Chapter 396: Lu Ning

Yuwen Ze saw Lu Ming hand the decision over to Lu Ning, and immediately leaned forward, elbow resting on his knee, fingers curled to tap his jade pendant at his waist.

He raised an eyebrow, his voice lowered deliberately, with a purposeful allure: "Little brother Lu, you have heard of my A Xiong's deeds, so you must know his reputation, right?"

After speaking, he patted the edge of his brocade‑trimmed military uniform, pulled a five‑thousand‑tael Silver Note from his chest, weighed it in his palm: "Join my A Xiong's command, fame, profit, gold and silver, women, fertile lands…"

His gaze swept over Lu Ming's slightly cramped demeanor, a knowing smile curled his lips, his tone grew even more enticing: "It will never be lacking for you!"

Having spoken, he thrust the silver into Lu Ming's hand; the light touch and the huge amount instantly quickened the youth's breathing.

"Indeed!"

Beside them, Helian Shi heard this, slapped his hands and laughed loudly, his coarse voice booming by the campfire: "Little brother Lu, we have followed the Grand General all the way, gaining rank and titles, our family has hundreds of acres of fertile fields, granaries piled full, and gold and silver are never scarce!"

"Not only that, I, your elder brother, have taken five wives; now I have six sons and seven daughters, my lineage thrives."

Saying so, he raised his right hand, holding up five fingers.

Helian Shi's admiration for Lu Ming was unabashed…

Such a person must never be allowed to return to the Liang Kingdom, nor go to the Qi State, otherwise he would be a great enemy!

Thinking of this, a ruthless glint flashed deep in his eyes…

He Ba Le gave Lu Ming a heavy pat on the back: "Work well under the Grand General; in a year or two you'll surely be better off than I am now! Then gold, silver, lands, beautiful wives and concubines will be plentiful, and your A Jie can enjoy a comfortable life with you!"

"I..... I......"

Lu Ming clenched the Silver Note tighter, his knuckles turning white.

The surrounding commanders' talk of fertile lands, beautiful homes, and warehouses full of gold and silver hooked his heart like a lure.

He truly was fed up with the wandering hardships and wanted, by his own ability, to give the siblings a good life.

Lu Ming's throat churned; he tried several times to agree, but swallowed the words, looked up at his sister beside him, eyes full of struggle and reliance, finally gritted his teeth, his tone a bit stubborn: "I'll listen to my A Jie!"

It seemed Lu Ning was the only soft spot of this towering human… Chen Yan took in Lu Ming's turmoil, formed a judgment, looked at Lu Ning, and calmly asked with a smile: "Miss Lu, what do you think?"

Although this kid is a sister's treasure, it's also a good thing…

Holding that woman in his hand would better control this great killing weapon!

Lu Ning slowly lifted her head, meeting Chen Yan's gaze.

The campfire's dancing light flickered across her pretty face.

In her normally gentle brows and eyes, a hidden depth suddenly surfaced, like a dark current churning beneath a calm lake.

Her hand at her side quietly clenched, nails leaving a shallow imprint in her palm; after a moment she spoke, her voice still gentle yet firmer: "Lord Chen Yan, if my A Ming joins your command, may you grant this young lady a condition?"

Saying this, she straightened her back slightly, her previously drooping lashes lifted a bit, her gaze swept past the expectant Yuwen Ze, then rested on Helian Shi and He Ba Le, finally fixing again on Chen Yan's face.

That look no longer held the earlier restraint, but exuded a composure beyond her years…

Lu Ning knew clearly that refusal meant certain death!

Don't be fooled by those around, who seem friendly like Yan Yuesè, full of goodwill; once you defy their wishes, they may turn hostile and deny you…

Moreover, Chen Yan's status, ability, and reputation also moved her; indeed it is a viable way out for the siblings.

But there is one thing that must be fought for…

Done! A Jiangnan noble family raised a truly clever person… Chen Yan knew Lu Ning fully understood the consequences, smiled calmly, lifted his hand lightly: "Miss Lu, please speak!"

He paused, then continued: "Within my ability, I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill it!"

Lu Ning slowly straightened, performed a standard bow with her robe.

She lowered her lashes again, and when she lifted her eyes, the earlier gentleness and restraint vanished, and beneath her eyes swirled not depth but a nearly overflowing, ice‑cold, bone‑piercing murderous intent.

"Later, when Great Zhou troops reach Jiangnan, please let A Ming be the vanguard!" Her voice remained calm, unusually calm, even her address changed.

When she mentioned "Jiangnan," Lu Ning's teeth barely clenched the syllable, her knuckles whitened from the pressure, and her voice trembled slightly.

The firelight reflected in her eyes, yet could not warm that cold pool, within which a deep sea of blood‑filled hatred was clearly mirrored.

It was as if countless days and nights of hatred had finally found an outlet for release.

Lu Ning knew that, given Chen Yan's relationship with the powerful Yuwen Hu and his son, this matter would be certainly easy!

She must seize this chance, the only chance to avenge her parents!

When A Ming returns to Jiangnan with the Zhou Army, that will be those people's time of death…

"Good!"

"I, the General, accept!"

Chen Yan sprang to his feet, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, yet with unwavering certainty.

He paused, then added: "Of course, none of the rewards will be lacking…"

Carrying the heavy sea of blood‑filled hatred means the Lu siblings can be better controlled…

However, after returning to Chang'an, he must have this woman live in his residence, firmly under his control.

"Thank you, Lord Chen Yan!" Lu Ning gave a deep bow, bending her back extremely low.

Lu Ming also rose at once, mimicking the camp troops, clasped his fists and performed a slightly awkward yet solemn military salute, his back straight, eyes blazing at Chen Yan: "Shuyi has seen the Grand General!"

Chen Yan nodded approvingly, raised his hand to pat Lu Ming's shoulder again, turned to Helian Shi and ordered: "Helian, take A Ming to select suitable weapons, and have a fitting set of armor made for him!"

"Understood." Helian Shi immediately clasped his fists in reply, his voice ringing like a bell, stepped forward, and gave Lu Ming a nod.

Lu Ming followed Helian Shi, his steps light.

Passing his sister, he lowered his voice and said, "A Jie, don't worry," and Lu Ning gave him a gentle nod.

The murderous intent in his eyes faded a bit, replaced by some relief and concern.

Two days later at noon.

The scorching sun baked the camp at the Hezhou–Weizhou border; from outside the tents came shouts of troops training and the clatter of weapons.

Chen Yan sat at his desk, his fingers brushing a spread map, his gaze fixed on the red‑marked spots, his brows slightly furrowed.

The current situation: Tuyu Hun cavalry ravages Hezhou, and a rebel militia of Liuren co‑opted by the Tongtian Society is besieging Fohan City (Hezhou's seat).

The curtain was ripped open with a "whoosh", and the scout Gu Yu Ci hurried in, clasping his fists and announcing loudly: "Grand General, General Doulu, General Kou, we are only five li away…"

Chen Yan nodded, calculated that the time had come, and rose immediately: "Hmm, let's go greet them!"

At the camp gate, flags fluttered.

Chen Yan stood at the camp gate with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance; at the end of the official road a billow of dust rose, and the sounds of horse hooves and footsteps grew nearer, shaking the ground like a muffled thunder.

A moment later, the massive force arrived outside the camp.

At the front of the column, two fine horses bore Dou Luling and Kou Luo, both in military attire, still stained with dust and grass.

They tightened the Horse Rein, and the 5,000 Wei Zhou soldiers behind them halted instantly, moving in perfect unison without a hint of noise, showing strict discipline.

Dou Luling was the first to dismount, with Kou Luo following closely; they strode forward like meteors, stopped before Chen Yan, snapped their fists in a standard military salute, and shouted, "Grand General, the 5,000 Wei Zhou soldiers have arrived!"

Subordinate General reporting back!

Chen Yan nodded with satisfaction, lifted his hand to help them up, and smiled, "Well done!"

Then he turned his head toward Gu Yu Ci beside him and ordered, "Old Gu, go settle these 5,000 troops..."

After a pause, he looked at Dou Luling and Kou Luo and said, "You both will join my account!"

"Yes." The two exchanged a glance and replied respectfully.

Chen Yan led Dou Luling and Kou Luo through the camp path, with Zhu Yi and Hongye close behind.

The guards outside the main tent saw their arrival and immediately lifted the curtain, letting the tent's heat and candlelight pour out.

Inside, all the camp's generals were already standing; upon seeing Chen Yan enter, they clasped their hands and saluted, "Presenting to the Grand General!"

Chen Yan raised his hand to signal that no salute was needed, walked straight to the table, and Dou Luling and Kou Luo likewise took their places among the generals.

The map on the table was already spread out, with Hezhou's mountains, passes, and rivers clearly marked.

Chen Yan stepped to the table's edge, tapped the "city" mark on the map with his fingertip, scanned the people in the tent, and in a steady, authoritative tone said, "Everyone is present; I will now assign each of you your tasks for the Hezhou battle..."

"Grand General, give the orders!"

Helian Shi straightened his back, his eyes blazing at the map, and said in a deep voice.

"Hmm, wherever the Grand General points, we'll strike there!" He Ba Le clenched his fists and echoed.

Chen Yan shifted his gaze from the map to the upright figures of Wang Xiong and Dou Luling in the line, his eyes suddenly heavy, and added gravely, "A Xiong, A Ling, I entrust you both with a crucial mission!"

"Grand General, please command!" Wang Xiong and Dou Luling stepped forward side by side, snapped their fists in salute.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing expectation in the other's eyes…

A heavy task means merit!

"I will give you 500 Elite Cavalry!" Chen Yan said with a slight smile.

More than half the capital?! … Wang Xiong was startled, and in a deep voice asked, "Grand General, what do you need us to do?"

It should be noted that Da Zhongzai on this mission gave them 800 cavalry…

That shows how heavy the task is.

"Go harass the Tu Gu Hun cavalry!"

"But avoid any direct engagement…"

A deep glint flashed in Chen Yan's eyes as he said, half‑smile, half‑serious.

After a pause, he lightly waved his hand, "Come see the map!"

"Yes."

Everyone's gaze fell on the map.

Chen Yan bent down, pointed to the winding line of the Tao River on the map, and hammered his fingertip on a broad riverside plain, "I want you to mobilize the Tu Gu Hun cavalry!"

He continued, his fingertip tracing the Tao River into Hezhou's interior, his gaze sharpening, "Use every means to have the Tu Gu Hun cavalry pursue you nonstop within Hezhou…"

Then, emphasizing each word, he added, "And stay away from Fuhan City!"

The core strategy is actually five characters:

Sweep all of Hezhou.

Grand General, could you be thinking…? Wang Xiong and Dou Luling were startled, suddenly grasping Chen Yan's intent, and shouted in unison, "At once!"

This move temporarily eliminates the threat from the Tu Gu Hun cavalry.

It allows concentration of superior forces against the frail Tong Tian Society and the rebels…

And it can wear out the Tu Gu Hun cavalry!

Chen Yan's gaze first fell on Wang Xiong, then on Dou Luling, and assigned, "A Xiong, you are the commander; A Ling, you are the deputy commander!"

After a pause, he continued, "Helian, He Ba Le, also fall under your command!"

"The rest, act freely, decide yourselves; I trust you…"

In this era there is no real‑time communication, so such tactics require delegation of authority.

Fully unleash their initiative!

"At once!" the four said together.

Chen Yan smiled calmly, brushed the map with his fingertip, thought briefly, and issued the Burning Secret: "Remember these sixteen words: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we strike; when the enemy retreats, we pursue!"