#fyjt

Indeed, Qing Zhang and his henchmen did not have any weapons on them and upon being searched by Feng Ming’s bodyguards, the possibility of harming Feng Ming was highly unlikely.

Luo Yun and Rong Hu welcomed his considerate attitude because it was convenient to their work. After many days like that, their hostility towards Qing Zhang was not as strong as the first time they met.

Since Qing Zhang often come to visit, Feng Ming was worried that Lie Zhong Shi and Lie Dou will accidentally say “Your Great King’s head is in Duke Ming’s hands.” Therefore, Feng Ming reminded them several times during the trip to not participate in conversations. They obediently listened and returned back to the third ship -- there is a large warehouse filled with the Xiao Family’s treasures and weapons on that ship. In a sense, it was paradise for them.

Like any other day, Qing Zhang came over during the afternoon.

It happened to be the same time Zhuang Pu had the responsibility of escorted items along the road and came to report to Qing Zhang about the situation every three days. Feng Ming decided to invited them for dinner.

Chiu Lan was responsible for arranging the banquet. Taking into account that the guests are from the same kingdom, along with nice cool weather, she decided to place the banquet on the deck after having the area cleaned and a huge carpet spread out based on the Tong Kingdom’s customs.

Feng Ming secretly exhorted, “Remember to place lots of head pillows like the ones in Tong Kingdom in case Qing Zhang decides to ramble on and on, I can just lie down and take a nap.”

Chiu Lan chuckled, “The banquet haven’t started yet and Duke Ming is already thinking of resting. Rest assured, the pillows have already been prepared, a large and soft one, comfortable enough for you to sleep soundly.”

As for the feast, Chiu Lan was in charge, even better compared to the usual royal chef. Qing Zhang was able to eat well and repeatedly praised the delicious food. If he could, he would have immediately placed a deposit to ask Chiu Lan to be his personal chef. Even a stern person like Zhuang Pu was enraptured after he finished eating.

Luo Yun and Rong Hu were as usual, sitting behind Feng Ming on either side.

After satiated with food and drinks, it was the routine chat. Qing Zhang loved to talk and the one thing Feng Ming worried most about was that this Royal Uncle’s saliva was even more than the Aman River. When he open his mouth, he would speak about everything endlessly. Luckily, Zhuang Pu was present this evening and Qing Zhang chose a more interesting topic to discuss - the art of war.

“Speaking of the art of war, the most fascinating person that no one can compare to is the famous General Wei Qian of Yong Yin that one year.” Zhuang Pu wasn’t interested in debauchery but when speaking about the art of war, he was definitely interested.

A remark that everyone agreed.

The reputation of the late General Wei is something that no one dared to disagree.

Zhuang Pu drank two glasses of wine tonight, his face was not red but yet white. However, he was more approachable than usual. When speaking about Wei Qian, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “It’s a shame that the royal family of Yong Yin was unable to see great talent. A person with peerless military talent, and yet they didn’t even know how to cherish and eventually threw aside Wei Qian’s descendants. From there on, those who become generals would sigh at the mere mention of this.”

Qing Zhang nodded and continued, “That’s right!” General Zhuang is also a great general and would naturally be disheartened about this.”

Feng Ming knew his alcohol tolerance was low so he didn’t dare to drink wine. After finishing his meal, he told Chiu Xing to bring over a cup of tea in front of him as he leisurely recline onto the high pillow. Listening to Zhuang Pu’s comment, he followed Qing Zhang’s response and shouted, “That’s right!” He turned around to wink at Rong Hu and gently laughed.

The art of war of Wei Qian was currently being diligently studied by Qian Lin, along with Wei Chiu Niang as his guidance teacher. This is like a heavenly blessed talent who is able to obtain the biggest secrets of the world and following a very good teacher. In the future, wouldn’t he scare the whole world?

Thinking about it, Feng Ming was completely satisfied.

It was all thanks to that mischievous Prime Minister Lie Zhong Liu.

Thinking about Lie Zhong Liu, Feng Ming couldn’t restrain himself from thinking of someone else.

No, no, no, he cannot allow himself to remember. If he start thinking about that person then it won’t stop. And if that person knew, then he would definitely tease him for not having strength; just like a woman, endlessly yearning.

I can’t think of him!

I can’t think….

“Duke Ming?”

“....”

“Duke Ming?”

A slight pain in his lower back, turned out that Luo Yun lightly poke him causing Feng Ming to snap out of his train of thoughts. He looked towards Qing Zhang’s direction and smiled. “While watching the mist covering the riverside, I wasn’t paying attention. What was Royal Uncle’s question again?”

He leaned back onto the soft pillow, his long hair gently hang down leisurely in a beautiful posture. When he smiled and asked his guest, his eyes shined brighter underneath the night sky, very alluring and seductive.

Even though Qing Zhang have been thinking of the beautiful and mysterious Luo Qian Qian, he couldn’t help his heart from beating wildly as he stared at Duke Ming. He recovered, then cleared his voice and warmly said, “I wanted to ask Duke Ming; the Art of War often said that the most important thing in a war is forage. The worst thing to encounter in a war is when there is a limited amount of forage. For example, if Duke Ming were to be put in a position of the General, leading tens of thousand or hundreds of thousands of troops in the expedition, and the food portion is about to run out, what will Duke Ming do?”

Qing Zhang paused and looked at him kindly, “When I was in Tong Ze, I often heard of Duke Ming’s wisdom, and extraordinary insights for many problems.”

Feng Ming secretly frowned.

I’m not a general, I haven’t even been taught Wei Qian’s Art of War. I am just a pathetic ordinary college student, so why is my life so unfortunate to constantly be questioned about this topic?

At this moment, his identity is Xi Lei’s Duke Ming along with the title of Young Master Xiao. If he is unable to answer this problem, then he would embarrass both sides, and if Lie Zhong Liu were to know about this, then he’ll see him as having no promising future.

His facial features remained calm as he pretend to think and asked, “If there’s food shortages, are there any passing village where we can purchase from?”

Zhuang Pu gave his complete attention to this military problem. Ever since Qing Zhang mention of this issue, he expressed his interest in the subject, he smiled and said, “With such a large army, even if there is a village where you could buy grain, it would not be enough for everyone.”

Feng Ming silently thought, that he already knew. If the solution was that easy then they would not have asked the “wise” Duke Ming.

He chuckled lightly, “Before I tell you my answer, I will like to invite Royal Uncle to speak about your solution.”

Qing Zhang couldn’t believe that the question would land back in his court. “I haven’t lead an army into battle before so how can I know what to do? According to how I see it, if there is a shortage of food along the way, I would retreat. If the soldiers were to battle on an empty stomach, wouldn’t they lose?”

“That’s not necessarily true. In fact, food deficiency generally happens around 10 days to half a month because sooner or later there will be a town that would be large enough to supply sufficient food.” After finishing his words, Zhuang Pu sternly continued, “However, the hardest part to control is that once there is shortage within the army, there would be inevitable chaos among the troops. Not to mention half a month, three to four days would be tough to handle. If the troops cannot eat a fully for one day, there will be arguments. As long as they can get through that period of time then they will be able to survive and continue.”

“Ah?” Feng Ming gently emitted a sound, “General Zhuang Pu, please explain it clearly a bit, if you were to meet with such issue during the journey, how will you deal with it?”

The way Feng Ming asked the question was subtle but on point. Not only did he not make the other person uncomfortable but also so they wouldn’t know that he was clueless.

Zhuang Pu was planning on expressing his views on this matter so he straightened himself from his seat and carefully replied, “If I were to encounter this situation, first, I would order the soldier in charge of the grains to reduce the daily food so the food reserves can be stretched out for a few more days.”

“Ah,” Feng Ming nodded his head, “That makes sense.”

“After that the second step is to monitor the army and check if there is anyone who is creating a clamor and punish him in order to avoid possible chaos.”

Feng Ming continued nodding, “This is necessary, military riot is very terrible, but just punishing repression may not be enough.”

“Of course,” Zhuang Pu laughed, “Being a general, you must understand the morale of the troops. How could I just repress it? Along with that, the third step, I will report to each division and indicate the cause of food shortage and increase their reward after the war. With these three steps, the troops will stand with me during this harsh condition and get through the time of food shortages.”

At this point, his face can’t help but reveal a point of pride, “That year when battling at Jing Sun Island, I have encountered such a thing. There was a shortage of food on the island, even more terrifying because it was impossible to encounter any village food supply. But after using these three steps, I was able to stabilize the army. The food then was only able to fill half a person and last for about ten more days. Luckily, on the eighth day, the food supply the Great King sent out finally came to aid us.”

Holding military power in hand, Qing Zhang highly respected and valued Zhuang Pu, therefore, lost no time in praising him, “General Zhuang’s battle at Jing Sun Island was peerlessly brilliant. If General Zhuang was not there, then I’m afraid Jing Sun Island would still be occupied by the pirates. Besides that food shortage, I also heard that the situation was quite critical. Alas, only a general with enough talent like you were able to handle the situation properly. Not only were you not affected by the food shortage, but return in victory. Even if Wei Qian was alive, he wouldn’t be able to do the same.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Zhuang Pu said, “How can Zhuang Pu have the ability to surpass the Great General Wei Qian?  I just wondered how Duke Ming would solve this situation if you were to encounter food shortage?”

Everyone’s eyes rested onto Feng Ming.

As he continued cursing about his bad luck of constantly being questioned, unable to say “I don’t know” or use Rong Hu to answer for him, Feng Ming decided to sip his tea calmly, hoping to stretch out a bit of time to think.

Those who saw him would think that he has a shocking answer, who would thought that he was racking his brain to think of a suitable answer.

He is dead this time.

Even if he’s not dead, it would be a disgrace no less.

If Rong Tian was beside him then he would not let him be humiliated. No, if Lie Zhong Liu was here, he would also have a method to rescue him. Lie Zhong Liu’s brain can be comparable to Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei is so fortunate, at least Zhuge Liang didn’t bring up the idea for Liu Bei to travel to different kingdoms….

Ha? Three Kingdoms?

Feng Ming was shocked as he tried to remember which person in the Three Kingdoms had to experience food shortage.

“Duke Ming?”

“Towards this military issue, there must be an extraordinary insight that Duke Ming could enlighten everyone with?”

As Zhuang Pu’s words ended, it was also the same time Feng Ming placed his cup of tea on the table.

“I have no extraordinary insight, however…” Feng Ming’s eyes clearly showed his whites and blacks, shining brightly as if it was ignited with unlimited confidence. “I remember a story about the food shortage.”

QZ: Duke Ming please tell us quickly, I’m very curious.

“There was once a general, he lead his troops on an expedition and was short on food. His situation was just like what Royal Uncle Qing Zhang and General Zhuang Pu had said. The food supply in the village was not enough and yet had to lead the army through this difficult time.”

Feng Ming paused to glance over at them.

Zhuang Pu and Qing Zhang listened intently, they nodded silently and didn’t speak up to break Feng Ming’s storytelling atmosphere.

“He knew about the food shortage and was very worried. Once there is a shortage of food along the journey there surely will be disputes. Also, he didn’t want to retreat. Thinking about it day and night, he finally came up with a solution.”

Speaking up to here, everyone’s attention was more focused.

“The general called for the grain official to come into the camp. He asked him how many days of food would be left until there’s no more. The grain official said, the food…”

How miserable, what did the author of the Three Kingdoms wrote?

Was it ten days or fifteen days?

Or was it one month?

“Duke Ming” Qing Zhang thought that Feng Ming was trying to stall some more and couldn’t help but asked, “So how many more days until the food runs out?”

“Ah…” Feng Ming bit his lips. Who cares?! Anyways, these people here have not read the book Three Kingdoms so I can say whatever number of days there is.

“The grain official said, the food is only good to last for ten days. After the general heard that, he told the official, when you return, remember to change the spoons of the soldiers. Change it from a large spoon to a small one.”

Everyone was shocked.

They expected Feng Ming to give a surprising solution, who would have thought that his answer was the same as Zhuang Pu, except the detail to saving food was simpler, letting the soldiers half hungry. They were all disappointed.

Seeing them that way, Feng Ming quickly explained, “I haven’t finished.”

“The grain official was very loyal to the General. Hearing that order, he added a few words, if we do that, the soldiers would have a mutiny. The General smugly answered, “Don’t worry, just do as I tell you and tell your subordinate to do the same. If there is a dispute, I have a way to resolve it. After hearing that, the grain official complied with the General’s command, changing the tablespoon into a teaspoon a day, causing the soldiers to only be half full.”

Zhuang Pu sighed, “Doing that will cause a mutiny. Just don’t know what method the General has to defuse the crisis.”

“The soldiers saw that their portions suddenly decreased and had to go hungry each day, there was in fact a mutiny. The grain official was scared and immediately report it to the General. ‘General! Not good, the soldiers are rebelling.’”

Qing Zhang listened in fascination, he curiously asked, “At this moment, are the food supply relief going to appear?”

Qing Zhang isn’t a General and unlike Zhuang Pu, he will not ask such an unintelligent question. If the food relief came then that General would just be regarded as lucky and wouldn’t be considered as a Wise Commander.

Feng Ming shook his head, rejecting Qing Zhang’s speculation. “After the General finished listening, he bowed to the grain official and earnestly said to him, the food shortage will cause a mutiny among the soldiers soon. Due to this critical moment, I want to borrow you to relieve the distress.”

Everyone was waiting for him to continue when there was a slight sigh from behind that suddenly caught the attention of Feng Ming.

Could it be that… Luo Yun had guessed that solution to this problem?

Looking back, when he first read this paragraph in the Three Kingdoms, he was greatly shocked. If Feng Ming were to guess, he would have never guess how Cao Cao would solve this crisis. Not only did Luo Yun figured it out, but he even let out a long sigh, showing that he is not a ruthless cold blooded person like how he is usually seen.

“The grain official asked, General must be joking, how can my body be used to quell the mutiny of the soldiers? What does General want to borrow? The General said, I want to borrow your head for a bit, hang it on the gates of the barracks, to settle the hearts of the soldiers.”

When he said it in a calming tone voice, everyone’s heart sank.

Chiu Yue and Chiu Xing gave a scream and quickly covered their mouths, their eyes panic with anxiety.

Qing Zhang and Zhuang Pu’s faces slightly changed, but since they are royals who are accustomed to bloodshed, they soon realized that this was really an excellent approach.

“The story later, you all can guess.” Feng Ming shrugged his shoulders, “The General killed the Grain Official and ordered someone to hang his head on the gates of the barracks and told the soldiers, the Grain Official was corrupted, and was punished by the wise general. After the soldiers found out, they scolded the grain official and regarding the food shortage, they have to endure hunger for a few days, showing their endurance and no more dispute happened. Because of one grain official’s life, the troops of the general was able to go through the most difficult period and eventually won the battle.”

Once the story finished, Feng Ming let out a sigh of relief, “I’m finished.”

The whole deck was silent.

After a long while, Zhuang Pu inhale a breath and said, “Such extraordinary scheme. Not only did it stop the soldier from creating chaos, but also set their mind at ease. If Duke Ming wasn’t the one to tell the story, I wouldn’t have figure out this method. It seems like my three steps were just simple. Duke Ming’s extraordinary insight, I have finally get to acknowledge it.”

“This isn’t my method.” Feng Ming insistently said, “It’s just a story.”

Zhuang Pu surprisingly looked at Feng Ming, “Does Duke Ming have a more better method?”

“What other better method do I have?” Feng Ming smiled, shook his head and frankly said, “If I was a General and met with this problem, I will just follow your “three step” method. I will not use the method in this story.”

Zhuang Pu understood, after listening to the story, his attitude towards Feng Ming was much better, “Duke Ming has a good heart, but you have to understand the difference between leading troops into a battle than just an ordinary expedition. In the end, someone will have to sacrifice. Once the troops rebel, there will be more casualties. Sacrificing a grain official to quell tens of thousands of soldiers, as a General, he will have to make that choice. Though it’s harsh and hard to bear the thought, if it’s necessary, then it must be used.”

Feng Ming frowned, “That is the reason why I’m not fit to lead troops to war.”

Hearing him say these words, Luo Yun stared at Feng Ming from his bed for a moment, then looked down; deep in thoughts.

“Ha ha ha!” Qing Zhang’s signature laughter rang out.

He stood up and clapped his hands, “Duke Ming’s story is really wonderful. Once I’m back in Tong Ze, I will have to tell others about this story. The day is late and I get to listen to a good story, I am very satisfied. I will not disturb Duke Ming’s rest any longer, till next time.”

Zhuang Pu naturally didn’t stay long and follow Qing Zhang to bid farewell.

After sending them off in a small boat, Chiu Yue and Chiu Xing praised Feng Ming, “Duke Ming is amazing; just one story stunned the two of them.”

Even Rong Hu came forward and said, “The story Duke Ming told today made everyone think about incessantly. I was worried that Duke Ming would be bullied by them, and was planning on finding an opportunity to interrupt to help you. Luckily, I didn’t do anything reckless.”

“I just suddenly remembered this story within seconds…” This was what Feng Ming was trying to explain to them, but it would be useless so he let them continue to praise him and bring him back to the room to rest.