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

How could we not know each other? He's one of the supervisors of the Martial Arts Academy.

As the name suggests, the Martial Arts Academy trains martial artists, and the academy mainly emphasizes individual martial prowess.

The martial arts department and the command department were supposed to complement each other, but in reality, the internal competition between them was very fierce.

Due to the era, strong individual strength could even surpass thousands of troops, so there have always been two voices: one advocating the supremacy of individual strength, and the other insisting that legionism is the orthodox doctrine.

As for whether cooperation between the two sides would be a strengthening of the already strong, wouldn't it?

Theoretically, that's true, but it's very difficult to have a powerful martial artist command someone who could be killed with a single finger.

Cao Ying was from the Martial Arts Department; I had met this person before I even enrolled.

Fan Zhang was a fifth-generation descendant of Fan Kuai, the Marquis of Wuyang, but not a member of the main branch of the family.

Fan Kuai was Empress Lü's brother-in-law and was one of the few meritorious officials in Pei County who was bound to the Lü clan.

Now that the pro-peace faction and the Lü family are deeply entangled, since the command department is unable to intervene, only Fan Zhang, the supervisor of the martial arts department, can step in to mediate.

Fan Zhang wields considerable power within the Martial Arts Department, but Cao Ying has no intention of knowing when to stop. If a husky learns to restrain itself, would it still be a husky?

After listening to Fan Zhang's words, he said with some disbelief, "Really? The abbot said my great-grandfather had a discerning eye, so how come he didn't see that Wei Qing was a good-for-nothing after nine years of getting along with him?"

Fan Zhang was actually quite annoyed, thinking to himself, "Kong Youde, why did you have to provoke Cao Ying?"

I didn't know this thing was like a leech; once it's stuck on, you have to peel off a layer of skin to get it off!

Fan Zhang forced a smile and said, "Lord Pingyang, you are mistaken. This young man named Wei Qing is very skilled in martial arts. Our Martial Arts Academy is most lacking in such talents. If the young man is willing, I, Fan Zhang, as the academy's supervisor, am willing to make an exception and provide him with an opportunity for assessment."

We can neither deny Cao Can's vision nor admit that the command department was abusing its power for personal gain. So what should we do?

The only option was to change the subject, acknowledging that Wei Qing was indeed very talented, but that his talent lay in martial arts, and that he lacked the talent to lead troops.

After Fan Zhang finished speaking, Liu Yangxin frowned slightly.

The Imperial Academy is full of cunning old foxes; they're definitely not easy to deal with.

Cao Shen only told him that Wei Qing had strong martial arts talent, but did not mention how great Wei Qing's talent was in commanding troops.

Even the ability of Wei Qing to summon the military spirit was only discovered by chance when he arrived in Chang'an, the capital city, and entered the martial arts training ground at the Marquis of Ruyin's residence.

Ignoring all the nonsense, Cao Ying continued to press, "According to the abbot, Wei Qing only has martial arts talent? And my great-grandfather said he was very talented, referring to martial arts talent, but as for command talent, it was not worth mentioning, is that what you mean?"

Fan Zhang frowned. What did Cao Ying mean by this? Was she determined to refuse to budge?

His intervention on behalf of Kong Youde was purely driven by shared interests, but it did not mean he was willing to offend Prime Minister Cao for it. Therefore, he gave a relatively conservative answer: "As for Prime Minister Cao, I dare not speculate. However, as the supervisor of the Martial Arts Department, I do not know much about so-called command talents. But Wei Qing's martial prowess is indeed remarkable. As long as he can pass the assessment arranged by the Martial Arts Department, he can enter the Imperial Academy."

Wei Qing laughed when he heard this. He was indeed very strong in battle, and many experienced warriors who could defeat ten thousand men were no match for him.

However, according to the martial arts system, they can only be considered ordinary mortals.

Therefore, if martial arts academies do not test practical combat skills, or if the proportion of practical combat skills is not high enough, they are very likely to be eliminated in the assessment.

There's no need to even mention Wei Qing's lack of martial arts talent; the only reason is that his growth method is a completely different system from that of the martial artists at the Imperial Academy.

Forcing Wei Qing to stay in the Imperial Academy would not be helping him, but rather harming him.

Therefore, for the sake of Wei Qing's future, they had no choice but to reject him with tears in their eyes.

At that time, Wei Qing would have no choice but to suffer in silence.

The other party has dug a pit for you, waiting for you to jump into it.

How dare you use such low-class methods in public?

It seems you really think of me as someone like you, whose mind is only focused on muscles?

Are they so stupid that they can't even see through such a simple trap?

.........

One more chapter, I'm so sleepy I'm almost dazed, I'll try my best to finish it.

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Husky with a "Confucian Gentle" Approach

Wei Qing's method for dealing with this tactic was simple: just two words—stirring things up.

If the fire-starting effect is not good, then increase the intensity and continue to start the fire.

He strode forward and went straight to the point with Fan Zhang: "Since you say you dare not make any guesses, then there's no need to guess. I can tell you frankly that Uncle Cao is saying that my talent in command is strong, and it has nothing to do with the strength of my martial arts talent! Also, the Imperial Academy doesn't need to use such underhanded methods to forcibly change the subject!"

I, Wei Qing, don't necessarily want to enter the Imperial Academy, but if you can't give Uncle Cao an explanation today, I think someone else will give you one!

Upon hearing Wei Qing's words, Cao Ying immediately realized the truth.

Fan Zhang's words just now gave Kong Youde and the command department an excuse, and Cao Can instantly offered them a way out.

But here's the question: in Cao Ying's opinion, did her great-grandfather need someone to offer him a way out?

Nonsense, of course not!

Besides, do you think I, Cao Ying, am stupid and easily fooled by your roundabout way of changing the subject?

Once he understood, Cao Ying's anger flared up; he was never one to suffer a loss.

Fine, since you're treating me like a fool, then I'll let you fool me to your heart's content!

"Baiao Lion Climbs Snow Mountain!"

As Cao Ying roared angrily, a deafening lion's roar echoed throughout the Imperial Academy.

In the blink of an eye, a snow-white male lion ran over from the outer courtyard. Many onlookers were startled when they saw the white lion and quickly stepped back to make way for it.

Cao Ying didn't say anything, grabbed the reins, flipped himself up, and urged his mount to gallop towards the palace.

Now, not only Kong Youde, but all the high-ranking officials in the Imperial Academy who were constantly monitoring the situation in the square couldn't sit still anymore.

Damn it, Fan Zhang, you idiot! You tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead!

Even Xiahou Ying, who was in the pavilions and terraces, was stunned. Cao Cao's great-grandson was really decisive and had an explosive ability to act.

He realized that Cao Ying wasn't just trying to scare anyone; she was genuinely angry and wanted to complain to Empress Lü.

Cao Ying rode his white lion up the mountain through the snow, but before he even left the square, he was stopped by Fan Zhang, who was now in a real bind: "Marquis of Pingyang, can't we sit down and talk things over?"

Fan Zhang's attempt to stop him only made things worse, as it ignited Cao Ying's already explosive temper. Pointing at Fan Zhang's nose, Cao Ying cursed him without any restraint in front of everyone, saying, "I'll talk to your mother!"

Fan Zhang, in terms of status, I am the Marquis of Pingyang, what are you! In terms of seniority, you should call me uncle!

I respected you as the academy's supervisor and gave you face, but you've taken advantage of my kindness!

Does he really think he's someone important?

I'm trying to get justice for my great-grandfather, and you jump out and try to change the subject, making a fool of me! Do you think you're so clever?

Fan Zhang, let me tell you, even though the Pingyang Marquis's mansion has declined, when your great-grandfather and my great-great-grandfather were assisting His Majesty, they received no shortage of care from my great-great-grandfather!

The debt of gratitude that your Wuyang Marquis family owes my Pingyang Marquis family has not been repaid in the slightest!

Now you not only disregard our past relationship, but you're also trying to fool me. Even if this matter goes to Empress Lü's side, I'll still have the final say!

It was fortunate that Fan Zhang was physically strong enough to withstand Cao Ying's barrage of scolding; otherwise, anyone with a heart condition would have surely passed out.

The admissions plaza, including both new students and nobles, must have housed tens of thousands of people.

As a result, this nearly two-hundred-year-old man was insulted by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, and he couldn't even talk back. He was really frustrated.

Fan Zhang was truly filled with regret; he was so regretful he was practically green with envy.

What kind of karma have I created? Wouldn't it be better to just stay in seclusion and cultivate myself properly?

They insisted on getting involved, what can we do now?

Should they simply let it go, or pretend to be so angry they faint?

In the end, Fan Zhang chose to swallow his pride and not let Cao Ying complain. He was still under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy, and no matter what happened, the Imperial Academy could always step in to resolve it, whether it was handled well or poorly.

But if Cao Ying were to run into the palace and exaggerate his accusations, who knows how Empress Lü would react?

"The Marquis of Pingyang has misunderstood."

Cao Ying laughed in anger: "Misunderstanding? Fine, I'll give you a chance. If you don't explain this clearly today, I'll go to the Empress Dowager this morning to request the return of my great-grandfather, and this afternoon I'll go to the Marquis of Wuyang to complain! I just want to see if the Marquis of Wuyang still takes the Pingyang Marquis's mansion seriously!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhang stopped thinking. "Don't blame me for betraying you. I'm barely able to protect myself now."

Regardless of any favors owed, it is true that the Marquis of Wuyang's family rose in status thanks to Empress Lü, but that does not mean that his great-grandfather's status was actually higher than that of Chancellor Cao.

If this trivial matter were to cause a conflict between the two families, the best outcome would be for Fan Zhang to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back. However, given Cao Ying's temperament, he probably wouldn't accept it.

After thinking it through, Fan Zhang said directly to Cao Ying, "Please, Marquis Pingyang, calm down. What I said just now was simply because I saw that Wei Qing has excellent martial arts talent and hoped to recruit him into our martial arts department. I had no other intentions whatsoever."

As for Kong Youde and the Command Academy's slander of Prime Minister Cao, I also feel indignant on behalf of Prime Minister Cao. Even if you, Marquis of Pingyang, were busy with other matters today and not in the square, I, Fan Zhang, would still stand up and speak out for justice!

Fan Zhang has betrayed them.

Hearing this, Cao Ying's anger subsided somewhat. He looked at the uneasy Fan Zhang and nodded, saying, "Alright, whether it's true or false, at least it's something human. As for whether or not to go see Marquis Wuyang, we'll discuss that after I return from the Empress Dowager's place!"

Go to the palace again?

Of course I'll go!

If we don't go, how could the Imperial Academy possibly compromise?

If the Imperial Academy doesn't compromise, Cao Ying will escalate the situation; she won't lose anything either way!

Sure enough, before Cao Ying could even leave the Imperial Academy's territory, an old and loud voice came from the sky: "Lord Pingyang, please wait. The previous opinion of Lecturer Kong Youde that Wei Qing lacked talent was just his opinion and could not represent the views of anyone else in the Command Department, much less the attitude of the Command Department."

Furthermore, the entire Imperial Academy and its departments would never dare to show the slightest disrespect to Chancellor Cao. We hope Marquis Pingyang will understand this clearly.

Fan Zhang betrayed them, and Cao Ying continued to exploit the situation, forcing the departments to have no choice but to cut their losses.

Kong Youde, who was standing not far from Wei Qing, turned pale upon hearing these words. He knew he was doomed and had been used as a scapegoat.

Wei Qing whistled, and looking at the dejected Kong Youde beside him, he couldn't help but laugh in a rather wicked way.

Sold out, isn't that pitiful?

What a load of rubbish!

If you insist on courting death, how can you blame others?

Chapter Twenty-Seven: This teamwork was impeccable!