Chapter 180: Eldest Son of the Wang Family

Wangjiacun.

A village with a population of nearly four hundred, much larger than Zhongjia Village, because it is said that they branched off from either the Taiyuan Wang Clan or the Langya Wang Clan.

Even as a branch, in an era when aristocratic families held sway, being a Wang family branch, local officials would still give them some courtesy, even maintain friendly relations.

After all, breaking bones still hurts the tendons.

Who knows if anyone there has a good connection with someone from the main family?

Among them there is a wealthy merchant named Wang Congshang.

As his name suggests, engaged in commerce, he is very shrewd in business; plus his father's connections, he quickly amassed a considerable fortune, his business growing larger and larger, until now people call him Master Wang.

With wealth, he naturally seeks power, aiming to gain both money and authority.

Therefore, all his sons' names contain the character "wen".

Eldest son Wang Congwen, second son Wang Xuewen, third son Wang Haowen, fourth son Wang Xiewen.

But unfortunately, none of them has a talent for study.

The eldest son's mind is not bad, but he just likes to idle about; the second son practices martial arts; the third son, like him, likes business; the fourth son fell off a horse and injured his mind, and now he is like a ten‑year‑old child.

So Wang Congshang has given up hope on his own sons; he can only place his hopes in the generation of his grandsons.

Coincidentally, his eldest son has reached marriageable age..........

Wang Congshang heard that Zhongjia Village had produced a talent named Zhong Kui.

His parents are deceased, his family is poor, yet he relied on books left behind to become a talent, full of strategic knowledge, and recently he distinguished himself in the imperial examinations; if he can continue his studies...

Aside from being a little ugly, there's nothing to fault; he is quite a fine choice for a son‑in‑law!

But he has no daughter!

Therefore.

Wang Congshang set his sights on Zhong Kui's sister.

Since the elder brother is such an outstanding talent, the younger sister surely won't be far behind, right?

By then let our eldest son marry her, have a few children, and surely one will be as clever as her brother!

Moreover, with Wang Congshang's own connections, perhaps they could truly raise a Grand Scholar, gaining permission from the main family to return and perform ancestral rites!

That would truly be glorious for the clan and ancestors!

So Wang Congshang quickly found a matchmaker in Zhongjia Village, paying her two taels of silver, and had her speak to them.

Of course, this is only one aspect.

If Zhong Kui or Zhong Xiao Mei were to refuse…… they would agree.

Wang Congshang has plenty of ways.

For example, they are poor, and Zhong Kui works so hard to improve himself; one would think he wants a comfortable life—if he were to take them now to experience the life they desire, it would be a brief indulgence in paper‑thin gold and wine.

Wouldn't that be as easy as catching something in one's hand?

Wang Congshang was full of confidence, holding a teacup, wearing a smug smile, until a voice interrupted his thoughts:

"Father, father."

"What are you giggling about here?"

Wang Congshang immediately recognized it as his eldest son, Wang Congwen.

Wang Congshang's eldest son is indeed handsome—red lips, white teeth, face like a jade crown, his embroidered silk robe making him look ever more graceful and poised.

At first glance, he truly looks like a refined, cultured scholar.

Unfortunately, it's all show and no substance; this Wang Congwen hates studying, spends his days horse‑riding and cock‑fighting, a mere embroidered pillow.

Wang Congshang glanced at him, annoyed, and said: "I'm thinking about your marriage."

He set down the teacup and spoke slowly:

"Next door in Zhongjia Village there is a poor lad named Zhong Kui; his parents are dead, leaving only his little sister to keep him company."

"I went to see him a few days ago," Wang Congshang's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "He is ugly in appearance, but his little sister is proper‑looking; though not a nation‑toppling beauty, she is more than good enough for you."

"Have a son early for me, so that my old Wang family can produce a scholar!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Congwen immediately shook his head and scoffed: "I won't marry such a village girl."

He smoothed his sleeves, raised his head: "What status am I, what status is she? If I marry, I must marry someone like the eldest daughter of the Li family in the county seat!"

"Marrying a woman of such background," Wang Xiewen sneered:

"Father, you're not afraid that others will laugh at us?"

"I refuse to settle!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Congshang slammed the table: "Nonsense!"

The teacup shook, clattering, and the tea spilled out.

"You think you can marry the Li family's eldest daughter?" Wang Congshang's beard trembled with anger:

"Others may not know, but as your father I still don't know what kind of conduct you have!"

Seeing his father truly angry, Wang Congwen shrank his neck and muttered quietly: "What if she actually likes someone like me? Apart from being unable to study, I'm not lacking in other respects……"

He rolled his eyes and again gave a playful smile:

"Father, why not let my second brother come? After all, he only likes martial arts; marrying any woman makes no difference to him."

Wang Congshang waved his hand, looking helpless:

"I'm just afraid he'll only practice martial arts and make his son do the same."

"He's just a straightforward fellow; you know what your third brother is doing now, and as for the fourth brother…… never mind."

He sighed, rubbed his temples, and asked: "Alright, let's not talk about this."

"What do you want from me?"

"Well…… " Wang Congwen's face showed an embarrassed expression as he stepped forward and rubbed his father's shoulders:

It's not that many friends have been coming lately, expenses have been a bit high.......... so I wanted to ask Dad for some....... hehe.

I'm not just wasting money, this is cultivating connections!

"Oh come on." Wang Shangshang took his hand off his own shoulder, saying helplessly:

"Wen, you need to clearly distinguish between wine-and-meat friends and true friends; don't let all your money end up spent on those wine-and-meat friends, because not a single one of those guys is reliable in crucial moments."

When you go out to play with those guys, it's best to let them spend more money, you........

You know?

I know, I know, I can tell the difference; I, your son, am not an idiot.

"All right then." Wang Shangshang untied the money pouch at his waist, took out some broken silver and handed it to him:

Take it to exchange for copper coins, and spend it sparingly.

"Okay, thanks Dad!" Wang Wen immediately took the silver, weighed it a bit—no matter how you say it, it's over one tael—and immediately walked out with a beaming smile.

Looking at his son's back.

Wang Shangshang let out a long sigh, secretly thinking it would be great if his son were as worry-free as Zhong Kui.

Little did he know.

The Zhong Kui he had in mind had already arrived at the slope in front of Wangjiacun.

And Yu Lin stood under a tree, just looking at the entrance of Wangjiacun.

"This one doesn't match, that one doesn't match either.........."

"Hmm, this doesn't look simple, and he's riding a horse."

He looked at Wang Wen, who had just ridden out on horseback, turned his head and asked Yu Lin:

"Brother Yu, do you think he is...?"

Yu Lin nodded: "I think he is."

"You wait, I'll go ask him directly."

Having said that, he went straight down the mountain and stopped Wang Wen:

"Sir, please stay."