Chapter 130: The Others Are Actually Quite Good

Lao Zhuo's fighting spirit was completely ignited, and it was hard to extinguish.

His energy and spirit grew more vibrant day by day, and the lingering aura of illness dissipated after his street-side shouting match; his complexion was ruddy, as if he had been reborn.

Others who had arrived in Xinzhou from the north during the same period could only sigh at their own inferiority when they saw Lao Zhuo's state, and even suspected that Lao Zhuo had been faking his illness.

How great was the influence of Lao Zhuo's recovery?

On the Zhuo family side, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family switched from a world-weary, decadent, salted-fish state to "grind-king" mode.

Most of the Zhuo family were scholars.

Scholars, not weaklings!

This group of scholars in the Zhuo family were not bookworms; nearly half of them had experience in local governance or grassroots work. Upon arriving in Xinzhou from the north, they also harbored ambitions to make their mark in order to survive. With Lao Zhuo invigorated, the spiritual core of the Zhuo family became clear!

It was like the return of the alpha wolf, and the wolf pack restored the group order they were familiar with and excelled at.

When others in Xinzhou saw this group of "grind-kings" from the Zhuo family, their sense of crisis soared, and visiting, chatting, listening to music, and drinking together all decreased.

The ones who felt this most deeply were the Shen family.

This incident made Lady Shen feel vigilant.

"Our Shen family's foundation is still insufficient!"

Those powerful and wealthy clans were wary of their Shen family, but not *that* wary.

It was only because a pie had fallen from the sky and the Shen family's status had changed; otherwise, the Shen family, with their merchant background, wouldn't even have the qualifications to sit at the table in Xinzhou.

Look at the Sheng family's merchant caravan; standing behind them were the scholars and gentry of the Sheng! Even in these chaotic times, given their status and accumulated connections, they could still link the upper and lower levels in Beidi and play a pivotal role.

And the Shen family?

In the future, as long as the situation in Beidi remained unchanged, or the situation in Xinzhou became even better, the questioning the Shen family would face would only grow.

That group of officials was very familiar with using relatives by marriage to build prestige!

This incident also gave her a sense of urgency.

Lady Shen thought it over and decided that some changes had to be made!

There were no problems with Wen Gu, and he didn't need to change, so who was the problem?

Soon, the members of the Shen family waited for several teachers.

Lady Shen issued an order: The Shen family and their relatives, regardless of gender, age, or seniority, take advantage of the current free time to read more books and learn more!

So disappointing!

For the juniors led by the brothers Shen Qing and Shen Liu, since Wanfu Garden wasn't built yet and your social skills had limited use for now, take this opportunity to be more immersed in literature and ink!

Although they knew their aptitude was limited in the past, they had been neglected in their education due to their status. Now, they could hire good teachers.

Centai Academy was still under construction, and the famous teachers were still free, so Lady Shen pulled strings and hired them with a heavy price.

Study! All of you, study!

Otherwise, you will only be the ones getting stepped on in the future!

Consequently, the smiles vanished from the faces of the Shen family members, who had absolutely no talent in this area.

This day.

Wen Gu came out of Zhao Fu and ran into Uncle Shen.

However, Uncle Shen's destination was the Patrol Guard Division, and the two just happened to meet on the road ahead.

Uncle Shen had a bitter face. He had been studying with a teacher for two days and had come to the Patrol Guard Division to take on a task.

In the past, he would avoid the people from the Patrol Guard Division whenever he could!

Uncle Shen didn't know what he was thinking; his steps toward the Patrol Guard Division paused. He looked at Wen Gu, and those shrewd eyes were actually flashing with faint tears.

Uncle Shen took out several large-denomination Money Vouchers and stuffed them into Wen Gu's hands, saying with sincere emotion: "Uncle has been busy with official business lately and can't look after much, so take good care of yourself!"

You are the hope of our entire clan!

Although Wen Gu did not carry the surname Shen, half of the blood in Wen Gu's body was still Shen!

Stuffing money to Wen Gu didn't require much consideration. An uncle giving pocket money to his nephew—who could say anything? It wasn't bribery.

Thus, Wen Gu went out for a trip and returned to Jingxing Fang with a full harvest.

Besides the "pocket money" Uncle Shen stuffed into his hands, he also brought back several wooden boxes from Zhao Fu, which contained a new batch of soap and medicinal soap.

The weather was gradually getting hot, and the soap made by the Zhao Family Workshop had also been included in the benefits for management personnel.

The formula for making the soap was originally proposed by Wen Gu, improved by Qingyi Daozhang, and finally handed over to the Zhao family's workshop for production.

Therefore, Wen Gu didn't need to wait for the monthly distribution of benefits; whenever a new batch came out of the workshop, they would always save some for him, including every new style.

One cannot underestimate the craftsmen and Pharmacists of this era; under the reward system, every batch of finished products from the workshop improved extremely quickly.

The wooden box in Wen Gu's hand contained the latest batch of products.

There were many types of medicinal soap, and Wen Gu picked up a piece of sulfur soap from the very edge.

To the people of this era, sulfur was already an old acquaintance, and its uses were generally in three directions—medicine, Fire Powder, and Alchemy.

In this chaotic world, sulfur was an even more important strategic material.

Most people in Xinzhou valued sulfur not for its military significance, but for its application in Exorcism.

There had always been a belief among the people that sulfur could perform Exorcism. Perhaps some people used to dislike the smell of sulfur, but now, it was something they dreamed of!

This represented a sense of security!

After the sulfur soap came out, the most direct manifestation was that the price of sulfur soap in the black market of Xinzhou City remained high!

Many wealthy households would purchase it at high prices to have merchant caravans bring it to distant relatives and friends.

However, the proportion of sulfur in this new batch of goods from the Zhao family's soap workshop had clearly decreased. It should be that the proportion of investment in military aspects had been increased.

The weather was hot, and the crisis had also begun.

Wen Gu put the wooden box away.

He had plenty of goods here, and those he didn't use would be given as rewards to the Clerks and handymen in the Fang.

With rewards dangled in front of them, the Clerks responsible for safety within the ward patrolled several times a day, actively identifying and eliminating safety hazards. The handymen also fully exerted their subjective initiative to carry out tasks more efficiently.

At this moment, Zhao Mu and Zhao Kun came over, the two of them holding blueprints to consult.

The blueprints for the first phase of storefronts had only just come out, and the second phase was already being prepared. Having tasted the sweetness of success, raising money this time was much faster, and more people in the family supported it.

"Wen Gu, do you have time? Help me take a look and see if there are any places that need changing."

Wen Gu took the blueprints and looked them over: "The design is fine, but the details still need to be compared on-site."

Having no other official business to handle, Wen Gu went with them to the plot of land the Zhao Family had newly purchased to measure and discuss on-site.

During this process, Wen Gu noticed that someone not far away had been observing them the whole time.

Only when the matter of the blueprints was mostly resolved did Wen Gu look over.

Seeing this, Zhao Mu cast his gaze in that direction, his eyebrows arching.

"He Liu?"

The young man standing not far away had a face like jade and eyes like bright stars; he possessed both the elegance of a scholar and just the right amount of fortitude.

His first impression was that he was very well-bred, completely different from the arrogant posture of Old He, who "looked at people through his nostrils even while sitting in a sedan chair."

Zhao Mu introduced the other party to Wen Gu.

"The He Family's sixth young master, He Mingyuan, the legitimate second son of Master He, sixth in the He Family."

Zhao Mu had met He Mingyuan at a small literary gathering not long ago. It was limited to just meeting.

Therefore, Zhao Mu thought, if He Liu came into conflict with Wen Gu, he would definitely stand on Wen Gu's side!

He Mingyuan's demeanor was relatively calm; he had been observing Wen Gu just now.

Watching how Wen Gu interacted with the Zhao Family members, it was very casual, and one could not see any fawning or flattery. The Zhao Family disciples also showed no arrogance, unlike the distant and haughty posture they displayed at the literary gathering.

Even Zhao Kun, who was usually like a brute, was whispering to a Clerk of Jingxing Fang on the side without any bossy or overbearing air.

It was said that the relationship between the Zhao and Shen families was poor, but Wen Gu was a special case, like a buffer zone, closely connected to both sides while also being able to separate them to avoid conflict.

This Ward Chief Wen lived up to his reputation.

At this time, Wen Gu was also looking at this sixth young master of the He Family.

The He family members were actually not ugly. Not only were they not ugly, but the men were handsome and the women were beautiful.

This was a family that could rely on their looks to secure titles and stabilize their status!

Master He was also handsome when he was young, but now that he was older, coupled with a luxurious life and a terrible temper, he had grown out of shape, his appearance changed, which was why he was called ugly by Lao Zhuo.

When Lao Zhuo evaluated the He Family, he mentioned that among the younger generation of the He Family, if one were to truly judge by talent and character, only the younger He Liu was relatively upright.

Upright and innocent, that is the quality of ritual.

Being able to receive such an evaluation from Lao Zhuo was already quite good.

Upright did not mean the kind of "yes-man" who tried to smooth things over, but rather that this person had a sense of proportion.

Wen Gu had also collected some information about this sixth young master of the He Family.

Old He had many people in his backyard and many legitimate and illegitimate children, but only this one had any literary talent.

Therefore, Old He pinned high hopes on him, sending He Liu to an academy outside the Huangcheng early on to study under famous teachers and schools, far from the vanity and noise of the Huangcheng. He was terrified that such a good piece of timber would be contaminated.

From another perspective, Old He knew very well what the He Family, a famous imperial in-law family in the Huangcheng, was like.

At this time, seeing that the matters here were finished, He Mingyuan walked over.

Wen Gu, Zhao Mu, and He Mingyuan, three scholars. Very polite, and in a very formal manner, they performed a series of greeting rituals between scholars.

"Tsk."

Zhao Kun on the side only felt his teeth ache; he preferred martial arts and was truly unaccustomed to this set of scholar routines. He couldn't see how high-end it was; he only felt that this group of people was very pretentious.

Zhao Kun, whose vibe didn't match, moved two steps to the side and huddled with He Da to whisper, leaving the space to these three scholars.

Here, He Mingyuan stated his purpose.

He had prepared a gift today and came to apologize.

His own father had stirred up trouble, not only failing to achieve his goal but instead falling into an even more embarrassing situation. But given the current situation of the He Family, having too many enemies was not a good thing.

When Old Master He came out in his sedan chair that day, He Mingyuan had actually tried to stop him, but was blocked.

Coming to apologize today was indeed sincere, and he kept his posture very low.

Zhao Kun listened with his ears pricked up and curled his lip, thinking to himself: What's the use of you apologizing? Your old man is probably still at home "baa-ing" and cursing!

Thinking of the rumor in the streets about "He Mie-mie," Zhao Kun continued to hold back his laughter and whispered with He Da about someone.

He Mingyuan noticed it, and felt helpless in his heart. There was no way around it; he couldn't sway his father.

Wen Gu, however, remained amiable, his expression sincere.

"Sixth Young Master He, you are too kind!"

He did not say whether he accepted the apology or not, nor did he mention the conflict between the He Family, but instead looked at the sky and said: "I still have some other business here..."

Hearing this, He Mingyuan sighed silently, bowed, and was about to take his leave.

But he heard Wen Gu say: "... I am just about to take a trip to Centai Academy, would the Sixth Young Master like to go together?"

He Mingyuan's farewell bow froze halfway through.

His heart was racing.

But was Wen Gu's remark just being polite? Or fake politeness? Or... a sincere invitation?

Wen Gu did not make the other party feel embarrassed and issued a sincere invitation once again.

He Mingyuan felt ashamed in his heart: It is I who was narrow-minded!

But he also pondered the intention behind Wen Gu's words. His father had said that Wen Gu was deep in thought and one should be vigilant when dealing with him.

It was just that...

He Mingyuan hesitated, then hesitated again, but still complied.

Zhao Mu and Zhao Kun had no interest in running to the academy; they had to be busy with the shop matters.

Once only the two of them were left in the open space.

Zhao Kun raised a doubt: "Is that He Liu really that talented? Honestly, given the style of the He Family, I don't quite believe it."

They say you teach your children according to your family's character. The He Family is full of mediocre people with crooked minds; could they produce someone good?

"Can different people be raised in the same nest?" Zhao Kun was deeply skeptical.

Zhao Mu smiled meaningfully: "It's not as if there aren't existing examples."

Zhao Kun pondered: "That's true, there are so many people in our Zhao Family, and yet only the one above turned out that way."

Not to mention the generation of the Head of the Family, even among their younger generation, only Zhao Shaozhu can be called outstanding.

Zhao Mu endured and endured, but still couldn't help but curse: "... I'm talking about the Shen Family, damn it!"

Who would insult their own entire clan as "mediocre people"!

Zhao Kun realized: "Oh, oh, yes, there is also the Shen Family."

The Shen line only produced Wen Gu. Everyone else is just—ptui!

Meanwhile.

The He Family.

The day of the street brawl, the He Daye who had "fainted" returned home and immediately summoned the family's retainers to analyze the situation from beginning to end.

By now, he had already figured out the cause and effect, and then thought about the rumors in the streets.

He was filled with hatred, gnashing his teeth as he lay on the bed.

"That dog pup Wen Gu, I must make him pay! If this grudge is not avenged..."

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly learned that his most valued son had gone to that dangerous place, Jingxing Fang, and was so shocked he nearly rolled off the bed.

"Quick! Go take a look, they are heartless, my son is kind-hearted, it's simply a lamb entering a tiger's den!"

Before long, the trusted aide who went to gather information returned and told He Daye: The Sixth Young Master followed Wen Gu to the Centai Academy currently under construction.

He Daye was stunned, holding it in for a long while before squeezing out a sentence:

"Investigate further, report again!"

He Daye couldn't figure it out himself, so he immediately summoned his retainers again.

"We must figure out Wen Gu's intentions before making plans!"

They knew all too well what Centai Academy represented in Xinzhou.

When the imperial examinations could not be held openly, Centai Academy took on the responsibility of selecting talent. In the years to come, the important links of assessment and selection would certainly be handled by the academy.

One retainer said: "Old Master Hong founded the Centai Academy branch to gather wise talent and help govern the world. But behind it, there is also an extraordinary significance."

He Daye said: "Nonsense, of course I know that!"

If he didn't even understand that much, he wouldn't have lived this long.

A few days ago, He Mingyuan actively participated in literary gatherings just to make contact with Centai Academy. But the He Family had just arrived and couldn't squeeze into the circle of scholars, making it difficult to integrate.

The He Family had been shunned by the pure-minded scholars before, and now it was even harder.

The retainer said: "But if Wen Gu could act as an introducer..."

He Daye didn't believe it: "Does he have such good intentions?"

After another while, the trusted aide who went to gather information brought back the latest developments—

"Wen Gu did indeed take the Sixth Young Master to Centai Academy. It hasn't been built yet and is a bit crude, but the cultural atmosphere is rich, and there is a Master He Wenyu, who works at the academy and shares the same surname, who is very enthusiastic!"

He Daye:!!!

He Daye:???

No, this person Wen Gu...

What is he after?

The retainer was very excited and wanted to persuade his master:

"Master, we could also turn hostility into friendship with Wen Gu..."

"What are you talking about!" He Daye raged, "What hostility?!"

The retainer dared not speak.

He Daye loudly: "We are newcomers and don't quite understand the rules here, so it was just a misunderstanding. What other hostility could there be?!"

The retainer: "..."

He Daye continued loudly: "The street brawl was a grudge between me and Lao Zhuo, what does it have to do with him, Wen Gu?!"

The retainer: "..."

The master's tone is still arrogant, but why does it sound so cowardly?

He Daye had already sat up at this time, deep in thought by the bedside.

He had indeed suffered some setbacks during this time, but it was the Zhao Family that stepped on them to get ahead; thinking about it carefully, he could still let it go.

Self-consolation: bad publicity is still publicity!

I did indeed make a fool of myself, but more importantly, whether I can use this to gain benefits—that is what's most practical!

As long as I can achieve my goal, what does it matter if I live as a joke in the mouths of others?

Besides, after the last incident spread, everyone knew who it was that slapped me.

The one who slapped me was no ordinary person; that was a former powerful Prime Minister of the imperial court!

A person at the pinnacle of power in the eyes of ordinary people!

I am playing a high-stakes game!!

Defeat?

In this Xinzhou City, how many families have been defeated? Back when Lao Zhuo was eyeing the position of Prime Minister and competing for the job, he defeated how many opponents!

Who hasn't lost before?

It is just that our old He suffered a rather shameful defeat.

But in this day and age, what does a little shame even matter?

Master He asked: "I have heard quite a few rumors about Wen Gu recently; is it true that this man is broad-minded?"

The retainer wiped his sweat: "Uh... yes."

But the retainer also voiced his own concerns: "I wonder if Prime Minister Zhuo will try to block it?"

Master He was very dissatisfied: "What would he block? The Zhuo family gets to eat the meat, yet they won't allow others to drink a little soup? There is no such overbearing thing!"

The retainer said: "What if..."

Master He slammed the table and stood up: "There is no 'what if'! If he really pushes things to the limit, I will find a rope and hang myself at the front gate of the Zhuo family!"

Anyway, he had already lost face and his reputation was long gone; he was willing to risk it all!

The He Daye only has Liu'er as a talent worth molding; he would cast aside his pride and drag the whole clan along to give him a boost!

Over at the academy.

Wen Gu brought He Mingyuan over.

With a background, with talent, and with the family not allowing him to leave the city, then he might as well go work at the academy... to help out!

The academy is currently in the construction phase, with many tasks and few people.

At this stage, positions with official status are limited, and some people, relying on their status, are not very willing to come and work for free.

He Mingyuan, however, was very willing to stay!

He does not lack money, he does not lack time; what he lacks is just an opportunity!

He Wenyu, having just finished processing a stack of documents, was very happy that a helper had arrived. He touched the faint dark circles under his eyes that had almost never faded and said enthusiastically:

"We both share the surname He; perhaps we were one family eight hundred years ago! What fate!"

Hehehe, a helper!

Finish the work early, go home early!

In the evening, before the ward gates closed, He Mingyuan finally returned home.

Although there was obvious fatigue and his footsteps were slightly heavy, his eyes were extremely bright.

Master He had been waiting at home, restless and uneasy, and finally saw him return safe and sound, bringing good news as well.

He laughed loudly: "My son is indeed clever! Go ahead and do it with your hands free; if anyone hinders your official duties, don't be afraid, Dad will help you solve it!"

As he spoke, Master He still felt some worry in his heart and tentatively asked: "This person Wen Gu... when you went over today, did he act snide or take the opportunity to mock you?"

He Mingyuan said: "He did not!"

"Uh... then is it possible that he mocked you, but you didn't understand it?" Master He asked again.

He Mingyuan disagreed and said: "Wen Gu is upright in his conduct and sincere in his treatment of others; he is not as you imagine, Father!"

He was not blindly confident, explaining: "Old Master Hong and other renowned teachers were also present."

Master He felt relieved; it seemed he really did need to change his prejudice against Wen Gu:

"He is actually quite a good person."

(End of chapter)