To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

Chapter 204: 1000 soldiers are enough! Why need 3000?

Holding his official tablet, he earnestly and painedly advised:

"Your Majesty! The Grand Master who protects the nation has developed divine weapons; his achievement will last for millennia. We, your subjects, hold him in the highest esteem!"

"However, everyone has their own area of ​​expertise!"

"Military operations are no child's play; they require careful consideration of troop deployment, timing, terrain, and logistics—a profound and complex art!"

"Although the Master possesses extraordinary talent and has reached a state of perfection in the study of things, I'm afraid he has not yet delved into the art of military strategy!"

He paused, then continued.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you appoint veteran generals such as Guo Wei Liao and Tongwu Marquis Wang Ben to instruct the Supreme Commander in military strategy!"

"If Master can pass the Martial Academy's assessment in three months!"

"It would be more prudent to discuss command of troops later!"

"Lord Zong is absolutely right!"

"Leading an army is a serious matter; you must think thrice before acting, Your Majesty!"

"Our guru is a national treasure; how can we personally risk our lives on the battlefield!"

The civil officials readily agreed.

No matter how capable Zhang Fan is, he's not a general!

Ying Zheng's joy gradually faded, revealing no emotion. He simply listened quietly, his gaze shifting between Zhang Fan and Zong Yu.

Just then, a loud voice broke the chorus of the civil officials.

"His Majesty!"

Wang Li suddenly stood up.

His young and resolute face was filled with resentment and stubbornness.

"Li'er, step back!"

Wang Ben gave a low shout and tried to reach out to pull him, but Wang Li broke free.

"Father!"

Wang Li glanced back at his father, his eyes resolute.

"This matter concerns the honor of the soldiers of my Great Qin Dynasty; I cannot back down!"

He turned to Ying Zheng, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a firm and resounding voice:

"Your Majesty! This humble general joined the army at the age of sixteen!"

"Having fought dozens of battles, large and small, and beheaded over three hundred, I finally attained my current position as Commandant of Changxin!"

"Every meritorious service of our Qin soldiers was earned with their lives!"

He turned his head sharply, staring intently at Zhang Fan:

"May I ask, Venerable Protector, by what right do you command the elite troops of my Great Qin?"

"Just with this iron rod?"

"Weapons are instruments of death; generals are the ones who decide life and death, the path to survival and destruction!"

(From Sun Tzu's Art of War: Weapons are dangerous instruments; generals hold the lives of their soldiers and the fate of their nation in their hands!)

"Do you know that the battlefield is ever-changing? Do you know how to reassure your soldiers?"

"Do you know what it means to have the will to charge into battle, even at the cost of death?"

(With the unwavering determination to charge into battle and break through enemy lines, we must fight to the death and never retreat for our own survival!)

"Letting someone who knows nothing about military strategy lead an army is like sending soldiers to their deaths!"

Wang Ben closed his eyes helplessly and held his forehead.

He knew his son was too impulsive, but the words had already been spoken and couldn't be taken back.

Fine!

What's wrong? I'm the father!

I'll take care of it all at once!

"Captain Wang is right!"

"Our military achievements are all earned through bloodshed on the battlefield; how can we allow laymen to command experts!"

"Master, please focus on studying your artifacts. Leave the fighting to us warriors!"

This time, it was the military generals who were most excited.

Despite the barrage of criticism from the entire court, Zhang Fan didn't even lift an eyelid.

He slowly turned around, looked at Wang Li kneeling on the ground, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"On what grounds?"

He asked softly in return, then raised his voice, making it clear throughout the hall:

"Commanding troops isn't just about brute force; it also requires intelligence!"

"you!"

Wang Li's face instantly turned bright red!

What does that mean?

This isn't an insult directed at Wang Li!

Does he call himself a simple-minded brute?

What a shame!

He kowtowed sharply, his forehead striking the cold gold brick with a dull thud!

"Your Majesty! This humble general is not convinced!"

"This humble general requests to have a martial arts demonstration with the Protector of the Nation at the Xianyang military grounds!"

"This humble general is willing to lead three thousand soldiers, and the commander may also lead three thousand soldiers. The three-day period is up to three days, and victory will be determined by capturing the flag!"

"If I lose, I will personally lead my master's horse and whip!"

"If the master loses, then please relinquish your intention to lead troops, concentrate on investigating things, and serve the country!"

"..."

I hate quiet air the most!

The entire hall was completely in an uproar!

"Are you crazy?! Captain Wang Li is trying to block all of the Master's escape routes!"

A military officer lowered his voice, his face full of shock.

"A martial arts demonstration? A contest of troop deployment and strategy with Captain Wang Li?"

"Haha, this is going to be good! Let's see how that National Protector Lama makes a fool of himself in public!"

The other person chuckled gloatingly.

"Indeed! Captain Wang Li is a worthy son of a military family!"

"Having fully inherited the true teachings of the Marquis of Tongwu, he possesses rich battlefield experience!"

"That Zhang Fan is just a sorcerer; he probably hasn't even touched a military treatise. What makes him a worthy comparison?"

"See? He's definitely going to be scared! I bet he'll find some excuse to back out, or kneel down and beg His Majesty to get him out of this predicament!"

For a time, almost everyone believed that Wang Li had driven Zhang Fan into a corner.

Zhang Fan's only option was to admit defeat and acknowledge that he didn't understand military strategy.

A hint of wild joy flashed in the eyes of the civil officials, including Zong Yu. Zhang Fan had dug his own grave by daring to provoke them in the area where military generals excelled!

Before Ying Zheng could even speak to stop it!

Zhang Fan laughed loudly and uttered two words crisply and decisively:

"Can."

"What?"

"He...he actually agreed?"

"What makes him comparable to Wang Li?"

"General Wang Ben's military tactics are divine, and Wang Li has fully inherited his skills; there's absolutely no doubt about it!"

Even Wang Ben was stunned.

He thought Zhang Fan would try to back down gracefully, but he didn't expect him to accept the challenge directly!

Ying Zheng, who had originally intended to mediate, also felt a sense of helplessness.

The situation has spiraled out of his control!

Deep down, he didn't believe that Zhang Fan could beat Wang Li in this aspect.

He gave Zhang Fan a deep look, his tone becoming extremely serious.

This is both an inquiry and a final chance for him to change his mind.

"Immortal Master, do you know that military drills are no child's play!"

"Military orders are absolute; there is no turning back!"

"Studying military strategy for three months is nothing to be ashamed of!"

"Have you thought this through?"

Zhang Fan met Ying Zheng's gaze, bowed again, and spoke in a calm but firm tone:

"Your Majesty, I have already thought it through."

These words were spoken.

The hall, which had just been tense and filled with the smell of gunpowder, suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone thought that Zhang Fan was truly finished this time.

However, just when everyone thought he was going to back out.

Zhang Fan then changed the subject and bowed to Ying Zheng again.

"However, Your Majesty, I have a small request."

Upon hearing this...

Ying Zheng's tense nerves instantly relaxed.

He breathed a long sigh of relief.

Ok!

This kid isn't completely stupid; he knows how to cover for himself.

With three thousand against three thousand, Zhang Fan is bound to lose!

But since it was his first time leading troops, it was reasonable for him to propose some conditions that were advantageous to himself.

For example, if he requests better terrain or more troops, I can grant his request!

This greatly increases our chances of winning!

Wang Li, kneeling on the ground, heard Zhang Fan mention conditions, but he just curled his lip in disdain and frowned, but his arrogance remained undiminished.

condition?

Ask away!

Even if I give you a handicap and three thousand soldiers, what difference will it make?

Military strategy and tactics cannot be compensated for by such petty cleverness.

If I, Wang Li, cannot defeat you, a mere sorcerer, who is leading troops for the first time, I might as well retire and return to my farm!