2
7
6.
A single battle is a large
It does not have a significant impact on strategy.
This was the established theory I learned at the academy.
No, not only in the academy, but also in sects and clans, military strategy in the same way
I learned.
Big
Strategy changes the entire landscape.
Therefore, those destined to become commanders or rise to the highest positions have always been taught to look at the big picture rather than the small.
Focusing on bringing about greater strategic gains rather than dwelling on the victory or defeat of small battles.
That was what they had learned and what they would have to continue thinking about.
From that perspective.
It was clear that the Red Army was destined to lose.
All the students at the academy had their internal energy completely depleted, and they banded together in small and medium units to fight.
Although it is called a strategic and tactical evaluation, if we consider it a small war where the three armies are wary of each other, then to defeat Jin So-un, the Great
It was a foregone conclusion that, just as intended by the strategy devised by Cheol Sun-jik, the White and Red armies would fight each other to the death, and the Qing army would emerge victorious.
However, looking at the state of things now.
“Oh my, my whole body aches.”
Even Sun Tzu, the author of The Art of War, would probably jump out of his grave and say, “Don’t bullshit me.”
The Red Army, having defeated the White Army by sacrificing everything.
And even the Red Army’s surprise attack squads striking the Qing Army from behind as they moved to capture the Red Army.
The unpredictable process ultimately brought about an unexpected result. Words like “What the hell is a test like this?” “Who fights like this?” “Anyway, these uneducated bastards…” and “They messed up the test,” rose to the tip of their tongues, but no one could easily say them.
“What are you looking at, you bastards? Aren’t you going to lower your eyes?”
Of course, the biggest warning was from my instinct that I shouldn’t provoke that crazy… no, the student center representative who made all of this possible.
“…….”
The White Army was defeated by the Red Army, which was at a disadvantage, and within the Red Army, there were plenty of those who had betrayed others and were left with nothing but retaliation.
At least they were given the right to say to the Blue Army, “You messed up the test,” but the Blue Army, composed mostly of members from the Nine Great Sects, felt immense shame that they had ultimately betrayed the Red Army.
“What on earth were you doing!”
You mean you ended up abandoning it because you couldn’t stop those ten people?
“What on earth were you doing instead of guarding the position!”
Although the personnel who had climbed Mt. Baek poured out tremendous criticism, those near the position were not without something to say either.
“Don’t you know that bastard Yelü Ke? If you get on that ruthless piece of work, your bones will break!”
“Is Lee Eun-ho different again? He’s the one in charge of the head among the Iron Wall Three Dragons!”
“If you were that confident, you should have defeated the White Army or the Red Army long ago!”
Amidst mutual accusations.
It wasn’t just the students at the academy who were making a fuss.
There was also a great deal of talk among the instructors and supervisors who had to conclude the practical exam and evaluate the candidates.
“I cannot accept this. This is not how the exam is supposed to be conducted in the first place.”
“What are you talking about? In any case, didn’t the Red Army win?”
“This is strategy and tactics. I’m telling you, this isn’t a mindless brawl.”
Great
Don’t you know that the success or failure of a strategy ultimately depends on the accumulation of victories in small battles?
Amidst starkly divided opinions on whether the Red Army’s final victory should be acknowledged or if the test conducted in such a ridiculous manner should not be recognized.
Stop it, everyone.
In the end, Buk Won-pyeong stepped forward and sorted things out.
“Knowing the enemy’s weaknesses and exploiting them is also extremely important in actual warfare. Since the condition that the battle must be fought strictly according to established principles was not imposed from the start, and given that an alliance between the White and Blue armies was permitted, there is no doubt that the Red Army’s victory is at risk.”
At Buk Won-pyeong’s words, the instructors all fell silent.
Because the biased judgment they made in initially allowing the alliance was holding them back.
“The end-of-semester strategy and tactics evaluation…… is undoubtedly a victory for the Red Army.”
With Buk Won-pyeong’s words, the instructors and instructors simultaneously finished completing the evaluation sheets.
Buk Won-pyeong, who was watching the scene, turned his gaze to Baeksan.
There.
“Ahem…….”… …
Jin So-un was seen teasing Il-gak, who had his head bowed low with teeth marks on his skull. ‘Truly… he is an unpredictable fellow.’ Buk Won-pyeong let out a chuckle as he looked at his utterly disrespectful senior. #The end-of-semester evaluations are all finished.
By the time the Gunjasan food consumed during the last practical exam has been fully digested and the students begin to readjust to their bodies,
The list of those left behind was announced.
“Gasp…”
That makes no sense!
“Please! Please!”
Upon confirming their names, the students fell into despair and frustration as if the sky had collapsed.
Although they were a small group of fewer than ten, considering the sects associated with each of them, their failure was not a light burden.
The comrades of the fallen behind wept with them in heart-wrenching anguish and pain, but that did not reverse the outcome.
“That’s impossible! Th-this is a lie!!!”
The person who caused the biggest stir among them was none other than Ak Ju-pyeong.
The shock was even greater because the failure of Yue Zhuping, a descendant of the Shandong Yue clan to which the Five Great Clans belonged and who was considered a promising talent even within the clan, was something that the other academy students had not expected.
Of course, the one who was most shocked was Ak Ju-pyeong himself.
“That’s right! Th-this is a conspiracy! I’m telling you, it’s a conspiracy! Do you know who I am? Huh?! I am Yue Zhuping of the Shandong Yue clan! I will speak to my uncle at the Inspection Office to investigate this absurd incident and uncover the truth!”
Ak Ju-pyeong lost his reason and caused a ruckus, smashing the furniture in the instructor’s room.
He vehemently insisted that there was clearly a conspiracy, but since the Education Bureau is also a direct subordinate agency of the Ministry of Public Administration, there is no way there could be any corruption in the screening process.
Ak Ju-pyeong’s actions eventually prompted the executioner to step forward.
“Uncle…! Call Uncle! My uncle is the head of the Three Halls!”
She cried out desperately as she was being dragged to the execution chamber, but in the end, no one in the inspection chamber stepped forward.
After the investigation into Ak Ju-pyeong began in the execution chamber.
Believing that he could not receive help from Ak Byeong-bi, Ak Ju-pyeong eventually seized the personnel of the Execution Office and protested his grievances.
“There is clearly a conspiracy! As a descendant of the Shandong Yue family, there is no way I would be left behind!”
The executioner frowned as he read the investigation documents.
“Five ‘Mu’ evaluations? Is that what you call a grade?”
“……
Th-that, entirely because of the harassment from that bastard Yelu Ke… …”
“Come to think of it, there is also a record of them establishing a troublemaker organization within the academy and meticulously harassing a student.”
Ak Ju-pyeong’s face turned pale.
“Th-that can’t be! I, I!”
The investigator slammed his hand on the desk and shouted.
“This is the investigation report written by your uncle, the Three Heads of the Inspection Bureau. Do you still claim this is a lie?”
“yes?!!!”
“Ak Byeong-bi… He is quite a man. To think he would coldly eliminate members of his own clan like this. One might say he truly lives up to the reputation of the Three Clan Leaders.”
“Th-what do you mean…?”
The corners of the investigator’s mouth curled up.
“You can look forward to it. When the Inspection Bureau acts this cooperatively, it really makes our Executive Bureau feel motivated to work.”
Ak Ju-pyeong felt like he had fallen into hell. #After the stragglers packed their belongings and left the academy first.
The academic building, which had been a bit stagnant, began to regain its vitality.
The winter break provides a period twice as long as the summer break.
Students who could not return during the summer break due to the long distance also returned to their territories or hometowns with the support of the academy.
I’m really looking forward to it.
Eun Seol-ran said in an excited voice.
It was perhaps a natural reaction, as I was finally able to return to my hometown, which I hadn’t been able to visit during my break last summer.
“You said the North Sea is cold. It’s cold here, but isn’t it even worse there?”
As Seong Moran tilted her head, Eun Seol-ran answered with a smile.
“It’s not that cold! The scenery is so beautiful in winter. Everything is white all around, and the horizon stretches endlessly. Ah! How about going together during this break? The people at our palace would love it too.”
Eun Seol-ran spoke, but Seong Mo-ran trembled.
“I’m not planning on going back to my hometown this time. I’m just going to train hard in a quiet academy.”
“Why are you telling me that?”
Seong Mo-ran glares at Jin So-un as if she is resentful.
“What on earth did Young Master Jin eat to be so strong?”
“Hah, good grief! What do you mean, stuffing your face? I have simply built this up day by day through repeated training.”
If only you could speak!
Seong Mo-ran snorted at Jin So-un, who clasped his hands together as if possessed for a moment.
“Hmph, but I heard you’ve been scavenging for food here and there besides what I gave you?”
“Ahem. I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Eventually, Eun Seol-ran stepped in to mediate.
“Oh my…! Stop fighting, everyone. How about the others? Come join me to the Ice Palace this time…!”
It seems we should all go to the Four Gates together this time.
The people of Taeeulmun, including Jin So-un, also rejected Eun Seol-ran’s proposal.
However, Moyong Jaehwa pondered for a long time and let out a sigh.
“I am sorry, Miss Eun. Your grandfather told me to make sure I return this time…”
Moyong Jaehwa gazes at Eun Seol-ran with eyes dripping with lingering regret, even though Eun Seol-ran, who made the proposal, remains unfazed.
“Gangsters…… No, I mean Grandfather…….”
As expected, people were more moved by the words of the one who beat their whole body than by the one who beat their chest.
While most of the members were making plans to return to their hometowns during their break or stay behind to train like Seongmoran.
“Sunjik, do you have no intention of going to the temple?”
Cheol-sun-jik continued to swing his newly purchased sword.
It was cold weather where white steam billowed out with every breath, but Cheol-sun-jik was drenched in sweat from head to toe, as if he had been caught in the rain.
Cheolhyeonjik, who had been looking at him with pity, parted his lips heavily.
Everyone is waiting for you.
It is still lacking.
Although he didn’t say much, Cheol-hyeon-jik, Cheol-sun-jik’s older brother, knew best what Cheol-sun-jik was looking forward to.
He stepped back and comforted his younger brother.
“Yes. I know. But won’t it take a long time? Let’s take our time and show our faces to our parents first.”
I don’t want to do that.
“We have already waited three hundred years. Would it make any difference if it were delayed any further?”
A brief silence.
Cheol-sun-jik, who had been staring only at the tip of his sword, let out a hot breath.
I am so ashamed to show you my current appearance, Brother.
Your parents will be happy just seeing your face.
Once again, only silence descended upon the training ground.
Whether they remain at the academy or return, the students each carry a heavy burden.
This period of rest was a crucial time to decide whether to make that burden one’s own strength or turn it into a shackle.
Nevertheless, the break also brought another sense of excitement.
Especially for the disciples of Taeeulmun.
The disciples of Taeeulmun, having missed the summer rest period where they could have returned home in glory and been doted on as wonderful children, waited longer and more earnestly for this winter rest period than anyone else.
Moreover, a year of nothing but running without a single break, starting from the regular admissions period.
Isn’t this the first time you can get a proper rest?
While Jin So-woon was racking his brains trying to figure out how to make the most of his long-awaited rest.
“Brother, the schedule is to Hefei.”
“huh?”
Jin So-un accepted the schedule that Eun-ho handed her.
The itinerary involves taking a carriage from Yuhan Courier to Zhejiang and then transferring to Chengxian Courier in Anhui. I hear that the courier agency will provide all accommodation and meals throughout the journey.
Commonly used group travel packages.
It was also a method frequently used by students returning to their hometowns.
Above all, it is a very popular product because there is no need to switch horses and sleep outdoors every time.
Even though it is difficult to make a reservation due to continuous sell-outs as the school’s break period approaches, Eunho had already prepared in advance.
Jin So-un lowered his eyebrows and patted Eun-ho’s shoulder.
I feel so bad about this. It must have been hard to make a reservation.
Eunho stroked his philtrum with his finger at the senior disciple’s acknowledgment.
“Oh, come on. As a priest, I should be the one preparing this.……”
“Huh? No, I meant something different when I said I was sorry.”
“yes?”
Screech.
The disciples of Taeeulmun could not contain their astonishment at the behavior of the Senior Brother, who tore up the tickets along with the schedule.
“W-what!”
Jin So-un grinned nonchalantly, dangling the torn ticket.
I’m sorry, but we have work to do, so we can’t use this.
At the senior disciple’s wicked smile, which was like that of Yama, the disciples just gaped like goldfish, unable to say a word.
