The Great Confucian Peiman Xilou

Pei Manxilou performed a formal bow, smiled with narrowed eyes, and asked, "Which government office does Lord Xu serve in?"

Xu Xinnian politely replied, "Hanlin Academy."

"The Great Feng Dynasty sent a low-ranking official of the seventh grade to receive us?"

A cold laugh rang out from behind Pei Manxilou, where a boy with an effeminate demeanor and vertical pupils spoke with dissatisfaction.

"Who are you?" Xu Xinnian asked in return.

The boy with the effeminate air and vertical pupils raised his chin, about to speak, when Xu Xinnian said, "Oh, I forgot, you're not human."

The boy with vertical pupils was enraged by his cold and mocking tone, and sneered, "I possess the bloodline of ancient Gods and Devils, how can you mortals compare?"

"Then why don't you go to heaven? What are you doing staying in the mortal world?" Xu Xinnian asked in surprise.

"You"

The boy with vertical pupils turned red with anger, glaring fiercely at him. In the north, anyone who dared to speak to him like that was already a meal for him.

"Xuan Yin, you must not be rude."

Pei Manxilou narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face, "Xuan Yin is of the bloodline of the great demon Zhu Jiu, and he's used to being arrogant. Lord Xu's scolding is well done; he certainly needs to be taught a lesson."

The boy with vertical pupils fell silent after being glanced at by Pei Manxilou.

"Although this Lord Xu does not hold a high official position, he is indeed the epitome of nobility. Only the most outstanding scholars can enter the Hanlin Academy. How could a wretched beast like you compare?"

Pei Manxilou offered words of praise, saying, "I am Pei Manxilou."

I didn't curse him. If I were to curse him, you would have to wait until tomorrow to enter Beijing and nod in greeting for the Xu Xinnian.

Huang Xian'er smiled slyly, turning her eyes to look at Xu Xinnian. The first character of the Pei Man clan of the Bai Shou tribe is the same as the Pei surname of the Central Plains people, so most people in the Central Plains would mistake Pei Man for Pei.

She hoped to see the young Great Feng official confuse his surname and embarrass himself, so that she could take the opportunity to show her gentle side and use her charm to seduce the young official's heart.

Xu Xinnian nodded. "Envoy Pei Man, I will take you to the post station to rest."

Huang Xian'er was immediately disappointed. This young official from Great Feng had some real talent and ability, which made it impossible for her to use her seduction tactics.

Pei Manxilou never imagined that he could embarrass the noble Hanlin Academy with such petty tricks. He mounted his horse, led the delegation, and left the dock under the protection of two hundred soldiers from Great Feng.

After passing through several side streets, they finally arrived at the main street of the city, where the scene before them left the entire demon and barbarian delegation dumbfounded.

The streets were unbelievably wide, enough to accommodate fifty cavalrymen galloping side by side, with houses lining both sides, stretching to the horizon, and shop archways fluttering in the wind.

Such a beautiful and vibrant scene was something they had never seen before in their lives.

Huang Xian'er's gentle eyes suddenly became misty, and she finally understood why her ancestors had so longed to go south to the Central Plains and seize this land.

But then, Huang Xian'er realized something was wrong, because the main road was lined with human people, carrying baskets filled with vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, and even stones.

Their faces were filled with anger, and their eyes burned with hatred.

"Kill the barbarians!"

Someone roared and threw rotten eggs at the demon delegation, which was like lighting a fuse for gunpowder, causing an instant uproar.

"Kill the barbarians!"

"Get out of Beijing."

"."

Vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, stones, stinky rice balls, and so on were all hurled at the demon envoy, filth flying everywhere.

The demon was impulsive and tyrannical, and could not tolerate provocation. He immediately bared his teeth and revealed his anger.

"Lord Xu, the people of Great Feng are incredibly hospitable."

Pei Manxilou stirred his energy, deflecting the filth that was thrown from both sides, and said with a smile.

Xu Xinnian said calmly, "Yes, I was worried you wouldn't have enough to eat."

Pei Manxi choked for a moment, unsure how to respond.

It's common for demons and barbarians to raid the borders; all they want is a bite to eat.

Huang Xian'er frowned repeatedly, somewhat annoyed. Although she could use her qi to deflect the filth thrown by the human people, such treatment was enough to ignite the mud man's anger.

At this moment, she heard Pei Manxilou ask, "These people seem to be taking special care of Lord Xu?"

Huang Xian'er then realized that while the surrounding people deliberately avoided throwing vegetable leaves and rotten eggs at the young official, the accompanying Great Feng soldiers did not receive the same treatment.

After making this discovery, Huang Xian'er squinted and observed for a while, noticing even more details.

The people not only took care of him, but they were also very careful when throwing things at him, and would avoid him very carefully.

The human people seemed to love and respect him, fearing that they might accidentally hit him.

Huang Xian'er scrutinized Xu Xinnian with surprise, her curiosity about him growing.

Pei Manxilou narrowed his eyes, wondering if he had another identity that the common people recognized, given that he was merely a junior scholar.

Xu Xinnian chuckled, "They're not looking after me; they're looking after the signs hanging on the horses."

brand?

Huang Xian'er was taken aback. She and Pei Manxilou then noticed that there really was a wooden sign hanging on the horse's neck, which they hadn't noticed before.

Xu Xinnian possessed the spirit, took down the sign, and showed it to the two of them.

The sign read: Xu Yinluo's younger brother.

"Xu Yinluo's younger brother?!" Huang Xian'er's voice was soft and sweet, almost like a coquettish whisper, as she asked in a coquettish tone, "What does this mean?"

Pei Manxilou's squinty eyes widened slightly, and he finally realized, "No wonder, no wonder! So Lord Xu is the younger brother of Xu Qi'an, the Silver Gong of the Great Feng."

The White Head tribe has a secret room specifically for storing confidential files. Behind this secret room lies the White Head tribe's vast intelligence network, and the head of this intelligence network is none other than Pei Manxilou, who is known among the barbarians as a bookworm.

He personally wrote the legendary silver gong of that Great Feng.

Rising to prominence at the end of the year of the Capital Evaluation Incident, in less than a year, he has transformed from an ordinary Kuaishou user in Changle County into the most dazzling new star in Great Feng.

His talent was terrifying, but what made him most feared was not his combat prowess, but his reputation, which commanded immense influence.

After the massacre of Chuzhou, his reputation reached its peak, a peak that left people in awe.

Such prestige was so great that Pei Manxilou once remarked that the million people of the capital all loved and respected him. Now, having witnessed the power of a wooden plaque, he decided to add another layer upon returning to the barbarian tribe: to extend blessings to his family.

Huang Xian'er clearly remembered the legendary Silver Gong as well, and looked surprised.

In our divine race, only the leader possesses such prestige. Huang Xian'er's anticipation for this trip to the capital grew ever stronger.

The barbarians possess Gods and Devils bloodlines and have always called themselves a divine race.

Amidst the welcoming crowds of the capital, Xu Xinnian led the demon and barbarian delegation into the post station.

After settling the delegation, Xu Xinnian, who had been sent by Emperor Yuanjing to do arduous tasks, stayed for half an hour at Pei Manxilou's insistence before hastily taking his leave.

He didn't go back to the government office to report for duty; he skipped work for half a day and leisurely went home.

"My elder brother is already a rare talent, but I never expected this younger brother to be so sharp-tongued and talented as well." After seeing Xu Xinnian off, Pei Manxi sat in the courtyard drinking tea.

For half an hour, the other party could respond to every anecdote he mentioned. When discussing history and scriptures, he was full of Xu Xinnian remarks. When talking about the old feud between the Great Feng and the Northern Divine Clan, he would use foul language, his words were barbed and sarcastic.

Huang Xian'er sat on the stone bench, deliberately striking a seductive pose that captivated the surrounding courier soldiers. Upon hearing this, she let out a soft moan:

"Just an ignorant, unromantic scholar."

She kept hinting and seducing him along the way, but the stinking scholar ignored her completely; it was like casting a flirtatious glance at a blind man.

As Huang Xian'er ate the dried fruit and jerky on the stone table, she asked, "What are your plans for going to the palace to see the human emperor tomorrow? If you're not confident you can bring back reinforcements in the short term, remember to let me know as soon as possible."

Pei Manxi dismissed the courier in the courtyard and asked with a smile, "How do you intend to deal with this?"

Huang Xian'er yawned, her posture languid and alluring:

"Then I won't go back to the North. I'll just pick a high-ranking official in the capital and become his concubine. Isn't that better than going back to the North and being punished? I won't be afraid of retaliation from my clan, right? The Imperial Censor is watching over the capital; no one from our Divine Clan dares to come here."

Pei Manxilou smiled and said, "If we want Great Feng to send troops to help our divine race, it is inevitable that we will have to cede some benefits. The purpose of our visit is nothing more than to bargain."

"The gods need Great Feng, and have lost the initiative. If we want to achieve equality, we must first strike at their arrogance and pride. Only when they show you respect will they be willing to make concessions at the negotiating table."

"Of course, we'll also need your Fox Clan to contribute outside the negotiating table. Of the three poisons—wine, lust, and money—lust comes first."

Xuan Yin, the boy with vertical pupils, seized the opportunity to interject and coldly snorted, "Humans are as insignificant as ants. In High Antiquity times, they were livestock raised and consumed by our Gods and Devils ancestors. Even now, after the end of the era of Gods and Devils, ordinary human beings are still food."

He knew the delegation had come to Great Feng seeking aid, but he still looked down on the weak human race.

Pei Manxi glanced at him, then smiled with narrowed eyes:

"These are things to say in private. If you dare to speak recklessly in public, I'll skin you alive."

Xuan Yin pouted. "I know, I only said it after the courier left."

Pei Manxilou took out a small box from the tribute he had brought. He carefully and solemnly opened the box, inside which were books.

These books all share a common title: The Great Collection of Hokusai.

"Beizhai is my study. I have loved reading since I was a child, but I did not seek to understand the subject matter. I could only memorize by rote. Later, I followed my people south to plunder scholars. For the first three years, I listened to their lectures. For the next three years, I discussed philosophy with them. For the last three years, among the scholars that could be plundered in the northern border, none could match my learning."

"I was eighteen years old that year, and I even dyed my hair black to go south to study. When I was twenty, I suddenly had the idea of writing a book. After studying in the Central Plains for ten years, I compiled what I had learned into a book and revised it. At that time, I hadn't thought about what to name the book."

"It wasn't until I returned to the tribe and to the Hokusai Study that I suddenly understood what it should be called. In the following six years, I poured my heart and soul into it, and the Hokusai Great Compendium was finally published."

"This book is voluminous, consisting of 308 volumes, encompassing the fields of scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, history, astronomy, and geography. Didn't the Great Feng say that we barbarians have no history? Actually, we do, because they haven't yet seen the Northern Canon. If the historians of the Great Feng were to see this book, they would surely be overjoyed."

"Of course, what I am most proud of in my life is military strategy. I have read almost all the military strategy books of the Great Feng Dynasty. Leaving aside the works of the predecessors, the only military strategy book that can truly be presented in this era is ' Six Commentaries on the Art of War ' written by Zhang Shen, a great Confucian scholar of the Cloud Deer Academy. What he said is correct, but he focuses too much on the role of practitioners in war."

"He neglected the importance of ordinary soldiers in war. If you remove the cultivators and only ordinary soldiers remain, then his ' Six Commentaries on the Art of War ' is utter nonsense."

Huang Xian'er was getting drowsy listening to the lectures, but when she heard about military strategy, she finally became interested and asked:

"Mortals can only play a tiny role in battle, so what's wrong with emphasizing the role of cultivators?"

Pei Manxilou shook his head:

"Do you know why Wei Yuan was able to win the Battle of Shanhai Pass? How did he earn his reputation as a military genius? Only Wei Yuan could make ordinary soldiers work like geniuses. He was a true leader. If you remove the cultivators and only use ordinary soldiers, and give Wei Yuan an army of 500,000, he could sweep across the entire country."

"I've studied that battle. Over a million troops were deployed from all sides, and the number of ordinary soldiers reached a terrifying level. When this force was perfectly controlled and deployed, it would be invincible."

"That's impressive, but I don't understand." Huang Xian'er said with a smile, "What do you think about me seducing Wei Yuan? If we can win him over, then our mission will be complete."

"Don't you want to live?" Pei Manxilou retorted.

Huang Xian'er giggled coquettishly, exuding a charming and seductive air.

She was just saying it casually, of course; to be chosen as one of the leaders of the mission, she was an extremely intelligent succubus.

The following day, the demon and barbarian delegation entered the palace to meet the emperor. They passed through the Meridian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, and paid homage to the emperor in the Golden Palace.

Throughout the journey, Huang Xian'er showed no awareness of the need to meet a king, flirting with guards, ministers, and every man she encountered.

Upon entering the Golden Palace, one is flanked by a retinue of high-ranking officials, with Emperor Yuanjing seated high on the dragon throne.

Huang Xian'er then slightly toned down her seductive manner and greeted the emperor in her usual coquettish voice.

Then the demon and barbarian races presented tribute to Emperor Yuanjing. In addition to the tribute items, there were also three beautiful fox women and a high-grade cauldron.

It was normal for beautiful women to be included in the tribute when foreign tribes paid tribute.

After the old eunuch finished chanting, Emperor Yuanjing spoke with satisfaction:

"I have heard that the war in the north is raging, and I am deeply worried. However, the autumn harvest is approaching, and the people are busy with the harvest, so we cannot spare any troops to go north. I have ordered the Hanlin Academy to compile military treatises, hoping that they can help you defend against foreign enemies."

First, express the court's difficulties: the autumn harvest is almost over, and it is not advisable to start a war lightly. Then, present a military treatise to demonstrate the strength of the Great Feng's military.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! May the Great Feng and my divine race forever be bound by a covenant, and may our friendship last for eternity." Pei Manxilou knelt on the ground, respectfully.

After the audience ended, Pei Manxilou never mentioned asking for help again until he left.

They're quite composed!

The officials in the court reacted with surprise, sneers, and mockery.

In their view, the barbarians were even more vulgar than warriors, and the correct approach was to eagerly demand that the court send troops to aid them.

Unexpectedly, Pei Manxilou was quite composed, but even so, he still had to speak up eventually. Showing off his shrewdness in court wouldn't make much difference.

Once outside the palace, the vertical-pupiled youth, Xuan Yin, could no longer contain himself and hurriedly asked:

"Brother Pei Man, didn't you say that the Great Feng's military strategy was terrible, and that we should defeat them in their proudest area and win their respect? Why didn't you say that earlier?"

Huang Xian'er chuckled:

"What's the point of showing off to those people? Even if you show off to the heavens, they'll ignore you. They'll still eat you up the same way they always have."

She turned to look at Pei Manxilou and asked, "Who are you planning to target first?"

Pei Manxilou said calmly, "The Imperial Academy!"

Shortly after noon, news spread from the Imperial Academy that Pei Manxilou, the leader of the barbarian delegation, had visited the Imperial Academy and challenged the Grand Master of Ceremonies to a scholarly contest, which he won.

This man is learned and knowledgeable; I am no match for him. This is the Grand Master's assessment.

He did not leave there; instead, he lectured at the Imperial Academy and left his own book, "The Great Canon of the Northern Study," Imperial Academy.

How could a mere barbarian write a book?

The students of the Imperial Academy were initially furious, but as the reputation of the "Beizhai Great Canon" spread, the insults gradually subsided, and they were more shocked by the knowledge of a barbarian.

The Hokusai Daiden is a vast and complex work, covering a wide range of topics with remarkable depth and detail. It could not have been compiled in a single day or night.

Books of this scale are usually compiled only by the imperial court. It's unimaginable that they were compiled single-handedly by a young barbarian.

Based solely on this book, Pei Manxilou could be considered among the great Confucian scholars of his time.

What is most impressive is that several volumes of the "Hokusai Grand Canon" record in detail the history of the demon and barbarian races, their origins and evolution, especially the detailed history of the last eight hundred years, which is no less than the history books compiled by the Great Feng.

It was a resounding slap in the face to the Imperial Academy, and a resounding slap in the face to all the scholars of the Great Feng.

Pei Manxilou's fame soared overnight.

"It's hard to believe that such uncivilized barbarians could have such a scholarly spirit?"

"That Pei Manxilou is from the White-Headed Tribe. The White-Headed Tribe is known for its intelligence, but someone like him is extremely rare."

"If I can write this book, I will surely be remembered in history. That barbarian is too formidable."

"I am ashamed to say that when I was his age, I was still studying. Now that I am old, I no longer have the energy to write books."

"This man is despicable. First, he challenged the Grand Master of Ceremonies to a scholarly contest, and then, feigning generosity, he left behind the 'Great Canon of the Northern Study.' This is a slap in the face to us scholars of the Great Feng."

It is precisely because of his barbarian identity and his knowledge that the "incompetence" of the scholars of the Great Feng is highlighted, since most scholars were not capable of such a feat.

"If we're talking about who among the younger generation can rival this person in scholarship, it's only Princess Huaiqing."

Princess Huaiqing studied at the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy, while this person, of barbarian origin, was self-taught. It is obvious who is superior.

The arrival of the demon and barbarian delegation in the capital attracted much attention, not only from officials and scholars, but also from ordinary people in the capital.

Their original topic of conversation was whether the imperial court should send troops to aid the barbarians. Gradually, news that the northern barbarians were highly learned spread through places like restaurants and brothels.

"Nonsense! How could such a crude barbarian possess any knowledge that would make the Grand Imperial Academy admit defeat? What fool made up this rumor?"

No one who heard such rumors believed them; they all scoffed at them.

In the eyes of the common people, the Imperial Academy was an official school and a place that produced many brilliant scholars.

Scholars held a very high social status.

But precisely because of this, after the news was confirmed, there was a chorus of angry curses in the city. The people of the capital no longer discussed whether to send troops, but instead jointly criticized the Imperial Academy, cursing them for disgracing the national dignity and the Great Feng.

They hold positions without doing any work; they're a bunch of incompetent fools.

"Xu Yinluo, a mere military man, can become the top poet of the Great Feng Dynasty, which shows how incompetent the scholars at the Imperial Academy are—a bunch of good-for-nothings."

"Your words sound like you're looking down on Xu Yinluo."

"That's not what I meant. I'm just angry at the incompetence of the Imperial Academy."

"A humiliating disgrace! To be defeated by barbarians in scholarship! A humiliating disgrace indeed! Has our Great Feng lost its people?"

Post station.

The boy with vertical pupils, Xuan Yin, returned from outside, carrying a small box of books on his shoulder. He deliberately put it down forcefully to make a noise, and then laughed loudly towards Pei Manxilou and Huang Xian'er in the courtyard:

"The Imperial Academy is full of useless scholars. I only said I was borrowing books for my elder brother Pei Man, and they didn't dare to stop me. Don't be fooled by the harsh criticism directed at my elder brother outside; it just shows they're afraid. Afraid of your scholarship."

Although he felt that reading was useless, it was incredibly satisfying and exhilarating to be able to deflate the arrogance of the human race in the realm of reading.

"It's just exchanging books, just exchanging books."

Pei Manxilou was overjoyed, picking through the books in the box.

"That Grand Master of Ceremonies is supposed to be the most learned person, but even he is not as learned as you, elder brother. It seems that human scholars are nothing special." Xuan Yin laughed loudly.

A triumphant moment!

"The Grand Master is highly learned, but humanity is a nation of flourishing literature and scholarship; he cannot represent the entire human race. There is an extraordinary woman in the palace whose learning is truly remarkable."

Pei Manxilou picked out a commentary on the Four Books and began reading it with great interest.

Three days have passed since the "Discussion on the Dao" at the Imperial Academy. The demons and barbarians in the delegation were both surprised and delighted to find that their leader, Pei Manxilou, had suddenly become a popular figure.

It became the center of attention, bringing a huge shock to the human race.

Huang Xian'er fiddled with the rouge she had bought from the shop and casually asked, "Now that you have enough reputation, is the next step negotiation?"

These past few days, she hasn't been idle either, having given many officials of the Great Feng extremely beautiful fox spirits to them.

"Not enough."

Pei Manxi didn't even look up, saying as he read his book:

"I heard that a literary gathering will be held in the Imperial City the day after tomorrow, which happens to be related to the war in the north. A literary gathering is great; it's a good way to gain fame. Xian'er, spread the word that I want to seek advice on military strategy from Zhang Shen, the great scholar of the Cloud Deer Academy, at the gathering, and I hope he can attend."

"The great scholars of the Cloud Deer Academy might not even bother with you," Huang Xian'er said languidly.

"The challenge has been issued; if they don't come, it'll be a free win for me, wouldn't it be better?" Pei Manxilou laughed, then, as if remembering something, added:

"By the way, we can't go up Clear Cloud Mountain; we'll be suppressed if we do. Let's go find Xu Xinnian. I've inquired; he's a student at the Cloud Deer Academy."

"Good!"

The boy with vertical pupils became excited. He could sense that his elder brother Pei Man had become "powerful" in the eyes of these humans.

Pei Man's plan is proceeding smoothly.

Just as one wave subsided, another arose. Scholars were still studying and copying the "Beizhai Great Canon," immersed in the vastness of this masterpiece, when they were suddenly shocked by Pei Manxilou's feat of seeking military strategy advice from the great Confucian scholar Zhang Shen.

What does this barbarian mean?

After slapping the Imperial Academy in the face, are they going to slap Cloud Deer Academy next?

This caused quite a stir. The scholars of the Imperial Academy were both annoyed and expectant about Pei Manxilou's actions.

Cloud Deer Academy is not to be trifled with.

That barbarian, ignorant of his own limitations, dared to ask Zhang Shen, a great Confucian scholar from the Cloud Deer Academy, for advice on military strategy, only to suffer the consequences.

They only hoped that the great scholars of the Cloud Deer Academy would temporarily set aside their arrogance. If they disdained and refused the barbarians' "challenge," then they would become stepping stones for the barbarians to gain fame.

Imperial study room, small court meeting.

Emperor Yuanjing sat behind his large desk, his face cold as he swept his gaze over the assembled officials below.

What are your thoughts on recent events?

He was referring, of course, to Pei Manxilou's series of high-profile actions: using scholarship to control the Imperial Academy, publishing the "Beizhai Dadian" to gain fame in Confucian circles, and wanting to learn from the great Confucian scholar Zhang Shen at a literary gathering.

"This person intends to make a name for himself in the capital, simply to establish a reputation and increase his bargaining power in negotiations."

"Hmph, do you think the court will back down like this? Wishful thinking."

Even if he really wins against Zhang Shen, we will not back down an inch.

Emperor Yuanjing frowned. The more they said this, the more it showed that they were increasingly wary of Pei Manxilou, regarding him as a great figure and a great Confucian scholar.

Once your mindset is off, it changes and affects your negotiations.

Would you have the same mindset negotiating with an unknown nobody versus a renowned scholar?

Chief Minister Wang stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "We must curb his momentum, and it would be best to crush his spirit and destroy the prestige he has built."

Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly, "Now we can only hope for Zhang Shen."

Wei Yuan shook his head and chuckled.

Huaiqing Prefecture.

Dressed in an elegant palace dress, Huaiqing held a copy of "Beizhai Dadian" borrowed from the Imperial Academy in her hand and read it diligently.

Xu Qi'an and Lin'an sat at the same table, one with a furrowed brow and the other with a slight frown.

While Huaiqing wasn't looking, Biao Biao peeled a grape and stuffed it into Xu Qi'an's mouth. The latter spat out the seed and asked, "Is this tattered book really that magical?"

Huaiqing nodded slightly, without raising his head, and said, "If Pei Manxilou had been born in the Great Feng, he would surely have become a renowned scholar, leaving his mark on history."

Xu Qi'an took a deep breath. "This person can produce the 'Beizhai Grand Canon,' so he must be very proficient in military strategy. The fact that he dares to challenge Zhang Shen shows that he is quite confident. Zhang Shen's ' Six Commentaries on the Art of War ' is widely circulated. Pei Manxilou knows Zhang Shen, but the latter does not know him."

To be fair, he didn't want to see the barbarians benefit. The Great Feng's military intervention was inevitable, but he couldn't let the northern barbarians get away with it so easily.

Over the past twenty years, the demons and barbarians have frequently raided the borders, burned and killed people, and even ate people. When he was in Chuzhou, Xu Qi'an personally witnessed the refugees, displaced and living in the open.

I have also seen how poor people live very hard lives because of the continuous wars.

Looking across the Great Feng, Chu Prefecture was one of the poorest prefectures, constantly plagued by war, all thanks to the barbarians.

Huaiqing pursed her pink lips, her tone unusually serious:

"Master Zhang served on the battlefield in his early years, but resigned from his official post due to setbacks. He had considerable insight into military strategy, but that was decades ago. In the past few decades, he has lived in seclusion in an academy, and has probably fallen behind in his understanding of military matters."

Xu Qi'an's heart sank.

Actually, when it comes to military strategy, the only military strategy he knew in his previous life was Sun Tzu's Art of War. Not only did he know it, he had also memorized it.

Of course, Xu Qi'an himself wouldn't memorize such things; this was an extracurricular assignment given by the teacher.

So many years have passed, I've long forgotten most of it.

Thanks to the transformation of his Primordial Spirit after the Spirit Refining Realm, which allowed him to transcend the mortal realm, he was able to recall the contents of Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Moreover, Kyushu possesses extraordinary power, and in his view, the military tactics of this world tend to be more expansive and brute-force. For example, a fourth-rank master can easily overpower a cavalry composed of ordinary soldiers on the battlefield.

There's no need to be too particular about tactics.

Sun Tzu's Art of War, which originated in the mortal world, leans towards "micro-management" and pays more attention to details.

"You'll be attending the upcoming astronomical conference with me," Huaiqing said.

"If Zhang Shen attends, Erlang will definitely have to participate, and I can't disguise myself as him," Xu Qi'an frowned.

"Then disguise yourself as someone else and act as my bodyguard," Huaiqing suggested, quick-witted.

"Good."

PS: I took a short nap and finally finished this chapter. Although the update is so late, it's full of sincerity in terms of word count.