The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

The benevolent governance of Jiangnan brings spring sunshine, and its achievements in governance are unparalleled, ranking first in the entire region.

The imperial edict urgently summoned the scholar in blue robes to uphold the authority of the central government and stabilize the court.

In the autumn of the eleventh year of Jinghe, the sky was high and the clouds were light. The rice and beans were harvested and stored away. The autumn examinations of all prefectures and counties in the Great Xia Dynasty came to a close. The Examination and Evaluation Office, together with the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, and the Censorate, evaluated all 128 prefectures and 756 counties in the country, focusing on four aspects: the prosperity of the people, the integrity of the officials, the stability of the local areas, and the prosperity of education. The files piled up like mountains, and the evaluations were as strict as iron.

In Qingxi County, Jiangnan, since Su Qingxuan implemented the policy of integrating the three religions (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism), in just over a year, it has transformed from a county plagued by oppressive rule into a model of good governance: In agriculture, all unclaimed wasteland has been cultivated, rice yields have doubled compared to the past, and granaries are stocked with enough grain to last three years; in administration, redundant officials have been eliminated, corruption has been eradicated, and officials perform their duties without disturbing the people; in public security, bandits have returned to farming, evil gentry have been brought to justice, doors are left unlocked at night, lost items are not picked up on the road, and prisons are almost empty; in education, free schools have been established everywhere, Confucianism is pure and honest, Taoism is peaceful and harmonious, and Buddhism is compliant, with the three religions coexisting harmoniously, and the people knowing etiquette and being virtuous; moreover, an ancient spiritual tree has taken root in the earth's veins, and a bronze sacred seal protects the area and its people, preventing floods and droughts, and keeping plagues away, the earth's energy rejuvenates, and all living beings live in peace and prosperity.

The examiner, the prefect of Pingjiang, personally visited Qingxi. Seeing the vast fields, bustling markets, and peaceful people, he wrote eight characters on the evaluation record: "Governance surpasses all under heaven; Virtue benefits all living beings." The joint evaluation by the three government offices concluded that Qingxi County's governance ranked first during the Jinghe era of the Great Xia Dynasty. Su Qingxuan's achievements in saving the world and bringing peace to the people were unprecedented. His humble origins as a county magistrate made him a model for Jiangnan, and all prefectures and counties throughout the land should emulate him.

When the news reached Luoyang, the capital, it caused a stir in the court and among the people.

Emperor Jinghe sat regally on his dragon throne in the Taiji Hall, holding the evaluation file of Qingxi, reviewing it repeatedly. He was greatly pleased, inwardly sighing, "In the eleven years since my ascension to the throne, we have faced threats from the barbarian tribes on the borders, and internal factional strife has drained the nation. Powerful families and influential clans have seized control, while talented individuals from humble backgrounds have been relegated to lowly positions. Unexpectedly, in a corner of Jiangnan, such a peerless talent has emerged! Su Qingxuan integrates the three teachings into governance, bringing peace to the people of this region. He is unaffiliated with any faction, his heart is with the nation; he is precisely the kind of person I must rely on!"

By this time, the Luoyang court was a quagmire of factional strife: the Chancellor's faction, led by Chancellor Zhang Congyao, dominated the civil service system, controlling the imperial examinations, salt and iron administration, and taxes; their protégés and former officials were scattered throughout the country, wielding immense power; the maternal relatives' faction, led by the Emperor's uncle Liu Chengye, controlled the imperial guards and the defense of the capital region; relying on the Empress Dowager Liu, they were arrogant, domineering, and corrupt; the princes' faction, led by Prince Xiao Jing of the Heluo region, possessed the wealthy Central Plains, privately maintained their own armies, harbored ambitions to seize the throne, and secretly colluded with the Northern Barbarians, eyeing the imperial power. These three factions checked and balanced each other while also exchanging favors, creating chaos in the court. Loyal and upright officials were marginalized, and Emperor Jinghe, despite his imperial status, was constrained at every turn, his decrees barely leaving the Taiji Palace.

Grand Tutor Wen Yanbo, a loyal minister of three reigns, unaffiliated with any faction, stepped forward tremblingly and said, "Your Majesty is wise! Heaven blesses the Great Xia! Su Qingxuan comes from a humble background, is without support or allegiance, yet he cherishes the desire to save the world, carries the great principles of the three religions, and is protected by the sacred seal and spiritual wood. The people revere him as a saint. If we summon him to the capital and entrust him with important responsibilities, it will not only stabilize the court and rectify the administration, but also spread the benevolent policies of Jiangnan throughout the land. This would truly be a great benefit to the nation!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Congyao's triangular eyes narrowed, his white beard trembled slightly, and he was secretly alarmed: If Su Qingxuan were to enter the capital, His Majesty would surely rely on him, cutting off the path for his faction to seize power. He immediately stepped forward, feigning worry: "Your Majesty, you must not! Su Qingxuan is only sixteen years old, from the countryside. Although he has achieved some minor successes in Jiangnan, he has no experience in governing the central government. Moreover, the people falsely call him a 'living saint,' which is a sign of usurpation. I fear it will mislead the people and shake the foundations of the nation!"

The emperor's brother-in-law, Liu Chengye, with his large chest and protruding belly, and a jade belt around his waist, echoed in a stern voice: "Prime Minister Zhang is absolutely right! This man has been secretly hoarding ancient seals in Jiangnan. One should not speak of strange phenomena or supernatural beings, yet he feigns supernatural powers and misleads the people, harboring malicious intentions and perhaps plotting something of immense magnitude! If he is summoned to the capital and entrusted with important responsibilities, it would be like inviting a wolf into the house! Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to strip him of his official rank and bring him to the capital for questioning!"

King Xiao Jing of Heluo had a face as handsome as jade, but his eyes held a sinister glint. He stroked his jade thumb ring, observing the scene with cold eyes, thinking to himself: The last assassination attempt on Su Qingxuan failed, and it seems that he is protected by a "god". He cannot be directly opposed for the time being. If he enters the capital this time, I will observe and act accordingly. If he is truly given an important position, I will either win him over... or... gradually eliminate him.

Emperor Jinghe understood that both men feared Su Qingxuan would usurp their power and wanted to frame him. His face immediately darkened: "My mind is made up! Issue an imperial edict immediately, summoning Su Qingxuan to the capital. Promote him to the rank of Vice Censor-in-Chief (third rank), put him in charge of the Censorate, supervise all officials, rectify official corruption, bestow upon him a purple-gold fish-shaped pouch, and allow him to participate in central government deliberations! Anyone who dares to remonstrate again will be punished for deceiving the emperor!"

The emperor was furious, and the two ministers dared not speak further. They could only retreat in a huff, but in secret they had already contacted their henchmen and laid a trap to kill Su Qingxuan on his way to the capital. Otherwise, they would devise a plan to trap him and kill him in the court.

The imperial edict, delivered by express courier, arrived in Qingxi, Jiangnan, in just three days.

At that time, Su Qingxuan was standing under the ancient spirit tree, inspecting the children's studies at the village school with Chi Ying. Upon hearing the imperial decree, he immediately straightened his clothes, knelt down, and accepted the decree to express his gratitude. When the decree to "promote him to the position of Censor-in-Chief and order him to enter the capital immediately" was announced, the people of Qingxi flocked from all directions, surrounding the county government office. White-haired elders, young children, farmers, and fisherwomen all knelt down, wept, and clung to the carriage wheels, pleading with him to stay.

"Su Qingtian, don't leave Qingxi!"

"The living saint is gone, who will protect us, the people of Qingxi?"

"The imperial court is treacherous; sir, you must not venture into the capital and risk your life!"

Zhou Laogen led the displaced villagers and militia, kneeling and kowtowing, blood seeping from their foreheads: "Young master, you saved our lives in Ruzhou and restored Qingxi. We are willing to lead our militia to accompany you to the capital to protect the emperor!"

Little Stone clenched his fists, his eyes red-rimmed: "My lord, I will accompany you to the capital, through fire and water, I will never back down!"

Chi Ying stood beside Su Qingxuan, her red dress like fire, her eyes filled with deep affection yet unwavering determination: "Brother Qingxuan, Chi Ying will accompany you to the capital. Even if the capital is filled with swords and shadows, I will protect you and never leave your side."

Su Qingxuan nodded to Zhou Laogen and Chiying, then helped the people up. His voice was gentle and clear like a flowing stream, yet full of sincerity: "Fellow villagers, I, Qingxuan, am originally a Confucian scholar from Jiangnan, who vowed to use the three teachings to save the world and bring peace to the people and the country. Qingxi is my homeland, and my heart is forever tied to it; however, many people in the world, the citizens of Great Xia, are still suffering from hunger and cold. If the court is not upright, the world will not be at peace. If I can enter the central government, uphold justice and the law, establish rules for the world, and seek the well-being of the people, then I will not fail the great path of the three teachings, nor the millions of people of Great Xia."

He turned to look at his parents. Su Wenyuan, leaning on his bamboo cane, said gently, "My son, remember this: Confucian scholars are resolute, Taoists are moderate, and Buddhists are compassionate. Enter the court without getting caught up in factional strife, hold a high position without forgetting your original intention. With the sacred seal on your body and the great way in your heart, even if there are millions of people, I will go."

Liu straightened her son's blue robe and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes: "Be careful out there, don't be reckless. Your father and I are here at home, so don't worry."

Su Qingxuan nodded emphatically, ordering Xiao Shitou to lead the local militia to stay in Qingxi and protect the area and its people. He only took Zhou Laogen as his personal attendant, and Chi Ying led four chivalrous heroes to secretly protect him. Carrying the bronze seal, he bid farewell to his homeland, rode his horse north, and headed for Luoyang.

As they traveled north, the closer they got to the capital, the more turbulent the undercurrents became. Thirty miles outside Luoyang, at Black Stone Slope, in the dense forest, more than thirty assassins in black quietly emerged, each wielding a poisoned blade. They were all Jianghu assassins hired by Zhang Congyao at great expense, intending to intercept and kill Su Qingxuan outside the city to eliminate any future trouble.

"Su Qingxuan, prepare to die!" the lead assassin roared, his blade aimed straight at Su Qingxuan's face.

With a red-tasseled spear raised, he leaped forward, his spearmanship as sharp as lightning. The righteous warriors also drew their swords and engaged the assassins in fierce combat. Zhou Laogen stood protectively in front of Su Qingxuan, wielding an iron saber, fearless and unyielding. Su Qingxuan sat upright on his horse, his expression unchanged. His fingertips lightly touched the small bronze seal in his robes, and a wisp of warm, holy energy quietly emanated from it. The assassins instantly felt weak all over, their ferocity vanished, and their movements slowed. In less than half an incense stick's time, they were all subdued by Chi Ying.

Before Su Qingxuan could ask any questions, the assassins coughed up black blood and committed suicide—Zhang Congyao had already laid a plan to kill Su Qingxuan if the plan succeeded, and to silence him if it failed, leaving no evidence behind.

Su Qingxuan stared at the assassin's corpse, his eyes darkening slightly. He knew that the court was far more dangerous than the bandits in Jiangnan.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Luoyang, the capital region was a scene of bustling prosperity, with rows of grand mansions and carriages of noble families crisscrossing the streets, and imperial guards standing guard along the roads. Yet, a sense of oppressive hostility permeated the air. In a teahouse on the outskirts of the capital, Di spies mingled among the crowd, sending news of Su Qingxuan's arrival to the northern frontier by fast horse. Prince Xiao Jing's spies also kept a close watch on Su Qingxuan and his party, ready to report at any moment. The eyes and ears of the prime minister's faction and the emperor's relatives were everywhere in the streets and alleys, waiting for their chance to strike.

Three days later, Su Qingxuan entered Luoyang City, dressed in the blue robes of a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, with an imperial jade pendant hanging from his waist. He walked to the Taiji Hall to meet the emperor. Upon hearing that the living saint of Jiangnan had entered the capital, the people of Luoyang flocked to the streets, lining the roads to welcome him, all eager to witness the demeanor of this young magistrate who used the three teachings to save the world and govern with unparalleled virtue. Su Qingxuan walked with composure, surrounded by an aura of sainthood. Upon seeing him, some knelt and kowtowed, while others cheered loudly.

Emperor Jinghe personally welcomed Su Qingxuan at the Taiji Hall. He saw that Su was sixteen years old, with handsome features and a calm demeanor. He had no trace of the timidity of a poor family, no trace of youthful arrogance, and no trace of bureaucratic frivolity. On the contrary, he had the bearing of a sage of the three religions. Emperor Jinghe liked him even more and immediately bestowed upon him a purple-gold fish bag, appointed him as the Vice Censor-in-Chief, put him in charge of the Censorate's seal, allowed him to participate in central government affairs, and placed him among the high officials, attracting the attention of all officials.

In the Taiji Hall, civil and military officials, princes and nobles gathered together. On the steps, dragon flags fluttered, the atmosphere was solemn yet undercurrents were surging.

Zhang Congyao's attempt to assassinate Su Qingxuan by bribing assassins failed. Now, seeing the Emperor personally bestow the title upon Su Qingxuan, he was already restless. As the leader of the Prime Minister's faction, he felt it necessary to set an example in court and demonstrate his opposition to Su Qingxuan. Therefore, holding his court tablet, he sternly rebuked him: "Su...the Grand Secretary, is young and arrogant, and has overstepped his bounds! The people of Jiangnan falsely call him a 'living saint,' which is to confuse the people and is extremely treasonous! Moreover, he privately possesses a bronze seal of unknown origin, which is used for superstition and is actually a demonic object. I beg Your Majesty to order the confiscation of this demonic seal and punish him for his overstepping of his bounds!"

Seeing that Zhang Congyao had already laid out his plans, Liu Chengye followed closely behind, his voice laced with gloom and seduction: "Your Majesty! Su Qingxuan has privately abolished the court's taxes and dismissed court officials in Jiangnan. In reality, he has no respect for the emperor and is secretly winning over the people. Today he dares to call himself a saint, tomorrow he will dare to rebel! I beg Your Majesty to dismiss him from his post, imprison him in the imperial jail, and thoroughly investigate his crimes!"

Prince Xiao Jing of Heluo slowly rose and bowed respectfully to Emperor Jinghe. His tone, however, was effeminate as he echoed, "While Vice Minister Su's achievements in governing Jiangnan are modest, the central government is crucial to the nation's foundation and cannot be compared to a rural magistrate. It is a pity that a young man, not yet of age, holds such a high position; it may be difficult for him to command respect. In my opinion, it would be better for him to first assume a sinecure, gain experience for several years, observe his performance, and then consider giving him a more important post."

The three factions, working in concert, sought to bring down Su Qingxuan in one fell swoop. Among the officials, the factions of the prime minister, the maternal relatives, and the vassal kings echoed their sentiments. In the court, accusations arose everywhere, and the loyal and upright old ministers hesitated to speak, all fearing the power of the three factions.

Su Qingxuan stood beneath the imperial steps, his blue court robes exuding an imposing aura without anger. He calmly and unhurriedly radiated an air of righteousness and integrity. Only after the three factions had exhausted their shouts did he hold his court tablet, bow deeply, and speak in a voice as clear as metal and stone, resounding throughout the Taiji Hall: "Your Majesty, I have three words to present to His Majesty and to comfort the officials."

Firstly, the words of a Confucian scholar: "The Analects says, 'Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it.' While serving in Jiangnan, I practiced benevolent governance according to Confucian principles, reducing taxes and levies, bringing peace and prosperity to the people. The people praised me, not because I overstepped my bounds, but because of my virtuous governance. The Duke of Zhou of ancient times was praised by the people, yet he was never heard to have overstepped his bounds; Confucius and Mencius, the sages, are revered by the world, yet they were never heard to have plotted rebellion. I dare not claim to be a sage, but I uphold Confucian principles, taking the salvation of the world as my responsibility, with not a single selfish thought in my heart. Heaven and earth can bear witness!"

Secondly, the Daoist said: "The *Tao Te Ching* says, 'The sage has no fixed mind; he takes the mind of the people as his own.' The small bronze seal in my possession is an ancient sacred seal passed down through the Su family. It is not a demonic object, but a treasure for suppressing evil, calming spirits, protecting the people, and ensuring good fortune. The spirit trees of Jiangnan have manifested their power, causing the floods to recede and the plague to disappear on its own. This is the vitality of heaven and earth, not something I have done to deceive or provoke. The Daoist follows the ways of heaven and earth, protecting all living beings. What crime has he committed?"

Thirdly, the Buddha said: "The Diamond Sutra says, 'All phenomena are illusory.' I, with a Buddha's mind, observe impermanence and dispel illusion. I do not strive for fame or profit; I have no factions or affiliations. Today I will not side with Prime Minister Zhang, tomorrow I will not rely on the Emperor's brother-in-law, and tomorrow I will not form alliances with vassal kings. The world is impermanent, and fortune and misfortune are unpredictable. I will never cling to any illusion. My heart is solely for Your Majesty and for the common people. If we cling to false words, false statements, and false appearances, it will only deplete the nation's resources, causing the people to suffer—a great calamity for the country. As head of the Censorate, I will oversee all officials, rectify the court, resolve disputes, and secure the nation—I have no other intentions!"

These words were spoken with resounding force. After three sentences, the Taiji Hall fell silent; all the officials were astonished, and the three factions were speechless. Su Qingxuan quoted the profound principles of the three religions, using the achievements of Jiangnan as evidence. Every word was precious, every sentence upright, without a single flaw. He also subtly pointed out the potential power struggle among the three factions in the court, and made his stance clear: he would not align himself with any side. The loyal and upright veteran minister Wen Yanbo stepped forward first, stroking his beard and sighing, "Minister Su is a young and brilliant talent, well-versed in the three religions, and devoted to the nation. He is truly a pillar of the country!"

At that moment, a dark, murky mist suddenly appeared above the Taiji Hall, wisps of it coiling around the beams and pillars. Emperor Jinghe on the dragon throne felt dizzy and lightheaded. The court's fortunes were declining, and the nation's fate was precarious. This was due to the long-standing factional strife among the three parties, which had accumulated a dark and malevolent aura that had depleted the court's fortunes. The natural disasters, man-made calamities, and the incursions of the Di barbarians in recent years all stemmed from this.

Emperor Jinghe, pale-faced and leaning on his dragon throne, exclaimed in shock, "What is this? Why has the fortunes of the court declined to such an extent!"

Zhang Congyao, Liu Chengye, and Xiao Jing all lowered their heads and remained silent, too afraid to look directly at each other.

Upon seeing this, Su Qingxuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He immediately took out a small bronze seal from his bosom, held it in both hands, and slowly walked up the steps to the Danbi. He placed it on the incense table on the dragon steps and silently recited the general formula of the Confucian Heart Method, invoking the great principles of the three religions and infusing the sacred seal.

In an instant, a shocking phenomenon occurred!

The seemingly simple bronze seal suddenly burst forth with a dazzling, luminous white light, its gentle and peaceful glow like the light of the sun and moon. It instantly enveloped the entire Taiji Hall, dispelling the murky black mist that met it. The pillars and beams within the hall shone brightly, the dragon banners gleamed, and Emperor Jinghe felt refreshed and invigorated. The officials felt their minds at peace, their anger vanished. In the court, the atmosphere of decay slowly returned. Suddenly, a wisp of golden energy rose from the sacred seal, coiled around the dragon throne, and soared into the sky, as stable as a mountain!

"The Holy Seal protects the nation! The court's fortunes are restored!" Wen Yanbo exclaimed, and was the first to kneel and kowtow.

All the civil and military officials, as well as the princes and nobles, witnessed the divine seal manifest itself and stabilize the court's fortunes. They were all utterly astonished and knelt down in worship, shouting, "The divine seal has manifested its power! Heaven blesses the Great Xia! Long live His Majesty! Minister Su is wise!"

Zhang Congyao, Liu Chengye, and Xiao Jing trembled, their faces ashen, forced to kneel, their hearts filled with shock and fear: This bronze seal was actually an ancient national sacred seal? With the sacred seal protecting Su Qingxuan, the support of the people, and the trust of His Majesty, how could anyone dare to touch him?

Emperor Jinghe's face relaxed, and he took a deep breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He rose from his throne, personally helped Su Qingxuan up, and sighed, "Minister Su, having this sacred seal and great fortune is my good fortune, and the good fortune of Great Xia! From now on, I entrust the affairs of the Censorate entirely to you. If any official is corrupt, perverts the law, or engages in factional strife and infighting, hmph! You may execute them first and report later, without needing to ask for permission!" The Emperor of Great Xia felt relieved; the anger that had been building up for many years could finally be vented today.

From then on, at the age of sixteen, Su Qingxuan took charge of the Censorate, held the central authority of the constitution, and had the power to supervise all officials. With the imperial seal protecting the court and his fortunes stable, he began to have a say in the court.

After the court session ended, the factional strife did not cease, but became increasingly covert. The three factions of Zhang Congyao, Liu Chengye, and Xiao Jing temporarily joined forces to deal with external threats. They secretly exchanged favors and colluded with each other on three core issues: the salt and iron monopoly, the imperial examination system, and the river works in the capital region. They avoided direct confrontation with Su Qingxuan, attempting to slowly undermine him and make his policies difficult to implement.

Ironically, after a period of petty scheming, the spoils were not divided fairly.

The Salt and Iron Dispute: The Chancellor's faction wanted to monopolize the salt and iron industry and reap huge profits by placing all power in the Chancellor's office; the Empress Dowager's faction also wanted to get involved in the salt and iron industry and share the profits; while the Prince's faction wanted to take control of the salt and iron industry back to their own fiefdoms to expand their wealth. As a result, the three factions broke off relations, impeached each other, and the court was in chaos.

The debate over the imperial examination system was divided: the prime minister's faction wanted to protect the sons of aristocratic families and monopolize the examinations; the maternal relatives' faction wanted to install their own relatives; and the princes' faction wanted to win over those from poor families and cultivate their own cliques. Poor and respectable children had no way to rise in society, and resentment was widespread.

The River Work Dispute: The Nak River in the Gyeonggi region has been in disrepair for many years, and with the flood season approaching, all three parties want to take over the river work, embezzle project funds, and undertake large-scale projects, while no one is willing to take responsibility.

Su Qingxuan sat upright before the table, the imperial seal on it gleaming faintly. He knew all too well that corruption, factional strife, and bureaucratic abuses in the court were long-standing and deeply entrenched. To rectify them would be a task that required more than a day, and could not be accomplished by force alone. Su Qingxuan was shrewd; he had already foreseen that his arrival would inevitably lead the three factions to join forces. Faced with enormous profits, the three factions would not only fail to cooperate but would also amplify their conflicts, gradually tearing each other apart until they ultimately collapsed. And when their internal strife became severe, and they were locked in a bitter struggle, that would be the time for him to strike decisively.

Therefore, seeing the three parties so divided in the court, refusing to yield to each other and even exposing each other's shortcomings, Su Qingxuan felt both amused and somewhat wistful. Indeed, birds die for food, and people die for wealth. When faced with profit, any mask of falsehood and hypocrisy can be removed, and any cooperative relationship becomes incredibly fragile.

Su Qingxuan composed himself and acted decisively, striking swiftly with lightning speed. He presided over the central court meeting, using the principles of the three religions to formulate and adjudicate three policies, giving the three factions no chance to breathe.

The Salt and Iron Policy: To promote the prosperity of the people, facilitate trade, and ensure equal benefits, the salt and iron monopoly was changed to one supervised by the government and managed by merchants. The imperial court established a Salt and Iron Bureau to supervise the industry, strictly prohibiting powerful families, relatives of the emperor, and princes from interfering. Merchants were encouraged to operate fairly, and taxes were collected into the national treasury, with half going to military pay and the other half to subsidize people's livelihoods. This policy benefited the country and the people, and the three factions could not monopolize the industry.

The imperial examination system was reformed to select the virtuous and capable, without being bound by conventions, and to ensure equality for all. The system involved anonymous copying of names to prevent cheating. Students from both poor and good families and those from aristocratic families were admitted based on their talents and learning. Special quotas were set up for students from poor families to break the monopoly of powerful clans. Scholars across the country cheered with joy.

The river works policy was formulated to follow the principles of strengthening the foundation, conforming to nature, and protecting life. The Luo River works were to be directly managed by the central government, with officials from the Censorate dispatched to inspect the entire process. Corruption was strictly prohibited, and anyone who misappropriated project funds would be sentenced to death. The river was to be dredged and the embankments reinforced, drawing on the method of using the spiritual trees of Jiangnan to nourish the earth's energy, in order to prevent problems before they occur.

The three policies shocked the officials. Emperor Jinghe personally endorsed Su Qingxuan, immediately approving them all and promulgating them throughout the land without delay. The three factions were left empty-handed and resentful, but none of them had gained any benefit. Furthermore, Su Qingxuan used the imperial seal and the law to intimidate them. With the emperor personally implementing the policies and the people's support, no one dared to openly oppose them; they could only grit their teeth in silence.

As the saying goes, one must seek order amidst chaos and prevent chaos while maintaining order.

Zhang Congyao, harboring resentment, secretly fabricated evidence of corruption in the river works and impeached the prefect of Pingjiang, attempting to implicate Su Qingxuan and accuse him of forming cliques and enriching himself under the jurisdiction of Qingxi. Emperor Jinghe dispatched Su Qingxuan to personally lead officials from the Censorate to investigate. Within three days, the conspiracy to fabricate evidence was exposed, and the falsely accused faction members were dismissed, arrested, and imprisoned, shocking the court and the public.

Liu Chengye was resentful and had nowhere to vent his anger. "You, Su Qingxuan, want long-term peace and stability? I'll make the world chaotic!" So he allowed the sons of powerful relatives in various places to forcibly seize women and farmland, causing widespread resentment among the people.

Without saying a word, Su Qingxuan secretly informed Emperor Jinghe, took the "Imperial Sword," and led officials from the Censorate to various prefectures to intimidate the villains with the imperial authority of executing them first and reporting later.

With lightning speed, the emperor apprehended the implicated relatives of the emperor across the country, severely punished them according to the law, confiscated their property, and returned it to the people. Although Liu Chengye was the emperor's brother-in-law, he was helpless against Su Qingxuan's evidence and the imperial sword at his disposal, and could only swallow his anger. The power of the imperial relatives was almost completely eradicated.

King Xiao Jing of Heluo secretly colluded with Di barbarian spies to manufacture weapons and armor. This was secretly reported to Su Qingxuan by the gray-robed Taoist priest. Su Qingxuan remained calm and ordered Chi Ying to lead righteous men to intercept the weapons and armor, obtaining evidence. Everything was done in secrecy, leaving no trace. Su Qingxuan did not attack King Xiao Jing of Heluo—he knew the prince's power was deeply entrenched and that he was colluding with the Northern Di; he could not alert him. He needed to wait for the right opportunity to wipe them all out.

From then on, factional strife subsided in the Luoyang court, official corruption gradually improved, government orders were effectively implemented, and the nation's fortunes began to rise again. Su Qingxuan, at the tender age of sixteen, assumed the power of the Censor-in-Chief, using the principles of the Three Teachings (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism) to stabilize the court's fortunes, control the powerful officials, and gain initial control over the central discourse. He became Emperor Jinghe's most trusted and trusted minister, and a spiritual leader for scholars from humble backgrounds throughout the land.

That night, Su Qingxuan stood atop the Censorate, gazing at the myriad lights of Luoyang. The bronze seal on his desk glowed faintly, a red-clad attendant standing beside him, his eyes filled with deep affection. Zhou Laogen stood below, sword in hand, a vigilant watch. In the distance, south of the Yangtze River, the branches of an ancient spiritual tree pointed north, echoing the sacred seal of the capital. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed together, the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty soared, and the three great paths of Taoism merged.

Su Qingxuan knew that with the central government in power, the path to saving the world had taken another step forward. However, the Northern barbarian cavalry was watching with predatory eyes, the vassal kings harbored treacherous schemes, the remnants of treacherous officials had not yet been eliminated, and the great path of unifying the three religions and communing the path of mortals and saints was still fraught with thorns. But with his great vow in his heart, the sacred seal on his body, and the righteousness of the three religions shining in his mind, even if the road ahead was ever-changing, he would still uphold the Way and move forward, never changing his original intention.

It is:

The imperial steps uphold the righteous path, and the golden seal governs the fortunes of the nation.

With the central authority newly in charge, turmoil arises; he then embarks on perilous journeys into the mortal realm.