Chapter 143

In the hall, Liu Cheng was dressed in an ochre-colored embroidered deep robe, smiling peacefully. "Brother Wang, long time no see, have you been well?"

As soon as Wang Yang saw Liu Cheng, he felt that he was different from before, as if he had returned to the state of composure and confidence when they first met. Looking closer, he seemed a bit different from before; before it was confidence, this time it was mysterious confidence!!!

Has he braced himself again?

Wang Yang smiled. "I am well, Brother Liu, your complexion looks good."

Seeing Wang Yang's smile, which seemed as if nothing had happened, Liu Cheng felt disgusted. He didn't bother with fake pleasantries with Wang Yang anymore and went straight to the point, speaking quickly:

"Brother Wang, actually you and I have no deep hatred. We are both from families of clothing and headgear; the little friction before was mostly a misunderstanding, so why take it to heart? 'People like us are all going to be officials and ministers in the future,' our breadth of mind cannot be small. It's better to turn enemies into friends and let go of past grievances. Does Brother Wang agree with my words?"

Liu Cheng was like a robot, his voice devoid of emotional fluctuation, as if he were reciting lines stiffly in one breath, then stared at Wang Yang.

Has the mysterious confidence disappeared again? This state switching is too fast.

But what you said... exactly who is taking it to heart! Who has a small breadth of mind!

Now you know there's no deep hatred? Didn't you provoke the trouble before?

Has this guy changed his nature?

But looking at it, it doesn't seem like his true thoughts; it's like reciting lines.

Wang Yang couldn't be bothered to care whether Liu Cheng was true or false. Anyway, soldiers come to block, water comes to cover; the two have no great hatred, so it's best not to be enemies. He said, "I agree, it's great that Brother Liu thinks so!"

Liu Cheng asked, "Does that mean we have turned enemies into friends?"

"If you say so, then it is."

"Good!" Liu Cheng felt a burst of spirit, his expression becoming a bit more vivid, and continued:

"I have some honest words I want to say to Brother Wang. The best way out for Brother Wang in the County School is to obtain a quota for the National Academy. After entering the National Academy, one still has to take exams to divide grades, compare strategies, and then be ranked by the Zhongzheng, and selected by the Ministry of Personnel to be appointed as an official. How many twists and turns, how many detours, I don't need to say, Brother Wang must know. Even if one is successfully appointed as an official in the end, how difficult is it to get a promising clear-reputation official position at the start?"

Speaking of this topic, Liu Cheng found some confidence, and his voice gradually became composed:

"At best, it's a Prince's Attendant (Department Chief), and if one struggles upward, if one is lucky, perhaps one can get a position as a Court Attendant? (Presidential Advisor). If one can become a Left Military Advisor (High Military Advisor) at thirty, that is considered successful. Finally, by seniority transfer, wasting years, and reaching forty, being able to become a Secretariat Attendant (Central Office Director) is already smooth! If it were an ordinary person, there would naturally be nothing to say, but with Brother Wang's talent and family background, I feel it's not worth it for Brother Wang!"

(Many official positions are difficult to compare with ancient and modern times, so they are just concepts for everyone to have an idea for now, not entirely equivalent, and will be introduced in detail when needed later.)

By the end, Liu Cheng shook his head repeatedly, looking like he was sighing with regret.

Wang Yang guessed Liu Cheng's meaning and asked along with his words, "Then what good solution does Brother Liu have?"

Liu Cheng was happy in his heart, pretending to take a letter from his sleeve and slowly pushing it in front of Wang Yang, smiling but not smiling: "Take a look."

He really has braced himself!

Wang Yang opened the letter and read it. This was a letter from Liu Cheng to his father, the Old Duke Liu, praising Wang Yang's character and talent, and requesting his father to accept Wang Yang as a disciple.

"Brother Wang is a smart person, you should know that blood determines the lower limit, and family background determines the upper limit. Although Brother Wang's blood is noble, this family background... but it doesn't matter, my father can accept you as a disciple. With the care of my Liu family, not to mention anything else, even those Langya Wang families in the capital wouldn't dare to look down on you!"

The more Liu Cheng spoke, the more he felt it, and his tone became more and more natural: "Brother Wang doesn't even need to waste time in the County School or National Academy. My father can directly arrange for you to be recommended as a talented scholar, and start as a National Academy Doctor! Or skip the talented scholar step and be summoned by the Duke's office to be a real official. I guarantee Brother Wang's starting official position will be at least above a Prince's Attendant, how about that?"

Wang Yang was somewhat moved, not because of what Liu Cheng said about how to guarantee his smooth official career, but mainly because he was weighing whether he could use the power of the Liu family to deal with those two forces threatening him.

The mysterious woman's side is easy to talk about, at least it's not an imminent disaster, but the time Wang Tai left for him is running out. Once the Dragon Boat Festival passes, it might be the moment of life and death.

Wang Yang had actually set up a counterattack plan and was about to execute it soon, but Liu Cheng suddenly popped out, making Wang Yang think, is there a better choice?

Liu Cheng was confident before the proposal, after all, he provided Wang Yang with a choice that had a hundred benefits and no harm.

His family is not a political clique, nor does it have specific political goals, unlike the Crown Prince or the Prince of Jingling, who engage in various infighting, where once you join a faction, you basically have to go all the way to the dark.

His father is in a semi-retired state, having resigned as Minister of the Secretariat, leaving only honorary titles like Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Attendant, so he won't suddenly fall because of anything, nor will he order Wang Yang to do this or that.

His father accepting a disciple is equivalent to giving Wang Yang an extra halo. With the title of "Disciple of Duke Liu," how many troubles and obstacles are reduced, and how many opportunities and conveniences are added, it goes without saying. So in Liu Cheng's view, Wang Yang had no reason to refuse.

Seeing Wang Yang moved, Liu Cheng was even more proud, knowing that the guest and host had reversed, and he was not in a hurry to ask for Wang Yang's answer, but changed the subject: "Have you received the invitation for the Bathing Orchid Festival from the Yu family?"

"I have." Wang Yang looked at Liu Cheng suspiciously.

So?

Two days ago, Yu Qianlou sent an invitation, inviting Wang Yang to the Yu family for the Dragon Boat Festival, saying that after the last pure conversation, the banquet was very happy, "discussing and drinking, still in mind and eyes," so he wanted to take advantage of the Dragon Boat Festival, "to hold another fragrant banquet to restore the old tour."

Since he said he wanted to "restore the old tour," the people invited should be the same as last time, so Liu Cheng should also have received an invitation.

"Don't go to this banquet, I will explain to the Yu family on your behalf."

Liu Cheng said lightly, with an air of course taking charge for Wang Yang. He didn't even call him "Brother Wang" anymore. He was clearly acting as Wang Yang's superior.

Wang Yang:???

He didn't understand Liu Cheng's meaning for a while and asked, "Why not go? What are you explaining?"

Liu Cheng put on airs and said in an unquestionable tone, "Just listen to me. You don't need to worry about how to explain. Once the Bathing Orchid Festival passes, I will send this letter out."

He said, tapping the letter paper forcefully, his fingertips tapping on the table, staring at Wang Yang, trying to create a sense of oppression.

Of course, this was his self-perceived "heavy oppressive power," but in Wang Yang's eyes, it was somewhat immature and ridiculous.

Wang Yang had no expression on his face, but he was amused in his heart.

Is it that you, Liu Cheng, are too floating, or is it that I can't lift the knife?

He's acting all high and mighty before anything has even happened!

Actually, if the Liu family could really solve Wang Yang's current predicament, then Wang Yang could allow Liu Cheng to act all high and mighty. But the problem is, is this path of the Liu family really reliable?

In addition, if this banquet is not important, it doesn't matter if Wang Yang doesn't go. But first, when Wang Yang moved, the Yu family sent a big gift. Coupled with the jade pendant sent by Yu Yi, Wang Yang still remembered this favor. Not to mention the relationship with Yu Yuling. So Wang Yang didn't want to reject the Yu family's face.

Second, after the Wang banquet, Yu Qianlou specifically came to greet him before leaving, inviting Wang Yang to the Yu family, and Wang Yang also agreed. It's just that he has been too busy lately and hasn't had time. This time he was formally invited, and Yu Yuling mentioned it to him the day before yesterday, so it's a bit unreasonable to refuse again.

Third, and most importantly, Wang Yang is very curious about who helped him fill the loopholes in his household registration at the provincial level. He suspects the Yu family, so he wants to take advantage of this banquet to find out the truth.

Fourth, and also the most practical, is that Wang Yang's designed counterattack plan requires Yu Yi's cooperation in one link.

Liu Cheng didn't know that Wang Yang was weighing so many pros and cons, and thought he was being manipulated, feeling extremely comfortable in his heart!

Sigh, after all, the family backgrounds are vastly different, and it's a matter of future plans, so he was crushed by a random letter, ridiculous. It's better to see clearly, like the Peng and Peng, should compete with Yide, but still not as good as the beard's peerless talent! My vision and height are destined to be different from his, what is there to argue about? The learning pigeon jumps high and flies, leaping over the Kunpeng, how can the Kunpeng care? Just smile and let it go.

Liu Cheng smiled and stood up, as if sweeping away all the previous anger and humiliation, the corners of his mouth hooked into a winning arc: "Brother Wang, think about it slowly, whether to be an enemy or a friend with my Liu family, it's all in your thought. Goodbye, no need to send!"

Without waiting for Wang Yang to speak, Liu Cheng flicked his sleeves, raised his head and carried his hands, and walked out leisurely.

Wang Yang looked at Liu Cheng's back, puzzled, why is this guy suddenly so happy?

After Liu Cheng left, Wang Yang thought carefully for a long time, and finally made up his mind, calling Blackie: "Prepare the carriage, go to the Prince of Badong's mansion."