Chapter 351: Why is it always me who gets injured?
“Because, Lord Prime Minister, you have always been doing so! Zhao Kuo’s eyes were filled with enthusiasm.
“In the military, Lord Prime Minister, you introduced treatments for night blindness and trench foot, curing the sick in our army, increasing our military strength by one or two percent! You invented the flying artifact, the Hot Air Balloon, giving our army air superiority! You created the watercraft, the hovercraft, providing our army with powerful transportation capabilities! All of these advancements have doubled the strength of our army!”
“In civilian life, Lord Prime Minister, you introduced the Eight Agricultural Methods, improved water infrastructure, added more than ten types of fertilizers, and even invented the high-yield Taiping rice, promoting increased food production so that the common people have enough to eat and don’t go hungry! You also introduced the miraculous building material, cement, which not only strengthened our defense but also provided many people with homes!”
“Now, you’re vigorously promoting policies for recuperation, encouraging production, fertility, and trade, allowing the people to rest and recover and helping Great Wu quickly regain its strength!”
“In terms of the rule of law, Lord Prime Minister, you have severely punished corrupt officials and never shown favoritism, demonstrating a firm hand! As for talent cultivation, of course, as the Principal of the Imperial Academy, you’ve nurtured numerous outstanding future talents!”
“In the martial world, Lord Prime Minister, you’ve devised brilliant strategies, firmly suppressing various factions and troublemakers, maintaining the rule of the court and the stability of the nation!”
“Externally, you led the army to repel the forces of Dayue and Great Xia, seizing the opportunity to demand a series of war reparations, strengthening our side while weakening their national strength! There are many other contributions and merits to mention! Under your efforts, Great Wu has overcome its fragmented state, military strength has doubled, people’s lives have greatly improved, the court is stable, and the nation’s strength has grown stronger, deterring neighboring countries from daring to provoke us!” Zhao Kuo’s eyes blazed like the sun.
“Lord Prime Minister, you are the god of war who applies supreme military strategies flexibly in the military, in the court, and among the people!!!”
Lin Beifan laughed heartily, “I didn’t expect you to notice. Indeed, all of this is the specific application of military strategy! There’s no clear distinction between military strategy, governing strategy, and diplomatic strategy! Because they are all integrated, their goals are the same, all for the prosperity of the country, the people, and the military! As long as we achieve this goal, it’s good military strategy!”
“As long as the country is strong, the people are wealthy, and the army is mighty, strong enough to make other countries fear, who dares to challenge us? If there are dissenters, we’ll lead our troops there, and perhaps they’ll be too scared to fight, just open their gates and welcome us with open arms!”
“Exactly, Lord, you’re absolutely right!” Zhao Kuo nodded repeatedly, very excited.
Although Lin Beifan didn’t teach specific military strategies, he opened up Zhao Kuo’s concept of warfare, showing him that war could be fought this way and military strategy could be applied like this. This conceptual innovation felt like a whole new world to him.
Zhao Kuo was filled with excitement and respectfully bowed, saying, “Thank you, Lord Prime Minister, for your guidance. I’ve gained valuable insights today. I need to go back and digest this further. When I visit you again, please don’t hesitate to share your wisdom.”
“Go ahead,” Lin Beifan waved his hand.
After bidding farewell to Lin Beifan, Zhao Kuo left the study. On his way out, he happened to see the Little Princess, Night Fragrance, and Guo Shaoshuai passing by. He nodded slightly and left.
The three of them were shocked! Was this the same Zhao Kuo who used to drink and indulge in self-pity? Why did he look so different now? So polite, so spirited, as if he had undergone a complete transformation!
The three of them rushed into the study, and the Little Princess asked, “Lin Beifan, why did Zhao Kuo come? What does he want with you?”
“He came to learn military strategy from me!” Lin Beifan replied with a smile.
“Learn military strategy? With his current situation, does he even have the mindset for that?” the Little Princess, Night Fragrance, and the others were puzzled.
Lin Beifan replied with a hint of annoyance, “Don’t judge people based on their past. He has broken free from his past, turned over a new leaf, and started afresh. He feels that his military skills are lacking, so he came to seek my guidance!”
“I see!” the three of them suddenly understood.
“Look at him. Despite facing such a setback, he can overcome it, feel ashamed, and become determined to improve. This is a great example for the young people of Great Wu! And what about you?” Lin Beifan said sternly.
“What’s wrong with us?” the Little Princess protested.
“Little Princess, let’s start with you,” Lin Beifan found a target and criticized with a sharp tongue. “You don’t put in any effort. You wander around all day, busy eating. I’ve never seen someone as dedicated to eating as you!”
The Little Princess retorted, “I work hard too!”
“What do you work hard at?” Lin Beifan asked.
“I work hard at finding food and buying food for you. Do you like it or not?” The Little Princess picked up a food container and smiled.
Lin Beifan silently accepted the food container and said, “Little Princess, stand behind me.”
“Okay!” The Little Princess happily ran over and stood behind Lin Beifan, clutching his waist.
Then, they both glared at Night Fragrance.
Lin Beifan: “Night Fragrance, take a look at yourself!”
The Little Princess echoed, “Night Fragrance, take a look at yourself!”
Night Fragrance was puzzled, “What’s wrong with me?”
“You still have the nerve to ask?” Lin Beifan exclaimed angrily. “Look at Zhao Kuo. Despite facing such a significant setback, he can overcome it, feel ashamed, and become determined to improve. And you? You don’t put in any effort at all. You wander around all day, idle and lazy. I’ve never seen someone as worthless as you!”
The Little Princess chimed in, “Exactly! I’ve never seen someone as worthless as you!”
Night Fragrance was bewildered, “I was on patrol! I’m here to combat crime!”
Lin Beifan chuckled, “Don’t try to fool me. The capital is quite peaceful now. Everyone follows the rules and there isn’t much crime. You’re just showing off to satisfy your vanity!”
The Little Princess added, “That’s right! You’re just showing off to satisfy your vanity!”
Night Fragrance pointed at the Little Princess, “What about her? She also wanders around aimlessly and doesn’t do any real work. Why are you criticizing only me and not her?”
Lin Beifan became even angrier, “Can you even compare the two? She’s diligently searching for food, persevering on the path towards her dreams, never giving up. What are you pursuing? Pursuing the Flower Lady, perhaps?”
The Little Princess agreed, “That’s right, I’m pursuing my dreams! What are you pursuing, the Flower Lady?”
“Haha…” Guo Shaoshuai, who was nearby, burst into laughter. “Night Fragrance, you’ve got your day today! I’m having a blast!”
Night Fragrance glared at Guo Shaoshuai and then pulled out a small package, handing it to Lin Beifan.
Lin Beifan asked in confusion, “What’s this?”
“When I passed by the medical hall earlier, Miss Li Yuxin was too busy with her patients to come over, so she asked me to deliver this package of medicinal herbs to you. She said it’s for making soup and strengthening the body,” Night Fragrance explained. Lin Beifan silently accepted the package and said, “Night Fragrance, stand behind me.”
“Okay!” Night Fragrance happily ran over and stood behind Lin Beifan, hands on her hips, joining Lin Beifan and the Little Princess in glaring at Guo Shaoshuai.
“Ah!” Guo Shaoshuai’s laughter abruptly stopped, and a sense of impending doom washed over him.
Lin Beifan scolded, “Guo Shaoshuai, take a look at yourself!”
The Little Princess scolded, “Guo Shaoshuai, take a look at yourself!”
Night Fragrance scolded, “Guo Shaoshuai, take a look at yourself!”
Guo Shaoshuai took a step back in fear and weakly asked, “W-what did I do wrong?”
Lin Beifan became even angrier, “And you have the audacity to ask?!”
The Little Princess was equally furious, “And you have the audacity to ask?!”
Night Fragrance joined in the anger, “And you have the audacity to ask?!”
Guo Shaoshuai, now at a loss, stammered, “I… I don’t even know what I did wrong!”
Lin Beifan’s anger flared up even more, “Look at Zhao Kuo. Despite facing such a significant setback, he can overcome it, feel ashamed, and become determined to improve! Now look at the Little Princess, tirelessly pursuing her dreams, never giving up! Look at Night Fragrance, patrolling and fighting crime every day! And what are you doing?”
The Little Princess and Night Fragrance simultaneously exclaimed, “Exactly, we’re working so hard! What are you doing?”
Guo Shaoshuai was left speechless, tears streaming down his face. “Why is it always me who gets blamed? I’m truly having a tough time too!”
