The First Marquis of Leisure

The three factions will continue to argue, each wanting to recommend their own person for the position of Right Vice Minister of War.

This situation was unexpected by Li Chentian, Qiu Qingtian, and Bai Xinghe.

The Yuan family's opposition was expected, but Qian Guanglu's opposition was indeed somewhat unexpected.

However, the group understood that Qian Guanglu was merely conveying Consort Ji's message.

"What my ministers have said makes sense. How should I decide?"

Ji Tiansheng wore a smile, but in reality, everything was under his control.

A ruler can command spirits and gods above, and control people's hearts below!

Ultimately, the appointment of the Right Vice Minister of War rests entirely with his word.

"Bai Zhen is the newly appointed top scholar, and his talent is astonishing, unmatched by anyone."

"I have heard of Yuan Shao's name; he is known for his talent and enjoys considerable prestige among the prominent families of the capital!"

"Hong Wuxiang has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, and now, being young and promising, it is quite reasonable for him to take charge of the Ministry of War!"

Ji Tiansheng seemed to be speaking casually, but in fact he had commented on half of each of the three candidates, but he didn't reveal any clear meaning!

"Your Majesty, since each of the three has their own strengths, I have a suggestion!"

At this point, the Imperial Censor stepped forward and made a suggestion.

"My dear minister, please speak freely!"

The Imperial Censor thought for a moment and said, "I think it would be best to have Bai Zhen, Yuan Shao, and Hong Wuxiang have a fair duel. The winner can be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of War, and then no one will have anything to say about it!"

"Your suggestion is quite good," Ji Tiansheng readily agreed.

Then he looked at the assembled officials and asked, "What do you, my esteemed ministers, think of this idea?"

With things said to this point, Qiu Qingtian, Li Chentian, Yuan Aofang, and Qian Guanglu all readily agreed.

Soon, Ji Tiansheng led all the civil and military officials to the drill ground, and at the same time ordered someone to deliver an imperial edict summoning Yuan Benchu ​​and Hong Wuxiang.

About half an hour later, everyone had arrived.

Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian called Bai Xinghe aside and began to impart their experience.

"Hong Wuxiang has a rudimentary understanding of literature and is skilled in military strategy and swordsmanship; there's no need to worry about the written exam!"

"Yuan Benchu ​​can indeed be considered a man of both literary and military talents, but in terms of academic papers, he has already lost to you!"

"Bai Zhen, therefore, you only need to maintain a certain level of skill in combat to win!"

Bai Xinghe nodded, feeling quite confident.

Everyone thought he was a scholar, but in fact, he had won the title of special forces king several times in his previous life!

In terms of martial prowess, while not quite capable of uprooting mountains, he is certainly no ordinary person!

Hong Wuxiang was pulled aside by Qian Guanglu, who told him to just do his best.

As for Yuan Benchu, he was on whom the Yuan family placed high hopes!

"Benchu, don't worry, you only have one opponent, and that is Hong Wuxiang!"

"This person is no match for you in a literary contest, and as for a martial arts contest, you have been practicing martial arts since childhood, so I imagine you are not bad either."

Yuan Aofang personally cheered him on, full of confidence, completely ignoring his biggest rival, Bai Xinghe!

Yuan Benchu ​​asked curiously, "Grandpa, shouldn't my biggest rival be Bai Zhen?"

"Hehe." Yuan Aofang stroked his white beard and said confidently, "Don't worry, anyone can be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of War, except for this person."

......

On the drill ground, Ji Tiansheng led all the civil and military officials to watch.

Li Chentian, Qiu Qingtian, Yuan Aofang, and others stood behind him.

Bai Xinghe, Hong Wuxiang, and Yuan Benchu ​​were listed side by side.

"Dr. Li, would you please set the questions for this literary contest?"

Ji Tiansheng glanced at Li Chentian and spoke.

Li Chentian quickly declined, saying, "Your Majesty, it would be more appropriate for you to conduct the assessment this time. After all, Bai Zhen and I are quite close, and this would avoid causing gossip."

After a moment's thought, Ji Tiansheng waved his hand and said, "Very well, today I will personally select the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War!"

After saying this, Ji Tiansheng pondered for a while before personally walking up to the three of them.

"The Great Yan Dynasty is renowned for its literary and military prowess. In the past, every literary contest has been led by poetry and prose. Today, I shall try something different."

"Let's discuss military strategy today!"

On military strategy?

Everyone was surprised when Ji Tiansheng said this.

Even Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Although Bai Xinghe was highly talented, when it came to military strategy, that was a different matter entirely.

Hong Wuxiang now had the upper hand, because he had followed Ji Changzai on the battlefield since childhood and his knowledge of military strategy was definitely superior to that of Bai Xinghe and Yuan Benchu.

"I'd love to know what your three opinions are regarding the army of Great Yan. Speak freely!"

Hong Wuxiang sensed his opportunity had arrived, so he was the first to step forward, saying, "Your Majesty, I will go first!"

Ji Tiansheng nodded, indicating that Hong Wuxiang could begin.

Hong Wuxiang was dressed in armor and exuded a strong masculine aura.

He spoke at length for at least half an hour, focusing on how to conquer all directions and how to train troops.

This insight garnered support from some ministers, as such meticulousness was impossible without long-term military experience.

"Hmm, not bad. It seems Commandant Hong has truly inherited General Ji's skills. Not bad!"

Ji Tiansheng seemed quite satisfied, then looked at Yuan Benchu ​​and said, "I would like to know what insights the talents cultivated by the Yuan family, who have served as high-ranking officials for four generations, have about military affairs."

Yuan Shao bowed respectfully, then pondered for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, I believe the essence of warfare lies in winning battles; as long as we win, that is enough!"

"Concise and to the point, excellent, excellent!" Ji Tiansheng also expressed his approval.

Seeing that Hong Wuxiang and Yuan Benchu ​​had both finished answering, one detailed and the other brief.

Only Bai Xinghe remained, and everyone stared at the current top scholar.

Although Bai Xinghe has never commanded thousands of troops, his military insights are arguably unmatched in this era.

War is always a forward-moving process; both military theory and military equipment can only advance, never retreat.

"Bai Zhen, you are the top scholar of our time, share your insights!"

Clearly, Ji Tiansheng also had high expectations for Bai Xinghe.

Bai Xinghe nodded and said loudly, "Your Majesty, war is a matter of vital importance to the state!"

"Use unconventional tactics in warfare, and uphold righteous principles in defending the country!"

"In my opinion, ancient weapons can be divided into three types!"

"One category is military strategists. As Commandant Hong said, troop deployment, siege weaponry, and logistics all fall within the scope of military strategists!"

"The second is the strategist of strategic situations. Strategic situations are those that move like thunder and wind, arriving first despite starting later, separating and uniting forces, changing constantly, and using speed and agility to defeat the enemy!"

"The third is the highest level of military strategy: the master strategist. So-called strategy involves combining the situation with the interplay of yin and yang, and employing skill!"

"A true general is not one who is invincible on the battlefield, but one who anticipates the enemy's moves in court affairs. Military matters serve politics. Therefore, it is clear that Your Majesty is the strongest general in the Great Yan Kingdom!"

As Bai Xinghe loudly expressed his opinion, the entire room fell silent.

Because no one has ever heard of such insights into military strategy, never!

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

A moment later, Ji Tiansheng was overjoyed and exclaimed "Wonderful!" three times!

Li Chentian, Qiu Qingtian, and even Qian Guanglu were overjoyed. In particular, the military officers among the officials looked at Bai Xinghe in great shock!

The Yuan family members looked extremely grim. They never expected that Bai Xinghe, a mere scholar, would have such profound insights into military strategy!

Now it's clear to everyone that whether or not the martial arts competition continues is no longer of much significance, because Ji Tiansheng's intentions are quite obvious.

If anyone were to disagree at this point, it would inevitably provoke the emperor's fury.

"Your Majesty, we believe there is no need for further competition. The top scholar should be appointed as the Vice Minister of War!"

"Your Majesty, I second that proposal!"

With one person taking the lead, many ministers echoed his sentiments, and the situation became largely one-sided.

Ji Tiansheng nodded, glanced around, and then asked, "Minister Yuan, Minister Qian, what are your thoughts?"

Qian Guanglu didn't think much of it. He had already received Ji Changzai's orders: if he could help Hong Wuxiang get to the top, he should do so; if he couldn't, he absolutely couldn't let anyone from the Yuan family take the position!

Qian Guanglu naturally saw the current situation, so he said, "Your Majesty, I also agree that the top scholar Bai Zhen should be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War!"

"Your Majesty, I have a matter of utmost importance to report!" At this moment, Yuan Aofang suddenly stood up, his face sinister.

"Oh? What momentous matter does Minister Yuan have to discuss?"

Yuan Aofang glanced at Bai Zhen, then said, "Your Majesty, anyone can be appointed as the Right Vice Minister of War, except for Bai Zhen!"

"Because this person is Bai Xinghe, the son of the late Marquis Zhenguo of Zhao!"