Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Galloping along at full speed, Zhuang Weiyang didn't waste any time.

The sun, with its two wings, rises and sets.

The next evening, the city walls of Suzhou appeared before him once again.

"It's huge... It's magnificent no matter how many times I see it."

The city wall in front of us is hundreds of feet high and its width is unknown. It stretches endlessly in the distance.

Zhuang Weiyang dismounted, took out Prince Di's token, waved it at the gatekeepers, and entered Suzhou directly.

Zhuang Weiyang held the horse's reins with one hand and raised her other hand to shield herself from the sun, observing the sky.

"At this time, Prince Di should be there."

Zhuang Weiyang led her horse straight to the tavern.

"Drink up! Brother Zezhong! Hesitation and coyness are not the behavior of a true man!"

"You can't get this 'Green Python Wine' when you get to Zuili."

As soon as they arrived at the tavern entrance, they heard the familiar voice of Prince Di urging them to drink.

Zhuang Weiyang: "..."

As is customary, the next step should be—

Brother Zezhong! This wine is weak, have another bowl!

What? You're dizzy? Everyone gets dizzy after drinking! Have some more "Peach Blossom Fall" to help you settle down.

Brother Zezhong! You threw up? Oh dear, that's so unrefined! You're punished by having three more bowls!

Three bowls of the same!

Zhuang Weiyang strode in, and before she even got close, Wang Zidi saw her, his eyes lit up, and he greeted her repeatedly.

"Weiyang, you're back! What happened to make you look so disheveled?"

"Never mind, never mind, take your time, we can talk while we drink."

As he spoke, Prince Di threw his sash off the chair next to him, making room for Zhuang Weiyang.

Before Zhuang Weiyang could speak, they pressed him down into a chair and filled his bowl to the brim.

The wine in the bowl in front of me is clear and pinkish. As the wine ripples, a floral fragrance wafts into my nostrils.

Smelling the aroma of alcohol, Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but speak:

"Second Young Master, didn't we agree before that I wouldn't drink 'Peach Blossom Falling' anymore?"

"Last time I drank it, I slept for a whole day and night. I don't like this kind of wine."

Upon hearing this, Prince Di shook his head repeatedly, pointed to the wine bowl, and explained:

"This 'Peach Blossom Falling' wine is brewed from rice grown in public fields. It contains the fortune of our human race, which is why it is so potent."

"But the winemaker is the most ingenious, choosing the most delicate peach blossoms to add to the wine. In this harmony of yin and yang, there is a profound truth."

Zhuang Weiyang was puzzled and looked confused:

"What does that have to do with me not drinking this?"

"What I mean is, there's nothing wrong with the alcohol. Last time, it might have been that the snacks you had with the alcohol didn't suit your taste, which affected your drinking habits. That definitely won't happen this time."

Zhuang Weiyang was speechless at this fallacy.

I drank too much. It wasn't the alcohol that was the problem, it was the food.

Zhang Zezhong, who was sitting opposite him, spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Brother Weiyang, the Second Young Master's kindness is appreciated, please have a drink."

"Soon we will be leaving Suzhou, and who knows when we will be able to drink this fine wine again."

Zhang Zezhong was gentle and refined, with a smile on his face, but his tone betrayed a hidden schadenfreude.

Seeing this, Zhuang Weiyang could only smile wryly, pick up the wine bowl, and drink it all in one gulp.

"Hiss...good wine!"

Prince Di beamed with joy and repeatedly praised:

"A true man should act this way!"

You have gained the prince's approval and comprehended the art of war—fire.

[The art of war—fire—was refined through the principles of the I Ching.]

[Fire (1/10000): Activates the self-buff, granting the "Fire" buff, and can also buff subordinate soldiers.]

The system notification sounded at the right time, and Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but show a happy expression.

Is that all?

Prince Di, the best prince of Wu! That's what I, Zhuang Weiyang, say!

Sun Tzu's Four Arts of Wind, Fire, Mountain and Forest were unique military tactics of the Wu Kingdom.

Each technique, taken individually, is very powerful.

Fire – Cover the army with "Fire," enhancing its offensive capabilities and granting soldiers fire magic, allowing them to use supernatural powers between attacks.

The same principle applies to wind-eroded forests and lands.

Wind – speed; Earth – defense; Forest – harmony and balance.

During the closed beta test of the previous game, "The Chaotic Spring and Autumn Period," countless players ranted about these four arts on the forums.

"Game designer, did you make this game with your feet?"

"Even my grandma can balance better than you!"

This shows just how overpowered these four techniques are.

But the shortcomings are also obvious.

Military tactics are only as effective as one in ten without an army!

Other players talk trash, saying they'll have a PK, and then they immediately start fighting.

Players in the "Way of War" are different; they must issue a challenge, agree on a time, and specify how many troops to bring before engaging in battle.

Of course, most "military strategy" players do not follow the rule regarding the number of troops to bring.

All's fair in war!

Now, thanks to the improvements made by "Yi Dao", Zhuang Weiyang can perform these four arts without the need for an army, which greatly enhances their practicality.

Upon obtaining this technique, Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but smile.

"Zezhong, look at Weiyang."

"This wine feels so comforting! He even laughed after drinking it, haha."

Prince Di laughed loudly, and at the same time unleashed a series of small combos while pouring wine.

Zhang Zezhong smiled demurely and nodded in agreement.

The singers beside them played music to entertain the guests.

Zhuang Weiyang subconsciously turned her head.

Huh, what's wrong with this singer today?

In the past, singers were often dressed provocatively.

She might reveal her bare shoulders, or lightly expose her chest, revealing glimpses of snow-white skin.

Why are you all bundled up so tightly today?

The singer felt Zhuang Weiyang's gaze, lowered her head, and her fair earlobes turned a tender red.

"Weiyang, stop looking. Zezhong has bought Xiaodie."

"Ze Zhong was promoted through political means and mastered the art of 'political harmony,' so he'll accompany me to Zhuli."

"The man is gone, but the house can't be empty, so I might as well buy Xiaodie as a concubine to look after the house."

Zhang Zezhong maintained his reserved expression and nodded in agreement.

Xiaodie was now Zhang Zezhong's wife, and at her husband's friends' gathering, she mustered up the courage to say a few words.

"Xiaodie knows she is of lowly status, but she is grateful that her husband does not abandon her. She will definitely help her husband to protect the home and wait for his return."

"My lord, please do not worry. I have asked someone to calculate that your fate is destined to be calamity, and Xiaodie's fate is exactly in harmony with yours."

"That's not the case, and Xiaodie wouldn't dare to agree to her husband's request."

In this era, a singer is just a singer, only providing music services.

But Zhuang Weiyang still felt uncomfortable when she heard him say that about her.

A concubine of low status, why should she demean herself in such a way?

Zhuang Weiyang coughed lightly, cleared her throat, and bowed to Zhang Zezhong to offer her congratulations:

"Congratulations, Brother Zezhong, on the acquisition of your beautiful concubine."

Prince Di casually offered his congratulations with clasped hands.

"Congratulations, Brother Zezhong! Let's drink! Let's drink!"

Zhang Zezhong's expression remained unchanged, with his usual reserved smile.

"Haha, let's drink together."

Upon hearing this, Xiaodie looked at Zhuang Weiyang, her eyes reddening with gratitude.

Such congratulations signify that Zhuang Weiyang has accepted Xiaodie's identity.

Moreover, it pleased the prince greatly!

In this way, even if Zhang Zezhong leaves Suzhou, no petty people will come to harass him.

Xiaodie secretly lowered her head, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and continued playing.

The piano music became a bit lighter.

Zhuang Weiyang's heart felt slightly warm, and her inner fire grew almost imperceptibly.

Zhuang Weiyang was so oblivious to the subtle change that she continued drinking and chatting.

"Second Young Master, I'm also getting promoted."

"I know, didn't you say it a few days ago? Let's drink, Weiyang, you're a bowl behind us."

"Hiccup, Second Young Master, I meant I have to go to the Sage Palace."

"I've given you the sign, just go straight there. Enough talk, have a drink!"