"How can we not blame them? As the general, our army has suffered heavy losses and we have not yet captured the rebels. I think the general should find a good explanation to tell His Majesty as soon as possible."
Pan Yi then looked at Jiang Yu and Gu Yucheng, “As the left and right vanguards, you failed to detect the enemy situation. The responsibility for this lies entirely with you. You will be punished according to military law, each receiving fifty lashes, as a warning to others.”
The others looked at each other in disbelief, somewhat shocked by Pan Yi's remarks.
"Stop!" Sheng Xiao roared as he saw Pan Yi's men stepping forward to attack.
He sneered. He couldn't believe there were such shameless people in the world. He had truly seen something amazing today. It was both laughable and absurd. His gaze towards Pan Yi was now filled with icy coldness.
"The commander-in-chief should know who is responsible. They are not only without fault but have also made contributions. If the commander-in-chief has any objections, he should write to His Majesty. But you cannot touch them."
After saying that, he looked at Jiang Yu and Gu Yucheng with a hint of relief in his eyes. The saying "heroes emerge from among the young" was quite fitting for them.
"Let's go, there's no need to bother with such a despicable person."
Jiang Yu and Gu Yucheng exchanged a glance and naturally chose to leave with General Sheng Xiao. As for Pan Yi, they didn't want to waste any more time on him.
Pan Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! You're all great. I hope you can stay arrogant forever."
Seeing the generals of Nanjun standing trembling to the side, he grew increasingly displeased, but...
Seeing the scene in such a mess, they were furious. All the losses were to their own people. Why wasn't that damned villain the one who attacked that old man?
After a long while, he calmed down and said to the general of Nanjun, "This matter is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it is that old scoundrel Sheng Xiao."
The general from Nan Commandery standing nearby dared not reply.
Pan Yi stopped dwelling on the matter and instead asked:
How many people were lost this time?
Huang Han stepped forward and reported, "Our army suffered 3,243 dead and 1,451 wounded."
...
Qi Nuan was naturally unaware of what was happening on Jiang Yu's side. Right now, she was busy recruiting soldiers and teaching at the academy, so busy that she couldn't even rest for a moment.
After class, she went to the classroom where the old teacher taught.
"If one is not sincere in his words beforehand but speaks of admonitions afterward, the people will surely doubt and disbelieve him. The conduct of a gentleman lies in his virtue, not in his talent."
After the old man finished speaking and the students came out one after another, Qi Nuan walked up.
The old man glanced at her, then went about putting away the lesson plans in front of him.
Qi Nuan rushed forward to help.
“You have been here for several days now. Speak, what do you want?”
Qi Nuan bowed and said, "Lord Yan is very talented. I do indeed have a request."
As they walked and talked, Yan Gong wasn't surprised that she knew his identity; after all, what real secrets could a person keep?
But didn't the Wang family already know this?
However, upon hearing her words, he stopped and carefully examined her, asking a question unrelated to her request, "Do you know that I have a good face?"
Qi Nuan paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Would you like me to take a look at your face?"
Qi Nuan shook her head and said, "A person's appearance is not static. One's appearance reflects one's heart. Today's appearance cannot represent tomorrow's appearance, so why worry about tomorrow's matters today?"
Yan Gong laughed, "If that's the case, why did you come to beg me? I've spent my whole life living a life of leisure, why should I get involved in the strife of this world?"
"Since Lord Yan accepts disciples and values their virtues so highly, it seems that Lord Yan is not yet detached from worldly affairs. Therefore, I, a humble woman, dare to make this request."
Yan Gong looked at the girl in front of him. Although she was still young, she had already experienced a lot of life. However, her eyes were very clear, and her stubbornness was also clearly visible.
He sighed and said, "Is this on behalf of the county magistrate?"
Qi Nuan shook her head.
He seemed to have anticipated this, and asked again, "Can one seek it for oneself, and not for anyone else?"
Qi Nuan paused for a moment, then said seriously, "I seek for myself and for others, but I will never make things difficult for Lord Yan. If Lord Yan ever wants to leave, I guarantee with my life that no one can force Lord Yan."
Yan Gong did not answer, but said, "You are quite bold. The Wang family only dared to ask for a disciple position, and I even refused the county magistrate. Yet you want me to risk my life for you. Aren't you afraid of offending the county magistrate?"
Qi Nuan shook her head, then solemnly said, "I'm not risking my life, I only ask for your great talent, Lord Yan."
Yan Gong didn't care about her corrections. He looked at the lonely sky and then examined her face again.
"I can grant your request, but you must agree to three conditions."
“Please speak, Lord Yan. If it is within my power, I will do my utmost to uphold your purity.”
"This matter cannot be discussed now, but it is something you can do."
Qi Nuan nodded, agreeing naturally.
Seeing her nod, Yan Gong said again, "I want you to become my disciple."
Qi Nuan was surprised. She couldn't be happier to have such a good thing. This was an opportunity that others would beg for but could not get.
As if seeing through Qi Nuan's thoughts, he continued, "I want you to offer sacrifices of cattle, sheep, pig heads, and grains, burn incense and bathe, and perform the apprenticeship ceremony by bowing and kowtowing three times and nine times all the way from the county government office to the school."
This was not a difficult matter, but Qi Nuan was a little puzzled as to why the apprenticeship ceremony needed to be so grand.
Yan Gong did not answer her question, but simply looked directly into her eyes and said, "Can you do it?"
Qi Nuan nodded without hesitation.
Since it is what Lord Yan requests, she can naturally do it.
"Therefore, the apprenticeship ceremony will be held at sunrise three days later."
Qi Nuan nodded, feeling a little dizzy as she left the school. She hadn't expected things to be completed so easily, yet it also seemed not so simple at all; it was completely different from what she had imagined.
She had considered that Yan Gong might not agree and might make things difficult for her, but she didn't care.
Now she was a little confused, but since Lord Yan had agreed, she should arrange his request as soon as possible.
These cows are hard to find.
Upon returning to the county government office, Qi Nuan arranged for someone to go down and purchase the items needed for the apprenticeship ceremony.
Bai Jiao had also heard that as soon as he saw Qi Nuan, he asked her what she needed these things for.
Qi Nuan naturally told him about her apprenticeship. After hearing Yan Gong's request to become an apprentice, Bai Jiao turned his gaze to Qi Nuan. His gaze was somewhat complicated, but Qi Nuan had no idea what he was thinking.
But soon Bai Jiao looked at her and laughed.
"This is a good thing. I really don't know what kind of luck you had. There are so many people who want to become Master Yan's disciples."
He looked at her as he spoke, "I really don't know what Yan Gong sees in you?"
So far, Master Yan has only accepted one disciple in Wutu County. Although he has taught others, none of them have adopted the title of master.
After learning about Dao Yan Gong's identity, Bai Jiao naturally went to ask him for help, but was refused.
But that doesn't mean he'll give up.
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