Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 398: The Explanation Begins

Jiang Xingzong didn't speak, but nodded slightly, quietly looking at Sheng Changquan, waiting for him to continue.

However, although Jiang Xingzong did not speak, Sheng Changquan understood his meaning—

That means that no matter what it is, as long as his cousin can do it, he will definitely do it!

Sheng Changquan was deeply moved by this.

To be fair, Aunt Wei's family treated Minglan and her siblings exceptionally well.

"Cousin, you must have heard about Grand Secretary Yu's retirement!"

Since they were all on the same side, Sheng Changquan had no intention of beating around the bush.

"Ah."

Jiang Xingzong nodded and said, "I have indeed heard about this matter."

“It is said!”

"Grand Secretary Yu has already requested permission from the current Emperor to retire to his hometown, stating that he is old and senile, and his energy is not what it used to be. He wishes to step down and give way to a more capable person to spend his later years..."

Jiang Xingzong's expression became much more serious, and he asked quietly, "I just don't know if it's really true?"

Although Grand Secretary Yu is over sixty years old and is indeed quite old, looking at the court, how many people are willing, or rather, willing to retire at the peak of their political career?

Therefore, Jiang Xingzong was actually skeptical of such rumors.

"This is true!"

Sheng Changquan nodded firmly in response: "Grand Secretary Yu has no choice but to retire!"

Faced with his cousin's curious look, Sheng Changquan explained, "Actually, in the past few years, Grand Secretary Yu's health has indeed deteriorated significantly. In addition, some things have happened in his household, so..."

As he spoke, Sheng Changquan shook his head and said, "The old man really can't withstand any more of the turmoil of court affairs."

At this point, Sheng Changquan suddenly recalled the time he had given Grand Secretary Yu acupuncture, and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly—

Having given birth to such a wretched child as Yu Zhenghao, Grand Secretary Yu is truly cursed for eight lifetimes!
Sheng Changquan leaned close to Jiang Xingzong's ear and whispered another reason.

"Moreover, the matter of Grand Secretary Yu's abdication has already been made public before the Emperor."

"Therefore, this matter is definitely a done deal!"

Upon hearing of such a momentous event, Jiang Xingzong's expression became much more serious, especially after hearing the word "sage," which made him even more solemn.

Even his honest face seemed to carry a hint of piety.

Sheng Changquan was, after all, an outsider, so even though he had lived in this world for more than a decade, he still found it difficult to feel the same awe that ordinary people had for the royal family.

Upon hearing what Sheng Changquan said, Jiang Xingzong sighed, "I didn't expect the rumors to be true? Is Grand Secretary Yu really going to retire?"

Jiang Xingzong was slightly taken aback: "Actually, I also saw Grand Secretary Yu once in the city from afar."

"At the time, although he looked tired, he was still quite energetic. I really didn't expect..."

"Heh, just a misfortune for the family!"

Seeing this, Xu Changqing swallowed the flower tea in his mouth with a "gulp" and muttered softly.

"Shut up!"

Sheng Changquan glared fiercely at Xu Changqing!

Because of his keen senses, he heard Xu Changqing's complaint immediately. However, considering that Jiang Xingzong was nearby, Sheng Changquan could only give him a serious warning with his eyes.

The matter concerning Yu Zhenghao is of utmost importance. If we are not careful, it could very well cost the lives of everyone in the Yu family. That is why Sheng Changquan gave Xu Changqing a stern warning to prevent him from speaking out recklessly.

Fortunately, Xu Changqing's voice was not loud, and Jiang Xingzong was still recalling the scene from back then and did not react for a moment, so the matter was not spread.

In fact, Xu Changqing was not a fool. He only said this because he felt that Jiang Xingzong was not an outsider, hence his attitude.

But after Sheng Changquan's cold gaze, he immediately realized his mistake, shrank back, and silently pretended to be dead.

Sheng Changquan stared at him intently, as if he were looking at a dead man!
After a long while, until Jiang Xingzong came to his senses, Sheng Changquan withdrew his gaze, turned his head, and said, "Cousin, what I'm talking about is related to this matter." "Oh? How so?"

Upon hearing Sheng Changquan's words, Jiang Xingzong immediately frowned, feeling somewhat uneasy.

After all, the two of them were just ordinary people. Even if the Sheng family had some official influence, how could they get involved in such important court affairs?

"Hehe, cousin, don't worry."

Seeing Jiang Xingzong's worry, Sheng Changquan smiled and comforted him, "It's not what you think."

"Actually, you also know about my good friend Shenli."

"He is the son of Minister Shen of the Ministry of Revenue."

Jiang Xingzong's expression did not change, clearly indicating that he was aware of the matter as well.

It was precisely because Sheng Changquan's close friends were all sons of powerful and influential families that Jiang Xingzong believed his cousin's stories about court affairs without any doubt.

To increase his leverage, Sheng Changquan continued, "Cousin, as you know, my grandmother and Madam Yu have been close friends for many years, so..."

Sheng Changquan didn't finish his sentence, but Jiang Xingzong understood its meaning.

It seems that Shen Shouzheng, the Minister of Revenue, wants to join the cabinet.

Seeing that Jiang Xingzong understood, Sheng Changquan immediately changed the subject and continued, "That's why my friend wanted to ask me to do something and find someone."

Although he was working for Shen Shouzheng, Sheng Changquan only used the trial of rituals as a pretext.

"Find someone?"

Jiang Xingzong looked puzzled.

"Cousin, I'm really not good at finding people!"

"Hehe, cousin, don't be in such a hurry!"

Sheng Changquan smiled and waved his hand, then whispered, "Cousin, I remember you once said that you had a classmate in Yuzhou whose family were tea merchants in Yuzhou?"

"Yes, that's true!"

When facing his cousin, Jiang Xingzong did not hesitate to reveal the background of his classmate.

"My classmate was named Wan Xizong. His family had been tea merchants for generations and were quite well-known in Yuzhou."

"Well, that's right."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Changquan raised an eyebrow, a hint of certainty flashing in his eyes.

"I've heard of the Wan family before. They're not some small family in Yuzhou; they've been tea merchants for over five generations."

"Moreover, thanks to the efforts of their predecessors in this generation, many members of their clan have entered the imperial court and joined the army. Their family can be considered a local power in that area."

“Indeed!” Jiang Xingzong nodded. “I’ve heard Brother Wan say that their family is indeed quite powerful in the area!”

"That's good!"

Sheng Changquan lowered his voice again and whispered, "Cousin, I just want you to ask Brother Wan to ask his family to find someone named Qiu Jie."

"Of course, he may no longer be called Qiu Jie, but has changed his name."

A dark glint flashed across Sheng Changquan's face.

"However, don't worry, I already have a portrait of this person. Please use it to help me find him..."

……

As the matter of Sheng Changquan joining the cabinet progressed, he gradually began to enter an even larger vortex.

Thanks to my name, Nufang; I need to watch out for Wang Feng's monthly votes~ Um, there are some characters I really can't type...

(End of this chapter)