Green Mountain

Mrs. Zhang’s voice suddenly rose: "What are you going to Jinling for?"

Zhang Xia looked at his mother: "Mother, the ones Father relies on now, Zhou Xingwen and Shen Ye, are positioned in the Central, constantly monitoring the new policy. Others going to Jiangnan would be useless; they can’t handle the Jiangnan gentry. Only I am the most suitable for this task."

"No way!" Mrs. Zhang firmly rejected: "The Jiangnan gentry are full of evil and would stop at nothing for money. How can I let you go and endure that filth?"

Zhang Xia remained silent.

Mrs. Zhang’s voice softened a bit, speaking earnestly: "Moreover, everyone knows you are observing three years of mourning for your husband. How can you appear publicly in Jinling? Now that Chen Ji has faked his death to escape, you must cover for him. Don’t run around and just patiently wait in the Imperial Capital for his return."

"I can go in disguise," Zhang Xia suddenly said: "Right now, the new policies in Lu State, Shan State, Shan Province, and Ji State are in full swing, and the tax silver is more than in previous years. If the salt tax in Jiangnan and the tax on those over five million mu of land can be resolved, the court’s deficit will be covered. This is what Father has been working tirelessly day and night for, and I cannot watch the new policy fail."

Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Even if you go, it would be useless. Over the years, I have suppressed the Xu Family in Jinling and the Huqiu Xu Family, so Xu Chuanxi and Xu Chuanyin see me as a thorn in their eyes. I’m afraid they’ll oppose everything. These two are now waiting for the highest bid, whether it’s from Official Hu, Official Chen, or Mr. Qi."

Xu Shu, detached from the situation, sardonically commented: "This is truly a case of success and failure both stemming from the Xu Family."

The main hall fell silent for a moment.

Everyone knew that to break this impasse, Xu Shu had to inherit the Xu Family’s legacy. Once Xu Shu took over the Xu Family, even if Xu Chuanxi and Xu Chuanyin were insincere in their obedience, Xu Shu would have the authority to deal with them.

But no one wanted to force Xu Shu to do something he didn’t want to do, so nobody spoke up.

Zhang Zhuo leaned back against the chair, looking up at the house beam: "Instead of trying to win over the Jiangnan gentry, it’s better to find a way to get Wang Daosheng into the Cabinet."

Just then, a servant rushed in: "Sir, Madam, something happened at the Xu Family."

Everyone looked up; the servant stood outside the threshold: "Official Xu hasn’t taken a drop of water since yesterday and remains unconscious. Today, the new Hospital Director of the Imperial Hospital came to check his pulse and suggested that the Xu Family prepare for the end. It’s going to be tonight... The Hospital Director administered three needles to give Official Xu strength to settle his final affairs, and now he has awoken and wants to see Lord Xu Shu."

Zhang Zhuo looked at Xu Shu: "You don’t have to go."

Xu Shu smiled and stood up, brushing the wrinkles from his robe: "Let’s go. It’s the nineteen-year karma between me and Official Xu, and it should be settled today."

...

...

The Xu Family was bustling.

Before Xu Shu set foot inside, he heard the buzzing of conversation from within: "We must have Official Xu pass the Xu Family to the Jinling Xu Family today, or the Xu Family is doomed!"

"That Xu Shu is idle and must not be allowed to inherit the Xu Family. We will block him today to ensure he doesn’t step into the Xu Family."

"And Zhang Zhuo, his smooth talk can’t be allowed to sway Official Xu, to avoid further complications."

Xu Shu ignored the conversations within, standing under the door lintel with his hands behind his back, looking up at the "Advanced Scholar’s House" sign covered in gold leaf: "This should be the last time here, right? When I first came, it was the Xu Family who brought me back from Yuanjue Temple. Official Xu stood under this sign waiting for me. When I admitted I was no longer his son, I watched him age ten years right before my eyes, more effective than my Life Robbing Platform."

With that, he stepped onto the stone steps and entered the Xu Family.

Beneath the thirty-seven Merit Flag Poles of the Xu Family, all the Xu people were whispering to each other.

As he stepped in, the Xu Family members’ gazes simultaneously swept over him, their eyes carrying unclear meanings.

Someone blocked the entrance: "Xu Shu, since you’ve severed ties with the Xu Family, why are you here?"

Xu Shu shrugged: "It’s not that I want to come, it’s because Xu Gong wants me here."

Someone in the crowd shouted, "How dare you? Who are you to casually call Xu Gong like that? No matter what, Official Xu is your biological father, how can you call him by name?"

Another person looked behind Xu Shu, pointing at Zhang Xia, and scolded: "Official Xu is seriously ill, how dare you wear mourning attire here? You, a woman, should be home observing widowhood for your husband. What are you doing at our Xu Family? Go back!"

But at that moment, Xu Shu took a step forward and backhanded the person who spoke, making them spin: "Is this how you speak to my great-niece?"

The Xu Family members clamored around him: "How dare you strike someone?"

Xu Shu pushed through the crowd and walked inside: "Some of you must have forgotten that I am still the Deputy Director of the Observatory, an Executive Officer of the Seeking Dao Realm."

The Xu Family members were scattered and wobbled in his wake. By the time they got back on their feet, Xu Shu had already walked straight through the towering Merit Flag Poles, heading towards Du Mei Hall.

Xu Chuanxi stood outside the entrance of Du Mei Hall, looking displeased as Xu Shu approached: "Didn’t you say you had no intention of inheriting the Xu Family’s estate?"

Xu Shu sighed and said, "According to Da Ning Law, if you want this Xu Family’s legacy, you’ll have to choose someone to be adopted under my name and call me father... How about you get adopted? I find you quite agreeable."

Xu Chuanxi’s face darkened: "You!"

At this moment, someone lifted the curtain of Du Mei Hall from inside.

The middle-aged scholar Xu Biao, who had been attending Official Xu, whispered, "Xu Shu, the lord calls for you to come in."

Xu Shu brushed past Xu Chuanxi and slipped through the gap between the curtains into the room.

A medicinal smell hit his face; he raised a hand to fan his nose, disdainfully saying, "I’ve said that lifespan is predetermined, whether this medicine is taken or not, today won’t be early by thirty minutes, nor late by thirty minutes."

Official Xu huskily said, "In my life, I’ve never admitted defeat. Even if fate is set, one should try to fight against it. Man might indeed be able to defy heaven."

Xu Shu looked up and saw Official Xu still sitting upright in the Taishi Chair, wearing a sky-blue Daoist robe, with not a wrinkle at the collar or cuffs.

Majestic, dignified.

Xu Shu pouted, leaning on the doorframe in a teasing manner: "It’s the last day, is there still a need to keep up appearances?"

Official Xu’s face, contrary to his usual sickly state, carried a hint of ruddy color, and his eyes were no longer cloudy: "A gentleman dies but does not discard his hat. I have been in the Cabinet for decades, never careless in front of others, nor can I lose my integrity in death."

Xu Shu crossed his arms, scrutinizing Official Xu: "A gentleman dies but does not discard his hat cannot be used for you. Zi Lu tying his sash until the end is the epitome of loyalty and courage. What kind of loyalty and courage do you have? You only presided over the court all your life, unable to govern your life and death. Now, the only thing you can do is straighten your clothes and adjust your headband."

Official Xu was not angry, only smiled: "When young, you should study well; when serving as an official, perform your duties well; even if it’s the last thing you do in life, it should be done right."

Xu Shu was momentarily surprised.

Official Xu looked into the distance, vaguely seeing the thirty-seven towering flag poles of merit outside the grand gate: "I, Xu Gong, started enlightenment at five, topped the provincial examination at fourteen, became a scholar at fifteen, excelled as the top scorer in the Autumn Imperial Examination at eighteen, topped the metropolitan examination at nineteen, was a First Class top scorer in the Palace Examination with ’The Tax Discourse of Southern Zhili’, and entered the Hanlin Academy as a compiler."

Official Xu’s voice was steady, as if talking about others, or trivial matters: "During my time at the Hanlin Academy, I meticulously proofread ancient texts; later serving as Southern Zhili’s Academic Administrator, I reorganized the atmosphere of the county schools in Jiangnan; when I was later appointed as the tutor to Your Majesty, divided lectures day and night, simplified them during the day, and lectured on governance at night..."

"Since I assumed the position of Grand Secretary, I’ve personally overseen everything, meticulously revised drafts word by word, never delegated, nor relied on subordinates, ensuring comprehensive decrees; reformed Jiangnan’s tax without provoking civil unrest among Jiangnan’s populace, filling the treasury deficit, striving for both; rectified the Nine Borders, fending off the Jing Dynasty’s several southern advances... Even Zhang Zhuo, an essential pillar, was promoted by me."

Xu Shu looked back: "Why tell me all this?"

Official Xu’s gaze was not on Xu Shu: "Lift the curtain; I want to see outside."

Xu Shu paused for a moment, then proceeded to roll up the curtain.

Official Xu shakily raised his hand, pointing at the flag poles of merit towering over the courtyard wall: "Now, I sit at the highest position among ministers, and of those thirty-seven flag poles of merit, the most conspicuous one is mine."

Official Xu then looked at the masses of Xu Family members outside: "Among these petty sycophants, does anyone deserve my achievements? Deserve the greatness of my Xu Family?"

Xu Shu remained silent.

As Xu Shu turned back, Official Xu huskily said, "My life has been a mix of praise and slander, but whatever I handled, I’ve ensured was done the best. While you occupy my son’s body all life, remaining muddled, unwilling to entangle in cause and effect, knowing Zhang Zhuo needs you yet avoiding him, knowing the Xu Family is collapsing yet standing idly by... You are far inferior to me."

Xu Shu sneered: "Letting you have some advantage before dying is no harm."

Official Xu scoffed: "You’ve been provoking me since last year, and upon entry, you spoke disrespectfully, all because you’re afraid I’ll impose this cause of Xu Family onto you."

Xu Shu quietly watched Official Xu, noticing his eyes growing increasingly muddy, the redness on his face rapidly fading, dwindling like an exhausted wick.

From Xu Shu’s expression flashed a hint of compassion.

"Do not look at me using my son’s body like that; you lack the qualification!" Official Xu huskily said: "You wish for lifelong freedom, but I won’t allow your wish... This Xu Family is passed onto you!"

Xu Shu’s expression changed: "Are you alright?"

Official Xu’s voice slowly weakened: "Today, between you and me, it is not father and son. I am the Family Head of Xu, thinking for Xu Family’s century ahead. You are a Xu Family child, what you owe to Xu Family. If you can gather the Xu Family, then you can assist Zhang Zhuo in implementing new policies. If you cannot gather the Xu Family, many will die because of you... His Majesty has waited too long; he doesn’t want to wait anymore, nor does the Poison Minister..."

Xu Shu asked puzzled: "What do you mean?"

Official Xu, tiredly closed his eyes: "Go, go to Jinling to gather Xu Family, and bring my coffin together, I want to go home."

Official Xu’s breath ceased.

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