Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 248 Our White Lotus
Xu Xuan solidified his identity as a pharmaceutical merchant and the powerful connections behind him.

It emphasized that "I have connections in higher places".

This pole extends directly to the imperial court.

When pressed for further information, he simply smiled and said that Young Master Qing was a merchant who supplied medicinal herbs to the Sichuan and Chongqing region; otherwise, how could he have been in contact with him?

Shao Weng immediately found it interesting. If this person really had a lot of influence, it was possible to have a deeper conversation.

So he gave away a bottle of top-quality elixir.

Xu Xuan took a sniff, nodded slightly, and maintained a very composed demeanor.

"This pill is somewhat similar to the pills from the Ge family. It is also available in the palace and is worth more than a hundred taels."

That's enough for now, I won't say any more.

But after being warmly received, they agreed to come again the next day.

On the way back, Xu Xuan began to teach Xiao Qing.

It talks about how to prevent fraud.

"This bastard is using pills as bait to try and steal my principal. He's a despicable and clever man."

"The White Lotus Sect has been entangled in secular affairs due to its doctrines, making it extremely dangerous."

"Be extremely careful if a stranger offers you anything in the future."

Xiaoqing said that she was all grown up and could tell whether someone was a good person or a bad person.

Stop nagging like an old woman.

The next day, we went to Longjiang Pass and chatted idly.

Shao Weng was also trying to find out just how powerful Xu was.

So Xu Xuan told many secrets from the upper echelons, half true and half false, including many things about the Jin Emperor, which he fabricated in a very convincing way.

From 221 BC when King Zhao Zheng of Qin proclaimed himself emperor until 1916 when Yuan Shikai, the "Hongxian Emperor," had to abolish the imperial system, China had a total of 83 dynasties and 559 emperors in 2137 years.

He has so much material to stitch in.

Emperor Jin secluded himself in the inner palace to refine elixirs, rarely appearing before the world. Even Yu Gong would doubt Xu Xuan's identity and background upon hearing his tricks, let alone Shao Weng, a mere middle-level white lotus.

The other party listened with great interest, feeling that if they could recruit Young Master Xu into their sect and send him to the north, he would surely achieve great things.

The third day's discussion focused on views regarding current affairs and people's livelihoods.

Many believers are assessed at this stage to determine whether they can be accepted; any complaints or ambitions can be used as a starting point.

Since they had only known each other for a few days, it was a bit too intimate to talk about such things, and Mr. Xu was reserved and unwilling to discuss it further.

Xiao Qing coughed lightly and started playing support.

“You may not know, but my brother Xu is a man of great talent, more valuable than a thousand pieces of gold.”

"Last time, I even brought out a top-quality jade ruyi just to get a few words from you."

Young Master, you stupid son of a wealthy merchant, all you know is how to spend money.

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household!
I have to carry out the religious plan, earn extra money, and deal with government exploitation. Where would I get so much extra money?

This money cannot be reimbursed.

In theory, this step should take several months of preparation, but the Chu King's sword underground is almost complete, and if it is delayed any longer, this place will become a swamp.

Having no other choice, he had to offer some of his treasured possessions in exchange for the other party's opinion.

"The more powerful and influential people I come into contact with, the more confused I become. I would appreciate your guidance, Mr. Xu."

"Please accept this white jade disc with dragon and phoenix design."

After much back and forth, Young Master Xu reluctantly accepted it.

"Oh, you guys~~~~"

Thus began a reverse scam.

Of course, it wasn't all a scam; Xu Xuan did share a lot of useful information.

At first, Shao Weng planned to extract some information he wanted and use it to mislead the other party into becoming confused.

But... it was explained so well.

Young Master Xu's brief analysis gave one the feeling that "so this is what the world is like." He's a talent, an absolute talent.

"No, wait."

"Young Master Xu, could you please repeat what you just said?"

Even missing a few words due to a momentary lapse in concentration feels like a huge loss.

Even after seeing the two off, he still felt extremely regretful. If only you could have appeared before the White Lotus headquarters was breached.

The White Lotus Sect is different now than before, and so is he.

Xu Xuan was very satisfied with the current progress.

The fastest way to build a closer relationship is through shared interests, but the best way is through shared beliefs.

If they possess both qualities, they'll probably try to recruit me into their religion very soon.

It shouldn't be difficult to figure out the enemy's deployment at Longjiang Pass. Then, we can create an opportunity to call up Gui Da and Daoist Mao for a righteous beating. If we're lucky, we might even be able to send Li Shaoweng back to his hometown—that would be pure profit.

Solving this small problem will also help me get closer to the Dragon King of the Yangtze River, how wonderful!

Everything is under control.

Just as Xu Xuan returned to the mansion and was organizing the intelligence, Master Mao returned.

The old Taoist's expression was rather grim, even somewhat worried.

"Young Master Xu, your three students have been imprisoned for assaulting the author, Zuo Lang."

"Professor Shi is looking for you to come back and discuss countermeasures."

The air was somewhat quiet.

The giant turtle shrank its head, its expression menacing.

"Three wonders?"

"It's them, but it's not them either."

This time, Ji Rui, Ning Caichen, and Qian Zhongyu were imprisoned.

Xu Xuan's first reaction was not anger, but confusion: what kind of combination was this trio?

I hurriedly returned to the post station and saw the somewhat anxious old professor and several of his close disciples.

Zao's face flushed red, his blood surging violently. Qiao Feng's eyes were filled with grief and indignation, his fists, as big as sandbags, clenched tightly.

Xie Yu was the only one who appeared calm on the surface.

"Tell me what happened?"

Xie Yu carefully considered his words before explaining the whole story.

The official who was beaten was named Yin Mao, courtesy name Jingren, and was the son and nephew of the Chancellor of Changsha.

The position of Zuo Lang (佐郎) was not a formal official post, but rather one held by a noble family. His duties included compiling the national history, and he was a member of the eighth rank, fifteenth grade.

For example, if someone in the Xie family is talented but also wants to enter officialdom, they would be given this position.

The conflict took place on a pleasure boat on the Qinhuai River.

As Xie Yu said this, he glanced at Master Xu and received a completely emotionless smile in return.

"Why are you looking at me? Keep going."

At a gathering of prominent families, Qian Zhongyu, renowned for his talent and learning, was humiliated by the author Zuolang with fallacies.

The Qian family of Yuhang was no match for the Yin family of Chenjun, so they had to obediently accept the scolding.

That's how aristocratic families are; they rank people based on their family background. Human dignity has long been objectified; if you can't afford to offend them, you have to endure it.

Most people wouldn't be so open about their relationship; only a fool would do that.

It was obvious that this author, Saro, had come with a mission: to teach the academy a lesson.

When Chongqi was insulted, Qian immediately became furious and argued vehemently. She was already sharp-tongued, and when she went all out to confront him, the other party became so angry that he slapped her hard.

Then he and his men used fists and kicks to humiliate this talented man who dared to defy his superiors.

Just then, Ji Rui also came here to spend money. Seeing this scene, he was furious and immediately kicked Yin Mao away.

This sparked a chaotic battle, with Yin Mao and his henchmen fighting against Qian Zhongyu and Ji Rui.

Then the soldiers arrived and the two were arrested.

Hmm. Two people?

"Wait a minute, what did Ning Caichen do to get arrested?"

"When Cai Chen saw this on the road, he immediately stopped the officials and angrily denounced them for aiding and abetting the evildoer. Why didn't they arrest the nephew of the Changsha Chancellor?"

"They also said that these two are core students of Chongqi Academy, have a small reputation in Jiangnan, and are Professor Sheng's personal disciples. If you offend the people of their academy, they will not let you off."

"Prepare to face accountability from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review."

"Then he was arrested."

Xu Xuan's feelings were quite complicated; his scholarly spirit was understandable.

Ning Caichen's courage and recklessness at crucial moments are terrifying, so it's no surprise that he ended up in prison.

Moreover, revealing one's identity and background in advance can make those small fry more wary, saving them from physical harm.

In short, it wasn't a reckless act; in fact, it bought us some time.

The matter of assaulting officials can be a big deal or a small deal. Some people can assault the three highest officials in the palace and get away with it, while others can't even get a single wrong word said about them.

The relationship between the academy and Changsha was one of large-scale development.

It's obvious that of these three students, Qian Zhongyu will be the one who suffers the most.

The other two are not a concern, since they are both people who could be executed.

Thinking of this, Xu Xuan laughed in extreme anger. Really, really.
Originally, I just wanted to resolve the Longjiang Pass matter as soon as possible, and then teach this treacherous official a lesson.

But why would someone from Changsha, who was doing so well, be so desperate?

Do you really think my White Lotus Sect is a vegetarian?!
(End of this chapter)