Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 399 The Ten Thousand Families of Yuzhou Have No Way to Repay Their Kindness
In Bianjing (Kaifeng), the Wan family might not be considered prominent, but in Yuzhou, they were a very well-known wealthy family.

The rise of Wanjia is quite a legendary story.

The Wan family's ancestors were not from any powerful or influential clans; in their early years, they were merely poor families with some assets.

However, as the saying goes, "A golden carp is no ordinary fish; it will transform into a dragon once it encounters wind and clouds."

During the reign of Emperor Taizu of this dynasty, when the dynasty was undergoing a period of great change and reform, the ancestors of the Wan family seized this once-in-a-century opportunity, poured all their wealth into joining the army, and fought bravely and bloodily, thus earning a fortune.

After the establishment of the new dynasty, the ancestors of the Wan family, due to old age and declining health, returned to their ancestral homeland.

However, the ancestor of the Wan family was a man of great strategic vision. Because his own bloodline was too small, he deliberately set aside the differences between families and gathered people of the same surname in the vicinity to form households within the clan, in order to strengthen the Wan family.

As time passed, through the efforts of three generations of the Wan family, and through intermarriage and other means, the head of the family finally united the entire Wan family into one unified entity.

Through the efforts of their ancestors, the descendants of the next two generations carried on the legacy of their forefathers and finally developed the Wan family into what it is today.

In Yuzhou, the Wan family was not only extremely wealthy, but also had many connections in the military. Otherwise, how could they have kept their tea plantations for generations?

However, compared to other aristocratic families that have been passed down for hundreds, even thousands of years, the Wan family is still just a newly rich family. Therefore, the Wan family has always guided its members to take the imperial examination.

After all, compared to their existing military connections, what the Wan family lacks most is development in the civil service.

It was precisely because of this that Wan Xiwen made many friends among literary figures and became acquainted with Jiang Xingzong.

……

"Young Master, do you think it's possible for the young master's classmate to find that person?"

After explaining things to Jiang Xingzong, Sheng Changquan and his servant did not linger. On the way back, Xu Changqing asked about it while driving.

"Speaking of which, that guy might not only have changed his name now, but he might have changed his appearance too!"

"We've seen this kind of thing before in the past few years!"

"Young Master, even if you draw Qiu Jie's previous appearance, you may not be able to find him!"

Xu Changqing was worried that Sheng Changquan's plan would fail, so he suggested, "How about I send a few brothers over? Maybe that way we'll have a better chance of success."

Sheng Changquan shook his head at this.

"No need, Changqing, you have other things to do."

"Moreover, it's not necessary to gain anything from the pieces along the way."

Sitting in the carriage, Sheng Changquan did not deny Xu Changqing's concerns, but explained, "I asked my cousin to find someone, but it was just a move that was deliberately made public."

"Do you really think the Wan family listens to us like that?"

"Ah? Isn't it?"

Xu Changqing asked curiously, "Just now, I overheard you talking. Didn't you say that the young master of the Wan family and the cousin were very close?"

"Now that the young master has asked, would he really refuse to help?"

"No, we will still help."

Inside the carriage, Sheng Changquan spoke up.

Because he had been sitting for quite a while, Sheng Changquan began to get restless. He twisted his neck, braced himself with his hands behind him, and casually leaned to one side.

"However, the Wan family is not ruled by Wan Xiwen, a junior."

"Moreover, Wan Xiwen is not a direct descendant of the Wan family. Their patriarch would not easily believe the words of a junior member of a collateral branch of the clan."

Sheng Changquan looked disdainful, somewhat speechless at this distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

"So, let's not put too much hope on this!"

"Hmm? Could it be?"

After listening to Sheng Changquan's explanation, Xu Changqing suddenly understood what his young master meant.

"Young Master, is this the 'secretly crossing the Chencang pass' story you told me before?"

"Are we planning to do something else in private?"

"Hmm, not bad, you finally understand."

Sheng Changquan smiled slightly: "Actually, the matter concerning Minister Yu's family is neither a big deal nor a small one. As long as we find out who is behind this scheme against Minister Yu, we can resolve this matter!"

Sheng Changquan's tone was decisive, clearly indicating that he already had a plan.

"That……"

"Alright, let's not talk about it now! There are too many people and too much gossip outside. Let's go back inside and talk about it!"

Seeing that Xu Changqing wanted to continue asking questions, Sheng Changquan interrupted him.

However, it's not entirely Sheng Changquan's fault. After all, it's always better to be cautious when you're out and about, lest someone overhears you.

Sure enough, in the Cheng family's courtyard in the distance, two little ones were hiding their figures and watching secretly.

……

"Miss, Young Master Sheng has already gone far away!"

In the courtyard, even after Sheng Changquan's carriage had driven far away and disappeared from sight, Cheng Shaoshang still craned her neck. Lianfang couldn't help but advise, "Miss, you've only just recovered, you absolutely mustn't catch a cold again!"

"Oh, I know!"

Cheng Shaoshang didn't really appreciate his maid's concern.

After Sheng Changquan's carriage had completely disappeared from sight, Cheng Shaoshang withdrew his gaze and asked softly, "Lianfang, tell me, how can I repay this young master Sheng?"

"He doesn't look like someone who lacks anything."

Because Sheng Changquan has always paid great attention to his public image, in the eyes of outsiders, he has always maintained a calm, mature and steady demeanor, as if there were no difficult things in the world for him.

With the help of Minglan and the maids in Sheng Changquan's household, Sheng Changquan's image outside the home was also excellent.

Otherwise, Rong Feiyan wouldn't have been so infatuated with him.

"Yes, I also think that Young Master Sheng doesn't lack anything."

Lianfang is a bit simple-minded; she immediately forgot her initial advice after being asked such a simple question by Cheng Shaoshang.

"Young Master Sheng is the top scholar in the imperial examination, how could he possibly lack anything right now?"

Lianfang put herself in others' shoes: "Miss, think about it, if our young master were to pass the imperial examination with top honors, the Second Madam would probably be so eager to give him her heart. How could she possibly bear to let anyone lack anything?"

"I imagine the Sheng family is the same; they would never mistreat young Master Sheng."

"Hmph, do you think the Sheng family is the same as ours?"

Cheng Shaoshang rolled his eyes at Lianfang, but he had a different opinion.

"You don't know, the Sheng family, a family of scholars, is the least likely to spoil their sons. In fact, just because young Master Sheng became the top scholar in the imperial examination, they might push him even harder!"

"Huh? Is it that difficult?"

The lotus seedpod was greatly alarmed!

"Humph, that's natural!"

Cheng Shaoshang waved her hand, forcing a knowing look on her face, but in reality, she was incredibly embarrassed.

It seems she's pretending to know what she doesn't, again.

However, it's not a big problem; Lianfang is one of our own.

fine!

After figuring things out, Cheng Shaoshang quickly regained her composure, though she felt somewhat agitated.

"How can we repay this young master Sheng's favor?"

Cheng Shaoshang scratched his head in distress.

……

Not only was Cheng Shaoshang in a state of distress, but Lin Qinshuang, who was far away on the other side of the city, was also extremely panicked!

Thanks to Qingkuang and Shusheng for the monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)