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

"How refreshing! I get tuition twice a month!"

"Just a few days in advance, saying they were busy with official duties."

"We only have a few students in Yunzhou. Is it really that serious?"

"I heard that Master Zhang missed his tuition this month, and the government wanted to make up for it, but they were afraid of violating regulations, so they had to advance it."

"It just so happens that the provincial examination will be held next month, and this will be enough money for the trip to and from the prefecture."

In a teahouse, several scholars were discussing the provincial examination, and the conversation turned to the early distribution of tuition subsidies.

This is all thanks to Zhang Jingwei's constant pressure.

……

In the government office, Zhang Jingwei counted the silver he had received, placed it one by one on the table, and then put it back into the bag one by one. He weighed it and found that more than sixty taels was very heavy. Reflecting on the TV dramas, it was really an exaggeration that only two people could carry a large box of silver.

Lu Hui was still digesting the "Appraisal" writing style taught to him by Zhang Jingwei. Although he was a graduate of the Imperial College, he really couldn't write this kind of official document. He had to master various writing styles such as notices, policy proposals, etc.

"The class has been taught and the money has been collected. Can you now leave, student?" Zhang Jingwei smiled. He was so arrogant just now, but after receiving the money, he became respectful again.

"Wait a minute, there's one more thing!" Lu Hui took out a letter from the table and said, "Wang Shidu of Jinzhou gave you a letter."

After opening the letter, Zhang Jingwei was very upset. It was written in a very literary style and some words were even too difficult to understand.

It is generally known that Wang Zhen wanted to express two things. One is that he wanted Zhang Jingwei to bring two books, and the other is to ask Zhang Jingwei to take good care of his mount.

Zhang Jingwei asked, "What do you plan to do with Wang Zhen?"

Lu Hui said sternly, "Wang Jue is suspected of shielding the criminals and failing to report them. He is guilty of the same crime as the principal offender and should be executed according to the law! However, since his merits have been used to offset his faults, he can be treated with appropriate leniency. He can either be exiled a thousand miles away or sent into exile."

"Is that so..." Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but worry. With Wang Zhen's small body, he would probably die on the way if he was exiled, not to mention being sent to the army.

Lu Hui smiled and said, "Actually, there is another way. It doesn't require losing your official position, nor does it require you to suffer physical pain."

Zhang Jingwei immediately perked up when he heard this and asked hurriedly, "What's the solution?"

Lu Hui looked at him and said slowly, "Borrow money! As long as you pay the redemption money, you can be exempted from the crime. But..." He paused and continued, "The amount involved in this case is too large. The redemption money must be at least over a million!"

One million! Wang Jue is just an accountant. Isn't the bulk of the money in Han Ye's hands? Hiss... What if Han Ye pays the ransom money? Then wouldn't it be...

"Han Ye is guilty of a capital crime and cannot be pardoned!" Lu Hui guessed what Zhang Jingwei was thinking.

Zhang Jingwei breathed a sigh of relief, muttering, "That's good, that's good..."

Lu Hui suddenly asked, "Do you know who Wang Zhen's brother is?"

Zhang Jingwei was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously said, "Isn't that the fugitive Wang Huang?"

Lu Hui shook his head and said in a heavy tone, "Wang Huang is just a cousin. Wang Zhen's real brothers are Wang Lian, the chief secretary of the Prince of Jin's Palace, and Wang Wenyue!"

Zhang Jingwei was stunned when he heard this, and muttered to himself, "He actually has two brothers?"

Lu Hui glanced at him and explained, "Wang Lian is the name, Wen Yue is the courtesy name!"

Zhang Jingwei asked, "Changshi? Is that a very high official?"

"He's a third-rank official, which is great, but not great either." Lu Hui's eyes flashed with hostility, and he continued, "The Prince of Jin is a vassal king. Half of Hedong Road belongs to the Prince of Jin. The Chief Secretary assists the Prince of Jin in managing the military, political, and civil affairs of the territory."

"I understand. The chief of staff is also the military advisor!" This is a word Zhang Jingwei saw in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. As long as the word "assistant" is included, it basically means the person who actually does the work. Therefore, the person who really does the work in Liu Bei's group is the military advisor Zhuge Liang.

Lu Hui nodded in agreement and said, "That's right. The position isn't high, but the power is immense! Even the governor of Hedong has to obey his orders."

Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly. "So, it doesn't matter what Wang Zhen does now, right?"

Lu Hui nodded and said calmly: "Well, maybe Jinzhou will send someone tomorrow." A trace of helplessness and worry flashed in his eyes.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Jingwei asked softly, "Then what should we do?"

Lu Hui pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Let's wait for them to handle it. Maybe this is the best way. After all, this matter is beyond my ability."

Zhang Jingwei sighed and nodded in agreement, and the two fell into silence.

Zhang Jingwei thought of Liu Yanzhi who had gone to Gaoyang County, so he asked, "Teacher, is there any news?"

Lu Hui told him, "The magistrate of Gaoyang County, where Yan Zhi went, was once a minor official in the prefecture. He was appreciated and, after many twists and turns and much effort, he was finally promoted to the position of magistrate."

He went on to say, "He used to be very hardworking, but maybe he's gotten old and a bit naive. In recent years, he's been amassing wealth recklessly, leaving the people with no hope of survival!"

Zhang Jingwei was shocked and said, "You knew this a long time ago? If you knew this a long time ago, why didn't you take him down earlier?"

Lu Hui was a little embarrassed and said, "The people promoted by the Daofu are my colleagues. As long as they don't do anything harmful to the world, I can turn a blind eye."

After hearing what Lu Hui said, Zhang Jingwei was filled with great dissatisfaction and cursed in his heart: These dog officials!

"Now that he's the King of Jin's man, are you going to take action against him?"

Lu Hui looked at Zhang Jingwei, sighed helplessly, and explained: "You are still too young and don't understand the complexities of officialdom."

Zhang Jingwei became even more angry after hearing this. He angrily said, "Officialdom, officialdom, are you officials only concerned about the interests of the officialdom and don't care about the lives of the people?"

Lu Hui was a little embarrassed by Zhang Jingwei's questioning, but he still persuaded him earnestly: "You are about to become a juren. If you are lucky, you may be able to enter the official career soon."

Lu Hui paused, looked at Zhang Jingwei with a look of satisfaction, and continued, "By then, I hope you can still remember what I said today and don't forget your original intention."

……

After leaving the government office, although Zhang Jingwei received the academic subsidy, what Lu Hui said made him think deeply.

Perhaps not all the officials in this court are corrupt, but there must be many officials like Lu Hui who are able to judge the situation. Although they are not like those flatterers who persecute loyal officials and deceive the emperor, they are still extremely harmful to the grassroots society.

If the day ever came when he became an official, he himself was not sure whether he would become a mere dust in the world. Anyway, he had never been an official before, and he had tried to pass the civil service exam for several years but never succeeded.

"Being an official" would probably make other people laugh in their dreams, but Zhang Jingwei did not feel happy. Instead, he felt stressed.

On his way back, he went to the clinic and told Zhang Liu about this incident. Zhang Liu was very happy, but this happiness was only momentary.

Zhang Liu frowned as he recounted the past. "Master was once a Beijing official, but was ostracized by his colleagues, framed, and imprisoned. Fortunately, the late emperor was very perceptive and allowed the Zhang family a chance to survive. If Young Master becomes an official... he'll have to assess the situation carefully."

As expected, no one would persuade themselves to work diligently for the people and keep their hands clean. This idea is so deeply rooted.