I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 359 Imperial Majesty, the Way of the Ruler

To kneel or not to kneel, that is the question.

That's the downside of having an acquaintance as emperor. Xu Qing can't just pretend he doesn't know him, but now that he's recognized him, as a public subject of the Great Yan, he has to react, right?

Xu Qing's eyes flickered as she considered whether to take out her dog-beating stick and give the middle-aged man a whack, then later, like she had done years ago, give him a Forget-Me-Not Pill and pretend he had never been there.
But this is clearly only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

Fortunately, Xu Qing was knowledgeable and worldly-wise, and even without physical means, he had a way to resolve the awkward situation.

Xu Qing bowed deeply and said:

"Your Majesty, my status is special. I run a funeral shop and it is taboo for me to kneel before people. Therefore, I have no choice but to bow to greet you."

Xu Qinggang had just finished bowing when Zhu Huai'an, who had hurried a few steps forward, reached out and helped him up.

"Brother Xu, what are you doing? We're brothers, why be so distant?"

The chubby boy of yesteryear, now the Emperor of Great Yan, is holding Xu Qing's hand with an exceptionally sincere expression.

This chubby little guy
wrong.

Xu Qing's heart stirred slightly. The person in front of him was no longer the chubby boy from before, but an emperor who exuded an aura of authority without anger.

However, his memory was still stuck in the past. When they met again, Zhu Huai'an's expression and attitude were different from before, and even his figure had changed a lot.

Although Zhu Huai'an's gaze was indeed sincere, Xu Qing could still sense the difference between him and the Wu brothers.

"Your Majesty's continued friendship is truly admirable. However, there is a difference between superiors and inferiors. If Your Majesty insists that I address you as a brother, it would be putting me in an unjust position."

"Look at you, how can you be so old-fashioned?" Despite saying that, Zhu Huai'an still went along with it and changed his tune, saying, "Then I will call Brother Xu 'Qingjia', so that it will show that we are close."

"."

"卿家" is a title reserved for those who serve as ministers.

Zhu Huai'an's intentions are self-evident.

Sure enough, after only half an hour of conversation, Zhu Huai'an bluntly stated, "I owe my current success to the Nine-Character Mantra and those protective talismans given to me by Minister Xu back then."

"Now that my great cause has been accomplished, I should repay the kindness of the past."

Zhu Huai'an suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with determination, and said, "I wish to share this vast empire with you! In the court, you may join the cabinet and participate in confidential matters; in the future, no matter how rich or powerful you become, I will never let you down!"

After saying this, Zhu Huai'an took Xu Qing's hand again and said with high spirits, "Once you enter the cabinet, we, as ruler and subject, will be of one mind and will surely be able to eliminate the accumulated evils of the previous dynasty and establish the foundation of this dynasty."

"When that time comes, it will surely be a prosperous and peaceful era with abundant harvests and a clear river."

What does Brother Xu think?

Xu Qing remained unmoved when he saw Zhu Tianzi suddenly address him as Brother Xu.

"Your Majesty's kindness is truly touching, but I still cannot agree."

Xu Qing rose and went to the shop entrance. Looking out at the street, he pondered, "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; both the heat and experience are indispensable. Zhiyuan has followed His Majesty in his campaigns, while Wencai has governed the region for nearly a decade. Only these two can be considered to possess both virtue and talent. As for me..."

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Zhu Huai'an, and laughed, "I only know how to prepare and dispose of corpses, how could I cook? Let alone join the cabinet and advise on confidential matters."

"Your Majesty and I have known each other for many years and should know me well. Apart from this funeral business passed down from my master, nothing else can move me."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have passed the county-level imperial examination and then stopped taking the imperial examinations."

Zhu Huai'an frowned slightly. He had never thought that Xu Qing's decision not to continue taking the imperial examinations was for this reason. But if that was the case, why would Xu Qing take the examinations for the title of Xiucai (a lower-level scholar) with the Wu brothers?
Upon hearing Zhu Huai'an's question, Xu Qing quietly revealed the secret:
"A degree in the imperial examinations allows me to avoid kneeling before officials and also reduces my corvée labor and taxes, which is beneficial to my business."

Zhu Huai'an, being born into the family of a prince, would never care whether a scholar was exempt from taxes or had to kneel. Who could possibly make a prince kneel?

Upon hearing Xu Qing's explanation, Zhu Huai'an was speechless.

The reason for taking the imperial examination is truly simple!

But it would be too easy for Xu Qing to dissuade him from this idea.

Zhu Huai'an knew about some of the things that happened between the Wu brothers and Xu Qing. It could be said that if it weren't for Xu Qing, the Wu brothers wouldn't be alive today.

Without Xu Qing, Zhu Huai'an probably wouldn't have been able to reach the northern frontier, let alone destroy Dayong and establish his rule over the world.

How could someone who lives in the marketplace yet can influence the fate of the current emperor and two important ministers of the dynasty be an ordinary person?
Seeing the aloof corpse driver who had rejected him several times, Zhu Huai'an's fighting spirit only grew stronger.

The more unattainable something is, the more he wants to get it!
"Minister Xu, do not belittle yourself. When you gave me the Nine True Words, even the Marquis of Yongxiang praised them highly, believing them to be the key to my conduct."

Marquis Yongxiang was Gongsun Jin, a veteran minister who assisted Zhu Huai'an.

However, this title was bestowed upon Zhu Huai'an after he declared himself emperor.

After confirming Xu Qing's achievements, Zhu Huai'an took out a brocade pouch embroidered with a golden dragon pattern, inside which were several talismans whose effects were almost exhausted.

"In my early years, Mr. Xu gave me several amulets for peace and protection and amulets for exorcising evil spirits. I only thought it was a token of friendship. It was not until I was on the verge of death several times that I realized the wonderful uses of these amulets."

"After arriving in the capital, I specifically asked the Celestial Master to examine it. The Celestial Master said that this talisman must have been made by a highly skilled master who was proficient in talismanic arts."

Zhu Huai'an stepped forward, then suddenly clasped his hands in a deep bow and said, "I am well aware of your great talent, brother. I beg you not to forget our past friendship and to grant me your invitation today."

"."

Xu Qing reached out and helped Zhu Huai'an up, preventing him from actually bowing.

At this point, most people would find it impossible to refuse.

But Xu Qing was different; he didn't fall for that.

"Your Majesty just mentioned the Celestial Master? Is it the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion?"

"."

Zhu Huai'an reacted quickly, saying without hesitation, "I know that Minister Xu dislikes the Celestial Master's Mansion, but when I came to the capital in the past, I received great help from the Celestial Master's Mansion. If I were to do something like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose, I fear I would be criticized by the people of the world."

"Furthermore, the Celestial Master's Mansion is under my control, so I doubt they would dare to do what Minister Xu said, such demonic things."

Xu Qing looked at Zhu Huai'an and suddenly smiled:

“I only know how to do funeral business, I don’t know how to handle government affairs, let alone be an official. If Your Majesty really remembers our past relationship, you should let me stay in Tianjin and continue to work in this industry as a commoner.”

Zhu Huai'an's smile froze. He had specially asked Wang Liang and the Wu brothers, who had old ties with Xu Qing, to persuade him to come. Now, he had even disregarded his official duties and rushed from the capital.

Even if we were to imitate the story of the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, it would be no different. Do we really expect him to visit us three times?
Upon reading this, Zhu Huai'an pressed his hand down and earnestly requested again, "Mourning is a matter of ritual! Ritual begins with the coming-of-age ceremony, is rooted in marriage, and is most important in funerals and sacrifices. Minister Xu is skilled in funerals and sacrifices, which are precisely the most important matters in ritual."

“In that case, I shall ask Minister Xu to take over the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. Even if Minister Xu is unwilling to hold a high-ranking official position, I can still arrange a sinecure for him so that he can continue to perform the funeral rites.”

"."

Xu Qing never expected Zhu Huai'an to pull such a stunt, taking charge of all funeral and sacrificial rites for the entire dynasty.
How many people would be buried that year?

The death row inmates in the imperial prison and the imperial jail; ministers who died of old age or illness; and the royal funerals and various sacrificial rites that may be faced at any time in the future.
Xu Qing had to admit that he did waver for a moment.

But soon Sai Yuxian's figure appeared before his eyes, and at the same time, the White Bone Flowing Light Temple was clearing away his distracting thoughts.

Some things are not as simple as they seem on the surface. A monarch like Zhu Huai'an would never actually give him a sinecure and let him continue to do funeral affairs.

Once you enter the capital and receive the official seal and ribbon, regardless of your rank, it's as if you've been placed under a tight rein. Once a subject, always a subject.

Once he enters the imperial court, Zhu Huai'an will have countless reasons and methods to reassign him to a different official position. If he refuses, it would be fine if the two of them break off relations, but if his affairs affect the Wang siblings and the Wu brothers, it will inevitably cause him unnecessary trouble.

Xu Qing could see the implications of the situation. If he agreed to Zhu Huai'an's request, not only would he be able to handle the funeral arrangements and run the funeral business, but he would also find it difficult to return to Tianjin in the future.

He can't just overthrow the Great Yong and then break with the Great Yan right away; wouldn't the hard-won peace of the world fall into chaos again?

Aside from these, Xu Qing has many future plans that require the support of the imperial court, and compared to other matters, these are of paramount importance.

Xu Qing ultimately did not accept the olive branch offered by Zhu Huai'an.

Zhu Huai'an remained undeterred and invited him again, saying, "Since you are unwilling to serve as an official, I will not force you. However, this year I intend to establish an heir apparent. I have already ordered the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious date, and the Renyin day of the twelfth month is precisely an auspicious time when the dragon and tiger meet."

"I am on good terms with the Xu family, and the future crown prince will be the Xu family's nephew."

"If Minister Xu is unwilling to serve as an official, so be it, but he can't possibly refuse to go to the capital to witness his nephew's investiture ceremony, can he?"

"."

Xu Qing re-examined Zhu Huai'an, no wonder that little fat boy did something like sending a letter to three different people back then.

Inviting him to attend the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony today is an open conspiracy.

If he goes, and Zhu Huai'an offers him high-ranking positions and generous salaries in front of all the civil and military officials and the newly established crown prince, how could he possibly defy the imperial decree in public?

Although Xu Qing is really daring, if he does it without considering the consequences, it won't be easy for him to stay in Tianjin and be a carefree corpse driver in the future.

This Zhu fellow is clearly trying to use the pretext of appointing him as crown prince to force him into a corner!

Zhu Huai'an looked at Xu Qing with a smile.

He had already decided that as long as Xu Qing came to witness the ceremony of establishing the crown prince, he would appoint him as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and also arrange an excellent marriage for him, thus completely binding him to the Zhu family.

However, what Zhu Huai'an didn't expect was that Xu Qing, that old fox, had no intention of being manipulated by him at all.

"His Majesty intends to appoint an heir apparent this December?"

Xu Qing frowned deeply.

Zhu Huai'an's heart skipped a beat, and he asked somewhat uncertainly, "But is there something wrong with the date?"

Xu Qing shook his head and sighed, but remained silent.

Zhu Huai'an was extremely worried when he saw that the other person looked like they had been diagnosed with a terminal illness!
"Please speak frankly, Brother Xu!"

Tsk, this time he actually called me Brother Xu.

"It's nothing serious. To be honest, Your Majesty, I went to Quyang County years ago to settle an old grudge involving the abbot of Ruyi Temple, Daoist Baiyun."

Xu Qing recounted how the former Emperor Jingxing, Zhao Rong, sought elixirs to prolong the lives of himself and Emperor Longping.

However, he cut out some details, but the overall content was largely the same.

Even if Zhu Huai'an sent people to investigate, they would not find anything amiss.

“There is a demon in Baiyun Cave. Baiyun Daoist and Abbot Dingguang are both its henchmen. I inadvertently made a deadly enemy of it in my early years, and the day that demon is freed is just around the corner.”

Seeing Zhu Huai'an frown, Xu Qing added, "I have never liked to speak recklessly. No one knows about my feud with demons, but it is absolutely true that the demons of Baiyun Cave are about to be born."

"If Your Majesty has any doubts, you may consult the Heavenly Master's Mansion for divination. If there is anything unusual, it must be the work of the demons of White Cloud Cave!"

Zhu Huai'an, who had come with great determination, suddenly wavered. How did this discussion about governing the country and ensuring peace turn into a demonic doctrine?

Furthermore, how could a funeral shop owner like you be associated with the demons of Quyang County? Did you dig up the ancestral graves of demons?

Zhu Huai'an didn't quite believe Xu Qing's story, but the other party's logical and confident demeanor made him suspicious.

"I remember that Wu Wencai served as the magistrate of Danchi County in Quyang Prefecture back then, so he should be familiar with the demons and monsters that Minister Xu mentioned."

Xu Qing replied without missing a beat, "The matter of the Heavenly Book of Baiyun Cave is well-known in Quyang County. Brother Wencai must have heard of it."

“Your Majesty, that demon will be born within the next year or two. Given my enmity with it, if it is born, the first person it will seek out will be me. I do not wish to implicate anyone, much less affect Your Majesty’s appointment of a crown prince.”

"To be honest, Your Majesty, I will be setting off for Quyang within the next three to five days to settle things with that demon!"

Xu Qing had made up his mind that once he got to Quyang County, he would have countless ways to get rid of Zhu Huai'an's entanglement.

He could change his appearance, or pretend to be injured by demons and unable to enter the court. Even if he faked his death to escape, it wouldn't be impossible for the coroner's shop to be run by 'Xu Xuan' from then on.

However, just when Xu Qing thought everything was foolproof...

Zhu Huai'an, who had been frowning in thought, suddenly burst into laughter:
"Evil cannot prevail over good! How could a mere, despicable demon possibly stand against the mighty army of our Great Yan?"

"An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one. I didn't raise the Heavenly Master's Mansion for nothing. Minister Xu, you can rest assured. You protected me in the past, and today I will remove your worries!"

Looking at Zhu Huai'an, who exuded an aura of dominance and seemed to rule the world, Xu Qing suddenly remembered that the other party was also a founding emperor who led the three armies and pacified the world by force.

However, he didn't think Zhu Huai'an would still have such courage after learning the truth.

"Your Majesty, it is said that the demon was suppressed by the Heavenly Emperor, which is no small matter. Your Majesty would be better off seeking out an expert to ascertain the situation before making a decision."

"After all, my matter is small, but the safety of the world is of great importance."

Xu Qing didn't offer any further advice. Given Zhu Huai'an's personality, the other party would definitely seek advice from the Celestial Master of the Celestial Master's Mansion or other practitioners.

The Heavenly Fox of Baiyun Cave is a creature whose power a mere human king would have to pay a price far more than a few words to suppress.

Outside the coroner's shop, there was an elderly man with gray hair and a long beard, a fair-skinned, beardless man, and a Taoist priest following behind.

The auras exuded by these three individuals were extraordinary. If judged solely on martial prowess, even the formidable Wang Liang would likely be no match for them.

Xu Qing smiled faintly as he watched Zhu Huai'an leave.

Beside it, Xuan Yu lightly jumped onto the threshold. It glanced at the departing guests, then turned to look at Xu Qing.

"Is that man the emperor?"

Xu Qing nodded.

"The emperor is no good person. Xu Xian's family should have less contact with them in the future."

Xu Qing was speechless.

Clearly, this cat still harbors a grudge against the previous emperor who wanted to use it to make elixirs.

"Immortal Xuanyu, rest assured, I will definitely not associate with such scoundrels in the future."

"Good-for-nothing friends? Master Xu, don't let Senior Sister Yizhen and Master Qiuyu hear you say that."

"."

(End of this chapter)