Chapter 470: To Atone by Achieving Merit?

Rules? What rules could there be?

My rule is to have no rules.

Chen Yan set down his cup, gestured for Yuchi Gong to sit first, and said, "Don't rush, we'll talk while drinking—I guarantee everyone will get a chance."

Huh?

Yuchi Gong looked a little surprised, glanced at Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin, thought for a moment, and, trusting Chen Yan, suppressed his doubts and sat down.

"Great nephew, what's the deal with all those opportunities you just mentioned?" Cheng Yaojin leaned in, unable to wait.

Chen Yan laughed dryly, "Just now we were still brothers—how did I suddenly become your great nephew?"

"So what, you really want to be my brother? Go ask your aunt if she agrees."

Chen Yan: "......"

"Fine, I won't argue about that." He paused, then explained, "You all know that war will inevitably break out, at the earliest next year, at the latest the year after."

"Based on His Majesty's current attitude, next year seems the most likely."

"The Tuyuhun are a nomadic nation; once winter arrives, their livestock lack food, some starve, some freeze. Since livestock are their main food source, their threat drops greatly in winter, making it the best time for us to attack."

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong nodded repeatedly.

Attacking those small states that rely on livestock for food is indeed best done in the cold winter.

Back when Li Jing fought the Eastern Göktürks, he truly had perfect timing and advantage.

The Tuyuhun are in a similar situation.

Moreover, if we fight next winter, they'll have ample time to make cotton uniforms for the troops, prepare supplies, and devise strategy—it's the most suitable moment.

"How to put it? His Majesty is currently forming a heavy cavalry that will surely be sent out, but I've recently come up with some things that will completely change how we fight. So besides this heavy cavalry, other forces will also join......"

Chen Yan spoke vaguely; if you didn't know the details, you'd probably think he was talking nonsense.

Of course, war can't rely solely on heavy cavalry—having other infantry or cavalry isn't nonsense, is it?

But Cheng Yaojin and the others understood Chen Yan's meaning.

The three fell silent, looking thoughtfully at Cheng Chumo and his companions, wondering what they were thinking.

Cheng Chumo and his group, formerly instructors of the bannerless cavalry, had been present when Chen Yan demonstrated the explosives.

Cheng Yaojin and his lot had learned a bit from those three, and now that Chen Yan said everyone would have a chance, they sensed that besides this new heavy cavalry, other opportunities existed.

How could they still not understand?

"Well... can you speak up?" Yuchi Gong asked hesitantly.

Chen Yan shook his head, "Whether I can speak up or not is beside the point; even if I could, I wouldn't recommend you to His Majesty."

"If you want to take part in the future, you must strive for it yourself; all I can do is remind you."

As his words faded, several faces changed slightly, realizing Chen Yan's hint.

Only Cheng Chumo and his two companions looked completely bewildered.

They didn't understand why being able to speak up wouldn't lead to a recommendation.

These explosives were developed by Chen Yan and Prince Wei; if Chen Yan mentioned it to His Majesty, given Yuchi Gong's status, it shouldn't be hard for them to get involved.

Chen Yan spoke frankly, "Let me tell you straight: the Weinan County Commandery Office's upcoming heavy cavalry—its commander has basically been decided by His Majesty, and it's Uncle Qin. I came today because His Majesty sent me to ask Uncle Qin what he thinks."

After all, Uncle Qin's health really hasn't been good...

"What nonsense is this?" Qin Qiong sprang to his feet, slamming his chest so hard it boomed.

"Look at my physique—where am I weak?"

"I'm not bragging—come winter, I can take a cold shower bare-chested and still run out to kick the butt of any invaders daring to trespass Tang borders!"

"Go tell him... never mind, I'll go myself tomorrow—don't worry about it, I'm taking charge of this Commandery Office!"

Yuchi Gong: "......"

Heh......

He gave Qin Qiong a contemptuous glance, too lazy to say anything.

Cheng Yaojin stroked his chin, "Great nephew, how should I and Old Black Yuchi go about earning a spot?"

"Rushing up front won't work, I reckon—Tang doesn't lack generals, and as great heroes, Old Black Yuchi and I aren't easy to push aside."

"Hmm..." Chen Yan pondered, "This matter is hard if you say it's hard, easy if you say it's easy."

"Let me say this: why not look at it from another angle? Since you can't just volunteer for promotion, why not earn merit by atoning for your crimes?"

"Didn't you just say that? You're a merited official—His Majesty will surely give you a chance to atone through service."

"You can't even hold a pen—your only skill is fighting; in the current situation, what could better offset your guilt than going to war?"

Hiss~

Cheng Yaojin sucked in a breath of cold air, instantly realizing the point.

Excellent!

Yeah, since volunteering upward won't work, why not let Li Shimin take the initiative and use him?

"If you stir up some guilt, you can go out and fight to your heart's content; even if you earn merit, you won't have to worry about overshadowing the throne."

Truly excellent!

Yuchi Gong likewise grasped Chen Yan's meaning, furrowed his brow, thought, scratched his head, and said, "But there's a problem: what if His Majesty doesn't play by the usual rules?"

As soon as he said that, Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong fell silent.

Chen Yan wanted to speak, stopped, wanted to speak again, stopped, and finally sighed, "After all these years, do we really have no connections at all?"

"Won't you give some people gifts ahead of time so they'll speak up for us when the moment comes?"

"Oh~" Yuchi Gong's eyes lit up as he slapped Chen Yan's shoulder, delighted, "All right, great nephew—your head's still sharp!"

"Let's do it like that!"

Chen Yan: "......"

I damn became the big nephew again.

Next, Cheng Yaojin and the others asked a few more detailed questions, and Chen Yan patiently answered each of them.

After most of them understood clearly, the few of them happily ate and drank again.

"Old Chen, you damn fool, actually still want to claim to be a generation older than me for no reason—unbearable, I'll have to deal with you today!" Cheng Chumo said, pulling out a large bowl and gaga pouring wine.

Yu Chi Bao Lin and Qin Huai Dao immediately turned their gazes toward them, fearing Chen Yan might pull some trick again to dodge the wine.

The three of them had made up their minds today; they must get the kid once.

Chen Yan gave them a casual glance, then slowly spoke: "Now Qin Huai Dao and I are already married and have families, while Cheng Chumo and Bao Lin still have no prospects."

"Brother Cheng, Brother Yu Chi, this doesn't seem doable, does it?"

Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin felt a sudden jolt through their bodies, and two big characters flashed in their minds.

We're doomed!