Chapter 474

Chapter 474

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Side Story Side Story Ten (7)

This inner complaint was also unconsciously voiced by Sun Luban.

This speculation, how to put it… from a logical perspective, it fits Qiao Huan’s understanding of her quite well.

“Are there no descendants of the Donghai Mi Clan who have come to study at Leping Academy?”

When Qiao Huan said this, Sun Luban hesitated again.

Oh, what she said wasn’t wrong. The Donghai Mi Clan indeed has sent people to study at Leping Academy, and they haven’t done anything that would require them to hide their identities.

This made her swallow back the second half of her reasoning.

According to Sun Luban’s thoughts, Mi and Mu sound quite similar.

Moreover, from Qiao Huan’s usual lifestyle, it’s clear that she’s not from an ordinary family.

When it comes to wealth, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, the Mi Clan.

But as Qiao Huan reminded, the Donghai Mi Clan has indeed sent people to study at Leping Academy.

That person was none other than Mi Zhu’s younger sister.

Now, she has already graduated from here and taken over the clothing business in collaboration with Princess Yang’an from her brother. At least during her time at Leping, she had no intention of hiding her identity.

If Qiao Huan were really from the Donghai Mi Clan, would she have more reason to hide her identity than Mi Zhu’s own sister?

Probably not.

“Alright, why overthink it?” Qiao Huan interrupted Sun Luban’s thoughts, “But what you said did remind me, there’s really a business opportunity here.”

Sun Luban’s eyelids twitched, “You’re not really planning to… we don’t have that much time.”

“I know,” Qiao Huan calmly replied, “It’s not like we’re in a time where we must spare no effort to accumulate military funds. Why waste our study time on such matters, but that doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from it. Didn’t you mention it? The Donghai Mi Clan.”

Sun Luban was dumbfounded as she watched Qiao Huan, with great initiative, start writing a proposal after the equestrian class ended, clearly listing the considerations and reasons for choosing the Mi Clan.

It must be said, while Qiao Huan might still be a bit green when it comes to writing stories, she shows no sign of immaturity when it comes to formal documents.

But if Qiao Huan were to say, if literacy textbooks were part of memorials, even the most foolish could achieve what she has today.

Seeing Deng Ai’s somewhat worried expression, Qiao Huan added, “No need to worry about the Mi Clan taking advantage. Although the Donghai Mi Clan has contributed to the emperor’s rise and even holds a place in the Xuanyuan Pavilion, it would take at least three generations to fully transition from commerce to politics. On the other hand, those with ingenious ideas from Leping Academy might be valued by His Majesty after their studies. It’s not beneficial to hastily claim their ideas. Besides, everyone knows me… me, Mu Huaixu, why would they do something so superfluous, inviting trouble for no reason.”

“Of course, this doesn’t mean that in the future, when there are such schemes, we can always hope that our collaborators are kind. Compared to the so-called Leping Academy student model—”

Qiao Huan paused before continuing, “Just as His Majesty’s actions, thoughts, and uses are emulated by the world, we, aiming to become the elite of the new generation, should naturally become role models for the younger ones.”

Sun Luban clapped her hands and laughed, “Well said. If this item is favored by Sun Luban, as a close aide to His Majesty, it would attract more emulation than the vague reference to Leping Academy students.”

“But we still have a lot to learn,” Qiao Huan waved the letter in her hand, decisively pouring cold water on Sun Luban’s enthusiasm.

But for children of this age, having a hope is better than anything.

Moreover, they soon received positive feedback.

While Qiao Huan and her companions couldn’t leave Leping Academy rashly to prevent any issues with students leaving the school, sending letters out was no problem. Since Mi Zhu’s sister, Mi Si, was in Bingzhou, the letter quickly reached the person in charge.

Mi Zhu, with his seven orifices, was particularly adept at understanding the intentions of all parties. This Mi Third Lady, who had the opportunity to serve outside and take charge under Qiao Yan’s governance, was no less capable.

Her gaze swept over the signature “Mu Huan” at the end of the letter, recalling the rumors circulating within Leping Academy over the past few years and the unclear remarks her brother had made at a family gathering two years ago, a look of understanding flashed in her eyes.

The identity of “Mu Huan” was almost revealed.

And what she mentioned in the letter… indeed had potential.

It has been ten years since the rubber trees were brought back from overseas voyages.

Ten years is enough for the rubber trees planted in Jiaozhou to replace the raw materials brought back by sea voyages and to take on the role of rubber in various productions. The Donghai Mi Clan has also invested a considerable amount of money in this, as His Majesty hoped, taking over the entire rubber forest and quickly returning the land in Yandu.

Given that northern Hu people can ride horses at the age of ten, and the children of northern soldiers should have the same courage, the market for rubber helmets is indeed not small.

Not to mention, after branding it as a Leping Academy model, it could elevate the value of this item—

Using it elsewhere could also find a market.

Previously, the cost of this item was quite high, far from others, but now, reminded by “Mu Huan,” it’s indeed time to put it on the agenda.

Mi Si, though young, was a successful merchant like Mi Zhu when he first came to Leping. After realizing this, she immediately made several decisions.

Earlier, within the Mi Clan, there was already a saying that within the scope of what she could afford to lose, there was no need to report every detail to the family, so this time she simply acted first and reported later.

The first was to communicate with her subordinates to design a helmet that, while shock-absorbing, could also minimize the consumption of rubber and other filling materials as quickly as possible.

The second was to submit a memorial to the Son of Heaven, willing to donate thirty thousand helmets to various coal and iron mines in Bingzhou in exchange for the exclusive sales rights of these protective helmets to be controlled by the Mi Clan, especially the “Leping Academy model” trademark.

The third was to reply to Qiao Huan, expressing her willingness to give them a long-term ten percent of the net profits from this action, with a contract as a guarantee.

At the same time, since the idea came from the equestrian class at Leping Academy, why not have the Donghai Mi Clan fund the gift of several purebred Ferghana horse foals to them, wishing them success in equestrianism and galloping across the land.

Given Qiao Huan’s status, obtaining such horses wouldn’t be difficult.

The finest steeds from beyond the borders would first be presented to His Majesty.

Mi Si was clearly aware of this.

Yet she still made such a decision.

When Mi Zhu later got the news and rushed to Bingzhou, questioning her decision, she said, “Since you, brother, have confirmed my guess that she is indeed that little princess, then I think, since she has hidden her name to study at Leping Academy, she must want to carve out a place for herself with her own abilities, and the same goes for the horses that accompany her in battle.”

“His Majesty’s Zhu Tan horse was a gift from the Taiyuan Wang Clan, and now this horse of the little princess comes from our Donghai Mi Clan, isn’t that a kind of echo?”

Qiao Yan’s horse was received after solving the locust plague, and now Qiao Huan is also solving worries and reaping rewards. As Mi Si said, for Qiao Huan, who deeply respects her mother, it’s the most appropriate gift.

“Brother taught me, the value of a gift lies not in its price but in touching the heart.”

Mi Si smiled and asked, “Don’t you think so?”

How could it not be?

At least, after receiving this gift, Qiao Huan mentally noted this Mi Third Lady in her little red book.

Since Qiao Huan was the first to put such rubber helmets to use, the horse she received was the finest among them, causing no suspicion from others.

Of course, Guo Yi and Zhuge Ke, who had already received letters from home, couldn’t help but marvel at the Donghai Mi Clan’s slick methods.

Hearing Guo Yi sigh, Zhuge Ke asked, “If you’re envious, you could go make friends with her.”

After all, their families only said they didn’t need to be as clever as the Sima Clan or interact with her too deliberately, not that they had to completely disappear from Qiao Huan’s sight.

Getting familiar is always harmless.

Guo Yi shrugged, “Sighing doesn’t necessarily mean I’m lamenting that. It could just be a sigh over why there can’t be one more rich person in the world like me.”

“Besides, for us, it’s enough to see what kind of character and ability this heir apparent has. It’s already our sixth year at the academy, and since we’re not planning to continue our studies here, naturally, we’ll leave school, wait for the most opportune time to take the imperial exams, and won’t have much interaction with her.”

Guo Yi usually had a lazy demeanor inherited from his father, but he saw things clearly.

Most rulers, especially those with an outstanding heir, might hope their ministers respect and hold the heir in high regard, but they certainly don’t want them to place the heir above themselves.

He and Zhuge Ke are in the best position now.

They have the insight to recognize the little princess and yet maintain a certain distance.

As he said, it’s the last year, let’s not stir up trouble for ourselves.

Unfortunately, while Guo Yi wanted to muddle through his last year at Leping Academy peacefully, others didn’t give him the chance.

Qiao Yan had already issued a plan in March or April for generals to come here for lectures, which wasn’t supposed to be anything…








A big event, and coincidentally, there’s also Lu Lingju, who just returned from Suizhou.

Speaking of Suizhou, you could say it’s eventful or uneventful, but for a highly energetic general, relying solely on one’s accumulated prestige to subdue all sides is a bit dull.

Coinciding with this lecture at Leping Academy, General Lu, who fears no chaos in the world, first requested His Majesty to summon the Tiger Tooth General from Suiyuan City to Leping, then announced the “game rules” to the attending students.

What’s the point of talking about combat strategies and marching experiences when they can get hands-on experience?

Rather than giving a stiff lecture, Lu Lingju thought she lacked the eloquence and decided it would be better to lead the students in a mock battle.

The first, third, and fifth grades formed one team, led by her.

The second, fourth, and sixth grades formed the other team, led by Lü Bu.

The battleground was set in a section of the Taihang Mountains east of the academy.

Coincidentally, Qiao Huan, Sun Luban, Jiang Wei, and Deng Ai from the fifth grade were on one side.

Guo Yi and Zhuge Ke, who should have stayed out of it as sixth graders, were on the opposing side.

“Why are you acting like this?” Xiahou Cheng, the third son of Xiahou Yuan, asked his two friends with some confusion. “The Tiger Tooth General might not follow your plans, but if our age advantage isn’t enough to handle this battle, what skills do we have to enter the court in the future?”

“Shuquan…” Guo Yi looked at his classmate, who could kill a tiger with one arrow, pondering whether his current ignorance was a good or bad thing, and simply said, “Forget it, let’s go with it. I also want to see the skills of the opposing side.”

The situation wasn’t as bad as imagined.

When Lü Bu joined them, Guo Yi felt he wasn’t mistaken; the frustration of not being able to argue with his daughter was written all over Lü Bu’s face.

It was obvious what had happened.

Lu Lingju thought she was stronger than Lü Bu, so she led the first, third, and fifth grades. Lü Bu, unwilling to take advantage due to his age, couldn’t persuade her because she held the lead in this event.

This frustration, for others, might just be displeasure, but for someone like Lü Bu, it translated into genuine combat spirit.

Even though he was over fifty and no longer as heroic as in his youth, it didn’t stop Guo Yi from making this judgment.

After a private discussion with Lü Bu, Xiahou Cheng’s suspicion that “Lü Bu wouldn’t follow orders” no longer existed.

Due to Zhuge Ke’s lack of agility, Guo Yi decided to have one team hold their ground and another roam, led by Zhuge Ke and himself respectively.

He, Guo Yi, would coordinate with Lü Bu and Xiahou Cheng’s active attacks to fully utilize the combat strength of these two tiger generals.

Although to prevent casualties in this military exercise, the tips of the arrows and weapons were blunted and wrapped with cotton and cloth, with colored powder on the cloth marking hits to the throat, head, and heart or complete capture as elimination criteria, it wasn’t a real battle. However, the combat strength of these two still played a significant role in Guo Yi’s plan.

But he never expected that Qiao Huan and others’ recent interview with Zhang Niujiao would come in handy now.

The novel “Black Mountain Brotherhood” was stuck at the beginning due to various reasons, but Qiao Huan had gathered a lot of material.

And Zhang Niujiao, in some ways, was quite capable.

To prove he had a chance to succeed when invading Leping, Zhang Niujiao took Qiao Huan and others through the rugged terrain of the mountains, using his experience of searching for supplies after settling in Leping, pointing out all the hiding and ambush spots.

Whether this hindsight was enough to convince Qiao Huan was another matter, but at this moment, Qiao Huan, Jiang Wei, and Deng Ai knew the area like the back of their hands, much more than those usually confined to the academy!

Lu Lingju wanted to see Qiao Huan’s leadership skills, but considering her young age and inability to engage in direct combat, she needed someone to support her, so she positioned herself as a fighter.

Even so, seeing Qiao Huan quickly propose a plan to utilize their advantages and organize a guerrilla strategy, she felt an indescribable sense of relief.

She hadn’t had the fortune to witness His Majesty’s early days, but she seemed to catch a glimpse of it in this young lord.

But now wasn’t the time for hesitation due to this sentiment. She nodded to Qiao Huan, “Then you take command.”

Few first and second graders passed the lecture qualification exam, so there was almost no concern about younger children dragging them down.

Qiao Huan was a prominent figure in Leping Academy, and with Deng Ai as a mediator, she quickly selected the most combat-effective individuals.

Then she issued an order.

Although the plan was to defeat them one by one, there was a priority: capture the leader first.

“The leader you’re referring to isn’t the Tiger Tooth General, is it?” Lu Lingju asked with interest, watching them quickly divide into main and secondary attack teams and support teams, then hearing Qiao Huan mention capturing the leader first.

“No, I mean Guo Yi,” Qiao Huan replied. “Zhuge Yuansun is too conspicuous in the mountains, but Guo Boyi isn’t. If we defeat him first, with General Longxiang here, we have nothing to worry about when dealing with Lü Fengxian and the others.”

Lu Lingju asked again, “But I heard one of you has a stutter. Can you ensure commands are delivered without any delay in this mobile warfare?”

“I can,” Deng Ai answered her.

To completely eliminate any abnormality when speaking, relying solely on Qiao Huan’s method of writing while speaking for over two years wasn’t enough.

But after trying various methods like holding stones in his mouth to practice, drafting and rehearsing in advance, and convincing himself to forget the condition, Deng Ai had developed many techniques.

For example, he could convey his commands as accurately and concisely as possible.

Lu Lingju: “Also—”

Before she could finish, Sun Luban’s voice came from the other side, “Let me say first, I’m really not reckless, don’t have any strange impressions of me.”

This sudden interruption almost made Lu Lingju laugh.

Some of these youngsters could still be called children, but the cooperative spirit they displayed was truly heartwarming.

It vaguely reminded her of her time at Leping Academy, when they tried to integrate Lu Yi into their group amidst banter.

Time flies, it’s been over twenty years…

“Alright, I trust you,” Lu Lingju said. “If I lose face to the Tiger Tooth General, I’ll go cry to His Majesty and ask to stay here a few more days, training you like soldiers to give you a taste of the real world.”

Whether she truly meant it or was just joking, the clever ones present could tell.

Qiao Huan smiled, “Then you just wait and watch the show.”

This was still a prepared battle.

From the moment the command to engage was given at the foot of the mountain, Lü Bu’s team was in big trouble.

Their elusive enemies made full use of the mountainous terrain, frequently launching surprise attacks.

Lü Bu and Xiahou Cheng were almost dizzy from chasing but caught few, while Guo Yi, who thought he could keep up and direct them, unknowingly lost contact during the pursuit.

He sensed something was wrong and was suddenly dragged into a pile of dry leaves, then several people swarmed him, subduing his followers and delivering a crushing blow.

Guo Yi was almost suffocated, barely seeing through the gaps that the leader of this ambush was none other than Qiao Huan!

Clearly, she knew her role wasn’t to be conspicuous in such a battle but to play to her strengths to ensure victory.

He didn’t know why Qiao Huan, raised in Luoyang, was so familiar with the Taihang Mountains, but he was certain no one in this competition would resort to cheating.

He was simply outmatched.

But—

“Hey…” Guo Yi managed to speak, “I’m already eliminated, can you stop pressing me down!”

Don’t make it seem like he could still escape, giving him this special “treatment.”

What kind of situation is this!

Why did his father get rescued by His Majesty’s flying horse when he came to Bingzhou, even boasting about it as the start of a good relationship between ruler and subject, while he gets pinned down by the young lord’s team and gets a headbutt!

This is just bullying!!

Author’s note:

Guo Yi: I wanted to meet His Majesty in the officialdom, but she beat me up on the battlefield first QWQ

Zhuge Ke: Now you know, being a bit chubby has its benefits.

Qiao Huan: Hands up!

Laughing to death, this generation’s ruler-subject meetings are all very straightforward (you.

See you at 9 AM tomorrow, only three chapters left to finish (rubbing hands) feeling the light at the end of the tunnel.