Chapter 2049: Chapter 1825: Clearing Doubts
Chen Xi spoke very straightforwardly this time, and most of the military officers have already understood.
In fact, Chen Xi’s method is similar to the lower-level command method used later in Qi Jiguang’s training, of course, Qi Jiguang’s training mode, which was already close to modern army requirements, placed in this era, even as a lower-level training mode, was considered extremely high-level.
The significance of commanding in this way is entirely because the Ming Army was so poor in command, so Qi Jiguang’s "New Book of Effective Records" had only one requirement for orders: simplicity.
Simple to what extent? Simple enough that when the entire army hears an order, they know what to do, simplifying warfare to the point where only a dozen or so orders can cover the scope, and then soldiers who understand these orders could command the larger army.
However, it must be acknowledged that these dozen or so orders certainly don’t cover everything, so Qi Jiguang’s command divided the large army into modules.
Just like a game controller typically only has up, down, left, and right, but when combined with punches and kicks, it can produce many moves.
Qi Jiguang’s large army was the same, ordering these dozen modules can be achieved after some training by normal people, and the combinations of these modules with these orders are no joke.
Of course, the average person can’t achieve these combinations without several years, to command fluently and match them, actually with a little training you can command officers and even barely use Zhou Yu’s method to conduct battles, to be precise, Zhou Yu’s method was the most orthodox legion command.
Though Zhou Yu’s method is orthodox, its entry-level difficulty is extremely high, Qi Jiguang’s module command method is inevitably rigid, yet it truly lowers the difficulty of initiating legion command, before the Ming Dynasty, legion command primarily relied on talent.
Those who could command armies of hundreds of thousands, were mostly all talent faction, and those people in their impression were renowned generals before middle age, some even became famous at just over twenty.
"To put it simply, when you start by commanding a single module, but transform into commanding five or six, or even a dozen modules simultaneously, you try commanding the large army. If normal command fails, the best method is to substitute with this way." Chen Xi turned to the military generals.
Honestly, among this group of generals, perhaps half of them couldn’t defeat an army commanded in this way, despite appearing rigid, the Qij Family Army in just such rigidity defeated an unknown number of people.
"Does this method have two development directions?" Jia Xu asked Chen Xi after observing the generals’ enlightened expressions.
"Indeed, there are two. One is the orthodox command like Zhou Gongjin, another is more detailed command, with the ten modules turning into twenty. These two methods are like drawing a circle, one being squared off, the other a casual stroke." Chen Xi smiled while speaking.
"The former follows rules, the latter relies entirely on talent." Jia Xu sighed deeply.
"Yes, that’s it. The former follows rules, the latter relies entirely on talent, and the former can never surpass the latter." Chen Xi said helplessly. This is the pitfall of legion command, the requirement for talent far exceeds effort.
Some might not have worked in this area at all, yet can command at first try, like Hann Xin, born a commoner, without mentor or heritage, nearly eating dirt at first, then soaring after meeting Xiao He.
To say Han Xin’s legion command was entirely talent-reliant isn’t far off, however, few descendants reach Han Xin’s level through effort alone, it’s a joke, this relies much more on talent than effort.
"Feels like you’re talking not to us, but to those generals." Lyu Meng pointed at the crowd of officers eager to join.
"Yes, it’s meant for them, but you should listen too. I suggest this practice, martial generals have another way to fight, but if it doesn’t lead to victory, it might result in death." Chen Xi nodded to Lyu Meng.
"Brave faction strategy, gather all main formation’s elite troops, break through the opponent’s army, then divide and conquer." Without Chen Xi speaking, Guo Jia filled in.
"Indeed, this method is dangerous, but combined with my previously mentioned command strategy, it’s actually very effective." Chen Xi nodded, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and other confident generals looked excited upon hearing.
[Command dispatch is like a combination, brave faction strategy is a killer move, combining the two against moderately capable opponents can ensure victory in one go.] Chen Xi thought silently, [More importantly, this method appears flawless yet holds treacherous intent, offering huge advantages to Lord Xuande.]
Actually, the significance of Chen Xi teaching this battle method wasn’t to use it for internal conflict, but to make these people understand the importance and urgency in legion warfare.
Zhou Yu was also listening to Chen Xi’s explanation; what Jia Xu could grasp, Zhou Yu could too, yet he didn’t need this method as he’s naturally gifted in legion command.
"Ziming, regarding the small corps operations I mentioned to you earlier, what are your thoughts?" Chen Xi withdrew his gaze from Pang Tong and then looked at Lyu Meng.
"I’m somewhat confused," Lyu Meng said with a furrowed brow, "In operations at the corps level, without the destructive power of a Military Spirit Legion, the battle of a small corps has little impact on the large army. If there is a Military Spirit Legion, leading the elite to break through the enemy’s main formation is indeed the most suitable way."
"Hmm, what you said makes a lot of sense," Chen Xi nodded, "But you’re mistaken in understanding; when I talk about small corps operations, I’m actually referring to your ability to command certain points within the large army." Chen Xi said again to Lyu Meng, who was stunned upon hearing this.
"You know this ability is precious, but you don’t know how to use it, right?" Chen Xi laughed and said, Lyu Meng was silent for a while and then nodded.
"Here’s the plan, Pang Shiyuan will definitely be learning military formations, so you can study breaking formations. You can also have Xu Yuanzhi teach you how to break military formations; perhaps Yuanzhi is also somewhat enlightened," Chen Xi smiled and spoke to Xu Shu beside him.
Xu Shu’s expression became serious upon hearing this, then he silently nodded.
Chen Xi continued to speak to Lyu Meng, "You can learn from these two how to ponder human nature, then learn military dispatch coordination with Gongjin. After mastering these, Gongjin will probably teach you drilling soldiers and military administration. At this point, you’ll be almost ready."
Lyu Meng silently nodded, expressing gratitude to Chen Xi, and after a while, Lyu Meng said, "Marquis Chen, I’m really curious why you guide us like this. Although we were as close as family at the Northern Frontier, when we return to the Central Plains, we will ultimately serve our own lords. What you teach us today will inevitably be used against you."
"Oh, you see, Pang Shiyuan didn’t ask, Zhongda didn’t ask, yet you ask, doesn’t this make you seem foolish?" Chen Xi laughed heartily.
Lyu Meng’s face twisted somewhat, and Pang Tong spoke calmly, "Actually, I’m curious too."
"Hmm, because the upcoming war, well, it might be somewhat different from what you expect," Chen Xi said with a smile, a five-year plan, giving seeds to everyone, then the roots grown by the seeds binding these unlucky kids without any issue.
"Just for this, you’re willing to teach us these things?" Lyu Meng looked at Chen Xi with a face full of confusion; he couldn’t understand Chen Xi’s mindset, and Liu Bei surprisingly didn’t mind, not only Liu Bei but also his civil officials didn’t mind.
"Yes, yes, just for this; actually, for me, these things are very simple, but for you, they can save many detours. Watching you exceptionally talented guys waste your talents really makes me feel heartache," Chen Xi said with half jest and half seriousness.
Sima Yi and Pang Tong were both staring at Chen Xi’s face at this moment, and finally confirmed that Chen Xi’s words weren’t false, looking at him in astonishment; this was indeed a shocking message.
"Aren’t you afraid that we’ll learn these and use them against you?" Lyu Meng appeared somewhat reckless compared to Pang Tong, Sima Yi, and others, asking without any reservations, yet Pang Tong didn’t hint anything.
"Not afraid, I can never quite determine how much I know myself," Chen Xi laughed and said, "Problems don’t have limitless ways, they will all be solved eventually."
"You can’t even determine how much you know?" Pang Tong’s eyes revealed a trace of disbelief; if others said this, Pang Tong would surely dismiss them with a glance, but Chen Xi saying this warranted deep contemplation.
"Hmm, learned too much, seen too much, which leads to forgetting too much, but fortunately what remains is enough to use," Chen Xi laughed and said, "Why don’t you follow my advice? If I nurture you personally, I can fully unleash your potential."
Sima Yi was indeed somewhat hesitant; Chen Xi had said so much, and considering previous experiences, Sima Yi knew he had already squandered a lot of time; however, bowing before Zhuge Liang was quite challenging for him now.
"Can we wait a bit longer?" Sima Yi was silent for a long time, then slowly raised his head, looking at Chen Xi with a gloomy expression.
"Even if I ask you to make a decision now, you probably won’t be willing; given you’re my cousin, you have a lot of time until Kongming leaves. You’ll have to make a choice before then," Chen Xi sighed as he looked at Sima Yi and gave him another chance.
"Can I follow you during this time?" Sima Yi’s eyes lit up as he asked.
"Sure, although I usually don’t work much, and since you’re taking the versatile route, I’m not quite suitable to teach you, but if you’re willing, I can try to help answer your questions," Chen Xi laughed and replied, agreeing to Sima Yi’s request.
"Can I follow you too?" Pang Tong immediately seized the opportunity, climbing the pole Sima Yi had set up, while Sima Yi gave Pang Tong a displeased glance but said nothing.
"You can, but let me make it clear: I’m only answering your questions, not guaranteeing the answers are correct; my answers contain my insights and may not fully align with your unformed thoughts, so they can only serve as references, not as absolute answers," Chen Xi said very solemnly.
