The villain prince is three and a half years old

When talking about the future war, King Jing was full of confidence. Just as Xue Zhaoju said, the Ning Dynasty was very powerful and was not afraid of the other six countries at all.

What he didn't know was that the next ten years of peace would be the biggest test for the Ning Dynasty.

The King of Jing took out a few more maps and, using a few classic battles, comprehensively analyzed all the factors that influence the victory or defeat of a war, from marching to deployment, from food and grass to weapons. He spoke eloquently for a whole day.

When Xia Jing came out of the South Study, the sun had already set in the west, and he rushed to the Cining Palace.

Xue Zhaoju stayed in the study, organizing the lessons he had learned. Half of the lessons were taught by the King of Jing, and the other half were taught by the Ninth Prince in response to the King of Jing's questions.

Xue Zhaoju filled in the parts that he had not been able to record according to his memory, picked up the notes, put them in his school bag, and carried them out.

It was already dark, and he walked out quickly, still thinking about what he had learned in class.

As he passed the eunuch guarding the gate and stepped over the threshold, he lowered his head when suddenly a hand reached out from behind and rested on his shoulder.

He was so frightened that he dropped his school bag.

Ning Yuanzhong bent down and picked up his school bag.

"Thank you, Fifth Prince."

Xue Zhaoju bent down and stretched out his hand, ready to take his school bag, but he didn't feel anything being handed to him for a long time.

He raised his head slightly and looked in the direction of Ning Yuanzhong, and was shocked.

Ning Yuanzhong held his class notes in his hands and read them with great interest.

"Fifth Prince..." Xue Zhaoju reminded in a low voice, but did not dare to say more.

What happened in the palace was also heard outside the palace. As a member of the Xue family, Xue Zhaoju learned about Concubine Duan's domineering behavior from the old lady.

The fifth prince, Ning Yuanzhong, is Concubine Duan’s son.

"Who is taking this course?" Ning Yuanzhong raised his head and waved the notes in his hand.

"It's Prince Jing." Xue Zhaoju didn't dare to hide it.

"Uncle Wang teaches music, chess, calligraphy and painting, so why is he teaching military tactics?" Ning Yuanzhong asked.

Yes, isn't the Prince of Jing a master of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Why is he talking about the Art of War today? Xue Zhaoju realized it later. Moreover, he was in the Southern Study, not the Upper Study. The Southern Study only had one teacher, Zhang Zanyu, while the Prince of Jing was a teacher in the Upper Study!

After a moment of confusion, Xue Zhaoju quickly calmed down.

As the saying goes, Ninth Prince, everything is possible. There is nothing strange about it.

"I don't know, maybe the King of Jing is in charge of military strategy in the Southern Study?" Xue Zhaoju replied to Ning Yuanzhong.

Ning Yuanzhong laughed: "Interesting."

He then asked, "Did Uncle Wang tell me about the events in the Western Territory?"

"I only mentioned the unrest in the western border when I was talking about Yumen Pass." Xue Zhaoju replied.

Ning Yuanzhong nodded, stuffed Xue Zhaoju's notes back into his school bag, and put it on his back.

"The fifth prince..."

"Let me take a look at it, and I'll return it to you tomorrow."

After saying that, Ning Yuanzhong turned and left.

Xue Zhaoju was helpless. As expected of the rumored domineering Concubine Duan, even the Fifth Prince became domineering as well.

Without notes, how would he review his lessons at night?

He thought again that the Fifth Prince suddenly came to him, it was impossible that he just wanted to ask such a small question, so he had to tell the Ninth Prince.

He returned to the Southern Study, found the eunuch in charge of cleaning the Southern Study, wrote a note, and asked the eunuch to pass it on.

When the sun had completely set, Xia Jing returned to Jingyixuan from Cining Palace and received a note from Xue Zhaoju.

After reading the note, he wondered what Ning Yuanzhong was going to do?

In the game, Ning Yuanzhong's presence is not very strong, and Xia Jing can't figure out what he is thinking.

I'll take a look at it some other time.

Chapter 180 The Ninth Prince Capture Plan

The unrest in the Western Territory is intensifying. This undue turmoil will significantly erode the Ning Dynasty's power, undermine the central government's prestige, and give the locals undue incentives.

[Growth Mission: Spread your reputation in the government and the country]

[Stage Mission: Pacificating the Western Border]

Mission Objective: Eliminate Ge Hongsheng, who spreads rumors and causes chaos in the western border; win over the tribes in the western border and make them a barrier for the Ning Dynasty to defend against Qi.

When Xia Jing woke up in the morning and saw this task bar, he knew that the situation in the western border had become more serious.

Sure enough, when he walked into the Southern Study, Zhang Zanyu and King Jing were discussing something with worried expressions.

The two told Xia Jing the situation.

A small conflict broke out in the western border, which was quickly suppressed by Ge Hongsheng, but two county magistrates were still killed. Emperor Kangning was ready to dispatch the imperial guards to the western border.

Ge Hongsheng conveyed the demands of the western tribes, who hoped to regain independence and were willing to submit to Ningguo.

Many ministers in the court were tempted and said that it would be better to let the western border become independent and serve as a buffer zone between Ningguo and Qi, so as to save the trouble of suppressing the rebellion.

Xia Jing sighed in his heart, thinking that these ministers were too short-sighted. Fortunately, Emperor Kangning was a brave ruler. Not only did he not spit out the meat in his mouth, he even sharpened his knife and wanted to take the lead in launching a war among the seven countries.

Unfortunately, destiny is not on his side.

"Okay, this matter will be discussed by the court officials. Ninth Prince, please sit down quickly. It's time for class." Zhang Zanyu pointed to the seat next to Xue Zhaoju.

The King of Jing nodded. "Thank you, Master Zhang, for reminding me. It's time to start class. Last time we gave a general introduction to the causes of victory and defeat in war. Now, let's go into detail about each step."

Zhang Zanyu raised his eyebrows and interrupted the King of Jing: "Your Majesty, I am the teacher of the Southern Study. If you want to attend classes, you should go to the Upper Study."

"Didn't I tell Lord Zhang yesterday that I will take up half of the classes in the Southern Study." Prince Jing straightened up and stared at Zhang Zanyu.

In the eyes of King Jing, the war among the seven countries is inevitable, and this war cannot be resolved by Emperor Kangning alone. It also requires the efforts of the next generation of emperors.

Among all the princes, the one who is most suitable for this war-torn era is the Ninth Prince, who has excellent talent in martial arts and even better talent in military tactics!

It must be the ninth prince. In times of war, if the emperor lacks means and prestige, it is easy for generals to become independent and even replace the emperor and establish a new kingdom.

The Ninth Prince is now four years old. After more than ten years, he will have grown up. The King of Jing has also entered the end of his career as a general. He took the Ninth Prince to gain some experience and then entrusted the military affairs of Ningguo to the Ninth Prince.

Moreover, the Ninth Prince also had an uncle who was very knowledgeable in military tactics. Currently, among the generals of Ning State, only two and a half could be recognized by the King of Jing: the two were Xiao Jida and Ge Hongsheng, and the half was Concubine Yun's brother, Qin Changgong.

If another prince succeeded to the throne, how would Xiao Jida cope with it? Could the other princes trust Xiao Jida, the uncle of the Ninth Prince?

Prince Jing has decided to teach the Ninth Prince, the future of Ningguo, a good lesson.

"Prince Jing did tell this old minister, but the position of master in the Southern Study was not given to me by Prince Jing, but by the Emperor!" Zhang Zanyu retorted sharply and refused to give in.

He had long since set his sights on the Ninth Prince, and resigned from the Upper Study to join the Southern Study to become the Ninth Prince's personal tutor. This was a move he made. How could he allow the Prince of Jing, a guy who suddenly showed up, to snatch away the fruits of victory!

Although Prince Jing only asked for half of the lessons, this reckless man knows nothing about teaching. Don't let him teach the Ninth Prince to be like that idiot Xiao Jida!

Thinking of this, Zhang Zanyu felt a headache. Xiao Jieda returned to Beijing to report on his work. While he was waiting in the tea room, he went over to take a look and found that Xiao Jieda knew nothing about politics and was a complete idiot!

He quickly found Emperor Kangning and persuaded him to quickly send Xiao Jida to the western border.

This kind of warrior cannot be allowed to be with the Ninth Prince!

"If Lord Zhang has any objections, why didn't you mention it yesterday in the Yangxin Palace? The Emperor clearly agreed, but because Lord Zhang was right next to him, he didn't give any special instructions!" Prince Jing walked up to Zhang Zanyu, puffed out his chest, and looked like he was ready to fight.

Zhang Zanyu thought, if he had mentioned it yesterday when the emperor was here, why is he playing dumb today? After Prince Jing left yesterday, he whispered some more to Emperor Kangning. If Prince Jing goes to the Yangxin Palace again now, Emperor Kangning may not accept what he said yesterday!

Zhang Zanyu felt a little proud at the thought. How could these warriors possibly outmaneuver these veteran officials who had been running the government for years? This also showed that warrior thinking was unacceptable. Even the most powerful warrior, the King of Jing, was a fool.

"I have no recollection of yesterday's events." Zhang Zanyu shook his head. "Why don't we go to the Yangxin Palace and ask the Emperor again?"

The King of Jing's heart skipped a beat. How could he not see that Zhang Zanyu had made some small move?

If he goes to the Yangxin Palace now, he will definitely suffer!

"How about I give way to Lord Zhang today and come back tomorrow?" King Jing gave in.

"Your Highness is finally free, why not spend more time with the princess and the prince in the palace?" Zhang Zanyu refused to leave.

"Master Zhang, don't you know that war is about to begin?"

"The battlefield is nothing more than a continuation of the court."

"Master Zhang is quite good at boasting."

"When I was serving in Yunzhou, I led 500 soldiers from the government office and wiped out 3,000 bandits in the mountains."

"You're not ashamed to bring up this trivial matter?"

"If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, I, an old minister, know a thing or two about fighting."

Below the podium, Xue Zhaoju was stunned. How could the two teachers start fighting while talking?

He hurriedly looked at the Ninth Prince beside him, hoping that the Ninth Prince would intervene.

He misjudged the Ninth Prince's integrity.

"Master Zhang, attack his bottom lane!"

"Uncle Wang, poke his eyes!"

The ninth prince played two roles, cheering for Zhang Zanyu and King Jing.

"Ninth Prince, how can you do this!" Xue Zhaoju advised softly, "What if the prince and Master Zhang get hurt?"

"That's perfect," the Ninth Prince replied softly, "They are all recuperating at home, so this prince can take a vacation!

The sound wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the two people on the stage to hear. Zhang Zanyu's mouth twitched, and the King of Jing's brows trembled. They finally remembered that their biggest enemy wasn't each other, but this mischievous Ninth Prince who skipped classes everywhere!

The tense atmosphere between the two of them suddenly eased.

"I will take one third. You go for two days and I go for one day." King Jing retreated.

"Take one out of five." Zhang Zanyu said.

"You! I don't get more than one-fifth of the marks in the study!" King Jing looked angry again.

"However," Zhang Zanyu said slowly, "If the King of Jing can guarantee the Ninth Prince's attendance, taking one out of three might not be a bad idea."

Zhang Zanyu figured out a truth. This truth was very common in his previous life: instead of wasting energy on dividing the cake, it is better to make a bigger cake together.

The Ninth Prince, who fishes for three days and dries his nets for several days, represents a vast fertile land. Zhang Zanyu has only used a small part of it. If the King of Jing can open up more, what's wrong with giving him one third?

This pioneering work can only be done by Prince Jing. As a prince trusted by Emperor Kangning, he can enter and leave the harem. Although he has to be accompanied by several eunuchs, it is a world of difference compared to Zhang Zanyu who is completely unable to enter the harem.

Therefore, Zhang Zanyu cannot enter the harem to catch the Ninth Prince for lessons, but Prince Jing can!

In the audience, Xia Jing, who was cheering, had his eyes darkened.

Damn it, how could he forget this!

The Ninth Prince’s biggest advantage in skipping classes is that the teacher cannot come to Jingyixuan to catch him in class!

"Uncle Wang, don't believe him! These officials are all very bad. Who knows where there might be a trap waiting for you!" Xia Jing immediately began to sow discord.

"I am not as good as them at playing with people's hearts, but I know that people with power are invincible. I have the power to teach you. How can he deceive me?" King Jing touched his beard and asked Xia Jing.

Xia Jing had no choice but to join the game directly: "I'll pay half! Uncle Wang and I will take private lessons."

This is to bypass the middleman, Nanshufang. This way, at least you only need to attend one class every two days.

"The Ninth Prince is indeed very talented in the ways of an official." Zhang Zanyu was very pleased. "But the Ninth Prince may have forgotten that being an official is not just about benefits, but also about ideals."

He looked at the King of Jing and asked, "What do you say, Your Highness? Do you want one out of two of the Ninth Prince, or one out of three of this old minister?"

Without a second thought, the King of Jing reached out to Zhang Zanyu. He hoped the Ninth Prince would work harder than he had in the days he had gained. Zhang Zanyu was indeed a good teacher; he had never intended to monopolize the Ninth Prince from the beginning.

The two palms were clasped together tightly, symbolizing the official end of the Ninth Prince's leisurely days.

Xia Jing leaned back in his chair, feeling hopeless.

Xue Zhaoju sat aside, watching the twists and turns of the plot, and was shocked.

He felt that there seemed to be profound truth in it, and he would definitely write it down when he returned.

As for why he didn't record it now - he was not a fool. If the Ninth Prince saw him recording it, he would definitely stop him sternly and tell him not to record it. If he wanted to record it secretly again, it would be considered treason.

He would just record it secretly, and since the Ninth Prince couldn't see it, he naturally wouldn't stop him, so he wouldn't disobey the Ninth Prince's orders.

If Zhang Zanyu knew what he was thinking, he would definitely be very pleased and admire Xue Zhaoju for having the qualifications to be an official.

On the podium, Zhang Zanyu left the Southern Study and handed today's lesson to King Jing as a gesture of friendship.