As soon as Sheng Yuanqing came back from Pingyang City, he learned that the General General invited his son Sheng Zhongchang to the General General's Mansion for tea shortly after he left.

Sheng Yuanqing immediately called his son and asked what the general had talked to him.

Sheng Zhong was nineteen years old. Even though he was full of poetry and books, he was flattered by his subordinates since childhood, but his cunning was far inferior to his father Sheng Yuanqing. The ancients once wrote poems about the four great joys of life: a long drought and a sweet rain, a former friend met an old friend in a foreign land, and a wedding night, and a golden list title. Because of Sheng Yuanqing, Sheng Zhongchang lost the golden list title and peony at the same time, which is equivalent to not having two great joys in his life.

Peony is so beautiful, it is a beauty that Sheng Zhongchang has been thinking about for five years. Even if he just steals peony for one night, it is even more satisfying than a real wedding candle.

When he didn't know that his father also coveted Shaoyao, Sheng Zhongchang would only blame himself for being obsessed with climbing the wall before being punished by his father as a thief. After knowing the truth, Sheng Zhongchang no longer blamed himself. He pushed all his mistakes to his father Sheng Yuanqing.

Once a person has resentment in his heart, he will recall the past and look for more mistakes from the other party.

Sheng Zhongchang remembered that he was playing tricks when he was a child and did not complete the assignments assigned by his husband. His father punished him to kneel in the ancestral hall for a day. He remembered that when he was a teenager, he wanted to go out for a trip with his friends. His father criticized him for not missing his job and asked him to study hard with his husband. When he was a juren in high school, his father praised him and immediately sent someone to post a big banquet for guests.

All these prove that my father has always regarded him as a tool to shine his family. He doesn't care about what he likes and hates. So even though he knows that he wants Shaoyao to climb the wall against etiquette and integrity, his father still wants to send Shaoyao away for his own selfish desires, and refused to fulfill his wish.

When he came to Sheng Yuanqing, Sheng Zhongchang tried his best to hide his hatred and explained: "I heard that I am quite talented and willing to cultivate me. He said that when I am filial, I will arrange for me to work under the tutors, starting from a small official, and then promoting me with my merits."

Sheng Yuanqing also knew very well about the civil and military officials in the officialdom. Civil officials who were serious in the imperial examinations had a bright future. Even the seventh-rank magistrate was quite powerful in the local area. If he had good luck, he would be promoted step by step. The magistrate went to Beijing to become the official of the court and the chief minister of the Shangshu. He was very motivated to think about it. However, most civil officials in the military camp were auxiliary, either doing some trivial matters about accounting or writing documents for the general. He would be a general's strategist and must be proficient in tactics.

Sheng Yuanqing is really not interested in such a promising official, a wealthy businessman. His son should follow his students and inherit his family business.

Yin Hong did not accept his silver bribes but came up with such a way to repay his beauty. The abacus was good. Unfortunately, Sheng Yuanqing was not stupid either. He gave Shaoyao to Yin Hong, and he wanted Yin Hong to introduce him to a big business. He wanted that in the future, Yin Hong would help him solve his difficulties, rather than arranging an insignificant minor official for his son.

"Your hands are already ruined, and you have never studied military tactics. There is no position suitable for you in the army. Instead of wasting your whole life in the army, it is better to follow me to manage the business. When I get old in the future, you will have to take care of the entire property in my family." Sheng Yuanqing took a sip of tea and said earnestly.

When Sheng Zhongchang heard this, the suppressed anger in his heart broke out of control and leaked out of his eyes.

He clenched his fists in his sleeves and argued: "Father, my son doesn't like to manage business. It's rare for the general to want to cultivate his son. His son will learn military skills from today and make contributions to the battlefield in the future, and there is still a chance of promotion."

Sheng Yuanqing was surprised at his son's angry expression, but he did not look at it carefully. He just said, "Making contributions on the battlefield? Do you know how dangerous the battlefield is? Those generals who practice martial arts may lose their lives at any time, let alone you, a literati? Zhongchang, you are the only son of your father, and your father will never send you to the battlefield for adventure."

Sheng Zhongchang said anxiously: "When did my father become timid when he became timid?"

Sheng Yuanqing sneered: "Only poor people have to take risks for wealth. You, my father and son have a wealthy family. Why do you have to take risks?"

Sheng Zhongchang defended his words, frowned and thought hard, and said to Yin Chong: "The General wants to cultivate me. If my father refutes his face, aren't you afraid that he will get angry, so we don't know how to polite me?"

My son was stubborn and wanted to use Yin Hong to suppress him. Sheng Yuanqing's eyes became colder and colder, and he mocked: "Do you really think he wants to cultivate you? From last year to today, I have flattered him for more than half a year. Has he given me a good face? I clearly told you that Yin Hong is a cunning person. He knows that he owes us father and son. He doesn't want to be older, so he just sends us a small official to you. If you really go, I promise he will let you die and ignore your life and death again."

Sheng Zhongchang just wanted to be an official and to make achievements. What's more, this opportunity was won by Shaoyao for him. His father firmly opposed it because his father looked down on him from the bottom of his heart and did not believe that he had the ability to advance.

Sheng Zhongchang was even more disappointed with Sheng Yuanqing. His father just treated him as a pawn and asked him to be obedient in everything.

"The General General gave me an official position in my father's heart and it was just a favor. So what's the big deal? Introducing my father to make hundreds of thousands of silver a business?"

Sheng Zhongchang no longer concealed his anger and said sarcastically.

Sheng Yuanqing looked at his son in disbelief, but unfortunately, Sheng Zhongchang left angrily after he finished speaking, and he didn't want to say a word to him anymore.

Sheng Yuanqing was almost angry with this stupid son. Who did he go around buying goods and selling goods every year to make money? Not for this only son? His son was so energetic that even became a scholar, Sheng Yuanqing had high hopes for his son. The road to official career was cut off, and Sheng Yuanqing still did not give up and wanted to continue cultivating his son to inherit the family business. But after saying this today, Sheng Yuanqing suddenly realized that his son, who was just good at studying and taking exams, was actually stupid, and he couldn't even understand the truth in front of him!

In a fit of anger, Sheng Zhongchang went to a friend's house to stay.

Sheng Yuanqing and his son were angry for a few days. After all, they were their own sons. Sheng Yuanqing began to find a way to coax his son back.

There are only three things men want to pursue for life: money, sex, and power.

Sheng Yuanqing gave his son's friend a carefully trained Yangzhou thin horse that he had not yet deflowered.

Sheng Zhongchang knew that such a beautiful beauty was sent by his father at a glance. Not only did he not fall into his father's beauty trick, he scolded his friend and moved to the inn.

My friend was very greedy for the skinny beauty, but he didn't dare to touch it and brought the beauty back to the original owner in a regular manner.

Sheng Yuanqing failed to make a plan, so he sent the old man around him to reason with his son.

Sheng Zhongchang chased the other one. Sheng Yuanqing endured it again and again. Finally, he lay on the bed pretending to be sick, hoping to deceive his son and come back. As long as his son comes back, he will explain some truths carefully and may be able to convince his son.

Sheng Zhongchang knew that the old man was pretending to be sick and he didn't want to go home, but literati valued reputation, and Sheng Zhongchang was afraid that others would call him unfilial.

Therefore, Sheng Zhongchang went home with a calm face.

Sheng Yuanqing pretended to be quite like that. After his son sat down beside his bed, Sheng Yuanqing held his son's hand and said a lot of good words in coaxing and persuasion.

Sheng Zhongchang listened silently and said for a while: "The son understands what the father said, but the son still wants to give it a try. In this way, the father gives his son three years. If the son can't make a difference in the army, the son will completely give up being an official and follow his father's arrangements in everything from now on."

Sheng Yuanqing thought about it. Three years later, he was forty years old and his son was twenty-two, which was a good age to start a family and start a career. At that time, he would marry a virtuous daughter-in-law to his son. He would persuade his son to change his mind with his daughter-in-law.

"Okay, just do it."

——

After midsummer, Sheng Zhongchang's one-year filial piety period ended.

Under Su Li's reminder, Yin Chong posted a post to Sheng Yuanqing, Sheng Zhongchang and his son, asking them to go to the General's Mansion for tea.

Sheng Zhongchang was very happy and knew that the General had to keep his promise and arrange an official position for him.

Sheng Yuanqing also wanted to use this opportunity to test Shaoyao's attitude. As long as Shaoyao still remembers his feelings and does not gradually forget his roots because he became the general, he would not worry about not being able to gain Yin Hong's glory in the future.

The father and son came to the General's Mansion with their own thoughts.

Yin Hong and Su Li entertained the father and son together.

Yin Hong was enthusiastic and generous, Su Li Xiaoniao sat beside him, and the men talked, she was just a guest, but her eyes could speak, and when she looked at Sheng Zhongchang, she was full of gentleness and kindness. However, she didn't look at Sheng Yuanqing at all, deliberately avoiding anything.

After Sheng Yuanqing discovered this, he became confused.

Shaoyao dared not look at him, which could be explained as being afraid that the lovesickness would be difficult to suppress the clues of Yin Chong, but why did Shaoyao be kind to her son? Shouldn't she hate her son for coveting him and climbing the wall and eventually implicating her and committing herself to Yin Chong?

"I haven't seen you for a long time, and the lady is radiant, which shows that the water and soil of the General's Mansion are more nourishing." The woman ignored him, and Sheng Yuanqing took the initiative to speak.

Su Li forced herself to smile, but still didn't look at him.

Yin Chong silently observed Sheng Yuanqing.

Sheng Zhongchang had known that his father was not a good person, but today he witnessed his father with his own eyes that he dared to tease Shaoyao in front of him and the General. Not to mention that Shaoyao was not happy, Sheng Zhongchang couldn't bear to see it anymore and said, "No matter how prosperous the General's Mansion is, it is not as deep as the General's love for his aunt, so he made his aunt smile."

After hearing this, Su Li looked at Yin Chong with affection, showing shyness.

Yin Chong laughed and said, "Zhongchang is worthy of being a juren. I love hearing what he said. Come on, let's have another drink!"

Sheng Zhongchang picked up the wine bowl and met Yin Chong from afar.

Sheng Yuanqing looked as usual, but a cloud of haze floated in his heart.

Judging from Shaoyao's performance, she has been serving Yin Hong for a long time and has changed her mind. Why? She likes Yin Hong's high position and power, and is interested in Yin Hong's willingness to marry her. She likes Yin Hong's favor for her in every possible way. She forgot that he rescued her from the thin horse cave. She forgot that she had just one last step behind her when she was under him?

Sheng Yuanqing hates being betrayed the most.

But just recently, Shaoyao betrayed him, and his son even stepped on him to please Yin Chong and that woman!

Since that's the case, don't blame him for being rude.

Shaoyao will find another opportunity to remind her not to forget her roots. Her son is his. Sheng Yuanqing will teach her lessons whenever he wants.

Just when Yin Hong finally proposed to arrange an errand for Sheng Zhongchang, before Sheng Zhongchang was happy to thank him, Sheng Yuanqing suddenly laughed and said, "My lord is so kind to us father and son, but Sheng is about to be confused, and only Zhongchang is the only son of Zhongchang. He also hopes that Zhongchang will manage his business and inherit his ancestral property. In addition, Zhongchang's right hand is disabled, so let's forget about being an official."

Sheng Zhongchang said in surprise: "Father, you..."

Sheng Yuanqing still smiled and teased his son, "Why, do you still want to try it in the army? Have you forgotten how your fingers broke?"

Sheng Zhongchang immediately felt guilty and knew that his father was threatening him to be obedient.

Sheng Zhongchang lowered his head, and the opportunity in front of him was ruined by his untrustworthy father. Sheng Zhongchang was so angry that his corners of his eyes were trembling.

Sheng Yuanqing glanced at Su Li, who was drooping his eyes and drinking tea as a cover-up, and then explained to Yin Chong: "Last year, Zhongchang suddenly became interested in going to hunt in the mountains. He didn't want to fiddle with the beast clip and injured his fingers. Sir, think about it, he is so stupid, how can Sheng rest assured that he will be a member of the army? It doesn't matter if he is injured himself. If the major events in the army are ruined, then he will be punished."

After hearing this, Yin Chong looked at Su Li first.

Su Li then put down the tea bowl and whispered: "Brother Yi said that the Sheng family's family business must be inherited by Zhongchang. Don't interfere with it by sir."

Yin Chong said, "Well, then Zhongchang learns business with your father, let's forget about this."

With the final say, Su Li secretly handed Sheng Zhongchang a guilty look.

Sheng Zhongchang smiled bitterly, why did she apologize? I am sorry for someone else.
Chapter completed!