Shi Er hugged Zhang's thick gown and returned an unkind look from the handsome and rugged scholar: "Hmph, do you want to do a lot of things?" And you, you're as timid as a mouse, you don't even have the courage to try, it's really useless. ”

The latter sentence was said to the handsome scholar.

The handsome scholar pointed his nose with his hand: "Are you talking about me?" Prevention is the first to cause the injury to be the first. Know and act prudently, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, how can he wait to ignore it? If you lose your life because of the courage of a momentary horseman, you will be ashamed of the teachings of the sages and the emperor, and you will be ashamed of the kindness of your parents, and you will be ashamed of your ......."

"Shame on me? What's my business? Shi Er's nose wrinkled, and the corners of his mouth pursed disdainfully, "I don't know you in my life, and I don't know each other, what does it have to do with me whether you are dead or alive?" ”

"It's a big deal, little lady." The handsome and handsome scholar circled around Shi'er, rubbed his nose, and smiled happily, "Originally, I also wanted to take the risk of taking my own life, but after listening to your 'gentleman does not leave the dangerous wall, and the one who dies in his way, the right life is also' suddenly brightened up and dispelled the thought." A gentleman should die in his own way, and ascending the inscription is not my way. If I have to be strong, I will be ashamed of your guidance. Since 'a gentleman does not leave the dangerous wall', if I have to go to the dangerous wall to inscribe, wouldn't I be a gentleman? ”

Shi Er was stunned for a moment, and then glanced at the handsome scholar with disdain: "Rhetoric, nonsense, where am I pointing you out, I am reminding my family Langjun...... No, I'm not a little lady, I'm Zhang Wulang. What nonsense are you talking about? Don't call me a little lady! ”

The handsome scholar laughed, only to ignore Shi'er's shy and anxious demeanor, fanned a few times, turned around and hugged Zhang Houyi: "Brother Tai really wants to climb the inscription?" ”

Zhang Hou had already picked up the pen in his hand at this time, and he nodded slightly at the handsome scholar: "The eldest husband is difficult to chase after his words, or he doesn't say it, and he has to do it, how can he not believe it?" As soon as he finished speaking, he bit the brush in his mouth, stepped on the windowsill with an arrow, and the person on the windowsill turned around and waved to Shi'er, "Shi'er, if something happens to me, you will tell your parents when you go home, just say that I will die in my way!" ”

"Second brother!" When Shi Er was in a hurry, he didn't care about hiding his identity, and took a step forward, although he was reluctant, his eyes were firm, "Be careful!" ”

The handsome scholar shook his head slightly, sighed and said, "Brother Shen, Brother Zhang is really free and easy, which is admirable." ”

The handsome and rugged scholar looked resolute and smiled: "If I change me, I will also go, it is not a big difficulty." ”

There was a half-foot-wide window edge outside the window sill, and after Zhang Hou turned over the window, he landed under the window edge, and traveled more than three feet along the window edge before coming to the plaque.

The edge of the window is more than a foot high from the plaque, and it cannot be climbed by human means unless it is with the help of ropes or ladders. Zhang Hou stood still, looking up at the plaque, as if he was discouraged.

At this time, all the guests on the third floor pushed open the windows and watched Zhang Hou's actions. Whether it was the two curious scholars and their entourage, or others, they all stood in front of the window, watching intently. An old man stroked his long beard and said to the woman beside him: "Lady, when I was young and vigorous, I would also give it a try, regardless of life and death. Not now, the beauty is white, and the hero is in the twilight. ”

The woman was dressed as a noblewoman, although she was bejeweled but not vulgar, she smiled indifferently: "The official is too sad, even if you try it now, it is not much worse than him." ”

"Really?" The old man's face was happy, "I told you the truth, not on purpose to coax me." ”

"Naturally, it's true." Although the woman was in her fifties, she was slightly shy, stroked her hair, and quietly pointed to Zhang Hou outside the window, "Official, if it were you, what would you do to go up?" ”

The old man groaned slightly, stared at him for a moment, shook his head and said, "There's no way, I can't go up." ”

"It's you, how do you go up?" The handsome and handsome scholar touched the shoulder of the handsome and rugged scholar, "Brother Shen, this owner who has always been in good times is suspected of deliberately making things difficult, and it makes no sense to set such a difficult rule for a strong man, and not to reserve a ladder to go up." ”

The handsome and rugged scholar squinted his eyes slightly, stared at Zhang Hou, and said after a while: "The owner does not leave a ladder, so there is a reason why he does not leave a ladder." If there is a ladder, it is only bold and careful. If there is no ladder, it is more courageous and resourceful. Brother Xia, if it were you, how would you go up? ”

The handsome scholar smiled mysteriously: "If it were me, I would naturally go up on the hanging basket." ”

"Hanging baskets? Where is the hanging basket? Why didn't I see it? ”

"If the scholar surnamed Zhang is smart, he should have discovered the location of the hanging basket at this time."

Shi Er bit her lips tightly, her hands twisted in front of her, and the expression on her face was intertwined with concern, worry, and excitement. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she stood on tiptoe and waved her right hand and shouted: "Second brother, hanging basket, hanging basket!" ”

Zhang Hou didn't hear Shi'er's call, he was a few feet away from the window, the noisy sound outside was endless, he couldn't hear the sound in the window at all, maybe he had a heart, when Shi'er spoke, he found something after standing for a long time, stretched out his hands, and pulled down a beam that protruded outside the attic.

However, it turned out that there was a protruding beam three feet above the window edge, which was useless at first glance, and I thought it was for decoration, but it was a hidden mystery. When the beam was pulled out, it was a long log with ropes tied to both ends. The rope leads to the plaque upstairs.

Zhang Hou laughed, turned over and sat on the long log—it was not accurate to say that it was a hanging basket, but it was the same as the purpose of the hanging basket—he reached out and grabbed the rope that hung down, and pulled it hard, and the long wood slowly rose more than half a foot high.

Zhang Hou was overjoyed in his heart, turned around and waved his hand to the people who were standing in front of the window watching, and said loudly: "Brothers, the show is on." Yes, please applaud me and follow my example. If you lose, please applaud and take me as a warning. ”

The handsome scholar frowned slightly, and whispered to the handsome and rugged scholar: "This person has the spirit of a hero, if he is in power, he will be able to command the world." ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"Success or failure is just a joke for him. With such a heart, when he loses power, he may be indifferent or angry, but when he gains power, he is obstinate and domineering. The handsome scholar's gaze fell intently on Zhang Hou's back, and his expression was slightly dignified, "If he is dedicated to the country and the people, he will be the pillar of the country." If it is only for one's own selfishness, it must be a great traitor. ”

"It's too arbitrary." The handsome and rugged scholar laughed, "Brother Xia must not be rash, I am optimistic about Zhang Hou, he will become a great weapon one day." ”

Zhang Hou's hands exerted force, and in a blink of an eye, he approached the plaque. He laughed, reached out for the pen, and was about to make up for the last stroke, but just as he let go of the rope, suddenly the long wood fell quickly like an arrow from the string.

"Ahh The crowd let out a burst of exclamation.

"Second brother, be careful!" Shi Er was so frightened that his face was pale, and in a hurry, he reached out and grabbed the arm of a person next to him, and with ten fingers, he fell deep into the flesh.

"Ahh The handsome and handsome scholar also let out a heart-rending exclamation, no, it was a cry of pain, his arm was grabbed by Shi Er, the pain was unspeakable, not to mention the thin clothes in the summer, how could he not imagine that Shi Er A seemingly thin little lady had so much strength, he gritted his teeth and said, "Shi'er, your second brother is fine, can you let me go?" ”

Shi Er noticed that he had grabbed the handsome scholar's arm tightly, and it was too close, as if leaning on him, he couldn't help but turn blushed, and hurriedly let go of his hands: "Hmph, let it go, I can catch the window if I don't catch you." ”

The long wood fell too suddenly, and Zhang Hou was also frightened, grabbing his hands in the air, as if he was drowning and trying to grasp the last straw, but to no avail. He was in mid-air, his body swaying from side to side, and he could fall at any moment.

At this time, Zhang Hou was more than three zhang high from the ground, and if he fell, he would definitely die. Not only were everyone in the window shocked, but the dozens or hundreds of onlookers downstairs were also exclaimed.

Xiao Er's face was as white as paper with fright, if someone really died, not to mention that the government would punish the crime, but the owner blamed him, and he couldn't eat and walk around. Originally, the owner set the rule of making up the last stroke, but it was just a gimmick to make a name for himself for the good times, not really to let people risk themselves, he only intended to be a general because he was not used to Zhang Hou's style. I don't want Zhang Hou to be a scholar who is not afraid of death, and if he really wants to do it, he also has the idea of listening to it, and wants to see how far Zhang Hou will persist before admitting defeat.

In the past three years, there have been no less than a hundred or ten guest officers who want to try one or two, most of them are just talking, and after pushing the window open, there is a chance that there will be nine out of ten retreaters, and the remaining eleven or twelve will regret it after stepping out of the window. is based on Xiao Er's wishful thinking that no matter how bold Zhang Hou is, he is only one of the 12 out of 12.

I didn't want Zhang Hou to step out of the window and not only did not retreat, but found Changmu, and even if he found Changmu, he had no fear, and actually climbed up, which had to make him shocked and extremely admired. In the early years of the Great Xia, a literati Xin Fangchi entered the enemy camp at night alone, killing countless enemies, and it was rumored to be a beautiful talk for a while. Nowadays, the four seas are leveling, and the literati have gradually lost their martial spirit, and the literature has weakened a lot, and it is rare to see a person as bold as Zhang Hou.

Who knew that when Zhang Hou saw that he was about to succeed, but there was a sudden accident, Xiao Er was terrified, and he couldn't wait to put on his wings and fly over to help Zhang Hou.

Zhang Hou only struggled for a moment before quickly regaining his composure, he tried to maintain his balance, no longer panicked, bit the pen in his mouth, grabbed the rope with both hands, looked down, and landed firmly on the edge of the window with both feet.

"Good!" There was a cheer from the crowd.

The handsome and handsome scholar was agitated and shouted: "Brother Zhang, don't let go of the rope, after going up, grab the rope with one hand and hold the pen with the other, and great things can be done." ”

Zhang Hou nodded at the handsome scholar in response, he was shocked at first, but he could still laugh: "Thank you Brother Tai for reminding me, what Brother Tai said is extremely true, I was proud for a while, I was too careless." Didn't ask for the name of the brother Taizun? ”

The handsome scholar laughed: "Brother Zhang, I don't want you and me to meet through the window, you are outside the window and I am in the window, it is a very interesting meeting." Under the surname Xia Mingxiang, Hebei West Road Zhending Mansion Lingshou County people. This benevolent brother's surname is Shen Mingbao, a native of Qiantang. The two of us are both students who went to Beijing to take the exam, and we got to know each other because we lived in the same inn. ”

"Under the surname Zhang Minghou, Jianning people's name, he is also a student who entered Beijing to take the exam." Zhang Houren was in mid-air, and did not forget to bow to Xia Xiang and Shen Bao, "Today, I got to know the two brothers, and I am fortunate to have three lives, so I should drink three cups." ”

When he handed it over, he let go of the rope with both hands, shook his body, and almost fell, which once again caused the crowd to exclaim. Even Xia Xiang's face changed greatly, and he hurriedly stretched out his hand to stop him: "Brother Zhang doesn't have to be polite, be careful." ”

Zhang Hou laughed, his hands were forced, his feet were borrowed, as flexible as an ape, he rose into the air, and came to the plaque again after three times and two times, he said according to Xia Xiang, holding the rope in his left hand and holding the pen in his right hand, and on the word "in" in "good times", he made up the last stroke!

"Good!" Everyone applauded loudly, and the palm resounded in the sky.

Not only the distinguished guests on the third floor, but also hundreds of people watching downstairs, all witnessed Zhang Hou's feat of writing in the air, and rushed to tell each other for a while. In just half a day, Zhang Hou's inscription on the roof of the building spread to most of the capital. The rumors are more and more miraculous, from the beginning Zhang Hou and Haojing are often betting on the hanging inscription, and then it is passed around, and it is rumored that Zhang Hou and Xia Xiang are jealous because of a little lady, and the two compete to see who dares to hang the inscription who can win the little lady, and in the end Zhang Houyi is bold and becomes the final winner.

What's more, in the rumors, Xia Xiang and Zhang Hou's jealous protagonists were replaced by the mysterious owner who is always in good times, although most people don't know anything about the mysterious owner who is always in good times, only know that she is a beautiful and smart but mysterious little lady with unknown origin, but when describing Xia Xiang and Zhang Hou because of the good times and jealousy of the little lady, they painted their voices and colors, as if they had seen it with their own eyes. Even the parties Xia Xiang and Zhang Hou couldn't cry or laugh when they heard the rumors, and they were greatly impressed by the richness of the people's imagination.

After Zhang Hou finished the inscription, he jumped in from the window, put on the long gown handed by Shi'er, and in the cheers and onlookers of everyone, he greeted Xia Xiang and Shen Bao again, and the three of them officially met.

Xia Xiang invited Zhang Hou to sit at the same table with him and Shen Bao, and Zhang Hou readily agreed. Xiao Er was very excited, and he was busy getting the gold card - it was a rectangular card about three inches long and two inches wide, as thin as paper, but it was made of real pure gold, weighing more than one tael. One tael of gold is equivalent to ten taels of silver, that is to say, ten copper coins are also a small windfall.

Zhang Hou thanked Xiao Er, put away the gold card, and sat opposite Xia Xiang and Shen Bao. Xia Xiang ordered the dishes again, ordered the famous called Hua chicken, salted duck and spiced peanuts, and asked for a jar of old wine, and the three of them drank happily.

Shi'er and Xiao Wu didn't dare to sit down, Shi'er was fine, they wanted to sit down, but they were pulled by Xiao Wu, saying that they couldn't mess with the rules. She wanted to refute a few words, but was stopped by Zhang Hou, so she had to swallow her anger and stand aside with Xiao Wu. Xia Xiang couldn't bear to let the two of them stand behind him all the time, so he asked Xiao Er to find a seat downstairs for the two to eat.

After a few glasses of wine, the three of them reported their ages, Zhang Houda Xia Xiang was two years old and Shen Bao was one year old, but as a scholar, they still called each other brothers.

"Brother Zhang, if you become an official in the future, you can benefit all the people, and you can also let thousands of people land." Xia Xiang raised his glass and Zhang Hou clinked glasses, "Fang Cai's inscription, I don't care about my own life, let alone the lives of others?" A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, but you prefer to risk yourself, not that you are not a gentleman, but that you are an alternative among gentlemen. ”

"Haha, Brother Xia's words, I should listen to them. The way of a gentleman is not to follow the rules, what you want to do, as long as you think it is right, you can do it boldly, why worry too much? Zhang Hou drank all the wine in one gulp, "I went to Beijing to take the exam, just for the champion." Two brothers, on the wine table, I can give it. But in the examination room, each learns with real talent, and will not be humble for half a point. ”

Xia Xiang admired Zhang Hou's straightforward personality very much, and immediately laughed: "It's a pity that there is only one champion, if there are three people, it must be the three of us who are in high school at the same time." ”

"I deliberately made a champion robe, just wait for the champion high school, and return home." Zhang Hou raised his glass to Shen Bao, "Brother Shen and Brother Xia, how did they meet?" ”

Xia Xiang and Shen Bao glanced at each other and laughed together, Xia Xiang took a drink of himself and said, "Brother Shen and I don't know each other. ”

Zhang Hou suddenly looked curious: "Tell me quickly." ”