.

That’s when the Xie family of Chenjun will face their biggest challenge.

The news of the coronation ceremony quickly spread throughout the world through official post, and the Xie clan naturally received the news earlier.

Although many elders had expected Wang Yunzhi to be appointed prime minister, they could not help but think of what Xie Yuan said at the elders' meeting.

It seems that the Wang family does have some plans.

Originally, many people might have wanted to get closer to the Cui family after seeing this scene, but after Xie Yuan said that, the elders were not confused and basically faced the reality. They knew that they would have to survive under the covetousness of the two families.

Can Xie Yuan lead the Xie family to complete this challenge?

The elders didn't know, but they had a tiny bit more confidence than the first time.

"No matter what, it's still strength."

In his own meditation room, Xie Yuan held the Snow Dragon Pill, feeling its unique touch and nearly perfect shape.

Xie Yu has been in seclusion since that day, somewhat suddenly, and no one knows the reason, except Xie Yuan.

I wonder if after he comes out, I will be able to share some of the cultivation experiences of the pre-Qin alchemists?
Xie Yuan had some expectations, but didn't think much more about it.

Now is the time for him to quickly improve his strength.

He took the Snow Dragon Pill, opened his mouth, and swallowed it in one gulp. (End of this chapter)