Chapter 390: Chen Yan's Simple, Brutal Pre-War Mobilization

The night was as black as ink, soaking the crimson gate of Jin Wang Fu in deep darkness.

The two lanterns at the gate could only cast a halo about a yard wide.

Chen Yan stood on the steps, his robe rattling as the night wind blew.

"A Xiong, what's happened?"

Yuwen Ze, dressed in a moon‑white brocade, his crown and sash untied, hurried over in boots, droplets of fine sweat clinging to his forehead.

Yuwen Ze had been diligently studying military strategy in his room...

But his father sent someone to order him to campaign with A Xiong, saying A Xiong was waiting at the mansion gate.

Only then did he rush over in haste...

Chen Yan saw this, a cold curve lifting his mouth, and replied, "The Hezhou Liuren rebellion, with Tuyuhun seizing the chance to breach gates, burn, kill and loot, and the Tongtian Society fanning the flames..."

Having spoken, he lifted his gaze to the north‑west sky, the night wind lifting his robe's hem.

He then recounted the details to Yuwen Ze again, the situation and the Grand Tomb Minister's arrangements.

Yuwen Ze's face flushed bright red, and he slammed his clenched fist hard onto the stone lion pedestal at the mansion gate, gritting his teeth as he cursed, "Scoundrel!"

His chest heaved violently, veins on his forehead pulsed, his eyes blazing, "We must not let those damned bastards go lightly!"

A pack of bereaved‑family dogs still dares to collude with foreign barbarians, inciting Liuren to revolt—truly rotten!

We must skin them alive and twist their muscles to settle the hatred in our hearts!

What a true father‑son pair... Chen Yan, witnessing this identical reaction, couldn't help but feel a surge inside, lifted his hand to lightly pat Yuwen Ze's shoulder and laughed, "The Grand Tomb Minister means the same!"

Yuwen Ze inhaled deeply, suppressing the surging fury, and when he looked at Chen Yan, his eyes still smoldered with unquenched murderous intent; his hoarse yet firm voice said, "A Xiong, what shall we do next?"

"First, we go to the camp to muster troops!"

Chen Yan lifted his head, gazing at the impenetrable darkness, a few sparse stars at the horizon dimmed by clouds, a crisp smile curling his mouth, he began

after a pause, continuing, "The Grand Tomb Minister this time granted us... eight hundred Elite Cavalry!"

"And authority over the three provinces' military and civil affairs, plus the right of Convenient Action!"

Yuwen Ze, hearing of the three‑province authority, shook his head, thinking silently, "Seems father has also been quite angry..."

"Forward!" Chen Yan placed his hands behind his back, leading Zhu Yi and He Ba Le forward.

"Mm." Yuwen Ze replied, trailing closely together with Lu Cangfeng.

The antler‑shaped chevaux‑de‑frise surrounding the camp glimmered with a cold, hard iron hue in the moonlight.

Patrolling soldiers wore armor, the clatter of armor plates and the clop of hooves alternating, piercing the quiet of the spring night.

The night wind still carried a biting chill, making the character "Zhou" on the camp flag rattle.

From the stable, the snort of warhorses rose intermittently.

"Half a year later, I have come here again....."

Chen Yan tightened the horse rein, his armor slightly lifting in the night wind, eyes fixed on the camp's main banner, a fleeting complex emotion flashing through his gaze—

From last September to this March, a full half year had passed without him commanding troops into battle.....

The soldiers on guard at the camp gate had already received orders; when Chen Yan dismounted, they instantly gripped their long spears, performed the military salute, their voices uniform: "Salute the Grand General!"

Chen Yan raised his hand in a feigned bow, his voice deep: "No need for formalities!"

The leading stationed Colonel rose at once, stepped aside to clear the way, and bowed, "Grand General, this way, please!"

Having said so, he led the way ahead, his steps steady as he guided Chen Yan's party through the densely arranged tents.

They proceeded toward the Xiaochang at the camp's center, where the lights burned brightest.

Upon stepping onto the Xiaochang, they saw eight hundred elite soldiers already formed in a tidy formation, standing silently awaiting.

The soldiers wore dark‑colored armor, hands on the horizontal blades at their waists, long spears on their shoulders; moonlight spilled onto the armor plates, reflecting a cold metallic sheen.

The commanders at the front of the formation, seeing Chen Yan approach, each bowed and clasped fists in salute:

"Subordinate General Gu Yu Ci salutes the Grand General!"

"Subordinate General Helian Shi salutes the Grand General!"

"Subordinate General He Ba Le salutes the Grand General!"

"It is General Chen..."

Peng Chong squinted, spotting the armored figure at the front, instantly gripping his long spear tighter, his knuckles whitening, his heart thudding, his Adam's apple rolling with excitement, and he couldn't help shouting, "We can earn battle merit again!"

We must not miss this chance to achieve great merit!

The soldiers beside him also recognized Chen Yan, their exchanged glances full of exhilaration.

Some straightened their backs quietly, others tightened their armor straps, even their breaths grew heavier—who doesn't know that fighting under Lord Chen Yan means fewer losses and guaranteed victories?

For some reason, a surge of heat rushed from his chest to the crown of his head, his blood igniting throughout his body......

Chen Yan raised his hand, clasped his fists, and laughed heartily to the soldiers before him, his voice resonant as a bell, dispelling the night's chill: "Everyone, long time no see, hope you've been well!"

Then his gaze swept over faces, some familiar, some faintly recognizable, his tone brimming with genuine warmth: "I, this General, have truly missed you!"

"We too miss the Grand General!"

The roar of the eight hundred soldiers thundered like a sudden lightning strike, shaking the lantern flames on the Xiaochang three times.

Each soldier held his head high, veins bulging on the hand gripping the long spear, eyes ablaze with scorching light — a fervor for Pao Ze and a yearning to achieve great deeds.

"Day and night we have longed to follow the Grand General, to forge new achievements!" someone at the front shouted, prompting a chorus: "We will follow the Grand General through fire and water, to earn further glory!"

Waves of sound layered upon each other, carrying the youthful bravery and the seasoned vigor of veterans.

Peng Chong's face flushed red, his roar matching his stare fixed on the front figure, feeling all his strength about to burst forth.

There's no choice but to follow Lord Chen Yan, no, Chen Biaoqi, with countless merits to earn, gold and silver women to vie for, promotions to gain, a future boundless......

"Hahaha!"

Chen Yan, witnessing the scene, couldn't help laughing heartily.

Just by the look in their eyes, one knows they remain a tiger‑wolf army, the elite among elites.

Gu Yu Ci stepped forward, clasped his fist to his chest, bowed, and said, "Please give orders, Grand General!"

He suppressed his smile, turned to face the ranks, his expression instantly solemn, and announced loudly, "Now there is a matter that offers you all a chance to make a name for yourselves…"

"The Tongtian Society is inciting Liuren to rebel in Hezhou, and the Tu Yu Hun are breaching the gates, killing our civilians, abducting our women and children, and looting our property. What do you think we should do?"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Facing Chen Yan's question, the Eight Hundred Soldiers let out a roar that shattered the night sky, giving their answer.

Even more fierce than before, the flags beside the Xiaochang fluttered wildly as the sound waves rattled them.

The soldiers' eyes bulged, each raising their long spears toward the heavens; the crisp clatter of Armor colliding mixed with the warhorses' whinnies, filling the spring night with murderous aura.

Helian Shi stepped forward, his hand gripping the Horizontal Blade tightly, and declared loudly, "Eradicate the rebels and ensure the Tu Yu Hun never return!"

"Well said!"

"That is also the order given to me by the Grand Treasury Minister!"

Chen Yan looked at Helian Shi, nodded with satisfaction, and said.

He paused, then his voice rose sharply, each word ringing: "Those who offend Great Zhou, no matter how distant, shall be punished!"

"Those who offend Great Zhou, no matter how distant, shall be punished!"

"Those who offend Great Zhou, no matter how distant, shall be punished!"

"Those who offend Great Zhou, no matter how distant, shall be punished!"

Chen Yan's words were like a fire, fully igniting the blood of the Eight Hundred Soldiers.

The soldiers' faces flushed red, beast‑like roars bubbling from their throats, the whole unit restless.

"Many among you have previously followed me in Qinzhou's pacification and Jingzhou's bandit suppression, and there are also many fresh faces!"

Chen Yan's eyes burned as he swept over the howling soldiers before him, then raised his voice abruptly.

Immediately, his tone shifted sharply; he raised his hand, pointing northwest, his voice wrapped in scorching temptation: "However, my rules have not changed, still the same words…"

"We will make sure this expedition is not in vain for everyone!"

"Seize it with joy, fill the bowl to the brim!"

It remains a simple, blunt pre‑battle mobilization.

No empty talk, no grandiose nonsense…

Only concrete promises of benefit!

"I am willing to give my life for the Grand General!"

"I am willing to give my life for the Grand General!"

These shouts burst through the clouds, more turbulent than any before.

Each of the Eight Hundred Soldiers had reddened eyes, their spears in hand nearly snapped from gripping.

The entire Xiaochang boiled over; soldiers' roars, clashing weapons, and warhorse whinnies merged into a frenzy, even the night seemed heated by this mania.

In everyone's eyes glimmered a blend of greed and fierce bravery, waiting for a single command to turn into wolves lunging at prey.

After all, Chen's reputation is renowned; those who have followed him hope to rise in rank and wealth, those who haven't are filled with anticipation…

"Very well."

Chen Yan smiled calmly, very satisfied, raised his hand to press down, the clamor instantly subsided, his single hand behind his back, his voice steady yet weighty: "Tomorrow we set out, marching to Hezhou!"