Chapter 5

Chapter 4: The Future of the Atypical Tang

The reason why the Tang Dynasty is called the Great Tang is based on these simple yet powerful things.

Ning Que is not a typical Tang person. On the battlefield, he often appears not brave enough, and he certainly does not have the fierce spirit of burning his own house to fight for survival. Even if he lived in Weicheng for another twenty years, it would be impossible for him to write a grand life story of growing from a beggar to a general.

But he has been in the army long enough to accurately grasp the precious or terrifying qualities of the Tang people of this era. So when he discovered the arrow holes on the princess's convoy, he immediately inferred some very troubling things—the new Khan on the grasslands dared to chase and kill the Tang princess. If he wasn't really crazy, then there must be a truly powerful figure within the empire colluding with him, promising that the empire would not seek revenge.

"The Fourth Princess has already entered the country and arrived in Weicheng, but she still hasn't fully revealed her identity. Why? Because the word 'trust' no longer exists in her mind. She might trust the emperor, but she definitely won't trust the emperor's ministers, like you, General, or us border troops, or even the entire court."

"Because she is very clear that without the nod from some powerful figures in Chang'an, no barbarians on the grasslands would dare to harm her. The person who could make such a promise and make the Khan believe it... there are at most four, and those four are even characters she can't provoke."

"This is a war among the upper echelons of the empire, and even you, General, can only stay far away. How much more so for us small people..." Ning Que ground his heel into the slightly damp mud and said softly, "Something will definitely happen on the road. I can only deal with three or five people at most, and getting involved won't make any difference."

"Adding me to the princess's escort team just means one more body in the mountains; without me, Weicheng can retain one more well-disciplined and kind soldier."

"General, you can just consider me as the primordial energy of the universe, which is not very useful, and you might as well not even see me."

Ma Shixiang looked at the seemingly humble young man, rubbed his head, and said in a low voice, "Comparing yourself to the primordial energy of the universe? Is this humility or self-praise? If you really want to convince me to revoke this military order, saying you are a fart might be more appropriate."

Ning Que chuckled and replied, "I'm about to become a student at the Academy, so my words should be more refined."

Ma Shixiang did not continue to tease the child. After a moment of silence, he frowned and explained, "Sending you to be the guide for the princess's convoy is actually... related to your admission to the Academy. Your military achievements are indeed enough, and you have passed the initial test. I have written a recommendation letter for you, and the military department's reply has arrived, but do you think that will get you into the Academy?"

"You have been in Weicheng for years, and even if you have heard some legends about the Academy, you don't know what it really is."

The general's expression was solemn and serious, "In the hearts of our Tang military and civilians, the Academy is the most sacred and inviolable place. Holding the military department's reply only means you can participate in the Academy's entrance exam, but to truly step through the red gate of the Academy, you need to get seals from at least three departments..."

"Recommendation letters from commanders of our level mean nothing to those departments, and even the military department's reply has no power. If they want to, they can drag out your participation in the entrance exam for several years. In recent years, this has become a common scenario. Except for students the Academy teachers recruit from the people, any candidate who goes through the court recommendation route has to spend a lot of money to smooth the way. Many wealthy families have been ruined just for that exam."

"I know you have saved some money in Weicheng over the past two years, but do you really think a few hundred taels of silver will satisfy them?"

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

"Because now there is a way to solve this problem, so there's no need to tell you."

Ma Shixiang looked at him unhappily and said, "If you can establish some merit on the road and catch the eye of a noble, or even just have a noble remember your name, then any official in the princess's household can speak a word, and no department will dare to extort you."

"That means I have to risk my life to get a chance to take the Academy entrance exam. It doesn't sound like a good deal," Ning Que continued to scratch his head.

Ma Shixiang glared at him fiercely and scolded, "Fool! Scoundrel! To get into the Academy, many people would sell their own mothers and kill their own fathers! Now, all you have to do is take a small risk, and you're not willing to do it!"

After a moment, the general calmed his heavy breathing and persuaded, "Based on my analysis, the princess should also understand that her movements cannot be kept secret. If you can guess her identity, everyone in Weicheng can guess it, and her enemies in the empire can guess it too. Since she insists on continuing her journey, it means there must be reinforcements waiting for her on the road. Your task is just to guide her through the mountain shortcuts and meet up with them as soon as possible. How can this be considered risking your life?"

Ning Que lowered his head, silent, and kept calculating the gains and losses.

Ma Shixiang looked at his expression, remembering the most annoying quirks of this young man, and knew that without some tangible benefits, it would be hard to convince him to take the risk. He sighed and lowered his voice, "There is an old man in the princess's convoy. His surname is Lu, and I heard he practices the Southern Gate of the Hao Tian Dao."

Hearing this, Ning Que suddenly looked up, his usually calm and lazy eyes suddenly becoming extremely bright.

Ma Shixiang looked at him and sighed, "You came to Weicheng when you were just a little kid, and you charmed the whole city with your sweet talk and skills. The soldiers have changed many times, and even the meat pie shop in the east of the city has changed owners twice, but you have always been the most beloved little kid in Weicheng."

He rubbed Ning Que's head, like looking at a spoiled child, and said, "Before the previous general passed away, he arranged for you to get a military position. Then in the autumn, when everyone went to the grasslands to gather firewood, we almost got surrounded by the barbarians. It was thanks to you that we escaped. At that time, everyone in Weicheng decided to reward you well. We even planned that if you asked for the most popular courtesan in the capital to break your seal, we would all chip in to make it happen."

The general, whose hair was already gray, changed his tone and said bitterly, "But no one expected that you would want to learn those otherworldly arts. It was very helpless, and no one in Weicheng or the entire Seven City Fort could find a teacher for you. We could only watch you wear out that copy of the 'Taishang Ganying Pian' without any ideas."

"But now is your chance!"

Ma Shixiang's eyes suddenly became sharp, "Whether it's the Academy or that old man surnamed Lu, you must seize this opportunity, and you must seize it."

Ning Que was silent for a long time, lowered his head, and sighed softly, "Actually... I'm a bit reluctant to leave."

The starlight outside the window was clear and faint. Ma Shixiang looked at the young man and said, "Weicheng... is ultimately too small. You should go to the capital Chang'an, to those truly great places. Perhaps there are many fierce dragons and evil tigers there, but you, a young calf, are not afraid of anyone, are you?"

"At least... those places won't just have a worn-out copy of the 'Taishang Ganying Pian'."

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