Section 173

The leader in black was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "In that case, I can take Prince Xia to see the Sect Head. However, whether you can get an audience with the Sect Head depends on the sincerity of Prince Xia."

"Many thanks!" Li Chengping cupped his hands in gratitude.

The man in black led Li Chengping and his party through a mountain pass into a hidden valley. Dozens of wooden buildings were built in the valley, scattered among the mountains in a well-arranged manner. The most eye-catching feature was a spacious training ground in the center of the valley, where hundreds of Disciples dressed in black were practicing with various weapons and Formations.

"This is the Military Valley, the headquarters of the Military School," Mr. Meng introduced. "The Disciples of the Military School have studied military strategy here for generations, never concerning themselves with worldly affairs."

The leader in black led Li Chengping to the largest building in the valley. "Prince Xia, please wait here while I report to the Sect Head."

Before long, the leader in black returned. "The Sect Head invites you in."

Li Chengping signaled to Mr. Meng and the others to stay outside, then followed the leader in black into the main hall alone.

The light inside the main hall was dim, with only a few oil lamps burning faintly. In the center of the hall sat a black chessboard, covered with black and white stones arranged in a complex position. A white-haired old man sat before the chessboard, intently studying the game.

"Sect Head, Prince Xia has arrived," the leader in black said respectfully.

The white-haired old man slowly raised his head, his gaze like lightning as he looked directly at Li Chengping. "I have long heard of the great name of Prince Xia, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."

Li Chengping cupped his hands in a salute. "Junior Li Chengping pays his respects to Sect Leader Sun."

The white-haired old man nodded slightly. "I am Sun Bin, the eighteenth-generation Sect Head of the Military School. Please sit, Prince Xia."

Li Chengping sat down opposite Sun Bin, and the two looked at each other across the chessboard.

Sun Bin pointed at the chessboard. "Does Prince Xia know what kind of game this is?"

Li Chengping observed it carefully and shook his head. "I have never seen this type of game; it resembles Go, yet it is different from an ordinary game of Go."

Sun Bin smiled. "This is the Tian Ge Game, a secret board game of the Military School, which can be used to simulate battlefield situations and predict the course of war."

Li Chengping's heart stirred. Isn't this exactly what he came here for?

"Prince Xia has come here, presumably for the Tian Ge, right?" Sun Bin asked straightforwardly.

Li Chengping did not expect Sun Bin to be so direct, and for a moment, he did not know how to answer.

Sun Bin did not mind Li Chengping's silence. "I know that among the seven states, there have long been rumors about the Tian Ge. It is said that whoever obtains this treasure can know the battle situation of the world and be invincible. With Prince Xia on the verge of unifying the states, naturally, you would want this item to assist you."

Li Chengping admitted frankly. "Sect Head is insightful; I do indeed yearn for the Tian Ge. However, I also know that the Military School does not easily participate in the struggle for hegemony, so I do not force it. I have mainly come to seek the Sect Head's advice on the art of war."

Sun Bin stroked his beard and smiled. "Prince Xia is indeed candid. Then I might as well speak plainly: the Tian Ge does exist, but it is not some treasure; rather, it is a Mind-Cultivation Technique."

"A Mind-Cultivation Technique?" Li Chengping asked in surprise.

Sun Bin nodded. "Exactly. The Tian Ge from the rumors is actually the highest Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Military School, called the Tian Ge Heart Method. Those who cultivate this Mind-Cultivation Technique can gain insight into all changes on the battlefield, predict enemy movements, and make the best judgments. However, this Mind-Cultivation Technique is extremely difficult to master; in the past thousand years, no more than ten people have been able to fully master it."

Li Chengping suddenly realized. "So that's it. No wonder the Tian Ge is so mysterious; it turns out to be a Mind-Cultivation Technique rather than a physical object."

Sun Bin continued. "Since Prince Xia has come to ask for advice with sincerity, I will not keep anything secret. Today, I will use this Tian Ge Game to test Prince Xia's military talent and see if you are qualified to learn the Tian Ge Heart Method."

Li Chengping was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Sect Head!"

Sun Bin pointed at the chessboard. "This position simulates the Battle of Changping, when the Qin Army attacked the Zhao State. The black stones represent the Qin Army, and the white stones represent the Zhao State. If Prince Xia were the commander of the Qin Army, how would you lay out the strategy to win?"

Li Chengping carefully observed the chessboard, thought for a moment, then picked up a black stone and placed it gently on the edge of the chessboard. "I would set an ambush here to cut off the Zhao Army's supply route."

A flash of admiration crossed Sun Bin's eyes. "Not bad. The Qin Army did indeed cut off the Zhao Army's supply route back then, ultimately starving over four hundred thousand Zhao troops to death. Prince Xia, look at this next game."

Sun Bin quickly adjusted the chessboard and set up another position. "This is the Battle of Gaixia during the Chu-Han Contention; the black stones are Liu Bang's army, and the white stones are Xiang Yu's army. If Prince Xia were Liu Bang, how would you respond?"

Li Chengping thought carefully again, then placed several black stones on the chessboard. "I would send Han Xin to detour behind them to cut off their retreat, while simultaneously using the 'songs of Chu from all four sides' to disrupt their morale."

Sun Bin laughed heartily. "Prince Xia is indeed proficient in the art of war! Let's have another game."

For several games in a row, Li Chengping's responses coincided with the actual historical situations every time, and a few times, he even proposed solutions more ingenious than those in history.

Sun Bin became increasingly surprised, and finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Prince Xia has never learned the Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Military School, so why is your grasp of the battle situation so precise?"

Li Chengping answered modestly. "Junior has loved military strategy since childhood, read all the classics of the Military School, and practiced them personally on the battlefield, so I have gained some insights."

A sharp light flickered in Sun Bin's eyes. "Prince Xia is exceptionally talented; I admire you. However, there is one last game, and it is the most difficult one."

As he spoke, Sun Bin rearranged all the stones on the chessboard, forming an extremely complex position.

"What battle is this?" Li Chengping asked, as he had never seen such a strange layout before.

Sun Bin smiled mysteriously. "This is not any battle from history, but a future war that I have predicted based on the current situation of the seven states. The black stones represent Great Xia, and the white stones represent the other Six-Nation Allied Forces."

Li Chengping was shocked; it turned out that Sun Bin had long anticipated that the various states would unite to resist Great Xia.

"Prince Xia, please look. In this position, Great Xia is surrounded by the Six-Nation Allied Forces, attacked from the front and back, and seems doomed to defeat. If Prince Xia were in this game, how would you break it?"

Li Chengping took a deep breath and studied the chessboard with full concentration. This position was indeed extremely complex; the layout of the Six-Nation Allied Forces was almost watertight, and the Great Xia Army seemed to have fallen into a desperate situation.

The hall was silent, with only the crackling of the oil lamps. After a long while, Li Chengping still had not made a move.

Sun Bin sighed. "This game is indeed difficult to solve; even I only have two solutions, and both require paying a great price. It seems that Prince Xia..."

Before he could finish, Li Chengping suddenly picked up a black stone and placed it in the center of the chessboard with a 'snap'. "I would assemble my main force here."

Then, he placed several more black stones in succession, forming a strange pattern. "Then, using flanking tactics, I would defeat them one by one."

Finally, he pointed to the southeast corner of the chessboard. "Finally, I would set an ambush here to annihilate the enemy's main force in one stroke."

Sun Bin was dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long while.

"Sect Head, is my solution feasible?" Li Chengping asked.

Sun Bin finally came back to his senses, his hands trembling with excitement. "Prince Xia... you... you actually found a third solution! And it is even more ingenious than my two solutions!"

Li Chengping breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed his solution was correct.

Sun Bin stood up and bowed deeply to Li Chengping. "Prince Xia's talent is outstanding; I am convinced. I am willing to teach you the Tian Ge Heart Method."

Li Chengping quickly stepped aside. "Sect Head, you speak too highly. Junior only made the judgment based on actual combat experience; compared with the Sect Head's knowledge, it is really not worth mentioning."

Sun Bin shook his head. "Prince Xia is too modest. I have studied military strategy for over eighty years and considered myself to have reached the Peak, but I did not expect to be enlightened by Prince Xia today. I had never even thought of this third solution!"

Li Chengping said modestly. "Sect Head, you flatter me. Being able to receive guidance from the Sect Head is truly my great honor."

Sun Bin suddenly asked, "Does Prince Xia know why I wanted to test you?"

Li Chengping thought for a moment. "The Sect Head wanted to see if I am qualified to unify the world, right?"

Sun Bin nodded. "Correct. Although the Military School does not participate in the struggle for hegemony, we must also adapt to the trends of the world. If Prince Xia only had courage but no strategy, even if you unified the world, it would be difficult to maintain long-term peace. But seeing you today, Prince Xia, you not only have peerless martial arts but your attainments in military strategy are also first-class. I believe that after Prince Xia unifies the world, you will certainly be able to end the chaotic times and let the people live and work in peace."

Li Chengping was filled with respect. "Sect Head, your insight coincides with my own intentions. I am unifying the world precisely so that the people will no longer suffer from the pain of war."

Sun Bin nodded with gratification. "In that case, I have decided that the Military School will fully support Prince Xia's grand cause of unification! Not only that, but I will also personally teach Prince Xia the Tian Ge Heart Method to assist you!"

Li Chengping was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Sect Head, for your support!"

Sun Bin waved his hand. "No need for formalities. From today on, Prince Xia will stay in the Military Valley, and I will personally teach you the Mind-Cultivation Technique. It will not be too late to leave the mountain and unify the world after you have mastered it."

Just like that, Li Chengping settled down in the Military Valley and learned the "Tian Ge Heart Method" from Sun Bin every day. This Mind-Cultivation Technique was indeed exquisite and unparalleled; through a special method of meditation, it could enable a person to analyze various possibilities on the battlefield in a very short time and make the best decisions.

A month later, Li Chengping had already mastered the basic essentials of the "Tian Ge Heart Method." On this day, he was sparring with the Disciples of the Military School on the training ground when suddenly, a man in black hurried over.

"Prince Xia! Something terrible has happened! The five states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, and Yan have formed an alliance and are jointly sending troops to attack Great Xia!"

Li Chengping's expression changed. "As expected, they have come. I have been in seclusion for a month, and they could no longer hold back."

Sun Bin walked over from the side of the training ground. "Prince Xia, this is exactly the situation I predicted in the Tian Ge Game. It seems the moment for the Six-Nation Allied Forces has arrived."

Li Chengping's gaze was like a torch. "In that case, let them witness what true military strategy is!"

The night the news arrived, Li Chengping summoned Ximen Chuixue, Heibai Xuanjian, and Mr. Meng to discuss countermeasures.

"What is the situation with the enemy troops?" Li Chengping asked in a deep voice.

Heibai Xuanjian reported. "According to intelligence sent back by Luo Wang, the three states of Han, Zhao, and Wei have already jointly sent three hundred thousand troops, heading straight for Xianyang; the State of Chu has dispatched two hundred thousand naval troops, moving up the Yangtze River; and the State of Yan has also dispatched one hundred thousand cavalry, attacking from the north. The total force is about six hundred thousand, and the momentum is massive."

Li Chengping's brows were tightly locked. "Six hundred thousand troops, indeed not to be underestimated. However, I had long anticipated this."

Mr. Meng was worried. "Prince Xia, the Disciples of the Confucian School have already dispersed to the cities of various states, secretly promoting the benevolent governance of Great Xia, but the results have been limited."

Li Chengping comforted him. "Mr. Meng, there is no need to worry. After this battle, the world will naturally know the determination of Great Xia to unify the world."

Sun Bin slapped the table and stood up. "Prince Xia, now is the time to use troops! I am willing to come out of the mountain personally to assist Prince Xia!"

Li Chengping was overjoyed. "If Sect Leader Sun is willing to come out of the mountain, this battle will surely be won!"

Sun Bin stroked his beard and said. "Based on the enemy's layout, I already have a strategy. Prince Xia, listen: although the various states have jointly sent troops, they are actually harboring ulterior motives and are not truly united. We can use this point to sow discord among them."

Li Chengping nodded, his gaze deep. "Sect Head's words are absolutely correct. The Six-Nation Allied Forces appear powerful, but in reality, they are weak inside."

Ximen Chuixue analyzed calmly. "Among the five states, the State of Zhao is the closest to us and has the strongest national power, so it should be the first to be defeated."

Li Chengping pondered for a moment. "No, we should defeat the Chu navy first."

Everyone was shocked. "The Chu navy?"

Li Chengping explained. "If the Chu navy moves straight up the Yangtze River, it will directly threaten the hinterland of our Great Xia. Moreover, the State of Chu is relatively far from the other four states, and reinforcements will be difficult to arrive in time. Defeating the Chu army can be a first victory to intimidate the other states."

Sun Bin's eyes brightened. "A brilliant plan! What Prince Xia said aligns perfectly with the military strategy of 'befriending distant states while attacking those nearby.' However, I have a question: our Great Xia navy has limited strength, so how can we resist the Chu navy?"

Li Chengping's lips curled slightly. "Sect Leader Sun, rest assured, I have a brilliant plan. The military strategy of Chu focuses on frontal assaults, while naval warfare emphasizes flexibility and adaptability. Our army can set an ambush at the hidden reefs in the river, lure the enemy deep, and then annihilate them in one stroke!"

Sun Bin clapped his hands in admiration. "What a great plan to lure the enemy deep! Prince Xia truly understands the essence of military strategy!"

After deciding on the strategy, Li Chengping immediately sent someone to return to Xianyang at full speed to convey the plan to General Wu Qi.

Before dawn, Li Chengping and his party had already embarked on the journey back to Xianyang.

Meanwhile, the Six-Nation Allied Forces had already reached the city gates. Outside the walls of Xianyang, banners blocked the sun, war drums thundered like thunder, and the six hundred thousand troops were aggressive, intending to destroy Great Xia in one blow.

Inside the Zhao King's tent, the monarchs of the six states were discussing the strategy for attacking the city.

"In my opinion, we should first send the Yan State cavalry to raid from the north to tie down the Xianyang defenders, and then have my Zhao State main force launch a frontal assault!" the Zhao King said confidently.

The Wei King said disdainfully. "Brother Zhao, this plan is too reckless. Xianyang has high walls and thick ramparts; a frontal assault will inevitably result in heavy casualties. It would be better to have the crossbowmen of my Wei State shoot arrows first to suppress the defenders on the city walls, and then have the engineers of the Han State dig tunnels to launch a surprise attack from underground."

Several monarchs argued endlessly, and none were willing to give in. Seeing this, the Chu King shook his head and sighed. "If you all continue to argue endlessly, I fear that before we defeat the Xia Army, our allied forces will first fall into chaos."

The Yan King sneered. "Brother Chu, there is no need to worry; even if my Yan State cavalry acts alone, we can still take Xianyang!"

Just as the monarchs of the six states were arguing, a messenger hurriedly entered the tent. "Report to all Kings, the city gates of Xianyang are wide open, and the Xia Army has taken the initiative to leave the city to meet the battle!"

"What?" the monarchs of the six states exclaimed in unison.

The messenger continued. "The Xia Army has about fifty thousand men, led by General Wu Qi, and they have already formed a Formation outside the city!"

The Zhao King laughed loudly. "Haha, Li Chengping is indeed arrogant! Using fifty thousand against my six hundred thousand is suicide! Everyone, let's send out our troops immediately and annihilate the Xia Army in one blow!"