But what could he do? Under the oppression of powerful forces, he, a humble scholar, had no choice but to submit.
You can't just die.
"I've endured ten years of hard study seeking fame, fortune, and status. But those ten years are nothing compared to power." Zhao Xiu was rude but cheerful. "What else can I do but compromise? Am I going to watch myself die trapped in this capital?"
His anger faded and he turned to mockery. "Besides, the rewards they offer are indeed generous. A building piled high with thousands of scrolls, and wealth and splendor like never before. Why can't I be tempted?"
On the day the results were announced, Zhao Xiu won the third place in the imperial examination with his real talent and knowledge. He rode a tall horse in a parade through the streets and was cheered and supported by the people, but he did not feel the slightest joy of being in the imperial examination in his heart.
Because he knew that these were nothing but illusions to him, and would become stones that hit him and spit at him in the future.
The only thing he could and had to hold on to was money.
Facts proved that he was right. On the opening day of Wanjuanlou, he felt happy to be complimented and flattered by people who looked down on him on weekdays.
I also realized more clearly that as long as you have money and power, no matter whether you are a human or a ghost, in their eyes, you are all Bodhisattvas.
"Teacher, you taught me that a true man should have lofty ambitions, benefit the people, and serve the court." He turned to Mu Cong and said, "I too once had a heart full of passion for serving my country and an unyielding spirit. But you saw how blood turned cold and how bones shattered."
He took a deep breath and continued, "I know you are disappointed in me, but I don't regret it."
Mu Cong also smiled bitterly, "Now that you and I are here together, what right do I have to be disappointed in you?" Then he advised, "It's not too late to mend the fence after the sheep have been lost. Turn back."
Now that he has been caught, can he turn back?
Zhao Xiu looked at Lou Yunchun.
He brought me back, but didn't make it public, and I don't know what that meant.
Lou Yunchun asked, "Now that your fraud has been exposed and you've amassed enough money, why don't you leave the capital?"
In the two months since Wanjuanlou opened, it has absorbed a lot of money through Jishufang, not to mention the gifts from various parties.
With so much money, it is more than enough to find a place far away from people and live a rich and stable life.
“The most dangerous place is the safest place.”
"If you answered this question on the test and got third place in the high school, I would believe you cheated."
Zhao Xiu's eyes suddenly turned pale, and then he asked, "The arrest warrants are still posted all over the city. Now that Lou Shaoqing has captured the criminal, why didn't he bring him back secretly instead of trying him in court?"
"You are a talented person." Lou Yunchun said frankly: "I didn't say anything, I just wanted to give you another chance."
"What an opportunity."
"If you agree to do me a favor, I can guarantee that your crime will be mitigated after the task is completed."
Mu Cong also heard this and hurriedly said to Zhao Xiu, "Still not agreeing? This is a good opportunity for you to escape punishment."
Zhao Xiu frowned, fearing that things were not that simple.
"What if I don't agree?"
"If you don't agree, then the case will be closed immediately. You have committed the crime of falsely accusing a court official and deceiving the emperor. The lightest sentence you will receive is exile."
Zhao Xiu was silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to go to Beiting."
When Zhao Xiu heard the word "Beiting", he immediately guessed the plan of the Saint and Lou Yunchun.
"You want me to go find Guo Yuanzhen?"
"That's right."
"If I go, will I be able to come back alive?"
"As long as you can lead him to Liangzhou, you can survive."
Zhao Xiu took a deep breath to calm his weak body.
Lou Yunchun locked his eyes, "Be sentenced to exile, or fight for yourself. You only have this one chance to choose."
"Let me think about it..."
Lou Yunchun interrupted him, "There is no room for consideration, the decision must be made immediately."
Going to Beiting will inevitably be full of dangers. If you are not careful, you will be doomed to fail in a foreign land.
Although wandering can help one survive, it is a life of hard work with no end in sight.
It’s a dilemma.
Mu Cong also stroked his beard until it curled up, but this was a critical moment for Zhao Xiu to decide his own destiny, and he had no say in it.
Zhao Xiu thought of the humiliation and unwillingness of the past three years, as well as his current predicament, and a raging anger burned in his chest. Rather than being tortured to death by exile, it would be better to take a gamble, die quickly, and live a free life.
Besides, wasn't he staying in the capital to seek revenge? It was like a dream come true, and now was the perfect time.
"Okay, I promise you." He stared at Lou Yunchun, "What do you want me to do?"
Seeing Zhao Xiu agreed, Lou Yunchun felt relieved, but his expression became more calm.
"Go back first and tell Prince Ying that I'm going to Liangzhou."
Not long after, Zhao Xiu was wrapped in a cloak and sent out of the Dali Temple. When he returned to Qingque Garden, the stench of sweat on his body almost made the guards fall down.
The rooster crows at dawn and the wind brings brightness.
Taking advantage of the cool weather, Xu Jiang and her guards went out early to buy things.
She went to Hu Xu's residence first and happened to meet him on duty at the History Museum.
Hearing that she came to get the book, Hu Xu smiled and said, "I forgot to return it to you."
"I only remembered to keep you here when I needed you."
"Just give me a message. Why bother coming here in person?"
"It just happened to be on my way, so I came here."
The guard was waiting at the entrance of the alley with the donkey, while Xu Jiang and Hu Xu went back to get the book.
Xu Jiang asked, "It's been over half a year, and we still haven't found any trace of that group of Western Region monks?"
"Progress is slow, but fortunately now that I'm in the History Museum, I have access to many ancient books and can find some clues."
"There are so many local chronicles in the history museum, we'll definitely find it." Xu Jiang thought of Yilale, "I wonder how Yilale's search is going."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
