RPAGF Chapter 214: 9 Palaces and 8 Trigrams
Chapter 214: 9 Palaces and 8 Trigrams
Chapter 214 Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation
These words silenced many people, and countless arrogant soldiers looked at Ye Ru with shock on their faces.
They had never learned these theories in the military camp, but they were aware of their existence. They never expected that a young boy would explain them to them.
As for Deputy General Guo, his lips parted slightly, and there seemed to be a strange look in his eyes.
"Very well, Brother Ye, you are indeed a man of great talent. Your explanation of military strategy and tactics is indeed eloquent. However, I wonder if it can withstand the test of actual combat. You should know that during the Warring States period, General Zhao Kuo, because of his theoretical knowledge of warfare, was defeated by Qin general Bai Qi, who divided his forces into two routes, cut off the Zhao army's rear, and launched a counter-encirclement, cutting off the Zhao army's supply lines and trapping them at Changping. In the end, Zhao Kuo personally led his warriors to break through the encirclement, fighting bravely against the enemy, but was shot and killed by the Qin army. More than 400,000 Zhao soldiers surrendered and were later buried alive by the Qin army. I am somewhat worried whether what you have said is just empty talk or based on experience?"
At this moment, Zou Tianshu raised an eyebrow and said with a sneer.
“Looking at bronze as a mirror, one can straighten one’s clothes; looking at people as a mirror, one can understand gains and losses; looking at history as a mirror, one can know the rise and fall of dynasties. General Zhao’s theoretical approach to military affairs has always been a laughing stock in the army. I will naturally not repeat the same mistake. Marching, deploying troops, appointing generals, and using troops can only be proven in actual combat. Why don’t you, Deputy General Guo, temporarily hand over these soldiers to me? I can give you a demonstration.”
Ye Ru raised his head, turned his gaze to Deputy General Guo, and said slowly.
"By taking history as a mirror, we can understand the rise and fall of dynasties. This saying hits the nail on the head and is indeed a famous saying. If I hadn't seen Ye Ru at the age of fifteen, I would never have believed that he could say such a thing."
A gentleman said with a smile
"Although this statement is true, emperors throughout history have also repeated the same mistakes. The role of historians is twofold: first, to record the history of the rise and fall of previous dynasties; and second, to use the words and deeds of past rulers to advise the current monarch to be diligent and frugal and not to be too cruel. Jie and Zhou were both tyrannical rulers, but in the past, many monarchs did not take these histories seriously."
Mr. Ying sighed, seemingly lamenting the passing of history.
"Let's see what Ye Ru does now. I always feel that he has a plan in mind, rather than just talking big."
Another gentleman also said.
All eyes turned to that direction.
"What if I lend you my entire force of 135 soldiers to practice formations? I would also like to observe your expertise in military strategy."
"All officers and men obey orders!"
Deputy General Guo's face suddenly turned extremely fierce, and then he shouted angrily.
"The general is here!"
A unified voice rang out, and then Deputy General Guo suddenly turned around:
"please."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ru nodded, his gaze gradually turning cold:
"In battle, courage is paramount. Xiang Yu led his entire army across the river, sinking all the boats, breaking the cooking pots, burning the huts, and carrying only three days' rations, to show his soldiers that they must fight to the death and have no thought of retreat. It was in this way that he was able to turn defeat into victory. After Wu pardoned Yue, King Goujian of Yue returned to his country. He then devoted himself to hardship and thought deeply, placing a gall bladder by his seat, looking at it while sitting or lying down, and tasting it while eating. This is also the fundamental reason why King Goujian of Yue was able to restore his country and defeat Wu. Having both will and strength, and not becoming complacent, is the mark of a great general."
After saying that, Ye Ru scanned the crowd again and then said:
"As for you, you rabble, if the demons truly come that day, you will likely be the ones defeated."
"you!"
"Do you even have the right, you greenhorn?"
The soldiers were enraged, but Ye Ru showed no reaction. Instead, he said:
"Now, I am your general, so I have the right to discipline you!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding gentlemen all burst into laughter. Wasn't this just settling a personal score?
"The Book of Changes says: One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things, Taiji begets Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang begets the Four Symbols, the Four Symbols beget the Eight Trigrams, the Eight Trigrams transform into sixty-four lines, and from this cycle repeats endlessly. Now, I will teach you the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation."
Ye Ru lightly tapped his finger, pointing to eight directions in succession. Although the soldiers were reluctant, obeying orders was a soldier's duty, and they each returned to their designated positions.
"Zhuge Liang's Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation? This formation is known as the most difficult, and even military strategists cannot comprehend it in a short time. Is Ye Ru going to practice the Eight Trigrams Formation here?"
Mr. Ying looked shocked, and then said.
"Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation? No way, this Ye Ru is truly ignorant and fearless. With the strength of a mere 136 people, he actually wants to cast the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation? This is ridiculous!"
Zou Tianshu frowned. Although he admired Ye Ru's talent, this Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation could not be performed without a large number of people. Now, with only these people, it was undoubtedly a pipe dream.
"Nonsense! We want him to teach us his annotated version of the 'Tiger's Strategy,' not for us to come here and mess around! Mr. Ying, look at the kind of people you've chosen!"
Another gentleman's face flushed with anger. If they lost this battle, their Yingtian Academy would definitely become a laughing stock among the four great academies!
"The Qian and Kun trigrams, representing Heaven and Earth, are the mother of all things. All things are born between Heaven and Earth and the universe. Water and fire are the source of all things and the foundation of Yin and Yang. Wind and thunder are what stir them, and mountains and lakes are eventually formed. This is one of the eight trigrams, the life trigram, and the changing formation!"
Ye Ru raised his hand and then waved it sharply. The soldiers began to move about. A kind of talent condensed in the world around them and then transformed into eight ferocious beasts. These beasts had different attributes, including fire beasts and thunder beasts.
A powerful aura of talent permeated the air, leaving many people in awe.
"The Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation includes formations such as Heroes, Long Snake, Crouching Dragon, and Ambush from Ten Sides. Now, let's change formations to the One-Character Long Snake Formation!"
At Ye Ru's command, the army began to move again, eventually forming a long, single-line snake formation. The eight ferocious beasts suddenly vanished, transforming into a colossal python of immense power. The python flicked its tongue, its eyes filled with a cold and ruthless aura.
"A long, single-line snake formation..."
One of the men swallowed hard, his face filled with shock.
"The ability to derive a long snake from the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, and then from the long snake to the Crouching Dragon, the Ambush from Ten Sides, and other formations, is indeed undoubtedly the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation. It seems that we have both misjudged it..."
Mr. Ying wiped his sweat and said, feeling somewhat fortunate. With the successful formation drill, the prestige of their Yingtian Academy would far surpass that of the other three academies, and it was not impossible for them to even regain their former glory.
"This kid is indeed quite capable..."
Deputy General Guo's face also showed a hint of shock, then he swallowed hard and said:
"Moreover, it was actually 135 people who managed to execute the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, which requires a thousand people to operate..."