High Martial Arts Three Kingdoms: The Incompetent Strategist

"Ziyou, Ziyou, what are you daydreaming about?" Cao Cao waved his hand vigorously in front of Tang Ke a few times.

Tang Ke was pulled back from his thoughts: "It's nothing. I was just thinking we should definitely hurry back to the capital, but your injury..."

"It's nothing serious, just a minor injury. National affairs come first."

Tang Ke looked at Cao Cao's righteous and awe-inspiring face and did not try to persuade him any further. He was also curious to see whether Cao Cao truly wanted to become the General Who Conquers the West to restore the Han Dynasty, or if he was just talking.

As it turned out, Cao Cao was quite efficient; he simply had a military doctor treat his wounds and then led his troops to Luoyang overnight.

The journey was smooth and uneventful, with nothing else to do.

Once they entered Luoyang, Cao Cao gave Tang Ke some silver and a token from the Cao residence, instructing him to tour the area and then meet him at the Cao residence. Cao Cao then led his men to He Jin's residence to report.

Tang Ke also wanted to explore this ancient capital of six dynasties, so he immediately took the money and began to wander around the city.

The capital city has its own unique prosperity and splendor, which is difficult for any other city to match.

Everywhere you look, there are shops lined up one after another, storytellers in teahouses with eloquent voices, opera singers on the stage, vendors, fortune tellers, word diviners, and a group of itinerant performers who perform with clasped hands and acrobatic feats, all adding a touch of everyday life to this ancient city.

Tang Ke had traveled through time for a long time, and only today did he truly understand what a prosperous region in ancient times was like.

He strolled along, his eyes shining, eager to go into every shop and store. The scenes he had only seen in period dramas on TV were now a reality for him.

By the time they arrived at Cao Cao's residence, it was already evening, and Cao Cao was already waiting inside.

When he saw Tang Ke return, his face lit up with joy, and he called out from afar, "Ziyou, great joy!"

Tang Ke was completely bewildered: "What's so great about this?"

"After reporting on military affairs today, General He mentioned to me that he is recruiting a clerk in his residence, and I have already registered you."

"You're just registering, it's not a big deal, is it? People who don't know better would think I've already been accepted."

"It's not that easy. General He is the emperor's brother-in-law, and there are hundreds or thousands of people who covet this position. There are already more than 500 applicants, and only three people can enter the final interview stage."

What's the difference between this and helping me register for the civil service exam?

"So... what's the joy about this?" Tang Ke couldn't help but complain, "Does Cao Xueqin think I'm a genius, one in a hundred?"

“No, it’s obvious you’re not.” Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed. “However, General He has agreed to let you go directly to the interview stage for my sake. He will personally examine you then.”

"It's confirmed that I'm taking the civil service exam. Wouldn't it be even more embarrassing if I got in through connections and still didn't get any recognition?" Tang Ke looked at Cao Cao, who was beaming with pride, and had no desire to respond.

Seeing that Tang Ke didn't respond, Cao Hong asked seriously, "Ziyou, you can't even beat two good-for-nothings, can you? No way!"

Tang Ke rolled his eyes at him: "Shut up, someone who can stand out from five hundred people is no trash."

Cao Hong whispered, "Maybe those two are just like you, weaklings who got in through connections?"

"..."

"Alright, this so-called assessment is really just a formality. How difficult can the questions be if General He sets them himself? It's nothing more than a test of loyalty. You must study these books carefully and make sure you learn something. Don't let him down!"

Tang Ke looked at the basket of books Cao Cao was pointing to, all of which were classics like the Analects and the Book of Loyalty, and couldn't help but gasp, asking, "How much time do I have left to study?"

"Seven days." Cao Cao patted him on the shoulder and said encouragingly, "Go for it, I believe in you. This is a great opportunity for you to rise to the top."

"My brother rarely asks for favors, but he did so this time to repay your life-saving grace, even sacrificing a white jade tiger. You must work hard!"

Cao Hong's words put Tang Ke under immense pressure. Cao Cao even arranged for him to live in a secluded courtyard in the suburbs, and had his three meals delivered to his door every day.

After studying diligently for a day, Tang Ke finally decided to give up. The reason was simple: he couldn't possibly memorize the entire Analects in seven days.

Anyway, it's Cao Mengde who will lose face. Besides, He Jin was a butcher by trade. How could a college graduate like himself be stumped by an illiterate man from ancient times?

After figuring this out, he spent his days practicing martial arts, eventually mastering the "Double Dragons Flying to the Moon" technique.

It wasn't until the seventh day, when Cao Cao invited him to He Jin's residence, that he pretended to read a bit of "The Chapter on the Sage Ruler".

Cao Cao urged him repeatedly before he finally put down the book, and he repeatedly said that he might not pass the interview because he hadn't read enough of this book, leaving himself a way out in advance.

He Jin's mansion was much more luxurious than Cao Cao's. Cao Cao led him into a side hall.

They arrived early, but two people were already sitting upright in the hall. They stood up and bowed when Cao Cao entered.

Cao Cao nodded slightly and said to Tang Ke, "These two are both excellent candidates for the imperial examination, just like you. You two should have a good discussion. I'll go and invite General He."

After Cao Cao left, Tang Ke found an empty seat, picked up his teacup, and began to carefully examine the two scroll kings.

One of them had long, flowing hair, wore a blue robe, and exuded a scholarly air. His eyes were bright as stars, and a contemptuous smile played on his lips.

"Chen Lin of Sheyang, courtesy name Kongzhang."

"I've heard so much about you." Tang Ke choked on his tea, almost blurting out, "So you're the number one troll in the Three Kingdoms."

The other person was a slightly weathered middle-aged man. Seeing Tang Ke's gaze, he smiled reservedly and said, "Kuai Yue from Xiangyang, courtesy name Yidu."

"I have admired you for a long time."

Tang Ke gasped. These two were both quite famous, so it seemed that the chances of getting through this time were really slim.

"Tang Ke from Jizhou, courtesy name Ziyou, please take good care of me."

"Not at all, it should be Ziyou who takes care of us more." Chen Lin's disdain deepened.

"What do you mean by that?" Tang Ke was a little puzzled. It was their first meeting, but this guy seemed quite hostile towards him.

Chen Lin laughed loudly: "Why is Ziyou pretending to be stupid? In the preliminary selection, only Yidu and I were selected, and then you were added in the retest. I suppose this time it's basically a pre-selection for you? Yidu, don't you think so?"

“If General He wants to make the decision internally, there’s no need to go to such great lengths and waste manpower and resources to organize the examination,” Kuai Yue replied calmly. “Ziyou must have exceptional qualities to be included in the evaluation scope directly, so there’s no need to doubt him.”

This person is not bad; he speaks much better than Chen Lin, that argumentative person. Just as Tang Ke was about to respond, Cao Cao strode out from inside.

"General He has ordered that Kuai Yue be invited into the inner room for an audience."

Kuai Yue got up and followed Cao Cao into the inner hall, leaving Tang Ke and Chen Lin looking at each other in bewilderment, and the atmosphere immediately turned cold.

After a long while, Kuai Yue still hadn't come out, so Cao Cao called Chen Lin in, making Tang Ke even more uneasy.