By then, the Martial Scholars who had made contributions would return to Southern Mountain Dao with multiple promotions, gaining the recognition of Governor Wang. Their status would no longer be that of mere Martial Scholars.
Marrying off his daughter in exchange for such an opportunity was not a loss.
Under heavy rewards, there would always be those willing to take risks.
Very soon, three or four Martial Scholars stepped forward, expressing their willingness to follow the government's orders and infiltrate the Martial Luck Pavilion as spies.
At this moment, Wei Tu glanced toward the Martial Scholar who had been the first to voice his rejection—Fu Zhizhou. Seeing that Fu Zhizhou remained unmoved by the offer, Wei Tu felt reassured.
A hundred taels of gold.
Marriage to the Prefect's legitimate daughter…
Even with these added rewards, Wei Tu was not tempted.
He still remembered the lesson he had given himself while training under Dan Wu Ju.
—Using martial skills to earn a title and elevate one's status was fine, but one must avoid unnecessary conflict and protect one's life above all else.
He had a promising future ahead of him. There was no need to risk his life over something like this.
At this moment, the rewards offered by the prefectural office seemed generous. But if it meant gambling his own life, it was simply not worth it.
All of the Martial Scholars in the room were familiar faces—well-known figures in the Dao examination.
Among them, Fu Zhizhou was a top contender for the title of Dao Examination Champion this year.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Wei Tu moved toward Fu Zhizhou. Using the same method Wei Fei had used earlier, he nudged Fu Zhizhou's elbow and asked, " Martial Scholar Fu, do you still hold your stance from earlier? I feel the same way…"
With Prefect He raising the stakes, if any Martial Scholar still refused to comply, the consequences would be predictable.
They would be making an enemy of a Prefect—essentially a Marquis governing a thousand li.
Thus, if Wei Tu was going to refuse, he needed to form a group. If they opposed the Prefect together, it would lessen the chances of He's resentment falling solely on him.
Fu Zhizhou reacted similarly to Wei Tu. Seeing someone he didn't know well approach him like this, his brows furrowed slightly.
However, upon hearing Wei Tu's words, his expression softened, and his gaze toward Wei Tu carried a hint of friendliness.
"I share the same view as Martial Scholar Wei—I refuse to take part in this mission."
"First, involving ten or more people in a secret operation carries immense risk. Even if you and I have clean backgrounds, promising futures, and families tied to our home counties, there is still a possibility of exposure."
"Second, the rewards do not interest me."
"Third, Prefect He only has one year left in his term in Qingfeng Prefecture."
Fu Zhizhou thought for a moment, then pulled Wei Tu toward a corner of the hall and lowered his voice.
"I see it the same way," Wei Tu replied. Seeing that Fu Zhizhou shared his reasoning and was willing to openly state his stance, Wei Tu changed how he addressed him. " Brother Fu."
Hearing this, Fu Zhizhou let out a small smile. In turn, he began referring to Wei Tu as " Brother Wei."
The two had quickly formed a mutual understanding.
Now that they were standing together in refusing Prefect He's proposal, they had essentially become allies in the same trench.
Moreover, both of them held the same title—Martial Scholars of the current examination year.
That in itself was a bond.
"If we can bring in a few more people, four or five would be ideal," Fu Zhizhou suggested.
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded in agreement.
The more people that rejected the plan, the less danger and pressure he and Fu Zhizhou would face.
"Martial Scholar Wei…" Wei Tu scanned the room and spotted Wei Fei, one of the few Martial Scholars who had yet to approach Prefect He's side. Without hesitation, he walked over and explained his discussion with Fu Zhizhou.
"Alright."
"Count me in."
Wei Fei didn't hesitate much before nodding in agreement.
A short while later, Fu Zhizhou also convinced a close friend from his county to join them.
This Martial Scholar was named Kou Liang, another prominent figure in the current Dao examination.
"Four of us—that's nearly a third of the group here."
Wei Tu's eyes gleamed with confidence.
With their ranks strengthened, they had the foundation to firmly refuse Prefect He's demands.
After all, they were Martial Scholars.
Their titles carried weight.
The results of the Dao Examination were not something the prefectural office could easily manipulate.
Even if Prefect He bore a grudge against them, there was little he could do to harm them directly. At most, he might interfere with their assignments as officials, sending them to remote areas.
But compared to the risks of infiltrating the Martial Luck Pavilion, that was a negligible concern.
"If the four of us refuse Prefect He together, we're bound to attract his resentment…"
"When we leave the prefectural office, let's formally swear brotherhood."
"If any of us face trouble in the future, we'll support each other!"
Fu Zhizhou, who had been the first to reject Prefect He's offer and had the best martial examination results among them, naturally became the leader of their small group.
He looked at Wei Tu, Wei Fei, and Kou Liang, his expression serious as he spoke in a low voice.
"Agreed!"
"Once we leave, we swear brotherhood!"
Wei Tu and the others were stirred by his words. After a brief moment of thought, they all nodded in unison.
Shared experiences—being from the same examination year, the same hometowns, or the same schools—often led to alliances.
At this moment, the four of them, each with their own county ties and holding the same Martial Scholar title, forming a pact was only natural.
Prefectural Office.
Rear Courtyard, Main Hall.
"Martial Scholars are drawn to profit—ancient wisdom proves true," Prefect He murmured, his lips curling into a satisfied smile as he glanced at the Martial Scholars gathered around him.
The moment one person accepted, the rest would follow.
This was the experience he had gained from years of being an official.
As for the few stubborn ones, he could deal with them later—tempt them with benefits or pressure them with veiled threats.
They would fall in line eventually.
However—
Just as Prefect He was savoring his success, four men stepped forward in unison, standing tall and composed.
They clasped their hands in salute and spoke words that instantly soured his mood.
"Prefect He, the four of us are naturally slow-witted and unsuited for infiltration work. We respectfully decline your offer."
Wei Tu, Fu Zhizhou, Wei Fei, and Kou Liang spoke together.
The hall fell into complete silence.
Every gaze—Prefect He's, the other Martial Scholars', and even those of the attendants and maids—turned toward the four of them.
Shock rippled through the room.
Other than Prefect He's darkening expression, most others showed disbelief.
Prefect He's face grew cold, his eyes sharp as he locked onto the four men.
If only one had refused, he could have overlooked it.
Even when herding sheep, there was always one that strayed.
But four at once?
And their words so perfectly in sync?
This was clearly premeditated!
"Ancient wisdom states, 'If a ruler lacks discretion, he loses his ministers; if a minister lacks discretion, he loses his life…'"
"Prefect, you have gathered so many of us here—over ten people. If… information leaks, the risks are too great."
"Facing potential death, we must humbly refuse this mission."
Fu Zhizhou, taking the lead, spoke with deliberate caution.
"Fu Zhizhou?"
Prefect He's eyes narrowed as he studied him closely. He had clearly recognized the name. Though he said nothing, everyone present could feel his growing anger.
An official's authority was like a mountain.
Did they think he hadn't considered the risks of gathering so many people?
On the contrary, he had done it precisely because of those risks.
If this mission failed or word got out, it wouldn't be his fault.
The blame would fall on these Martial Scholars.
At worst, he would be scolded for being too careless.
But a year from now, he would be transferred elsewhere.
Would he still care about the mess left behind by the Martial Luck Pavilion?