Chapter 3, Let's talk more.

Half an hour later, Li Diudiu and his master walked along the way, inquiring about a grand residence. His master instructed him to wait at the entrance while he approached the door. Observing his master's unusually serious expression, Li Diudiu noticed that he even took the time to straighten his clothes, which, despite appearing dirtier than could be imagined, were wrinkled and disheveled.

Xiao Li indeed does not fully understand these words, but has noted them down, for what the master says will ultimately be correct

Hmm?

The master smiled and said, "If you do not understand, then so be it."

For some reason, Li Diudiu feels that this person is very hypocritical, and he does not like him

Gao Shao smiled slightly and said, "How could I dare to accept such a valuable item from you? I will keep it for a few days to observe carefully, and then I will have someone return it to you."

Zhou Huaili cleared his throat: "I ... ... I have a nephew ... ... "

Before he finished speaking, Gao Shaowei raised his head and glanced at him: "Are you planning to bring the books to the academy? Bring them over tomorrow for me to take a look. It just so happens that a few children will also come tomorrow, and I will review them all and select the best ones."

Shh ... ...

Why do bandits kill indiscriminately, yet you dare to carry so much silver and copper coins around? Are you not afraid of the bandits

Outside the Four Pages Academy, Zhou Huaili waited for quite some time before being invited inside. It was said that Mr. Gao had just finished his lecture and was waiting for him in the study. He entered Gao Shaowei's study with a sense of reverence, much like a primary school student.

It is indeed a genuine work, truly the authentic piece of Mr. Songming

Before he finished speaking, Gao Shaowei's eyes lit up: "Hmm? Is it true?!"

Sir

Chang Mei truly did not know that Zhou Huaili had already stepped down, and his expression changed with urgency: "Please inform him, I am not here to mooch food and drink; I have important matters to discuss"

That ... ...

This time, his master did not say anything further about buying lives, but instead spoke with a tone full of hope: "My master has an old friend in Jizhou. Although we have not seen each other for a long time, our relationship remains unchanged. The friendship of gentlemen is as light as water. I have come this time to ask him to help my master with a matter."

Therefore, no consideration was given while eating

Master

Brother Haili, I must hurry to the governor's residence shortly. If you have any urgent matters, please speak directly.

Because the master does not want you to follow me and live like a beggar all the time. You are intelligent and eager to learn. The master has been saving money all these years to provide you with a different way of living. The Sijie Academy in Jizhou is quite prestigious. If you can enter Sijie Academy to study, once you graduate, you will be able to seek a position in the government. Even if you work as an accountant in the government, it will still be a respectable life. Moreover, how could a disciple from Sijie Academy possibly end up as an accountant.

The lamps in the study of the Zhou residence burned brightly throughout the night. Zhou Huaili gazed at the calligraphy manuscript, unable to close his eyes for the entire night. To him, this manuscript was a rare treasure; the more he looked at it, the more he cherished it, to the extent that he could regard it as his own life.

The Governor of Jizhou held a significant position, being a high-ranking official and also a student of Gao Shaowei

The Long-Browed Taoist took out an envelope from his bosom, which had already turned yellow with age, its date unknown. He extended the envelope with both hands and said: "I trouble you to inform the esteemed registrar that an old acquaintance, Long-Browed, wishes to meet."

He might end up taking your money

This is the residence of Master Zhou Huaili, the chief grain officer of the Jizhou Prefectural Government.

Li Diudiu has always been curious about one thing. In his eyes, the master is definitely not a serious person, yet over the years of traveling back and forth through the seven counties of Youzhou, he has witnessed the respect the common people have for the master. Even those bandits do not trouble the master when they see him, which he cannot comprehend

Zhou Huaili's eyes were fixed on the calligraphy book, unable to look away, yet he waved his hand and instructed, "Quickly prepare some food for my elder brother; he must be starving."

The Long-Browed Daoist gritted his teeth and said: "Yes, you are indeed my burden. If it weren't for bringing you along all these years, would I have had to endure such hardship?"

Do not speak nonsense

The Long-Browed Daoist glared at Li Diudiu and said, "Do not think so poorly of people's intentions"

Li Diu looked at his master and said, "Look at his eyebrows and eyes!"

Master, is the chief clerk a very high official

The Long-Browed Daoist gestured for him to remain silent, then spoke in an extremely low voice: "Although the Master Clerk is not a high-ranking official, he is the highest-ranking official known to my master. If I wish to help you buy your life, I can only seek his assistance"

The old man paused for a moment, looking at the Longmei Daoist with a gaze of pity: "You probably still do not know that the esteemed one has already stepped down, right? During the esteemed one's tenure, there were quite a few relatives and friends who came over each year to enjoy drinks. You have come too late"

The Long-Browed Daoist opened the package and took out a scroll: "This is the authentic work of Mr. Songming, which took me nine years to find"

Sir

In these years of my constant travels, I have not forgotten that you once mentioned to me that you are most fond of Mr. Songming's calligraphy

He knocked on the door, and the master took two steps back to wait. After a while, an old man opened the door, squinting to look at his master, and then shook his head: "Daoist, there is nothing here that requires your assistance; you might as well inquire elsewhere."

Zhou Huaili did not dare to directly open the scroll; instead, he first cleansed his hands and then cautiously unwrapped it little by little, his expression resembling that of a lecher slowly unbuttoning a woman's clothing

Gao Shao did not take his eyes off the calligraphy book, yet he waved his hand and said, "Come here, prepare some food and drinks. It has been a long time since I last saw Brother Huai Li, and we need to have a good chat."

The Long-Browed Daoist forced a smile and said: "You little burden, if you don't follow me, who knows how carefree my life would be? I wouldn't have to save money for you anymore, I could eat whatever I want and wear whatever I want. Do you think I can't live without you? Without you dragging me down, I would live very freely and comfortably"

Mr. Songming was a renowned scholar from the Great Chu over two hundred years ago. In terms of calligraphy, every piece of his writing that has been passed down is of considerable value, even beyond monetary measurement. For those who love calligraphy, an authentic work by Mr. Songming is a priceless treasure

The Long-Browed Daoist quickly expressed his gratitude and bowed deeply. Xiao Li Diu Diu stood not far away, watching his master plead with an inexplicable pain in his heart, thinking that if he were capable in the future, he would not let his master have to speak so humbly just to meet someone.

At that moment, the old doorman came out and said with a smile, "My master invites you in; please stomp your feet to shake off the dust before entering the living room"

Zhou Huaili took the hand of the Long Eyebrow Daoist and entered the living room, instructing the servants to brew tea. After understanding the purpose of Long Eyebrow's visit, Zhou Huaili clearly found himself in a difficult position

Zhou Huaili opened the package he had brought with him, revealing an exquisite wooden box. He carefully placed the wooden box on the table and slowly opened it: "I have obtained an authentic work by Mr. Songming, it is that piece titled 'The Post on the Sparrow Platform'..."

Master, what are we doing in Jizhou

Indeed

Why does the master always say he wants to buy my life

Yes, yes, yes ... ...

The Great Chu Dynasty encompasses thirteen provinces across the realm. One of these provinces, Jizhou, is located in the northern part of the Central Plains. Jizhou is further divided into nineteen prefectures, with Youzhou being the northernmost prefecture. To the north of Youzhou lies the Yanyun Mountains, and beyond the Yanyun Mountains is the enemy territory.

Li Diudiu walked up to his master and asked in a low voice.

Li Diudiu shook his head: "I do not understand"

Good, good, good

Zhou Huaili bowed again and said: "The gentleman is busy, I will take my leave now"

Half an hour later, the Longbrow Daoist led Li Diudiu out of the Zhou residence, a smile on his face. Zhou Huaili had left behind a calligraphy piece and also his savings accumulated over several years, saying he hoped they would keep in touch.

Zhou Huaili quickly bowed and said: "Thank you, sir"

The Long-Browed Daoist explained as he walked: "You are still young, and there are some things I say that you may not understand, but you can remember them... People change, they are very changeable. In times of prosperity, regardless of what people's beliefs are, whether it be the Daoist or Buddhist paths, ultimately, they believe in the court. The stability of the court is the foundation of people's hearts. However, in times of chaos, when people no longer believe in the court, they can only turn to the deities and Buddhas, and even their reverence for ghosts and spirits surpasses their reverence for the court"

Before long, an elderly man and a young boy entered the courtyard under the guidance of the gatekeeper. At the entrance of the main house, Zhou Huaili, whose hair was graying at the temples, stood waiting. Upon seeing the Longmei Daoist, he hurriedly descended the steps and said: "My old brother, what brings you here in such a weary state?"

On the morning of the second day, Zhou Huaili groomed himself and changed his clothes before departing in a horse-drawn carriage

Li Diudiu had seen that calligraphy piece and, when he had nothing to do, would squat on the ground practicing the characters depicted in it for fun. His master had seen it and remarked that it was seven parts lifelike, but he himself did not find the characters particularly attractive.

Li Diudiu could not help but ask again

Li Diudiu let out a heavy snort in his heart again

I do not!

Dear elder brother, I have been out of office for over two years and have hardly interacted with officials. In the past, I still had the opportunity to meet Mr. Gao, but in these two years, I have been living in seclusion and truly... truly unable to offer any assistance. Elder brother, heed my advice: the Sijie Academy only enrolls fifty disciples each year, all from prestigious families, you...

Yes, yes, yes

The master raised his head and looked; in the distance, a large city had already taken shape, and that was the place they were heading to, Jizhou

Upon hearing Li Diudiu say the words "I don't," Chang Mei's expression immediately turned unpleasant: "You child, do not speak nonsense."

Zhou Huaili first bowed down in a gesture of respect

Li Diudiu's eyes became moist: "Does Master mean that I am a burden?"

Zhou Huaili was so moved that there were faint tears in his eyes

Gao Shaowei appears to be around sixty years old, yet he is in good spirits, though he seems somewhat indifferent. Given his status, being able to meet Zhou Huaili is indeed a gesture of respect.

Gao Shaowei glanced at him, then looked at the calligraphy: "This is the calligraphy of the Dengque Platform..."

The old man at the gate said, "You all wait here, I will go ask the master"

His hands trembled with excitement

that's all

Hearing this sentence, Zhou Huaili's eyes lit up: "The genuine work of Mr. Songming?"

He did not say the words at the back, thinking that Changmei should be able to understand them on his own

I

Those bandits who dare to kill officials yet do not harm wandering Daoists like us are afraid of retribution. They commit evil deeds while thinking that by not killing a Daoist, they can accumulate virtue. Do you not think the human heart is treacherous?

Li Diudiu also gritted his teeth, refusing to let himself cry out

Li Diudiu finally understood what his master meant by "buying a life". His master had mentioned the Four-Page Academy several times, either intentionally or unintentionally, stating that the president of the Four-Page Academy, Gao Shaowei, is a renowned scholar in the world. Even some high-ranking officials in the court are students of Gao Shaowei.

I am not speaking nonsense; what would my master do if I were to enter some four-page academy

Zhou Huaili took out the calligraphy book and handed it to Gao Shaowei, whose expression upon opening the book was identical to that of Zhou Huaili's from yesterday

The inspection at the city gate was not very strict. Although his master was reluctant, he still handed a piece of broken silver to the officer in charge of checking the entry and exit of the citizens at the city gate, and said a few flattering words. The old man was so eloquent that even ghosts would be amused, let alone an officer who was easily swayed by money.

Zhou Huaili said: "What I have left for your observation is not a gift to you, but rather a temporary storage here for your review. You may observe it for as long as you wish, that is entirely acceptable."

Li Diudiu silently snorted, thinking to himself that such pretentiousness was truly unnecessary. If he were to treat me as his master, shouldn't he personally come out to greet me?

Not afraid, yet afraid

After the Long-Browed Daoist finished speaking, he instinctively patted the bundle on his back, which contained his savings accumulated over the years