Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 299 Appealing to Emotion and Reasoning
"Sun the Fool?"

Upon hearing Sun Zhigao's nickname "bandit of the underworld," Sheng Changquan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, finding it somewhat amusing.

"A big idiot?"

"That does sound quite fitting!"

Sheng Changquan stroked his chin, carefully recalling Sun Zhigao's actions, and for a moment he no longer found it strange.

After all, this guy is really quite stupid; calling him a big idiot wouldn't be an exaggeration.

After smiling, Sheng Changquan turned around again and started walking towards the Sun family's residence.

"Changqing, what do you think we need to do to deal with this fool?"

As Sheng Changquan walked, he waved to Xu Changqing, signaling him to come closer to talk.

"Master!"

Xu Changqing took a few steps and walked to Sheng Changquan's side. He bent down slightly and whispered, "Actually, Sun Zhigao has a very bad reputation among the scholars in Youyang!"

Xu Changqing was tall and strong, and his appearance was extremely "bold," making him look like a small giant.

Although Sheng Changquan was not short, definitely a head taller than the average person, he still appeared somewhat "short" compared to Xu Changqing.

At this moment, in order to appease Sheng Changquan, Xu Changqing could only lower his head and shrink back. With a stern, dark face, he said with disdain, "Young Master, you have no idea!"

"Most respectable scholarly families in Youyang would disdain associating with him!"

"Everyone thinks he's a good-for-nothing who just loafs around and waits to die, not worthy of being ranked with them at all, just a mere scholar!"

Fearing that his young master hadn't yet grasped his meaning, Xu Changqing continued, emphasizing Sun Zhigao's status among the scholars in their county.

"In other words, Sun Zhigao has essentially severed himself from the legitimate literary scene in Youyang!"

Of course, Xu Changqing's subtext was that Sun Zhigao was currently a member of the unorthodox literary circle in Youyang.

In other words, they are lazy people who do not strive for progress and only think about seeking pleasure and indulging in worldly affairs.

"hehe!"

When Sheng Changquan heard that the scholars of Youyang City disliked Sun Zhigao, he couldn't help but smile, then nodded to himself, thinking, "That's more like it!"

"After all, aside from those scoundrels who want to scam some free meals, who in their right mind would bother with such a thing?"

Sheng Changquan curled his lip, his face showing deep disgust.

Ultimately, Sheng Changquan was also a scholar from Youyang, and it was understandable that he felt disgusted to find such a troublesome person in his own ranks.

Not to mention, this awful thing is his own cousin-in-law.

Xu Changqing glanced at Sheng Changquan furtively and noticed that his expression was quite unpleasant. However, since this was only directed at Sun Zhigao, he wasn't too worried. He simply continued, "So, young master!"

"Do you think we could start here and get a few people to trick Sun Zhigao into agreeing to the divorce with the eldest daughter of the Dong family?"

Xu Changqing's eyes lit up, and he began to put his intelligence to use.

"Find someone?"

Sheng Changquan instantly understood Xu Changqing's meaning, knowing that he wanted to find someone to "persuade" Sun Zhigao to withdraw voluntarily.

After all, sometimes, advice from friends is more effective than advice from others!

However, Sheng Changquan did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked with a half-smile, "Who are you looking for?"

"Could it be that you, Changqing, know someone with such abilities?"

"hey-hey!"

Xu Changqing chuckled and said, "Young Master, there are actually many such people, just like those swindlers who specialize in fraud. They do this for a living."

"As far as I know, Sun Zhigao's favorite 'friends' used to be these people from the swindling world, and I happened to get to know them a few years ago."

"So, if you need their help, I can get in touch with them!"

Xu Changqing assumed that Sheng Changquan had affirmed his plan, so he readily assured him, "Young Master, don't worry!"

"The people I know are the ones who specialize in scamming spendthrifts like Sun Zhigao. They're the real experts at dealing with Sun Zhigao!"

"Besides, Sun Zhigao is just a fool, so fooling him is no problem at all!"

At this point, Xu Changqing couldn't help but show a smug look on his face. He felt that his idea was brilliant and perfectly suited to the current situation.

If he weren't so embarrassed, he would have loved to applaud himself and give himself a shout-out!

Thinking of this, Xu Changqing couldn't help but chuckle, looking as silly as a gorilla that had stolen a peach!

but!

Just as Xu Changqing was feeling smug, he heard a muffled thud!
"Oh!"

Xu Changqing felt a sharp pain on his head, and the sensation of being hit on the head with a hammer immediately surged into his heart!
"Ouch!"

Xu Changqing let out a miserable cry, quickly covering his head, then pointed at Sheng Changquan with a face full of grief and indignation, accusing him: "Young Master, you..."

"What...are you doing?"

He rubbed the large bump on his head, looking utterly sad!

"Young Master, what... what are you trying to do?"

Xu Changqing was in a terrible mood; he felt he had been subjected to a tremendous injustice!

His idea was clearly excellent, so why did he end up receiving a heavy blow from his young master instead of a reward?

"Is it possible?"

"Is my young master... jealous of me?"

Xu Changqing looked suspiciously at Sheng Changquan beside him and began his own "brainstorming" to deduce the reason for the matter.

"Could it be that the young master himself didn't think of this idea, so..."

"So that's why you...treat yourself like this?"

Upon realizing this, Xu Changqing immediately understood—it was because Sheng Changquan was jealous of him!

Having figured out the crux of the matter, Xu Changqing's gaze towards Sheng Changquan began to turn somewhat strange.

It was so eerie that his eyes contained a mixture of smugness, sympathy, and encouragement.

"Ok?"

"What's that look in your face?"

Noticing the strange look in his eyes, Sheng Changquan couldn't help but glare fiercely at Xu Changqing!

"And Changqing, do you think I hit you on purpose to play a prank?"

Although he didn't know what Xu Changqing was thinking, Sheng Changquan had a feeling that what the other party was thinking was probably not very serious. However, he wasn't in a hurry for that right now, but was concerned about what he had always told Xu Changqing.

"Xu Changqing!"

"How many times have I told you this!"

"No matter when or what the situation, we must never underestimate others!" Sheng Changquan truly did not expect that Xu Changqing would have such malicious thoughts about him. He just looked at the man in front of him with a look of disappointment and frustration.
"Changqing, you must remember, there is no one in this world who is truly a fool!"

Even someone who is born stupid must have a brilliant and resourceful side. We must be careful and cautious in everything we do, and we cannot be careless in the slightest!

Even if he's the kind of guy the world calls a fool!

Sheng Changquan stared intently into Xu Changqing's eyes and solemnly added, "Sometimes, when you laugh at someone for being a fool, they might actually think you're the fool!"

"But!"

"Young Master, that Sun Zhigao is indeed not a smart guy!"

Although he knew he had misunderstood, Xu Changqing was still somewhat unconvinced!

He disregarded the pain in his head and quickly lowered his hand, arguing with Sheng Changquan, his face flushed red: "Furthermore, if this guy really had a brain, he wouldn't have squandered the Sun family's ancestral property back then!"

"So, it really doesn't matter if I scheme against him!"

Xu Changqing still despised Sun Zhigao, feeling that the other party was not a threat at all.

"and!"

"Doesn't the matter of the eldest daughter of the East Mansion prove how stupid Sun Zhigao is?"

Xu Changqing was still unconvinced and kept looking for reasons, hoping to prove that Sun Zhigao was "incompetent" and harmless.

"Ah!"

Upon hearing Xu Changqing's words, Sheng Changquan let out a cold laugh!
"Is he stupid?"

"I think it's you who's the stupid one!"

Seeing that Xu Changqing was not convinced, Sheng Changquan immediately launched into a tirade of insults.

"Changqing, let me ask you, if he really is brainless, how could he have passed the imperial examinations at the age of eleven or twelve and won the amazement of everyone in Youyang City?"

"This……"

Xu Changqing was somewhat speechless after Sheng Changquan's question.

"possible……"

"...Maybe...this guy is just good at studying?"

Xu Changqing racked his brains and retorted directly, "Besides, young master, look at him now, isn't he stuck on the provincial examination?"

"So, I think the reason this guy was able to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar was probably...maybe just because of luck!"

"Otherwise, how come he's still just a scholar?"

Xu Changqing's voice gradually lowered, as if he was somewhat lacking in confidence.

However, Xu Changqing was unaware that the situation he described did indeed exist.

However, he didn't like reading, so he wasn't sure if what he said was true. Therefore, after expressing his thoughts, he felt somewhat powerless and didn't even dare to shout.

"Humph!"

Sheng Changquan was naturally aware of the likelihood of this happening, but he did not intend to say it.

After all, he didn't want to contradict himself; in any case, fooling Xu Changqing was part of his daily routine.

"Changqing, since that's the case, why don't you put yourself in their shoes and see what it's like!"

"Let's see if you happen to have that luck?"

Sheng Changquan looked at Xu Changqing with amusement, but his words were extremely sarcastic!
"This this……"

Xu Changqing could only lower his head in "shame" and remain silent.

After all, it was simply impossible for him to study!
Sheng Changquan had no intention of dwelling on this matter any further. He simply looked at Xu Changqing and offered a suggestion: "Actually, I think this guy is quite clever!"

Although Sheng Changquan was chatting and laughing with Xu Changqing, he kept walking at a constant speed, and the two of them were walking towards the Sun family's location at an extremely fast pace.

"However, this guy is probably too smart, which is why he's lazy and doesn't want to work hard!"

Sheng Changquan immediately guessed Sun Zhigao's thoughts, thinking that the other party probably didn't intend to give up studying at the beginning, but only wanted to take a break and relax.

Unexpectedly, influenced by the praise of those around him and his own inertia, he became extremely lax and eventually gave up on the promising but arduous path of the imperial examinations.

Now that Sun Zhigao has been "relaxing" for many years, how could he possibly go back to this path?
Regardless of whether he has the ability, his immense perseverance is something he could never possess. Therefore, he can only "live freely in the world and enjoy life to the fullest."

Looking at Xu Changqing, Sheng Changquan continued, "Although Sun Zhigao no longer focuses on the classics, it is undeniable that compared to the Sun family's previous state, and comparing it to the current state of the Sun family!"

"Changqing, think about it carefully. Do you really think it's easy to do this?"

"Ah? This..."

"Changqing, you must remember not to rely too much on what is circulating outside."

"We must learn to see through appearances to the essence and understand the core issues behind things!"

"Otherwise, if we really take the rumors circulating outside as true, we don't know how many detours we'll take and how many beatings we'll suffer!"

"..."

Sheng Changquan elaborated on his philosophy of "prudence" in an endless stream, his purpose being to teach Xu Changqing to be steady and cautious.

"Yes, Master, I understand!"

Although there was still some pain in his head, Xu Changqing had no energy to pay attention to it anymore, because his heart was filled with a sense of defeat.

After all, the solution he painstakingly devised ended in a disastrous defeat.

However, Xu Changqing did not expect one thing—that Sheng Changquan never seemed to have rejected his methods...

Just as Xu Changqing was feeling lost, the Sun family arrived.

……

Sun family.

In the same courtyard where Shulan had been forced to kneel as punishment, Sun Zhigao and his mother, Sun Huangshi, dismissed the servants and began to discuss their plan.

"Son!"

"So, when are you going to go to the Sheng family and bring Shulan back?"

At this time, Madam Sun was still "still thinking about" Shulan, completely unaware that the Sheng family had already begun to plan for a divorce.

"catch?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhigao jumped up without even thinking!
"Mom, what are you talking about?"

"Does Shulan, the daughter of a merchant, deserve for me to personally come and fetch her?"

As if he had been greatly insulted, Sun, the scholar, immediately jumped up and retorted indignantly, "Mother, your son is a scholar, a high-ranking official. Does the Sheng family deserve him?"

"Oh, son, please stop talking!"

At this moment, Sun Huangshi's face did not show her usual pride, but instead revealed a rare hint of fear.

Thank you to reader 2021030110411896742 for the donation! (I've been sleeping until now, I'll finish revising quickly and then continue writing...)
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(End of this chapter)