Chapter 455: The Dark Moonlight Ex-wife of the Number One Scholar 23

While Yue Hongying was bandaging Kou Wei's wound, Kou Wei looked at Han Ziwen and sighed, "You're right. This is a trap set by Situ Mingyuan. They want to catch me in the trap."

Han Ziwen's brows were furrowed. "What are you going to do now? They won't give up until they find you."

Kou Wei said cautiously, "This is why I came to you. You are smarter than me. I want you to help me think of a solution. Now the city gate only allows entry, not exit."

Han Ziwen frowned and asked, "Did you show your face when you met Situ Mingyuan?"

Kou Wei smiled and replied: "I was wearing a mask, so he didn't see it."

Han Ziwen glanced at Kou Wei and sneered, "Quite smart."

Kou Wei grinned, a hint of pride in his voice: "I just listened to your reminder and took precautions."

Han Ziwen: “…”

This idiot didn't think he was praising him.

Even Shen Xinran was a little speechless. It seemed that Kou Wei couldn't understand the sarcasm. Why not find a more suitable person for Yue Hongying?

Han Ziwen was silent for a moment and then said, "There is a way, but it's a bit dangerous. It depends on whether you dare to take the risk."

Hearing this, Kou Wei laughed twice and said, "Don't worry, I have nothing but courage."

Han Ziwen nodded. "You can't get a tiger cub without learning from it. The most dangerous place is often the safest place."

Kou Wei was a little confused. He asked, "What do you mean?"

Shen Xinran's words were simple and direct. "What he meant was that those people didn't allow outsiders to leave, but the soldiers guarding the city could always go out."

Kou Wei's eyes lit up instantly, "You guys are really smart."

After Kou Wei finished speaking, he climbed up the wall. His movements were swift and decisive. When Shen Xinran saw this, his eyes widened and he couldn't help but exclaimed, "Wow."

Han Ziwen glanced at Shen Xinran, his brows furrowed, his face full of unhappiness, but Shen Xinran's attention was all on Kou Wei, so he didn't notice.

Kou Wei stood on the wall for a long time, then jumped down and stood in front of the three people, looking a little embarrassed.

Chen Xinran asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Kou Wei scratched his head. "I've been separated from my people, and I'm penniless now. Can you lend me some money?"

Han Ziwen's expression was serious. "No money."

Yue Hongying nodded and said, "Okay, I'll get it for you right away."

After she finished speaking, she returned to her room, took out two taels of silver, and handed it to Kou Wei, "This is all I have, please don't despise it."

Kou Wei took the money from Yue Hongying, his gratitude overflowing with words. "I didn't expect you to trust me so much. Don't worry, I will definitely pay you back."

Han Ziwen said coldly, "Let's talk about it after you survive."

Kou Wei: “…”

Kou Wei was silent for a long time and then looked at Han Ziwen. "You have a point."

After saying that, he handed the token in his arms to Yue Hongying and said seriously: "This is made of gold. If I don't come back in a year, you can just sell it."

Yue Hongying quickly waved her hands and said repeatedly, "No, no need."

But Kou Wei was determined. He ignored Yue Hongying's refusal and gently put the token into her hand.

Shen Xinran, who was standing aside, had stars twinkling in her eyes. What a simple and unpretentious love between middle-aged and elderly people. It was so touching.

…

There are four academies in the provincial capital, namely Cuiwei Academy, Hongwen Academy, Jixian Academy and Mingde Academy.

Cuiwei Academy is particularly prominent for its profound historical heritage and huge scale. Its history can be traced back to the Tang and Kang periods more than 200 years ago.

It has trained countless students, including five top scorers, seven second-place winners, and thirteen third-place winners.

Liu Wenbin was one of the top scorers. He spent thirty years to become the Minister of Personnel, but he retired to his hometown ten years ago and opened the Mingde Academy.

Unlike Cuiwei Academy, the students it recruited were all from poor families. Therefore, Mingde Academy was the worst among the four academies in terms of both land area and faculty.

The morning sunlight shines through the treetops and casts a mottled shadow on the stone road.

Liu Wenbin walked out of his small courtyard and was about to go to the academy for class. As soon as he reached the entrance of the alley, he bumped into someone.

His body leaned back, but fortunately the other person was quick to support him, "Are you okay?"

Liu Wenbin waved his hand and said, "It's okay."

But the book in his hand fell to the ground along with the other person's paper.

Liu Wenbin squatted down, picked up his book, and glanced at the paper on the ground inadvertently. He felt that the handwriting was beautiful and powerful.

When he saw the contents on the paper clearly, his eyes lit up instantly. The viewpoints and insights of the text were unique, the analysis was thorough, and the arguments were sharp.

Moreover, these views are similar to his own ideas, as if they are insightful conclusions made after careful consideration.

But he had been in officialdom for more than 30 years and had experienced countless storms and challenges, so he had such an idea.

He looked up at the person he was meeting. He saw a young man dressed as a scholar. He asked, "Who wrote this?"

Han Ziwen bent down to pick up the paper on the ground and replied, "These are my thoughts and insights over the years."

Liu Wenbin found it hard to imagine that these words were written by a seemingly young scholar. He realized that the scholar before him possessed a maturity and decisiveness beyond his years.

Liu Wenbin became interested and asked Han Zi, "Which academy are you from?"

Han Ziwen picked up all the papers on the ground, making sure nothing was left out, then stood up and replied, "I originally wanted to study at Cuiwei Academy, but the minimum requirement there is to be a Juren."

Liu Wenbin was surprised, his eyes widened, "How could you write such an article, and yet you haven't passed the imperial examination yet?"

Han Ziwen smiled and said, "To be honest, I took the exam three times and failed each time."

After Liu Wenbin pondered for a moment, he suggested, "Would you like to study at Mingde Academy?"

"Of course I would." Han Ziwen's eyes lit up for a moment, but soon dimmed again.

He hesitated and said, "It's just that Mingde Academy seems to require at least Juren status."

Liu Wenbin smiled faintly and said, "I can write you a letter of recommendation."

Han Ziwen asked in surprise: "Who are you?"

Liu Wenbin pointed to his own door and raised an eyebrow. "You deliberately came to my door to block me, and you don't even know who I am?"

Han Ziwen bowed directly to Liu Wenbin and said with a faint smile, "Teacher, nothing can be hidden from you. Disciple Han Ziwen pays his respects to you."

Liu Wenbin put his hands behind his back and said, "You know how to climb up the pole."

Han Ziwen stood up straight, his expression firm. "If I can receive your guidance, I will definitely live up to your high expectations."

Liu Wenbin nodded. Han Ziwen had such insights at such a young age. All he lacked was an opportunity.

Now, he was willing to give him a chance, because he also wanted to see how far this young man could go and how big a storm he could cause.