In matters of military strategy, Shen Han is just a beginner.
He has grown up to this age and has never even set foot in a military camp.
As for whether what the author wrote aligns with reality, Shen Han is uncertain.
However, just through analysis and contemplation, Shen Han can see that the author’s military expertise is profound.
At least he can convince himself of it.
The night passed.
The next day, Shen Han took the manuscript early and headed to the Book Collection Pavilion.
It’s better to return the manuscript sooner.
Looking at the ti, it was just 7:00 AM.
At this ti, there were hardly any people in the Book Collection Pavilion.
Shen Han walked to his usual seat, and surprisingly, the gentleman from yesterday was already there waiting.
Upon seeing Shen Han, he seed even more amiable today.
"Why so early? Have you finished reading that manuscript?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Han imdiately returned the manuscript.
"I studied it last night, but as a student, my understanding of military strategy is quite shallow, and I don’t know if I have grasped its essentials."
The middle-aged gentleman didn’t take Shen Han’s words at face value.
He already saw that the young man in front of him had a reserved nature.
Clearly skilled but not one to boast.
Perhaps he had already comprehended the profound aning in the manuscript, yet remained humble.
"Whether you understand it or not, let’s not discuss it now. Take a look at this case and see if you can discern anything from it."
Saying this, the middle-aged gentleman presented a Soldier Resolution Map.
The so-called Soldier Resolution Map resembles a military map filled with plans for marching and warfare.
The one presented by the gentleman was large, the size of a table.
It recorded a conflict seven years ago between Great Wei and Qi Country.
The map detailed the campaign that lasted for eight months.
With ti having distanced the events, each step taken by the two sides was clearly annotated on the map.
Upon seeing this, Shen Han sat down eagerly to study the Soldier Resolution Map.
This war from seven years ago was known to most people.
The Qi Country army had then broken through ten cities, invading from the frontier and was rely two hundred miles from the Capital City.
Even the capital of Great Wei was under threat.
According to popular tales, the war ended in a heroic fashion.
It was Su Jinyu’s elder brother, Su Hongyi.
Leading two hundred elite soldiers, he scaled five tall mountains, crossed a rushing river, and launched a surprise attack on the Qi Country capital.
At the capital’s racecourse, he bound three princes from Qi Country and brought them back to Great Wei.
From then on, the three hostages remained in Great Wei, and the war between Wei and Qi ended.
The public ridiculed the Qi Country General Zhao Heng greatly regarding this battle.
Not only did people from Wei Country mock him, but even people from Qi Country rated Zhao Heng poorly.
Saying he only cared about seizing territory and ignored the capital being overtaken in a surprise attack.
So rumors said that Qi Country was supposed to win this war decisively.
And it should have been a grand victory, needing only to advance steadily.
Yet Zhao Heng chose to be reckless and attacked aggressively.
The world gave him a nickna, General of Good Words.
The aning was to mock Zhao Heng for being eloquent about war tactics.
But when it ca to leading troops into battle, he always made blunders.
Shen Han had heard about these things and even read about them in so books.
Especially after Prefect Xu ntioned Su Hongyi, Shen Han looked up more information.
But back then, what he read were evaluations and interpretations written by others.
The Soldier Resolution Map in front of him was the real representation of the war’s truth.
Shen Han studied it seriously, starting from the pre-war preparations of both sides.
His examination lasted almost four hours.
The gentleman sat beside him without disturbing Shen Han, just sitting there.
At this mont, Shen Han had entered a Void Spirit State.
It seed he wasn’t looking at the map but at the scenes from the battle seven years ago.
Not until 3:00 PM did Shen Han take a deep breath and ca back to his senses.
He had looked for a full six hours.
Seeing Shen Han appear to have finished studying the map, the middle-aged gentleman smiled and slightly adjusted his chair.
"You read the manuscript last night and studied this map today; what insights have you gained?"
Seven years ago, in the Wei and Qi war, Great Wei won.
And since then, there has been peace for seven years.
Scholars and military leaders had provided countless evaluations of this conflict.
The mainstream opinion believed that Qi Country lost due to Zhao Heng’s recklessness.
And Su Hongyi, the young general, unmatched in bravery, secured the final victory.
However, after Shen Han’s ticulous study of the Soldier Resolution Map, he had a completely different opinion of Zhao Heng.
"Sir, my view may be sowhat biased..."
Before speaking, Shen Han acknowledged a bit.
This implied that his views might differ from mainstream opinions and could be sowhat inappropriate.
But hearing this, the middle-aged gentleman beca even more interested.
"It’s just a casual discussion between teacher and student; feel free."
"There’s no need for too many concerns in military strategy debates."
Shen Han stopped hesitating and began to express his thoughts.
"Sir, my first look at the Soldier Resolution Map might have so omissions, but from what I observe.
The Qi Country General Zhao Heng isn’t as incompetent as the popular evaluation suggests..."
Speaking in another country’s general’s defense is usually inappropriate.
Therefore, Shen Han didn’t continue and instead glanced at the gentleman.
But the gentleman, upon hearing this, beca even more interested: "Go on~"
"A battle involving hundreds of thousands or even a million people isn’t just a contest between two armies but a test of national strengths between Great Wei and Qi Country.
Many said Zhao Heng was greedy for achievents and too rash, failing to advance steadily.
But in my view, this was a choice Zhao Heng had to make.
Judging from the Soldier Resolution Map, the supply intervals for Qi Country’s provisions were becoming increasingly lengthy.
The reason seed to be the increasing difficulty Qi Country faced in gathering supplies, with insufficient resources to sustain the war.
Rather than saying Zhao Heng was greedy and rash, it might be more accurate to say that Qi Country forced him into rash advancent..."
After listening to Shen Han, the interest on the middle-aged gentleman’s face grew even more.
Without waiting for the gentleman to comnt, Shen Han spoke again.
"After reading the gentleman’s manuscript last night, I’m even more convinced that Zhao Heng, the Qi Country general, has so skills.
The Qi Country army invaded but was surrounded by Wei Country, cutting off their retreat.
In such a perilous situation, the entire Qi army stood against Wei troops for a month and a half.
If the leading general were slightly weaker, the troops might have revolted upon being surrounded.
Yet after being trapped for a month and a half, the army still maintained full combat strength..."
As Shen Han reached this point, the middle-aged gentleman’s eyes lit up.
He felt like he might have found a rare gem.
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