Qin Tian's Plea for Learning, The Teacher is Truly a Divine Being!

"Military Advisor, do I really have to copy all of this?"

"You might as well just give me a few dozen lashes with the military rod and be done with it!"

Once the realization hit him, Zhang Fei immediately began to complain bitterly. Since the air had already been cleared, he no longer felt the need to keep his usual stern face.

However, Qin Tian shook his head and said:

"General, do not complain. This is all for your own benefit!"

"I have you copy the Analects so that you may understand benevolence, learn that you should not impose upon others what you yourself do not desire, and treat your soldiers with kindness in the future, never harming them again!"

"I have you copy the Spring and Autumn Annals so that you may understand righteousness, and realize that what our army is doing is no trivial matter, but a grand undertaking for the ages that must not be taken lightly."

"I have you copy the Art of War because you know the 'what' but not the 'why.' You must study it repeatedly to understand the reasoning behind its words, only then will you be able to handle great affairs with composure!"

"You must understand that you are not like the others; you are the right hand of our Lord, and a pillar for this great cause!"

"Among the warlords of the world today, most have the support of their kin, yet our Lord has no clan or brothers to rely on, only the two of you."

"If our Lord wishes to achieve greatness, how can you two refuse to grow?"

"Remember, when Heaven is about to place a great burden on a man, it will surely test his resolve, strain his heart and nature, and increase his capabilities where he was once lacking."

"You are a warrior who can stand against ten thousand; you do not fear the dangers of the battlefield, so why fear a mere brush?"

"Charging into battle is to build merit; why is diligent study today any different from building merit for the future?"

"I am your Military Advisor, burdened with heavy duties every day, yet I still read every single day."

"As a great general, how can you spend your days in leisure without a thought for self-improvement?"

"In truth, even if you do not copy a single word, I would not blame you. But you must at least read through them three hundred times; it will surely be of benefit to you!"

In truth, Qin Tian had always felt that Zhang Fei was the general with the most potential under Liu Bei.

He was already brave and skilled in battle, but his overly reckless nature and certain flaws in character prevented him from unleashing his full strength.

Historically, it was not until Liu Bei entered Bashu and Zhang Fei was left to hold the line on his own that he finally displayed his true talent for leadership, defeating Zhang He and stabilizing the situation in Bashu.

But now, they were in dire need of manpower and could not wait for Zhang Fei to grow on his own.

He thought that since Sun Quan could persuade Lu Meng to study, perhaps he could try the same, urging Zhang Fei to grow and become a leader in his own right!

Upon hearing Qin Tian's words, Zhang Fei fell silent.

In reality, he had long suspected that the punishment Liu Bei had meted out in the camp was likely at the instigation of Qin Tian.

He had originally assumed that Qin Tian simply disliked him and had done it on purpose.

Because of this, he had looked at Qin Tian with deep resentment.

But now, listening to Qin Tian's words, he felt increasingly ashamed.

He finally understood why Liu Bei had been so obsessed with Qin Tian after meeting him just once, going to such lengths to bring him out of seclusion.

It seemed now that this Military Advisor was not only exceptionally talented but also possessed a character of the highest order.

From beginning to end, the man had never taken his hostility to heart; the only thing he cared about was whether their great cause could succeed.

Yet he had spent every day indulging his own whims, never once looking at the bigger picture.

Thinking back on every word Qin Tian had just spoken, which one was not for his sake, and which one was not for the sake of their great cause?

And yet, he had been worried about losing face and had hesitated!

Compared to Qin Tian's magnanimity, he had truly been measuring a gentleman's heart with a petty man's yardstick.

At this thought, Zhang Fei immediately bowed low and said:

"I have heard your words, Sir!"

"I was ignorant and foolish in the past, failing to understand your good intentions. Now that I have heard this, I am filled with shame. From this day forward, I will never again make things difficult for you!"

"I offer this bow to thank you for your guidance!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, performing a formal salute.

Qin Tian was taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction from Zhang Fei, and hurriedly helped him up:

"General Zhang, please do not do this. I merely offered a bit of advice; how could I deserve such a grand gesture!"

Zhang Fei was helped up, but he shook his head firmly:

"If it were not for me, Sir, you would never have made that wager!"

"Now, this general is convinced and humbled; I have seen the virtue of the Military Advisor!"

"In the future, do not call me General; just call me by my courtesy name, Yide!"

Seeing Zhang Fei like this, Qin Tian followed his lead and smiled:

"Since that is the case, I shall be bold and call you Yide!"

"Come to think of it, now that Yide has returned, have you not gone to see our Lord?"

Zhang Fei was stunned at these words, and asked with a strange look:

"Isn't my brother supposed to be waiting in the camp with the strategist?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Tian knew that Zhang Fei was still unaware that he had sent Liu Bei to capture Zhang Xun, so he smiled and said:

"Not so. The Lord had other urgent matters to attend to last night, and I am not sure if he has returned yet!"

"Oh? What did the strategist have my brother doing last night?"

If this had happened before, Zhang Fei would surely have been disgruntled to learn that Qin Tian had ordered Liu Bei around while he himself slept soundly in the camp.

But hearing it now, although he felt it was a bit strange, he did not find it problematic.

Qin Tian heard this, shook his head, and smiled:

"As for what exactly it was, you shall know once the Lord arrives!"

Seeing Qin Tian being mysterious again, Zhang Fei could not help but think to himself that this strategist was perfect in every way, except for his love of keeping people in suspense.

However, since Qin Tian would not say, he stopped asking. A short while later, they heard Liu Bei leading his troops back outside the camp, and he hurriedly went out to greet him with Qin Tian.

Seeing Liu Bei, the two stepped forward, and Zhang Fei asked:

"Brother, what did you do last night?"

"Why have you only just returned?"

When Liu Bei saw the two of them, he was stunned and said:

"Strategist, this is?"

In his eyes, the two had never seen eye to eye; how were they walking out together today?

This was a scene he had never dared to imagine before!

Seeing Liu Bei ask, Qin Tian smiled and said:

"The Lord does not know, but Yide has already come to fulfill his promise just now. We have shaken hands and made peace!"

Zhang Fei listened from the side, feeling a bit embarrassed:

"Strategist, please do not mock me, lest my brother laugh at us!"

Seeing the two like this, Liu Bei was naturally pleasantly surprised and beamed:

"This is excellent, truly excellent!"

It seemed Xu Shu's deduction was correct; after this battle, had the general and the strategist not reconciled?

Recalling Zhang Fei's question, he smiled and said:

"It is because the strategist knew yesterday that you would not be able to capture him, so he specifically asked me to go and seize this man!"

"What? Brother, you captured Zhang Xun?"

Zhang Fei's expression shifted, and he could not help but look at Qin Tian:

"Strategist, how did you know for certain that I would not be able to capture Zhang Xun?"

Before Qin Tian could speak, Liu Bei smiled and recounted Qin Tian's deduction from the previous day.

After listening, Zhang Fei's expression became even more astonished. So, the clown was actually himself?

Thinking of how he had overestimated his own abilities by betting against Qin Tian, he felt a wave of regret.

Had he known this, he would never have crossed paths with Qin Tian.

As he thought about it, he asked again:

"Where is Zhang Xun now?"

Liu Bei smiled and replied:

"He has been captured and is currently in the camp!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei sighed and bowed to Qin Tian:

"Sir is truly a divine man. To predict the enemy and secure victory like this—Fei is no match!"

He was truly convinced now. His own little tricks had fallen right into Qin Tian's calculations; no wonder the man was the strategist. He really had nothing left to say.

Seeing this, Liu Bei was even more delighted and laughed:

"No need for more words, let us enter the camp first!"

Once inside the camp, hearing that Zhang Fei had captured several thousand prisoners, Liu Bei was overjoyed.

One had to know that these prisoners were all elite soldiers under Zhang Xun, complete with armor and equipment.

Once captured, they only needed a period of training before they could be sent to the battlefield.

To recruit and train such men from scratch, and to manufacture their equipment, would have taken an untold amount of effort.

To have them ready for use immediately was a bountiful harvest indeed!

But later, hearing that Zhang Fei had not secured much in the way of grain and supplies, Liu Bei worriedly said to Qin Tian:

"Strategist, our army's grain is already scarce, and now we have so many prisoners. What are we to do?"

Seeing this, Qin Tian remained completely unconcerned and said:

"My Lord, why worry? Did Lu Bu not promise our army provisions and equipment earlier?"

"He is hosting a banquet tonight; we can simply go and demand them then!"

Upon hearing that he had to ask Lu Bu for money and grain, Liu Bei hesitated:

"Though Lu Bu gave his word, now that he has tasted victory, he may not necessarily fulfill it!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei said in a deep voice:

"Brother, do not worry. If he refuses, this younger brother shall lead the troops to demand them!"

Liu Bei frowned upon hearing this:

"Third Brother, how can you be so reckless?"

"Our army is allied with Lu Bu; how can we turn our weapons against him?"

Just as Zhang Fei was about to speak, Qin Tian stepped forward and said:

"My Lord, Yide's proposal is actually not unfeasible!"

"If our army merely asks with words, I fear Lu Bu will not give them. This man has always bullied the weak and feared the strong. If he refuses, it is the perfect opportunity for General Zhang to go and demand them!"

Seeing that Qin Tian agreed with his opinion, Zhang Fei said triumphantly:

"Brother, look, even the Military Advisor agrees!"

Liu Bei was surprised to see this, but after careful consideration, he worriedly said:

"Even if we ask politely, Lu Bu might not give them. If we take troops with us while he is inside the city and we are outside, and we lack supplies, what shall we do if he still refuses?"

"If he refuses, the outcome will be clear by then!"

Qin Tian said with a calm expression:

"Our first demand is for the sake of friendship; the second is for the sake of courtesy; the third is for the sake of enmity!"

"If Lu Bu wishes to make an enemy of our army, then let him try!"

Zhang Fei nodded quickly:

"The Military Advisor's words make sense!"

Liu Bei suddenly recalled what Qin Tian had done before they set out on the campaign, and he smiled inwardly:

"I have always known the Military Advisor anticipates the enemy's moves. In that case, I shall act according to your plan."

"Furthermore, Military Advisor, you previously mentioned wanting to take Xiang County by first capturing Zhang Xun."

"Now that Zhang Xun has been captured, can our army seize Xiang County?"

"The time is ripe; naturally, we can take it!"

Qin Tian nodded, then asked:

"But I wonder if Zhang Xun is willing to defect to our army?"

Hearing him ask about Zhang Xun, Liu Bei shook his head and sighed:

"Zhang Xun has not refused, but his family is all in Shouchun, so it is difficult to force him!"

"I see!"

Hearing this, Qin Tian looked at Zhang Fei and asked:

"I heard that General Yide captured Qiao Rui this time. I wonder if he is willing to surrender?"

Zhang Fei shook his head and sighed:

"This man seems quite unyielding; I fear he will not surrender!"

Qin Tian pondered for a moment and smiled:

"Where is he? Take me to see him!"

Seeing his demeanor, Liu Bei asked curiously:

"Military Advisor, do you intend to persuade him to surrender?"

"Precisely. If we can persuade him to surrender, it will save our army a great deal of trouble!"

Qin Tian smiled leisurely:

"Let me go and see just how unyielding this man really is!"

Seeing that he wished to go, Zhang Fei hurriedly led the way, taking Qin Tian and Liu Bei together toward the place where Qiao Rui was being held.