Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 481 Disgusting
Compared to the martial arts competition, the strategy test is much more elegant. The first thing tested is the art of war, which feels like an imperial examination.

Of course, the military strategy exam does not need to last as many days as the imperial examination. It only takes two days and it has not ended yet.

Zhao Xing took a quick look at the test questions, all of which were related to military strategy.

To put it simply, it is to extract some passages from the Art of War and let the candidates answer according to their own understanding.

"Are these questions set by the Privy Council?" Zhao Xing asked.

Zeng Gongliang replied, "The Ministry of War was also involved, and I personally reviewed it. Your Majesty, do you think there is anything wrong with the topic?"

"There's nothing wrong with the title."

Zhao Xing shook his head and asked, "Where is the person who graded the papers?"

"They were also drawn from the Ministry of War and the Privy Council," said Zeng Gongliang.

Zhao Xing pondered for a while after hearing this, then pointed to an official behind Zeng Gongliang and said, "I want to ask you, what does it mean to win by the right means and win by the unexpected means?"

The official who was pointed out by Zhao Xing was stunned for a moment, and then he was ecstatic. If he performed well, wouldn’t he have a bright future?
He immediately trotted forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, victory comes from the unexpected. To achieve victory by taking advantage of the right strategy means that only by taking advantage of the unexpected strategy can victory be achieved."

Zhao Xing ignored the official and looked at Zeng Gongliang, saying, "Let's recruit military officers from the three yamen to examine the papers."

"Yes!" Zeng Gongliang replied.

At this time, he already understood what Zhao Xing meant.

To achieve success by using the right method, and to win by using the unusual method, the word "odd" does not mean any strange strategy at all.

Yingweiqi is not pronounced as qi, but as ji.

It refers to the extra part.

When used in military strategy, it means that when fighting a war, a portion of troops needs to be reserved.

This part of the troops can be used to deal with some emergencies, or when the enemy's flaws are discovered.

On the front battlefield, monitoring the enemy's troop movements is the most basic thing.

Take the famous Battle of Guandu in history as an example. If Cao Cao had not reserved a troop, he would have no troops to launch a surprise attack even if he knew where Yuan Shao stored grain.

Because the troops on the front battlefield were all under the surveillance of Yuan Shao's side.

At first glance, the meaning seems to be the same as what the official just answered, but that official understood it as a strange plan.

Although this is also the intention, the most important thing is to reserve a surprise force.

What Zhao Xing meant was to tell him that even though the officials of the Privy Council and the Ministry of War had read the Art of War, their understanding of it was only superficial.

If they were to grade the papers, those who answered really well would be eliminated, and those who only had a superficial understanding of the art of war would be left behind.

"I'll go back to the palace first. After you finish marking the answer sheets, send them to me to have a look." Zhao Xing said.

"Yes, I respectfully send you off, Your Majesty!" Zeng Gongliang bowed.

Not until Zhao Xingyuan left did the officials straighten up.

"Privy Councilor, what's wrong with what I just said?"

The official who was questioned by Zhao Xing asked with a mournful face.

Although Zhao Xing didn't say it, he could see that Zhao Xing was not satisfied with his answer.

He felt that he had given a very good answer just now.

"You should read some military books carefully in the future." Zeng Gongliang shook his head and left.

…………

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from the Northwest Commander!"

Not long after Zhao Xing returned to the palace, Sanshui hurried in holding an urgent report.

"northwest?"

Zhao Xing was shocked when he heard this, thinking that Western Xia had sent troops, so he quickly took it and opened it to read.

When he saw the content of the urgent report, he breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows furrowed. "Yes, Dong Zhan is now completely unable to mobilize troops against the Liao Kingdom."

Han Zhang had previously analyzed that Dong Jian would most likely accept Empress Dowager Xiao and others.

Dong Zhan actually accepted it, but his purpose was not necessarily what Han Zhang thought.

Han Zhang said that Dong Jian accepted Empress Dowager Xiao and others in order to expand the territory of Liao.

Zhao Xing always felt something was wrong at the time, but he didn't think much about it.

Now, after reading Gu Tingye's report, I understand what's wrong.

Dong Jian had only been in control of Hehuang for a short time. Even if he had more means, he could not completely control Hehuang so quickly.

In addition, with the Western Xia watching covetously, Dong Jian could not possibly launch an attack on the Liao Kingdom.

Even if there is civil unrest in Liao now, Western Xia will not send troops. Dong Jian only has about 200,000 soldiers in total. How could he have the courage to provoke Liao?

From this perspective, it is very likely that Dong Jian accepted Empress Dowager Xiao and others and sent them to the Song Dynasty.

"Go and bring the great minister and others over." Zhao Xing said.

"Yes!" Sanshui responded and went downstairs to arrange someone to notify them.

About an incense stick later, Han Zhang and a group of important officials from the court rushed over.

Zhao Xing said calmly, "I just received an urgent report from the northwest. Dong Jian personally led troops to welcome Empress Dowager Xiao and the young emperor of Liao and others into Hehuang. The urgent report said..."

When many officials heard Zhao Xing say that Dong Jian might divert the blame and send Empress Dowager Xiao and others to the Song Dynasty, they looked at Han Zhang with interest.

There is a Chinese proverb in later generations that goes, "Zhu Bajie looks in the mirror and finds himself neither human nor ugly."

There was no Journey to the West at that time, so naturally there was no such idiom.

However, it is quite appropriate to describe Han Zhang's current situation as being in a difficult situation both inside and outside.

Since Zhao Xing ascended the throne, Han Zhang supported Zhao Xing in everything.

During the turmoil that was just settled not long ago, Han Zhang tried to persuade Zhao Xing but failed, so he chose to resign.

But in the eyes of others, Han Zhang was just acting.

Otherwise, why would Zhao Xing marry Han Zhang's granddaughter as his Defei?

They all knew Han Zhang's previous guess. Now that they knew that Han Zhang's guess was wrong, they were naturally happy to watch the fun.

When Zhao Xing saw this scene, he knew the reason after a little thought and his face became gloomy.

Although there are only such people, at this time, these people do not think about how to solve the problem, but instead look at Han Zhang as a joke, which is really disgusting.

If these people can be ranked among the rising stars, what future can the Song Dynasty have?

Zhao Xing took note of all these people in his mind. They were all reserves for the upcoming Xuanwu Ceremony.

Later we will send them all to edit books, so that they can have a chance to have their names recorded in history books, which will be considered a good deal for them.

"Tell me, is this possible? If it really happens, how should we deal with it?" Zhao Xing said lightly.

"His Majesty!"

Zeng Gongliang said anxiously: "We must not let Empress Dowager Xiao and others enter the territory of the Song Dynasty. If we do so, it will inevitably lead to a war between Song and Liao!"

"Your Majesty, I don't think so. I think we should accept it and then use it to negotiate with the Liao Kingdom. Even if we can't exchange it for the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, exchanging it for some horses would be good!" said an official.

"I second the proposal!"

As soon as this person finished speaking, many officials agreed.

"Stupid!" Prime Minister Shen scolded the seconder of the proposal, saying, "Yelü Yixin is a traitor. The young emperor of Liao is the legitimate emperor. If you accept Empress Dowager Xiao and others, and use them to negotiate with Liao, how will the people of the world view Your Majesty?"

"What Minister Shen said is exactly what I wanted to say. Dong Jian has vicious intentions. Once he allows Empress Dowager Xiao and others to enter the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty will be in a passive position." Zeng Gongliang said.

(End of this chapter)