We were both spirited young men, and we once laughed and faced challenges together.
As a result, at the crucial moment, he chose to back down.
Although it was for Minister Qi's graying temples and for the Qi family's hard-earned wealth, Qi Huai was still too ashamed to look back and fled in a sorry state.
If he could have calmed down a little, if he could have stayed a little longer, he would have seen Xu Moping's peaceful smile.
Then you will hear Xu Mo say, "Brother Qi, how could I blame you? This is my business. I would go through fire and water for myself, but I cannot implicate my friend."
After realizing that the person behind this imperial examination fraud was no ordinary individual, Xu Mo had already given up on teaming up with his friends.
With the example of those who acted as accomplices in the past, how can we implicate the innocent without being absolutely certain of success?
"But brother, how can we possibly fight against the Fang family with our strength?" Jiang Sheng asked blankly.
That's the Fang family, after all.
This forced the Fang family to flee in disarray, even hiding on the frontier, and they still dare not return to fight back now.
The top families of Fengjing have a connection with the founding emperor of the dynasty. Over the past century, they have produced four generals with outstanding military achievements and numerous in-laws. They can turn the tide of history at will.
Back then, they had a lot of trouble dealing with the Wang and Sun families.
But the Wang and Sun families were just one of countless powerful families trying to curry favor with the Fang family.
"Yes, brother, do we really have the ability to stand up against the Fang family?" Wen Zhiyun asked timidly.
Chang Yan remained silent, leaning against the doorframe with one hand, as if deep in thought about the possibilities.
They traveled all the way from Anshui County to Fengjing, from having nothing to now possessing considerable wealth. They appear rich and prosperous, but they still belong to the lowest strata of the world—ordinary people without power, influence, or support.
The idea of challenging the Fang family is pure nonsense.
Fortunately, there's always a way out.
"Don't forget, Fang Yuan is holding the top prize," Xu Mo said calmly.
This was the only point of attack he found after careful consideration.
Think back to the day the results were announced. Even someone as easygoing as Zhao Yuan had doubts about Fang Yuan's top ranking. Wouldn't others have similar suspicions?
As I said before, if just anyone could abandon martial arts for literature and top the list of the imperial examinations, wouldn't that be incredible?
There are very few geniuses who are proficient in both academics and martial arts.
Ordinary human beings have limited energy; to master something, one must study diligently and persistently for a long time.
Practicing martial arts is one way, as is studying diligently for years.
Take Fang Laosan as an example. He started learning martial arts at the age of three and has been doing so for ten years. He gets up at cockcrow without fail and has developed excellent martial arts skills. However, he is quite impatient with articles and his handwriting is rather mediocre.
Looking back at Xu Mo, he started learning at the age of two, studied hard for thirteen years, and developed neat handwriting, but he could hardly even do a somersault. If it weren't for the training he received in the dilapidated temple, he wouldn't even have the strength to truss a chicken.
“It must have been unexpected for the Fang family that someone from a military family could suddenly rise to the top of the list in the imperial examination.” Xu Mo lowered his eyelashes. “They are indeed a top family, but top families are never monolithic. The Fang family has relatives by marriage, and they must also have rivals.”
The rivals won't help Xu Mo.
But the rivals will take action to undermine the Fang family.
“Use their strength against them.” Chang Yan, who was leaning against the door, finally raised her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling. “Brother, you should have a place in the officialdom.”
Who are the rivals of the Fang family?
Xu Mo, Wen Zhiyun, and even Jiang Sheng all turned their heads to look at the long banquet.
As everyone knows, Xiao Wu is usually very mysterious, but he knows Fengjing inside and out.
Chang Yan chuckled, tapping his right hand on the back of his left, and murmured, "Third Brother's second uncle only dared to seize power and bully Third Brother after the passing of the Fang family's matriarch."
This statement reveals an important piece of information: Old Madam Fang is on Fang Heng's side.
“But Fang Yuan is, after all, a member of the Fang family.” Xu Mo hesitated. “After the third brother disappeared, they had no reason to target Fang Yuan.”
"This involves a secret of the Fang family," Chang Yan said calmly. "Back then, the old lady favored the eldest son's family, and there were rumors that the second son's family was born out of wedlock."
Even more, it is said that the death of Old Madam Fang was also orchestrated by the second branch of the Fang family.
Given this, how could Madam Fang's family possibly have any more affection for the Fang family? Not turning against them was already the last act of tolerance.
"Oh, by the way, Madam Fang's maiden name is He," Changyan suddenly added.
Xu Mo stood up in shock, remembering He Chengzhang, the prefect of Anshui County, and the deal he made with the Fang family. After a long while, he let out a bitter laugh.
These powerful families of Fengjing are truly in utter chaos.
But in any case, the He family is a breakthrough point.
After a brief discussion with Chang Yan, Xu Mo sent a visiting card the next day, wanting to pay a visit to the head of the He family.
Unsurprisingly, I was rejected.
Undeterred, he sent his visiting card for three consecutive days and was finally granted an audience through a crack in the door.
However, he was not the head of the He family, but a melancholy young man with beautiful features. However, in Fengjing, where fair skin was considered beautiful, his slightly dark complexion made him appear somewhat dull.
"Who are you, and what brings you to the He family for no reason?" The dark-skinned youth said coldly. "The head of the family is very busy and has no time to receive an unknown person."
It's clear that the scions of aristocratic families are full of pride, to the point of being arrogant and disdainful.
Xu Mo knew that the young man from the He family might close the door at any moment, so he could only say the most crucial words in the shortest amount of time.
“I am a student from the territory of He Chengzhang, the prefect of Anshui County.”
"I'm here today because it's related to the Fang family."
If words could inflict an attack, then this dark-skinned boy from the He family should have died spitting blood.
He abandoned his previous indifference, first looking around in a panic, then pulling Xu Mo into the He family's house and hiding in a secluded courtyard.
"You can't mention Fourth Uncle's name carelessly in the He family." The dark-skinned boy said nervously, "Luckily, I'm the one who's here to get rid of you. If it were the head of the family, he would have killed you long ago."
Xu Mo, “…”
Which of the Fengjing families doesn't have some secrets?!
Which one can be clean and honest?!
The dark-skinned boy continued to ask, "You're from Anshui County? Have you seen your fourth uncle? How is he?"
Xu Mo sighed, "The official is quite good, a wise and just person, but it seems he has some issues with the Fang family..."
"Shh, shh, shh." The dark-skinned boy became anxious again. "Don't mention the Fang family. In the He family, the Fang family is a taboo."
“But I came here for the Fang family,” Xu Mo said innocently. “You should have heard that Fang Yuan of the Fang family won the top prize.”
The dark-skinned boy's expression turned disdainful again, with a hint of disgust.
Xu Mo breathed a sigh of relief and said frankly, "The top prize he received was originally mine."
The dark-skinned boy was startled again, his beautiful peach blossom eyes staring straight at Xu Mo, as if trying to see through him, understand him, and examine him closely.
“I was originally the top scholar in Anshui County, and this time I won the top score in the provincial examination. However, the Fang family changed my exam paper. I know that your He family has an old grudge against the Fang family. I have no ulterior motives, I just want to pass on the news.” Xu Mo cupped his hands and bowed. “I have delivered my message. Farewell.”
He walked away without even turning his head.
The dark-skinned boy stood there dumbfounded, unable to come to his senses for a long time.
This is what you call having no ulterior motives? They're practically jumping out of their skin!
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