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"Please wait a moment, brother."

Having said this, Wang Bo turned and walked out, returning shortly with his worn-out bundle. He then opened it in front of Dian Wei, revealing layer upon layer of glistening gold leaves.

"This—" At the sight of the shimmering gold leaves before him, Dian Wei was utterly astonished.

"Shouldn't these be enough?" Wang Bo asked, looking at Dian Wei.

"Xiao Bo, where did all of these come from?"

"They were a gift from my elder brother," Wang Bo answered without hesitation.

"Then why—?"

Knowing full well what Dian Wei was about to ask, Wang Bo smiled and replied, "Brother, are you not aware that these times are still treacherous? If I did not take such precautions, how could I possibly travel thousands of li from Jizhou to Yingchuan?"

"That is true." Dian Wei nodded. Anyone who laid eyes on this much gold would be overcome with greed.

"Since that is the case, I shall follow you, Xiao Bo." Recognizing that this sworn brother of his possessed a sharp and resourceful mind, Dian Wei nodded and gave his consent.

"In that case, let us set off immediately."

"Very well." A man of decisive action, Dian Wei nodded in agreement.

***

In Yangzhai County, Yingchuan, Yanzhou, the sun beat down fiercely on this particular day. A horse-drawn carriage rolled slowly to a halt beneath the city gates. The burly driver leaped down from the carriage and lifted the curtain, allowing a youth dressed in scholarly robes to step out. This person was none other than Wang Bo. With a bodyguard of Dian Wei's caliber by his side, Wang Bo no longer feared displaying his wealth to the outside world. Upon reaching a respectable city, he had spent a substantial sum to purchase a horse-drawn carriage, and the four of them had traveled onward to Yingchuan in it.

Raising his head to look upon Yangzhai County, Wang Bo felt a surge of overwhelming emotion within his breast. Having endured so many hardships, he had finally reached his destination—the place of his dreams. Recalling the trials of his journey thus far, he was filled with profound sentiment.

"Let us enter the city," Wang Bo said to Dian Wei before turning back to re-enter the carriage. Dian Wei nimbly hopped back onto the driver's seat and guided the carriage slowly into Yangzhai.

During the Three Kingdoms era, horse-drawn carriages commanded a certain level of respect. As Dian Wei drove through, almost no one stopped them to question their origins, and they entered Yangzhai County without a hitch.

Upon his initial arrival in Yangzhai, Wang Bo felt a lingering sense of confusion. He had previously assumed that the administrative seat of Yingchuan Commandery was Xuchang. Thus, when he had told Dian Wei on that earlier day that they were heading to Xuchang County, it had left Dian Wei completely bewildered, staring at him with wide-eyed curiosity and asking if there was truly a place called Xuchang City in Yingchuan. It was only later that Wang Bo recalled that the name Xuchang was only adopted much later, after Cao Pi established his capital there. Before that, it was known simply as Xu County. The group had then hurriedly rushed to Xu County. Yet, when Wang Bo excitedly set out to find the Yingchuan Academy upon arrival, he searched the entire county seat to no avail—the academy was simply not there. Upon inquiring further, he finally learned that the Yingchuan Academy was actually located in Yangzhai.

Yangzhai felt entirely unfamiliar to Wang Bo; he had no prior knowledge of this place whatsoever. Even more unexpected to him was the revelation that Yangzhai was currently the administrative center of Yingchuan Commandery. It made him realize just how little he truly knew.

Upon arriving in Yangzhai, Wang Bo did not proceed directly to the Yingchuan Academy. Instead, he first sought out a fine residence and purchased it. Once he had settled the mother and son of the Wang family comfortably, Wang Bo set off toward the Yingchuan Academy with a heart full of nervous anticipation.

The entire atmosphere of Yangzhai was characterized by simple and honest folkways. The people passing by, even commoners of the streets and alleys, carried themselves with modesty and courtesy, exuding an air of scholarly refinement. Taking in this scene, Wang Bo was deeply moved. It was no wonder that Yingchuan had become the cradle of renowned scholars during the Three Kingdoms period; judging merely by the scholarly ethos and academic air here, no other place could possibly compare. By any estimation, a vast majority of the era's luminaries emerged from this very soil. Figures such as Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, and Xu Shu all hailed from Yingchuan, and every single one of them left an indelible mark upon the pages of history. At this thought, Wang Bo's blood ran hot with excitement. The prospect of studying alongside the great minds of the Three Kingdoms era was profoundly thrilling. Yet, he also harbored a measure of anxiety, uncertain whether he would be accepted into the Yingchuan Academy. Fortunately, the thought of Cai Yong's letter of recommendation quickly reassured him and eased his mind.

After making several inquiries, Wang Bo discovered that the Yingchuan Academy was not situated within the city walls, but rather nestled in the suburban outskirts. It had originally been a private estate belonging to the influential Xun family of Yingchuan and was donated to serve as a schoolhouse after the academy was founded. Not long after leaving the city, Wang Bo arrived outside the academy grounds.

Yingchuan Commandery was predominantly mountainous terrain, and the Yingchuan Academy was accordingly built against the mountain slopes. As he carefully scrutinized the exterior of the academy, Wang Bo found that it diverged somewhat from his preconceptions. He had imagined that the celebrated Yingchuan Academy would possess towering walls, gilded plaques, and brass animal-mask door knockers. Instead, it appeared remarkably unpretentious and ordinary. Hanging above the main entrance was a black-lacquered wooden plaque inscribed with bold red characters that read: "Yingchuan Academy."

"So this is the academy of my dreams," Wang Bo murmured with profound emotion.

"It is utterly unremarkable," Dian Wei suddenly remarked from behind him. Wang Bo turned his head to look at his companion, only to find Dian Wei's expression entirely devoid of emotion, gazing at the academy before him as if it were merely any ordinary courtyard.

Seeing Dian Wei's expression, Wang Bo understood what his brother was thinking. Shaking his head with a wry smile, he said, "Brother Dian, how could you possibly comprehend the significance of this place? You must know that countless great talents have walked out of these gates."

Yet, no matter how Wang Bo explained, Dian Wei's expression remained indifferent. Realizing that his words were falling on deaf ears, Wang Bo could only sigh helplessly and led Dian Wei into the academy.

The moment they stepped through the courtyard gates, the crisp, rhythmic sound of children reciting texts drifted out from the buildings within. Hearing the chorus of recitation, Wang Bo smiled broadly and stepped forward.

Upon entering, a straight flagstone pathway led directly to a large hall. Looking up, Wang Bo saw a large incense table placed dead center within the room, with a portrait of Confucius hanging behind it. Several sticks of incense smoldered in a brass censer, sending thin spirals of smoke winding upward before dissipating softly in the air. Accompanied by the steady cadence of reading, Wang Bo felt refreshed in both mind and spirit, his mood exceptionally light and pleasant.

"Who goes there?" Just as Wang Bo was lost in the serenity of the moment, a voice rang out from within the hall.

Turning toward the sound, Wang Bo spotted a scholar clad in cyan robes, holding a bamboo slip, standing sternly near a side door on the ground floor of the main hall. Though he did not know who this person was, the formidable presence emanating from the scholar told Wang Bo instantly that he was no ordinary man. Wang Bo hastily stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said in a low voice, "Student Wang Bo, drawn by your lofty reputation, has come to seek instruction." With that, he remained bowed, keeping his posture humble.

***

"Oh?" The middle-aged scholar sized Wang Bo up. The quality of Wang Bo's attire and the presence of Dian Wei standing guard behind him suggested an extraordinary background. Yet, Wang Bo's demeanor was remarkably deferential—a trait that left the scholar quite pleased. He nodded and said, "Rise."

Only then did Wang Bo straighten his posture.

"From whence do you come?" the middle-aged scholar asked in a resonant voice. He had assumed Wang Bo belonged to an illustrious clan, yet there was no prominent Wang family lineage within Yanzhou, prompting his curiosity.

"I have traveled from Changshan Commandery in Jizhou," Wang Bo replied truthfully, maintaining his humble posture.

"This—" Upon hearing this answer, the middle-aged scholar could not help but show a look of moved surprise. A smile touched his lips as he said in a clear voice, "To travel thousands of li solely in pursuit of learning—on the strength of this dedication alone, I shall accept you."

"Many thanks, Master!" Overjoyed, Wang Bo hurriedly bowed in gratitude. He had never expected matters to proceed so smoothly, rendering even the letter of recommendation from Cai Yong unnecessary.

"Rise. From this day forward, you are a student of the Yingchuan Academy," the middle-aged scholar declared.

"Might I ask your esteemed name, Master?" Wang Bo inquired softly.

"I am the master of this academy, Sima Hui," the middle-aged scholar replied with a smile.

"Sima Hui?" Wang Bo muttered under his breath before abruptly raising his head to stare fixedly at Sima Hui, his heart seized by an indescribable shock.

"What? Could it be that my young friend has heard of this old man?" Sima Hui asked, perplexed. Was his reputation truly so grand as to elicit such astonishment from this youth?

Yet Sima Hui could not possibly know how famous those three characters would become in later generations. He was the renowned, unfettered crane among the clouds of the Three Kingdoms era; his talent went without saying, and figures who later shook the world, such as Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, were both his disciples.

"Young friend? Young friend?" Sima Hui called out a few times to snap Wang Bo out of his dazed state.

"Master may simply address this junior as Wang Bo," Wang Bo stammered, hurriedly regaining his composure. He quickly offered an apology, saying, "I have long admired Master's great name, which is why I lost my composure just now. I hope Master will forgive my rudeness."

"Think nothing of it," Sima Hui said with a smiling shake of his head, clearly not entirely convinced by the excuse. He then continued, "You must understand that regardless of your family background, anyone who wishes to study here must reside within the academy."

"That poses no problem whatsoever," Wang Bo replied eagerly. He was more than eager to live at the academy; how could he possibly refuse?

"And what of this bodyguard of yours?" Sima Hui asked, gesturing toward Dian Wei.

"He is not my bodyguard, but rather my sworn elder brother. The entire journey here was safely accomplished thanks to his protection."

"Elder brother?" Sima Hui asked, slightly baffled by the answer.

"Yes," Wang Bo nodded firmly. Then, suddenly realizing something, he hastened to add, "Master may have some misunderstanding. I wear simple robes and do not originate from an aristocratic family."

"Not from an aristocratic family?"

"No, my parents were mere commoners." At the mention of his parents, a trace of sorrow flitted across Wang Bo's eyes.

Naturally, this fleeting grief did not escape Sima Hui's notice. The scholar remarked, "It seems this old man was somewhat hasty in jumping to conclusions. However, judging by your attire, Xiao Bo, you hardly look like the son of commoners."

"Ah, that?" Wang Bo smiled. "The reason I am able to afford such things is entirely thanks to my elder brother. It was he who financed my journey to Yingchuan for my studies."

"This valiant warrior is truly a man of noble righteousness." Sima Hui bowed toward Dian Wei, clearly harboring deep admiration for a rough-hewn man who would so strongly support his sworn brother's education.

"Master need not be so courteous," Dian Wei said, hurriedly stepping forward to help Sima Hui up.

Observing the two men before him, Wang Bo realized a profound misunderstanding had occurred, but he chose not to clarify it. Let them misunderstand if they wished; after all, both men were like elder brothers to him, and knowing the rough and unpretentious character of brother Zhou Meng, he certainly wouldn't mind such details. At this thought, Wang Bo recalled that he had been away for nearly a year without sending a single letter to Zhou Meng or Zhao Yun to report his safety. A heavy wave of guilt washed over him. *Brother Yun and my brother must have been terribly worried about me. Now that I am settled, it is high time I send a letter to reassure them.* Wang Bo resolved to do so.

"Since matters are settled, Xiao Bo, you may set your mind at ease and apply yourself to your studies. I must take my leave," Dian Wei said. Having exchanged a few polite pleasantries with Sima Hui, Dian Wei knew his own temperament was utterly unsuited for scholarly discourse, and he felt it was time to take his leave.

"I shall return to the city with you, Brother. I still have some belongings left at the residence that I have yet to bring over," Wang Bo said, before bowing in farewell to Sima Hui.

***

"Since that is the case, I shall not detain you further. Retrieve your things and return promptly so that I may arrange your quarters," Sima Hui said.

"Thank many thanks, Master," Wang Bo expressed his gratitude before returning to the city in Dian Wei's company.

Back at the courtyard he had purchased in Yangzhai, Wang Bo retrieved the remaining gold leaves and handed them all over to Dian Wei.

Dian Wei, however, flatly refused to take them, turning them down with righteous firmness. In the end, Wang Bo could only say, "Then consider them kept in your custody, Brother. If I were to carry so much gold with me into the academy, I fear it would arouse jealousy and covetousness in others."

Given Wang Bo's reasoning, Dian Wei could find no further grounds for refusal. He carefully wrapped up the gold leaves and tucked them away.

"There is one more matter I must trouble you with, Brother," Wang Bo said once Dian Wei had secured the gold.

"Name it."

"I have been away for so long without writing to report my safety to my elder brother at home. I hope you might make a trip to Jizhou for me."

"Is that all? Such a small matter, I grant it."

With Dian Wei's affirmation, Wang Bo produced the detailed map he had labored over for a long time, handed it to Dian Wei, and carefully described Zhou Meng's appearance.

"Very well, I have it memorized," Dian Wei nodded after Wang Bo finished speaking.

"Many thanks, Brother," Wang Bo bowed deeply.

"I told you I am your brother; there is no need for such formalities."

Wang Bo knew that the journey was thousands of li long, but he had little choice. After much deliberation, Dian Wei was the only one he could burden with this task. Having written the letter and handed it to Dian Wei, Wang Bo packed his belongings, ready to embark on his long-awaited scholarly life at the academy.

Arriving once more at the academy gates, Wang Bo did not linger outside, but walked straight into the main hall. Peering through the side door, he saw Sima Hui in the midst of a lecture. Not daring to cause a disturbance, Wang Bo respectfully stood to one side.

The students within the academy reacted variously to Wang Bo's appearance. The most focused paid him no heed whatsoever, keeping their heads bowed in intense study, their expressions shifting between perplexity and sudden understanding. A few glanced up briefly at the sound of movement before returning their eyes to their books. Meanwhile, a few restless and curious souls stared openly at Wang Bo for a while. Among them, a boy of roughly twelve or thirteen years caught Wang Bo's attention.

Even at a glance, the boy radiated cleverness and quick wit. A pair of lively, intelligent eyes darted toward Wang Bo from time to time. Whenever their gazes met directly, the boy would playfully blink and make faces at him, looking exceedingly mischievous.

Just at that moment, Sima Hui, holding a scroll of bamboo slips, walked slowly around behind the boy. Wang Bo intended to issue a warning, but it was already too late.

*Smack!*

Sima Hui brought his hand down squarely on the boy's head, saying in a low voice, "What are you looking at? Have you never seen an outsider before?"

The boy winced, rubbing his head with a wry expression before sticking his tongue out at Wang Bo in a helpless gesture. Wang Bo responded with an apologetic smile.

"Very well, you may now discuss the text amongst yourselves," Sima Hui announced, putting down his bamboo slips. He walked over to Wang Bo and said, "Come, follow me."

"Yes, Master." Wang Bo hurried to keep pace. After taking only a few steps, he glanced back and saw that the boy was still staring in his direction, sticking his tongue out and pulling another comical face.

Wang Bo shook his head with a sigh, thinking, *This little fellow is certainly full of mischief.*

"Whom are you talking about, Xiao Bo?" Sima Hui, walking ahead, caught the sound of Wang Bo's sigh and turned to ask.

"Who else? That boy right there." Wang Bo gestured slightly toward the child.

"Guo Jia? Indeed, he is an interesting lad—though far too unruly." Following Wang Bo's gesture, Sima Hui spotted Guo Jia in the middle of making another face. The master shot the boy a fierce, warning glare before turning back to Wang Bo, leaving Guo Jia instantly shrinking back and looking thoroughly chastened.