The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 67
Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao fought back and forth on a simulated chessboard-like battlefield.

Zhu Youtang wanted to listen for a while, so he went in and scolded Zhang Zhou to teach his son the contents of the Four Books and Five Classics.

After all, Zhu Youtang is not good at martial arts, and the original intention of every father is to hope that his son can be like himself.

But when Zhu Youtang found out that the sand table drill played by Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao was not just for fun, but also contained various tactical concepts, Zhu Youtang couldn't bear to go in and interrupt it.

"...The weather is judged, the dice are hit, six, it is heavy rain, it is broken, and my infantry can only camp!"

"His Royal Highness, what a pity, although you have encircled my two groups of troops, but the weather is untimely, this rain, my cavalry still has the speed to march, you are not even qualified to catch up with our troops for a decisive battle .”

"Ugh!"

A sigh came from Zhu Youtang.

Because Zhang Zhou played with Zhu Houzhao at the beginning, the scene was relatively small, the situation was clear to Zhu Youtang, and Zhu Youtang also found out that this was probably the best and only chance for his son to win.

In the end, because of the weather, the encirclement that his son had painstakingly arranged failed to trap Zhang Zhou's cavalry...

After this opportunity is over, the rest of Zhang Zhou's troops can quickly detour behind the enemy's rear, take Zhu Houzhao in the city behind which there are no soldiers and horses, and take down one by one.

"It's still too aggressive." Zhu Youtang sighed softly.

"His Majesty?"

Dai Yi was also a little puzzled when he heard it.

The emperor is actually like his son, devoting himself to this game, as if father and son are connected?
This kind of thing in front of me should not be counted as studying, but it should also be playing. Isn’t the father here to teach his son a lesson so that he can study hard?

"His Royal Highness, the three cities behind you have been captured by the ministers, and the prince has lost!" Zhang Zhou laughed.

Zhu Houzhao was very polite when he played, but when he lost, he threw the flag on the ground: "Your surname is Zhang, how dare you beat me?"

These words almost made Zhu Youtang, who was hiding aside, spit out a mouthful of old blood.

I just thought my son was making some progress, but he came here after losing?

It's true!
Zhang Zhou calmly said: "Victory or defeat is a common matter in military affairs. You should not be arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat. If the crown prince can't even face the most basic victory or defeat calmly, how can he govern the country with one heart?"

"You...what qualifications do you have to teach me a lesson?" Zhu Houzhao was not convinced on the lips, but he was still convinced in his heart.

more importantly……

It seems that this game is only interesting if he plays it with Zhang Zhou. He still doesn't understand many rules, so he expects Liu Jin and the others to play with him?
Don't be like listening to martial arts scripts again, a bunch of donkeys who don't match their mouths.

Zhu Houzhao is not stupid, he knows very well that Zhang Zhou is not his lecturer, and he has no obligation to stay with him in the East Palace all day, so he can only learn to be soft at this time.

"However, what you said made some sense." Zhu Houzhao changed his tone, and seemed to be a lot more humble, "Play another game with me, and I will definitely win this time."

Liu Jin next to him quickly flattered: "His Royal Highness, Zhang Jieyuan made this thing. He must have played with others many times, and he is familiar with the tactics. He has only played two rounds. Your Highness is much better than the first round." , you almost wiped out his soldiers and horses."

Zhu Houzhao is very victorious, and he doesn't like others to flatter him when it's inappropriate.

If I win, I'd be glad you flattered me.

I'm losing now, what do you tell me to lose less and win, I want to stick the sole of my shoe on your face.

"Bah! You're not open-eyed, and you don't look at it. He gave up to me and gave me nearly double the number of troops. I still lost! Is the difference in strength 01:30?" Zhu Houzhao fell down. Also wise, knowing that his tactics were used improperly.

Zhu Youtang, who was not far away, felt a little more at ease when he heard this.

The son not only learned how to be courteous and corporal, but also learned to judge the situation, and he could see that Zhang Zhou still gave way to him in terms of strength on paper.

But on the "battlefield", Zhang Zhou played with Zhu Houzhao for real, which made Zhu Houzhao realize that the game cannot be won by relying on the majesty of the prince.

It depends on your own strength.

Zhang Zhoudao: "His Royal Highness, in fact, what I simulated is the battlefield in the northwest of Daming."

Zhu Houzhao said: "How to say?"

Zhang Zhou pointed to the sand table: "Prince, please look here. It can be regarded as Datong Town. This is Xuanfu, and the pass next to it is our Daming border pass."

Not only Zhu Houzhao and a group of eunuchs around him were looking at him, but even Zhu Youtang couldn't help but take a look.

Although Daming's map drawing was not very accurate, from the perspective of terrain and orientation, Zhu Youtang knew very well that Zhang Zhou was not lying.

Zhang Zhou continued: "I am simulating the Tatar side, because my main soldiers are light cavalry, which march faster and have higher combat effectiveness than infantry. Will I also clean up the fortresses, villages, and places where the prince has a lot of food and supplies?"

Zhu Houzhao suddenly said: "I understand. The Tatars just like to come to our Ming Dynasty to plunder the border. They rely on their own horses. Even if they have a small number of soldiers and horses, it is difficult to encircle them. It is really troublesome. ah."

These words made Zhu Youtang look at him with admiration.

The simplest truth is that this is not a profound strategy for ordinary soldiers, but for a child who is only eight years old, he can understand this level without being specially taught. It is rare.

Zhu Youtang didn't even know that his son really liked this.

Zhu Houzhao has been a king who advocates martial arts since he was a child.

Zhang Zhou also prescribes the right medicine to suit Zhu Houzhao's liking when he was still a brat because he is familiar with history.

Zhang Zhoudao: "His Royal Highness's side is mostly heavy cavalry and infantry. They are moving very slowly and are more affected by the right time and place. Just like before, the prince obviously had the opportunity to form an encirclement of the troops I ventured in, but because of the unfavorable weather factors, cannot be completed.”

"Hey." Zhu Houzhao's small eyes were shining brightly, "One more time, I will definitely win next time."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "His Royal Highness, we will increase the option of recruiting troops in the next round. All soldiers, horses, food and grass need to be recruited by themselves, which will increase the allocation of resources."

What Zhang Zhou wanted to play for Zhu Houzhao was a strategy simulation game.

But after all, the conditions are limited, so the person who set up the game needs to tell more about it, and then there are multiple people who accompany the players to make the layout, and there must be referees... Probably only in the palace, where there are so many people who can obey orders, can the game be played. The scene of this game is supported.

"Then tell me, how to recruit soldiers?" Zhu Houzhao refused to admit defeat.

Anyway, the basic conditions are similar, and I still have the advantage. This game is so fun, it suits his martial arts appetite, and he is more interested in listening to Zhang Zhou explain the rules.

……

……

Just before the game started, Zhu Youtang finally came out.

Originally, Zhu Youtang wanted to hide for a while longer, but after his arrival, he was gradually discovered by the regular servants of the East Palace. Finally, even Zhu Houzhao and Zhang Zhou followed the servants' gazes and found him.

"Father!"

Zhu Houzhao is usually not afraid of anything, but when he saw his father, he felt a little bit like a chicken seeing an eagle.

I don't know if it's pretending, at least on the surface, it looks much better.

"Minister Zhang Zhou, see Your Majesty."

Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded, "Prince, Zhang Qing's family, what are you doing?"

Obviously peeking at it for a long time, but still pretending that he just came here.

Zhu Houzhao excitedly said: "Father, Zhang Qing's family made this for my son. It is called a sand table drill, where you can simulate fighting on it and divide it into different arms. Now my son is just learning, and there are only light cavalry and heavy cavalry. There are three types of infantry, and it is said that there are many other types of arms, including those necessary for siege, and you can also increase the options of generals..."

Zhu Houzhao looked excited, thinking that his father also liked the game as much as he did, and was actively promoting it.

But Zhu Youtang suddenly put on a straight face and said, "Didn't I tell you to study hard?"

"..."

Zhu Houzhao was startled.

It turns out that Dad doesn't like it... Wasting your son's saliva in vain?
Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, it is the minister who has neglected his duty and failed to tutor the prince's studies all the time."

"No, this has nothing to do with you."

When Zhu Houzhao heard that Zhang Zhou was admitting his mistake, he thought to himself, you bastard, you thought that Ben Gong couldn’t see that you didn’t want to play with Ben Gong, and deliberately told Father that you didn’t teach Ben Gong well, and wanted Father to drive you out ?
Not so easy.

"Father, you can't wrong my son, and you can't wrong Zhang Qing's family. My son came out after memorizing all the scriptures. I have also studied "The Analects of Confucius". Take it out and show it to Father!"

With that said, Zhu Houzhao quickly waved to Liu Jin and the others.

Liu Jin also hurriedly handed over the homework that Zhu Houzhao had memorized earlier to the emperor.

Zhu Youtang lowered his head and looked at the handwriting on the rice paper... crooked, it really was his son's handwriting.

"Is this what you recited silently?" Zhu Youtang was also a little surprised when he read it, two pages were full of calligraphy.

After all, it has been less than a year since the crown prince left the pavilion to give lectures, and the lecturer in the East Palace still doesn’t assign too much homework. Zhu Youtang calculated a little, and in normal times, it probably would be enough for this brat’s homework for two or three days, right?
Zhu Houzhao said: "Yes, my son memorized it first, and then wrote it silently. If you don't believe it, you can ask Zhang Qing's family."

Zhu Youtang's face was relieved when he heard the words, even a little pleased.

He didn't even have to ask.

Not to mention that these were memorized, even if it was copied by his son, he, the father, would be satisfied.

When did you see your son studying so hard before?
Zhang Zhoudao: "It is true that the prince recited it silently, but there are still mistakes in it, the prince should correct it in time."

"Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang put down his son's homework, and said with a smile, "What's wrong with the prince, from now on you will often correct him and teach him well. I also hope that he will become a wise king in the future."

Zhu Houzhao wrinkled his nose: "Father is in the prime of his life, why are you talking about this? I just want to be a good minister of Ming Dynasty under the wise leadership of my father."

Zhu Youtang said with a stern face: "Sooner or later you will be responsible for the country. You must study hard... I have other things, you... continue."

"Father, did you let my son play with this?" Zhu Houzhao grinned, with indescribable joy on his face.

It seemed that his father had never recognized himself so much.

Zhu Youtang smiled and patted his son's head and said, "I'm not unreasonable. As long as you study hard, I won't punish you if you play around properly. And I think... this sand table performance is very interesting, so learn it!" "

"My son obeys the order." Zhu Houzhao jumped up and down.

Being able to have fun and be recognized by his father is also a sense of accomplishment for Zhu Houzhao.

(End of this chapter)