Luo Liansheng took Luo Ziling to the Northwest when Wu Dongfang was serving as Deputy Administrative Officer in Wushi, Xinjiang.
Once, when Luo Liansheng took young Luo Ziling to Wushi for a vaccination, he happened to meet Wu Dongfang during his hospital inspection.
Although Luo Liansheng was skilled in medicine, he followed the normal procedures for the sake of Luo Ziling’s safety, helping him with the vaccination.
Luo Liansheng fully acknowledged the effectiveness of vaccinations, so he would bring Luo Ziling to Wushi for shots during the scheduled vaccination period.
At that time, Luo Liansheng still hoped that Luo Ziling could attend school normally.
A vaccination certificate is needed for school.
Of course, he also had some business to attend to in Wushi; taking Luo Ziling for a vaccination was just incidental.
Luo Liansheng was once a prominent figure in Yanjing, so Wu Dongfang naturally knew him.
Luo Xusheng, Luo Liansheng’s son, had an affair with the Ling Family’s princess, something about which Wu Dongfang was quite clear.
When this occurred, he was serving in Yanjing, holding a deputy ministerial position in a certain department.
When the turmoil between the Ling and Yang Families was at its peak, he took a position in the Northwest.
In Wushi, by chance, the quick-thinking Wu Dongfang did not pretend not to know Luo Liansheng but instead proactively greeted him.
Luo Liansheng naturally did not know Wu Dongfang, but since Wu Dongfang, the leader in Wushi, initiated the greeting, he did not ignore him.
Coincidentally, Wu Dongfang’s wife had fallen ill, with prolonged treatment at the hospital proving ineffective.
Wu Dongfang’s wife became ill after accompanying him to his post in Wushi, likely due to issues with acclimatization.
Later, it was Luo Liansheng who cured her illness.
Wu Dongfang was quite grateful, but Luo Liansheng paid no mind to his gratitude, merely hoping not to be disturbed by him in the future.
Wu Dongfang agreed.
After speaking about this, Luo Liansheng paused, picked up his teacup, and continued drinking tea.
"Grandpa, that’s it?" Luo Ziling was very disappointed.
What kind of story is this? There’s nothing to pique interest.
"Of course not; I haven’t told you about the entanglements yet!" Luo Liansheng laughed heartily. "Afterwards, we mutually assisted each other greatly!"
"Grandpa, please tell me all about these things!" Urged by curiosity, Luo Ziling quickly prompted.
He felt that Luo Liansheng hadn’t discussed these matters with others; otherwise, Ling Ruonan would have told him the relevant details.
Moreover, he believed that what Luo Liansheng was describing might be connected to this event.
Luo Liansheng did not hold back, and after taking a few sips of tea, he continued with the subsequent events.
Although Wu Dongfang had significant capabilities, he lacked powerful patrons to support him, thus he was posted to Wushi, hoping to exchange this for a future promotion. After all, Wushi in the Northwest could be likened to a place of exile in ancient times. Even now, although transportation has improved, many still hesitate to take posts there—unless as major leaders.
Wu Dongfang knew that Luo Liansheng had good relations with the Fang Family and was also close with Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui.
The fact that Luo Liansheng could leave with his grandson, and that Luo Xusheng wasn’t killed by the Yang Family after causing Yang Yunfeng’s death, was largely because Ling Jinhua intervened on Luo Liansheng’s behalf.
Ultimately, the Ling Family paid a certain price to ensure the safety of the Luo Family members.
Though Luo Liansheng lay low in the Northwest, he could still speak directly with Ling Jinhua and interact with the Fang Family.
Thus, Wu Dongfang hoped Luo Liansheng could lend a hand, promising to aid him in return.
Upon arriving in the Northwest, Luo Liansheng had no interest in dealing with such matters; he only hoped Luo Xusheng’s family could be reunited.
At that time, he wasn’t sure if Ling Ruonan would remain steadfast in her feelings.
Coupled with the Yang Family having little room to maneuver in the matter, Luo Liansheng lacked confidence in Luo Xusheng, Ling Ruonan, and Luo Ziling ultimately forming a family.
He suspected that in a few years, Ling Ruonan might abandon her feelings, comply with family arrangements, and marry someone else.
While Luo Xusheng and Luo Ziling would eventually be abandoned by Ling Ruonan.
Then, Luo Liansheng thought that the day Ling Ruonan gave up would be the day they three could return to Yuezhou.
At the time, he did not wish to plead with Ling Jinhua and Fang Xiang’s father, Fang Bingqiang, nor did he want to bow to Old Sir Yang, Yang Shangmin.
However, when Wu Dongfang hoped he would recommend him in front of those elders, Luo Liansheng agreed.
When Wu Dongfang seized the opportunity of surveying the local conditions to visit the remote area where Luo Liansheng lived, specifically seeking him out to discuss this request while showing sincerity and promising utmost care for Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling, Luo Liansheng was persuaded.
He wrote a letter to Fang Bingqiang and Ling Jinhua describing Wu Dongfang.
Fang Bingqiang responded, saying if Wu Dongfang had sufficient ability, he could be recommended to the organization.
Ling Jinhua did not respond directly, but sent a message through someone to Luo Liansheng, advising him to first resolve his son’s and grandson’s issues.
Luo Liansheng was willing to assist Wu Dongfang, simply hoping that during his post in the Northwest, he could watch over them.
Naturally, it was all for the sake of young Luo Ziling.
Luo Liansheng hoped that Luo Ziling could attend school in the Northwest, wishing that Luo Ziling could go to school like a normal child.
Wu Dongfang was certainly willing to help.
During his tenure in the Northwest, he indeed provided substantial support to Luo Liansheng.
But just as Luo Ziling was able to attend kindergarten, Wu Dongfang was transferred to take up a position in a province in the Central Plains.
Afterwards, Luo Liansheng realized this was due to Fang Bingqiang’s help.
Coincidentally, a vacancy arose, and Wu Dongfang had achieved some success.
With Wu Dongfang gone, Luo Ziling’s schooling issues remained unresolved, leading to Luo Liansheng’s anger, cursing Wu Dongfang for being ungrateful. Later, he learned that Wu Dongfang had arranged everything before leaving, but unexpectedly, Yang Yuanshan took office in the Northwest, leading the regional affairs.
After Yang Yuanshan assumed power in the Northwest, he paid particular attention to the matters concerning Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling.
Thus, Luo Liansheng’s plan to have Luo Ziling attend school in the large city of Wushi was completely thwarted.
Yang Yuanshan definitely didn’t want to let Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling off the hook.
In fact, he was assigned to the Northwest with the intent to eliminate Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling.
Of course, this was only part of the reason; the main objective was to use the position as a stepping stone for further advancement.
Upon foreseeing this possibility, Wu Dongfang also extended his assistance to Luo Liansheng.
He mobilized several trusted aides from his period of service, instructing them to ensure Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling’s safety.
Wu Dongfang’s trusted aides were quite capable, successfully deploying their subordinates to take up positions in the town where Qingfeng Village, the residence of Luo Ziling and Luo Liansheng, was located.
Although Yang Yuanshan governed the Northwest, he couldn’t flagrantly dispatch assassins to target Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling; even if he had such intentions, he had to act covertly. With protection for Luo Liansheng and Luo Ziling, along with Luo Liansheng’s own abilities, Yang Yuanshan’s machinations were thwarted.