I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 36: An eye for an eye

Jiang Wan stood there, staring at Zhuge Liang in astonishment.

If Zhuge Liang had told him, "It seems inappropriate for Ma Su to station his troops on the mountain," perhaps that would have been understandable.

But as soon as the words "the army is in grave danger" were uttered, Jiang Wan knew that there was a huge discrepancy between Zhuge Liang's and Ma Su's strategies.

Is this still the same Ma Su who talked with the Prime Minister from day to night?

Just as Jiang Wan was about to press further, he heard that Ma Su and Wang Ping's debate had already begun.

The two men had completely different strategies, and the rules of the martial arts contest required them to debate each other. To prove himself, Wang Ping spoke first: "Military Advisor Ma, our mission is to intercept the 50,000 enemy reinforcements. Moreover, the enemy is strong and we are weak. We should rely on the terrain and block them step by step. Therefore, we should set up camp along the way, cut down trees to build palisades, and plan for a long-term solution."

Wang Ping's words clearly explained the purpose of this military command, the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, and offered his own opinions.

Ma Su snorted coldly after hearing this. He didn't rush to refute Wang Ping, but instead pointed to the mountain peaks on both sides of the map and asked, "Your Majesty, are these mountains lush with trees?"

"Of course, the trees are extremely abundant and plentiful."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Ma Su slowly said, "Is this a suitable place to set up camp? There is a mountain to the side of this place, which is not connected on any side and is covered with trees. It is a natural advantage to station troops on the mountain."

Wang Ping, who had a rudimentary understanding of military strategy, believed that setting up camp in the middle of the road was the best approach. He didn't understand why Ma Su wanted to garrison troops on the mountain, so he asked, "Military Advisor Ma, if we garrison troops in the middle of the road and build city walls, even an enemy army of 100,000 would have difficulty passing through. But if we garrison troops on the mountain, and the enemy suddenly arrives and surrounds us from all sides, what strategy will we use to protect ourselves?"

This was not Wang Ping's deliberate rebuttal; he was merely a junior officer and had no experience in leading a large number of soldiers in battle independently.

Therefore, when disagreements arise within the military, and the military is unsure of the other party's intentions and fears problems, it raises questions.

But to Ma Su, Wang Ping's words were a rebuttal to his military strategy, and he immediately sneered, "General, you claim to be literate, but that's just womanly thinking. Military strategy says: 'From a high vantage point, one can survey the enemy with unstoppable force. If the enemy arrives, I will ensure they don't escape with a single piece of armor.'"

Wang Ping was a little confused.

What I'm discussing with you is specific tactics: how to break through the encirclement if we are surrounded by enemy troops.

You think you can defeat the enemy army just by using a single sentence from a military treatise: "Look down from a high vantage point and your momentum is like splitting bamboo"?

Seeing Wang Ping's somewhat stunned expression, Ma Su added, "Back in the Battle of Dingjun Mountain, the old general Huang Zhong stationed his troops on the mountain, enjoying a commanding view. When the enemy was exhausted, he led his army in a surprise attack, beheading Xiahou Yuan on the battlefield. If I follow his example, how can I not defeat the enemy?"

"Good!" A cheer erupted from the crowd.

Huang Zhong's slaying of Xiahou Yuan at Dingjun Mountain shook the entire army and inspired the people.

But Wang Ping felt a chill run down his spine after hearing this.

Although this saying exists in military strategy, its implementation is not so simple.

It's true that we're in a high position, but the key is how we look down from there.

Did the army have crossbow units to provide cover for the main force's charge with arrows?

Or perhaps there are cavalrymen charging down from high ground, which is the true meaning of being in a commanding position.

But we only have 20,000 infantrymen. What are we going to use to fight?

Wang Ping didn't want to dwell on this detail; perhaps the 20,000-strong army really did have archers and cavalry?

So he turned his attention to another problem.

"Military Advisor Ma is mistaken. This mountain is a dead end. If the enemy cuts off our water supply, our soldiers will fall into chaos without a fight."

Without hesitation, Ma Su retorted sharply, "Sun Tzu said, 'Place them in a desperate situation, and they will survive.' If the enemy cuts off our water supply, will our army not fight to the death? Back then, Han Xin ordered ten thousand men to form a battle line with their backs to the river, and each Han soldier was worth a hundred, ultimately defeating the Zhao army. Wasn't this a brilliant strategy by the commander?"

Why is another allusion popping up?

Ma Su used two real-life battle anecdotes to illustrate the importance of stationing troops on the mountain, and the surrounding people continued to cheer.

"To put oneself in a life-or-death situation and then to survive, Military Advisor Ma is truly courageous and resourceful."

"The winner of this game should be Military Advisor Ma, whose military strategy is divine."

"A general should be like Ma Canjun!"

Listening to the mindless praise from the people, Wang Ping found it increasingly unbelievable.

Have you never died of thirst before?

If the enemy cuts off the water supply and sets the mountain on fire, how can you expect the soldiers to fight to the death when they are thirsty and at risk of being burned at any moment?

Although Wang Ping was aware of the risks and benefits, Ma Su's words were sharp and well-reasoned, while Wang Ping himself was not good with words and could not accurately express what he was thinking. He could only stand there dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time.

Seeing that Wang Ping couldn't answer, Ma Su thought victory was assured and became smug.

"I have long studied military strategy, and the Prime Minister consults me on many matters. If General Wang has no better ideas, he should simply admit defeat."

The implication is that I am well-versed in military strategy, and even the Prime Minister consults me on important matters. Who do you think you are, Wang Ping?

"Your Majesty, General Wang is not good with words and his reputation is not as good, so he was led by the nose by Military Advisor Ma. In my opinion..."

Although Dong Yun was a civil official, he could still glean clues from the debate between the two.

Wang Ping did not directly oppose Ma Su's plan. Instead, he kept asking about the specific strategies and countermeasures after the troops were stationed on the mountain. He was a typical pragmatist.

As for Ma Su, he put on the airs of a general and didn't take Wang Ping's suggestions seriously. He simply dismissed them with a casual remark from a military treatise without offering any concrete solutions, which is akin to being an idealist.

By comparing their ideals with their practical abilities, Dong Yun could tell the difference in their capabilities.

"No rush."

Liu Shan had no intention of speaking up for him.

Since Wang Ping wants to stay in the advanced class, he needs to demonstrate the corresponding ability. If he can't even handle Ma Su, then he should honestly go back to the regular class for further study.

"General Wang, this competition is a chance for mutual learning, so please speak freely and do not stand on ceremony."

Liu Shan's words seemed ordinary, but they gave Wang Ping confidence.

That's right. Although you, Ma Su, are a military advisor in the Prime Minister's office, your official rank is not necessarily higher than mine. Besides, I'm the one who entered the advanced class, while you're just in the regular class.

Why should I do what you want?

After figuring this out, Wang Ping immediately felt refreshed, and his previously chaotic thoughts became much clearer in an instant.

"Since Military Advisor Ma believes that stationing troops on the mountain allows for a commanding view and an unstoppable advance, then may I ask, if the enemy surrounds the mountain and constructs fortifications at its foot, how can they possibly achieve such an overwhelming victory?"

Without hesitation, Ma Su replied, "We should attack them when they are off guard. That's how General Huang killed them back then..."

"Back then, General Huang launched the offensive and had a numerical advantage, preventing Xiahou Yuan from completely besieging the mountain. Now, our mission is to hold the key position and prevent enemy reinforcements. What should our army do if the enemy splits into two groups?"

"this......"

Ma Su was stumped by the question.

He was only thinking about using the terrain to charge the enemy, completely forgetting that the army's mission was defense.

In theory, it is a failure if a general allows even one person to escape from a key location he is guarding.

Not to mention that a mere 20,000 men could stop an enemy force of 50,000.

Wang Ping didn't give Ma Su time to think and immediately threw out the second question.

"In the past, although Han Xin led tens of thousands of troops to fight a battle with their backs to the river, he secretly sent two thousand light cavalrymen, each carrying a Han army flag, to circle around to the back of Jingxing Pass and launch a surprise attack on the Zhao camp. They pulled down the Zhao army flags and replaced them with Han army flags, causing chaos in the Zhao army."

"If my army is all stationed on the mountain, and is surrounded by the enemy and unable to break out, and our water supply is cut off, what will we do then?"

"Even Han Xin's use of troops shouldn't have gone this far!"

Wonderful!

Liu Shan's eyes immediately lit up.

You, Ma Su, are so capable, aren't you? You use the principles of military strategy and classic battles to argue your point.

Now Wang Ping is giving you a taste of your own medicine. Let's see what you do now.

People should read more books.

Otherwise, they wouldn't know how to refute it.