Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 364 Choosing Fate
On the other side, after three days of "hardship," the students finally emerged from the provincial examination hall.

However, apart from a small number of physically strong students, everyone else, in fact, more than 90 percent of the people present, looked exhausted.

Some people even "moved" out of the venue, their faces pale.

That's right, it's moving!

Their way of walking is "unusual"—they incline little by little along the corner of the wall, their shaky, precarious gait, as if they would collapse at the slightest breeze, is truly heartbreaking!

Sigh, there's nothing we can do. They're just focused on studying the classics.
Because of a long-term lack of physical exercise, their bodies are very weak. The three-day provincial examination has already made them teeter on the brink of collapse. I wonder what they will do in the upcoming metropolitan examination.
You should know that the metropolitan examination is much more difficult than the provincial examination, and most importantly, the metropolitan examination lasts for six days.

Of course, it's uncertain whether these people will even be able to hold out until the provincial examination, so it's a bit early to say that now.

……

"Be good!"

"So, there are actually so many people for the provincial examination?"

Zhang Guifang, the daughter of the Duke of England, who had concealed her identity and was disguised as a man, was shocked to see so many people coming out of the venue!

"What a waste of so many people!"

Looking at the crowded people in front of her, Zhang Guifang seemed to have a face full of regret!
"If only these guys could come and train with me in the army!"

Looking at these scholars, Zhang Guifang's eyes reddened. She parted her red lips slightly and murmured to herself, "These guys are all top-notch recruits!"

"If I could enlist, it would certainly strengthen the army of our dynasty!"

As a daughter of a military family, Zhang Guifang's first thought upon seeing these students was to bring them back to the army.

Of course, these weak scholars were not qualified to be soldiers wielding knives. In fact, Zhang Guifang's idea was very simple. She felt that there were not many literate people in the army, so she wanted to bring these people back and teach the others what military orders meant.

In fact, this is the same as the position of political commissar in ancient times.

There was no other way. At this time, most of the soldiers who enlisted were illiterate civilians. Not to mention the soldiers below, even the captains and squad leaders were mostly illiterate. If it weren't for the general leading the army's exceptional skills, this army composed of blind soldiers would probably not even be able to understand the orders.

Therefore, scholars are indispensable in order to enhance their tacit understanding.

"Cough cough!"

Just as Zhang Guifang was pondering whether her grand plan would succeed, her old housekeeper suddenly coughed softly.

"what?"

Upon sensing the voice coming from behind her, Zhang Guifang's body immediately stiffened!
half an hour.

"okay!"

"Uncle Zhong, I understand!"

Zhang Guifang glared at the old man behind her with some dissatisfaction, and a helpless expression appeared on her face.

"Uncle Zhong, I'm watching it right now!"

"Please, don't rush me anymore!"

Zhang Guifang's voice trailed off, sounding like she was dissatisfied.

"Hehe, young lady!"

The old man behind Zhang Guifang, Uncle Zhong, smiled slightly when he heard this: "It's not that I'm urging you!"

"However, this is a military order issued by the Duke, and this old man dares not disobey it!"

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhongbo's eyes, then he twitched his mustache, deliberately putting on a serious expression, and said softly.

"Humph!"

Zhang Guifang gave a soft snort, immediately showing some resentment.

She knew perfectly well that Uncle Zhong was on the same side as her father on this matter, and that Uncle Zhong's words were clearly a joke at her's expense.

However, just as Zhang Guifang was about to turn around and say something to Uncle Zhong, she suddenly felt a warm gaze coming from beside her.

She turned her head and saw the gentle eyes of the old man opposite her.

It was as if it contained a lake, full of tolerance and doting. The look in his eyes was like that of a close elder looking at his most beloved junior, which moved people deeply.

Zhang Guifang's temperament was inherited from the Zhang family, so she was resistant to gentle persuasion but not to force. She was not afraid of knives, spears, swords, or physical injuries.

However, she was afraid of this quiet, tender side, especially since the other person was an elder who had watched her grow up.

"Uncle Zhong!"

Seeing this sincere scene, Zhang Guifang couldn't help but swallow the words she was about to say, deeply moved.

She knew that Zhongbo was a servant born into the Zhang family and had followed his father since childhood, doing things for him. Moreover, whether at home or on the battlefield, Zhongbo had always risked his life to protect the old Duke of Ying.

Furthermore, Zhongbo was seriously wounded on the battlefield while saving the old Duke of Ying, which left him with a lingering problem. He never married or had children, so he treated Zhang Guifang and her siblings as if they were his own children.

Therefore, when she saw such a heartwarming side, Zhang Guifang was so moved that she couldn't speak.

However, being somewhat strong-willed, she stubbornly turned around, her back to Uncle Zhong behind her, suppressing the sob in her throat, and deliberately pleaded in a coquettish tone, "Uncle Zhong, please let me go, okay?"

Actually, the reason Zhang Guifang turned her back to Uncle Zhong was because she was afraid that others would see the tears welling up in her eyes. Being a strong-willed person, she really didn't want others to see her vulnerable side.

"Uncle Zhong, you know that too!"

Zhang Guifang, still with her back to Uncle Zhong, tried her best to control her tone and said, "What I dislike most is men who are so weak they can't even kill a chicken!"

"Look!"

As she spoke, Zhang Guifang pointed directly at the group of students who were slowly moving away not far away, and said disdainfully, "These guys are not even as good as a girl, how can they be worthy of me?"

"Is it worthy of the Zhang family's gate?"

"Uncle Zhong, don't you agree?"

In the end, Zhang Guifang outmaneuvered Zhongbo!
Seeing this, Uncle Zhong shook his head inwardly. After all, coming from a military family, they really couldn't stand seeing these people looking so sickly.

However, despite this, things are not entirely as bad as Zhang Guifang described.

"Girl, but there aren't just a few of them here!"

"Here!"

"Aren't those young men over there standing quite well?"

Uncle Zhong was not so easily persuaded. Being an old and shrewd man, he naturally saw through his daughter's little thoughts at a glance. So, he simply pointed it out directly and drew a line for her.

"Huh?" Zhang Guifang was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Actually, the main reason why Zhang Guifang looked this way was not only because she didn't think much of these people, but also because of something else.

Based on Zhongbo's own observation, it seems that this little girl may have other ideas in her mind!
In fact, Uncle Zhong guessed correctly. Zhang Guifang really didn't want to talk about marriage at this time. She had a huge plan in mind!
It's quite amazing, really. I don't know where this little girl got the news from, but she thought that the imperial court was going to send troops to fight against foreign enemies. That's why she's been secretly preparing, and it seems that she wants to go on the expedition with the army.

However, this is extremely difficult to accomplish, because women are not allowed to accompany soldiers in this world.

People generally believed that the presence of women in an army was an ominous sign, potentially leading to misfortune or even defeat.

At that time, not only Zhang Guifang, the daughter of a duke, but even the Empress herself was not allowed to enter the military camp.

Therefore, even though Zhang Guifang is the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion and the daughter of the commander of this army, it still won't work. In fact, if it really comes to that, the first person to stop her will probably be her father, Duke Zhang Yong of Yingguo.

When it comes to such matters of national importance, the Duke of England would absolutely not take any risks!
Even if it's just an absurd rumor, he certainly wouldn't let it go. So, in short, it's very difficult for Zhang Guifang to escape from her father's clutches.

Moreover, there was another reason why the old Duke refused to let Zhang Guifang go to the battlefield: he was worried about his daughter's safety.

My own child, I love him dearly!
On the battlefield, open and covert attacks are impossible to defend against; no one can say for sure that they can withstand them.

Therefore, in order to dispel Zhang Guifang's unrealistic idea of ​​joining the army, the old Duke had no choice but to resort to this last resort: to let Zhang Guifang come to the provincial examination hall to see the candidates herself.

Indeed, Zhongbo was not the only one who knew Zhang Guifang's thoughts; in fact, the old Duke was the first to know about Zhang Guifang's activities.

"Ah? This..."

Zhang Guifang stammered, unsure of what to say.

"Then...then I'll take another look..."

Zhang Guifang felt uncomfortable under the gazes of the people around her. Having no other choice, she could only follow Uncle Zhong's advice and look at the other students.

However, after Zhang Guifang calmed down, she noticed that her guards were still there all along, and they were even disguised to protect her.

Looking at the several burly men around her, who were also disguised, Zhang Guifang muttered to herself, "They clearly told me to come and see if there were any candidates I liked, so why have they sent so many people now?"

"Could it be that they're afraid I'll run away?"

Although Zhang Guifang's mutterings were soft, to a master, they were no less than the sound of a great bell, and Zhongbo happened to be such a master.

Therefore.

"Cough cough!"

Uncle Zhong was so angry at Zhang Guifang's words that he could only roll his eyes. Finally, he couldn't help but say, "Young lady, what are you saying?"

"Master is just worried about you!"

Zhongbo, being an old servant who had served the old Duke, couldn't help but explain, "After all, you're the only legitimate daughter in the Duke's mansion!"

"Hmph! You've been pushing me all along, is this what you call doing it for my own good?"

Zhang Guifang persisted, still muttering complaints under her breath.

"Young lady, the Duke means well!"

"After all, you're not young anymore!"

Zhongbo spoke up again, loyally explaining to the Duke of Ying: "If this continues, you may become an old maid, or even live out your days alone!"

"Humph!"

This time, Zhang Guifang didn't argue with Uncle Zhong anymore. However, she secretly thought to herself, "Even so, I'm not willing to compromise!"

When Zhongbo saw that Zhang Guifang didn't speak again, he assumed that she had tacitly agreed. So, after waiting for a while, Zhongbo asked her tentatively, "By the way, young lady!"

"After looking for so long, have you found someone you like?"

Because Zhang Guifang had been looking for a long time without saying a word, Uncle Zhong couldn't help but urge her, "Or is it because you're too far away that you can't see clearly?"

"Should we go closer and take a look at them?"

"ah!"

"Uncle Zhong!"

Zhang Guifang was pushed to her limit by her elders' attitude and retorted without thinking, "Isn't that what they're looking at right now?"

"How could it be so fast... huh?"

Zhang Guifang stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence!

"what?"

Zhongbo was incredibly skilled in this area; he immediately sensed that something was wrong with his daughter!
"hehe!"

Zhongbo chuckled to himself, "Looks like the young lady has finally found someone she likes!"

……

"Whoo~"

On the other side, after Sheng Changquan finished all the papers, he leisurely handed them in, then picked up his things and walked out of the examination room step by step.

Because Sheng Changquan left relatively late, the flow of people is much calmer now compared to before.

"Judging by the time, Changqing should already be waiting for me outside!"

Sheng Changquan first looked up at the sky and realized that it was already late, so he quickly picked up his things and walked out quickly.

……

"Huh? Uncle Zhong!"

From a vantage point with an excellent view, Zhang Guifang watched Sheng Changquan walk further and further away. Finally, she couldn't help but raise her hand, point directly at him, and ask, "Uncle Zhong, who is he?"

Zhang Guifang was a strong-willed and impulsive person, so now that she had finally met someone she liked, she was naturally eager to find out more information.

"he?"

Zhongbo glanced over and immediately saw Sheng Changquan's back.

"This person?"

Zhongbo squinted, carefully recalling the information he had seen before, and then said, "This person should be Sheng Bianxiu's younger brother."

It's too late. I've been working overtime these past few days. I'll finish revising this chapter to over 4,000 words!

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(End of this chapter)