This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

The group sat down again.

The Empress glanced at Mo Yu, took a golden purse from her hand, and placed it in front of Zhang Ping'an.

"Young Master Li, both of you are men of high moral character. I will pay for the poems on your behalf."

Zhang Ping'an hurriedly pushed the money bag back.

"Brother Chu, this poem is free. It's a gift from me to the two gentlemen. If I were to charge for a poem encouraging learning, wouldn't all scholars in the world be pointing fingers at me and cursing me?"

"Besides, I'm already grateful that Mr. Yang is willing to teach me the methods of self-cultivation; how could I possibly accept their money?"

The two Confucian scholars nodded with smiles.

Yang Tai offered to teach Zhang Ping'an the methods of self-cultivation, but in reality, he wanted to offset the cost of the poems. However, given his status, he certainly couldn't say it outright.

After all, the academy was poor, and they didn't want to owe the Empress a favor.

Zhang Ping'an's words struck a chord with them.

He knows righteousness, distinguishes right from wrong, understands human relationships and etiquette, and most importantly, has amazing poetic talent.

Yang Tai even considered taking on a disciple.

"Young Master Li's literary talent is astounding; I wonder if he is knowledgeable in military affairs?"

"After all, our Great Wu Dynasty was founded on military strength, and now it is beset by internal and external troubles. If one can master military strategy, one can command hundreds of thousands of troops in the future, kill enemies to serve the country, and establish everlasting merit!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoru knew what Yang Tai was up to and quickly replied.

"Young Master Li, to serve your country, you don't necessarily have to fight on the battlefield. Studying the classics of the sages, working hard to learn, educating the people, and cultivating talents for the country can also serve your country, and you can even become a role model for all ages."

The Empress couldn't help but roll her eyes. Yang Tai studied military strategy, and Zhang Xiaoru pursued scholarship. These two were starting to compete for disciples again.

Zhang Ping'an was naturally very perceptive.

Since Yang Tai asked first, then answer Yang Tai first.

"Mr. Yang, I have some knowledge of military strategy."

Then he looked at Zhang Xiaoru and said, "Mr. Zhang, I am really sorry. I have no interest in teaching and educating people, and I know that I am not cut out for it. So I will not mislead students."

"That's such a pity!" Zhang Xiaoru said with a face full of regret.

Yang Tai laughed smugly: "Haha, Young Master Li actually understands military strategy? That truly surprises me!"

Could you elaborate a bit?

The Empress also looked at Zhang Ping'an with great interest. His poetic talent was already so amazing; if he also understood military strategy, then this guy's value would be even greater.

Although Zhang Ping'an rejected the offer Zhang Xiaoru made, he was still very curious about Zhang Ping'an's expertise in military strategy.

Only Mo Yu stood to the side, curling her lip and looking at Zhang Ping'an with disdain.

Military strategy is similar to academic study, and even more difficult. Unless one comes from a military family, even wealthy young men don't have the opportunity to come into contact with military strategy.

Zhang Ping'an, at his age, dared to talk about military affairs, which she considered to be nothing short of presumptuous!

Zhang Ping'an didn't see Mo Yu's gaze. He simply smiled slightly at Yang Tai, who looked at him with a look of disapproval, and said a few words.

"Warfare is based on deception!"

"Hehe, that's interesting..." Yang Tai pondered the meaning of those words carefully.

At first, he felt that this statement was somewhat in line with the principles of military strategy, but gradually, the smile on Yang Tai's face disappeared.

Instead, a slowly stern old face appeared.

"Warfare is based on deception..."

He recited slowly, then suddenly frowned, and his expression grew increasingly serious.

Finally, he slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his eyes shining, as if a lustful demon had seen an unparalleled beauty.

"Haha, what a fine saying, 'Warfare is based on deception!'"

"Young man, you've more than just a smattering of knowledge. These five words alone are enough to prove that your understanding of military strategy is no less than mine!"

Zhang Ping'an smiled and narrowed his eyes. He was joking. These weren't his words; they were said by Sun Tzu, the ancestor of military strategy.

The Empress was also shocked.

Although she didn't understand military strategy, she could still connect it to military strategy through Zhang Ping'an's words.

The word "诡" (guǐ) means unpredictable, ever-changing, and beyond control or comprehension.

If someone can use troops in this way, who in the world can rival them?

Zhang Ping'an was not only knowledgeable in military affairs, but also a master of military strategy.

He's only eighteen! How is that possible?!

Mo Yu was equally shocked; she never dreamed that Zhang Ping'an's understanding of military strategy was so profound.

Even Yang Tai, a great Confucian scholar specializing in military affairs, said that he was no less capable than him.

Of course, she believes this is Yang Tai's modest remark.

Even if Zhang Ping'an understands military strategy, he could never compare to Yang Tai, a great Confucian scholar who has been immersed in military strategy for so many years.

"Young Master Li, could you continue?" At this moment, Yang Tai no longer had the smugness of a teacher testing a student. Instead, he looked curious, like a student waiting to listen to a lecture.

It is clear that he has at least placed Zhang Ping'an on an equal footing with him.

"War is a matter of vital importance to the state; it is a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected..."

Therefore, the best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to disrupt their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the worst is to attack their cities…

Zhang Ping'an selected several passages from Sun Tzu's Art of War that he had memorized and spoke eloquently about them.

The more they listened, the more shocked they became, especially Yang Tai, whose face turned rosy and he seemed completely intoxicated, as if he had drunk fine wine.

"Haha, I was actually thinking of taking him as a disciple, how laughable!"

"Young Master Li, I cannot teach you the art of military strategy."

"Come to the academy to cultivate yourself whenever you have time!"

Yang Tai's smile was bitter, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

It's a pity that such a promising talent couldn't become his apprentice.

The military matters that Zhang Ping'an talked about were very beneficial to him, which was quite remarkable.

Zhang Xiaoru chuckled, but he was in a very good mood.

I was initially disappointed, thinking that a student like Zhang Ping'an would be snatched away by Yang Tai.

Nobody got one now, everyone's in the same boat.

Zhang Ping'an clasped his hands and said, "When I have some free time, I will go to the academy to cultivate myself. I will have to trouble you two teachers then."

"The academy's gates are always open for you," Zhang Xiaoru said with a smile.

"Come on, come on," Yang Tai replied more directly.

At this moment, the Empress suddenly spoke up and asked, "Young Master Li is knowledgeable in poetry and military strategy, but I wonder if he has any knowledge of state affairs?"

Yang Tai and Zhang Xiaoru exchanged a glance; it seemed His Majesty was also eager to try his luck.

However, literary talent can be attributed to innate ability, and military strategy can be attributed to genius, but governing a country requires experience.

This time, Young Master Li is likely to disappoint His Majesty.

Mo Yu whispered a reminder: "Young Master, have you forgotten that Young Master Li is only eighteen years old? How could someone his age possibly care about state affairs?"

During the Great Wu Dynasty, eighteen-year-old youths were at the prime of their lives, spending their time in brothels and listening to music, and almost none of them cared about state affairs.

Mo Yu was also worried that Zhang Ping'an would disappoint the Empress, so she was giving him a heads-up.

Zhang Ping'an was somewhat displeased upon hearing this.

"Brother Chu, your book has a lot of fairy tales in it!"

"Since ancient times, the rise and fall of a nation has been the responsibility of every citizen. What's wrong with being young? Who says young people don't care about national affairs?"

The Empress and the two great scholars were immediately impressed.

What a powerful saying: "The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen!"

Based on this one sentence alone, even if he doesn't understand state affairs, I must bring him under my command.

The Empress immediately became interested: "Since Young Master Li is knowledgeable about state affairs, then I will give you a question to test your knowledge."

"Our Great Wu border has been plundered by the Northern Barbarians for many years, causing us untold suffering. If we were to launch a military campaign against them, the Northern Barbarians would be entirely composed of cavalry, moving like the wind, and we would never be able to find their main force."

"If a large force is constantly stationed on the border, the losses will be enormous. What will you do in this situation?"