Commandant Feng was very excited and invigorated by Zhang Shihao's promise to take his daughter as a younger sister.
Actually, it was just as Zhang Shihao had thought.
Commandant Feng indeed had the intention of having Zhang Shihao escort his daughter.
The Imperial Palace was a place of mixed powers.
There was not much to say about Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the other Ten Attendants.
And Empress He Lian was the mistress of the Imperial Harem, with Consort Wang's fate still fresh in memory.
Even though his daughter was a beauty of peerless charm, Commandant Feng actually didn't dare to send her into the palace.
Because if he sent her in rashly, it was very likely that his daughter would die an unclear death, which was highly probable.
However, if his daughter was recognized as a younger sister by Zhang Shihao, then this worry would be greatly reduced.
Zhang Shihao himself controlled power in the palace, and was trusted and heavily relied upon by Liu Hong. With Zhang Shihao's protection, even if Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, or the Empress wanted to act, they would have to consider Zhang Shihao.
It could be said that the title of 'Zhang Shihao's younger sister' could bring his Feng Family an undeniable protective effect.
However, despite his excitement and invigoration over Zhang Shihao's promise, Commandant Feng was very anxious about Zhang Shihao's indifferent attitude towards his daughter.
Immediately, Commandant Feng excitedly left the Yiyang Marquis Manor; he wanted to bring his daughter to Zhang Shihao to have a look.
And he also wanted to quickly solidify Zhang Shihao recognizing his daughter as a sworn younger sister.
Zhang Shihao didn't pay much attention to Commandant Feng's departure.
Zhang Shihao quickly shifted his attention to another matter.
"System, today I've established preliminary commercial cooperation with the Zhen Family. If successful, it will greatly benefit my efforts to build my own power. Does this count as a significant day for signing in?"
"Ding! Host, you still have one significant day sign-in opportunity today. Would you like to sign in?"
Hearing this, Zhang Shihao was delighted and said without hesitation:
"Sign in immediately!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received a critical hit for significant day sign-in!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received one rare knowledge skill book, 'Wu Qi's Art of War'!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have received one four-star descendant seed. Please use it with caution, Host!"
Two system prompts sounded one after another, especially after the latter prompt, Zhang Shihao's whole body tensed up, and he couldn't help but shiver.
Again?
Zhang Shihao remembered the last experience vividly.
After a moment of tension, Zhang Shihao quickly calmed down.
And he quickly understood.
The first time would cause a huge shock.
But, with the first time, having a second, third, or fourth time later was not unacceptable.
However, Zhang Shihao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said:
"System, are you sure this thing is mine?"
"Naturally, it is the Host's. It was specifically selected from the Host's billions of seeds."
Hearing this, Zhang Shihao breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid of working for others.
"If that's the case, then it's a great thing. After all, everyone wants a favored child of heaven, and billions of seeds are too many, with excellent ones and inferior ones. Being able to screen for excellent ones is indeed a great thing."
"It's just that in the future, there will be something to see in the Imperial Harem."
Zhang Shihao had figured it out. He even thought that if his sons, each possessing the talent of a genius, were to grow up, Zhang Shihao couldn't help but smile. Others' fathers built empires for their sons; was he going to have his sons build an empire for him?
A smile appeared on Zhang Shihao's face, and a simple, gilded book appeared in his hand.
It was precisely the rare knowledge skill book, 'Wu Qi's Art of War', rewarded by the system.
Looking at this 'Wu Qi's Art of War', a hint of doubt flashed in Zhang Shihao's eyes.
The system just rewarded an ordinary book?
If only it could be like that book, 'Three Kingdoms: Intercepting the Big-Eared Thief', and give him an indoctrination, how great would that be? His command could skyrocket!
However, the next moment, the inwardly doubtful Zhang Shihao had just opened 'Wu Qi's Art of War' when he immediately felt something different.
As the book opened, a sense of inner tranquility swept over him.
At this moment, it was as if the entire world had quieted down.
The joy and agitation in his heart gradually dissipated.
"This... this is interesting."
Feeling this unique sensation, Zhang Shihao's eyes brightened. Just this calming effect alone was enough to prove the extraordinary nature of this book.
Zhang Shihao's gaze fell upon the illustrated military treatise.
He couldn't tear his eyes away anymore.
Marquis Wu asked: "I wish to hear the way of governing the army, assessing people, and solidifying the nation."
Wu Zi said: "In governing a nation and commanding an army, one must teach them with propriety, encourage them with righteousness, and instill in them a sense of shame. If a person has shame, in great matters he is sufficient to fight, and in small matters he is sufficient to defend. However, victory in battle is easy, but maintaining victory is difficult. Therefore, it is said: Among the warring states of the world, five victories lead to disaster, four victories lead to exhaustion, three victories lead to hegemony, two victories lead to kingship, and one victory leads to emperorship. Thus, those who gain the world through numerous victories are few, and those who perish are many."
...
Wu Zi said: "There are five reasons for the raising of troops: first, to contend for fame; second, to contend for profit; third, to accumulate virtue (or evil); fourth, internal strife; fifth, due to famine. There are five types of warfare: first, righteous warfare; second, strong warfare; third, rigid warfare; fourth, violent warfare; fifth, rebellious warfare. To suppress violence and save from chaos is called righteous; to rely on numbers to attack is called strong; to raise an army out of anger is called rigid; to abandon propriety and covet profit is called violent; when the nation is in chaos and the people are weary, to undertake a venture and mobilize the masses is called rebellious. For each of these five types, there is a way to subdue them: the righteous must be subdued with propriety, the strong with humility, the rigid with words, the violent with deception, and the rebellious with power."
...
Silence.
The hall was completely silent.
Only Zhang Shihao, holding the ancient gilded 'Wu Qi's Art of War', was reading, his face quite expressive; he even unconsciously stamped his foot heavily when he reached an exciting part.
An excited expression appeared on his face, as if he strongly agreed.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for reading 'Wu Qi's Art of War' for a quarter of an hour and gaining insight. Command value +1. Current command value: 60."
...
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for reading 'Wu Qi's Art of War' for half an hour and a quarter of an hour and gaining insight. Command value +1. Current command value: 61."
...
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for reading 'Wu Qi's Art of War' for one hour and three quarters of an hour and gaining insight. Command value +1. Current command value: 62."
"Brother Shihao, Commandant Feng has brought his daughter and is waiting outside. They've been waiting for over half an hour..."
After an unknown amount of time, Huang Xu's voice woke Zhang Shihao, who saw Huang Xu looking at him with a wry smile.
"Commandant Feng is here again? Didn't he just leave? How long has it been?"
Zhang Shihao excitedly closed 'Wu Qi's Art of War' and then asked Huang Xu with some confusion.
"This..." Hearing this, Huang Xu was instantly speechless and explained:
"Brother Shihao, it's been over four hours, alright? When I asked you to eat lunch, you just said to wait. Is this book really that good?"
"Hmm? Four hours, eight hours?"
Hearing Huang Xu's words, Zhang Shihao was slightly stunned. A feeling of hunger swept over him, just like playing mahjong all day. He looked at the 'Wu Qi's Art of War' in his hand, then at his 63 command points, and a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Shihao's eyes.
At this moment, Zhang Shihao knew he had found a treasure.
A smile appeared on Zhang Shihao's face. He solemnly handed 'Wu Qi's Art of War' to Huang Xu and said:
"Good book, this is a good book. Go, you take it and read it too. Remember, after reading this book, it must be returned, and absolutely no damage is allowed."
"Go, please invite the Feng family father and daughter in."
"Oh, alright." Seeing Zhang Shihao hand him the book, Huang Xu took it with little interest, responded, and went to invite Commandant Feng and his daughter.
Zhang Shihao didn't have to wait long. Soon, footsteps sounded.
Several figures entered the main hall.
It was Huang Xu, and Commandant Feng, whose face was beaming with smiles.
However, in an instant, Zhang Shihao, who was seated at the head, let out a soft 'yi' and his gaze was drawn to the beautiful, graceful, and elegant figure behind Commandant Feng.