7. Military Treatises

The maid tidies up every day; this is what she just threw away again

The prince idly wandered around, casually picking up a purple copper disc from the desk, and remarked, "This paperweight is quite peculiar... Oh? Isn't this a hand warmer?"

After attending class in the morning, Qing Tong can return home, while the other princes must go in the afternoon to study military tactics with another Grand Tutor. The course has now reached the art of breaking formations, and this martial Grand Tutor also bears the surname Sun. Although his temper is not as foul as that of Sun Yanling, he still possesses the imposing demeanor of a martial artist and can be considered strict.

The Crown Prince shook his head again: "It's neither a festival nor a holiday, and there's no official title. I am going to pay respects to the High Ancestor, this..." He had already gotten along well with Qing Tong, so he whispered very softly, "The Empress over at Ninth Brother's side is watching me.

Qingtong still wore a frown, having pondered countless formations throughout the night. She had read extensively, and her intuition told her that these formations had numerous flaws. However, she could not bring herself to believe that the founding emperor relied solely on these formations, which often required fifty thousand or even one hundred thousand people to deploy, during his military campaigns. After all, the founding emperor had started from humble beginnings; where could he have possibly gathered such a large number of people?

Hua Jian observed that she had secluded herself, preoccupied with deep contemplation, so he had no choice but to step forward and assist her with washing and grooming. Usually, these tasks were mostly handled by Qing Tong herself.

The Crown Prince was moved and eager to try. That evening, Qing Tong was in Gan Zhi Palace continuing her mysterious drawings when Hua Jian came running in with an ambiguous expression, saying that two people had come outside looking for her. Qing Tong was both curious about who would come to Gan Zhi Palace and intrigued by her gossiping demeanor, resembling a cat that had tasted fish. So she set down her brush and ink, went outside to take a look, and found that it was Li Fei who had come together with the Crown Prince.

A way: "Surrendering under false pretenses is not that simple, is it? What kind of strategy should be employed?"

What should be done? The Crown Prince only wants to curse, how would he know what to do? His four companions consist of three scholars and one warrior, and the only one who initially took out the water jug, Yu Jingchun, is the nephew of General Yu Xian. The Grand Tutor's question left all four of them speechless, and everyone involuntarily turned their eyes towards Yu Jingchun, hoping that this warrior would have some ideas. In the end, after a long pause, Yu Jingchun surprisingly said, "I will feign surrender!" The princes laughed uncontrollably, and the Grand Tutor was nearly driven to the brink of death from anger. The Grand Tutor's question left all four of them speechless, and everyone involuntarily turned their eyes towards Yu Jingchun, hoping that this warrior would have some ideas. In the end, after a long pause, Yu Jingchun surprisingly said, "I will feign surrender!" The princes laughed uncontrollably, and the Grand Tutor was nearly driven to the brink of death from anger.

Prince Qi said: "The library of the Taixue in the 'Memoirs of Emperor Gaozu' has copies available; you can just go borrow them yourself. Anyone can read them."

She changed the subject and said softly, "What if I write you ten days' worth of window lessons in just one day?"

Only then did he see clearly that this purple copper hand warmer was not only placed on the table, but also glimmered all over, clearly having been repeatedly polished by someone.

The Crown Prince was quite surprised and hurriedly said in a low voice: "Originally, that was for enjoying the incense offerings in the ancestral temple. What do you want to do with it? I cannot just take it for no reason!"

Qingtong gritted her teeth, and after school, she did not wait for Fei, but directly rushed back to Gan Zhigong. Huajian saw that she did not eat, only drawing strange shapes on paper. After several attempts to persuade her, Qingtong merely responded absentmindedly with an "mm" and continued, so Huajian simply ignored her and went to sleep. The next day, she was startled to find Qingtong's eyes bloodshot, her hair disheveled, and the floor covered in a white layer of discarded paper. She had not slept a wink all night! The next day, she was startled to find Qingtong's eyes bloodshot, her hair disheveled, and the floor covered in a white layer of discarded paper. She had not slept a wink all night!

"In the middle of summer, you are still using a hand warmer?" the Crown Prince asked in surprise, only to see Qing Tong's face flushed as she quickly snatched the hand warmer away and hid it behind her back. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes shyly glanced towards the ground behind her. Following her gaze, the Crown Prince turned around and saw Li Fei's face was as red as a piece of cloth. The two exchanged glances, resembling two cooked shrimp.

On the second day of school, taking advantage of the absence of the Grand Tutor, several princes were happily discussing the amusing events of the previous day. When the Crown Prince arrived, several princes turned to Yu Jingchun and said, "So, did the false surrender come? Hahaha." The Crown Prince and his four companions felt somewhat awkward, while Yu Jingchun had already lowered his head in deep embarrassment, yet these individuals showed no intention of stopping.

The Crown Prince looked around and said: "This place is truly hard to find. If it weren't for Fei knowing the way, I wouldn't have been able to come. The palace is quite large, yet there is only one palace servant? No wonder they are overwhelmed. There isn't much in terms of furnishings; I will have someone send some over another day."

Qing Tong shook her head and said softly: "I want to see the original text. I have already read the recorded version, which is filled with the grand strategies and praises summarized by Emperor Gaozu. It would be best if I could see the original manuscript written by Emperor Gaozu. Can you lend it to me to have a look?"

He suddenly realized: "This is the hand warmer of Li Fei!" He took a step back and said: "Alright, I won't make the pie, I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Princess, remember the window lesson you promised me!"

Qing Tong indeed had not read military texts, yet she felt no fear of the Fifteenth Prince. She said: "So what if I haven't read military texts? It's just that you had the opportunity to learn while I did not. Although I have not looked at military books, I have read quite a bit of history. Concepts like the Xuan Gui Formation and the Yan Wei Formation are merely theoretical discussions; when two armies truly confront each other, there are countless variables! Even if you have memorized all the formations, it may not be of any use. If you were truly in command of troops, you might not even have the chance to feign surrender."

With azure eyes, she snatched everything in one go, regardless of who wrote it, and jumped into the room, placing everything on the desk

Then how should you proceed

He has to take an exam every month, which is even more difficult for the Crown Prince. For example, to break the Long Snake Formation, one must use the Crane Wing Formation, and to break the Crane Wing Formation, one must use the Xuan Gui Formation. He can manage to memorize these phrases with effort, but this Grand Tutor is prone to sudden whims. Just as he is answering a question, he suddenly interjects: "Your Highness, if the enemy primarily uses the Crane Wing Formation, mixed with cavalry in the Long Snake Formation, how should one respond?"

Hahaha! As soon as these words were spoken, all the princes burst into laughter. "Each leading a troop? Do you know how many people are needed to form the Xuan Gui formation? More than 50,000! Do you know how many people are needed for the Jin Long formation? At least 120,000! It's easy to say, but it turns out you know nothing and are just talking nonsense. According to you, the sixteen guards stationed in the capital should do nothing else but spend their days playing house with you." Although the Ninth Prince did not laugh along with them, his expression was somewhat disdainful. It's easy to say, but it turns out you know nothing and are just talking nonsense. According to you, the sixteen guards stationed in the capital should do nothing else but spend their days playing house with you." Although the Ninth Prince did not laugh along with them, his expression was somewhat disdainful.

"Seventeen!" The Ninth Prince suddenly interjected, his voice deep, "These formations were all originally created by Emperor Gaozu, and there are detailed records in the 'Gaozu's Memoirs' enshrined in the ancestral temple. It was with these that Emperor Gaozu became invincible in the universe and established the foundation of the Great Yuan. Every military general of our dynasty has learned these formations before going into battle, yet you say they are merely theoretical discussions. Do you not even regard Gaozu?"

Hua Jian watched as Qing Tong tidied herself up to a presentable state, organizing her book pouch to send her off to school. On the way, Qing Tong was still swaying unsteadily, deeply lost in thought. After class that day, Qing Tong stopped the Crown Prince and nervously said: "Crown Prince Brother, could you lend me the 'Memoirs of Emperor Gaozu' to have a look at?"

Qing Tong let out a slight sigh, not only because she felt that she could not offend the title of Gaozu, but also because she had a certain fear of the Ninth Prince. However, she still felt unconvinced in her heart and said: "Gaozu was a prodigy, how could anyone compare? I believe that teaching in such a rigid manner is likely to be ineffective. Even if you learn it thoroughly, what if the enemy does not use any formations? If they do not set up any formations, what are you going to break? Even if the enemy sets up formations like the Long Snake Formation or the Swallowtail Formation, can you even recognize what they have deployed at the front lines?"

Thank you! Qing Tong has already started reading, not lifting her head.

The crowd burst into laughter, and the Fifteenth Prince said with a smile: "Yu Jingchun is not suitable; he is so dark, too, uh..."

The Fifteenth Prince was taken aback; he was about the same age as Qing Tong. Being scolded like this, with a finger pointed at his nose, was quite humiliating. He shouted, "You, a girl who has never read military books, what do you understand! Do you know what formations work best with the Xuan Gui formation? Do you know how to arrange the Yan Wei formation? Am I short-sighted? I ranked second in the last assessment! If it were you, I fear there would be no need for deception; you would surrender directly."

"Your Highness, wait for me to walk together." Li Fei lowered his head and first squeezed out of the door, keeping his head deeply bowed all the way, unable to see anything but the prince's flushed ears despite the prince's various jokes and laughter

The two princes entered and, seeing the littered papers on the floor, frowned and said: "Your Highness, your study is too messy; why don't you tidy it up?"

Qingtong said: "It is a good thing that you are reading 'The Memoirs of Emperor Gaozu'. Just think of an excuse! Otherwise, you can say you are paying respects to your ancestors, and it would be fine to take it out secretly. I will return it to you in a day!"

The beauty trap is the most effective.

Suddenly hearing a loud bang, Qing Tong slammed the table, stood up abruptly, and pointed at the Fifteenth Prince, saying: "What are you laughing at? Do you find feigned surrender amusing? Go back and read the history books; how many generals have endured humiliation and feigned surrender, ultimately achieving a great victory? It is your short-sightedness and petty-mindedness that I find truly laughable!"

The Fifteenth Prince originally wanted to say, "Crown Prince, you should come personally," but his biological mother was merely a concubine, of too lowly a birth, so he quickly swallowed the words before they left his mouth. He glanced at Li Fei behind the Crown Prince and casually said, "Why not let Li Fei go? He does look quite good." After saying this, he pointed at Li Fei and laughed heartily. The other princes looked at Li Fei and also burst into laughter.

Qing Tong said: "I have also thought about this. Wasn't it the case that the founding emperor wrote these for his descendants? You are the crown prince, so you should read them regularly. Moreover, if this topic is brought up, you can easily lead it to a good place. I suspect that even if someone knows about it, they will pretend not to know."

As soon as the Crown Prince met her, he pulled out five or six books from his bosom, presenting them to her like treasures. "Here, this is what you wanted, 'The Memoirs of Emperor Gaozu'! This one—'The Annals of Emperor Gaozu', this one—'Emperor Gaozu's Reflections on Reading', this one—'The Life of Emperor Gaozu', this one—'The Letter from General Li Wei to Emperor Gaozu'. Huh? This one wasn't written by Emperor Gaozu, why is it included? I mistakenly took the wrong one." This one—'The Annals of Emperor Gaozu', this one—'Emperor Gaozu's Reflections on Reading', this one—'The Life of Emperor Gaozu', this one—'The Letter from General Li Wei to Emperor Gaozu'. Huh? This one wasn't written by Emperor Gaozu, why is it included? I mistakenly took the wrong one.

I will each lead a team of soldiers to practice. Let's see when the time comes, who can handle whom, that will be the truth