Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

After recognizing reality, Gao Zhao no longer harbored any illusions about pursuing education!

It's strange, really. When he felt he had no chance to attend the Imperial Academy, he genuinely wanted to study hard and even mentally rehearsed what it would be like to work diligently!

But now that the opportunity has come, I've only practiced two words and I'm already feeling like giving up!

This is just like the keyboard warriors of later generations; when they express those impassioned words, they may not necessarily mean it that way!

However, when disaster strikes, their fear and cowardice are a true reflection of reality!

Especially after spending a day out, Gao Zhao decided that he was not cut out for studying. He hadn't done well in his previous life, and he was no different now!

Besides, studying is nowhere near as fun as playing outside, and the teachers at the Imperial Academy aren't as pretty as the ladies at Fanlou!

Now that we know that going to the Imperial Academy is a wrong path, we must cut our losses in time!

If a watch doesn't keep time, it can be accurate twice a day. But if it's inaccurate, then every second is wrong!

Gao Zhao decided to talk to Gao Qiu and end this wrong path. He promised to behave himself and be a proper playboy from now on!

Before he could even go to find Gao Qiu, he had just returned to his courtyard when he saw Gao Qiu standing in front of the door, holding his calligraphy copybook, his face ashen.

"My lord, what brings you here? If you need something from me, just let me know and I'll come to pay my respects!" Because he had something to ask of him, Gao Zhao acted extremely obsequiously.

Gao Qiu raised the calligraphy scroll in his hand and said coldly, "I gave it to you yesterday, and a whole day has passed, and you've only written five characters?"

"Too much or too little?" Seeing that things were out in the open, Gao Zhao didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Sir, I don't think I'm suited for studying!"

Gao Qiu looked him up and down, then said with a hint of surprise, "Is that even a question?"

"Uh...this..." Gao Zhao was speechless for a moment. He found Gao Qiu's words really infuriating. Had he never been beaten in all these years? Was there really not a single passionate man in the Song Dynasty?

If not, then he would be the first. Gao Zhao puffed out his chest and said, "Since you're not cut out for this, sir, I won't go to the Imperial Academy! Tell the Emperor I don't need this favor!"

"Dream on!" Gao Qiu sneered. "You think this is a favor? This is the Emperor punishing you for your insolence! A favor can be refused! But can punishment be given? How about we give you a few dozen lashes instead?"

"Ah!" Gao Zhao exclaimed in shock and then flew into a rage: "I gave him 80,000 strings of cash, and he still punished me! Is there any justice in this world? Isn't this bullying an honest person?"

"Shut up!" Gao Qiu snapped, glancing around before hissing, "Are you out of your mind? How dare you say such a thing!"

Gao Zhao stiffened his neck and shouted, "What's wrong? I have 80,000..."

"Shut up!" Gao Qiu roared. "Don't mention this again!"

Gao Zhao looked at him suspiciously. "Sir, you didn't embezzle that money, did you?"

"presumptuous!"

Gao Qiu made a move to strike, but Gao Zhao shrank back and laughed, "What's wrong? Did I hit the nail on the head? Are you getting angry because you're embarrassed?"

"My loyalty is as clear as day! You unfilial son, if you continue to spout nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Gao Qiu cursed a couple of times, then suddenly felt there was no need to explain anything to him. His face hardened, and he shouted, "You'd better go to the Imperial Academy tomorrow! This is the Emperor's decree. If you dare disobey, I'll personally chop off your head!"

Having said that, Gao Qiu flicked his sleeves and strode away.

Gao Zhao stared at his retreating figure, speechless with grief and indignation!

Eighty thousand strings of cash! What a terrible waste of my time!

Look at Wang Fu's boldness when he was prime minister; he only needed 300 strings of cash to become a sub-prefect!

If I were to throw 80,000 strings of cash at him, I'd be lucky to get him a high-ranking official position like a regional military commissioner!

This incompetent emperor of the Song Dynasty was even less magnanimous than a treacherous minister. Such ingratitude and betrayal were no wonder the country perished!

"Young master, it's a good thing to be able to study!" Shi Qian, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but advise after Gao Qiu left.

Gao Zhao glanced at him and saw that his eyes were full of envy. He felt a lump in his throat and lost his desire to complain. In this era without compulsory education, studying was always a luxury and not something that every ordinary person could afford!

Since he had to report to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, he had no choice but to accept whatever came his way.

We can't really let Gao Qiu chop off his head!

The next day, Gao Yi and the others had prepared his luggage and were ready to send him to the Biyong Hall in the southern suburbs. Just as they stepped out of the original place, a servant came to report that Lin Chong was requesting an audience.

Before Gao Zhao could react to what Lin Chong was doing so early in the morning, he heard a "whoosh" sound beside his ear, turned his head to look, and found that Lu Qian was missing...

Damn it! They're all stressed out!

Lin Chong was brought in, and Gao Zhao returned to his room to wait.

Before long, Lin Chong strode over, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master, I heard from Lady Jing that you came looking for me yesterday. May I ask what it was about?"

Gao Zhao then remembered the excuse he had used to flirt with Zhang Yunniang yesterday, and sighed, "Alas, Instructor Lin, something's happened!"

Lin Chong's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "What is it? Please speak, young master!"

"That day we destroyed the Beggars' Gang's hideout, rescued many children, and handed over the gang leader Fu Jin and the corrupt official to the authorities. But I received news yesterday that Fu Jin and the corrupt official have been released!"

"Ah!" Lin Chong exclaimed in surprise, "How could this be? Wasn't it said that even the Prefect of Kaifeng was implicated?"

"That's from another line of events! Of course, it has nothing to do with me!" Gao Zhao waved his hand and said, "I went to find you yesterday to discuss the follow-up strategy!"

Lin Chong pondered for a moment and said, "Young Master, our purpose that day was to resolve the trouble for our senior brother at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Now that the Beggars' Clan has been thoroughly investigated, even if the bandit leader comes, he probably won't dare to cause trouble for our senior brother again. This matter is now settled. Besides, we rescued so many children, which can be considered a great deed!"

"Does Instructor Lin mean to settle things peacefully?" Gao Zhao frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, that's what I mean too, but I'm afraid that things might not stay peaceful forever!"

Lin Chong asked in surprise, "Young Master, are you saying they'll come looking for trouble again?"

Gao Zhao nodded and said, "Even if they escape this time, the price they paid will be huge. How can they let it go so easily? That Flower Monk is all alone and has no ties. At most, he can just leave and go away from Tokyo. But what about you, Instructor Lin, who has a family to support?"

Lin Chong's expression immediately changed drastically, and he hurriedly asked, "Young Master, do you have any good ideas for me?"

Gao Zhao gave a wry smile and shook his head, pointing to the luggage beside him. "I was also implicated and sent to study at the Imperial Academy! But you don't need to worry too much. This is just my guess, it may not be true. Just be careful!"

"Yes!" Lin Chong replied helplessly, nodding with a worried expression.

Meanwhile, the Right Inspector, with a gloomy expression, put down Lin Chong's household registration file!