Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly and asked in disbelief, "Wait a minute, was it me who helped you cheat before?"

However, Ma Tianmao shook his head with a bitter face and sighed, "You are well aware of my situation. Without your help, I would not have been able to pass the previous county and academy exams."

He paused, then continued, "Especially the Tongsheng exam. If it weren't for your help in cheating, I wouldn't have been able to get through. Later, when it came to the academy and state exams, we weren't assigned to the same exam room. I thought my chances were over, but unexpectedly, the new emperor showed mercy and granted me the status of an ordinary student."

Hearing the word "Lisheng", Zhang Jingwei was stunned and asked in confusion: "Lisheng? What does this mean?"

Ma Tianmao said with a proud look on his face: "Hehe, to put it simply, I bought it with money!" He looked so rich, as if there was nothing in this world that money couldn't buy.

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head and said, "Oh my, Brother Tian Miao is really generous. In this way, he must have a bright future!" Although there was envy in his words, it was mostly a kind of ridicule.

At this time, Ma Tianmao suddenly came forward and said to Zhang Jingwei in a low voice: "The provincial examination is about to begin. Brother Jingwei, can you lend a hand to me?" His eyes were full of expectation and earnestness.

Zhang Jingwei looked embarrassed and hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "This...how can I help you?" He didn't have to take the exam himself, so how could he help?

Upon seeing this, Ma Tianmao quickly patted his chest and assured: "My father accidentally got the examination papers of this provincial examination a few days ago. If Brother Jingwei doesn't mind, I hope you can help me take a look at it. After it's done, I will definitely reward you with a fortune!" As he said that, he stretched out a hand and gestured with a big number.

Zhang Jingwei widened his eyes and asked in disbelief, "How much?!" His voice unconsciously rose an octave.

Ma Tianmao quickly corrected himself: "Oh, I was negligent. I am willing to pay one hundred thousand strings of cash!" As soon as this number came out, even the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

However, Zhang Jingwei was still so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth. He asked again: "How much?!"

Ma Tianmao gritted his teeth and said with determination, "Actually, there are several students in Yunzhou who have some connections with me. We have discussed it and are willing to invest together. A total of 800,000 strings of cash! But we really can't give more... Look, you have to leave me some profit..."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei finally came back to his senses. He took a deep breath, then nodded vigorously and said, "Okay! Godfather... Oh no, Brother Tianmao, you and I brothers have made another agreement here today, and this matter is settled. I just don't know about the deposit..." At this point, he looked at Ma Tianmao meaningfully.

Ma Tianmao naturally understood what the other party meant and quickly responded, "Don't worry, Brother Jingwei, I will pay a few tens of thousands of guan as a deposit first. If I fail the exam, the deposit does not need to be returned."

……

In the evening, Zhang Jingwei looked at the test paper and fell into deep thought. Not to mention that he couldn't understand it at all, but more than 70% of the words were words he had never seen before.

The servant came running in to report: "Sir, there's a man outside who calls himself Wang Ju and wants to see you!"

Zhang Jingwei, who was concentrating on reading at the table, looked up at the words and said with a look of surprise, "Wang Zhen? He hasn't left yet? Come in quickly!"

Soon, Wang Jue hurried into the room. Upon seeing Zhang Jingwei, he immediately bowed and said with reverence, "Senior! I never thought you'd still be studying so hard late into the night, even after being nominated as a filial and honest official. Such diligence and eagerness to learn truly earn my admiration!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Oh, you're flattering. But didn't Chief Secretary Wang leave a few days ago? Why are you still staying in Yunzhou?"

Wang Jue quickly replied, "Senior, I was asked by Governor Lu to stay and help mark the exam papers. The students in Yunzhou are truly talented and brilliant! Especially that student from Tianlin. He's so young yet so talented. His writing is so exquisite, in no way inferior to that of you, senior!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but feel a little amused and said in a feigned anger: "Look at you, you talk as if I'm already old and ugly. I'm only eighteen years old this year!"

Wang Jue smiled faintly and said softly, "I've come here today to say goodbye, Senior. My brother has already booked a carriage for me. As for my donkey... although it runs a little slowly, it's still young and strong. It would be a shame to sell it. After much thought, I think it would be better to give it to you, Senior!"

In fact, in Yunzhou, a place crowded with merchants, donkeys weren't expensive, much cheaper than cattle and horses. Wang Zhen knew that instead of selling the donkey at a low price, he would give it to Zhang Jingwei as a keepsake. He also knew that Zhang Jingwei didn't have a dedicated mount for his daily travels, so this little donkey might be useful.

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but show surprise on his face. He quickly waved his hands and said, "Oh my! It's actually a little donkey! How can this be? It's such a generous gift. I'm really embarrassed to accept it."

Wang Jue hurriedly stepped forward and said sincerely: "I hope senior won't refuse. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Besides, Jue must leave the city before curfew tonight. Time is tight, so I won't bother you any more. Senior, please take good care of yourself in the future!" After that, he bowed and prepared to turn around and leave.

At this moment, Zhang Jingwei grabbed Wang Jue and took out a hundred taels of silver from the account office of the Marquis' Mansion. He stuffed it into Wang Jue's hand and said with concern: "Brother Wang, you have a long journey ahead. This hundred taels of silver is Zhang Jingwei's money for your journey. I hope you have a safe journey!"

Wang Jue was deeply moved. After taking the silver, he clasped his fists and bowed again: "Thank you for your kindness, senior. Wang Jue will always remember it. Well, goodbye, take care!" After saying that, he resolutely embarked on the road to leave the city, his figure gradually walking away.

Zhang Jingwei stood there, looking at the direction where Wang Jue was leaving, and stood there for a long time. It was not because of any nostalgia, but because he was thinking about Tian Linsheng that Wang Jue had just mentioned.

I seem to have seen the face of "Tian Wenjin", who was given a name that morning and ranked first in the two examinations in Yunzhou, somewhere.

After recalling for a long time, he finally remembered the student from the official school who was questioned in the flower building.