Chapter 802: One of life's three great illusions: I can do it too

Chen Guanlou, of course, would not take over the Youth Society.

After Zhao Mingqiao woke up, he prepared a table of wine and dishes to entertain him.

"Brother Zhao, how do you feel? Are you feeling any better?"

Zhao Mingqiao had washed his whole body, combed his hair, shaved his beard, and changed into clean clothes. He looked fresh and clean, a decent appearance ready to walk out of the Heavenly Prison and return to officialdom at any time.

He picked up his teacup and drank it in one gulp. "Many thanks for Brother Chen's care, allowing me to enjoy the best treatment in the Heavenly Prison that no one else has."

"You're too polite! We've known each other for so many years; this little bit of care is nothing."

"In any case, I accept this favor! Speaking of favors, over these years, I have owed you a great deal. Yet I have never had the opportunity to repay you. Brother Chen, if there is anything you need me to do, just speak up. Otherwise, I will not be at peace."

Chen Guanlou raised his eyebrows slightly, staring at him. What's this, has he changed his nature?

"What could I possibly have for you to do? I don't lack money, and there are people below me to worry about things. I am doing very well; don't let your imagination run wild."

"You are always so open-minded, always so easily satisfied. It's a pity I can't be like you, sigh... I thought carefully about the things you said. You are right; the Youth Society is not your responsibility, and I shouldn't have rashly dumped it on you."

Zhao Mingqiao wiped his face.

"I've thought it through. After I get out, I will find a way to get posted outside. The Youth Society can't achieve results just by staying in the imperial court. We need to go to the local areas, benefit the local people, and practice our philosophy. If we can achieve results in the local areas, it proves my philosophy is not wrong; it's the people who are wrong. If we end up in a total mess in the local areas with no achievements, it only proves that the Youth Society was wrong from the beginning."

His attitude was serious; it was clearly the result of careful consideration and not just a whim.

Chen Guanlou was slightly startled, stunned for a moment, and asked: "Are you sure you want to go to a local area to serve as an official? You must think clearly; it is easy to be posted outside, but difficult to return to the capital! Only the imperial court can determine the direction of the whole world and determine the overall situation."

Zhao Mingqiao laughed at himself. "Brother Chen, don't mock me. Do you think I am someone who can determine the direction of the whole world? Give me another ten years, and I won't have many achievements in the imperial court either. At most, I will be left with a reputation for being stubborn and conservative. Everyone will keep their distance from me.

It is better to start from small things and practice my own philosophy. As for the difficulty of returning to the capital after being posted outside, it doesn't matter! If I can practice my philosophy in one place, I will; if I can practice it in ten places, I will! As long as I, Zhao Mingqiao, still have a breath left, I will not admit defeat!"

Chen Guanlou felt his blood boil.

This was the Brother Zhao he knew—always passionate, always firm, always undefeated! Even if his head was broken and bleeding, he would still charge forward!

He raised his wine cup. "Brother Zhao, I toast you! I have always said that you are the most suitable president for the Youth Society, precisely because of this persistence, this passion, and this spirit of not fearing death. And I am just a vulgar person, but I am willing to wave the flag and shout for you! Bottoms up!"

"Bottoms up!"

The two of them were passionate and excited together.

He immediately decided to take out a sum of money to support Zhao Mingqiao in practicing his philosophy.

"I have plenty of money, and it's just gathering dust. It's better to take some out to support your ideas. Don't refuse my good intentions! You know, I earn money very easily; I can earn money just by lying down."

He loved money and felt pained by spending it, but he was never stingy with wealth. Spend when it should be spent, save when it should be saved; be serious when it's time to be serious, and be generous when it's time to be carefree.

It's all spending money; spending it at a brothel is spending, and adding bricks and tiles to a buddy's ideals is also spending. Even if this ideal ultimately ends in failure, at least it existed and was experienced. The result is important, but the process is equally important!

"Then I won't be polite!" Zhao Mingqiao drank the wine in his cup in one gulp, feeling warm in his heart. "Good brother, every time I am in a desperate situation and lost, you are by my side to guide me. Great kindness needs no thanks! If one day I, Zhao Mingqiao, stand on that mountain peak, you will take the top credit."

Chen Guanlou laughed. "Whether it's the top credit doesn't matter! When you stand on the mountain peak, don't forget your original intention. Otherwise, I will remind you personally."

"With a blade?"

"You know it!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Since the decision was made, the next step was to figure out how to get out of prison. It would inevitably involve spending money and using personal connections.

Zhao Mingqiao was a troublemaker in officialdom, but over the years, he had managed to accumulate some connections. Coupled with the influence of the Youth Society, once the idea of him being posted outside as an official was released, there were quite a few people willing to fish him out of prison.

Over at the Government Affairs Hall, someone even took personal care of it.

"Little Zhao was confused for a moment! Since he already knows his mistake and is willing to go to the local areas to gain experience, the imperial court should give him a chance. Talent is hard to come by; don't chill the hearts of the vast number of scholars."

With a big shot speaking, Zhao Mingqiao's release procedures were handled very quickly.

Half a month later, there was movement from the Ministry of Justice.

Early in the morning, Chen Guanlou personally sent him out of prison and teased, "Don't you go in for a fourth time."

Zhao Mingqiao laughed upon hearing this. "If I really do go in for a fourth time, it must mean something big has happened. This time being posted outside, I specifically chose the east. That side has been relatively chaotic because of the religious bandits. Going there, I won't come back unless I achieve results. Brother Chen, remember to write! May our brotherly bond last forever!"

"Don't be so mushy. I'm not good at writing letters; why don't you write, and I'll reply."

"That works too!" Zhao Mingqiao looked at the blue sky, many heroic ambitions rising in his heart, vowing to achieve some results and make the world look at him with new eyes. For a moment, his poetic spirit was aroused, and he improvised a poem.

Chen Guanlou hurriedly ordered someone to record it.

When Brother Zhao achieves success and fame in the future and becomes a big shot in the imperial court, this poem will surely be famous for ages and worth thousands of gold!

Is this a poem?

No!

This is wealth!

Everyone present was a witness to history!

A carriage took the man away.

Mu Qingshan said sourly, "This poem isn't that great; it's steady and balanced, not stunning at all."

"Is this a question of whether it's stunning?" Chen Guanlou criticized seriously. "This is a witness to history! Use your brain."

"On what basis does my lord conclude that the man surnamed Zhao will definitely achieve something after going out this time? I see that his way of being an official and a person isn't much better than mine. If I were in his position, I might do better than him."

One of life's three great illusions: I can do it too!

Chen Guanlou sneered. "Do you have sentiment? Do you have ideals? Will you persist for one year, two years, three years, year after year, for an ideal that everyone calls unrealistic? Will you still be firm in your philosophy and never change your ambition after failing countless times and suffering countless blows?

Even if you are facing the threat of death, you will never retreat; can you do that? If you can't do any of the above, or can only do one or two, you are not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as him. You are right; from a certain angle, Zhao Mingqiao indeed doesn't know how to be an official, or even how to be a person. However, this world can exist without you and me, but it absolutely cannot exist without him. That is the difference!" ===== CHAPTER 803 =====