Chapter 147: Array Practice
A moment later, he finished flipping through the booklet and looked up at Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Tenth Uncle, how is it?"
"A very powerful array, but unfortunately, they can't practice it." Chu Mingrui handed the booklet back to Chu Zhiyuan: "The requirements are too harsh." He really didn't know how the four of them managed to learn it.
Such harsh requirements were simply making things difficult; it was almost impossible to learn. Yet, the four of them had learned it. Clearly, the root of it lay in this fourth child.
After Chu Zhit霆 returned home, he praised Chu Zhiyuan's comprehension, his exceptional intelligence and understanding, even saying that he would surely surpass his father, the king. Originally, Chu Mingrui was unconvinced, but after seeing Chu Zhiyuan's progress, he had to admit that, in terms of martial arts comprehension, Chu Zhiyuan was indeed superior. Of course, in terms of military strategy and understanding of warfare, he was certainly far superior.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It's good for Tenth Uncle to keep it for reference."
"This kind of array is useless to the army," Chu Mingrui said. "It needs to be simpler and more powerful."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Tenth Uncle, does such an array exist in the world?"
"...That's true." Chu Mingrui laughed, "I'm too greedy."
Simple forms with great effectiveness often require sufficient comprehension to master. To unleash great power from simple moves, one needs exquisite skill. If one cannot deeply understand the essence of the moves, how can one display them exquisitely?
Chu Zhiyuan said, "However, Tenth Uncle, I see that you have only practiced one type of array?"
"It's already difficult enough to master one type of array," Chu Mingrui said. "Practicing too many can easily lead to mistakes. It's better to be proficient in only one, practicing it until it's ingrained in your bones, so you can use it without thinking."
Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.
The Great Jing, Great Zhen, and Great Meng all seemed to practice only one type of array, and did not practice two concurrently. There must be a reason for this.
Chu Mingrui said, "It takes decades of accumulation and exploration for the army to master a set of arrays. Once mastered, it will not be easily changed, because the experience of predecessors is too important."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then can't each battalion practice a different array?"
Even after ten or twenty years of practice, one may not necessarily master it. Not only will one not be promoted, but one may even be punished and demoted. Who would be so foolish?
Chu Mingrui sighed, "When I was in the Northwest Territory, I also had two battalions specifically practice new arrays, but unfortunately..."
"With Tenth Uncle's return to the court, those two battalions will probably be difficult to maintain, right?"
"I received news yesterday that those two battalions have already stopped practicing the new arrays."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "In that case, to reduce resistance to practicing a new array, it must be fast, the faster the better."
"That's right," Chu Mingrui slowly nodded.
Chu Zhiyuan expressed helplessness.
He couldn't help much. If it was an array for a few people, he could use his extrasensory perception to accurately sense and quickly help them get started. Practicing this kind of military array involving hundreds of people was useless; manipulating hundreds of people one by one was too time-consuming and difficult.
Even with his extrasensory perception, it was so difficult. It was evident how difficult the actual practice would be. No wonder it might not be mastered even after ten or twenty years. Moreover, by the time it was mastered, these soldiers would all be old and ready to retire.
This would be doing the work for others to reap the benefits. Who would be such a fool?
Chu Mingrui being able to train the Wind-Chasing Iron Cavalry was already a combination of luck and the accumulated experience of predecessors. Training a new military array was indeed impossible.
"Fourth Child, you have quite a bit of research into the Dao of Arrays, right?"
"I do have some research, but I can only play with some small arrays. It's useless with too many people."
"There are methods for practicing with many people, and methods for practicing with few people," Chu Mingrui smiled. "Small arrays can be transformed into large arrays."
Chu Zhiyuan seemed thoughtful, and pondered, "Small arrays as units, integrated into a large array?... The power would probably not be enough, right?"
This was equivalent to addition.
Ten people in one array, then forming ten arrays to create an array of one hundred people. The power of this kind of array would certainly not be as good as a hundred people forming one array.
But compared to having no array, it was certainly better.
"Don't be too greedy. Taking small steps is always better than not walking at all," Chu Mingrui said. "How about practicing small arrays first?"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "What array does Tenth Uncle want to practice?"
"I have a Lightning Spear Array in my hand. It's not that difficult to practice, and its power is not bad. It can increase the speed and strength of those in the array."
"The array diagram?"
Chu Mingrui took out a booklet from his bosom and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Tenth Uncle, you really are resourceful."
Clearly, this Tenth Uncle was paying attention to him, knowing that Guo Chi and the other three had mastered the array, and knowing that it was because of him.
Chu Mingrui chuckled, "I took it out to ponder it myself from time to time."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tenth Uncle is thoughtful."
Seeing that the small booklet was yellowed and the edges were worn, it had been flipped through many times.
But to say that he had a temporary idea would be to underestimate him too much.
After flipping through six pages of the booklet, Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes and sat on his horse in contemplation. Chu Mingrui did not disturb him.
A quarter of an hour later, Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes. "How is it?" Chu Mingrui quickly asked.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "It is indeed not a difficult array. At least eighteen people form one array... It's worth a try!"
"Haha, Fourth Child, if you can help me master this array, I will request credit for you, great credit!"
"That would be great," Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "To be honest, Tenth Uncle, I am currently lacking great credit, above the fifth rank."
"No problem, as long as you help me master one group, I will request a fifth-rank merit for you!"
"It's settled then!" Chu Zhiyuan smiled.
He did not doubt Chu Mingrui's words.
His current position was extremely high, and a fifth-rank merit was a piece of cake. The setting sun cast its glow.
The Wind-Chasing Iron Cavalry camped on the mountainside.
Below was a flat slope, conducive to cavalry charges, and the side could bypass this mountain to charge on the other side, making it both offensive and defensive. Chu Zhiyuan, by Chu Mingrui's side, saw how to choose a camping site; it truly was full of knowledge.
To practice an array, one must first practice on the ground, and not start directly from horseback.
After setting up camp, Chu Mingrui brought over eighteen young men, all elites from the Wind-Chasing Iron Cavalry. Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.
These eighteen young men all had bright eyes and were full of energy; they were all clever and flexible people.
It would be much easier to guide them like this. Chu Zhiyuan first sized up these eighteen young men.
They were also sizing up Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan's last imperial palace banquet had not spread his fame outside, also because the court had deliberately suppressed it. After all, Cheng Tianfeng was the Crown Prince of Great Zhen and would be an ally. Spreading it would seem too petty.
This time, the martial arts contest with Li Hongzhao was different.
Many commoners watched the battle, and the entire Jade Capital was discussing it, especially praising Chu Zhiyuan's swordsmanship. The impact completely spread, and his fame completely resounded.
Everyone was curious about this legendary Fourth Prince.
They were located in the open space outside the main tent. The grass had been cleared, and the ground had been leveled, covering an area of about thirty meters long and thirty meters wide. After Chu Zhiyuan had fully observed the situation of these eighteen people, he first flashed his figure, leaving eighteen footprints on the ground.
He wrote the label next to the footprints, and then asked the eighteen people to stand on the footprints and remember their labels.
After they stood well, he left another eighteen footprints on the ground, and also wrote their respective labels, then the third group, the fourth group. In the end, a total of six groups of footprints were imprinted.
The ground was densely packed with footprints, each with a label. As long as they walked in order, it would be simple, and it seemed easy.
When actually walking, Chu Zhiyuan still constantly reminded and corrected them, telling them to maintain a certain speed and how to cooperate with each other. After a day, there was great progress.
This made Chu Mingrui can't help but sigh that he had really chosen the right person. Chu Zhiyuan was also very happy.
This Lightning Spear Array was indeed not difficult. It was much simpler than the Four Spirits Array, and these eighteen young men were indeed very smart. They understood as soon as they were told, and would not make the same mistake a second time.
