Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

early morning.

Qinzheng Hall.

The morning court session has just begun.

Emperor Da Ning sat on the dragon throne, his gaze habitually sweeping over the civil and military officials below.

His expression froze when his gaze fell upon a figure in the ranks of military officers.

Standing there was none other than General Xiao.

When General Xiao was young, he led the Zhenyue Army to defeat the foreign tribes from all sides, making outstanding contributions to the imperial court and earning him the title of "God of War of Da Ning".

Emperor Da Ning, who was then only the crown prince, also greatly admired General Xiao.

However, in recent years, General Xiao has grown old, suffered from chronic illnesses, and become listless. He rarely even steps out of the General's Mansion.

Just yesterday, he sent all the imperial physicians who were consulting patients at the General of the State's mansion back home.

Since General Xiao became immobile, his temper has become increasingly stubborn, and even the emperor himself is helpless against it.

Unexpectedly, he actually came to court today?

He looked at General Xiao below the steps and asked with delight, "Minister Xiao, what brings you here today...?"

As soon as the Emperor of Da Ning finished speaking, all the officials in the hall were startled and looked up at the front.

No one expected that General Xiao, who had been recuperating in bed for a long time, would suddenly appear at court.

This was his first time attending court in recent years, and some of the younger officials were seeing this former war god of the Great Ning for the first time.

General Xiao slowly stepped forward, bowed to the dragon throne, and said, "Your Majesty, yesterday I came across a poem. After reading it, I suddenly realized that although I am old, I am still of some use. It would be such a pity to just stay at home and wait to die..."

Emperor Da Ning slowly stood up and said with satisfaction, "I am happy for Minister Xiao that he has regained his spirits."

General Xiao clasped his hands in a fist salute again and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has one more request."

The Emperor of Da Ning smiled and nodded, saying, "Please speak, my dear minister."

General Xiao looked around and slowly said, "Although I am old, I am willing to do my part for the court and the country. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to open a military academy in the capital to train young generals for the court. Although I cannot personally fight on the battlefield, my experience in battle and my insights into military tactics should not be taken to my grave. I can still train a few more decent generals for Da Ning..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

Is General Xiao about to return to the court?

The Emperor of Da Ning looked at General Xiao, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Minister Xiao, your vigorous spirit in your old age is a blessing to Da Ning, but... can your body withstand it?"

General Xiao laughed heartily: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this old minister's bones can hold out for a few more years..."

Emperor Da Ning nodded and said, "Very well, I approve. The matter of the Military Academy shall be handled entirely by Minister Xiao. All departments must provide full cooperation in terms of the required funds, venues, and manpower."

General Xiao clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, the Emperor of Da Ning looked at General Xiao with curiosity in his eyes.

Who exactly is it that can make the old general change his usual dejected state?

He pondered for a moment and asked, "What poem or prose could have revived Minister Xiao's spirits? Let me hear it too."

"Your Majesty commands, and this old minister obeys."

General Xiao smiled, cleared his throat, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Even the divine tortoise, though long-lived, has its end."

The snake snake rides in the fog and ends up as dirt.

Lao Ji Fuping, ambition of thousands of miles.

The martyrs are young and strong.

The timing of waxing and waning is not solely determined by Heaven.

"Nourishment and well-being bring blessings, and one can live a long life."

His voice was powerful and resonant, echoing throughout the hall.

Emperor Da Ning sat upright on his dragon throne, silently reciting the poem in his mind. Then, he slowly rose and exclaimed, "An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles; a hero in his twilight years may still cherish lofty ambitions… What a fine poem! Truly a fine poem!"

In the imperial court, the civil officials were visibly excited.

After General Xiao finished reading, Grand Secretary Zhou stepped forward first and couldn't help but say, "This poem is powerful and profound, truly a rare masterpiece I have ever seen in my life!"

The Minister of Rites stroked his beard and exclaimed, "The span of life is not only determined by Heaven... Only someone with a broad mind and great experience could write such a sentence."

Another scholar chimed in: "The poem begins with the imagery of a divine tortoise and a soaring serpent, suggesting that all things have an end, which is already quite impressive. Then, it contrasts itself with an old steed and a martyr, expressing a lofty ambition and undiminished aspirations... These four lines are enough to be passed down through the ages!"

Grand Secretary Zhou looked at General Xiao with excitement and asked, "Although this poem consists of only a few lines, every word carries immense weight. General Xiao, I wonder which master penned this poem? I would like to pay him a visit and seek his guidance..."

General Xiao shook his head and smiled, "This poem was not written by a famous scholar, but was presented to me by my granddaughter."

"What?"

Grand Secretary Zhou was slightly taken aback, unable to believe it.

The officials all looked surprised and suspicious.

Is Qing Shuang, the granddaughter of General Xiao?

In the capital, who doesn't know Xiao Jiaqingshuang, a prominent family?

Although the girl was young, she had been known as the Little Witch for a long time. She started fighting with the younger generation when she was seven and continued until she was seventeen. Which of the children in their family hadn't been beaten by the Little Witch?

When the little witch was in school, skipping class and fighting were common occurrences. She also burned her teacher's beard quite often. She probably couldn't even recognize all the characters. How could she write such timeless poems?

They are more inclined to believe that the poem was written by General Xiao rather than by an uneducated young girl.

How could a mere young girl write about an old horse still eager to gallop a thousand miles, and what does she know about a hero still full of ambition even in his twilight years?

impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

If she could write this poem, pigs would fly.

Although it was Little Witch who turned the tide, thwarted Yan's conspiracy, and restored Da Ning's dignity during that provocation by the Yan envoy, everyone knew that she must have had a mastermind behind her.

This poem may have been written by a master behind her.

Emperor Da Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and concealed the smile on his lips.

Qing Shuang couldn't write such a poem... It seems it's Chen Chang'an again.

The literary scene in Daning had long been in decline. Previously, the Yan Kingdom sent envoys to compete in couplet writing.

Among all the civil and military officials in the court, none of the talented men he had carefully selected could rival him.

If it weren't for Chen Chang'an's sudden emergence and ability to turn the tide, Da Ning would not only have lost face, but also would not have been able to capture the important city promised by the other party.

At such a young age, he was able to write such profound and vigorous words as "an old horse in its stall." Could he really be a talented man bestowed upon Da Ning by heaven?

At this moment, the others in the hall had different thoughts.

The generals, especially the elderly ones, all had flushed faces and looked excited.

An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles!

Xiao Zhenyue refuses to accept his age, and neither do they!

Several elderly military officers spoke up.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is willing to serve as a teacher at the Military Academy and contribute to the court!"

"And the veteran ministers!"

"Please grant me permission, Your Majesty!"

Unlike the impassioned military generals, many civil officials silently lowered their heads.

The scholars felt somewhat embarrassed.

The other civil officials shared the same sentiment.

These literary veterans, who had immersed themselves in poetry and prose for decades, studying diligently until their hair turned white, had never produced such a masterpiece with such profound artistic conception; they were actually inferior to a sixteen-year-old girl...

How embarrassing!