Before heading to the Martial Arts Academy, Fang Jie first visited the Sanjin Marquis's residence. He had Mu Xiaoyao and Qilin take the still-injured Shen Qingshan and Daquan to the residence, specifically instructing the four of them not to leave for the next few days. Then, he led out the crimson horse that had been kept at the residence, mounted it, and waved to Mu Xiaoyao and the others, saying, "I'm going to the Martial Arts Academy to slap someone in the face. Don't you have anything to congratulate me on?"
Shen Qingshan smiled and said, "Don't get slapped in the face."
Daquan said, "I hope your hand is swollen from the slap."
Fang Jie shook his head and smiled, concealing the lingering unease in his heart. To be honest, whether he could completely control such a major turning point in his life was an enormous test for Fang Jie. He was confident, but confidence didn't mean he wasn't worried at all.
There are only two kinds of people who are blindly confident and without worry: one, those whose strength is so extraordinary that they ignore all enemies; two, idiots.
Clearly, Fang Jie didn't belong to either of those categories.
Mu Xiaoyao pointed to the warhorse Fang Jie was riding, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Are you planning to ride this crimson horse to the Martial Arts Academy like this?"
Fang Jie nodded.
Mu Xiaoyao asked again, "Aren't you afraid of being too conspicuous?"
Fang Jie laughed, "Today is probably meant for me to be high-profile, but I'd like to keep a low profile. However, I'm afraid I'll be spotted even if I try to blend into the crowd, so I might as well ride this tall horse and let those who want to see me see for themselves. I was thinking of hanging a sign on my chest that said 'I am Fang Jie,' but then I thought it sounded like selling myself, so I didn't do it."
After saying this, Fang Jie turned and left. Mu Xiaoyao and the others watched until his figure disappeared before turning back. Qilin couldn't help but ask Daquan worriedly, "Fang Jie really doesn't need us to follow?"
"What can we do if we follow?"
Daquan asked with a smile. After thinking for a long time, Qilin replied seriously, "Besides dealing with anyone who doesn't like Fang Jie, there's really nothing else we can do..."
Daquan said equally seriously, "This is hard work."
Qilin didn't understand, but Shen Qingshan and Mu Xiaoyao simultaneously glanced at Daquan, cursed him as shameless, and turned to leave, never before so united in their hatred. Qilin didn't understand Daquan's meaning and persistently asked, "Brother Gou, what do you mean? Why did they leave? How is it hard work?"
Daquan patiently explained, "There are too many people in Chang'an who don't like Fang Jie right now, too many to count. You just said that if anyone doesn't like Fang Jie, we'll deal with them. Only the two of us can do that; they can't. Think about it, so many people, dealing with them... isn't that hard work? If we do it from start to finish, you'll probably be as strong as me tomorrow."
Qilin thought for a while longer and suddenly understood.
He glared at Big Dog: "You shameless rogue!"
Big Dog curled his lip and said, "You call me a rogue just for joking? Fang Jie often went to peep at Widow Sun bathing in Fanggu, and none of you called him a rogue then?"
Qilin replied, "Although I wasn't in Fanggu with you, I'm certain that you were the one who instigated Fang Jie to peep at that Widow Sun bathing. And, seven or eight times out of ten, you made him step on your shoulders to peep."
Big Dog retorted righteously, "How could that be? Every time, I was the one who climbed up the wall first and then pulled Fang Jie up..."
Fanggu.
At this point, Big Dog suddenly stopped, his face turning somewhat grim. He thought of that small town, and the people of that town. Although he mostly stayed in Fang Jie's room with Mu Xiaoyao and rarely went out, he also liked the simplicity and kindness of the people of Fanggu. He liked the food and drink of Fanggu, and he liked Widow Sun's white breasts, but all of that was gone now. "What's wrong?"
Qilin asked, noticing his sudden silence.
"Nothing."
Big Dog shook his head with a smile: "Qilin, can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Go out and buy some paper money for me."
"Ah?!"
Qilin exclaimed in surprise: "Fang Jie is taking an exam today, and you're actually burning paper money?"
Big Dog paused, then laughed and scolded: "If little Fang Jie knew this, he'd fight me to the death. I'm burning paper money for some deceased friends. They all died tragically after Fang Jie and I left Fan Gu, and Fang Jie has always been concerned about them. A while ago, I thought about burning some paper money for them, but Fang Jie hesitated for a while and said it was better not to, since they wouldn't receive it from so far away. But I know Fang Jie is more heartbroken than I am."
"Then why did you suddenly think of burning paper money for your deceased friends today?"
Qilin asked. The large dog said, word by word, "These are for Fang Jie, I hope they receive them... May their spirits in heaven bless Fang Jie."
The Qilin was taken aback, then nodded vigorously, "I'll go buy some, a whole cartload of paper money!"
...
...
The Martial Arts Academy was located in the southern part of the city, specifically in the southwest corner of Chang'an. It wasn't far from Qianzhao Gate, and thirty li outside the city from Qianzhao Gate was the Martial Arts Ground. When Emperor Taizu first established the Martial Arts Academy, it was much smaller than it is now. As the Sui Dynasty grew stronger, the number of students at the Martial Arts Academy also increased. The initial academy was too small to accommodate so many people, and since Emperor Taizong, it had been expanded five times.
When the previous emperor was in power, because the Martial Arts Academy needed to practice formations, a Martial Arts Ground was built outside the city, a project that took five years. The Martial Arts Ground covered a vast area, complete with man-made earthen mounds, dense forests, rivers, small lakes, and earthen walls. Many court officials had petitioned the emperor to relocate the entire Martial Arts Academy to the training grounds, thus relieving students of the arduous journey. However, neither the late emperor nor the current emperor agreed.
The two emperors gave the same answer to their ministers, yet it remained somewhat perplexing.
"The Martial Arts Academy is only the Martial Arts Academy within Chang'an City; outside Chang'an, it is no longer the Martial Arts Academy."
This statement was utterly unreasonable.
The Martial Arts Academy, wherever it was, belonged to the Sui Dynasty. Yet the emperor refused, and the ministers were powerless to stop him. Later, some speculated that perhaps because the thousand-plus students of the Martial Arts Academy were the most promising young talents of the Sui Dynasty, the emperor feared that in case of unforeseen circumstances, the academy, not being located in the most fortified city of Chang'an, would suffer unimaginable losses.
However, this view was quickly refuted.
Not only was it incredibly difficult for foreign enemies to invade the Sui Dynasty, but approaching Chang'an City was even more challenging. Even if foreign enemies did invade, wouldn't the training grounds outside the city receive the news? Couldn't the students be evacuated back into the city?
Discussions raged, but no one could change the emperor's decision.
The Martial Arts Academy must remain within the city; this had become an unwavering principle of successive emperors.
However, a rather cynical speculation circulated, considered the most plausible. This speculation held that the emperor was actually worried about trouble within the city. The students of the Martial Arts Academy were the elite of the Sui Dynasty, utterly loyal to the emperor. If anything were to happen in Chang'an, the students of the Martial Arts Academy would be a powerful force protecting the emperor. If these thousand-plus students were to unite, their fighting power would be formidable.
When Fang Jie arrived at the main street where the Martial Arts Academy was located, it was already packed with people. All sorts of carriages were parked outside the street, forbidden to approach; the examinees had to walk to the Martial Arts Academy. Imperial guards were stationed on both sides of the street, swords drawn and arrows nocked, ready to quell any unrest immediately.
At this time of year, Chang'an Prefecture would mobilize a large number of officials and constables to maintain order, working alongside the city's garrison and imperial guards. Because most people arrived on foot, Fang Jie, riding a crimson horse, stood out conspicuously. As he rode towards them from afar, he immediately attracted the attention of many.
"Who is that? How can he be so arrogant? Most examinees arrived on foot, and even those from noble families usually dismounted their carriages far away. This person actually rode all the way here, it seems he's going to ride into Xuanwu Street."
"He doesn't seem to be from any prestigious family, look at that shabby border army uniform!"
"Among the border troops, the most renowned this year are Mo Xidao from Phoenix Terrace, Zhang Kuang from Anyuan City, Wang Wei from Baishui City, and Fang Jie, who is said to be from Fan Gu in the northwest. Mo Xidao and the other two are at least..." "He must be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, maybe even thirty or forty. Judging from his appearance, could he be Fang Jie, the one summoned by His Majesty at Changchun Garden?"
"Even if he was summoned by His Majesty, so what? He came riding in with an arrogant attitude; he probably doesn't have any real talent. Look at Cui Pingzhou of the Cui family, Pei Chuxing of the Pei family, and the famous Xie Fuyao, the young master of the Xie family of Jiangnan—didn't they all come on foot?"
"That's true, this is too arrogant!"
In any case, Fang Jie was certainly being too high-profile this time. He rode his tall, crimson horse slowly through the crowd, a smile on his face, but he still exuded a somewhat condescending air. His border army uniform was far too humble, and this stark contrast made many people uncomfortable.
Just as Fang Jie was about to reach the intersection of Xuanwu Street, someone suddenly called out to him.
"Fang Jie!"
Fang Jie turned around and saw Zhang Kuang from Anyuan City quickly chasing after him. He quickly dismounted and clasped his hands in greeting to Zhang Kuang, saying, "Greetings, Brother Zhang."
"You're quite sharp," Zhang Kuang said with a smile. "I saw you riding this tall horse all the way here from afar. I called you several times, but you didn't hear me. How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?" "Thanks to Brother Zhang's concern, I'm all better now. I forcibly exerted my energy and fainted at Keshengju that day, which made everyone laugh."
"Laugh my ass!"
Zhang Kuang punched him on the shoulder and said, "After that day, who doesn't give you a thumbs up when they hear your name? To be able to escape being bound in the infamous 'drawing a circle on the ground' prison of the Imperial Guards, you probably can't find many people in the entire Chang'an city with such skills. You've brought honor to our border army; all the brothers admire you!"
Fang Jie blushed slightly and smiled shyly, "I was too reckless, unaware of my own limitations."
"By the way, I heard Brother Mo was directly selected for the Martial Arts Academy, without having to take the exam?"
Fang Jie asked. Zhang Kuang looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "That's what the court owes him. His Majesty said the other day that, based on his military achievements, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Brother Mo to be promoted to a minor general. He already had outstanding military achievements back at Phoenix Terrace, and with the matter in Eastern Chu, if the court doesn't give an explanation, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of many."
"Anyway, congratulations are in order."
Just then, Fang Jie saw Mo Xidao striding towards him.
"Brother Fang, Brother Zhang, I've come to cheer you on!"
...
...
"Brother Mo, what happened to Wang Ding afterward?"
Fang Jie walked side by side with Mo Xidao and Zhang Kuang, ignoring the pointing fingers and whispers around them.
"I heard His Majesty issued an edict stripping Wang Ding of his title, and even his father's official position was revoked, along with his title. Wang Ding was arrested by the Dali Temple for disrespecting the relics of Emperor Taizu and attempting to assassinate a meritorious official of the Sui Dynasty. It's said the imperial envoy to Jiangnan has already set off; I reckon the Wang family won't have an easy time this time."
Mo Xidao, stroking his scarred face, laughed and said, "Damn, that's satisfying!"
"What about Wang Wei?"
Fang Jie asked again. Upon hearing the name, Mo Xidao's brows furrowed with intense disgust: "Don't mention that guy. I don't know why he wasn't severely punished, just disqualified from the martial arts academy exam. Demoted from brigade commander to deputy captain, he's probably back in Baishui City."
"He deserves it!"
Zhang Kuang cursed, "That kind of opportunistic scoundrel doesn't deserve to wear our border army uniform!"
Fang Jie smiled and said, "His Majesty must be remembering his contributions."
As he said this, Fang Jie couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The Wang family of Jiangnan was definitely in for trouble this time. Although the Wang family hadn't produced any prominent figures in recent years, their centuries-old family foundation remained. Although they no longer held a position in the court, they were incredibly wealthy. With the impending war against the Northwest, the court needed a large sum of money. His Majesty conveniently used this as a pretext to confiscate the Wang family's vast wealth. While the exact amount was immeasurable, it should still be useful for the war effort.
This shows how seriously His Majesty takes this western expedition.
To replenish the national treasury, he's even willing to take action against a declining aristocratic family like the Wang family.
Just as I was thinking about these things, a woman in the crowd suddenly shrieked like a lovesick fool: "Look, look! Young Master Xie Fuyao from Jiangnan is over there! So handsome, so elegant!"
"Young Master Xie, look this way!"
Several women immediately shouted.
Fang Jie followed the gaze of the infatuated women and saw a young man in a white robe standing not far away, talking with some companions. Hearing the women shout, Young Master Xie turned his head, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and appeared very refined.
"Damn it."
Zhang Kuang patted Fang Jie's shoulder and muttered under his breath, "You're just a pretty face, I don't think you're as handsome as you!"
Although his voice was low, the infatuated women still heard him. Immediately, several pairs of angry eyes turned towards Zhang Kuang and Fang Jie. Looking at the hateful expressions on the women's faces, Fang Jie couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Zhang, can you please stop making me the target of hatred?"