My name is Wei Qing, and I want to fight the Xiongnu.

Before leaving, Liu Yangxin was still desperately trying to wink at Wei Qing, but Wei Qing ignored him completely, as only a few questions were swirling in his mind.

After everyone had left, Wei Qing asked Xiahou Ying, "May I ask if this person is still alive?"

Xiahou Ying sighed inwardly, having guessed as he had come up with the idea. He didn't lie to Wei Qing and frankly replied, "Alive."

"At the Imperial Academy?"

"exist."

"If I were to meet him, would Empress Lü and Chancellor Xiao kill me?"

Xiahou Ying considered for a moment and said, "I don't know, maybe yes, maybe no. You should know that this is not something that can be explained in a few words. Not to mention me, even Empress Lü and Prime Minister Xiao themselves probably cannot answer your question."

Wei Qing believes that reaching this level often involves too many complex and powerful factors.

Even if she was just an insignificant nobody, an ant that could be easily crushed, why would the man, who was still alive, necessarily crush her, this little ant?

Conversely, if Empress Lü and Prime Minister Xiao were truly determined to kill him, he would probably be like an ant, easily crushed.

Wei Qing then asked, "If I were to meet that person, what would I gain?"

"I don't know. If you want to know about him, you have to know about him too."

It seems the only option is to gamble. If you win, you might get nothing; if you lose, you'll be doomed.

After asking these three questions, Wei Qing slowly raised his head and looked at Xiahou Ying, asking, "One last question: if Uncle Xiahou doesn't let personal feelings get in the way and only considers the interests involved, would you like me to leave this sword behind?"

Xiahou Ying never expected that Wei Qing's last question would be to ask for his advice.

He was stunned.

But standing there, after thinking for a long time, looking into Wei Qing's clear, mirror-like eyes, he finally said, "I don't want... Cao Can to leave this sword not to himself, not to me, not to his descendants, not even to Zhou Yafu..."

Wei Qing understood, and he bowed respectfully to Xiahou Ying again: "Thank you for your explanation, Uncle Xiahou. I am of humble birth, but I have always wanted to do something, and I feel that I should do something. I came to Chang'an with the determination to die. Since Uncle Cao has entrusted this sword to me, I would like to give it a try."

Xiahou Ying sighed and said nothing more.

He could tell that Wei Qing was not the kind of person who acted impulsively. Since he had decided to take a gamble, he was bound to be prepared for failure.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this persistence and dedication that Cao Shen ultimately chose him.

Give it a try, it might be worth a try.

Among the millions of men and women of the Great Han Dynasty, there were far too few who dared to take risks.

Accustomed to indulging in pleasure and living a muddled life, they have lost the fighting spirit of the original generation.

It should be found.

Otherwise, when his generation dies, and when Zhou Yafu, as a pillar, can no longer support the Han Dynasty, then when the sky collapses, there will be no one left to stand.

Never mind, go ahead.

Seeing that Wei Qing was determined, Xiahou Ying stopped trying to persuade him and finally said, "I will not give you a recommendation letter to enter the Imperial Academy. That will only become your death warrant. But entering the Imperial Academy is not something that can be achieved solely through external forces."

The Imperial Academy was originally established to recruit and educate the best talents in the country. In other words, as long as you have ability and talent, no matter how lowly your background is, you are qualified to enter the Imperial Academy.

The nature of the Imperial Academy has changed many times over, but this one rule has never changed, because it is the foundation of the Imperial Academy. If the foundation were gone, the Imperial Academy should have been transformed into a university long ago.

Upon hearing this, Wei Qing felt that something was amiss.

Is something that has no foundation really big?

Uncle Xiahou, you are so old, how can you be so disrespectful to your elders?

Xiahou Ying had no idea what Wei Qing was thinking, but continued, "The Imperial Academy will be recruiting students in a few days. You can recommend yourself. The Imperial Academy will definitely try every means to get rid of you, but as long as you persist, they will eventually give you a chance to take the test after things get out of hand."

If you can seize the opportunity, you can enter the Imperial Academy.

Furthermore, you can maintain a close relationship with the Liu imperial family, and you can frequently target the Lü clan, but there is one thing you must adhere to to the end, and this will be your lifeline.

Wei Qing respectfully said, "Please enlighten me, Uncle Xiahou."

"Slaughter the Xiongnu!"

At this moment, Xiahou Ying, who had previously appeared kind and amiable, couldn't help but feel murderous intent in his voice.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Look, look, look!

Wei Qing understood Xiahou Ying's meaning. Regardless of what Empress Lü thought, at least Prime Minister Xiao established the Imperial Academy to cultivate talent to fight against the Xiongnu barbarians.

Even though the nature of the Imperial Academy has changed, Prime Minister Xiao's goal has not changed.

At least it can demonstrate a value that meets the approval of Prime Minister Xiao, so even if Empress Lü wants to take action against Wei Qing, Prime Minister Xiao will not sit idly by.

The power of the prime minister in the Han Dynasty was immense. Even though Xiao He was no longer the prime minister, as long as he was still alive, he could still easily embrace a junior.

Furthermore, even if Wei Qing was a genius, he was still a long way from posing a threat to Empress Lü and Prime Minister Xiao.

As long as the benefits you bring far outweigh the losses the other party has to bear, there's no need to worry about security issues.

Of course, it's also possible that Empress Lü or Prime Minister Xiao might have drunk too much one day, or that they might have been too grumpy in the morning and took their anger out on someone, and Wei Qing might just happen to be caught in the crossfire and end up dying.

In short, there are definitely dangers, but in reality, they are not as great as you might imagine.

Otherwise, Cao Shen wouldn't have let Wei Qing bring this sword to Chang'an.

Xiahou Ying's words were chilling, but they were actually meant to persuade Wei Qing to resign.

Unfortunately, Wei Qing was not the kind of person who would back down because of a few words from the other party.

Danger?

Hasn't he faced enough dangers over the years?

When Wei Qing bid farewell to Xiahou Ying and left the training ground, only Liu Yangxin and Xiahou Ci remained at the entrance.

As for those nobles, they have already returned. The recommendation letters and related procedures were already handled when Wei Qing entered the martial arts world.

When they saw Wei Qing emerge, still clutching the sword hilt, Xiahou Ci and Liu Yangxin understood Wei Qing's choice.

In fact, the moment Liu Yangxin stepped out of the training ground, he had already guessed that Wei Qing would make this choice.

He was an extremely proud young man, more proud than all the young men of the Han Dynasty.

However, his pride was not reflected in bullying and despising the weak, but in his adherence to his own choices.

Xiahou Ci didn't say anything more about the Imperial Academy; it was pointless. From the moment Wei Qing summoned the military spirit to the appearance of Xiahou Ying, the matter had already exceeded his ability to handle.

"I will help you cover up the information about the martial arts world later. As for what you plan to do after that, that is your own choice."

After saying this, Xiahou Ci entered the training ground alone.

Wei Qing looked at Liu Yangxin and said with a hint of apology, "Your Highness, I have failed to live up to your good intentions."

Liu Yangxin could only sigh. What else could he say? The choice had already been made; was there any medicine for regret in this world?

"Let's go back first."

The two walked side by side in silence, leaving the Marquis of Ruyin's residence and boarding the phoenix carriage. Before long, they returned to Princess Yangxin's residence.

Upon entering the mansion, Liu Yangxin led Wei Qing to a study in the backyard. This was not only where Liu Yangxin read, but also where she received distinguished guests. Therefore, the study was extremely soundproof, and no matter how loud the noise inside was, no one outside could hear it.

Of course, Liu Yangxin brought Wei Qing in this time not to do anything he was afraid of being seen, but some things would not be good if they got out.

"Please sit down. No outsiders or servants are allowed in my study, so there's no one to serve you."

As Liu Yangxin spoke, he searched the bookshelf for a while, then took out a jade slip with the title "The Art of War" written at the top, clearly indicating that it was a book of military strategy.

Liu Yangxin handed the military treatise to Wei Qing and said, "Keep this jade scroll; it should be a matching set with your sword."

This military treatise contains many discrepancies with traditional military strategies. Many talented young men of the past studied it, only to either fail miserably or meet a gruesome end on the battlefield. Consequently, many believe that the author of this treatise acted with ill intent, deliberately making errors as revenge against those who followed.

However, some people insist that it's just that the talented young people who are learning are not grasping the essentials.

It is said that Zhou Yafu also interpreted this scroll and concluded that the military strategy was correct, but unfortunately it was not suitable for him.

The scroll in your hand is the original version, written by that man himself. When Empress Lü bestowed upon me the title of princess, she specially gifted this scroll to me, probably intending to use me to deliver it to my grandfather and father.

My grandfather and father didn't even look at it, and just told me to keep it. I never imagined that after all that, I'd end up getting you.

Wei Qing, intrigued by this, picked up the scroll of military strategy, glanced at it casually, and asked, "What's that man's name? Is he very powerful?"

"I don't know either. I only know that there was such a person. He was very powerful, extremely powerful. If he hadn't betrayed the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu barbarians wouldn't have been so arrogant until now."

Wei Qing stared intently at the contents of the military treatise. There were only three chapters in total, and he read them quickly and with great interest: "The Han Dynasty? You mean he betrayed the Han Dynasty, not the human race?"

"Yes, he has never betrayed the human race."

"Ah."

Wei Qing gave a perfunctory "hmm" and continued reading.

He had never read any military treatises before; he had always figured out how to fight on his own. This was the first military book he had ever read.

Therefore, he couldn't see the content that was so different from military strategy.

Seeing that Wei Qing was engrossed in reading, Liu Yangxin quickly snatched the military book away and said, "Stop reading it. I'm giving you this military book so you can take it to the Imperial Academy. You might need it sometime in the future. I'm not giving it to you to learn the military strategies inside."

Why not learn?

"Didn't you hear me? All those bright young talents in the past ended up ruining themselves by studying too much."

"But didn't you also say that Zhou Yafu had read this military treatise and thought there was nothing wrong with it?"

Wei Qing didn't understand. If there was nothing wrong with the military treatise, what was wrong with taking a look?

Liu Yangxin felt somewhat helpless. Only then did she realize that the man in front of her never followed the usual path.

Liu Yangxin had no choice but to shove the military treatise into Wei Qing's arms again: "Take a look, take a look! Look at it however you like!"

As a result, Wei Qing actually opened the military book again, ignoring Liu Yangxin beside him, and continued reading, which made Liu Yangxin's chest heave with anger.

"Stop looking at it. I've given you the military treatise. You can look at it whenever you want without anyone bothering you."

Wei Qing looked completely innocent: "But I want to see it now."

You're in my way right now.

He was afraid of upsetting Liu Yangxin, so he held back the last sentence and didn't say it.

"Look, look, look! I'm with you, look, look!"

"Then I'll take a look..."