Chapter 41: Ancient Military Book? Challenging Science!

  Mi Zhu's refusal to serve did not affect the lives of Liu Bei and his two companions in Xuchang. Cao Cao continued to exercise the powers of the Minister of Works as usual, while Liu Bei left Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at the mansion and went out every day with the officials of Xuchang, chatting about family matters, and even planted vegetables in his own mansion, living a leisurely life.

  Lü Rui, after reading the documents sent by Guo Yuan from Fan County, wrote a letter to Guo Yuan with satisfaction, instructing him to work hard to govern Fan County, develop the people's livelihood, and rectify military preparations. Under Guo Yuan's governance, Lü Rui was still at ease in Fan County. This period was an important stage of development for the Cao Wei regime. For a short time, Lü Rui would not return.

  "Your Highness, Captain Cao has returned!"

  Haha, Little Jinko is back, he must have something good to offer me! "Tell him to come in!"

  "Cao Jincheng pays his respects to Master Hou!"

  "Cao Jin, what new discovery have you made recently? Have you found something good that you want to show me?"

  "His subordinate has now excavated a large tomb near Linqu, and it turns out to be the tomb of Jiang Shang. There is a treasure inside, which will be presented to Your Excellency!"

  What? Little Jinxin, you dug up Lü Shang's grave? The legendary great god? I bet there are a lot of things inside. Lü Rui asked: "Cao Jin? Found a lot of treasure? Got rich?"

  Cao Jinyi shook his head and said, "Lord Hou, there's nothing valuable, it's just that this thing is collected using a hidden compartment method, I think it's a good thing, so I brought it back for you!"

  Jiang Shang? Also called Lü Shang, a legendary figure of the Western Zhou Dynasty, enfeoffed as King Qi. His tomb is surprisingly simple, it seems to match historical legend, Jiang Taigong was clean and honest! Lü Rui asked: "What is that thing?"

  Cao Jin took out a moderate-sized box and said, "Your Lordship, it's this. A jade tablet and a jade token with the words 'Lv Shang' on them. My brothers and I don't know much about it either, we just recognize these two characters. We brought it back for Your Lordship."

  Lü Rui nodded and said: "Cao Jin, you've worked hard, go down and rest for a while, then go to various places."

  "Thank you, Lord Hou!"

  After Cao Jin stepped down, Lü Rui took a look at the jade slip and found it to be extraordinary. The Autumn War Country must have used bamboo slips, but using jade slips was not only to show off one's status, but also to preserve them for eternity - after all, jade can last for thousands of years without decaying!

  However, this jade slip is quite strange. It has been buried underground for so long, yet it still looks new, just like a freshly polished jade stone. Lü Rui opened the jade slip and was stunned for a moment. The first four words were: Taigong Bing Shu!

  Is this the legendary real "Taigong's Art of War"? The "Taigong's Art of War" was written by Jiang Ziya, there is no doubt about that. However, after Jiang Ziya passed away, the book disappeared without a trace. Zhang Liang heard that he obtained Taigong's military strategy, but it should also be a record of Jiang Taigong's use of military tactics. The "Taigong's Art of War" of later generations is considered a treasure of China, but many people believe that this is not the complete "Taigong's Art of War".

  Is this... the real Tai Gong Bing Shu? Thinking of this, Lü Rui continued to read on, heh heh, Warring States text? However, I can understand it. Arriving in the Three Kingdoms era, apart from learning the Three Kingdoms' text, Lü Rui also had some research on the Autumn text. In his previous life, he was interested in this, and now that he has the opportunity, why not learn?

  As time passed, Lü Rui's facial expressions changed richly, and finally, with a "pa" sound, the jade slip fell on the table. Lü Rui's face revealed an incredulous expression: This? Impossible!

  The original "Taigong Bing Book" should be called "Taigong Bing Book: Tian Juan Bing Shu Zong Gang". It records the origin of the military book and introduces some information about Tian Juan Bing Shu.

  Yu Jian records: Tian Juan Bing Shu records the mythological part of Jiang Ziya, including many legendary formations and Taoist methods. After Jiang Ziya's death, he divided Tian Juan Bing Shu into twelve parts and handed them over to his twelve trusted followers, entrusting them to pass on these military classics. (Tian Juan Bing Shu can only be learned by those who are destined to do so; those who obtain it will gain the power to defy heaven!)

  Originally, as a traverser, Lü Rui believed in science and thought of the records on the jade slips as just something to play with. The ancients revered gods, which was understandable. But after seeing the following content, Lü Rui was stunned.

  "The Heavenly Book of Escapes was passed down to the Zuo family."

  "The Taiping Qingpu was passed down to the Wang family."

  "The four celestial phenomena were passed down to the Zhuge family."

  There were twelve books in total, which were passed on to Jiang Ziya's trusted followers.

  The Heavenly Book of Escapism, the Clear Register of Peace, the Four Transformations of Heaven... do these things still have their inheritors? Nonsense! How can they be connected to legendary figures from various Chinese dynasties? Borrowing Eastern Wind? Zhuge Liang? No way, could he really control the transformations of heaven? Thinking about this, Lü Rui's mind was in complete disarray.

  Sleeping, needing sleep, at this time, Lü Rui needs a good rest. Lü Rui let out a snore and fell onto the bed, sleeping soundly.

  "Reverse the flow, gather!" Haha, it's really comfortable. The Jade Scepter left behind by Jiang Ziya has a part that says: Tian Mai Xi Yuan! It's indeed powerful, looks like this is a book that records how to strengthen one's body and health. Hehe, no wonder Jiang Ziya can live for so long, over 80 years old and still able to fight, I reckon it's all thanks to the Tian Mai Xi Yuan technique!

  Lü Rui spent three days studying the Jade Simplification and finally gained some understanding: Firstly, in the 5,000 years of Chinese history, there have been many strange events and unexplained phenomena that modern people cannot explain. My own time-traveling is one example, and the events recorded in Jiang Ziya's Jade Simplification are not impossible. Secondly, I don't need to worry too much, even if there are some divine or supernatural things, they are still controlled by humans, aren't they? Even if it's a god, isn't it also created by human cultivation? As the saying goes, "Man can conquer nature!" There's no need to be too concerned about these things. Thirdly, my fate is in my own hands, not in heaven's! I have the wisdom of a thousand years, and my mastery of Taoist magic is stronger than that of the ancients, right? Let's see who will emerge victorious!

  After figuring all this out, Lü Rui also let go and continued his life as a marquis!

  "Master Hou, wake up! Today, Sir Sikuang is going to take you to meet a very important person!"

  Not again? Another dark day, big shot? Ah yes, Old Cao is visiting Hu Zhao today? I'll go along too, fine, let's go meet this Wei State Zhuge!

  Lv Rui dressed neatly and came to the gate. "Good day, Uncle Zhong!"

  "Ah, Rui'er has arrived? Get on the horse carriage and follow Uncle to Hu Zhao's residence!" Then the father and son got on the horse carriage and headed to Hu Zhao's residence.

  Hu Zhao, Wei Guo Kong Ming, also known as Kong Ming, is said to be a figure as formidable as Zhuge Liang. However, he dislikes politics and has always wished to teach in the mountains and countryside. Cao Cao personally went to invite him this time, but it was in vain. Old Hu will not come out; he will only instruct his students!

  Soon, Cao and Lü Rui arrived at Hu Zhao's residence. The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry of the Wei State? There are actually Tiger and Leopard Cavalry guarding here! It seems that Cao attaches great importance to Hu Zhao!

  Then Hu Zhao met with Cao in the study, Hu Zhao had a literary attire, and this year's Hu Zhao was only thirty-five years old, but he looked very mature, giving people a steady feeling.

  "Attending Lord Sīkōng, paying respects to Young Master Hóu!"

  "No need for excessive courtesy, I've heard that you, Zhuge Liang, are a brilliant talent of our time. I've come specifically to pay my respects and hope that you'll emerge from your seclusion to assist Meng De in restoring the great Han dynasty!"

  Hearing this, Hu Zhao cupped his hands and said: "Sir, I am but a carefree cloud drifting in the wild, longing to teach in the mountains and forests, to cultivate people and talent. I have no desire to be an official, please understand, Sir!"

  "What?"

  "Your Excellency, everyone has their own ambitions. With so many talented advisors under your command, what difference could Hu Zhao possibly make? He would be just another addition to the already rich tapestry. If he were to stay here and teach, wouldn't that provide Your Excellency with even more exceptional talents?"

  Awesome! Xiao Huhu is really good at talking. Old Cao, I'm not refusing to assist you, I'll just change my way of assisting you and help you cultivate talent instead!

  Cao was taken aback, others not only didn't help themselves but also acted as teachers to cultivate talents for the world. Cao could only nod his head and say: "Since that's the case, I won't force Kongming either. Kongming can teach here with peace of mind, and this official will provide guarantees for Kongming!"

  "Thank you, Sir!"

  "Rui'er, you should also learn from Mr. Kongming more often!"

  "Yes, Uncle!"

  Thus, Lü Rui became one of Hu Zhao's disciples. Hu Zhao didn't accept closed-door disciples, but instead gave more guidance to those with talent. In the following months, whenever he had time, Lü Rui would come to study, and Hu Zhao would unreservedly impart his knowledge to him. The knowledge was quite miscellaneous, but Lü Rui liked it all. "The Art of War's strange formations? They'll be useful later!"

  "Rui'er?"

  "Teacher Hu Zhao!"

  "Rui'er's talent is very high, Kongming originally thought that Yi'er was Kongming's first disciple, but after seeing Rui'er, he felt that you two are evenly matched. Kongming has traveled extensively and obtained a rare book, which has been passed on to Yi'er. However, there is a teacher's annotation of the rare book here, this annotation will be given to Rui'er, hoping that Rui'er will make good use of it!"

  After finishing speaking, he handed over a bamboo slip to Lü Rui.

  "Baixiang Qilüe"! Nainai's, Hu Zhao unexpectedly had a book called "Taigong Bing Shu" which recorded the "Baixiang Qilüe". According to Lü Rui's data, this book is for observing all things, can observe the heavenly phenomena above and understand ordinary people below. If placed in modern times, it would be a combination of psychology, physiognomy, and astronomy.

  Wait, Hu Zhao said he passed it on to Yi'er? Ah yes, Sima Yi, Sima Zhongda! Sima Yi was Hu Zhao's proud disciple. In the past, when a classmate wanted to kill Sima Yi, Hu Zhao chased the murderer for a thousand miles and saved Sima Yi from death.

  Haha, fate's teasing? Old Hu? Bai Xiang Qi Lue? Interesting, Lang Gu Sima? The Three Kingdoms are getting more and more interesting! Let me, Lv Rui, help Cao Zhen's wife deal with you! Bai Xiang Qi Lue? I have a copy of it, and I also have Tian Mai Xi Yuan, plus the wisdom of over 2,000 years? Hmph, Sima Yi, don't disappoint me! Thinking of this, Lv Rui revealed an eerie smile! (Taigong Bing Shu is eerie but not against heaven, human talent is the master of all things, humans can conquer heaven!) (Thanks to new book Jing Xuan for recommending this chapter!)