Chapter 421

"The Grand Chancellor's personal letter is here!"

Chen Yan wore a knowing smile, slowly reached into his bosom, and pinched out a neatly folded piece of plain paper.

He laid the paper gently in the center of the table.

The four characters "Act as the opportunity arises" were clearly visible, and the cinnabar seal at the bottom was bright red and striking.

It was indeed the personal letter from Father Grand Chancellor.

Chen Yan brushed his fingertips lightly over the handwriting, then raised his eyes to look around at everyone present, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, sweeping over every face, whether excited or grave.

The tent was silent, and only then did he speak slowly again, asking meaningfully: "Everyone, is there a better opportunity for battle than now?"

Tuyuhun's elites were all lost, their morale was in chaos, and the royal court was shaken...

At this very moment, it was the perfect time to leverage the power of a great victory and expand the results!

The silence in the tent was instantly broken.

The hesitation in the generals' eyes completely dissipated.

Replaced by burning fighting spirit, even their breathing became hot.

"This subordinate is willing to be the vanguard!"

Wang Xiong slammed the table and stood up, cupping his fists and bowing, his voice as loud as thunder.

"This subordinate as well!"

Helian Shi stood up immediately after, his face full of determination.

Yuwen Ze, Kou Luo, and others stood up almost simultaneously, responding in unison: "We are all willing to give our lives!"

The sounds of requests to fight echoed one after another in the tent, shaking the candlelight slightly.

The generals stood tall like pines, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Their excited hearts and trembling hands—they had to know that opportunities were fleeting, and if they missed them, they could only cry...

"Grand General, we cannot let down the Grand Chancellor's trust!" Dou Luling also rubbed his hands and said loudly.

Given the current situation, where they were strong and the enemy was weak, and with the Grand Chancellor's approval, if they didn't strike hard now, when would they?

"Good, very good!"

Chen Yan looked at the impassioned scene in the tent, a flash of approval crossing his eyes. He nodded in satisfaction and said repeatedly: "This is the attitude I want from you all!"

Then, he stood up abruptly, his wide sleeves rising with the movement, and he raised his right arm high, his gaze sweeping over everyone like a torch.

The tent fell silent instantly, and only his loud shout was heard, sonorous and powerful, shaking dust from the tent roof: "Without breaking Tuyuhun, I swear not to return!"

"Without breaking Tuyuhun, I swear not to return!" Helian Shi was the first to raise his arm and shout in response, his voice piercing the tent flap with a staggering power.

"Without breaking Tuyuhun, I swear not to return!" He Ba Le followed closely, shaking the candlelight wildly, and even the ground seemed to tremble slightly.

The others responded in unison, their roars layered upon each other, shaking the candles on the table and making the light and shadows dance on the faces of the generals, who were full of fighting spirit: "Without breaking Tuyuhun, I swear not to return!"

"Grand General, give the order!"

He Ruodun had long been unable to hold back, one hand pressing on the hilt of the sword at his waist, his eyes burning as he stared at Fosi City on the map, urging: "This subordinate can't wait any longer!"

Their desire to perform meritorious deeds had reached its peak...

Chen Yan raised his hand to press down, and the sounds of requests to fight in the tent instantly subsided.

Although the generals could still not hide their excitement, they all sat back in their original seats one by one, their eyes still burning as they looked at the main seat.

When the tent became quiet, Chen Yan's gaze crossed everyone and landed precisely on Gu Yuci, his tone steady: "Old Gu, I have a task for you..."

Gu Yuci stood up abruptly, his cupping and bowing movements crisp and neat, his back straight, his eyes full of solemnity and anticipation: "Grand General, please give your orders!"

Chen Yan's fingertips slid slowly across the four walls of Fuhan on the map, his gaze landing on Gu Yuci as he ordered unhurriedly: "From the soldiers of He, Wei, and Shan Prefectures, select those skilled in riding..."

He paused, tapped the table heavily, and clarified the instruction: "Form six thousand cavalry!"

"Use our own seven hundred-plus cavalry as the backbone for command and coordination!"

Then, Chen Yan raised his eyes, his sharp gaze meeting Gu Yuci's, "And you shall have full authority over them!"

Although the six thousand-plus Tuyuhun elites were mostly dead, their warhorses were completely intact...

It was just right to make use of them!

Among the seventy thousand-plus soldiers, couldn't they pick out six thousand who knew how to ride?

In this way, they suddenly had seven thousand cavalry!

Although they were not elites, they were enough to strike the weakened Tuyuhun, and it was just right to use this to temper them!

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuci's eyes lit up suddenly, like two clusters of suddenly ignited flames. The solemnity on his face was instantly filled with irrepressible excitement.

He cupped his fists heavily, his arms taut, his voice trembling slightly due to excitement, but every word was sonorous: "This subordinate accepts the order!"

Having said this, he bowed deeply again, his forehead almost touching his lapel, the excitement and gratitude in his eyes undisguised.

This heavy responsibility of forming and commanding all the cavalry with full authority was a sign of trust, and even more so, a massive military merit; how could he not give his all?

At that moment, Gu Yuci was incomparably glad that he was an initial follower...

The Grand General would never treat any of his direct line poorly!

Loyalty!

Yuwen Ze stared at Fosi City on the map, the corners of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile unconsciously, but his eyes hid a hint of mockery as he thought to himself: "If Xiahou Fuyun learns of this news, he will probably be so angry he vomits blood..."

No one expected that after this battle, the aggressive Tuyuhun cavalry would not only be completely wiped out, but would also make the Great Zhou's cavalry grow the more they fought...

They had to express special thanks to Boss Tuyuhun for providing the warhorses!

It was a classic example of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.

Chen Yan tapped lightly on the table, the crisp sound instantly pulling the generals' gaze back from Gu Yuci.

"Everyone, look at the map!"

He pressed his palm on the edge of the map and turned it slightly, facing the full view of the Tuyuhun territory toward everyone, "I intend to divide the troops into multiple routes and strike directly at Tuyuhun!"

The generals immediately concentrated, fearing they would miss a single word.

Chen Yan's fingertips moved rapidly across the map, his gaze as sharp as a blade, and he began to make personnel appointments and deployments in a low voice:

"A-Xiong, you are the main general of one division, He Ba is your deputy, commanding ten thousand elites!"

"A-Ling, you are the main general of one division, Governor Hua is your deputy, commanding ten thousand elites!"

"A-Dun, you are the main general of one division, Governor Dai (of Shanzhou) is your deputy, commanding ten thousand elites!"

"A-Jie, you are the main general of one division, Governor Yang is your deputy, commanding ten thousand elites!"

"A-Heng, you are the main general of one division, A-Yan is your deputy, commanding ten thousand elites!"

"Five routes of the great army, acting as horns for each other, to conquer Tuyuhun!"

After hearing the deployment, Wang Xiong furrowed his brows slightly, swept his gaze over the map, and said thoughtfully: "I wonder which route the Grand General intends to be the main attack?"

As soon as this was said, the tent fell silent.

The generals all turned to look, their gazes flowing back and forth between Wang Xiong and Chen Yan, and they even subconsciously lightened their breathing.

The main attack route meant facing the enemy's core defensive line directly, but it also meant the most dazzling military merit, and all other routes had to cooperate.

When discussing merits after the war, the main attack general would inevitably receive the first share of glory.

This question truly touched everyone's heart...

Chen Yan looked at the generals, all holding their breath and unable to hide their anticipation, a playful smile curling his mouth as he spun his fingertips lightly in the center of the map: "We are fighting such a damn wealthy battle..."

He paused, raised his hand abruptly, and slammed it heavily onto the map, his voice suddenly rising: "You are all main attacks!"

"Assemble under Fosi City in the end!"

The time to become famous throughout the world had arrived... Those six words exploded like thunder in the generals' ears. Everyone felt a shock in their hearts, and the previous anxiety was instantly replaced by burning ecstasy.

There was no distinction between primary and secondary, meaning every route could perform real military merits.

Whoever could take the lead would depend entirely on their own ability!

"Understood!"

Almost at the same moment, a uniform response rang out in the tent, the sound wave shaking the candlelight until it trembled.

After the response, although the generals still stood in place, their gazes had already begun to "compete" inadvertently.

Although there was no sound in the tent, invisible smoke of gunpowder had already permeated the air.

Everyone was clenching their strength, secretly competing to perform the first merit in this five-route simultaneous attack!

To let their names spread throughout the world along with the victory report of breaking Tuyuhun!

The response of the generals in the tent and the undercurrent of secret competition intertwined, so lively it almost flipped the tent roof. Yuwen Ze, however, seemed to be isolated from this heatwave and froze in place abruptly.

His hand holding the teacup stopped in mid-air, tea splashing over the rim and onto his fingertips without him noticing. He stared blankly at his brother in the main seat, his brows furrowed slightly.

Then, he subconsciously straightened his back and quietly adjusted his sitting posture, as if this would make his brother notice him on the side. But Chen Yan's gaze swept over the generals and did not linger on him at all.

Yuwen Ze's mouth pursed tightly unconsciously, and the muttering in his heart drummed incessantly: "Why am I not included?"

"Did Brother forget me?"

At that moment, Yuwen Ze really wanted to shout: Brother, look at your younger brother!

He had been waiting, and he also wanted to lead troops and take charge of a route!

Yu Jie's gaze remained locked on the map, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

Then he stood up, cupped his fists and bowed, breaking the silence of the secret competition in the tent: "Grand General, this large-scale attack on Tuyuhun from multiple routes makes our supply line a big problem..."

"I fear the grain and forage support will be insufficient!"

Five routes of troops attacking simultaneously, the battle line was stretched too long, extending nearly a thousand miles.

Moreover, some routes were not easy to transport grain...

As soon as this was said, the generals who were originally eager to try also restrained their expressions. Wang Xiong subconsciously touched his chin, and Dou Luling furrowed his brows even more as he looked at the map.

Grain and forage were the lifeblood of the army; Yu Jie's words had indeed hit the vital point.

Chen Yan raised his hand to press down, signaling for calm. There was no gravity on his face; instead, he carried a bit of indifferent composure: "No matter!"

He tapped lightly on the grain storage points on the map, then slowly withdrew his hand, his mouth curling slightly, his tone tinged with playfulness: "I never intended to transfer grain from within the country..."

Yu Jie was stunned at first, then his brows suddenly smoothed out, and bright light burst from his eyes, as if he had suddenly figured out the key point, full of undisguised astonishment and excitement: "Grand General, do you intend to...?!"

Almost at the same time, the other generals also guessed it...

Take from the enemy, use on the enemy.

Chen Yan nodded slowly, his fingertips drawing heavily across the boundary line between Tuyuhun territory and the Great Zhou border on the map, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "Tuyuhun first invaded our Great Zhou territory, and even burned, killed, and looted, committing all kinds of evil..."

He raised his eyes to look around at everyone, smiled sternly: "Today's counterattack is just an eye for an eye; it is all reasonable and appropriate!"

Tuyuhun did it first, so Chen would just follow suit—it couldn't be more reasonable!

When the time came, he would buy a few great scholars and celebrities to properly promote this just war!

They were taking revenge for the Great Zhou common people who had been harmed!

"The Grand General is right!"

Dou Luling nodded heavily and said in a low voice: "It was Tuyuhun who started it!"

This counterattack against Tuyuhun was justified; no one could find any fault with it...

Chen Yan's mouth curled into a smile that wasn't quite a smile. He pressed his hand on the edge of the map, his tone carrying naked incitement: "Pass the order down: in this expedition against Tuyuhun, whatever is seized before the battle—be it gold, silver, jewelry, cattle, sheep, livestock, or captured women and slaves—shall all belong to the plunderer, without needing to turn in a single bit!"

A flash of ruthlessness and heroism crossed his eyes, "Tell the soldiers, how much they can grab depends entirely on their own ability! I will never interfere!"

One of the things Chen liked to do most was to use the enemy's own methods against them...

And incidentally, use Tuyuhun's resources to reward the soldiers and generals who had fought continuously!

"The Grand General is wise!"

The generals cupped their fists and bowed in unison, the sound wave exploding in the tent like thunder, shaking the candlelight wildly.

He Ba Le's eyes widened, his fists clenched until the veins bulged.

Wang Xiong's mouth curled into a ferocious smile, as if he had already seen the cattle, sheep, and treasures on the Bailan Road.

Yang Langhui straightened his back even more, the fighting spirit in his eyes almost bursting out.

Even their breathing was filled with irrepressible excitement and anticipation.

To fight, plunder, and kill wherever they went—who could not be stirred by such a war!

"Tuyuhun, heh!" Yu Jie stared at Fosi City on the map, snorted coldly in his heart, and a mocking smile curled his mouth.

Who could refuse an opponent like Xiahou Fuyun?

He lost his wife and his army, and even provided them with military merits!

Chen Yan raised his hand to suppress the clamor in the tent, his gaze crossing the group of martial generals eager to try, and landed precisely on someone in the corner who was somewhat lonely and distracted, saying in a low voice: "A-Ze, you are fully responsible for the command of this battle!"

"Ah..." Yuwen Ze came back to his senses abruptly, opened his mouth subconsciously, and the loneliness on his face was instantly replaced by shock and disbelief.

His fingers subconsciously gripped the teacup tightly, not even noticing the tea splashing out, and he stared blankly at his brother, as if he hadn't heard the words just now.

He had just thought he was forgotten, and in the blink of an eye, he had received such a heavy responsibility to oversee the overall situation?

"What?"

"What 'ah'?"

Chen Yan raised his brows slightly, smiled indifferently, and asked playfully: "Could it be you are unwilling?"

"I am willing!"

Yuwen Ze was a bit dizzy from the sudden good news, but he stood up abruptly, almost blurting it out.

"Helian, you come to be A-Ze's deputy!" Chen Yan's gaze fell on Helian Shi, who had no arrangements before, and instructed.

"Understood." Helian Shi nodded in response.

Chen Yan raised his finger to point at Gu Yuci, his gaze falling back on Yuwen Ze, and continued: "Old Gu's seven thousand cavalry are under your command, and the five routes of the great army are also under your coordination!"

Yuwen Ze cupped his hands and bowed deeply, his back straight, the previous loneliness and shock having long been replaced by excitement and solemnity: "Thank you, Brother!"

His brother was still his brother...

On the importance of having an older brother!

Seeing this, the generals couldn't help but feel deeply moved in their hearts: "The Grand General is truly good to the Heir!"

He gave such a great merit without blinking an eye, and fearing there might be mistakes, he added multiple safeguards, which could be said to be feeding the military merit directly into the mouth of the Grand Chancellor's Heir.

Who could not be envious?

Chen Yan waved his hand, his gaze sharpening, and said in a low voice: "Alright, everyone disperse and do your own duties!"

"After ten days of rest, march on Tuyuhun!"