Chapter 917: Setting the Plan to Break the Rouran Royal Court in Six Days

He lifted his right hand and pointed toward the north.

"Six days later, this Duke wants to plant Great Zhou's battle flag on the ruins of the Rouran Royal Court."

A low roar erupted on the training ground.

"Swear to follow Zhuguo to the death!"

"Kill all Rouran, raise our Great Zhou!"

The roar shook the flags around the training ground until they swayed.

Chen Yan did not speak again, turning and walking down from the Pointing-General Platform.

Zhang Wenqian followed behind him, the two walking one after the other into the camp tent.

Inside the tent.

Sitting behind the desk was Gao Jiong.

He was whittling a wooden stick in his hand, the blade scraping against the surface of the wood one by one, wood shavings falling all over the ground.

Chen Yan walked to the front of the desk and sat down, picking up a tea bowl from the rack beside it; the tea in the bowl was warm.

"Is the pointing-general finished?"

Gao Jiong didn't lift his head, the knife still whittling the wooden stick.

"Finished."

"Then we wait for the timing."

Chen Yan set the tea bowl on the desk, his fingers tapping twice on the bowl rim.

"It's not waiting, it's creating the timing."

Gao Jiong's knife stopped, lifting his head to look at him.

"Zhuguo's meaning is?"

Chen Yan did not answer immediately, turning his head to look toward the tent door direction.

"Zhang Wenqian."

Zhang Wenqian walked in from outside the tent, still clutching that copper abacus in his hand.

"Subordinate is here."

"How are the matters on your side handled?"

Zhang Wenqian tucked the abacus into his sleeve, a smile appearing on his face.

"Reporting to Zhuguo, all handled. Two thousand refugees have been picked out, changed into old fur coats, and the horse carts are also prepared, just waiting for Zhuguo's order."

Chen Yan nodded.

"What about the grain?"

"Thirty thousand jin of parched flour prepared, twenty thousand arrows, fifty thousand jin of fodder, all hidden in the interlayers and bottom holds of the horse carts. On the surface, they are loaded with coarse cloth and salt; even if Rouran scouts see them, they will only think they are normal trade teams."

"Are the routes for the batches determined?"

"Determined."

Zhang Wenqian took out a folded piece of paper from his bosom and spread it on the desk.

"Subordinate divided these two thousand people into ten batches, two hundred people per batch, walking ten different routes, pushing north in batches."

His fingers drew several curved lines on the paper.

"This way, even if Rouran scouts discover one batch, it won't arouse suspicion. They will only think that Great Zhou is doing some small business while resettling refugees."

Chen Yan looked at those lines, the corners of his mouth moving.

"Done well."

Zhang Wenqian took the paper back.

"There is one more thing."

"Speak."

"Among these people, many are herdsmen who escaped from the Qifu tribe and are very familiar with the terrain of the grassland. Subordinate compiled them all into the team as guides, ensuring that every batch of people can arrive at the designated location on time."

Chen Yan picked up the tea bowl from the desk and took a sip.

"Your skill in converting internal resources into military logistics is becoming more and more proficient."

Zhang Wenqian's smile on his face opened wider.

"All learned from Zhuguo."

"Stop the flattery."

Chen Yan set the tea bowl down, looking at Gao Jiong.

"Where has the news spread that Chief Clerk Gao sent out?"

Gao Jiong placed the wooden stick in his hand on the desk, and the knife was also retracted into the sheath.

"Subordinate had Mingjing Si people mix into the refugees to spread the news; within three days, every tribe on the grassland from the Royal Court to the western edge will hear the rumors of Nuhe Ti wanting to clean up the affiliated tribes."

"What about the effect?"

"Two small tribes have already pulled up camp overnight and run west."

Gao Jiong's corners of the mouth pulled.

"Nuhe Ti is now busy stabilizing the Royal Court and can't spare the energy to chase these escaped tribes at all. By the time he reacts, everyone who can run on the grassland has run, and those who can't run are also watching; he wants to gather these people again, and it won't be done without half a year."

Chen Yan's fingers tapped three times on the desk surface.

"Half a year?"

He stood up and walked to the sand table in the tent.

"This Duke will not give him half a year."

Gao Jiong also stood up and walked to the side of the sand table.

Chen Yan's fingers landed on the location representing the Rouran Royal Court on the sand table, pressing down with force.

"Six days later, this place will not exist."

He withdrew his hand from the sand table and turned to look at Zhang Wenqian and Gao Jiong.

"For the logistics, you two keep a close eye on it. Grain, grass, and baggage should set out three days in advance, pushing forward in batches behind the large army."

Zhang Wenqian responded.

"And."

Chen Yan's gaze landed on Gao Jiong's face.

"All dark agents of Mingjing Si on the grassland must be activated. This Duke wants to know what happened in Nuhe Ti's Royal Court every day, how many meals he ate, how many people he scolded, all must be reported."

Gao Jiong bent his waist.

"Subordinate understands."

"Go handle it."

The two turned and walked toward the outside of the tent.

Chen Yan stood in front of the sand table, his gaze falling on the location representing the Rouran Royal Court, not moving away.

Footsteps of Zhang Wenqian and Gao Jiong came from outside the tent, walking further and further away, finally disappearing.

Chen Yan reached out and drew his sword from his waist.

The sword tip hovered above the sand table for a breath.

Falling down.

Stabbing into the mud block representing the Rouran Royal Court.

The sword body sank in by one-third.

He released the sword handle and turned to walk toward the outside of the tent.

Three days later.

Tongwan City South Gate.

Standing in the gate tunnel were two rows of garrison troops, in full iron armor, long spears planted on the ground.

A team walked out slowly from inside the city.

At the very front were more than ten old horse carts, the cart wheels creaking, loaded with goods wrapped in coarse hemp cloth.

The people driving the carts wore fur coats with patches, their faces full of gullies left by wind and frost.

Following behind the horse carts were more than two hundred herdsmen leading cattle and sheep, the cattle and sheep calling very noisily.

The garrison's gaze swept over this team, not stopping them.

The official at the city gate just routinely checked the travel permit of the leader, waving to let them pass.

The team walked out of the gate tunnel, slowly walking far away along the official road to the north.

On the city wall.

Chen Yan stood beside the crenel, watching the team walk further and further away, finally disappearing on the horizon.

Zhang Wenqian stood behind him.

"Zhuguo, this is the third batch."

"There are seven more batches."

"Subordinate has already arranged it; one batch sets out every half day, which will not arouse attention."

Chen Yan did not turn his head, his gaze still fixed on the north.

"Keep a close eye."

"Subordinate understands."

The wind on the city wall was very strong, blowing Chen Yan's cloak backward.

He stood there like a statue.

Jinyang.

Imperial Palace.

Inside the main hall.

Gao Ying sat on the dragon throne, his complexion so gloomy it could drip water.

Several secret reports were laid on the desk, the edges of the paper already crumpled by him.

Standing below the hall was Ku Di Gan.

The iron armor on his body was still stained with mud splashes from today's drill, the fat on his face trembling slightly from excitement.

"Your Majesty, the movements in Xia Prefecture are getting bigger and bigger."

Gao Ying's gaze lifted from the secret reports, landing on his face.

"Speak."

"The news sent back by the Shadow Department, the large camp outside Xia Prefecture City has been gathering military strength for these three days, and grain, grass, and baggage are also being transported north."

Ku Di Gan walked forward one step.

"Also, Chen Yan picked more than two thousand people from the refugees, changed them into old clothes, and walked north in batches. On the surface, they are trade teams for mutual trade, but in reality, those horse carts are loaded with grain and arrows."

Gao Ying's fingers tapped twice on the armrest.

"Are you sure?"

"Subject is sure."

Ku Di Gan dug out a folded piece of paper from his bosom, unfolded it, and held it up in front of Gao Ying.

"This is the route map drawn by the Shadow Department at the risk of their lives; those people Chen Yan disguised as trade teams are all walking on secret routes going deep into the grassland."

Gao Ying took that piece of paper and read it once.

"Chen Yan wants to fight Rouran."

"Exactly."

Ku Di Gan took the paper back, his voice carrying uncontrollable excitement.

"Your Majesty, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. If Chen Yan really pulls all his main force out to fight Rouran, Xia Prefecture will be an empty city. My fifty thousand large army can reach the Xia Prefecture city walls within three days."

Gao Ying did not take the conversation immediately.

He leaned back into the dragon throne, both hands resting on the armrests, his gaze falling on the copper lamp on the hall roof.

Ku Di Gan waited for a while, and seeing Gao Ying not speaking, urged again.

"Your Majesty, the opportunity must not be lost. The thirty thousand-plus refugees in Xia Prefecture City, and the gold, silver, and jewelry Chen Yan moved back from the Qifu tribe, are all ours."

Gao Ying's gaze withdrew from the hall roof, falling on Ku Di Gan's face.

"Do you think Chen Yan would not leave a backup?"

Ku Di Gan's voice got stuck.

"This..."

"Chen Yan, this person, is as cunning as a fox."

Gao Ying's fingers tapped once on the armrest. "To have lived until today in that man-eating Court of Great Zhou, he relies on leaving backups everywhere. Do you think he would be stupid enough to turn Xia Prefecture into a truly empty city?"

Ku Di Gan opened his mouth.

Gao Ying didn't give him a chance to take the conversation, continuing to speak down.

"Even if Chen Yan only leaves three thousand garrison troops in Xia Prefecture City, equipped with bed crossbows and rolling logs and stones on the city walls, it is enough to drag your fifty thousand people under the city walls. You can't attack it down, and the grain and grass consumption is huge; after Chen Yan returns the division from the front line, your fifty thousand people will be attacked from both front and back."

Ku Di Gan's complexion turned white by a section.

"Then Your Majesty's meaning is, don't grab this opportunity?"

"It's not don't grab."

Gao Ying stood up from the dragon throne and walked to the huge sand table in the hall.

"It's to first explore clearly how many garrison troops are left in Xia Prefecture City, and what backup Chen Yan left."

He turned around and looked at Ku Di Gan.

"I will issue a secret decree to you."

Ku Di Gan dropped to one knee.

"Subject listens to the decree."

"Immediately activate the top-grade suicide warriors of the Shadow Department lurking on the border, let them disguise as exiled refugees, and mix into the resettlement camp outside Xia Prefecture City."

Gao Ying's voice sank.

"I want to know exactly how many garrison troops are in Xia Prefecture City, what the city defense layout is like, and in whose hands the command of Xia Prefecture lies after Chen Yan leaves."

He paused, then continued.

"These intelligence reports must be sent back within three days."

"Subject obeys the decree."

Ku Di Gan stood up and exited the main hall.

Gao Ying stood in front of the sand table, his gaze falling on the position representing Xia Prefecture.

His fingers tapped twice on the edge of the sand table.

"Chen Yan, I want to see what kind of backup plan you have left behind this time."

Xia Prefecture.

Large camp outside Tongwan City.

Central army tent.

Chen Yan sat on the main seat covered with tiger skin, holding a bowl of tea in his hand.

The tea was still steaming.

Standing in the tent was Ye Zhuxi.

She had already taken off her iron armor, changed into a light leather armor, and the long spear was slung across her back.

"Zhuguo, subordinate just received a secret report from Mingjing Si."

Chen Yan took a sip of tea.

"Speak."

"There is movement on the Qi State side. The Shadow Department mobilized a batch of top-grade suicide warriors on the border, preparing to mix into our resettlement camp."

Chen Yan set the tea bowl on the desk.

"That old dog Gao Ying still can't hold his breath."

Ye Zhuxi walked forward one step.

"Zhuguo, do you want Mingjing Si to catch all these suicide warriors?"

"No need."

Chen Yan leaned back into the chair.

"Let them in."

Ye Zhuxi was stunned for a breath.

"Let them in?"

"Correct."

Chen Yan's fingers tapped twice on the chair armrest.

"Gao Ying wants to know how many garrison troops are left in Xia Prefecture City, so we will let him know."

He stood up and walked to the sand table in the tent.

"You go tell Gao Jiong, let Mingjing Si people keep a close eye on those suicide warriors, but don't take action. Let them into the resettlement camp, let them turn around outside the city, and you can even let them count the crenels on the city wall."

Ye Zhuxi wrinkled her eyebrows.

"Zhuguo, this way, won't the reality of our city be seen clearly by them?"

"That is exactly to let them see clearly."

Chen Yan's corners of the mouth moved.

"Gao Ying, this person, is suspicious to the bone. The more you hide, the more he suspects you are setting a trap. But if you generously place things in front of him, he will hesitate instead."

Ye Zhuxi thought for a while.

"Subordinate understands. Zhuguo wants to let Gao Ying see that there are indeed only three thousand garrison troops left in our city, making him think we are really empty, and then..."

"And then let him miss the best timing in his hesitation."

Chen Yan's fingers tapped once on the edge of the sand table.

"By the time this Duke returns from the grassland, even if Gao Ying really makes up his mind to attack Xia Prefecture, it will be too late."

Ye Zhuxi cupped her fists.

"Subordinate will go handle it."

"Go."

Ye Zhuxi turned and walked toward the outside of the tent.

Chen Yan stood in front of the sand table, his gaze falling on the position representing the Qi State.

"Gao Ying, you just keep hesitating slowly."

Two days later.

Outside the South Gate of Xia Prefecture City.

A team of people looking like refugees walked over from the official road to the north.

At the very front were five middle-aged men wearing old fur coats, their faces full of gullies left by wind and frost, their eyes carrying fatigue and numbness.

Following behind were more than ten old people and children, walking very slowly.

The garrison at the city gate looked at them and didn't stop them.

The official walked over and routinely checked their identities.

"Where are you from?"

The leader, that man, answered in Han Chinese with a heavy accent.

"From the grassland, refugees."

The official nodded and waved to let them pass.

"Go to the resettlement camp in the west to register; there is porridge to drink there."

"Many thanks, official."

This team walked out of the gate tunnel and walked along the streets in the city toward the west.

When walking to the entrance of a narrow alley, the leader tilted his head and gave a wink to the four people behind him.

The five people quietly separated from the team and turned into the narrow alley.

The alley was very deep, with low earth-walled houses on both sides, and not many people walking.

The five people walked to the depths of the alley, confirmed that there was no one around, and one of them opened his mouth, the accent instantly becoming standard. ===== CHAPTER 918 =====