If I send you to join the army and marry a woman, will you conquer the Empress?

Qin Feng stopped and turned around.

The middle-aged scholar strode forward, his face bearing a complex expression that was hard to describe, a mixture of admiration, curiosity, and a hint of inquiry.

"Young man, what happened today has truly broadened my horizons."

He walked up to Qin Feng, and in his words, there was no longer any condescending or accusatory tone, but rather a sense of treating each other as equals.

"You and Yingtai are friends, aren't you?"

Xia Yingtai!

Princess Fuyao's alias!

Qin Feng remained outwardly calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Sure enough, this person is the "protagonist" of tonight.

I had always felt that he had an extraordinary bearing and was no ordinary person, but I never expected that he was actually a member of the royal family.

"I hit it off with Brother Xia at first sight and we became sworn brothers."

Qin Feng cupped his hands in a respectful greeting, readily admitting it, and then tentatively inquired, "May I ask which elder of Brother Xia you are? How should I address you?"

"this……"

The middle-aged scholar seemed taken aback by the question, hesitated slightly, and then waved his hand: "Just call me 'Uncle Nine'."

Uncle Nine?

Qin Feng quickly began to make plans in his mind.

He remembered that in the current Great Xia royal family, there seemed to be a carefree prince, who was of the same generation as the emperor and ranked ninth.

This Ninth Prince has always neglected state affairs, indulging in the beauty of nature and living a carefree life. It is said that he has an extremely close relationship with Princess Fuyao.

Could it be this person standing before us?

"Yes, Uncle Jiu." Qin Feng bowed again.

"No need for such formalities."

The middle-aged scholar offered a gesture of support, then changed the subject.

"Qin Feng, that girl Yingtai praised you to the skies in front of me. She said you are both scholarly and martial, and have extraordinary talent."

"Today, I have witnessed your poetic talent, but..."

He paused for a moment, then posed a startling question.

"Poetry and prose are ultimately minor arts. What I want to test you on today is not those."

coming!

The real test is here!

Qin Feng's heart skipped a beat, knowing that what the other party was about to say was the real topic of the day.

The middle-aged scholar walked slowly with his hands behind his back, his aura of authority once again emanating from him.

"Now, our Great Xia is beset by internal and external troubles. A powerful enemy is knocking on our gates in the north, barbarians are causing trouble in the south, and bandits are rising up all over the country."

"Now I ask you, what is your opinion on the general trend of the world?"

……

This question, heavy as a mountain, instantly shattered the frivolous and romantic sounds within the Wenchang Pavilion.

This is no longer testing academic ability, but rather examining a person's character and insight!

The middle-aged scholar was also pondering this.

The question he posed was actually a bit difficult for Qin Feng.

After all, the other party is still young. Even if he is very talented, he must be lacking in knowledge of such important military and national affairs.

Unexpectedly, Qin Feng, almost without hesitation, met his gaze and slowly uttered a sentence:

"The world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide."

boom!

It was as if a bolt of lightning from the heavens had struck the middle-aged scholar's heart!

simple!

Straightforward!

Yet it contains profound historical truths that transcend time!

He froze, and an unprecedented light burst forth from his deep eyes.

This kid...

How could someone say something like that!

Qin Feng continued without pausing, "In the present day, the Great Xia is besieged by barbarian tribes in the north, the Baiyue people causing trouble in the south, the powerful Chu state eyeing it covetously in the west, and Japanese pirates harassing the coast in the east."

"Within the imperial court, civil officials were complacent and military officers were idle, factions formed and dissidents were suppressed, the national treasury was empty, and the people's livelihood was impoverished."

"This is a sign of a chaotic world."

His words were bold and blunt, making everyone around him jump in fright.

If these remarks were to get out, it would be a capital offense!

However, the middle-aged scholar listened intently, and instead of getting angry, he pressed on, asking, "Since it is a chaotic world, what do you think we should do?"

"Turbulent times can also be opportunities!"

Qin Feng's voice suddenly rose, filled with confidence and pride.

"It is precisely because the world is in chaos that heroes have a place to display their talents!"

"If a wise ruler is in power, he should take swift and decisive measures to eliminate corrupt practices."

"In foreign affairs, we must temporarily restrain our anger, cultivate good relations with distant nations, deter our neighboring ones, and concentrate our efforts to quell the troubles in the north!"

"Once the northern border is secured and the nation's strength has recovered somewhat, we can march south, sweep away the barbarians, and then unite the armies of the world to fight the powerful western state of Chu to the death!"

"This is what is meant by 'to repel external enemies, one must first secure internal stability; alliances can be formed through both vertical and horizontal warfare!'"

"Once the world is unified and peace reigns, we can then allow the people to recuperate, reduce taxes and levies, and establish a foundation for lasting peace!"

"The one who can accomplish such a great feat deserves to be called...a great emperor for all time!!!"

……

His words were passionate and resounding!

The entire Wenchang Pavilion was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was awestruck by the grand vision Qin Feng had painted!

This... how could a boy who is not even twenty years old have such insight and breadth of mind?

The middle-aged scholar's body had begun to tremble slightly.

Not out of fear, but out of extreme excitement!

Daigo empowerment!

He was not unaware of these principles.

But no one has ever been able to organize it so clearly, so thoroughly, and so excitingly as Qin Feng!

"These words..."

The middle-aged scholar was so excited he was almost incoherent. He grabbed Qin Feng's shoulders and asked repeatedly, "Did you come up with this yourself? Did someone else teach you?"

Qin Feng showed a hint of helplessness and explained, "Ninth Uncle, my father and four elder brothers have all sacrificed their lives for the country, and their bodies are still warm. There is no one in this world who can teach me these things."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged scholar was startled.

He remembered that the young man in front of him was the son of Qin Zhan, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor!

The Qin family was full of loyal martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country, and almost all of them died. Where could they find any elders to consult?

Therefore, these shocking remarks were truly something Qin Feng came to realize on his own!

evildoer!

A true prodigy!

At such a young age, he already possesses such talent. If given a few more years, how far will he grow?

The middle-aged scholar's gaze toward Qin Feng completely changed.

If before it was admiration or curiosity...

So now, it is a matter of cherishing talent like a treasure and feeling heartfelt regret!

"Good! Good boy!"

The middle-aged scholar patted Qin Feng heavily on the shoulder and said solemnly, "I approve of your relationship with Yingtai! From now on, you young people should get closer to her and visit her more often!"

"Uncle Jiu, are you serious?"

Qin Feng was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Become!

With the support of this carefree prince, I will undoubtedly have a great advantage in my future endeavors in the capital!

It seems we've secured Princess Fuyao's coattails!

"Of course! I...cough cough...really!"

The middle-aged scholar seemed too excited, and the word he blurted out was abruptly covered up by a cough.

Qin Feng didn't pay attention to this detail, assuming it was just a slip of the tongue by the Ninth Prince.

"Thank you, Uncle Jiu!"

Qin Feng bowed again and said, "It's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

"Go."

The middle-aged scholar nodded and watched Qin Feng walk away. Only then did the amiable smile on his face slowly fade, replaced by endless majesty and domineering aura.

He stood there, silent for a long time.

……

In the corner.

"Thump thump thump!"

Commander Lü stepped forward quickly, knelt on one knee, and kowtowed deeply.

"Lü Zhong pays his respects to His Majesty!"

The middle-aged scholar turned around, stood with his hands behind his back, and raised his hand to stop him.

"Alright... no need for formalities outside."