Chapter 4: Exploration of the Path Ahead for Atypical Chinese

The general, whose hair had already turned gray, shifted his tone and said bitterly: "But no one expected that you would want to learn those esoteric methods. It is quite unfortunate that neither the people of Weicheng nor the entire Qicheng Zhai can find a teacher for you. We can only watch you wear out that book on the Supreme Induction, yet we have no solutions."

Since there is now a solution to this matter, it is naturally unnecessary to inform you

This is equivalent to saying that I must risk my life to gamble for a qualification to enter a college, which sounds rather unwise, doesn't it? Ning Que continued to scratch his head

General, you may regard me as the vital energy of this world, of little significant use, and it would be better if I were simply not seen at all

The reason why the Tang Dynasty is referred to as the Great Tang is based on these simple yet powerful elements

However, he had spent enough time in the army, long enough to accurately grasp the valuable or terrifying qualities of the Tang people of this era. Thus, when he discovered the arrow marks on the princess's convoy, he immediately deduced some rather troubling matters—namely, that the newly appointed Chanyu on the grasslands actually dared to pursue the Tang princess. If he was not truly insane, then there must be significant figures within the empire colluding with him, having issued a promise of immunity from retribution by the emperor and the Kingdom of Tushuguo.

After a moment, the general calmed his heavy breathing and advised, "From my analysis, Your Highness should also understand that her whereabouts cannot remain a secret. If you can guess her identity, then everyone in Weicheng can guess it too. Wouldn't her enemies in the empire be able to figure it out? Since she insists on continuing her journey, it indicates that there must be reinforcements waiting ahead. Your task is simply to take her through the mountain shortcut and meet up with those people as quickly as possible. How can this be considered a gamble with your life?"

Mashi Xiang glared at him fiercely and reprimanded, "Foolish! Absurd! In order to enter the academy, how many people would be willing to sell their own mothers or kill their own fathers! Now, all you have to do is take a small risk, and you actually refuse to do it!"

Mashi Xiang observed his expression and recalled the most infuriating quirks of this young man. He understood that without presenting some tangible benefits, it would be difficult to persuade the other party to take risks. He couldn't help but sigh and lowered his voice to say: "Your Highness, there is an elder in your entourage, his surname is Lu, and it is said that he practices the Southern Gate of Haotian Dao."

Because she was well aware that without the approval of certain prominent figures in Chang'an, no barbarian in the grasslands would dare to harm her. Those who could make such a promise to the barbarians and convince the chieftain... at most no more than four, and those four were characters she could not even provoke.

The starlight outside the window was faint and serene. Ma Shixiang looked at the young man and said: "Weicheng... is ultimately too small. You should go to the capital, Chang'an, and see those truly grand worlds. Perhaps there are many fierce dragons and vicious tigers in those places, but as a newly born calf, why should you fear anyone?"

Upon hearing this statement, Ning Que suddenly raised his head, and his usually calm and languid eyes unexpectedly became extremely bright.

The general's expression was grave and serious: "In the hearts of the people of the Tang Dynasty, the academy is the most sacred and revered place that must not be violated. Obtaining the military department's receipt only signifies that you are eligible to participate in the entrance examination of the academy, but to truly step through the red door of the academy, you must at least visit three departments to obtain their seals"

You have been staying at the border of Weicheng for many years, and although you have heard some legends about the academies, you are not clear about what kind of place it truly is

Mashi Xiang did not continue to mock the child. After a moment of silence, he frowned and explained: "The reason I asked you to serve as a guide for the princess's convoy is actually... related to your admission to the academy. Your military achievements are indeed sufficient, and you have passed the preliminary examination. I have requested a recommendation letter from my superiors, and the military department's response has arrived along with the documents. But do you think that this alone will allow you to enter the academy?"

Mashi Xiang looked at him displeased and said: "As long as you achieve merit on the road and catch the attention of influential figures, or even if all it takes is for them to remember your name, at that time, if any steward in the princess's residence says a word, which official department would dare to extort you without discretion?"

I know that you have saved some money in Weicheng over the past two years, but do you really think that a few hundred taels of silver can feed those guys?

At the very least, those places will not only have a tattered copy of the "Supreme Response Classic"

Ning Que remained silent for a long time, lowering his head and gently sighing as he said, "Actually... I still feel a bit reluctant, don't I"

Ning Que lowered his head, remaining silent, constantly calculating the gains and losses involved.

Ning Que scratched his head and sighed, saying, "No one ever told me about this matter before"

Mashi Xiang looked at the seemingly humble young man, rubbed his head, and muttered, "Comparing oneself to the essence of heaven and earth? Is this humility or self-aggrandizement? If you truly wish to persuade me to retract this military order, perhaps it would be more appropriate to say you are a fart."

Mashi Xiang looked at him and sighed: "You came to Weicheng when you were still a little brat, charming everyone in the city with your sweet words and abilities. The soldiers have changed several times, and even the meat pie shop in the East City has had two different owners, yet you have always remained the most favored little brat in this den of bandits in Weicheng"

The Fourth Princess has now entered the country and arrived in Weicheng, yet she still has not fully revealed her identity. Why? Because the concept of trust has ceased to exist in her mind. She may trust His Majesty, but she certainly does not trust His Majesty's ministers, such as you, General, or us border troops, or even the entire court.

He rubbed Ning Que's head, as if looking at a spoiled child, and said: "Before General Ren passed away years ago, he arranged for you to obtain military registration. Soon after, in the autumn, everyone went to the grasslands to gather firewood and nearly got surrounded by those barbarians. It was all thanks to you that we managed to escape. At that time, all the people of Weicheng unanimously decided to reward you well. We even thought that even if your condition was to have the most famous courtesan in the capital deflowered for you, we would all pool our money to make it happen beautifully for you."

"Adding one more to the escort of the princess means one more corpse on the mountain road; removing one from the team means that Weicheng can retain one more disciplined and kind soldier."

Ning Que is not a typical Tang person. He often appears lacking in courage on the battlefield, and he certainly does not possess the fierce spirit of risking everything for a laugh, such as burning down his own house. I believe that even if he lived in Weicheng for another twenty years, it would be impossible for him to write a grand narrative of a beggar growing into a general.

A recommendation letter written by generals of our rank would hardly attract the attention of those departments; even a military department's acknowledgment holds little weight. As long as they wish, they can delay your entrance examination for several years. In recent years, this has become a common occurrence. Aside from the students collected by the scholars in the community, any candidate seeking to be recommended through the court must spend a considerable amount of money to pave the way. Countless affluent families have been driven to ruin just for that examination.

Ma Shixiang's gaze suddenly became sharp, "Whether it is the academy or that old man with the surname Lü, you must seize them, and you must seize them without fail"

The wars among the upper echelons of this empire are such that even you, General, can only keep your distance, let alone us insignificant individuals..." Ning Que ground the damp earth with his heel and said softly, "There will definitely be trouble on the road. A person like me can at most deal with three to five people; getting involved would have no effect whatsoever.

But now is the opportunity

Ning Que chuckled twice and replied, "As a student about to attend the academy, one must speak with a certain elegance."