Despite his imposing presence, the Duke of Zhenguo remained surprisingly calm.

Faced with Xie Chang'an's provocation, he did not react at all, but instead began to make arrangements on the sand table.

Apart from this barren mountain, the area between our side and the enemy's side is all plateau.

On the plateau, 40,000 archers and 40,000 spearmen were no match for 80,000 cavalry. In a direct confrontation, they had no chance of winning, unless they took advantage of the desolate mountain terrain.

The Duke of Zhenguo used cavalry as bait to lure the enemy into marching at top speed to the foot of the desolate mountain. He then used spearmen to create the illusion of a large army encamped on the plateau outside the desolate mountain, misleading the enemy scouts. When the army passed through the desolate mountain, traps and trenches were used to restrict the horses, while rolling stones and archers were placed on the mountain. Twenty thousand cavalrymen supported the two flanks, and together they annihilated one hundred thousand iron cavalrymen at the foot of the desolate mountain.

The desolate mountain terrain was indeed a disadvantage for cavalry, and archers could only maximize the power of their arrows when they had good visibility and were safe. This battle also fully demonstrated the flexibility and mobility of cavalry, and the spearmen also played their due role.

The Duke of Zhenguo's deduction this time demonstrated the utmost 'stability'.

"Xie Chang'an, it's your turn!" Ye Jingchen looked at Xie Chang'an.

Xie Chang'an didn't set up any defenses in the barren mountains at all. He used 20,000 iron cavalry as bait to lure the 100,000-strong army to the hidden swamp on the left, and then coordinated with another 80,000 archers and spearmen to encircle them.

"If you enter this swamp, your 100,000 soldiers will be wiped out!" the Duke of Zhenguo warned him.

“There are some safe places in the swamp,” Xie Chang’an said.

"How do you know which places are safe?" the Duke of Zhenguo asked in surprise.

He wasn't entirely sure, or rather, he wasn't entirely confident, because this kind of hidden swamp terrain was very dangerous and could swallow people up without them even realizing it.

Xie Chang'an did not answer.

"Shaoling told you?" The Duke of Zhenguo felt that this was the only possibility, after all, Xie Chang'an had always stayed in the capital and had never been to the northern frontier.

Xie Chang'an nodded after a long while.

Ye Jingchen found his pause suspicious; perhaps this place was one he had discovered himself before.

Even so, what you're doing is far too risky!

"This can minimize our casualties," Xie Chang'an said.

"How can you be sure that the enemy will be lured here by you? What if they ignore your 20,000 cavalry and go straight ahead?" Zhenguo Gongkao instructed him.

"Kill them if you don't care, run if you chase them," Xie Chang'an said succinctly.

Ye Jingchen noticed that Xie Chang'an seemed somewhat reserved when facing the Duke of Zhenguo.

His bad temper seemed to be under control.

The grandfather and grandson had different personalities and completely different ways of using troops. The Duke of Zhenguo was 'steady', while Xie Chang'an was 'unconventional'.

"You're incredibly audacious!" the Duke of Zhenguo remarked. "This is not a good thing."

"That's why I need your guidance!" Ye Jingchen said, seizing the opportunity.

He felt that Xie Chang'an had arranged for 100,000 people to be stationed near the swamp in order to wait for the Duke of Zhenguo's evaluation.

"Even if I become the commander of the Divine Might Army in the future, it will only be in name. I can't stay in the Northern Frontier forever! Therefore, the Divine Might Army still needs a real commander. Right now it's Uncle Xie, and in the future it could be Chang'an."

Ye Jingchen felt that he had already shown enough sincerity by saying all this!

"Since that's the case, then Chang'an, you must not let His Highness the Crown Prince down!" The Duke of Zhenguo finally relented.

"I will certainly not let my grandfather down!" Xie Chang'an said.

"Let's begin with the two deductions we just discussed. Your Highness, what are your thoughts on these two deductions?" the Duke of Zhenguo asked.

Are classes starting so soon?

Before giving a lecture, shouldn't a formal apprenticeship ceremony be held?

At the very least, shouldn't there be a cup of tea to honor the teacher?

Whether it was Jinghe becoming Lin Xun's apprentice or Jingming becoming Yan Xu's apprentice, they both offered tea to their teachers!

However, since the Duke of Zhenguo didn't mention it, he didn't dare to ask, for fear of being presumptuous.

What if the Duke of Zhenguo didn't really want to take him as a disciple, but just wanted to give him a convenient identity to command the Divine Might Army?

'Thoughts' were no challenge for Ye Jingchen. In order to leave a good impression on the Duke of Zhenguo, Ye Jingchen analyzed the two simulations from all aspects and angles.

After he finished his analysis, the Duke of Zhenguo asked Xie Chang'an a question.

Ye Jingchen's heart skipped a beat. He seemed to have said too much, leaving Xie Chang'an with very little room to maneuver.

As expected, Xie Chang'an had nothing to say and could only reflect on his own actions.

Ye Jingchen received several glares in return.

The Duke of Zhenguo concluded, "I believe Your Highness is far more talented than Chang'an!"

Ye Jingchen could only manage an awkward laugh.

During the break, Xu Jingjing personally brought over some pastries and asked if she could attend class together.

The usually stern Duke Zhenguo's expression softened considerably when facing this daughter-in-law, even more so than when he faced them, and he agreed after only a moment's thought.

And so, Ye Jingchen gained two classmates.

He was truly grateful to the Crown Princess, even if it was just to help him share one-tenth of the Duke of Zhenguo's attention, it would be good enough!

When they finished class, the Duchess was waiting outside the study and invited Ye Jingchen to have dinner at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Ye Jingchen politely declined.

While attending classes here is fine, it's best to avoid intimate gestures like meals, lest it trigger his elderly father's sensitive nerves.

Moreover, today is his first day of classes at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. After returning to the palace, he will definitely have to report his progress to his father. If he goes too late, who knows what his father will think!

The Duchess did not insist, and looked at Xie Chang'an, "Chang'an, go and see His Highness the Crown Prince off!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!