Watching Gao Xuan turn and walk away, the Lord Warden Commander directed his gaze to the snowman Gao Xuan had previously built. After a moment, footsteps sounded from behind, and the middle-aged confucian scholar stopped at a distance. After some thought, he decided to approach and said, "Gao Xuan this person is actually quite talented, and he also has the talent of a commander. It's just that for some reason, it seems he lacks ambition. Whether it's for fame or military achievements, he seems to lack competitiveness. When the Great General was still in the Northern Frontier, he mentioned this to me many times, and he also felt regretful. If he made a bit more effort, he should have had a good chance to take over the military affairs in the Northern Frontier."
The Lord Warden Commander turned around to look at the middle-aged scholar and smiled, "Mister Yaochang, this official would also like to have a chat with you."
The middle-aged scholar did not refuse either, nodding and saying, "I also have this intention."
So the two returned under the eaves and looked at the light snowfall together. The Lord Warden Commander said, "Gao Xuan this person is quite similar to Mister Yaochang. Clearly capable, yet not the slightest bit concerned with worldly fame and fortune. Mister Yaochang has been in the Northern Frontier for so many years, clearly having done so much for it, but why are you still just a commoner?"
The middle-aged scholar smiled and asked, "Has the Great General not mentioned it to Great General before?"
The Lord Warden Commander did not answer the question, but simply said, "This official is more interested in hearing Mister Yaochang's own thoughts."
The middle-aged scholar smiled and said nonchalantly, "I'm from the academy, so I'm considered a scholar, right? Since I'm a scholar, it's fine to just be a scholar. Since I don't know cultivation and don't know how to lead troops into battle either, if the court truly appoints me as a general, wouldn't it just invite ridicule?"
However, the Lord Warden Commander shook his head, "Our dynasty has no lack of scholar-generals. If Mister Yaochang is willing, this official will submit a memorial to His Majesty right now. It's hard to say what specific rank of general, but it certainly won't be lower than the third-grade."
The middle-aged scholar said, "If I truly wanted to be a general, why wait until now?"
The middle-aged scholar had spent many years in the Northern Frontier, advising the Great General for many years. He had already gained enough prestige in the Northern Frontier Army. He would not face any obstacles if he wanted to become a general, nor would there be any issues of troops not following orders. Yet, he held no official position at present, only because he did not want to, that was all.
The Lord Warden Commander said softly, "Say the truth."
The middle-aged scholar said self-deprecatingly, "Actually, why think so much? I just wanted to do something as a scholar."
Actually, whether they were scholars from the academies of the Great Liang Dynasty or just ordinary literati, they had always been somewhat disdainful of the martial artists at the Northern Frontier. Even if they sacrificed their lives and shed blood for the people of the Great Liang in the Northern Frontier, it hardly made those scholars change their views. Chen Chao's verbal battle with the students by the lake was actually aimed at this.
While the foreign cultivators might look down upon the martial artists of the Great Liang Dynasty, and scholars might whisper scold them for being uncouth behind their backs, when it came to these soldiers, these martial artists, the scholars of the Great Liang should not insult them. Not only should they not insult them, but they should also greatly appreciate them.
"In fact, sometimes, I often feel somewhat ashamed of my identity as a scholar."
The middle-aged scholar looked into the distance and said softly, "The sages said, those who possess both virtue and talent are sages, and those with virtue but lacking talent can be called gentlemen" "But in the Great Liang Dynasty, there are thousands of scholars. How many of them can honestly call themselves gentlemen?"
The Lord Warden Commander said, "What about Liu Banbi?"
The middle-aged scholar chuckled, "Although Sword Immortal Liu is the disciple of the Dean, since the moment he started practicing the sword, starting from the moment he refused to study the classics by sages anymore, I've actually have stopped calling him Mister Liu." [1.]
The Lord Warden Commander pondered for a moment and said, "This official understands now."
He originally intended to end this conversation, but it seemed that the middle-aged scholar could not hold back some words in his heart and continued on his own, "The scholars of our Great Liang Dynasty enjoy imperial favor, enjoy the peaceful times, but they have forgotten that it's these martial artists of the Northern Frontier who fought for their peace using their lives. It's because of their sacrifice that those scholars can concentrate on studying, writing, and teaching. I am also a scholar, but I often feel like I'm living in constant fear. It wasn't until I came to the Northern Frontier that I felt much calmer. Coming to the Northern Frontier is to seek peace for myself and to tell these martial artists of the Northern Frontier that amidst their criticisms of scholars, they should not be too disappointed. Because at least one scholar is still here in the Northern Frontier, standing with them, fighting together for the people of the Great Liang."
After expressing all these heartfelt words, the middle-aged scholar let out a sigh, as if releasing all the pent-up frustration accumulated over the years. He appeared somewhat relieved, and said softly, "Great General, please believe me, and also believe in the comrades of the Northern Frontier. In the future, there will be more scholars from the Great Liang Dynasty coming to the Northern Frontier, and more scholars will choose to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in battle."
The middle-aged scholar harbored hope in his heart, that was why he persisted day after day in this icy and snowy land of the desolate north.
The Lord Warden Commander chuckled, "After listening to Mister Yaochang's words, the next time we scold you scholars, we'll surely hold back a little more."
The middle-aged scholar smiled in response.
He did not know what the future would hold, or how the world would evolve, but he sincerely believed that it would surely get better and better.
"After these idle chatter, this official has one more thing to ask of Mister Yaochang."
The Lord Warden Commander's smile gradually faded.
The middle-aged scholar clasped his hands and said, "I am at your command, Great General."
The Lord Warden Commander got straight to the point, "Though the Great General has guarded the Northern Frontier for many years, maintaining the integrity of the Great Wall and ensuring the peace of the common people of the Great Liang, there are still incidents of corruption and wrongdoing atop this Great Wall. Perhaps the Great General has witnessed them over the years, but doesn't know how to address them, or perhaps he simply sees them as trivial matters. However, the decree that this official received in the Divine Capital suggests otherwise. Coming to the Northern Frontier, we must fight the demons, as well as apprehend those bloodsucking parasites."