Chapter 134

“Ah, first take a look at what I’ve researched.”

As he spoke, Zhuge Liang unfurled a silk scroll he was holding. True to his reputation as someone skilled in art, the silk depicted the military deployment of the Hatu battle in great detail.

“Based on rumors and the battle reports you submitted, I drew this deployment map, but I’m not sure if it’s accurate.”

Zhuge Liang’s drawing included the basic central circle formation of the Yuhua Formation and the six outer directional formations, complete with annotations.

At a glance, it accurately reproduced the three-line battle formation of Vanguard Troop-Support Troop-Cavalry. The annotations, likely traces of his research, noted which weapons would be suitable and analyzed not just how to move the soldiers but also the philosophical principles behind it.

These were traces of how deeply he had delved into the Yuhua Formation.

“In my view, the Yuhua Formation divides the army into seven parts, simplifying the ever-changing Eight Array Formation through 49 formations, while fully embodying the essence of the Eight Array Formation in the three-line battle formation of each unit. Dividing the army into seven parts allows for more flexible maneuvers than the Eight Array Formation, but it also brings the difficulty of intricate coordination, which seems to rely on the skills of each unit’s commanders.”

Perhaps Zhuge Liang not only enjoys debates and discussions but simply loves talking itself.

Zhuge Liang pointed to each part of the Yuhua Formation diagram, explaining his analysis.

His analysis was mostly correct. Despite not fully replicating the original Yuhua Formation, Zhuge Liang had discerned its weaknesses from written reports alone.

And he even brought solutions to those weaknesses.

“I heard that in the end, they almost couldn’t withstand Zhao Chang’s charge and two units nearly collapsed.”

“That’s correct.”

“The report says it was because the central army’s support was delayed to lure Zhao Chang to the rear and attack the Wei army in the front, but I think support should have come from the left and right, not just the central army.”

What Zhuge Liang pointed out was something even the creator of the Yuhua Formation, Li Zheng, had recognized.

So, he allocated more troops to the left and right rear units among the six outer armies, allowing them to support the left and right armies respectively.

He slightly shifted the role of the central army’s support to the left and right rear units.

Originally, the name “Rear Guard Army” itself meant an army that assists and watches over.

“Your observation is indeed correct. I was also considering assigning two of the outer six armies as left and right rear units to emphasize their role.”

“I see. Perhaps I was too hasty with my advice.”

“Hasty? Please feel free to advise me anytime. As you know, the Yuhua Formation originates from the Eight Array Formation, so your words are invaluable.”

“Haha, thank you for saying that.”

After that, Zhuge Liang continued to ask questions based on his analysis, and I answered them.

Truly befitting the name Zhuge Liang, his questions struck at the core.

After a few exchanges, Zhuge Liang nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“My questions end here. Now, I want to hear from you. I heard the Yuhua Formation is incomplete; what do you envision for its completion?”

“Almost everything I’ve discussed with you is it.”

“Almost? Go on, tell me.”

I had always thought of him as a celestial being, but today I saw a more human side of Zhuge Liang.

Urged on by his eager words, like a child waiting for a gift, I spoke without hesitation.

“I plan to change the organization.”

“Change the organization?”

“Yes. Previously, due to the urgency, I followed the existing organization, but I intend to adjust it to fit the Yuhua Formation.”

Currently, the soldiers are organized in units of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and more. The Eight Array Formation also follows this organization.

However, Li Zheng, the creator of the Yuhua Formation, introduced a very unique organization and formation: the triangular formation.

Three units of 50 form a large unit of 150. Five large units form the first line, the Vanguard Troop.

The second line, the Support Troop, arranges 11 units in a horizontal line, with 10 cavalry units on each end. The third line, the Cavalry, also arranges 10 units in a horizontal line.

This is the basic deployment of the Yuhua Formation.

The triangular formation, compared to the usual square formation, is slightly weaker defensively but excels in mobility and adaptability, especially in transitioning from defense to attack.

Zhuge Liang’s Eight Array Formation, compared to the existing ones, is more aggressive, but the Yuhua Formation takes it a step further.

Defend first, then attack. Adapting to the situation is the guiding principle, perfectly suited to both the Eight Array Formation and the Yuhua Formation.

“A triangular formation, neither circular nor square…”

After hearing my explanation, Zhuge Liang muttered softly, as if savoring the words, and gently waved his fan.

“How did you come up with this? Amazing, truly amazing. Mingjing, you never cease to amaze me.”

“You flatter me.”

My conscience pricked me. It wasn’t me who elicited Zhuge Liang’s admiration. The rightful recipient of his respectful gaze was someone else.

The praise Zhuge Liang spoke of should rightfully go to the genius Li Zheng, who created the real Yuhua Formation 400 years later.

Unable to bear the heat rising to my face, I quickly changed the subject.

“Do you find any shortcomings in what I’ve said, Prime Minister?”

“Shortcomings? Haha, you’ve become quite the joker. In my view, your Yuhua Formation has already surpassed my Eight Array Formation and could be considered a school of its own.”

At Zhuge Liang’s words, suggesting equality or even superiority, my face flushed even more.

The embarrassment of borrowing praise from others. Yet, the joy of receiving Zhuge Liang’s praise coexisted, making my facial muscles twitch uncontrollably.

“But when did you conceive the Yuhua Formation? Given the clear influence of the Eight Array Formation, it must have been after learning it from me.”

If I had honestly said that I originally intended to use the Eight Array Formation but, due to time constraints, came up with the Yuhua Formation instead, I wouldn’t have been able to bear Zhuge Liang’s gaze.

‘Sometimes, a white lie is necessary.’

I firmly believed that time was now.

“I conceived the Yuhua Formation after learning the Eight Array Formation from you and arriving in Chang’an.”

“I see, so it was after you had almost mastered the Eight Array Formation. What about the Eight Array Formation bothered you?”

“The Eight Array Formation is too complex. Also, the proportion of cavalry is low. This doesn’t align with our military’s current trend of increasing cavalry through Xiliang.”

Zhuge Liang had said that the Eight Array Formation consists of four main formations and four auxiliary formations.

The main formations are the Heaven Cover Formation, Earth Support Formation, Wind Rise Formation, and Cloud Hang Formation.

The auxiliary formations are the Dragon Fly Formation, Tiger Wing Formation, Bird Soar Formation, and Snake Coil Formation.

Among these, the Heaven Cover Formation is the basic formation, and variations are applied according to the situation to maximize efficiency in various environments and situations.

But this is just the broad structure, like the Yuhua Formation’s circle, square, straight, and curved formations.

Just as the Yuhua Formation includes subordinate tactics like the three-line battle formation and triangular organization, the Eight Array Formation is filled with even more complex and subtle tactics.

The fact that the Eight Array Formation, a good formation, wasn’t used in Shu after Zhuge Liang’s death shows how difficult it is to learn and implement.

After Shu’s fall, even when the Eight Array Formation was passed down to Jin, only Ma Long and Chen Xie could handle it.

Moreover, the Eight Array Formation is mostly composed of infantry. There is some cavalry, but very little.

This doesn’t align with the current situation of the Han Dynasty, which is smoothly procuring warhorses from Xiliang and Nanjing.

On the other hand, the Yuhua Formation, created by the Tang Dynasty, which was half-Sinified but originated from the Xianbei, had a significant proportion of cavalry.

‘That’s why the Lanling Army, which has the second-largest cavalry after Ma Chao’s Biaoqi General’s Office in the Han Dynasty, was better suited to the Yuhua Formation than the Eight Array Formation.’

For now, with more infantry, the Eight Array Formation might be suitable, but considering the future increase in cavalry, the Yuhua Formation would better fit the Han Dynasty’s situation.

But now that I’ve said it, isn’t this just deception?

Because in my view, the Eight Array Formation is ridiculously difficult and doesn’t seem to fit future needs, so I changed it—that’s the answer.

Thinking I needed to add some explanation or excuse, I opened my mouth, but Zhuge Liang’s voice was faster.

“As expected.”