Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 113 Leaving Ink
"Yo!"

"Young Master Sheng, you've come out!"

The innkeeper of Zhegui Inn was originally standing behind the counter calculating his shop's daily income with an abacus, but as soon as he saw Sheng Changquan come down from upstairs, he immediately rushed over to greet him.

"Ok?"

"What's wrong, shopkeeper?"

Sheng Changquan immediately noticed the glint in the other man's eyes and couldn't help but smile and ask, "Is there something you need?"

"hey-hey!"

The shopkeeper grinned, revealing a slightly embarrassed smile: "Young master, you have such discerning eyes! You saw right through this old man's thoughts!"

At this time, there weren't many guests in the inn. There was only a table of scholars dressed as students talking loudly, as if they were showing off their abilities. Judging from their appearance, it seemed that someone had passed the exam.

Ignoring the other customers, the innkeeper rubbed his hands together, carefully approached Sheng Changquan, and said, "Young master, actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh?"

Sheng Changquan led Xu Changqing to a table by the window, sat down, and asked, "What can I do for you, sir? If it is within my power, I will certainly do my best to help!"

Sheng Changquan didn't say everything he wanted to say, but he subtly expressed his attitude.

"That would be great!"

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he quickly seized the opportunity, saying, "Actually, all you need to do is give your approval, young master!"

Seeing Sheng Changquan's probing look, the shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly, then cautiously asked, "May I ask, young master, did you achieve the top score in the county examination this time?"

"of course!"

Before Sheng Changquan could speak, Xu Changqing stood up abruptly!

Of course, Sheng Changquan couldn't say it himself at this time, so Xu Changqing, unusually, was "in sync" with his young master and volunteered to promote Sheng Changquan!

"Of all the candidates in the capital city this time, my young master came in first place and became the top scholar in the county!"

"The top case?"

The three guests at the only table perked up their ears and heard the commotion.

"Is he the ringleader in this case? Sheng Changquan?"

"Hmm, that should be right, but how can it be so small?"

"..."

The three students from the same year were discussing it animatedly.

"really!"

The shopkeeper was overjoyed and quickly congratulated him, "Oh, congratulations, young master!"

The shopkeeper bowed and offered his congratulations with a broad smile.

He looked even happier than Sheng Changquan himself!

Although the shopkeeper had already heard this news from Xu Changqing's shouting, it was just an accidental overhearing and not a reliable source. So he later had someone verify the news from outside. Now, hearing the person involved explain it again was naturally even better.

"Young Master Sheng!"

The innkeeper already knew Sheng Changquan's name when he stayed overnight, so he said, "Although it's a bit inappropriate, I'll still humbly ask that Young Master Sheng leave his calligraphy for my inn!"

"This old man believes that a scholar of such great talent as Young Master Sheng will surely be able to pass the imperial examinations with flying colors and be paraded through the streets on horseback in the future!"

The shopkeeper didn't mince words and said directly, "Of course, my shop won't make things difficult for Young Master Sheng. As long as Young Master Sheng would do me the honor of leaving his calligraphy, even if it's just the two characters 'Zhegui', I'm willing to offer you two hundred taels of silver!"

Generally, leaving an inn involves writing poems or songs praising the host's place. However, inns are generally considered low-class, not comparable to places where one can freely express their feelings about the beautiful landscapes. Therefore, apart from scholars concerned with making a living, few people are willing to write for them. Of course, it is a momentary pleasure for those who have achieved success in the imperial examinations to leave an inn at their place of stay.

Sheng Changquan was naturally aware of this.

However, he really didn't expect that he, who was just the top scorer in the county examination, could attract such an elegant event, and he was quite happy about it.

Moreover, it was a common custom for scholars to leave their calligraphy at inns, and the fact that the innkeeper of Zhegui Inn could say such "thoughtful" things pleased Sheng Changquan.

Moreover, the other party wanted "a hundred silver coins for every word," which was a considerable resource for Sheng Changquan.

It should be noted that at that time, one tael of silver was enough for an ordinary family of three to live on for half a year. Even for an official family like Sheng Hong's, two hundred taels was not a small amount for Sheng Changquan.

At the very least, Sheng Changquan's monthly allowance was only three taels of silver.

To this day, the monthly allowance that Sheng Changquan has accumulated, plus the small gold coins he received as gifts over the years, after deducting what he has spent, adds up to only about a hundred taels of silver.

"That's fine!"

Meeting the shopkeeper's eager gaze, Sheng Changquan did not refuse.

Of course, this was simply because he wanted to help others achieve their goals!

Absolutely, absolutely not because of that two hundred taels of advertising fee!
"Since the shopkeeper makes such a request, I have no choice but to respectfully comply!"

"it is good!"

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he immediately ordered the young assistant beside him, "Quick! Bring the best set of writing brushes and ink from the shop!"

After all, it's called Zhegui Inn, so it has a collection of many good things. At the very least, it has no shortage of top-quality writing implements.

"Yes, shopkeeper!"

The waiter understood his boss's intention and quickly ran to the back room, bringing out a set of top-quality writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

"Hehe, so the shopkeeper had already made all the preparations!"

Looking at the ink that had already been ground, Sheng Changquan smiled.

"Haha, it's thanks to Young Master Sheng's magnanimity that this old man didn't have to do anything in vain!"

While the two were talking, Xu Changqing quickly tidied up the clutter on the table in front of him, took the fine Xuan paper from the tray, spread it flat on the table, and took out a sandalwood wolf-hair brush, calling out, "Young Master!"

"Ok!"

Sheng Changquan took the wolf-hair brush, paused for a moment, and then wrote: "The spring breeze suddenly comes and awakens the guest, a hundred boats race against the narrow sky. I will first be granted a branch of cassia, so as not to disappoint my family back then."

"it is good!"

"What a poem!"

"As expected of the top scorer in the county this time!"

Before anyone knew it, the three examinees at the opposite table also came over, looking at Sheng Changquan's writing with constant amazement!
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up as he looked at the poem written by Sheng Changquan, and he exclaimed, "What a wonderful line! May I be the first to receive the laurel branch, and may my family not have failed me!"

As an innkeeper who caters specifically to scholars, he naturally possesses a certain skill; at the very least, he can discern good from bad.

"Young Master Sheng's unwavering spirit truly puts this old man to shame!"

"You're too kind, shopkeeper!"

Sheng Changquan remained calm and composed, showing no signs of alarm.

Many thanks to the generous donations from the following experts: Listening to the Wind and Weary of the Rain, Crazy Vatican, and Non-Smoking and Non-Drinking!

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(End of this chapter)