What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 198 The Sixteen True Words! The Commander is Promoted!
Su Mo was well aware that Nangong Sheyue had already treated her quite well.

He's the head of an intelligence agency, the kind who kills without blinking an eye. If it were someone else like me, I think I would have been thrown into the Fengming Division prison and tortured a hundred times over!

Her favorability rating of 45% is second only to Lin Moyin.

Don't be fooled by her stern face all the time; she's actually warm-hearted despite her cold exterior, and treats herself better than someone who's aloof.

I used to secretly remind myself of this quite a few times, for example, to be wary of Zhang Shouning and Lu Wenxuan.

It's perfectly harmless to indulge in a little self-care now and then.

Therefore, Su Mo blinked and smiled at Nangong Sheyue: "It is of course no harm to tell you about Sun Tzu's Art of War, sir."

"However, it is better to have no books than to believe everything in them. Your Excellency should just listen to this."

"What Sun Tzu's Art of War says may not be entirely correct. In the future, if you follow the instructions in the book and things go wrong, don't blame me!"

Nangong Sheyue's eyes lit up immediately: "What a wonderful saying, 'It's better to have no books than to believe everything in them!'"

"Su Bai... Young Master's words are indeed pearls of wisdom!"

"My lord, you said it, and I remember it!"

Su Mo organized his thoughts and finally spoke: "Sun Tzu's Art of War consists of thirteen chapters: Planning, Combat, Strategic Attack, Formation, Momentum, Substance, Military Maneuvering, Nine Variations, Marching, Terrain, Nine Grounds, Fire Attack, and Espionage."

Nangong Sheyue gasped sharply!
No wonder His Majesty is so nervous about Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Nangong Sheyue himself came from a prominent family and had extensive knowledge of military strategy.

These thirteen chapters on military strategy encompass all the military tactics and countermeasures she could think of, or even those she hadn't considered!
She quickly held her breath, afraid of missing a single word!
Su Mo added, "Many of the Thirty-Six Stratagems are derived from Sun Tzu's Art of War."

"The first chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War, 'Planning,' states: 'War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is mandatory to examine it thoroughly. Therefore, it is assessed in terms of five factors, compared with plans, and its true nature is sought: the first is the Way (the moral high ground), the second is Heaven (the weather), the third is Earth (the terrain), the fourth is the General (the general), and the fifth is the law (the discipline)...'"

Su Mo then recited the contents of Sun Tzu's Art of War that he remembered.

Nangong Sheyue's expression grew increasingly shocked! Awe!
This is absolutely a peerless military strategy, a culmination of the lifelong learning of countless military strategists!
It's not to say that the Great Wu Dynasty certainly didn't possess such profound and unfathomable military strategies.

But even if it exists, it's unknown to outsiders!
Nangong Sheyue couldn't help but stare intently at Su Mo!

It has been definitively proven that Su Mo is from Bai Yujing and Kunlun Ruins!

In the Jade Capital and Kunlun Ruins, there must be countless learned scholars, sages, and military strategists!

Otherwise, how could such a brilliant military theory have been summarized!

"We must find those among the enemy who have come to spies on our side, and then use them to our advantage, guiding them and then abandoning them... Therefore, only wise rulers and virtuous generals who can use the most intelligent spies will surely achieve great success. This is the essence of warfare, and the basis upon which the three armies rely to move."

As Su Mo finished speaking, "And so it was."

Nangong Sheyue took a deep breath: "That's it?"

Su Mo nodded: "That's all!"

"There must be many omissions, but I haven't read the whole thing, so I really don't know."

Nangong Sheyue couldn't help but speak with a heavy tone: "Such exquisite military strategy is rare in the world, truly a masterpiece!"

"My lord...my lord, how can you not look!"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo immediately laughed: "Sun Tzu's Art of War is indeed somewhat useful."

"But to say that it is the best in the world is a bit of an exaggeration!"

Nangong Sheyue was taken aback: "Could it be that you, sir, know of a military treatise even more powerful than Sun Tzu's Art of War?"

Su Mo replied decisively, "No!"

Nangong Sheyue snorted: "Then what do you mean, my lord, that Sun Tzu's Art of War isn't the best in the world?"

Her bright eyes shone, and she couldn't help but say, "Although I have never heard of your great name, I dare say that you are the most skilled military strategist in the world. I admire you greatly!"

Su Mo disagreed with Nangong Sheyue's statement, and his argumentative nature, cultivated over ten years of keyboard warrior experience, kicked in: "Sun Tzu's theory is strong, but it's mostly just theoretical!"

"The true masters of practical military strategy have all gone to the seas!"

Nangong Sheyue was suddenly taken aback and exclaimed, "There is actually a strategist even more capable than Sun Tzu?"

"My lord, please tell me?"

Su Mo rolled her eyes: "I'm not telling!"

Nangong Shoots the Moon...

Seeing that Nangong Sheyue remained silent, Su Mo couldn't help but say, "Fine! I'll just say sixteen words!"

"After hearing this, you will know what true power is!"

Nangong Sheyue stared at Su Mo in astonishment, her eyebrows furrowing slightly: "Sixteen characters?"

"Sixteen characters are more powerful than Sun Tzu's teachings?"

How can I believe you?

Su Mo's expression turned serious: "He's not like his grandson who only talks about war on paper! His tactics and strategies have all been tested in actual combat!"

This is not Su Mo trying to curry favor.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Su Wu didn't have many battle records to refer to, and compared with the guerrilla tactics that had been tested in practice, Su Mo naturally preferred the latter.

With a serious expression, he slowly said, "This tactic is called the Sixteen-Character Formula of Guerrilla Warfare. It is a military strategy specifically designed to fight a numerically superior enemy and annihilate them in motion!"

"When the enemy advances, I retreat; when the enemy halts, I harass; when the enemy tires, I attack; when the enemy retreats, I pursue!"

Upon hearing this sixteen-character mantra, Nangong Sheyue suddenly froze on the spot.

It sounds incredibly simple and straightforward; it's hardly a military strategy.

But the more you think about it, the more you realize that it contains profound and unfathomable truths!
Especially when thinking about the tactics used by the Northern Barbarians against the Great Wu army, it seems that these sixteen characters are faintly present, causing the Great Wu to fall into a disadvantageous position at every turn!

Nangong Sheyue suddenly felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

It seems I'll never be able to get rid of Su Mo for the rest of my life!
Just as Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems arrived, another sixteen-character mantra for guerrilla warfare appeared!

Just how many profound secret techniques and classic texts does this guy have hidden in his belly?

When will I be able to extract all of Su Mo's talents?
Can you complete the task given by the Empress?

After a long silence, she suddenly said in a deep voice, "My lord, I cannot accompany you to Lonely Peak Mountain!"

Su Mo was stunned when she heard this.

"My lord...you...you're being unethical?"

He glared at Nangong Sheyue, his eyes wide with anger: "This humble servant has already told you, sir, about Sun Tzu's Art of War and the sixteen-character mantra of guerrilla warfare!"

"Sir, would you employ any of the Thirty-Six Stratagems to remove the plank after crossing the bridge?"

Nangong Sheyue waved her hand and said with a serious expression, "It's not that I won't help you get rid of the demon python."

"You should go back to your residence and wait a moment."

"I'm going to the palace!"

She paused, then said, "I need to explain this military strategy to Your Majesty."

"Otherwise, if something were to happen to me and this military strategy were to be lost, I would be a sinner against the Great Wu!"

Su Mo was speechless: "Isn't there still your subordinate?"

Nangong Sheyue: "What if something happens to my lord as well?"

Su Mo...

Finally, with a blank expression, he said, "My lord, you'd better leave quickly! Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back my temper!"

Nangong Sheyue nodded, then suddenly raised her hand. Su Mo was dumbfounded to see two petite women in black appear out of nowhere.

He stared at the two women in disbelief, then turned to look at Nangong Sheyue.

They clearly left the palace with me, so when did all my subordinates come here?
Nangong Sheyue's expression suddenly hardened, and she coldly said, "You will escort Commander Su back to his residence!"

"You are not to leave the Su residence even a step before I return!"

The two women in black replied in unison, "We obey your command!"

Nangong Sheyue then said to Su Mo, "They are both secret guards of the Phoenix Cry Division, responsible for protecting your safety, my lord!"

“My lord, you may pretend they don’t exist.”

"I'm leaving!"

Su Mo...

Am I reaping what I sowed?
Did I end up having two people watching me for no reason?
He was about to have Nangong Sheyue take the person away when Nangong Sheyue flashed away and quickly left.

……

Inside the Lizheng Hall, the Empress had just finished reviewing the memorials.

He stretched his body and prepared to bathe and change clothes to recharge his energy for a battle of wits with the court officials the next morning.

Suddenly, a messenger arrived to report: "Your Majesty, Lord Nangong has urgent business to discuss with you!"

The Empress frowned slightly. Hadn't she just sent Nangong Sheyue to take Su Mo away from the palace? Why had they suddenly returned?
"pass!"

Soon, Nangong Sheyue entered the Lizheng Hall with a serious expression. He first paid his respects to the Empress, and then said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I dare to request that you dismiss your attendants!"

The Empress's expression changed slightly.

He waved his hand, dismissing the palace maids and eunuchs, and then ordered An Wu to stand guard outside the palace.

She immediately frowned: "What important matter do you have to report to me, my dear minister?"

Nangong Sheyue said in a deep voice, "Your humble servant has already heard about Sun Tzu's Art of War from Commander Su."

Leng Liuxi was stunned for a moment.

When he asked Su Mo, Su Mo refused to say anything.

How long had Nangong Sheyue known Su Mo? How could she have learned about Sun Tzu's Art of War from Su Mo?

What does this mean?
She smiled and said, "My dear minister, you have indeed not disappointed me!"

"What exactly are the contents of Su Mo's Sun Tzu's Art of War? My dear minister, quickly write them down for me!"

As he spoke, he personally unfolded the imperial edict for Nangong Sheyue and presented her with writing brush and ink.

Nangong Sheyue was greatly surprised and repeatedly said that he dared not. He then quickly began to write the imperial edict with great speed and skill.

If Su Mo saw this, he would definitely be shocked.

The content written by Nangong Sheyue was exactly the same as what he said!
The Empress stood to the side of Nangong Sheyue, watching the powerful and elegant characters appear on the rice paper, her beautiful eyes shining brightly!
After the final line, "That's what the three armies rely on to move," was written, the Empress finally couldn't hold back and clapped her hands in admiration: "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

"Sun Tzu's Art of War is truly exquisite!"

"Although it is only a fragment, it is still an unparalleled military treatise!"

As she spoke, anger flashed across her pretty face: "Su Mo is truly infuriating!"

"Such an exquisite military treatise, and he hasn't even read the whole thing! I'm so angry!"

Nangong Sheyue's expression became somewhat subtle.

The Empress picked up the Xuan paper, gently blew away the ink, and then examined it carefully.

Finally, he sighed, "Truly exquisite, every word a gem!"

"Sun Tzu is undoubtedly the foremost strategist of military strategy throughout history!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Nangong Sheyue. He was thinking about how to reward her when he noticed the strange look on her face and couldn't help but ask, "Minister Nangong, do you have something to say?"

Nangong Sheyue hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty."

"That's what I said to Lord Su back then."

"but……"

The Empress immediately became curious: "What did Su Mo say?"

Nangong Sheyue gave a wry smile: "It seems that Young Master Su does not quite approve of his grandson, and says that he is just a theorist."

"The truly great masters of military strategy are far away."

The Empress was immediately taken aback: "Did he really say that?"

"Is there a military strategist more brilliant than Sun Tzu?"

In her view, Sun Tzu's descriptions of war and strategy have reached the pinnacle of perfection.

It's hard to imagine anyone being more capable than a grandson!

Nangong Sheyue took a deep breath: "Young Master Su refused to reveal his name, but only mentioned one person, whom he respectfully referred to as an old man."

The Empress's expression changed slightly: "Old man?"

Nangong Sheyue nodded and said, "Young Master Su, your tone shows great respect for this old man! You must be from Baiyujing or Kunlunxu!"

"He's not like that white-bearded old man!"

"Your humble servant can see that this is indeed what Young Master Su believes!"

She paused slightly, then continued, "Young Master Su also told me a sixteen-character mantra for guerrilla warfare."

Upon hearing this, the empress's eyebrows twitched involuntarily.

He asked Su Mo himself, but Su Mo refused to tell him.

When Nangong Sheyue took the lead, Su Mo not only recited Sun Tzu's Art of War in its entirety, but also took the initiative to tell a sixteen-character mantra for guerrilla warfare.

In Su Mo's heart, I am no match for Lin Moyin, and I accept that!
Even Nangong Sheyue is inferior to him?
Could it be that my rank as a centurion is inferior to that of Lin Moyin and Nangong Sheyue, who are both chiliarchs?

Not right either!
Su Mo had little respect for the powerful and wealthy!

He even wants to beat up Zhang Guojiu!

Furthermore, Su Mo also imparted all his knowledge to Yin Rou, a mere banner officer!

The Empress suddenly began to question the meaning of life?
Was I not good enough to him?

For what he did, I'd cut him off a hundred times over!

Not only did he not punish him, he also promoted him, granted him a noble title, bestowed upon him a tiger-patterned robe and the fief of Gufeng Mountain!

The Empress grew angrier the more she thought about it!
His face remained expressionless, but he looked at Nangong Sheyue with great curiosity: "Hmm?"

"There's also the sixteen-character mantra for guerrilla warfare?"

"What kind of military strategy is this that he admires even more than Sun Tzu's Art of War?"

Nangong Sheyue quickly replied, "Guerrilla warfare is a tactic of using fewer troops to defeat more enemies and annihilating them in motion."

"The sixteen-character mantra is: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue!"

The Empress's expression instantly hardened.

With her phoenix eyes half-closed, she stared intently at Nangong Sheyue!

The Empress could certainly see that Sun Tzu's Art of War, while seemingly more profound, was mostly theoretical knowledge.

These sixteen words are the true and practical techniques for combat!

After a long silence, the Empress finally spoke: "Where is Su Mo now?"

Nangong Sheyue quickly replied, "I have already instructed the Phoenix Guards to escort Young Master Su back to his residence!"

“A third-grade demonic python should appear on Lonely Peak Mountain. I promise to get rid of the demonic python for Young Master Su.”

The Empress paused for a moment, then subconsciously asked, "So, Su Mo revealed Sun Tzu's Art of War and guerrilla tactics to you, my dear minister?"

Nangong Sheyue nodded: "That should be the case."

A smile suddenly appeared on the Empress's face: "So that's how it is!"

"You have rendered a great service this time! Whatever reward you desire, just tell me, and I will grant it without hesitation!"

Nangong Sheyue quickly replied, "Your humble servant dares not!"

The Empress waved her hand: "I told you to speak, so speak. How can you not reward those who have rendered meritorious service!"

"However, you must not reveal the secrets of Sun Tzu's Art of War and the sixteen-character mantra of guerrilla warfare to outsiders."

Nangong Sheyue's expression turned serious, and he said respectfully, "Your subject knows the importance of this matter and will certainly not reveal a single word to anyone!"

"Your Majesty has already rewarded me with a jade pendant and a tiger-patterned robe, which I am already very satisfied with!"

The Empress smiled and said, "That was due to your previous merits, my dear minister!"

She frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Effective immediately, I promote you to Left Commander of the Fengming Division! Tomorrow I will send someone to deliver your official document, seal, and token to you!"

Nangong Sheyue's delicate body trembled instantly, and she hurriedly knelt down on the ground: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I am overwhelmed with gratitude! I can only do my best to serve Your Majesty in the future to repay your grace!"

Apart from the commander of Fengming Division, whose identity even Nangong Sheyue did not know, there was no other member of the division.

Below them were two commanders of a thousand households, with no distinction in rank.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, the left side was considered superior, so Zuo Qianhu was clearly promoted by half a rank.

The Empress waved for Nangong Sheyue to rise, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. Suddenly, she asked, "What exactly is the story behind the Lone Peak Mountain Demon Python?"

As he spoke, he handed a memorial to Nangong Sheyue: "This is a memorial that Xiahou Yi sent today. Take a look!"

Nangong Sheyue was stunned for a moment, then quickly took the memorial with both hands and began to read it.

After Nangong Sheyue finished reading the memorial.

The Empress said calmly, "The demonic beasts near the capital have long been wiped out by the Imperial Guards!"

"A third-rank demonic python suddenly appeared on Lone Peak Mountain. I suspect there is another reason behind it, and I intend to have the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate it thoroughly!"

She paused, then continued, "Since Su Mo has asked you to take action, I will hand this matter over to the Phoenix Cry Division to investigate thoroughly!"

The Empress paused slightly, then gave Nangong Sheyue a deep look: "I forbid Su Mo from being in any danger. Do you understand, my dear minister?"

　Finally, some good news! This book can use its original title again, which is "[Who Says I Rose Through Women!]". However, it can't be changed yet; I'll wait a few more days. Another chapter will be posted at midnight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)