Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 149: Chapter 147: Formation Practice

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A moment later, he finished browsing the booklet and looked up at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Tenth Uncle, how is it?"

"A very formidable array, but unfortunately, they can’t train in it." Chu Mingrui returned the thin booklet to Chu Zhiyuan, "The requirements are too demanding."

I really don’t know how the four of them managed to master it.

Such strict requirements are practically a reproach, almost impossible to achieve, and yet those four managed to do it.

It’s evidently rooted in this Fourth Prince.

After Chu Zhitian returned home, he couldn’t stop praising Chu Zhiyuan’s insight, outstanding intelligence, and comprehension, even saying that he would surpass him as his father.

Originally, Chu Mingrui was unconvinced, but seeing Chu Zhiyuan’s progress, he had to admit that in martial arts comprehension, Chu Zhiyuan indeed excelled.

Of course, in terms of military tactics and war comprehension, he believed he was far superior.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Tenth Uncle can keep it as a reference."

"Such an array is useless for the army," Chu Mingrui said. "Simple yet powerful is what we need."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Tenth Uncle, does such an array exist in this world?"

"... Indeed." Chu Mingrui chuckled, "I am too greedy."

A simple yet effective technique often requires excellent comprehension to master. Simple moves, to unleash great power, must be used with exquisite skill.

If one cannot deeply understand the essence of the moves, how can they execute them exquisitely?

Chu Zhiyuan said, "But Tenth Uncle, I have seen that you only train in one array?"

"It’s already tough to master one array." Chu Mingrui said, "Practicing too many could lead to mistakes, better to master one thoroughly to the point it becomes instinctual, without needing to think."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Da Jing, Da Zhen, and Da Meng seem to train only one array each, not two together, there must be a reason for this.

Chu Mingrui said, "Training a set of arrays in the army requires decades of accumulation and exploration. Once mastered, it’s rarely changed because the experience of predecessors is too important."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Can’t each camp practice a different array?"

"If you were the officer of this camp, learning a new array requires gradual exploration, possibly taking ten to twenty years to become combat-effective. Practicing the old array, it can increase combat power within one to three years, allowing continuous victories, gaining merits, and rapid promotions. Which would you choose?"

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression became solemn, he nodded slowly.

Almost no one would choose the first option; everyone would choose the second path.

This is path dependency, it aligns with human nature.

Choosing the first option goes against human nature.

Even after ten or twenty years, one may not master it, and not only won’t they get promoted, but they might get disgraced. Who would be so foolish?

Chu Mingrui sighed, "When I was in the Northwest Territory, I also had two camps specifically practicing new arrays, but alas..."

"With Tenth Uncle returning to the court, it’s probably difficult for those two camps to maintain, right?"

"I received news yesterday; those two camps have stopped practicing the new array."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "So to reduce resistance in mastering a new array, it must be done quickly, the sooner the better."

"Indeed." Chu Mingrui nodded slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan looked helpless.

He couldn’t help. If it was a small group’s array, he could use Super Sense to accurately perceive and quickly assist them in getting started.

But with a military array involving hundreds of people, it would be of no avail; managing over a hundred people is too time-consuming and extremely difficult.

Even with Super Sense it was so difficult; it showed just how tough their actual practice would be. No wonder it might take ten or twenty years without succeeding.

Moreover, by the time it’s mastered, these soldiers would be old, ready to retire.

This is like making a wedding dress for someone else.

Who would be willing to do such a thankless task?

Chu Mingrui managed to train this Chasing Wind Cavalry through sheer luck and accumulated experience from predecessors; training a new military array truly seemed impossible.

"Fourth Prince, you have quite a study in arrays, don’t you?"

"Yes, but I can only manage small arrays; it’s ineffective if too many people are involved."

"There are training methods for both large and small groups," Chu Mingrui laughed, "A small array can become a large array."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, "Using small arrays as units to form a large array? ... Its power might not be enough, though?"

This is akin to addition.

Ten people in one formation, then forming ten formations results in an array of a hundred people.

Such an array’s power is surely not as strong as a hundred people forming one array.

But compared to having no array, it’s undoubtedly superior.

"Don’t be too greedy; taking small steps is better than none," Chu Mingrui said. "Why not start with a small array?"

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "What array does Tenth Uncle want to practice?"

"I have a Thunder Spear Formation in hand; it’s not too hard to train, with decent power, capable of enhancing the speed and strength of those within the array."

"Do you have the array map?"

Chu Mingrui took out a thin booklet from his chest and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Tenth Uncle, you really are prepared for everything."

Evidently, this Tenth Uncle kept an eye on him, knowing that Guo Chi and the others had mastered the array, aware it was because of him.

Chu Mingrui chuckled, "I brought it to study anytime."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tenth Uncle, you are thoughtful."

He observed the small, yellowed booklet, its edges worn, indicating it’s been flipped through many times.

To say he was acting on a whim would definitely be underestimating him.

After flipping six pages of the booklet, Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, pondering as he sat on his horse.

Chu Mingrui did not disturb him.

...

A quarter-hour later, Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes.

"How is it?" Chu Mingrui eagerly asked.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "It’s not a particularly difficult array, requiring at least eighteen people per formation... It can be tried!"

"Haha, Fourth Prince, if you can help me train this array successfully, I will recommend you for great merit!"

"That would be wonderful," Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "To be honest, Tenth Uncle, I currently need great merit, above Fifth Grade."

"No problem, as long as you help me train a group, I’ll request a Fifth Grade Merit for you!"

"Then it’s settled!" Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

He had no doubt in Chu Mingrui’s words.

His current status is so high that a Fifth Grade Merit is just a small matter.

——

The sunset in the west.

The Chasing Wind Cavalry camped halfway up the mountain.

Below was a gentle slope, beneficial for cavalry charge, the side could circle around to the other side for offense or defense.

Chu Zhiyuan beside Chu Mingrui observed the art of selecting the camping site, every detail truly a subject of study.

To practice the array, one must be on the ground, not starting directly from horseback.

After setting up camp, Chu Mingrui brought eighteen youths, all elites of the Chasing Wind Cavalry, Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.

These eighteen youths all had bright eyes and spirited expressions, all intelligent and agile individuals.

This would make guidance much easier.

Chu Zhiyuan first took a closer look at these eighteen youths.

They were also observing Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan’s reputation hadn’t spread outside since the last night banquet in the Imperial Palace, mainly because the Court intentionally suppressed it.

After all, Cheng Tianfeng is the Princely Heir of Da Zhen and future ally, spreading it would seem too petty.

This time, however, the bout with Li Hongzhao was different.

A crowd of citizens watched, and the whole of Yujing discussed it, especially admiring Chu Zhiyuan’s swordsmanship.

The influence spread thoroughly, and his reputation fully rose.

Everyone was curious about this legendary Fourth Prince.

They stood on the open ground outside the large tent, the grass had been cleared, and the surface leveled, covering an area about thirty meters long and thirty meters wide.

Chu Zhiyuan completed his Insight on the situation of these eighteen people, his figure flashed, leaving eighteen footprints on the ground.

He wrote numbers next to the footprints and then had each person stand on the footprints and remember their numbers.

Once they stood well, he left another set of eighteen footprints on the ground, wrote their respective numbers, then a third set, and a fourth set.

In the end, he etched six sets of footprints.

The ground was densely covered with footprints, each with a number, you just had to follow the order, it didn’t look difficult.

When they actually walked it, Chu Zhiyuan continued to remind and correct them, ensuring they maintained a proper speed and coordinated with each other.

After one day, there was significant progress.

This made Chu Mingrui sigh that he really chose the right person.

Chu Zhiyuan was also very pleased.

The Thunder Spear Formation really wasn’t difficult; compared to the Four Spirit Array, it was much simpler, moreover these eighteen youths were indeed very smart, comprehending quickly, never repeating the same mistake.

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