My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"It's very simple."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "Since it's a test of both literary and martial skills, let's skip the one-on-one competition."

"How about the six of us try it together? One round to decide the winner!"

Ok?

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was taken aback.

Six people taking the exam together?

That's something new!

Moreover, how can six people take the test together?

The officials present all looked surprised and astonished.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't waste any words at this moment, and looked up at Xiao Jinxuan, who also had an interested expression.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you prepare six copper plates, six copper tokens, some kerosene, and a few pieces of paper."

"We will use copper plates as granaries, paper scraps as provisions, kerosene as enemy fire, and copper tokens as military orders."

"The six of us will act simultaneously to see who can retrieve the military order from the fire the fastest without destroying the provisions or ransacking the granary. That person will be the winner."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Tang Ningshuang and the other two: "In addition, there is one rule: you are not allowed to release your internal energy externally."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhaoye frowned immediately.

Lu Chenshan was also taken aback.

Tang Ningshuang frowned and said, "If internal energy isn't allowed, then it's still a competition?"

"Of course it counts."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang and said with a smile, "On the battlefield, not every situation can be resolved by brute force."

"If the enemy were to burn down the granary, Miss Tang could extinguish the fire with a single palm strike, but the grain would also be scattered."

"That's not called saving food supplies, that's called... making things easier for the enemy."

"this……"

Tang Ningshuang remained silent for a moment.

"So, what I'm trying out isn't just a matter of courage."

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "It also tests eyesight, composure, and... on-the-spot judgment."

"Scholars cannot engage in empty talk, and warriors cannot merely rely on bravado!"

"Only in this way can it be called a test of both literary and martial skills."

These words caused a slight change in the expressions of many officials in the hall.

Li Bingzhang looked surprised, then pondered for a moment before a smile appeared on his face.

Although he didn't know the specific method, since Jiang Xiaobai said so, he must have some confidence in it, and everything he said made sense.

He truly is a good son-in-law!

That's how fast they react!

Xiao Jinxuan's interest also became noticeably stronger.

"Interesting, then so be it."

As soon as Xiao Jinxuan finished speaking, Jiang Xiaobai immediately gave him some more detailed instructions.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Gao immediately instructed the eunuchs to make preparations.

Soon, six bronze platters were placed in the hall.

In the center of each bronze plate is a small bronze token.

Around the bronze token were several pieces of thin paper, representing provisions.

Further out, there is a thin layer of kerosene around it.

Once the kerosene was lit, flames shot up and engulfed the bronze token.

Three other items are prepared beside the table.

Teacups, bamboo chopsticks, and Xuan paper.

There was nothing else besides that.

"The rules are simple."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the group and said, "You must not use your internal energy to extinguish the fire, you must not overturn the copper plate, and you must not destroy the grain."

"Whoever takes the first command wins."

"If...the grain supplies are destroyed, even if we retrieve the copper token, it will still be considered a defeat."

After speaking, Jiang Xiaobai looked at the remaining five people and smiled slightly: "Gentlemen, would you dare to give it a try?"

"snort!"

Tang Ningshuang said calmly, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu exchanged a glance, their expressions tense.

They originally thought that the so-called test of courage was just to maintain the prestige of the martial arts examination.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiaobai came up with such a strange thing.

The fire was burning before my eyes, and the bronze token was placed in the fire.

This is something that cannot be tackled head-on, nor can it be backed down; it is indeed much more difficult than simply standing there and being intimidated.

Qin Zhaoye and Lu Chenshan exchanged a glance, indicating that they had no objections.

"Since no one has any objections, let's get started!"

As soon as Eunuch Gao gave the order, the six people moved at the same time.

Guo Zhan was the first to reach out.

But as soon as the flames shot up, his face turned pale. The paper in his hand had just been pressed down when it came into contact with the flames, which startled Guo Zhan so much that he quickly withdrew his hand.

The piece of paper fell into the plate and instantly burst into flames.

Guo Zhan's face stiffened, and he retreated to the side with an ugly expression.

Seeing Guo Zhan fail, Zhong Yu gritted his teeth, picked up his teacup, and poured the tea directly into the ring of fire.

But no one expected that after the tea was poured, the fire not only did not go out, but instead leaped to the side along with the floating kerosene, almost burning the paper.

Zhong Yu's expression changed, and he hurriedly tried to poke it with his bamboo chopsticks, but the copper plate shook and was completely overturned.

"This...this is simply impossible to produce!"

Zhong Yu spoke with a grim expression.

Just because you can't produce it doesn't mean others can't!

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Zhong Yu.

Zhong Yu snorted coldly and stepped aside.

Meanwhile, on the martial arts side, Lu Chenshan raised his hand to suppress the fire with his internal force.

But as soon as he raised his hand, he suddenly remembered the rules and had to stop abruptly.

This pause disrupted the rhythm.

When he tried to pick up the copper token with his bamboo chopsticks again, the fire had raged, and several pieces of "staff" were scorched and curled at the edges.

Lu Chenshan was filled with frustration and could only step back.

Qin Zhaoye moved extremely quickly.

Yes, he ignored the fire and directly used bamboo chopsticks to probe through the gaps in the flames, trying to forcibly pick out the copper token.

But although he was fast, he was too sharp.

When the bamboo chopsticks touched the copper token, the token rolled half a circle and almost knocked over the paper.

Qin Zhaoye frowned and had no choice but to forcibly stop.

Tang Ningshuang was different.

She glanced down at it briefly, then immediately picked up the teacup and placed it upside down on one side of the fire ring.

The flame was suppressed by the teacup, and immediately became shorter.

Then, Tang Ningshuang used bamboo chopsticks to probe and firmly clamp the copper token.

As they were about to take it out, many military officers' eyes lit up.

it is good!

No wonder he's the martial arts champion!!

Just as Tang Ningshuang was about to take the order, Jiang Xiaobai finally made his move on the other side.

Jiang Xiaobai first picked up a teacup and placed it over the fire ring.

Then, the Xuan paper was dipped in tea, and the wet paper was used to press down the gap in the fire wire.

The fire was abruptly cut off for a moment.

The next moment, he thrust out the bamboo chopsticks in his hand.

With a snap, the copper token was firmly clamped up.

The movements were slow, but extremely steady.

It barely touched a single piece of paper, and Tang Ningshuang's bronze token had only just left the ring of fire.

The entire court fell silent instantly.

Jiang Xiaobai... actually won?

Li Bingzhang's eyes were full of admiration, "Wonderful!"

Tang Ningshuang was also taken aback, and for the first time, her usually cold eyes showed a clear change in expression.

She looked at the bronze token in her hand, then at Jiang Xiaobai.

Yes.

Tang Ningshuang was only half a breath slower, but in that half breath, she lost.

Xiao Jinxuan sat on the dragon throne, his eyes brightening: "Jiang Xiaobai, why didn't you use tea to extinguish the fire just now?"

"Return to your majesty!"

Jiang Xiaobai put down the bronze token, cupped his hands, and said, "Oil and fire float on water; splashing water will only make the fire burn faster."

"Fire needs wind; if its wind is cut off, it will naturally not live long."

Does fire need wind?

Xiao Jinxuan's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.

Master Song stood aside, his expression clearly showing surprise, as if he had heard some extremely novel truth.

"The same applies on the battlefield."

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "If the grain warehouse catches fire, don't panic! If you splash water indiscriminately, the fire will spread!"

"Using force recklessly will ruin the grain."

"Only by extinguishing the fire first and then taking military orders can we ensure that no one is injured and no food is lost."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Miss Tang noticed it just now, which is why she used a teacup to suppress the fire."

"It's just a pity... a little slower than me."

Tang Ningshuang's expression turned slightly cold.

But this time, she did not refute it.

Because what Jiang Xiaobai said was true, her loss just now was not unjust.

"Hmph, Lord Jiang, that's not courage, is it?"

Qin Zhaoye suddenly said coldly, "This is nothing but a trick!"

"Taking a shortcut?"

Jiang Xiaobai laughed: "That's not right. The tricks that allow you to survive on the battlefield are usually called strategies."

"Those who charge straight into the fire formation and die are called brave, but those who lead their men around the fire formation and still manage to preserve the supplies... are called true generals."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhaoye's throat moved, but he couldn't utter another word.

Tang Ningshuang looked at Jiang Xiaobai again.

This time, there was noticeably less disdain in those cool, clear eyes...

I have to say... this guy actually has some skills!