Chapter 558: Borrow the Turkic

Qi State.

Shuo Prefecture.

New City.

Mid-March.

The spring sun hung obliquely in the western sky, its mottled light filtering through the carved windows of the Inspector's Office hall, falling on the blue brick floor and adding a touch of warmth.

The hall's furnishings were simple; a fragrant incense brazier burned on the table, its smoke curling upward.

Chen Yan, dressed in dark military attire, sat upright at the table, his jade belt tightened at the waist, outlining his upright figure; the silver thread pattern on his uniform glimmered in the sunlight.

Opposite him, Yuwen Ze, also in military attire, frowned as he stared at the chessboard, his finger pinching a black piece that lingered without being placed.

The chessboard on the table showed black and white interlaced, the situation already deadlocked.

Chen Yan lifted a white piece in his hand, gently placing it at a corner of the board, his gaze flicking over Yuwen Ze, a teasing smile curling his lips: "A Ze, you're really obsessed with this rice bowl right now!"

A comrade surnamed Yuwen has actually taken several pairs…

After returning to New City, the nights were filled with endless revelry!

Hearing that, Yuwen Ze finally placed the black piece, raising his eyes with a hint of amusement, shrugging his shoulders, and saying casually, "Can't help it!"

His fingertips traced the edge of the board, his mouth slightly upturned, showing a teasing expression: "It's not that the old wine is mellow, the new wine is refreshing!"

"One is gentle and lingering, the other lively and charming; swapping between them truly has its own flavor…"

Chen Yan, hearing this, toyed with a piece in his left hand, raised his right hand and pointed at Yuwen Ze: "You kid!"

Yu Jian, standing nearby also in military attire, stepped forward upon hearing it and said loudly: "The Subordinate General differs from the Prince; it's the sister pair that attracts the Subordinate General more!"

He showed a slightly intoxicated expression, his eyes carrying after‑taste: "Two faces alike yet not identical—one gentle as water, the other fiery as flame; together they're truly flavorful!"

"Compared to a single tune, this kind of varied charm gets you even higher!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Muyi on the other side raised his hand to wipe his waist, his face showing a mix of embarrassment and helplessness as he sighed: "Speaking of charm, each has its merits, but indulging for several days has taken a toll on my kidneys!"

"Yesterday, riding a horse already left my waist feeling weak; if this continues, even drawing a bow will become laborious…"

Yuwen Ze waved his hand at the remark, his tone indifferent: "No problem, no problem!"

Then, turning his head toward Feng Muyi, he raised an eyebrow, a sly glint in his eye: "Your Grand General's hand hides a potent aphrodisiac formula, guaranteed to cure ailments and restore your vigor!"

Chen Yan placed another piece, the white piece precisely cutting off Yuwen Ze's attack, and loudly replied: "Well said, well said!"

He set the piece down, threw his head back and laughed heartily, his voice clear: "This Duke's formula is ancestral; everyone who's used it praises it!"

"Later I'll have someone fetch you a few doses; follow the prescription and you'll be back to ten or eight times stronger, still as vigorous as a dragon and tiger!"

"Hahaha!" Everyone in the hall heard this and burst into hearty laughter, the sound shaking the windows slightly.

Peng Chong, standing beside Feng Muyi, suddenly shifted as if recalling something, raised his hand to scratch his head, a puzzled expression on his face, and asked loudly: "Speaking of it, why hasn't the Grand General chosen a servant?"

"Is there no one he favors?"

Peng Chong remembered that during past campaigns, the Grand General always celebrated with his brothers…

When those words were spoken, the hall fell quiet for a moment, everyone's gaze flashing toward Chen Yan.

Even the situation on the board was temporarily cast aside.

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, set his piece down, squinted at Peng Chong, a half‑smile on his face, and said meaningfully: "My A Xiong doesn't refuse to choose; he just can't."

He deliberately elongated his tone, a hint of cunning in his eyes, making the others even more curious.

There's no helping it; times have changed, a future sister‑in‑law is present, so my A Xiong must watch his image…

Peng Chong stepped forward two paces, pressing further: "I wonder what the Prince is referring to…?"

The other generals also showed gossipy expressions.

Yu Jian stroked his chin, Feng Muyi's eyes full of inquiry, and even Yu Jian perked up his ears, waiting for Yuwen Ze to reveal the answer.

Chen Yan, seeing this, tapped the white piece in his hand against the board, promptly cutting off the discussion, his gaze turning to Yuwen Ze, urging: "A Ze, it's your move!"

Yuwen Ze, seeing that, chuckled: "Alright!"

Then, lowering his head to stare at the board, after a moment's thought he placed the black piece at a weak point in the white's encirclement, attempting a breakthrough.

At that moment, the embroidered‑clad envoy Mei Aoshan, dressed in black armor, hurried in.

His expression was grave, fine beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having ridden hard without even a moment to catch his breath.

Mei Aoshan walked straight to Chen Yan, clasped his fists, and said respectfully: "Minister, the latest news just arrived…"

"Speak!" Chen Yan blurted.

The people in the hall instantly suppressed their smiles; the laughter vanished, replaced by solemnity and gravity.

Mei Aoshan, after a brief preamble, reported at breakneck speed: "The Turkic People's Moheduo Special Forces led an army south of Stone City, clashing with Lou Xu's Qi State force of twenty thousand; after a bloody battle, the Qi army was annihilated, its commander Lou Xu, deputy commander Lou Ping, and Duan Gui all fell in battle!"

He paused briefly, then continued: "Moheduo Special Forces have now marched east along the line of Hengzhou and North Yan Prefecture, ravaging the northern Qi border, burning, killing, and looting wherever they go!"

The Qi ruler, upon learning the news, was enraged, mobilized heavy troops, appointed Hu Lu Gong as commander, and began encircling the Turkic cavalry!

As soon as Mei Aoshan finished speaking, Yuwen Ze slapped his thigh hard, his face instantly lit with great joy, the black piece in his hand turning slightly pale, and he laughed aloud: "Great! Wonderful!"

"Moheduo really does have some skill!"

He laughed heartily, excitement blazing in his eyes.

The earlier tension on the board had long vanished, leaving only anticipation for the match.

It's not Moheduo that's impressive, it's the Turkic cavalry that's formidable!

The Turkic People, the next generation of steppe hegemon after the Rouran.

Now the steppe is split in two, Rouran and Turkic each holding half; it's time to prepare a balance on the steppe…

We cannot let the Turkic expand further; they would become a serious threat and an enemy of Great Zhou!

Yu Jian stepped forward, his face full of exhilaration, sincerely praising: "Grand General, this move is brilliant!"

"Borrow the Turkic's blade, cut down Qi State's power, let them fight the Qi army for us, and we reap the profits!"

"It both weakens Northern Qi's forces and plunges them into internal and external troubles—truly brilliant!"

Although after the Turks' great victory they plundered the Qi State's Northern Border, there were still losses in that battle and in the encirclement.....

Only Great Zhou in this round reaped the benefits, maximizing profit!

Moreover, all the losses and the blame were borne by the Turks.....

As for the role of "allies"!

Feng Muyi quickly echoed, clasping his fists and bowing toward Chen Yan, his tone full of admiration: "Indeed! Subordinate General finally gets to see what strategic planning is!"

"The Great General commands troops like a deity; with a flip of his hand he throws the Qi State's northern frontier into chaos. Such strategy is beyond Subordinate General's reach!"

Peng Chong also stepped forward, his face full of admiration, both hands clasped as he solemnly said: "Subordinate General admires you to the utmost!"

"Hahaha!" Chen Yan laughed heartily.

Then he raised his hand and tapped, signaling everyone to be quiet, his gaze turning to Mei Aoshang, he asked in a deep voice: "How is the relocation of the Shuo Prefecture people progressing?"

Mei Aoshang quickly replied: "Returning to the pillar nation, in one more day the relocation will be fully completed!"

"Good!" Chen Yan nodded with satisfaction, turned and walked to the window, pushing open the carved window pane.

The mid-March evening breeze, carrying a hint of warmth, brushed the hem of his battle robes, rustling.

He looked at the outline of the new city outside the window, distant cooking smoke rose, faintly hearing the clamor of people relocating, a deep glint in his eyes, he said meaningfully: "Then broadcast to the world the news that the Lu clan of Fanyang has already Surrendered to Great Zhou!"

Everyone was stunned by his words, then a look of realization flashed in their eyes.

Chen Yan turned, his gaze sweeping over the generals, half‑smile half‑frown: "Let Jinyang over there truly experience the taste of a leaky roof meeting a night of rain!"