Chapter 175: First Steps into Jingzhou Territory, Xue Ji

The early summer hot wind swept across the Huangtu plateau at Jingzhou's border, kicking up gusts of fine sand and gravel.

Along both sides of the official road, wheat fields like blue‑silk canopies were ripening, raising wave after wave of verdant sea.

The soldiers' armor was scorching under the sun; sweat ran down through the gaps of their mail and gathered on the horses' bellies as tiny streams.

"Sir, we have just passed through Binzhou and entered Jingzhou's territory..."

After a few embroidered‑clad envoys returned to You Xian's ear to report, he immediately spurred his horse to Chen Yan's side and reported.

After more than half a month of marching under the scorching sun, we finally set foot in the anti‑bandit zone.

Even though there is still a considerable distance left...

"After a long trek, we've finally reached Jingzhou..." Chen Yan wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, exhaled a puff of stale breath, and sighed.

He paused, then continued, "Being unable to take the water route really is a hassle!"

Chen Yan had never really noticed before, but now he understood the little Bohai clerk's point about the importance of water routes...

At its core, war is a matter of cost.

Traveling by land makes logistical costs climb geometrically, but fortunately their force numbers only a little over a thousand, and there are supplies along the way...

Actually there is a Jing River route from Chang'an to Jingzhou, but Grand Tomb Governor's father, to let Yuwen Ze become familiar with the terrain and to temper his character, specifically ordered that they could only travel on land...

After Chen Yan made a few off‑hand remarks, he waved for Yuwen Ze and Helian Shi, ordering them to arrange a deployment, find a shady spot to rest, recover their strength, avoid the sun, and then set out again.

"The whole journey has been truly bumpy..."

Liu Yuanjing leaned against a big tree and sat down, took the water flask handed by his guard, gulped down several hearty swallows, easing his dry throat and scorching body, then murmured.

He is the direct son that the Liu clan has poured effort into raising, yet he walks the civil‑official path and has never endured such hardship...

He personally felt the toil of marching and fighting.

However, Liu Yuanjing harbored no resentment; he considered it an added experience of training...

Half Hour Rest later.

The sun in the sky had dimmed a little.

Xue Ji pondered for a long while, then walked straight to the eyes‑closed Chen Yan, and said, "Mirror Master Chen, may I say something or not?"

That arrogant fellow even made his words flow pretentiously... Chen Yan heard the voice, muttered to himself, slowly opened his eyes, and smiled, "Brother Xue, please speak!"

"He held back all the way, and only just arrived in Jingzhou's territory, yet he already can't hold it in..."

Dou Luling, who was nearby, witnessed the scene, a hint of a meaningful smile curling his mouth, thought to himself.

When this guy stuck out his butt, he already guessed what kind of crap he was about to drop...

It's nothing but resentment toward Chen Yan and a desire to stir up trouble!

The reason there was none on the road was simply that there was no suitable opportunity...

"Mirror Master Chen, do you have any strategic outlook for this Jingzhou anti‑bandit campaign?"

Xue Ji sized up Chen Yan, shedding his earlier defiant expression, his smile full, and asked.

He paused, then continued, "Why not tell us, so we can pool ideas and everyone can have some sense of the situation..."

"Strategy?"

Chen Yan heard that, murmured repeatedly without a hint of hesitation, shook his head, and blurted, "There isn't any yet!"

"None?!"

Xue Ji was taken aback, very stunned, exclaiming, "Mirror Master Chen, you mean after walking for over ten days you haven't even thought of it yet?!"

His words were full of disbelief.

Xue Ji had assumed that even if Chen Yan lacked a complete plan, he would at least have a draft, since even he, who intends to "make things happen", had been racking his brain, hypothesizing various scenarios...

But the chief of the anti‑bandit operation turned out to be completely empty—nothing at all?!

"Exactly!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, his brows slightly raised, and replied seriously, "Grand Tomb Governor didn't set a deadline; once we reach Anding, we can discuss it slowly, can't we?"

He said it with undeniable righteousness.

It seemed as if the anti‑bandit matter was never on his mind at all.

(Anding, Jingzhou administration)

He really is bold... Xue Ji, hearing this, pursed his lips, muttered a complaint in his mind, then suddenly lifted a smile and suggested, "Mirror Master Chen, our methodical anti‑bandit approach is too dull; can we add some interesting elements?"

He knew that Chen's success in quelling the Qinzhou rebellion was pure luck, plus the rebels were weak, which is why those achievements were earned...

Now his true colors are exposed, and he can ride this moment to fame, letting the Grand Tomb Governor see what real talent looks like!

"Oh?"

Chen Yan blinked, as if a strong interest was sparked, and said, "I'm eager to hear the details!"

He said, lifting his hand lightly.

"We split our forces into three routes, each striking out, to see who can first storm the bandits' old stronghold?"

Seeing this, Xue Ji, without hesitation, voiced the plan he had in mind.

Immediately, he deliberately asked, "It's still somewhat challenging, right?"

"Brother Xue, the Jingzhou bandit problem isn't weak..."

Chen Yan thought briefly, his eyes narrowing, a look of difficulty appearing, and said gravely, "That's not appropriate, is it?"

He paused, then switched to a cautious demeanor, and continued, "If splitting the troops leads to any mishap, I, Chen, couldn't bear the responsibility!"

The words seemed persuasive but were more like a disclaimer.

And it was addressed to the surrounding aristocratic youths, implying that:

"You all listen, this is his reckless solo move, and I, Chen, was the one who blocked it, so I have no responsibility at all!"

Mediocre spineless ones... Xue Ji, hearing this, lowered his assessment of Chen Yan once more, becoming more contemptuous, and provoked, "Brother Chen, you, the illustrious Vermilion Bird Mirror Master, are you afraid?"

"What a clumsy provocation..."

"You, you arrogant fool, you really think my brother has no scheme, do you?"

Sitting aside, having watched the whole thing in silence, Yuwen Ze stared at someone with a look that said "idiot," seething inside.

If others don't understand my brother, how could Yuwen Ze possibly not understand him?

Never fighting an unprepared battle; nine or ten times before arriving, he has already prepared a dozen tactics, plus all sorts of underhanded tricks...

Chen Yan hesitated for a moment, and under that provocation, as if his competitive spirit was sparked, he shouted, "Since Brother Xue has such refined interest, I shall certainly accompany you!"

Only the self‑satisfied fool didn't realize that this hit exactly Chen's sweet spot, turning the plan into a perfect counter‑plan...

After all, a fool has his own way of being a fool!

This Jingzhou anti‑bandit campaign now has a new twist...

"Good, you have guts—that's what a real man is!"

Having succeeded smoothly, Xue Ji felt utterly exhilarated, every cell in his body leapt with joy. He turned, scanned the surroundings, and loudly asked, "Everyone, does anyone wish to join Brother Xue in achieving glory?"

His words hung in the air.

The imagined scene of everyone scrambling forward eagerly did not materialize.

Instead, there was a dead silence...

All the young scions of the noble families present remained silent.

"Brother Liu?" Xue Ji looked at Liu Yuanjing.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Xue!"

Liu Yuanjing returned a smile and said, "My martial skill is lacking, I should rather accompany Brother Chen."

Liu Yuanjing was no clueless person.

Sticking with the Elite Cavalry guarantees safety; the fact that bandits can still hold Jingzhou and survive repeated campaigns shows a serious problem...

A cowardly fellow, unworthy of being a Liu descendant... Xue Ji rolled his eyes at Liu Yuanjing's polite refusal, turned to Wang Xiong, and asked, "Brother Wang?"

"I came to Jingzhou this time for experience, not for fame or profit..." Wang Xiong raised his hand, waved his water bag, and smiled.

Wang Xiong's purpose was vastly different from Xue Ji's.

His more important task was to observe Chen Yan...

To personally witness whether this legitimate grandson of the old pillar of the state is more worthy of trust than his father, the Duke of Wei!

The other descendants of Chen Laoyezi's old troops all harbored this thought...

The family's future matters far more than any fleeting achievement!

"I think the bandits are numerous and organized; to split forces like this and go in alone is far too risky!"

Kou Luo, out of goodwill, warned.

He was the only honest man present.

Kou Luo's father was one of the Twenty-Four Commandery.

"You... you..."

"Fine then!"

Seeing this, Xue Ji raised his hand, pointed at those unwilling to follow, a hint of resentment at their lack of ambition, and gritted his teeth, saying, "When I storm the bandits' stronghold and claim the first victory, you must not regret it!"

"Let's go!"

Having said so, he flicked his sleeve and strode away.

Behind him, over a hundred of the Xue clan's Private Soldiers followed closely.