Chapter 300: The Sound of Wind and the Cry of Cranes

Today is a good day for Fudan University.

Although his face and body were covered with scars, the sense of satisfaction emanating from his bones was truly indescribable.

"You seem to enjoy being beaten much more than beating others?"

Jingran smiled as he applied medicine to him.

"FuDa hasn't been beaten in all these years. He must be missing that feeling."

"Who won between the two of you?"

Fu Da sneered.

"Of course I won."

"Where are the Qilan people?"

"He was carried away on a stretcher by Situ Yu."

Chen Shiyi thought about it.

"If you run into him, ask him how he knew Wen Zhiheng?"

Fu Da frowned.

"I said that day, he came to keep an eye on Wen Zhiheng, that's right."

Later, Chen Shiyi went to Situ Yu and met Qi Lan.

She saw that Qi Lan didn't seem to be injured, and when she saw her coming, she greeted her warmly.

"Fu Da said that you were more seriously injured than he was."

Qi Lan nodded.

"Yes, he didn't hit me in the face, but he broke my hand."

Chen Shiyi was stunned for a moment.

"Maybe he's afraid of paying for your face if it gets damaged?"

Qi Lan blinked.

"If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have thought of this. I can make him lose money and still make a small profit."

When Chen Shiyi saw Qi Lan was about to leave to look for Fu Da, he quickly stopped him.

"Don't go. In the end, I will be the one to pay. It's hard for me to earn money. Don't make trouble for me."

Qi Lan let out an "oh", feeling like something was not right.

Chen Shiyi quickly changed the subject.

"Do you know Prime Minister Wen?"

Qi Lan nodded.

"I've seen his portrait, and when I saw him that day, it was instinctive for me to investigate him."

"Instinct? What instinct?"

"The instinct of the dead soil. I was ordered to hunt down and kill Prime Minister Wen who had just ascended to the position of Prime Minister."

"Why did you hunt him down back then?"

Qi Lan shook his head.

"I don't know, but it was a big deal at the time. It was said that it was about the military supplies to the northwest. Rumors were spread everywhere that the Daye Dynasty did not send military supplies to the northwest, and it was him who made the arrangements and gave the idea, so the emperor sent the military supplies there. I guess that's why Master Zhang wanted to hunt him down."

Chen Shiyi's heart trembled when he heard this.

"So, what happened next?"

"Killed him, but not killed. He was seriously injured and lay in bed for a long time."

Chen Shiyi felt sour in his eyes and felt very uncomfortable.

Qi Lan asked in confusion.

"What's wrong? I didn't say anything bad, did I?"

Chen Shiyi waved his hands.

"Take good care of yourself. I'm leaving now."

After returning to the courtyard, Fu Da saw that Chen Shiyi's face was pale.

"Did that Qi guy bully you? Looks like I didn't beat him enough."

Chen Shiyi hurriedly grabbed him.

"Nothing."

"Then why are you like this?"

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Fu Da sighed and his tone softened a lot.

"You've always been a straightforward person, why are you so slow today?"

Chen Shiyi thought about it and told Fu Da what Qi Lan said.

After hearing this, Fu Da followed Chen Shiyi in silence for a long time.

"Prime Minister Wen is indeed a love-crazy man, but unfortunately, there are not two Chen Shiyi in the world."

"Even if there is, it's impossible, Fu Da, from the beginning, I was not worthy of him."

Fu Da asked in a low voice.

"Did he arrange and deliver the New Year's Eve dinner?"

Chen Shiyi nodded.

Fu Da sighed heavily.

"If you don't marry a man who is so stubborn, you will probably end up alone like Mr. Hu."

"Wouldn't that mean I'd ruin his life? What should I do?"

"A man like him would only consider his own affairs if he really couldn't find you."

Chen Shiyi muttered to himself.

"Why, you and Mo Xunyan said the same thing."

"What?"

Chen Shiyi shook his head.

"Don't think too much about their affairs. Just finish your work and we'll deal with the future later. Who knows what the future will be like."

Chen Shiyi returned to the study and leaned against the window, thinking about the time in the northwest. That was when the relationship between her and Wen Zhiheng was the most tense. Even though things were very tense between them, he was still willing to protect her, even at the cost of his life.

How could she have deserved this?

Fu Da said that if he could not find her anymore in this world, maybe he could return to a normal life.

Right!

Fudan University also said something right: finish the task at hand first, and then you can do other things.

Things were going well at school, but very few children attended.

Jing Ran said while holding the document in his hand.

"Children who can go to school are now the laborers of the family. Children from farming families have it even harder. They have to start helping out at the age of three. In their words, they don't want to bother with that."

Chen Shiyi asked hurriedly after hearing this.

"Did anyone send someone to tell them?"

"I sent it, but no one agreed."

"What did you say?"

"Tell them that reading and learning can help them understand reason, and that passing the exams can help them become officials and bring honor to their families."

Chen Shiyi laughed.

"What's the point of telling them all these great principles? Cultivate yourself, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. No one has ever been to school, so who knows what this means? You can tell them differently. Just tell them that if they can read, they will be able to do business and count, and won't be cheated. They can also work as shopkeepers in the town's taverns, and their wages can be doubled. If they are good at studying, they can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. Their families don't have to pay taxes in the future, and they can avoid being drafted into the battlefield, so as not to be separated from their families..."

Jingran smiled.

"That's exactly the point."

"Go now."

Everything was going well. Fengmingshan Academy became more and more famous. Along with the school, many people who could read and write were gradually welcomed. Chang Yi had already recruited a group of students before the autumn examination and had promoted them to the imperial court. The initial effect was seen. The head shopkeeper had also made some progress in the production of paper...

In the court, the positions previously occupied by the old noble families were gradually replaced by Pei Luoshu using various excuses, and the confrontation between the noble families and the poor families became increasingly tense.

Now, the court is in turmoil, and everyone sees enemies as enemies.

Facing Pei Luoshu's attack, Master Zhang was very frightened. It seemed that he had not expected Pei Luoshu to follow him so closely, leaving him no chance to even breathe.

Wen Zhiheng raised his eyes and glanced at Master Zhang who seemed to be angry but helpless and careless, and his heart skipped a beat.

Things were going too smoothly. These old foxes were so deeply entrenched that they would never compromise or back down.

It’s hard to tell what bad things he’s planning at the moment.

If Pei Luoshu attacks their people, there is no guarantee that they will also attack your Majesty's people.

I'm afraid he will be the first to bear the brunt.

After the court session, Wen Zhiheng waited for Cui Yongan on purpose.

"Be careful recently, don't run around, stay at home as much as possible, and bring more protection when you go out."

Cui Yongan looked around with a wolf-like look.

"What happened?"

"We don't know yet, but something is definitely going to happen. You have to be careful."

"Um."

After parting ways with Cui Yongan, his carriage had just reached the corner of an alley when suddenly, a swarm of men in black descended from the sky and surrounded him with murderous intent.