Words Strategize for the World

Qu Zheng and Qu Yashi quickly returned to the prefectural school with Fang Wei and Lan Xi.

At the entrance of the academy, Fang Yue waited anxiously. When he saw Fang Wei, he rushed over, grabbed Fang Wei's arm, and said, "Xiao Wei, are you alright?"

"Do I look like I'm in trouble? Haha, don't worry, it's lucky you found Qu Yashi, otherwise I really would be in trouble."

Fang Wei didn't want Fang Yue to worry, so he pretended to be relaxed.

Just as Fang Yue was about to speak, Qu Zheng said, "Fang Wei, come to my study later."

As Qu Zheng finished speaking and was about to leave, he thought of Lanxi and said, "Lanxi, I know your mother is gone, but I hope you stay strong."

After pausing for a moment, Qu Zheng said again, "I will send someone to arrange school housing for you."

After saying that, Qu Zheng glanced at Fang Wei and left.

Fang Wei felt uneasy as he took one last look at his teacher.

Was the teacher angry? Maybe, I was indeed a bit impulsive. If the teacher hadn't intervened in time, I might be in a terrible state right now.

Fang Wei is not an ungrateful person; on the contrary, he is very grateful, which is why he went to great lengths to help Lanxi.

Sigh, I'm just too weak, so weak that I'm powerless. I must become stronger, much stronger.

How to become stronger? Practice diligently, consult your teacher, study the extraordinary book...

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind in an instant, but I couldn't come up with a good solution.

Fang Wei then turned to comfort Lanxi.

"Lanxi..."

"...Waaah...Mother."

Having lost her mother, Lanxi, now that she has escaped from the Zhang family, is naturally heartbroken and tears stream down her face as she thinks of her mother.

Seeing Lanxi so heartbroken, Fang Wei could only keep comforting her.

After being comforted and soothed by Fang Wei and Fang Yue for a long time, Lanxi gradually stopped crying, but she was still extremely heartbroken.

Besides the fact that her mother was not around, Lanxi was also very worried about the Zhang family.

With tears in her eyes, Lanxi looked at Fang Wei and said, "Fang Wei, our mother is gone, and the Zhang family hates us to the core. What are we going to do now?"

Fang Wei was also quite troubled by the problem Lanxi had raised. At the same time, he felt very sorry for Lanxi.

How exactly to get rid of the Zhang family? This is a thorny problem.

It's because I'm not strong enough. If I were strong enough, I wouldn't need to do this.

Anger is better than despair. Fang Wei immediately thought of his teacher.

I'm going to see my teacher later, so why don't I ask her?

"Lanxi, don't worry, I'll think of a way. I'll take care of everything."

Fang Wei said solemnly.

Lanxi had just lost her mother, and he didn't want her to worry anymore. He would handle this alone and didn't need Lanxi to worry about it.

But Lanxi didn't think so. She didn't want Fang Wei to worry too much, since she was the one who caused this, and besides...

Lanxi looked at Fang Wei with a sorrowful yet affectionate gaze and said, "Fang Wei, what can you do?"

Seeing Lanxi's expression, Fang Wei felt even more heartache and knew he couldn't let her worry anymore.

"I don't have any good ideas, but I'm going to see the teacher later. I'll ask the teacher then and see if they can point us in the right direction."

Lanxi said with a worried look, "Well, that's all we can do. Hopefully, Teacher Qu has a solution, otherwise we..."

Sensing Lanxi's feelings, Fang Wei reassured her firmly before she could finish speaking: "Don't worry, at worst the three of us can escape Zhongyuan Prefecture before Teacher Qu leaves. There's a saying: 'Death within, life without.' I believe there will be a way out."

Seeing Fang Wei's unwavering expression, Lan Xi softly said, "Yes!"

After saying that, Fang Wei nodded to Fang Yue and walked towards Qu Zheng's study.

As Fang Wei walked along the road, he was not as resolute as he had been when facing Lan Xi and Fang Yue.

He was very worried.

This time, offending the Zhang family has been a serious offense. If he were a member of the Zhang family, he would never have let him off the hook.

Putting himself in their shoes, he could naturally imagine how angry the Zhang family was and how much they wanted to kill him.

"Well, it seems I'll have to ask the teacher for help again." Fang Wei muttered to himself, somewhat dejected, having no other options.

When I arrived at the study, Qu Zheng was engrossed in writing.

Not daring to disturb him, Fang Wei quietly walked to the front of the teacher and stood waiting.

Admonitions and warnings to the world?

Qu Zheng's calligraphy is excellent, possessing a unique style. It is grand, masculine, and upright.

As the saying goes, one's handwriting reflects one's character, and Qu Zheng is indeed a very principled person, and a very upright person indeed. While not to the point of being intolerant of any imperfections, he is more principled than flexible in his dealings with people and matters.

It's not that I can't be rounded, it's just that I don't want to.

Fang Wei didn't wait long before Qu Zheng finished writing. Qu Zheng put down his brush, picked up the work, and handed it to Fang Wei.

This is an article that Fang Wei has never heard before; it should be a book from the Yongping Continent.

"What does 'Admonitions to the World' mean, teacher?" Fang Wei asked, puzzled.

"Fang Wei, you are still young, and it's inevitable that you act impetuously. I'm giving you this 'Admonition to the World,' hoping that while your abilities are still insufficient, you will prioritize your own safety. You must know that you have great potential, and you must preserve your life to serve your country and your family."

Qu Zheng's words moved Fang Wei.

Fang Wei is not an impulsive person, but when trouble comes, he is absolutely not afraid of trouble.

The key point is that you might be okay to bully him, but you absolutely cannot bully his friends and family.

Feeling Qu Zheng's sincerity, Fang Wei said earnestly, "Teacher, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."

"That's for the best. I'll be leaving for Kyoto in two days, and I won't be able to protect you anymore. You should take good care of yourself."

"teacher……"

Upon hearing Qu Zheng's words, Fang Wei was unable to voice any of his questions.

Qu Zheng went to the capital to serve the emperor, but at this time the Ba Kingdom's army was attacking, so Qu Zheng's journey would definitely not be easy. How could Fang Wei possibly bring this up?

"Oh, right. The Zhang family isn't exactly a benevolent family. I'm aware of some of the things you've done before. You've humiliated the Zhang family so much this time, they certainly won't let it go so easily. What are your plans?"

Fang Wei looked at Qu Zheng, but didn't know where to begin.

All of this was my own choice, and I can't blame anyone else. If the Zhang family comes, I'll have to bear the consequences myself; at worst, I'll lose my life.

At this moment, Fang Wei actually let go.

Besides, the Zhang family wouldn't dare to openly murder a scholar; perhaps there's still a sliver of hope for them.

"Teacher, I made this mistake. If the Zhang family comes after me, I have no choice but to face it. Teacher, you know I'm not someone who's afraid of trouble."

"Although I am weak now, I am still willing to take responsibility."

"What do you plan to do?" Qu Zheng frowned deeply.

Fang Wei pondered for a moment, but couldn't think of a good solution. He made up his mind and said, "Teacher, I may be weak, but I'm not afraid of trouble. At worst, we'll fight to the death."

Upon hearing Fang Wei's words, Qu Zheng slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Ignorant! Utterly ignorant!"

Fang Wei was startled to see Qu Zheng throwing such a tantrum.

"Teacher, I..." Fang Wei was about to explain, but was interrupted by Qu Zheng.

"Fang Wei, do you know why I value you so much? It's not because of your abilities, but because you have ambition. But I never expected you to be so extreme. Alright, you can go back now!"

"Teacher..." Fang Wei was about to say something, but Qu Zheng had already turned around and waved.

Fang Wei knew that his reply had angered his teacher, but it was also what he truly thought.

The Zhang family's problems haven't been resolved, and now the teacher is angry too. It's a lose-lose situation.

Bad luck!

Fang Wei bowed and left immediately.

Back at the school dormitory, Fang Wei sat on his bed, feeling somewhat dejected.

Fang Yue, who was practicing calligraphy, saw Fang Wei return and asked, "Xiao Wei, you're back. Did you ask Teacher Qu how to deal with the Zhang family?"

Fang Wei was in a bad mood at the moment, and hearing Fang Yue's words made him even angrier.

He couldn't blame Fang Yue; he only resented the Zhang family for being too powerful.

"Fang Yue, you practice your calligraphy first, I'll go out and cultivate too. Don't worry, I'll think of a way."

After saying that, Fang Wei went out.

Upon arriving at the training ground, Fang Wei, preoccupied with his own thoughts, was unable to enter a meditative state. After sitting quietly for a long time, Fang Wei's mind calmed down.

There's always a way out. There's no use thinking about it now. Let's just take it one step at a time.

Unable to think of a solution, Fang Wei could only console himself for the time being. But he would never give up, nor would he sit idly by and wait for his doom.

The next day, while Zhou Yi was lecturing, an elderly servant from the prefectural school came to call Fang Wei, saying that the school master wanted to see him.

Fang Wei left the school and headed towards the Xuezheng Study.

Is the teacher still angry? The teacher values ​​me so much; I really shouldn't have said "let's fight to the death" yesterday. The teacher is wise; my answer was like hitting a nerve.

I hope my teacher will stop being angry with me.

After knocking on the door and hearing "Come in," Fang Wei pushed the door open.

"Fang Wei, come here. I have a question for you."

Fang Wei was surprised to hear Qu Zheng's words. What kind of question was worth asking during class?

"May I ask what the question is, teacher?" Although surprised, Fang Wei had to answer respectfully.

"How can one win a battle when two armies are facing each other?"

Fang Wei was surprised that Qu Zheng would ask this question. After a moment of surprise, he remembered "The Art of War".

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will be able to win the battle."

Qu Zheng only wanted to test Fang Wei's military strategy, but he did not expect Fang Wei to answer so well.

"Alright, since knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory, how do you achieve that?"

Fang Wei pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "Teacher, there are five ways to win: He who knows when to fight and when not to fight will win; He who understands the use of large and small forces will win; He who is united in purpose with his subordinates will win; He who is prepared for the unexpected will win; He who has a capable general and whose ruler does not interfere will win. These five are the ways to win."

"The enemy outnumbers us twice as much; how can we possibly win?"

"The skillful commander subdues the enemy's army without fighting, captures the enemy's cities without attacking, and destroys the enemy's country without protracted conflict. He strives to win the world with all his might, so that his army is not exhausted and all his gains are achieved. This is the method of strategic attack."

Therefore, the art of war dictates that if one's forces are ten times stronger than the enemy's, surround them; if five times stronger, attack them; if twice as strong, divide them; if equal in strength, engage them; if weaker, flee from them; and if inferior, avoid them.

"Teacher, they outnumber me twice as much; we can divide and annihilate them."

In his excitement, Fang Wei immediately brought up Sun Tzu's Art of War.

"Fang Wei, who taught you this?" Qu Zheng was shocked when Fang Wei quoted Sun Tzu's Art of War and asked seriously.

Oh no, I just brought out Sun Tzu's Art of War.

"Um, teacher, this, this is what I thought myself." Fang Wei felt extremely guilty towards his grandson.

"You thought that yourself?" Qu Zheng found it hard to believe. "Really, you thought that yourself?"

Now that things had come to this, Fang Wei had to convince his teacher, so he bowed and said with a serious expression, "Yes, teacher, it is indeed what I thought."

Seeing Fang Wei's serious expression, Qu Zheng was utterly shocked.

"Fang Wei, you should go back now."

Fang Wei was somewhat confused. He had thought it was something important, but it turned out he was only asked to answer one question.

After revealing Sun Tzu's Art of War, he was inexplicably asked to leave. Is his teacher still angry?

The teacher has already seen the guests off, so it's not appropriate to ask. I hope the teacher won't be angry anymore.

Fang Wei could only reply, full of questions, "Yes, teacher."

Back at the school, Fang Wei continued his classes until he was summoned to the study by a servant in the afternoon.