Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 90 Li Rusong comes to visit

News of the Liaodong Army's defeat in the first battle quickly spread throughout the court, and before long, the people in the capital also knew about it. In an instant, the Japanese kingdom, which I thought was far away, was already in front of me. Even the sales of "Fifty Years in the World" written by Zhang Xiao were much better than before. In particular, one wealthy reader bought 100 sets and took them home, prompting Boss Ding to deliver them to his door.

"Shopkeeper Ding, thank you for delivering the goods in person." Li Rusong said politely.

"It stands to reason that if you buy books from Uncle Ning Yuan's house, I can deliver them to your door. But the store is also a small business, so I'll give you a 50% discount." Boss Ding said.

"You can't do this. You've lost your money." Li Rusong quickly advised.

"My dear father, Uncle Ning Yuan is the number one general in the Nine Borders, and General Li, you are also very famous. This little old man can't help much with military matters. I just sold the book to you at the cost price." Shopkeeper Ding said.

In this way, Uncle Ningyuan's Mansion has one hundred sets of "Fifty Years in the World". Li Rusong ordered the people in his house to move the books in.

"Rusong, why did you buy so many books? There are still a hundred sets of the same books." Li Chengliang was a little strange when he saw his son's behavior.

"Father, my son is ashamed. Zhang Shidu took our brothers to Ningxia that day. They were marching hard, and Zhang Shidu had to dictate and write this book all night long, but I just listened to it as a story. What Zhang Shidu said later After the book was sold in volumes, I didn’t buy a single one, thinking that I had just listened to it. Unexpectedly, Zhang Shidu asked us to listen to the dictation of this book that day, just for today’s event. My son is really shallow, and he still treats Zhang The attendant didn't take it seriously, thinking that the Japanese were nothing more than that." Li Rusong said.

"If you are just selling books to help Zhang Shi read, you don't need to buy a hundred sets at home." Li Chengliang said.

"Father, I must read this book carefully. Rubai and Rumei must also read it. Officers in the army must also read it. When we arrive in Liaodong, Li Ping, Hu and Li Ning must also read it." Li Rusong said.

"It's passed. I've been re-reading "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu these days. Among the many sentences in it, I like one: soldiers have no constant momentum, and water has no constant shape. Those who can win due to the changes of the enemy are called gods. Zhang Shi reads and writes No matter how good the book is, it is still about the past. If you want to go into battle now, do you have to rely on "Fifty Years in the World" written by Zhang Shi to prepare your troops? Of course, my father is not saying that this book is not good. , I have read this book many times, and it is indeed well written. It’s just like Rusong, buying the book is not important. If you have doubts in your heart now, you should talk to Zhang Shidu directly. Is it possible that you just We bought these one hundred books and just waited silently for Shi Zhang to read them to our house? Now that the expedition is about to begin, time is running out." Li Chengliang said.

"Father, Rusong has learned a lesson." Li Rusong said.

"Rusong, why are you so nervous? Is it because of General Zu's defeat?" Xu Wei asked.

"Yes, now that our Liaodong Army has lost the first battle, the government and the public are shocked. Rusong doesn't know if His Majesty will change his mind." Li Rusong was a little confused.

"Rusong, my father has been in charge of the Liaodong Army for twenty years, and there have been many defeats during this period. Your Majesty has always been very clear about his merits. His Majesty has seen that you have won so many battles, otherwise he would not have thought of letting go. You become a general. Now it was Zu Chengxun who defeated the battle, not you. What are you afraid of? All the generals of our Liaodong Army now feel that they are powerful. This time you are helping North Korea, and those veteran generals of the Liaodong Army You have to be restrained and don't worry about my face, old man. I will reward you and punish me when you deserve it, especially this Zu Chengxun." Li Chengliang said.

"My son has thanked his handsome father." Li Rusong thanked him solemnly.

"Rusong, since you have an idea in your heart, why not just like Uncle Ning Yuan said and talk to Zhang Shidu? I can also accompany you," Xu Wei said.

……

At this time, Zhang Xiao, Lu Zhang and Li Zhizao were busy making globes and maps at Zhang Xiao's home. "Zhang Shidu, I roughly understand that the earth is divided into two halves, north and south, by drawing a line in the middle. Why are there two dotted lines drawn in the north and south?" Li Zhizao asked.

"These two lines are called the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Cancer. The sun does not always shine directly on the same position on the earth, but moves with the months. At the summer solstice every year, the sun will shine directly on the Tropic of Cancer. If you stand at noon on this day At the Tropic of Cancer, there will be no shadow." Zhang Xiao said.

"I see, Zhizao has learned a lesson." Li Zhizao said.

Just as the three of them were studying and making the map carefully, the old servant hurriedly arrived with a letter of greeting.

"You said this is a greeting card from General Zimao and Old Master Xu?" Zhang Xiao took the greeting card handed over by the old servant.

"Then since it is General Zi Mao who is coming, we must prepare well. The war is about to begin, and General Zi Mao is here to visit now, presumably because he wants to talk about the Korean War. Lu Zhang, please take out your things. "Zhang Xiao ordered.

At the appointed time, Li Rusong and Xu Wei arrived on time.

"Zhang Shidu, Rusong wants to apologize to you first." Zhang Xiaoshu was stunned when Li Rusong opened his mouth.

"Why did General Li say this?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"That day, I was discussing with Zhang Shidu the strategy for dealing with Mongolia. Rusong was still a little too emotional during the discussion, and even got into an argument with you. There is also Zhang Shidu's "Fifty Years in the World". Rusong has been writing in the past two days. When I went to buy books, Rusong actually read this book as a novel. But Rusong has already bought 100 copies and will give them to the lieutenant generals to read when the time comes." Li Rusong said.

"What did I think? This debate sometimes gets too urgent. It's normal for the book to be louder. Zhang Xiao is a scholar, so what he says may not necessarily be true. As for this "Fifty Years in the World", it's just for reference. It’s useful, but there’s nothing wrong with General Zimao wanting to see some Japanese tactics from it,” Zhang Xiao said.

"Zhang Shidu, what do you think about Zu Chengxun's defeat this time?" Li Rusong asked.

"Why General Zu was defeated? I probably know what the situation was. It was because General Zu was eager to make meritorious service. Originally, His Majesty's intention was just to let General Zu serve as an outpost for the army to meet the North Korean monarchs and ministers retreating north. I think General Zu came here by mistake. After assessing the situation, we wanted to take back Pyongyang in a surprise attack, but we were unexpectedly ambushed by the main force of the Japanese army," Zhang Xiao said.

"Hey, people are so fierce. My father has just been dismissed from office, and now Zu Chengxun has lost another battle. I am afraid that the world will think that our Liaodong Army cannot fight." Li Rusong sighed.

"What's bothering General Li? Zhang may be able to answer it." Zhang Xiao asked.

"How can Rusong have the nerve to speak? Let me, an old man, say it. Rusong has just been designated as a general to aid the Korean Empire by His Majesty. News of Zu Chengxun's defeat has spread again. Rusong is also afraid that His Majesty will blame the entire Liaodong Army. I'm afraid that the government and the public will have some opinions on His Majesty's appointment." Seeing that his student was unable to speak, Xu Wei had no choice but to speak for him.

"That's exactly what Rusong means, but I really can't say this. I boasted to Zhang Shidu before that the Liaodong cavalry could easily defeat the Japanese army, but now it was such a disastrous defeat in the first battle, which shook the morale of the army. That’s it.” Li Rusong sighed.

(End of this chapter)