I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 68 Military Situation

"You've been at the academy for some time now, but aside from your written grades, I know nothing else. I'd like to know how well you're actually learning."

After listening to the four men's answers, Liu Shan did not rush to offer any direction or advice.

"How about this, you two first evaluate each other and share your opinions."

The four people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Although we often get together to discuss military strategy, this is the first time we've evaluated each other.

Seeing that no one answered, Liu Shan laughed and said, "What, don't you believe in the bond between you?"

To put it nicely, it's giving each other advice; to put it bluntly, it's exposing each other's shortcomings, and if things go wrong, the ship of friendship might capsize.

Zhang Bao shouted, "What's so difficult about that? I'll go first."

Guan Xing, on the other side, immediately stopped him, saying, "Wait, Your Majesty, let me go first."

Zhang Bao was a little unhappy.

"His Majesty asked about it earlier, but you didn't say anything. Now that I want to tell you, you're trying to take my word for it. No way!"

Guan Xing said with a smile, "I hadn't thought it through before, but I have now."

"I don't care when you made up your mind, I was the first to agree, so it's my turn to say it."

Guan Xing knew that Zhang Bao was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force, so he quickly came up with an idea.

"Xingguo, we came here to ask His Majesty for advice on our graduation thesis. If you want to know your research direction as soon as possible, let us tell you first, and His Majesty can immediately point you in the right direction."

Zhang Bao thought about it and felt that what he said made sense.

"Alright then, you can go first."

Guan Xing cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Xingguo is brave but lacks wisdom and is inept at adapting to changing circumstances in battle..."

Before Guan Xing could finish speaking, Zhang Bao slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"You, Guan Xing, you're the one who jumped the gun to say it's my fault, aren't you?"

Zhang, standing nearby, said sternly, "Zhang Bao, you must not be rude in front of His Majesty. Sit down!"

Although Zhang Bao was indignant, he was afraid of Zhang Shi, so he had no choice but to sit obediently.

Liu Shan said, "Xingguo, this is where you went wrong. I asked you to evaluate each other so that we could find shortcomings. The angrier you get, the more it proves that the other party is right. This is what we call 'pain points'."

Guan Xing immediately chimed in, "Your Majesty is right, that's the crux of the matter."

Zhang Bao clenched his back teeth, his eyes like those of a ferocious wild beast.

"If Xingguo were to serve as the vanguard general, he would be invincible in plains raids and charges into battle. However, he would still be lacking in the ability to conquer cities and make decisions on the battlefield."

Guan Xing's last sentence hit the nail on the head.

As the core of the army's offensive, the vanguard force must not only be brave in battle, but also integrate reconnaissance, psychological control, and emergency command.

Zhang Bao possessed exceptional martial arts skills and extraordinary bravery. As a vanguard general, he was able to break down the enemy's defenses through both physical force and psychological intimidation.

However, this only applies to flat terrain where there are no natural defenses; battles between the two armies rely entirely on military strength and psychological fortitude.

Once you encounter a pass or city, the situation is completely different.

Before engaging the enemy in battle, the vanguard troops would face a barrage of arrows, rolling logs, and boulders, resulting in extremely high casualties.

If the general does not know how to assess the situation, the army will become a "consumable" force in the siege.

Zhao Tong and Zhuge Qiao both nodded in agreement.

"Nonsense. What's so difficult about conquering cities and seizing territory? I'll personally lead the troops, and I refuse to believe we can't take it."

Liu Shan was initially skeptical, believing that although Zhang Bao was brave, he was not reckless.

After Zhang Bao said this, Liu Shan basically believed that what Guan Xing said was true.

"Xingguo, as the commander-in-chief, how can you risk your life and abandon your army?"

Zhang Bao disagreed, saying, "Your Majesty, a general can also charge into battle and kill the enemy to boost the morale of the army. Back then, Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, charged nine times in the Battle of Julu, defeating the main force of the Qin army and killing the Qin general Su Jiao. The enemy was terrified."

"So what happened to Xiang Yu in the end?" Liu Shan asked in return.

Zhang Bao was taken aback at first, then shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am talking about charging into battle, not anything else."

Liu Shan said, "Very well, then I will tell you about charging into battle. Military strategy says, 'Military tactics are like water, which has no constant shape.' How do you interpret that?"

Zhang Bao blurted out, "It means that in warfare, one must adopt flexible tactics based on changes in the enemy's situation."

"Then let me ask in more detail: what is power (势) and what is form (形)?"

"It's the battlefield situation," Zhang Bao said after thinking for a moment.

"Xingguo, you are being rather simplistic. The so-called 'form' in military strategy refers to the foundation of military strength, such as troop strength, equipment, and provisions."

Zhang Bao frowned, trying hard to recall, but it seemed that the academy had not taught these things.

Liu Shan continued, "And 'momentum' is a dynamic concept, referring to situation, power, posture, and momentum. What you call charging into battle is a kind of momentum, namely power and momentum."

Zhang Bao clapped his hands and said, "That's right, that's right. The teacher said in school, 'The speed of rushing water can even move stones.' 'Momentum' can enable 'form' to exert its maximum power. Therefore, the stronger the momentum, the more combat power can be exerted. The so-called situation is to form an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield."

Guan Xing, who was standing nearby, immediately poured cold water on the situation.

"Your Majesty, the four aspects of military strategy are: military tactics, military situation, military yin and yang, and military skills."

"Xingguo is brave in battle and skilled in training troops, but he is neglectful of military equipment and does not understand military techniques."

"Understanding the changes in battle formations can boost morale, but failing to adapt to the situation and understand the overall military situation is detrimental."

"A jack of all trades but master of none, how can he lead an army?"

In an instant, Zhang Bao's face turned ashen, and he sat there, barely suppressing his anger.

Pain point, this is the pain point.

The more angry someone's words make you, the more correct they are.

He constantly tried to convince himself, hypnotize himself, and comfort himself.

Seeing his pitiful state of forbearance, Liu Shan said, "The four strategies of military strategy do not exist in isolation, but are interconnected and complementary."

"Strategic maneuvering controls the overall situation, yin and yang bring unexpected victories, skill strengthens military power, and the situation determines victory or defeat. Since ancient times, great military strategists have each had their own strengths, all because they deeply understand the principles of the four forces, which enabled them to achieve unparalleled feats in chaotic times."

"Throughout history, military strategists have believed that mastering even one aspect of a military strategy can make one a great general of a nation. Xingguo is still young, and it is already remarkable that he has learned even one or two of these skills."

After hearing this, Zhang Bao's anger gradually subsided.

"Xingguo, don't get too cocky. I often say that war is a matter of great importance to the state and must be carefully considered. I will not use a general who is only half-baked."

Zhang Bao nodded vigorously.

Liu Shan continued, "Now that you know your strengths and weaknesses, your graduation thesis has a direction: 'military situation.' Your strengths and your momentum are external manifestations, not the true 'situation.'"

"The saying goes, 'Seek advantage from the situation, not from people.' Only by grasping the true situation can one be invincible."

"I will give you another battle example. After you go back, combine it with what you have learned and what I just told Anguo, and study it carefully."

Upon hearing that there were still battles to learn from, Zhang Bao nodded vigorously.

Seeing his innocent look, Liu Shan smiled and said, "Actually, you are very familiar with this case; it is the Battle of Dangqu."

"Your father did it."