National Division

Chapter 49 Xue Zhihua: Your father's promotion is a done deal! (Please continue reading!)

County Office
With Xue Zhihua dismissing Magistrate Lu from his post, and entrusting county affairs to the county constable and registrar, things seemed to have settled down for the time being.

Magistrate Lu left the county office in a huff and returned to his residence to prepare a countermeasure.

After leaving the county government office, Xue Zhihua and Shen Xian headed towards the Shen residence. Looking at Shen Xian beside her, she asked, "Do you think we can use the case of Magistrate Liu's collusion with evil spirits to completely remove Magistrate Lu from his post?"

Shen Xian said, "This Magistrate Lu has worked hard in Anzhou for many years. I'm afraid he won't be willing to leave Guhe County. He comes from the Lu family of Fanyang and has a deep-rooted influence in the capital. He will definitely exert his influence in the capital."

"The Empress has long wanted to adjust the personnel in Anzhou, but she just lacked an opportunity. Now that the Guhe case has happened, if Magistrate Lu wants to use Cui Xu and even the Lu family of Fanyang to put pressure on the Zhuque Division, then it is just the right time to remove him from his post as governor," Xue Zhihua said coldly.

This is the confidence that comes with being the daughter of a duke. No matter how much pressure the Vermilion Bird Division exerts, it cannot suppress the daughter of a founding noble.

Shen Xian gently reminded, "The Cui family of Boling is, after all, a powerful and influential family, and should not be underestimated."

"I have reported today's events, as well as the matters concerning the newspaper and the perfume, to the Empress. The Empress has always been unconventional in her selection of personnel. If you are truly talented, you will surely rise rapidly in rank." Beneath her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, Xue Zhihua's eyes sparkled as she said, "However, your father will be promoted first."

Shen Xian said, "My father..."

He got promoted just like that?

"Your father is upright and incorruptible. He used his innate martial arts essence to draw talismans and slay demons, which is extremely rare. He is a diligent official who is highly regarded by the Empress. As long as I report to the Emperor, your father's promotion is a sure thing!" Xue Zhihua said confidently.

This is based on a consistent understanding of the diva's style of personnel selection.

It might even lead to this feeling of simplicity in one's heart.

Because the Empress Dowager desperately needs ministers like him who are selfless and fearless of death; they are extremely rare!
"And you were able to use yourself as bait to lure and kill the demons, showing both courage and resourcefulness, and you even have the same spirit as your father." Xue Zhihua did not hold back her praise.

"But if you only have passion and no cultivation of immortality, you can only sigh helplessly when faced with the chaos of demons and monsters," Shen Xian sighed.

"Martial arts and immortality are not urgent matters," Xue Zhihua said in a clear voice. "Compared to loyalty and courage, perhaps the Empress values ​​your administrative skills and..."

"And what?"

"Unparalleled eloquence." Xue Zhihua suddenly blinked and exclaimed, "A single word can sway a person's mind."

In all her life, she had never seen anyone berate someone so badly that they vomited blood on the spot.

Perhaps only someone as skilled in debate as Zhuangzi could accomplish such a feat.

The Taoist sage Zhuangzi used metaphors and analogies, demonstrating profound knowledge of the past and present, and possessed unparalleled eloquence.

Shen Xian blushed and said, "Miss Xue, those words don't sound like a compliment to me."

How eloquent was he? In his previous life, he was unbeatable in the online world, where keyboard warriors gathered. Not to mention, he had received a formal legal education, citing classical texts and displaying rigorous logic.

It can even rival AI.

Xue Zhihua smiled, then said seriously, "What the Empress needs by her side are talents who can govern the country and manage the world. As for people in the immortal path and martial arts, they are not valued as much. Besides, you and I are young. Even if we are exceptionally talented, we will hardly have much cultivation in a short time."

This is normal. It's easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general. Even if a true immortal descended to earth, he might not be able to provide any assistance in the complex affairs of the state.

Shen Xian composed himself and said, "I possess strategies for enriching the country and strengthening its military, and I eagerly await the day I can see the Empress's face."

If this is truly a female-led revolution, he will firmly stand on the Empress's side.

Because promoting those from humble backgrounds and suppressing the aristocratic families aligns with the interests of the small and medium-sized aristocratic families across the land.

As for the dragon-slaying technique, he really does possess it!
In its past life, China was a great and powerful nation, a celestial empire. After a century of humiliation, it worked hard to govern itself and stood at the pinnacle of the nation. What a moving torrent of humanity that was!

Not to mention, China has a long history, and countless people of virtue, talent and learning have stood on the shoulders of these giants.

Xue Zhihua pondered for a moment and said, "Although The Legend of the Condor Heroes promotes the way of chivalry, it only catches people's eye and cannot win the hearts of the Empress and the high-ranking officials. You should be prepared for this trip to the capital with me."

The path of a novelist is ultimately a minor one; to achieve fame and recognition, one must devise strategies for governing the country, bringing prosperity and stability to the nation.

In fact, Shen Xian initially just wanted to test the waters, using a novel to target the lower classes and make a name for himself in the newspaper, or rather, in the newspaper itself.

Before even understanding the situation in this world, he's already spouting grand pronouncements and trying to attract attention with his strategies; he'll only be suppressed by various forces. Not to mention anything else, a mere magistrate like Lu, a high-ranking official, could easily be accused of spreading rumors and interfering in state affairs—that alone would be enough to give Shen Xian a hard time.

Now that she has the opportunity to advance her career as the daughter of the Duke of Xue, she naturally has no need to hide her talents.

Shen Xian said, "Today I am also considering the national policy and submitting it for the Empress's consideration."

In response to the chaos caused by demons and monsters in the world, he wanted to write a "Policy on Governance"; in response to financial difficulties, he wanted to write a "The Wealth of Nations"; and in response to the high-ranking immortal sects sitting idly by while humanity suffered, he wanted to write a "Debate on Humanity and Immortality"—though the latter might be a secret memorial.

Xue Zhihua said, "It's good that you have a plan. I'll wait for your masterpiece."

Shen Xian nodded and said, "I will need Miss Xue's guidance then."

Xue Zhihua said, "I dare not offer any guidance. I often hear my father talk about some things in the country, so I know a bit more about them, but I only know the symptoms and not the causes, let alone how to prescribe medicine."

Shen Xian didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Xue Zhihua chuckled and said, "Tomorrow, Princess Qing and her daughter will be traveling by boat to Guhe County. You will come with me to meet them. After we have settled them in, you will come with me to the capital."

Shen Xian responded with a "Yes".

He also needs to prepare during this period.

Oh, and his merit points have already...

Hmm, eight hundred now? Wasn't it six hundred before?
Just as they were wondering, the Yin-Yang Millstone sent a message that it had played a leading role in the dismissal of Magistrate Lu, which could be considered as punishing evil and promoting good.

Humanity merit points surged by 200.

Shen Xian suddenly realized.

No wonder that in ancient times, sage emperors and famous ministers ruled the world and even became great sages of the human race.

Furthermore, the prime minister himself has the responsibility to assist the monarch and regulate yin and yang. By sorting out human affairs, he can naturally comprehend the way of heaven.

The Yin-Yang Millstone allows him to reward good and punish evil, cultivate merit, and ultimately, it is the way of the Human Emperor.

Once he returns, he can begin to deduce the martial arts techniques.

Having reached the fourth level of the Acquired Realm in martial arts cultivation is ultimately too shallow; one needs to break through to the second level, the Innate Realm, as soon as possible.

There's also my father's martial arts level, which requires the Crimson Essence Pill. I'll go back to the Pei family and discuss it with Pei Renjing's son, Pei Shen.

As for immortal cultivation techniques, we'll have to see if we can find some low-level Qi refining techniques to learn.

With various arrangements in mind, Shen Xian returned to the Shen residence with Xue Zhihua. After the previous commotion, it was already afternoon.

Xue Zhihua returned to her residence to rest, or rather, to write a memorial to the Empress, recounting her observations of Guhe County in detail.

Shen Xian returned to his own courtyard to prepare for his cultivation.

He enjoyed scolding Magistrate Lu, but he didn't want to reach middle age with no achievements in either officialdom or martial arts.

Xue Zhihua is only five or six years older than him, and she has already reached the third realm of immortality.

"Young master, you're finally back." At this moment, Zhiyun approached the young man and called out to him.

Shen Xian said softly, "Prepare hot water, I'm going to take a bath later."

Zhiyun responded with an "Mmm" and said, "The books that Master sent are all in the study."

Shen Xian said, "I understand, I'll go take a look right away."

Although these techniques are all low-level, under the deduction of the Yin-Yang Grinding Wheel, they may be able to be combined into a high-level technique.

(End of this chapter)