13: Chapter 13 Zhao Zilong Offers a Plan to Defeat the Enemy! (Part 2)

Zhao Zilong's footsteps faltered slightly, a hint of confusion appearing between his brows.

He slowly turned around and looked at Princess Zhu Yunxi.

"Does Lord Zhao understand the art of war?"

Fearing Zhao Zilong hadn't heard clearly, Princess Zhu Yunxi asked once more.

By now, Caiwei had already guessed why Princess Zhu Yunxi was asking Zhao Zilong if he understood the art of war. Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes brightened with a look of anticipation.

If Lord Zhao understood the art of war and could repel the Northern Barbarians, then the Princess wouldn't have to be married off to those remote lands.

This would be a tremendous blessing.

Similarly, Cai Wenjing, who was listening outside, also guessed the intention behind Princess Zhu Yunxi's question.

She was curious and expectant, wondering if Zhao Zilong could surprise her once again.

Zhao Zilong gradually realized why Princess Zhu Yunxi was asking him about military strategy.

She wanted to hear some strategies from him on how to deal with the Northern Barbarians.

At the same time, Zhao Zilong knew that if he could truly offer a plan that was useful to Princess Zhu Yunxi, his future would be bright.

Even if he wasn't immediately promoted or titled, it wouldn't be difficult to attain a decent position within the Fuzheng Division.

Becoming a Xiaoqi should be no problem at all.

Even if there were no vacancies in the Fuzheng Division right now, gaining the Princess's appreciation and favor would be a good thing for him.

Having a backer was always better than not having one.

However, when it came to the art of war, Zhao Zilong was indeed completely in the dark.

What did he know about military strategy?

Although he had frequently discussed ancient military tactics and sieges on the internet in the past, it was all theoretical and mostly just boasting.

Now that it came down to practical application, he was in a bit of a bind.

If he spoke well, it would naturally be a good thing and everyone would be happy; but if he didn't, things would get troublesome.

To win over a backer like the Princess, Zhao Zilong decided to give it a try.

He said slowly, "Replying to Your Highness, in my spare time, I have read some military books, but I only have a superficial understanding of the art of war."

"I wonder why Your Highness is asking me this question?"

Zhao Zilong acted cautiously. He could try to help Princess Zhu Yunxi, but he couldn't make any guarantees. Otherwise, what if all the responsibility fell on him in the end?

He didn't want to die so soon.

"Lord Zhao, this way please."

Princess Zhu Yunxi walked toward her desk and sat back down in her chair. She took out a rolled-up map from the side of her desk.

She slowly unfurled it and gestured for Zhao Zilong to come forward and look.

Zhao Zilong stepped forward and bowed to examine it.

"Your Highness, this is the military deployment map of our Daye Kingdom."

Zhao Zilong was somewhat surprised. Princess Zhu Yunxi actually trusted him enough to take out Daye's military deployment map directly.

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Lord Zhao is correct, it is indeed the military deployment map of Daye. I requested it from His Majesty. Of course, it's only a rough layout; the more detailed arrangements cannot be shared externally."

Zhao Zilong nodded.

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Lord Zhao, tell me, with Daye's current national strength and military power, is there any hope of defeating the Northern Barbarians?"

As Princess Zhu Yunxi asked this, she stared intently at Zhao Zilong, as if trying to read the answer from his face.

Zhao Zilong didn't answer immediately. He said, "To be honest with Your Highness, I am not skilled in the art of war, and I have only just seen Daye's military deployment map. I don't understand it well yet. Could Your Highness allow me to look it over first?"

"Of course. Lord Zhao, please sit. Caiwei, serve tea."

Princess Zhu Yunxi naturally did not immediately press Zhao Zilong for an answer.

Otherwise, wouldn't she be making things difficult for him?

Zhao Zilong gave a slight bow, sat down, and pulled the deployment map closer to him.

Caiwei served the tea. He took occasional sips, looking at the map with extreme focus.

He truly didn't understand the art of war, but Daye's military deployment map was very similar to the ancient city maps he had seen in online discussions about siege warfare and defense.

Only the troop deployments were somewhat different.

Zhao Zilong examined it very carefully.

Princess Zhu Yunxi kept her eyes on Zhao Zilong. Her expression revealed nothing, but she was feeling very apprehensive.

Caiwei, on the other hand, was rubbing her hands together vigorously, looking very anxious.

Several times she almost couldn't help but urge Zhao Zilong to speak, but she was stopped each time by a look from Princess Zhu Yunxi.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing was also waiting impatiently.

"Can Zhao Zilong do it or not? If not, he should just say so. What's the point of wasting time like this? It's really frustrating."

Although she seemed a bit annoyed, her heart was mostly filled with expectation.

"Pah!"

Zhao Zilong took a sip of tea, but because he was so focused on the map, he didn't realize the tea was gone and ended up with a mouthful of tea leaves.

Caiwei was slightly embarrassed and quickly said, "Please don't be offended, Lord Zhao. I was too focused and didn't notice. I'll go get you some more tea right away."

"No need."

Zhao Zilong waved his hand to stop Caiwei.

"Lord Zhao, do you have an answer?"

Caiwei couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Zilong hesitated slightly, looking as if he wanted to speak but was holding back.

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Lord Zhao, please feel free to say whatever is on your mind. I am asking for your advice, and it doesn't matter whether you are right or wrong."

"Lord Zhao, please speak."

Caiwei was very anxious and couldn't help but urge him.

Zhao Zilong said, "Your Highness, may I ask, if His Majesty is to defeat the Northern Barbarians this time, to what extent must he win for it to be considered a victory?"

Hearing Zhao Zilong say this, Princess Zhu Yunxi's elegant brows furrowed slightly in thought. After a moment, she said, "According to His Majesty's intent, he doesn't expect to destroy the Northern Barbarians. It would be enough just to repel them and prevent them from invading Daye, and to ensure Daye doesn't have to cede territory or pay reparations."

Zhao Zilong nodded; the Emperor's requirements weren't that high.

"Lord Zhao, is there any hope?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes were filled with hope.

Zhao Zilong said, "If His Majesty's requirement is simply not to cede territory or pay reparations, I can certainly give it a try."

"Really?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi was so excited that she even lost her composure slightly.

Caiwei was the same, her face full of excitement.

Outside the door, Cai Wenjing looked incredulous. "Zhao Zilong can really ensure Daye doesn't cede territory or pay reparations? If that's truly the case, he might even have a chance to be enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a minister."

He raised his finger and pointed to a spot on the deployment map. "Your Highness, please look. This northernmost point is Beiguan City, our border city adjacent to the Northern Barbarians. Beiguan City is small, with only thirty thousand defenders and fifty thousand citizens. Trying to withstand an army of two hundred thousand Northern Barbarians would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—there's no hope. The main reason the Northern Barbarians haven't attacked Beiguan City yet is that the Beiguan River lies between it and their territory. It's not winter yet, so it's very inconvenient for a large army to cross. Once winter arrives and the river freezes, that's when they will launch their attack."

"Lord Zhao is correct. That is exactly why the Northern Barbarians haven't sent out their troops yet."

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Lord Zhao, if winter comes and the Northern Barbarians attack, according to you, Beiguan City cannot be held. If Beiguan City falls, even if His Majesty wants to keep fighting, the pro-peace ministers in court won't let him. The final result will be ceding territory, paying reparations, and me being married off to the Northern Barbarians."

"Lord Zhao, do you have a plan to defend the city?"