"A month? In that case, by the time the army sets out northward, I’m afraid the Capital may already have been conquered."
"Conquered, then retake it," Xu Qing’s expression was calm, yet his tone was full of undeniable determination.
Chen Fu felt a chill in his heart and responded respectfully, "Yes."
"Yan Shan, expel anyone within the Recovery Society who speaks of such divisive rhetoric and hand them over to the Court for punishment."
"Elder Huo, the Inspection Bureau’s officers cannot idle either. The division between north and south severely harms the grand righteousness of the world; I hope the officers from the Inspection Bureau will stand up and clarify the matter of righteousness."
Huo Jing saw Xu Qing’s sharp gaze, like a knife, fall upon him and found himself unable to voice any opposition, only managing to reply, "Yes."
This time, Xu Qing did not muddle through the matter as he usually would or use benefits to entice everyone to act together.
He decisively wielded the butcher’s knife, and it was directed inward, not outward.
Many in South Zhili could not have imagined that Xu Liushou, the contemporary champion marquis, would return to Yingtian Prefecture and the first thing he would do is wield a knife against them, the southerners.
In an instant, the entire South Zhili was shaken by Xu Qing’s series of actions.
Xu Qing’s orders were swiftly disseminated, and suddenly, the entire South Zhili was filled with the Crane Call.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites dared not show any slack and took action, launching a thunderous crackdown on those spreading divisive rhetoric.
At that moment, the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture were often seen with government officers hastily escorting newspaper publishers’ bosses; the previously bustling newspaper offices now had their doors tightly shut, a dead silence pervading.
Those civil scholars stripped of their titles, some beat their chests and stamped their feet, regretting their momentary slip of the tongue; others still harbored hope, attempting to plead their case wherever possible.
However, Xu Qing’s orders were as rigid as iron, and no one could change them.
Many scholars were unwilling to comply and chose to resist, resulting in their entire families being implicated and their homes directly confiscated.
Chen Fu was even more overwhelmed, busy as he coordinated various resources for military funding and supplies while also dealing with the pleas from the families of scholars whose homes had been confiscated, and the pressure of personal relations behind these matters.
Inside the Recovery Society, Yan Shan was also anxiously conducting thorough investigations.
He understood the seriousness of this matter and personally led the core members of the Recovery Society to scrutinize every corner that might harbor issues, expelling any member found to support divisive rhetoric and handing them over to the Court without hesitation.
Huo Jing likewise dared not slack; he convened the entire group of officers from the Inspection Bureau to convey Xu Qing’s orders.
Furthermore, Huo Jing strongly supported Xu Qing’s stance this time, leaving no space for the officers to play freely.
Huo Jing was well aware that Xu Qing’s blade this time was directed inward, sparing no one from within; if others failed to grasp the situation, they would be unlikely to survive.
He also inwardly respected Xu Qing.
Because Xu Qing truly sacrificed his reputation to work for the good of the people.
This single majestic act alone was worthy of Xu Qing’s title as a Saint of the era.
Even an elderly man like Huo Jing found his blood boiling because of it.
Much less, he was indeed born a northern landlord!
Under Huo Jing’s strict orders, the officers enacted swiftly, some expressing themselves passionately on the Court, condemning the rhetoric dividing north and south; others went deep into the populace, through various channels, to elucidate the grand righteousness of the world to the people.
In no time, impeachment memorials from the Inspection Bureau flew to the Court like snowflakes, targeting not only those officials who expressed divisive rhetoric but also some nobles secretly supporting such rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Xu Qing’s series of measures caused a huge stir among the people.
Some citizens who initially supported divisive rhetoric began to reflect on their beliefs under the propaganda of the Inspection Bureau officers.
They gradually realized that while separating north and south might reduce taxes in the short term, it would ultimately bring enormous disasters to the entire nation in the long run. Official source ıs novel✦fire.net
However, there were also some who felt dissatisfied with Xu Qing’s approach, believing that his means were too harsh and infringed on their freedom of speech.
These individuals started secretly connecting and seeking opportunities to resist Xu Qing’s orders.
Xu Qing was handling various state affairs in his office.
He was not afraid of these trivial matters wearing him out; moreover, he was often able to seize the key factors in the midst of chaotic information, thereby unraveling the truth.
Besides, his Tai Chu Demon Qi didn’t increase during this period; instead, it decreased somewhat.
Clearly, his current actions greatly impacted his reputation.
But on the other hand, his Tai Shi Demon Qi increased significantly.
Everyone has private desires, nobles just as common people do.
Xu Qing was well aware that sometimes he had to commit acts that offended many stakeholders.
Even if those included his own people.
Even if bearing the nation’s shame, pointed at by countless fingers, he steadfastly marched on!
His blade could turn outward or inward.
"Those who would block my path, all may be slain!"
Xu Qing inexplicably remembered the Demon of Black Mountain.
In his view, the Demon of Black Mountain was precisely such a character.