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

The command department was certain that their abuse of power would have no consequences.

It can only be said that Wei Qing offended too many people. Even if someone tried to stir up trouble by taking advantage of this incident, the final result would definitely be fruitless.

A mere slave dares to challenge the might of the world? He's simply overestimating himself!

After listening to Kong Youde's words, Wei Qing was filled with frustration and disappointment: "So it seems that I really don't have the talent."

Back when I was in Pingyang County, Uncle Cao always praised my talent, saying that with my talent I would definitely be able to enter the Imperial Academy.

To my surprise, with my limited talent, I wasn't even qualified to prove myself.

I don't think Uncle Cao ever tells the truth. He made me travel all this way to the gate of the Imperial Academy and embarrass myself.

He even claimed to be the second most meritorious official in the founding of the Han Dynasty. He even fooled an ignorant youth like me. I bet he's done a lot of swindling and cheating before. I think his so-called second most meritorious official title was just obtained by lying about his military achievements..."

Wei Qing continued to ramble on, like a wronged wife, endlessly criticizing Cao Can.

Meanwhile, Kong Youde, who was standing nearby, broke out in a cold sweat, as if Wei Qing was not scolding Cao Can, but his ancestors for eighteen generations.

........

P.S.: I'd like to recommend two books. I'm not a freeloader, I just want to read them for free. Of course, I sometimes recommend books to my friends too.

Few people probably know the author, Mingze. He once wrote a book with 400 initial subscriptions, and gradually built it into a high-quality work step by step. That's when I got to know him.

This is his new book. Like me, it didn't do well at first either, but I believe we can make it.

This author has been exchanging writing experiences with me since the beginning of his novel writing career. Despite having fewer than a thousand initial subscriptions, he successfully completed the novel with 163 million words. Regardless of its success, his character is at least reliable.

Even if you don't like it, you can at least give it a try, right?

Our styles all lean towards a certain point; we don't have brilliant ideas or fancy writing, but we do have tireless and down-to-earth updates.

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Trouble-Making Husky!

Cao Can, far away in Pingyang County, was sitting in front of his thatched hut basking in the sun when he suddenly opened his eyes. Just moments before, he had vaguely sensed that someone was slandering him.

A powerful figure like Cao Shen can sense if someone dares to slander him.

Generally, the closer the two parties are to each other and the greater the difference in their strength, the clearer and stronger this feeling will be.

Therefore, even in private, no one dared to casually slander these pillars of the Han Dynasty, for fear of being discovered.

Of course, if he doesn't want to sense certain information, he can choose to block it directly. Can a living person die from holding in his pee?

"South? Chang'an, the capital city? Who could it be? Xiao He? Zhou Bo? Or Xiahou Ying?"

Cao Shen shook his head. It shouldn't be like this. The distance is too far. If it were them, he definitely wouldn't be able to sense them.

If you sense slander but feel no sense of crisis, it means the other party doesn't intend to defame you.

Thinking about it that way, the most likely candidate is that kid Wei Qing.

Judging by the time, we should have arrived at the Imperial Academy by now, right?

I wonder which unlucky person offended him. If you don't check the almanac before going out, you'll run into a ghost.

How are you, old friends?

Did I meet a nephew in Pingyang County? Does that surprise you?

If you could pick up a Han Xin back then, I can pick up a Wei Qing today.

Don't rush, this is just the beginning, there's still a long way to go.

At that very moment, in the pavilions and terraces of the inner courtyard, Xiahou Ying "saw" this scene unfolding in the admissions square and smiled as well.

In the entire Han Dynasty, apart from those old fogies, probably only Wei Qing dared to publicly "slander" Cao Can like this.

I used to think that Wei Qing was quite talented, courageous, and had a great sense of selflessness. It was just a pity that he was too impulsive, acted too arbitrarily, and completely disregarded the overall situation. Now I realize that I may have misjudged him this time.

The reason I acted so arbitrarily was not because I disregarded the overall situation, but simply because my opponents were too weak.

Is it necessary to be so cautious when dealing with a weak opponent who is seven or eight ranks lower than you?

Just close your eyes and go for it.

Among the crowd in the recruitment square, Cao Ying and Cao Cao, who had come to watch the show, finally showed some anger as they listened to Wei Qing's constant complaints.

This anger was naturally not directed at Wei Qing, but at Kong Youde.

Putting aside all other messy matters, interests, and grudges, Wei Qing came from Pingyang County.

Before Wei Qing left Pingyang County, he lived with his great-grandfather for nine years and called him Uncle Cao for nine whole years.

Later, when Wei Qing wanted to go to Chang'an to take the entrance exam for the Imperial Academy, his great-grandfather agreed and even had Liu Yangxin personally bring him there.

This shows that the great-grandfather had great confidence in Wei Qing's talent, and the facts proved that Wei Qing was indeed not a waste; in fact, his talent was astonishing.

In this situation, Wei Qing did request that the Imperial Academy directly admit him; he only wanted a chance to be assessed. However, the command department of the Imperial Academy refused to give him even a chance, citing his lack of talent. Wasn't that a blatant disregard for Prime Minister Xiao?

Cao Ying was the first to make a move. He was Cao Can's great-grandson, and if he didn't step forward and turn back now, he would be criticized behind his back.

Cao Ying strode out from the crowd, pointed at Wei Qing, and shouted, "Wei Qing, watch your words! Some things aren't unspeakable, but you have to take responsibility for what you say!"

When Kong Youde heard that someone had spoken up for justice, he was overjoyed and looked at the person who spoke. But what he saw almost made him sick.

He recognized the young man; in fact, few nobles in Chang'an didn't know him. He was the number one husky in Chang'an and the youngest Marquis within the Pass.

To say that Pingyang Prefecture has declined depends on who it is compared to. Compared to families like the Lü family, the Marquis of Jiang, the Marquis of Ruyin, and the Marquis of Zan, it does appear to have declined and is no longer as glorious as it once was.

Furthermore, with Marquis Cao Ying of Pingyang now young and unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility, the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion has gradually faded from the core power circle of the Han Dynasty.

Even if they don't get involved in the core circle of the Han Dynasty, can't they still deal with a mere lecturer from the Imperial Academy?

Before Kong Youde could speak, Cao Ying continued to Wei Qing, "You said my great-grandfather always praised your talent, but who can testify to that?"

Liu Yangxin nodded in satisfaction when he saw Cao Ying step forward.

Last time I asked you to help Wei Qing get his citizenship removed, but you got so engrossed in hunting that you didn't remember for three or five days, which directly resulted in you not getting Wei Qing's letter of recommendation.

If we don't stand up for Kong Youde now, when we see Great-Grandfather Xiao again, I'll give you a good dressing down.

Thinking to himself, Liu Yangxin said to Cao Ying, "Sister-in-law, can I testify for what Wei Qing just said?"

Cao Ying had been waiting for Liu Yangxin to say this. He greeted Liu Yangxin and gave him a simple and honest smile, saying, "Aying greets sister-in-law. Since even sister-in-law has come forward to testify for Wei Qing, it means that what Wei Qing said is true."

It seems that our great-grandfather was indeed blind in his old age. After living together for nine whole years, he couldn't even tell whether a slave had talent or not.

It is the insightful people in the Command Department of our Imperial Academy who have seen through Wei Qing's outward strength but inner weakness, even while they were still in the Imperial Academy.

My heart aches for my great-grandfather. In his youth, he accompanied His Majesty in resisting the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty. He finally assisted His Majesty in establishing the Han Dynasty and was named the second most meritorious official in the founding of the Han Dynasty. However, before he could enjoy his honor, he was forced to go to Pingyang County to guard the passage there.

Now that he is old and his eyesight is failing and he is no longer strong enough, I, as his great-grandson, am unable to help him at all. I am truly an unworthy descendant.

After much deliberation, Cao Ying realized that the only thing he could do was to use his status as the Marquis of Pingyang to petition the Empress Dowager to have his great-grandfather recalled.

As for the passage to Pingyang County... let the students of the Imperial Academy's Command Department guard it.

The Imperial Academy's Command Department was originally designed to train generals to lead troops into battle. As the saying goes, "What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand." How can a true general be trained without going through the trials of iron and fire?

Now is an excellent opportunity. The entire command department of the Imperial Academy is moving to Pingyang County, which will not only guard the passageway but also provide students with practical combat opportunities.

As for the location for building the Imperial Academy's command department, I, Cao Ying, am not talented, but I have inherited the title of Marquis of Pingyang.

Pingyang County is not wealthy, but it can still set aside a piece of land to build an academy for all the lecturers and students.

What do you all think? If you think there are no problems, Cao Ying will go to see the Empress today.

All I wanted was for my great-grandfather to return soon and enjoy his old age in peace, so that he wouldn't become the subject of gossip among the people of Chang'an like he is today, ultimately ending up with a tarnished reputation.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Don't Treat Me Like You Are Stupid

Cao Ying suggested moving the command department of the Imperial Academy to Pingyang County. Anyone with a brain knows that this is impossible, as it involves too many vested interests.

The first to object would certainly be those nobles, whose children were all studying at the Imperial Academy.

The real reason people want to send their children to the Imperial Academy now is not so much to improve their personal abilities, but to gain prestige.

After leaving the Imperial Academy, I asked my elders to help me find a lucrative job, which was a natural progression and would save me from being gossiped about behind my back.

If the Imperial Academy is really moved to the vicinity of Tongdao, what will happen if something happens to the children?

They couldn't bear to see their own children risking their lives; that was something only peasants should do.

However, even if the Imperial Academy's command department doesn't move, it doesn't mean the matter is over.

If Cao Yingzhen reports this to the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager will surely punish her directly.

Cao Can was, after all, one of the representatives of the meritorious group in Pei County. Now a group of juniors are bullying him. If Empress Lü still acts as if nothing has happened, then don't blame this huge force for starting to gravitate towards the Liu family's royal family. At that time, Prince Liu Heng of Dai will be laughing in his sleep.

If the Empress Dowager questions the matter, Xiao He will undoubtedly be the one to handle it. Although Xiao He is currently not in charge of affairs at the Imperial Academy, it does not mean that he is incapable of handling them.

However, it involves too many complex and intertwined interests, making it difficult even for him to take action. Now that the opportunity has been presented to him directly, would he remain indifferent?

If Cao Yingzhen had gone to see the Empress today, this matter would have escalated to an enormous degree.

As for whether Cao Ying is just talking the talk and doesn't actually dare to do it...

Anyone with even a slight understanding of Cao Ying would have no doubt that this husky, when it gets into trouble, has absolutely no sense of priorities.

Let's make a big scene first, then we'll see. Anyway, if the sky falls, someone taller will hold it up.

No matter how complex the power struggles within the capital city of Chang'an are, as long as Cao Can is alive, Cao Ying can live peacefully as the Marquis of Pingyang.

"Ahem... Marquis Pingyang, please don't joke. Prime Minister Cao has a discerning eye, and everyone in the world knows that."

An elderly man who looked to be well past sixty years old walked out of the Imperial Academy. He had no choice but to come out; no one dared to gamble on the husky's limits.

After all, the bottom line for a husky is that it has no bottom line.

When Cao Ying saw the old man, she said "Oh," indicating that she recognized him and they were quite familiar with each other.