The establishment of the Daoist School was spearheaded by Xu Qing, but as for the details, it was left to Xiong Chan and the others to discuss among themselves.

Xu Qing's intention was very clear.

He was responsible for acting as a referee, while the actual contention for benefits was a matter for the Great Zen Temple, Dragon Tiger Mountain, and other cultivation sacred lands of the past.

The Daoist School essentially formed a substantive Dao Skill alliance.

This would aid in the development and utilization of Dao Skills.

Xu Qing always believed that using Dao Skills for harm was akin to forsaking the fundamentals for trifles; they should be employed in various aspects beyond killing.

Martial Arts, on the other hand, should be more focused on the art of killing the enemy.

By founding the Daoist School, he was essentially guiding the Dao Skill experts of the old era onto the right path.

This was an immensely benevolent act.

Moreover, cultivating Dao Skill experts was actually quite easy.

For instance, among the scholars of South Zhili, many promising talents could be selected.

Because the imperial examination itself is a selection process.

Without a background, if one is not capable of concentration, it's difficult to pass the first exam to become a scholar, let alone a higher scholar.

One could say that those who pass to become scholars are certainly far superior to ordinary people in the Daoist Visualization Soul Meditation aspect.

This gives these scholars a new path.

The Court cultivates its own Dao Skill experts through the Daoist School for use in overseas invasions, which is quite suitable.

Because overseas, there's no suppression on Dao Skills by the Central Plains Dynasty destiny, which is very favorable for Dao Skill experts.

Imagine under the strength augmentation by the Great Yu Dynasty, employing mechanisms and Dao Skills, the Great Yu Dynasty could absolutely gain tenfold or even a hundredfold benefits from overseas.

Additionally, it can expand territory and absorb the current surplus population of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Even at that time, the Great Yu Court might find the grassroots labor force insufficient.

It's also a good thing for the grassroots laborers of the Great Yu Dynasty, as domestically they are mere laborers, but abroad, they are dignified people of the Heavenly Dynasty!

Xu Qing had to admit, his vision was actually quite limited.

He could only think of ways to oppress the barbarians to divert domestic conflicts within the Great Yu Dynasty.

After all, resolving conflicts is too troublesome; diverting conflicts is evidently much easier.

The Heavenly Demon is best suited for such tasks.

Xu Qing derived some satisfaction when devising this plan.

…

…

"Do you mean to maintain a defensive stance against the grasslands and Liao Dong, and even continue to withhold against the Western Regions and Tubo?" Xu Qing proposed his idea to the old Emperor.

The current border conflicts were still quite intense.

Even so, Xu Qing ordered General Yu and the Nine Borders generals to hold on, with no intention of counter-attacking.

Because launching a counter-attack against the grasslands and Liao Dong could easily deplete the hard-earned national strength of the Great Yu Dynasty, even winning would yield no significant benefits.

After all, they are impoverished regions.

Xu Qing thought very clearly that as long as they endure until the national strength is sufficient, directly laying down railroads would ensure that the grasslands and Liao Dong would no longer pose a significant problem—this was an absolute fix.

For the ultimate victory, certain concessions are necessary.

Just like the principles of Tai Chi Fist, storing power is akin to drawing a bow, releasing power is like shooting an arrow.

He explained his reasoning.

The old Emperor responded slowly, "What you mentioned about the Southern Ocean Immortal Rice, does such a thing truly exist?"

"Absolutely true, besides, overseas there are high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes. Once these things are introduced, even constant natural disasters won't cause the Country to fall into a doomed situation."

What Xu Qing actually referred to as the Southern Ocean Immortal Rice was Southern Yue's Champa Rice, which had already begun to be promoted in the Southern Fujian area, but the Champa Rice strain of Great Yu still had obvious deficiencies.

Xu Qing meant to send troops directly, seizing the rice strains and planting techniques together and promoting it in Jiangnan.

This was also about promoting the excellent tradition of the Central Earth Dynasty.

Actually, spices in the world, aside from Tianzhu, are rare commodities.

But now the Great Yu Dynasty was not lacking in spices, thanks to the Central Plains Dynasty having seized many spice seeds and related planting techniques.

The Great Yu Dynasty has all kinds of terrain and climate present; there always exists regions resembling the climate and environment of spice origins, which provides a foundation for transplanting spices. The Central Plains Dynasty has always been a very enterprising and pioneering force throughout history.

The old Emperor: "The matter of disaster victims won't affect the overall situation, will it?"

Xu Qing sighed: "Now the Official Army is suppressing everywhere, generally speaking, there will not be serious, harmful unrest."

Even though Xu Qing diverted grain using salt merchants, the priority was still the Official Army, followed by disaster victims.

As for the refugee army that directly rebels, the Ministry of War's opinion is to kill them on the spot.

Xu Qing's view is that although killing is acceptable, the disposal of bodies must be handled well, otherwise it would cause plagues.

Once the plague breaks out, even without a cult, it will cause extremely terrifying problems.

In the past, during the Battle of Red Cliff, according to historical records, there's a strong possibility that the failure of Cao's army was closely related to the epidemic.

Now, with the widespread dissemination of coal by the Ministry of Industry, even common people can afford a bit of coal, thus Xu Qing advocated boiling water in Yingtian Prefecture and Jiangning Prefecture.

Reducing the intake of raw water is absolutely beneficial without harm.

In addition, various local postal stations also operate tea stalls, which can help reduce the burden on the postal stations.

Actually, postal stations are also a significant expenditure item for the Court.

All along, there were Pure Stream suggestions to cut postal stations and retain some functions, leaving the rest to be run by private sectors.

Xu Qing knew very well they couldn't be cut, advocating strongly against it.

Furthermore, he planned to integrate the Dragon Gate Escort Agency under the Great Zen Temple with postal stations, forming the prototype of a postal service, and even issue stamps.

He had already thought of the stamp name; using Dao Skills to create a batch of limited editions could be sold at high prices.

No matter how savvy Xiong Chan might be, Xu Qing's strategy was something even Xiong Chan couldn't counter.

Because those who work for the Escort Agency earn their living risking their lives.

If there's a chance to draw government salary, it's an honor for the family.

If Xiong Chan obstructs everyone's progress.

No matter how esteemed a Martial Saint, one day will come when he returns to dust.

When one dies, no matter how exceptional or talented, one is but a handful of dirt.

If Xiong Chan doesn't want to be a villain of the Great Zen Temple, he must support this matter.

After discussing with the old Emperor, Xu Qing then assigned Fayue and the Head of Escort Huang Tianhu from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency to handle this.

With Xu Qing's written orders, the Court naturally cooperates.

Xu Qing also used these major and minor matters to gradually draw Xiong Chan into his own system.

The Great Monk now finds it impossible to jump off the bandwagon.

Frankly speaking, once accustomed to Xu Qing's operations and after benefiting the monks of the Great Zen Temple.

On the surface, Xiong Chan remains unquestionably the Abbott, yet Xu Qing is the true Supreme Emperor.

The key is that Xu Qing was completely acting under the guise of benefiting Xiong Chan and fighting for the Great Zen Temple's interests!

…

…

Xu Qing now advanced cautiously, moving quickly but without interference, even complementing each other.

He then proceeded to find Meng Yuxuan.

Under the orders of the old Grand Secretary, Meng Yuxuan trained the Sea Defense Guards, and now the strength of the Imperial Navy was growing ever stronger.

Xu Qing planned next to have the Imperial Navy cooperate initially with the East Sea Gang to invade the Southern Ocean, seizing Immortal Rice and other high-yield crops.

After dealing with Southern Ocean, not only would benefits greatly increase, but dealing with the Eastern Barbarians wouldn't present the risk of being attacked from both sides.

All plans under Xu Qing's arrangement proceeded methodically.

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