Chapter 396 Crouching Young Tigers and Tigress (1/2)
Chapter 396 – Crouching Young Tigers and Tigress
Cao Ang, Cao Cao's first son and Tong's hostage, was currently training in the Ye Military Academy, which had been constructed last year when Cao Cao was busy trying to obtain Xu Province.
He was also aware of his status as a hostage. To survive, Cao Ang could not allegedly hint that he planned to resist against Tong. As a result, he swallowed his pride and followed all instructions that all Tong's subordinates gave him.
Despite the politic suppression and the surveillances, Cao Ang showed a promising talent in the military, which got the praise from Lu Zhi. However, compared to other legendary figures in the same generation, such as Zhao Yun, Xu Huang, or Taishi Ci, Cao Ang was far behind.
March 30th, 191 AD.
Today, as well, the 16-year-old Cao Ang did his best on his field training. His horseback spearmanship got better to the point that he could defeat 99% of the trainees in the military camp and more than half of the adults in the garrison forces.
Still, the rest of the few 1% in the academy was a bunch of monsters.
*PUEK*
A little 9-year-old girl laughed as she smacked Cao Ang off his horse with her pole stick.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.
Once again, Cao Ang lost to this young monster.
She was Hua Shi and Tong's only daughter, Zhang Min. As if she succeeded her mother, she obtained Hua Shi's face and her valiant manner. However, she inherited Tong's athletic genes and decisiveness.
The little girl did not sit on her horse. Instead, she sat cross-legs on it in a relaxed manner.
”One hit K.O. again. Zixiu, you need to work on your reaction. You're too slow!”
Cao Ang grumbled as he patted the dirt off his soft leather armor before he got back on his feet.
”Overclocking your brain at your age is bad for your growth, your highness.”
”Then, why didn't you use it?”
”I want to, but I can't! I can't still understand the inner force manipulation!”
Two riders came to the two, along with several field physicians to check Cao Ang.
One of the horsemen was the 10-year-old adopted son of Tong, Liu Xie. As for the other, it was a follower that Liu Xie recruited, which was also the strongest student in this academy, who was the same age as Cao Ang.
The top student got down from his horse and examined Cao Ang's health.
Seeing that Cao Ang was unharmed, he sighed in relief and turned to Zhang Min.
”Princess, please don't use your immortal power in a fight against mortals. It's unfair.”
Zhang Min snorted, ”All is fair in wars! Zhongda always said that in class, and my father agrees with it, too!”
Liu Xie shook his head, ”But this is a drill. What if you accidentally kill him? Please don't forget that his father is the Marquis of Wei. If something happens to him, your father will be mad.”
Zhang Min pouted, ”Humph! I was not the one who initiated this sparring match. He asked for it!”
Cao Ang bowed to Liu Xie and his bodyguard, ”The princess is right. Your highness, it was my fault that I got knocked off the horse. This is a part of our training, so I'm prepared to hit a few times.”
Liu Xie and his follower nodded at Cao Ang in admiration.
”Very well, brother Zixiu. How about this? Next time, spar with me instead. We have a similar level of skills, so we should learn with each other. As for the princess, she should spar with Wenchang instead.”
Zhang Min raised her both arms to complain, ”BOO! Wenchang always refuses to use his overclock mode! Fighting him at slow speed is no fun!”
Wenchang, the strongest student, had a wry smile on his face.
”My apologies, your highness princess. I get nosebleed every time I use that. His majesty also told me that I shouldn't overuse this skill unless I'm in a life-and-death situation.”
”Bullshit! If you don't keep practicing, how will you get used to the backlashes!?”
The teenage sighed, ”I haven't mastered the art of self-regeneration yet, your highness. I'm sorry that my talent doesn't match with you.”
”Eh, forget it. I'm going home to play with Zhongda and Ziyang!”
Zhang Min galloped away to return the horse to the instructors. Meanwhile, the three men shook their heads in resignation. This princess was too strong for them to handle.
Liu Xie muttered, ”I pity anyone that fancies her for a bride.”
Cao Ang nodded, ”Agreed.”
However, Wenchang's corner of his mouth twitched.
”Let's get Zixiu patched up. We have to join the competition in the next two days.”
All three men had a nervous expression. Wenchang turned to Liu Xie, ”I hope your father won't be cruel this year, your highness.”
”I'm sorry. From my experience, he is a devil incarnate.”
Cao Ang lamented, ”I hope we won't embarrass ourselves this year.”
.
.
April 1st, 191 AD.
All top students from the military academy, public schools, and the literature school of Cai Yong gathered before the royal palace to join the annual competition between young students.
This festival was first held last year to display all the capabilities of all students under the age of 20. The mastermind of this project was Te Langpu again.
The purpose of this gathering was to weed out the low-quality schools that took advantage of the local people. At the same time, he promoted competitions, as well as encouraging all students that they had a goal in life.
All authorized schools and academies in Ye were allowed to send their best students to participate. However, students or instructors who disgraced their school would get their license revoked.
At first, the competition revealed a sign of failure, as many local schools failed Tong and Te Langpu's harsh tests. Thankfully, Cai Yong's Literature and Art School produced many talented maidens while the military academy had scouted a couple of gifted children. These young students became the stars of last year's competitions.
All champions received gold coins and a noble title from Tong directly, while all responsible instructors of these children would also be rewarded. These prices awoke the desire of many instructors and ambitious young students.
As such, once a year, grand competitions would be held in the palace for all representative talented children and instructors to fight for fame, prestige, glory, and wealth.
In the morning, Lu Zhi held an examination of art and cultural students. Zither students from Cai Yong's school held their public concert to display their skills.