Chapter 475

Chapter 475

Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne? Extra Chapter 10 (8)

Unfortunately, Guo Yi, while comparing his treatment to his father’s here, didn’t voice his thoughts and thus received no special favors.

Luckily, he wasn’t the only one having a bad time, which made it easier to swallow.

Lü Bu and Xiahou Cheng, upon noticing something amiss in the rear, reacted swiftly to provide support. However, the moment Lu Lingju had been waiting for, having not yet made her move, was undoubtedly now!

As Xiahou Cheng was taken out by a cold arrow, a long spear wrapped in cotton was already hurling towards Lü Bu.

At the same time, Zhuge Ke, who had decided to provide support, weakened his own guard and was struck by Deng Ai.

True to his promise to Lu Lingju, or rather to his teammates, he wouldn’t let his illness hold him back at critical moments.

Upon noticing changes in the frontlines, Deng Ai led his team swiftly along a path once indicated by Zhang Niujiao, heading straight for Zhuge Ke’s position.

Zhuge Ke’s position was well-chosen, almost impregnable. If something went wrong at the front, he could attempt a desperate counterattack.

But perhaps it’s worth mentioning that Deng Ai’s historical knack for surprising maneuvers, like his stealthy crossing of Yinping to capture Shu, was evident even in these early years, leaving Zhuge Ke utterly bewildered.

During the years Qiao Huan studied at Leping Academy, Deng Ai often served as her scribe, making people almost forget that he had the opportunity to study because of the academy. From the start, he had been dedicated to his studies, far from ordinary!

Seeing Zhuge Ke also brought here and grouped with the “fallen” colleagues, Guo Yi sighed, “It seems the last hope is gone.”

“Losing to them isn’t shameful,” Zhuge Ke muttered, then turned to see Sun Luban returning from clearing the field, followed by the few remaining on their side, confirming the end of the competition.

Xiahou Cheng, unaware of their conversation, still wanted to struggle. He and Lü Bu, this pair of… difficult uncle and nephew, discussed whether they could wait for Ma Chao to arrive in ten days for a rematch to reclaim their honor.

But Ma Chao wasn’t one to stir up trouble for no reason.

Recently, unrest west of Kangju had him rushing to Luoyang to request battle. After receiving His Majesty’s approval, he couldn’t wait to return to the border, avoiding unnecessary complications.

Xiahou Cheng’s last hope was dashed.

Lü Bu, however, found some comfort.

Because Qiao Huan decided not to cut any scenes in her mythical version of the conquest.

Whether others liked it or not was their problem; she had already benefited and won the competition!

Who knows what future gains might come?

In any case, let nature take its course.

This year-end martial exchange boosted the reputation of third-year students like Qiao Huan at Leping Academy. By the summer of Yuan Zhao’s seventeenth year, as sixth-year students like Guo Yi and Zhuge Ke graduated, new students were informed of the exceptionally capable seniors in the fourth year.

There were also some rumors about how to find like-minded friends in the academy.

Roughly, there were three ways.

The first was to be in the same class and coincidentally choose similar courses.

The second was to become teammates in various academy selections and competitions, supporting and adapting to each other.

The last way was… to fight it out.

Like the situation between Qiao Huan and Sun Luban.

Of course, it’s not about injuring classmates. If it happens, one could say they were rehearsing Dian Wei fighting a tiger.

Indeed, the excuse Qiao Huan used to brush off Cao Ang was officially staged at the New Year’s meeting in Yuan Zhao’s seventeenth year. Thanks to some oversight, there were no supernatural scenes, but it was presented as a shadow play by Guo Jia to boost the morale of the northern army, marking the end of their rivalry.

“Isn’t this misleading?” Sun Luban complained, “My younger sister Sun Luyu is such a refined girl, now she wants to pick fights after enrolling.”

Qiao Huan rubbed her hands, “You mean, I should step in again?”

A year into equestrian classes, Qiao Huan’s physical strength had grown significantly.

Her height had also increased considerably.

Though still far from matching adult soldiers, perhaps inheriting her mother’s robust physique, she could potentially take down an adult in close combat.

If she were to return to the time of her conflict with Sun Luban, she might not give any chance for counterattack.

Sun Luban rolled her eyes, “Cut it out, I’m talking about whether the leadership atmosphere in our academy could be a bit more upright.”

But what Sun Luban didn’t expect was that her jest would come true by the end of Yuan Zhao’s seventeenth year.

In Yuan Zhao’s tenth year, Zheng Xuan passed away, and many disciples followed his wish to bury him near Xun Shuang’s tomb, so the two could keep each other company.

Zheng Xuan’s works like “Commentary on the Book of Changes” and “Commentary on the Old Text Book of Documents” had already been published by His Majesty earlier. Now, the remaining works like “Commentary on the Three Rites” were published in a collection, cementing his scholarly legacy.

Two years ago, Liu Hong, Liu Yuanzhuo, passed away at 82, posthumously titled “Sage of Calculation” by His Majesty, commemorating his contributions to astronomy, calendar systems, and mechanical calculations.

This had already caused a stir in Leping Academy at the time.

And in Yuan Zhao’s seventeenth year, perhaps due to the temperature changes between autumn and winter…








The upheaval was too intense, and several elderly honorary teachers at Leping Academy fell ill one after another.

These three were crucial mentors for Qiao Yan.

Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Ma Lun.

Without Huangfu Song’s strong recommendation, Qiao Yan would never have had the chance to rise during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and gain Lu Zhi’s appreciation.

Without Lu Zhi calling her a “Talent to Assist a King,” it was uncertain whether she could have taken her first step as the Marquis of Leping.

Ma Lun’s protection of Liu Hong, Ma Jun, and her female officials, as well as her decision to come to Leping, gave the local scientific research a starting point.

And now…

It was time for them to reach the end of their natural lifespans.

The low atmosphere in Leping Academy made even the usually lively students speak in hushed tones. They soon heard that His Majesty had personally come to Leping.

Compared to the treatment environment at Chiyang Medical Academy, Leping focused more on long-term health maintenance. Seeing these young students work hard and carry the hopes of Da Yong was undoubtedly a form of spiritual therapy.

But obviously, the end of life was something no human effort could resist.

Even Hua Tuo, who traveled everywhere to practice medicine, was already seventy. If it weren’t for his almost instinctive mastery of medical skills, Qiao Yan would have been worried about how many more years he could practice.

She didn’t get a satisfactory answer from Hua Tuo.

The unpredictability of life was particularly cruel at this moment.

“Enough, why so gloomy? Living to ninety is a rare privilege in this world,” Ma Lun waved her hand, signaling Hua Tuo to stop fussing over life-extending methods.

In her youth, she managed affairs for the Yuan Clan. Her smartest son died young, and she suddenly received an official position in her fifties or sixties. Seeing the Han Dynasty’s collapse beyond human repair, an ordinary person would have been worn out by such sorrows.

But she wasn’t.

She was content that, although her reckless husband had died, she had kept her two mediocre children by her side, avoiding the storm of the Yuan Clan’s downfall in Runan.

She was satisfied with her efforts during the Han’s decline and witnessed the birth of Leping Academy.

She saw Ren Hong, whom she had taught, take over the position of Grand Historian, soaring as she and Qiao Yan had hoped.

She also saw Qiao Yan ascend to the throne and create the prosperous era of Da Yong, where women no longer faced demeaning questions on their wedding day but had opportunities to work in various fields, even in court and military affairs.

Longevity was rare, especially in turbulent times.

Few could witness the end of chaos and the dawn of prosperity.

And this was just the beginning of Da Yong.

What did she have to regret?

She believed the other two felt the same.

When His Majesty presented the Imperial Seal to the Duke of Shanyang, it was also the day Liu Bei, Lu Zhi’s disciple, met his end.

For this loyal minister entrusted by the late emperor, seeing the Han replaced by a new dynasty must have been disorienting.

But perhaps, the moment he refused Liu Yang’s olive branch, he knew some paths were inevitable for the world.

And Qiao Yan never disappointed the expectations of these elders.

Only a wise ruler could restore order, reclaim the land, and bring peace to the world.

As Huangfu Song had said a few days ago, with talent from all directions, why worry about not advancing the people’s livelihoods?

So when the signal of her impending end came, Ma Lun’s heart was calmer than ever.

She didn’t mention her descendants or burial wishes to Qiao Yan. Instead, as Qiao Yan pushed her wheelchair to the academy’s hillside platform, she looked at the evergreen pines and tiled roofs below and said, “I’ve heard about Your Majesty’s heir’s actions in the academy, but since I didn’t teach like Cai Bojie, I never met her.”

“Could Your Majesty grant me this wish?”

Qiao Yan casually asked, “Would you mind staying up late tonight?”

Ma Lun smiled, “Of course.”

With His Majesty’s presence, the heavily guarded corner of Leping Academy attracted many eyes. Moving at night would make Qiao Huan’s visit less noticeable.

But Qiao Huan, though prepared for a possible summons from her mother, didn’t expect it to be like this.

Late at night! Seeing someone suddenly appear by her bed to wake her up and then climbing out the window together! It was terrifying!

If Qiao Huan hadn’t quickly realized it was her mother, she might have been scared out of her wits.

“Couldn’t you have sent a message first?” Qiao Huan couldn’t help but say as they walked towards Ma Lun’s building. “I don’t believe your attendants couldn’t arrange a chance encounter to deliver a message.”

“Didn’t you say you’re a prominent figure in the academy?” Qiao Yan replied.

After a long pause, Qiao Huan heard her mother add, “Perhaps, consider this a way to make today more memorable.”

Every step forward required mutual support.

Qiao Huan was too young to have interacted much with Ma Lun, but Qiao Yan hoped she would remember this day, Ma Lun’s name, her silent contributions to Leping Academy, and…

As Ma Lun held Qiao Huan’s hand, she vaguely understood her mother’s intention.

To remember this unforgettable legacy.

Even though Ma Lun didn’t say much.

She just said, “You’re doing well.”

Author’s note:

See you at 9 PM.