Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 116 Influence

Chapter 116 Influence
"Ah? Is it that white jade dragon turtle inkstone?"

Someone who knew Manager Wang's background was immediately shocked and exclaimed, "That thing is his most prized possession! It's the apple of his eye!"

"What? He really changed?"

The man looked utterly incredulous!

Not only this person, but even those who were unaware of the Dragon Turtle Inkstone all looked at Xu Changqing, hoping to find out what happened next.

Although they didn't know exactly how valuable the Dragon Turtle Inkstone was, whatever it was, as long as it could make Tie Suanpan willingly give it up, it must be something extraordinary!

I just don't know if this is true or false.
Xu Changqing nodded in agreement.

"boom!"

Suddenly, a thunderclap erupted from the ground!

Suddenly, everyone chose to believe what Xu Changqing said, and at the same time began to admire this scholar named Sheng Changquan.

Of course, this is not because they are simple and honest, but because of Manager Wang, a businessman known as "the iron abacus"!
After all these years of dealing with each other, how could they not know about "Iron Abacus"?
therefore.

"It seems that this new county magistrate is indeed remarkable!"

"Absolutely! I think this guy's handwriting is probably terrifying!"

"Who says it's not?"

"If it can cause this man surnamed Wang to bleed so badly, then Sheng Changquan's story is probably not fake!"

"..."

Seeing the scene become so lively, Xu Changqing was naturally satisfied. At the very least, he had completed his young master's task.

So he took the opportunity to slip out of the crowd and escape like a cicada shedding its shell!
Fortunately, people were very enthusiastic about this kind of gossip, as if people had an unusual obsession with these things in their bones. This allowed Xu Changqing to slip away unnoticed and avoid leaving any trace of his exposure.

Everything began to proceed according to Sheng Changquan's plan.

……

As a result, Sheng Changquan's name became more and more widely known as these people spread his fame.

After all, stories of talented scholars gaining wealth through their abilities always attract the attention of most people, and their entertainment value and educational significance align with the subjective views of the general public. This is the prevailing theme in the imperial court, so the rumors spread openly and legitimately will naturally be even more rampant.

Therefore, when the prefectural examination began, not only the common people outside, but also the chief examiner, Lord Cui, heard the news.

Inside the examination hall.

"Lord Luo, is this Sheng Changquan the top official in this county case?"

Lord Cui asked a colleague standing next to him.

"That's right!"

Magistrate Luo, standing nearby, smiled and said, "This young man is indeed the top scholar in this county examination!"

Logically, the chief examiner of the county examination should be the incumbent county magistrate. However, because it is located under the emperor's nose and there are many dignitaries, the chief examiner of Yin County's county examination has always been someone directly sent by the Hanlin Academy of the imperial court. This time, it was the same for Lord Cui Yue.

"Lord Luo, I recall that the top scholar in this county's examination was only mediocre?"

"Not particularly outstanding, is it?"

Cui Yue frowned, thought carefully for a moment, and then slowly said, "I think the handwriting in his papers is just ordinary, nothing special!"

"There's nothing special about it, and there's nothing to praise about it."

"In my opinion, these characters are barely passable and would only earn a 'good enough' rating from someone else!"

"How could it possibly attract the people to flock to it?"

Lord Cui expressed his doubts.

"Hahaha!"

Magistrate Luo's mustache twitched upon hearing this, and he chuckled as he asked, "Oh? So that's how Brother Ziyong sees it?"

"I'm afraid that's not entirely true."

Before Cui Yue could speak, Magistrate Luo pointed at him and shook his head, continuing to deny it, "I think Magistrate Cui is trying to cover up the truth!" "If Magistrate Cui really doesn't appreciate this young man, why would he have chosen him as the top scholar in the county?"

"You know, this handwriting is also one of the criteria for judging the top scholar in the county!"

Lord Luo looked at Lord Cui with a smile, his face full of "wit".

Cui Yue opened his mouth but was speechless, unable to utter a single word.

There's nothing we can do; that old man surnamed Luo is just so accurate!
In fact, Cui Yue really admired Sheng Changquan's literary talent... and his calligraphy.

As a representative of late bloomers, Cui Yue's favorite type of writing is the kind that is steady and has a strong potential, and Sheng Changquan's writing style is also influenced by his tendency to be reclusive.

In fact, it is the way of "surviving".

Furthermore, when Sheng Changquan took the county exam, he used the most common and square handwriting to answer the questions. Although he might not receive extra points from the examiners for his neat handwriting, at least he wouldn't lose points and affect his score.

Of course, this is under normal circumstances.

Unexpectedly, the examiner, Cui Yue, preferred this kind of "hidden personality" and unassuming handwriting.

Although Cui Yue was not a person who abused his power for personal gain, people still have their own preferences, and are thus influenced by them in a tangible and intangible way.

Therefore, under the influence of this subconscious, Sheng Changquan's essay actually received the best "extra points" in the examiner's mind. In addition, he himself was also knowledgeable and his understanding of the classics was sound. All these factors combined made Sheng Changquan the top scorer in the county examination.

"Lord Luo, you..."

Cui Yue was speechless for a moment.

Fortunately, Lord Luo didn't intend to take it seriously and offend Cui Yue. He just smiled and said, "Haha, Lord Cui, don't be in a hurry!"

"Yesterday, after hearing about this, I actually went to the Zhegui Inn and secretly took a look!"

"Oh, Lord Cui may not know this, but ever since Sheng Changquan's literary fame spread, Manager Wang of Zhegui Inn has framed this poem and hung it in the main hall of the inn."

Lord Luo smiled and remarked, "I must say, I've discovered that Sheng Changquan's calligraphy skills are truly terrifying!"

He shook his head, seemingly still immersed in the scene: "Steel and iron-like, vigorous and powerful, it truly stands alone, qualified to establish its own school!"

"Oh? Really?"

Cui Yue was starting to believe it!
After all, Magistrate Luo is no fool; he was once a top-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations!

"nature!"

Lord Luo endorsed Sheng Changquan: "If Lord Cui doesn't believe it, he can go and see for himself after the prefectural examination!"

"Tsk tsk! That calligraphy... even I'd like to take this opportunity to get a piece from him!"

Lord Luo expressed his feelings.

"In this case!"

Lord Cui began to have doubts: "Could it be that Sheng Changquan was hiding his true abilities during the county examination?"

"when!"

At this time, many candidates who had passed the county examination were already entering the examination hall for the prefectural examination.

"My lord, everything is ready!"

A patrolling general stepped forward to inform them.