The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 71 We're not going

Chu Xun asked this question because Huan'er's national policy was too alarming.

Once implemented, it would cause an upheaval no less significant than the national rejuvenation and consolidation policies proposed by Dong Xingjian, the top scholar who choked to death years ago.

Huan'er, with bright eyes and an upright demeanor, said, "Uncle, you have lived here for so long that you are unaware of the troubles of the world."

"Jing State has been established for nearly sixty years and has accumulated a large number of gentry and powerful people, all of whom are exempt from taxes."

"The teacher said that the Ministry of Revenue now knows that the taxable land is 50% less than it was at the founding of the nation. Decades of land reclamation have resulted in a decrease in taxable land instead of an increase, which is alarming."

"The common people had land but dared not cultivate it, so they could only rely on the gentry and were exploited to death."

"If things continue like this, the Jing Kingdom will be doomed. I have combined my brother Dong's advice from years ago with the current difficulties to formulate this national policy in order to ensure national prosperity and peace!"

Looking at Huan'er's passionate and enthusiastic expression, Chu Xun suddenly realized that the figure of the child who used to carry a basket and sell roasted nuts at the temple fair many years ago had disappeared.

Instead, a dignified and upright official from the State of Jing was appointed.

I've grown old, but Huan'er has grown up.

Chu Xun said, "You should know how your brother Dong died. This matter is too difficult to handle. If you really want to do it, wait a few more years."

The fruit of the Spirit Pearl Grass by the door has changed from light blue to dark blue, with a faint hint of purplish-blue.

The Spirit Pearl Grass fruit will be ripe soon.

Once he matures, Chu Xun will possess Foundation Establishment cultivation, which will give him the confidence to protect Huan'er's life.

However, Huan'er shook her head and said, "Back then, you and my teacher told me to wait ten years before I started associating with Brother Dong, and I listened. But now, I can't wait any longer."

"Several places have already seen popular uprisings; if we wait a few more years, the people will suffer even more."

Huan'er's gaze was firm, her heart as solid as a rock.

Chu Xun knew he couldn't persuade him, so he could only say, "Go and ask Lord Tang first, and then we'll talk. Remember, don't act impulsively."

"You alone cannot shake the world; instead, you will bring disaster upon yourself and your family."

Huan'er understood this principle and nodded in agreement.

Looking into the room, Huan'er was about to speak when Chu Xun said, "She's already asleep. You can come back to visit her after you've finished asking Lord Tang."

Huan'er didn't know how Chu Xun knew whether the people in the room were asleep or not. She thought that her uncle was just making excuses because he was too worried about the implementation of his national policies.

A few crows that were familiar with Huan'er flew over and nuzzled his body.

Huan'er touched the crow's head. Over the years, its feathers had become harder and harder, like iron, yet they didn't hurt anyone when touched.

He said no more, got into the carriage waiting outside the courtyard, and left.

The wheels creaked and groaned on the road, gradually fading into silence.

Chu Xun sighed, then looked at the old crow beside him and asked in a low voice, "Didn't you find the fruit?"

The old crow flapped its wings, stirring up a cloud of dust, and cawed several times.

Although Chu Xun did not understand bird language, he understood its meaning.

Zhang Anxiu's health deteriorated day by day, and even with the help of old ginseng and many expensive medicinal herbs, it could only provide temporary relief.

Moreover, the more you take it, the less effective it becomes.

That's why Chu Xun remembered the fruit the crows had brought years ago, and sent them to find it again.

If the fruit were still there, even if there were ferocious beasts in the mountains that would be difficult for several second-rank martial artists to escape, he would still try his best to get it back.

Unfortunately, the crow went but returned empty-handed.

The fruit must have already been picked by someone or eaten by a ferocious beast.

The old crow leaned closer, lowered its head, and drooped its wings on the ground.

Chu Xun reached out and patted its head: "It's not your fault, you've done a great job."

He turned and went into the room. Sure enough, Zhang Anxiu was already asleep on the bed.

Chu Xun used his magical abilities to keep a close eye on his wife's condition at all times.

She walked slowly to the bedside. Several weasels opened their eyes but did not move, as if afraid of waking Zhang Anxiu.

Amidst the orange-yellow fur, Zhang Anxiu's white hair stood out prominently.

Even with Chu Xun's excellent eyesight, he could no longer find many black hairs.

She has really gotten old.

Chu Xun clenched her fingers, the sadness in her eyes growing even stronger.

A moment later, Zhang Anxiu suddenly opened her eyes and saw Chu Xun standing by the bed. She immediately called out, "Brother Xun."

Chu Xun concealed the sadness in his eyes and quickly sat down by the bed, taking her hand in his: "Why are you awake?"

Zhang Anxiu held his hand, her voice slightly low: "I dreamt of Dad."

"Dad waved to me and said he would take me to reunite with Mom and make me dumplings."

Chu Xun trembled upon hearing this, suddenly recalling that Li Shoutian had said the same thing when he passed away.

He unconsciously gripped her hand tighter, and Zhang Anxiu noticed, glancing at their clasped hands.

Then he laughed and said, "I'm not going. I still want to live with Xun-ge."

Chu Xun felt his eyes burning. He bent down and kissed his wife on the forehead.

Then he lay down beside her, reached out and brushed away the white hair on Zhang Anxiu's forehead, and said softly, "You did the right thing. We're not going. If you want to eat dumplings, you can make them yourself."

"Let's make them during the Chinese New Year, together with my older brother and sister-in-law."

"it is good."

Several days later.

The residence of the Minister of Revenue in Kyoto.

Huan'er sat upright in the chair, looking straight ahead.

Tang Shijun, dressed in casual clothes, held a piece of parchment and examined it closely.

His face was like an ancient well, showing no ripples whatsoever.

He was only twenty-nine years old when he left Zhangnan County.

He was already fifty-one years old when he became the Minister of Revenue.

His hair was gray, and he looked old.

Twenty-one years have passed, and this arrogant Lord Tang has become even more shrewd and powerful.

After a long while, he put down the parchment, looked at Huan'er, and asked, "What did Chu Xun say?"

My uncle asked me, "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Tang Shijun laughed upon hearing this and said, "That's indeed a question Chu Xun would ask. He's incredibly capable, yet he doesn't like to concern himself with worldly affairs."

Huan'er said, "Uncle values ​​family ties more than anything else."

"What is the teacher's opinion on this national policy?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Tang Shijun replied, "That would be an immense act of kindness!"

Huan'er was delighted, but Tang Shijun changed the subject: "But you can't do this."

"Is the teacher afraid that I'll end up like Scholar Dong, dying before I even get started?" Huan'er asked.

"It's good that you understand." Tang Shijun said, "This national policy is excellent and exactly what Jing Kingdom urgently needs, but the person who does this cannot be you."

"Anyone who does this will be hated by royalty, noble families, and powerful local gentry, and will surely die. Chu Xun doesn't want you to die, and naturally I don't want you to either."

Huan'er felt a pang of disappointment. Just because she didn't want to die, she was being abandoned?

If being an official only means worrying about life and death, what's the point? You might as well resign and go home to farm.

"teacher……"

Tang Shijun placed the parchment on the table and did not return it.

He looked at his only student and said, "So I'll do this."

Huan'er was stunned for a moment: "Didn't the teacher say that whoever does this will surely die?"

Tang Shijun laughed heartily: "Have you forgotten what your teacher was famous for in the court?"

Huan'er certainly wouldn't forget that Minister Tang's reputation has never been small.

He is best known for his arrogance.

It doesn't matter if you're a high-ranking official or a member of the imperial family.

In Tang Shijun's eyes, there are very few people in the world who are worthy of his attention.

Many people dislike him, but even those who dislike him the most will privately give him a thumbs up, acknowledging that he has the confidence to be arrogant.

"Starting today, you have three things to do."

"Before that, I will shield you from all attacks, both overt and covert, and pave a path for you."

Tang Shijun said this.

His tone wasn't loud, but it was as arrogant as ever.

It's as if even if every sword in the world were to strike, one would not die.

It's truly astonishing how arrogant someone can be.