77: Vision

In the imperial court, the scholars were writing assiduously.

These Confucian scholars, who were at least Recommended Men, didn't all necessarily have their Haoran Righteousness reach the third rank.

But according to the theory of normal distribution,

there were still quite a few who could summon visions.

Sharp swords, long halberds, horse lances...

The most brilliant was a galloping war chariot, with the neighing of horses seeming to resound.

For a time, the entire hall was filled with the clang of weapons and the shouts of battle.

In the side hall, the court officials observing the main hall's commotion also showed some surprise on their faces.

Duke of Lu burst out laughing, "This scene is truly rare in previous years. It makes this old man feel like he's back on the battlefield."

Someone retorted, "Thirty people and three hundred people are, of course, different."

"Even so, it's still quite remarkable."

While they were discussing the difference between thirty and three hundred people, a few individuals observed something different.

"Why is there no movement from our Chen Wenyuan, the top scholar?"

"Hmm? Let this old man see. It truly is so."

"Could it be that he only excels in poetry and prose but knows nothing of military strategy? What a pity."

These people chattered away, carefully observing Wang Zhongshu's expression.

Seeing that Wang Zhongshu was unmoved, they spoke with even more fervor.

There was no lack of sarcastic remarks among them.

The more Wang Zhongshu remained as still as a mountain, the more audacious these people became.

Seeing this, he frowned and softly rebuked, "Those who deceive themselves know to do good to remove evil, but the intentions of their hearts are not genuine."

After speaking, he turned and glared at the gossiping officials, retorting:

"My disciple can compose eternal poems and speak of theories of celestial change. What about you all?"

"Furthermore, the palace examination is not over. How can you say he knows nothing?"

After his words, the hall fell silent, and the officials dared not speak.

Only in their hearts did they grumble: 'Putting on airs. Just wait until Chen Wenyuan gains nothing later, then let's see if you can still smile.'

As for Wang Zhongshu himself, he didn't feel much anxiety in his heart.

When Qin Chuan stayed at his residence, the master and disciple spent most of their time studying.

According to his understanding, although his disciple couldn't be called a military god reborn,

he was by no means inferior to others in the way of military strategy.

What's more, he often spoke astonishing words, like 'protracted war,' 'when the enemy advances, we retreat,' 'Thirty-Six Stratagems,' and so on.

If someone were to say that Qin Chuan's military strategy was weak,

Wang Zhongshu would not believe it.

On the contrary, based on his understanding of his disciple, an idea quickly formed in his mind—

This kid is trying to pull off something big again!

In the main hall, Qin Chuan was unaware that he had become the center of conversation in the side hall. He was still diligently writing down military strategy.

However, as he wrote, he began to feel something was amiss.

Sun Tzus Art of War, passed down from Sun Wu, consists of thirteen chapters.

As he wrote the last character of the first chapter, 'Initial Calculations,'

Qin Chuan instantly felt his spirit enter a rather peculiar state.

His will soared, and all living beings appeared before him in another form.

The tribute scholars in the main hall: anxious, eager, keen to perform, confident...

The group of people in the side hall: scrutinizing, questioning, gloating, anticipating...

Candidates, eunuchs, officials... even the gaze of the peerless woman behind the pearl curtain above, all fell into Qin Chuan's eyes.

No!

Not just people!

There were also palace residences, pavilions, mountains, and trees...

Everything was reflected in his mind, seemingly capable of being manipulated at will.

The regrettable thing was that Qin Chuan felt it was difficult to achieve this with his current ability.

The important officials next door in the side hall, and the peerless one behind the pearl curtain, were so intense that even a glance would cause a stinging sensation in his eyes.

Qin Chuan remembered the lesson from using the observatory before and did not make any further moves.

He shifted his thinking and focused his gaze on the candidates around him.

Some were emotionally agitated; Qin Chuan tried to calm them.

Some were overly eager for quick success; he made them re-examine carefully.

Some looked bewildered; Qin Chuan pointed them in the right direction.

In a daze, Qin Chuan had a slight realization in his heart—

All living beings and things can be pieces on a chessboard!

Once a formation is complete, it can defeat enemies, destroy armies, slay gods, and execute demons...

This is: The Grand Trend of Military Dao!

In the side hall, the officials also slowly began to feel that something was amiss.

"Hiss... Look, the arrangement of the tribute scholars in the hall seems like a formidable military formation!"

"Let me see... It truly is so, but they are just sitting casually, how can this be?"

"It is indeed a military formation, one glance makes people feel a chilling awe, but how come I've never heard of such a military formation? Duke of Lu, have you seen it?"

"Unheard of!"

"What on earth is going on?"

As they were filled with doubt and uncertainty, Wang Zhongshu, however, appeared to be deep in thought.

He glanced at Qin Chuan, and finding no military formation gathered around him, he also felt somewhat unsure.

He mused internally, 'That feeling just now, the manipulation should be a command decree? No, that's not right...'

A moment later, Wang Zhongshu shook his head, suppressing his thoughts.

—No matter what, we'll know once the results are out.

On the other side, after 'playing' with the fellow candidates in the hall for a while, Qin Chuan no longer dwelled on this peculiar feeling.

—Let's finish the exam first!

He continued to write, composing the text.

'Waging War'

'Offensive Strategy'

By now, the examination paper was densely filled with his writing.

Even if Qin Chuan used extremely tiny script, it would be impossible to write down the remaining chapters of Sun Tzus Art of War.

"Hoo..."

Letting out a soft breath, Qin Chuan decided this much was enough.

He glanced at the candidates to his left and right, thinking to himself:

Hmm, it's just the first three chapters of Sun Tzus Art of War.

It shouldn't be too much bullying them... right?

Due to the large amount of text Qin Chuan had written down, he finished relatively late.

While he was still writing assiduously, most of the others in the hall had already finished, except for a few candidates who were sweating profusely in their urgency.

As the strong favorite for this year's imperial examination, he undoubtedly attracted everyone's attention.

Unfortunately, the absence of any visions before his paper caused many to shake their heads.

'Great reputation is hard to live up to'—such thoughts were not uncommon.

Swish!

As Qin Chuan made his final stroke, the eunuch in front announced:

"Time's up, everyone please stop writing."

Qin Chuan put down his paper and brush, frowning as he looked before him.

—Still no visions.

He shook his head slightly, then didn't pay it any mind.

He had merely displayed a wisdom of ancient heritage; whether it manifested visions or not was irrelevant.

After all, these were all extras.

What truly mattered was the quality of the military strategy!

After curiously surveying his surroundings, Qin Chuan simply closed his eyes and rested in place, waiting for the eunuchs to collect the papers.

However, his composure did not last long.

Although his eyes were closed, his ears were still receiving information.

"What is that?"

"It seems like a command token?"

"Where did the stars come from?"

"H-how... how can this be!"

"Is this the world?"

"I seem to see the mountains of my hometown..."

This is such a solemn occasion as the palace examination, how could these people be like a marketplace?

Qin Chuan thought to himself, then frowned and opened his eyes.

What greeted his eyes was not the solemn and majestic hall, but—

Sun, moon, and the river of stars!

Mountains and rivers, grass and trees!

And vast armies standing within, gongs and drums clanging in unison, battle cries shaking the heavens!

Looking out, it was everywhere, as if within reach.