Don't Raise A Black Lotus Flower; Use The Emperor As A Substitute [Transmigration novel] - Chapter 12

“Using cattle and sheep as a substitute for grain, I see.” Ji Ruxue nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. But does our side have reinforcements?”

Zhong Huaixiu spoke in a low voice, “Fifteen thousand reinforcements are on the way. However, the weather is freezing and the distance is vast, so no one knows when they will arrive.”

Ji Ruxue pondered for a moment and said slowly, “In such a situation, I would feign peace negotiations with Tu’ermin to delay time, while secretly spreading rumors that reinforcements are about to arrive. Then, on a dark and windy night, I would send eight hundred elite cavalry troops to circle behind the Jurchen camp to launch a surprise attack on their livestock.”

Ji Ruyuan sneered, “That is easier said than done!”

“With only eight hundred men, trying to steal thousands of cattle and sheep is likely…” Zhong Huaixiu also shook his head.

“No, the eight hundred elite troops I send are not there to steal the cattle and sheep. They will carry oil and firecrackers. They will pour oil on the livestock and ignite the firecrackers, causing the crazed, flaming cattle and sheep to stampede into the middle of the Jurchen camp. At the same time, the remaining forces in Daping Pass will rush out of the city gates, with branches tied to their horses’ tails to stir up a massive dust cloud, while shouting, ‘Reinforcements are here! Reinforcements are here!’ to create the illusion of an impending arrival.”

Before he could finish, Zhong Huaixiu understood his intent. “The Fourth Prince means to use the livestock for a fire attack while creating the illusion of incoming reinforcements, striking the Jurchen camp from both sides to crush their morale in the chaos.”

Ji Ruxue nodded. “Exactly.”

Ji Ruyuan laughed loudly. “Absurd!”

Ji Ruhan tapped his fan gently and smiled without a word, clearly thinking Ji Ruxue’s idea was ridiculous.

Ji Ruhai clapped his hands. “Flaming cattle and sheep, that sounds fun!”

Lin Ruoxuan looked down at the boy in the wheelchair with immense surprise. Ji Ruxue’s plan resembled the famous Fire Ox Formation of the Warring States general Tian Dan. The child was so young and had never studied military strategy, yet he could conceive such a brilliant tactic. The original novel only depicted Ji Ruxue as calculating, cruel, and skilled at political intrigue. Because of his disability, he had never personally been on the battlefield and had never shown such extraordinary military talent. It seemed Ji Ruxue might be a military genius.

Zhong Huaixiu pondered for a moment and shook his head. “The Fourth Prince’s strategy is not unfeasible, but it is too unorthodox. It is not the tactic of an upright army and is not advisable.”

“Yes,” Ji Ruxue lowered his eyes without arguing.

“Hmph, unorthodox,” Ji Ruyuan laughed triumphantly.

Lin Ruoxuan scoffed inwardly. It was one thing for Ji Ruyuan to be foolish, but he was surprised that Zhong Huaixiu, a young scholar who had placed first in the imperial examinations, held such archaic views. In the real world, Tian Dan had used this famous tactic to defend the city of Jimo. Even if some traditionalists called it unorthodox, Tian Dan had won. Warfare was a matter of life and death; mercy to the enemy was cruelty to one’s own people. Whether orthodox or unorthodox, winning was what mattered. How could Zhong Huaixiu, a top scholar, fail to understand such a simple truth?

While grumbling, Lin Ruoxuan glanced at Ji Ruxue, wanting to comfort him, but the boy looked indifferent. He did not seem to mind. Lin Ruoxuan raised an eyebrow. A black lotus is a black lotus; his psychological resilience is impressive.

After that, Zhong Huaixiu discussed various formations until noon, when he finally announced the end of the lesson.

“Let’s go, time to head back.” Lin Ruoxuan patted Ji Ruxue’s shoulder.

“Wait a moment,” Ji Ruxue nodded and carefully packed the four treasures of the study. Lin Ruoxuan helped him.

Ji Ruyuan squinted gloomily at Ji Ruxue and suddenly smiled. “Fourth Brother, where did you come up with such unorthodox ideas? Haha, flaming cattle and sheep!”

Ji Ruxue continued packing his things seriously, acting as if he had not heard the provocation. Ji Ruyuan spewed a few more sarcastic remarks, but Ji Ruxue ignored them entirely.

The room was nearly empty now. Ji Ruyuan paused and said with malice, “Tsk, is the little beast deaf? Your dead mother screamed so miserably. Did you hear her? Does she know about these unorthodox ideas of yours?”

Ji Ruxue’s movements froze for a split second.

“Crown Prince, mind your words.” Lin Ruoxuan was furious, but he did not want to escalate the conflict with the incompetent Crown Prince. He shot Ji Ruyuan a fierce glare and pushed Ji Ruxue out of the Shangshu Pavilion.

As he pushed Ji Ruxue toward the Cold Palace, he was still seething. Unorthodox? In the real world, Tian Dan’s Fire Ox Formation is legendary! Curse it, I regret not taking an elective on Sun Tzu’s Art of War in college. Otherwise, I could have taught Ji Ruxue myself.

Wait, Sun Tzu’s Art of War?

Lin Ruoxuan’s eyes lit up as he called out to the system in his mind. “System, when I first transmigrated here, did you say I could earn points to exchange for items?”

[Beep! Yes, that is correct. What would you like to exchange for?]

“Sun Tzu’s Art of War.”

[We can provide that. It requires 80 points.]

“How many points do I have?”

[You have 100 points, earned from the intel on the White Jade Ginseng. Sun Tzu’s Art of War only requires 80 points; you can exchange for it immediately.]

Lin Ruoxuan was pleased. “Can everything be exchanged for with points?”

[No, there are rules. First, points can only exchange for virtual items like e-books. Second, if you are injured, you can exchange points for medical supplies, but only three times. Third, exchanged items must aid the mission and cannot alter the world line. Fourth, if your points are negative, you cannot exchange for anything.]

“I understand. Then help me exchange for a copy of Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Wait, is there a modern vernacular version? My classical Chinese is not very good.” Lin Ruoxuan felt slightly embarrassed.

[We have several versions: a classical version, a simplified vernacular version, a deluxe bilingual version, a children’s illustrated version.]

Lin Ruoxuan decided immediately, “I want the children’s illustrated version.”

[Beep! Item sent. Please receive it. This system tool will be stored in your subconscious; just think of it, and it will appear.]

Lin Ruoxuan thought of the words “Sun Tzu’s Art of War,” and a copy of the children’s illustrated version appeared in his mind. He tested it and found he could flip pages with his mind; the inside pages were even in color with pictures, just like a children’s book.

Lin Ruoxuan sighed in admiration. “Not bad, this is black technology! By the way, can I exchange for the Nine Yang Manual? Or the Nine Yin Manual?”

He had dreamed of being a martial arts master since childhood!

The system doused his excitement with cold water: [The real world does not contain the Nine Yang Manual or the Nine Yin Manual. Even the Sunflower Manual does not exist, so they cannot be exchanged.]

“Ugh, what about the Hua Tuo Medical Classic?”

[The real-world Hua Tuo Medical Classic has been lost to history and cannot be exchanged.]

Lin Ruoxuan sighed helplessly. “This is not possible, that is not possible. What about the Zizhi Tongjian? That is a book for emperors; it would be very helpful for my mission.”

[The Zizhi Tongjian is available, but you do not have enough points. It requires 300 points.]

“Oh, then I will save up.”

Lin Ruoxuan was not worried. He had plenty of time to save points. Besides, this copy of Sun Tzu’s Art of War would likely keep them busy for a long time. Once he had extra points, he would exchange for the Zizhi Tongjian, The Prince, and other books on kingship.

But how was he going to explain the origin of these books to Ji Ruxue?

After exiting the system, Lin Ruoxuan pushed Ji Ruxue toward the Cold Palace while lost in thought. By the time they returned, the sun had already set.

Lin Ruoxuan cooked two bowls of shredded chicken noodles, and they had dinner together. Usually, Lin Ruoxuan would start a conversation, but today he was distracted by thoughts of the Art of War and said little.

Ji Ruxue noticed this and looked up. “Superintendent Lin?”

Lin Ruoxuan made a decision. He put down his chopsticks and looked directly at Ji Ruxue. “Your Highness, do you want to study military strategy?”

Ji Ruxue was stunned for a moment before replying seriously, “I do.”

Lin Ruoxuan nodded. “In that case, I will write something for you. But remember, this must not be spread to others.”

“What is it?”

Ji Ruxue looked confused, but Lin Ruoxuan did not explain. He grabbed the writing implements and began to write, copying from the version in his mind. As the sun set, golden light spilled onto the white paper, casting a long shadow of the brush. Lin Ruoxuan wrote fluently. During this time, he had been practicing imitating the original owner’s handwriting every night, and his calligraphy had become quite decent. Soon, he finished one page and started another.

Ji Ruxue stood by his side, murmuring, “War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death, the road to survival or ruin, it must be thoroughly examined.”

Sun Tzu’s Art of War was not long, containing only thirteen chapters and six thousand characters, but it took Lin Ruoxuan over two hours to transcribe. By the time he finished, it was completely dark.

“Oh my, finally finished. My hand is about to break.” Lin Ruoxuan put down the brush, exhaling deeply with a feeling of exhaustion. He rubbed his wrist with a pained expression and suddenly froze. “Oh no, the palace gates are locked!”