Chapter 1057

Xu Zengyi's eloquent rhetoric almost gave Chen Wuji a mental crash.

He wasn't unable to grasp this tactic; he was wondering how many Dayu Commoners would believe it if announced, while the Uyghur People could believe or not as they pleased.

"Family Head, the fact is indeed so; they refuse to surrender, and we cannot afford a prolonged stalemate here, so we must resort to extreme measures." Chen Li also said, "Affecting innocent civilians is heartbreaking, but this is unavoidable; don't blame our troops, blame the Uyghur garrison for being too hidebound."

"In front of you two, I suddenly seem hidebound; fine then, have a reward!" Chen Wuji suddenly burst out laughing.

Damn it, how did he end up being the hidebound one?

This shouldn't be!

"Sir, in Yan Zhou a great flood seemed to have enlightened these fellows, one fire after another." Chen Wuji laughed.

He had seen such frequent Fire Attacks and water attacks only while reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

But Chen Wuji had to admit, these two tactics are genuinely effective.

Xu Zengyi laughed especially modestly: "The officers in the army are all extraordinary; they just haven't fought enough battles, their tactics lack flexibility, there's a tendency to copy mechanically; fighting a few more battles would fix it."

"After all, most are young officers, still exploring their own style of fighting!" Chen Wuji said, "Come on, let's go to Surrender City; I'm very interested in those steles in the city recording the Uyghur's humiliation."

Besides Yang Pojun, Chen Li, and Hu Bu Gui, each with their own unique fighting style, the other Nan Jun commanders still lack a fixed tactic; they constantly adjust their approach according to time and place, using whatever works.

At noon the next day, the great army reached Surrender City.

This is the Uyghur southeast frontier city facing Da Yu, a huge city that could garrison a hundred thousand troops at its peak, and has always had border troops stationed, maintaining a standing force of thirty thousand year-round.

The city overall follows Da Yu's architectural style, with only Uyghur touches added to the tops of buildings; it is said that when the city was built, the Dayu Court sent hundreds of artisans to help.

Of course, this was also the Uyghur king offering a small tribute, pleading with the Da Yu Emperor.

At that time, the Da Yu Emperor seemingly had no realization that the Uyghur built this city to defend against Da Yu, yet he helped enthusiastically.

Using the long, narrow Yǐnmǎchuān as a strategic buffer, backing Surrender City, the Uyghur army gained room to advance or retreat.

The Uyghur's decades of calculations were quite precise, but it's unclear whether it was due to meeting Chen Wuji or their commander being utterly useless; they failed to use the terrain at all, and an ambush with two fires burned through this plot that had been brewing for decades.

Moreover, Chen Wuji fought with extraordinary ease, without any impatience.

He even had time to rest and regroup in Yǐnmǎchuān for nearly a month.

If the late Uyghur king knew this outcome, he might regret his painstaking layout and the countless cries of 'lord father' he shouted.

In Surrender City one could still see scattered flames and thick smoke; the gate stood wide open, the walls stained only with blood, with no banners or soldiers in sight.

Xie Fengxian did not enter the city; he and the later-arriving Hu Bu Gui's righteous troops camped outside, their encampment forming a huge circle that enclosed Surrender City.

Upon learning of Chen Wuji's arrival, Xie Fengxian and Hu Bu Gui each led their subordinates and had long been waiting outside the city.

"Greetings, my lord!"

"No need for formalities; how is the situation inside the city?"

Xie Fengxian rubbed his nose, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slightly stiff smile: "My lord, the fire is still a bit hot, the smoke and dust are thick, and I have not sent anyone in."

"General Hu said yesterday night that observing the heavens predicted rain today; the Deputy General is thinking to wait for this rain to fall, then enter the city when it's a bit clearer."

Chen Wuji looked at Hu Bu Gui standing to the side: "General Hu, you still have this skill?"

"I studied it a few years in my youth; I'm not an expert, nor necessarily accurate, just dabbling occasionally." Hu Bu Gui laughed, "My Deputy General's modest skill is merely a hobby."

"I've noticed, the officers of Nan Jun each have their own merits, but there's one thing they all share: they are exceptionally modest. That's good, but when it comes time to put your real skills to use, don't hold back!" Chen Wuji pointed at Hu Bu Gui, "Since the fire in the city is still somewhat hot, let's hold off entering for now—what's the situation with the captives and the townsfolk?"

"Those who wanted to flee have done so; the Deputy General has sent a detachment to escort about eighty thousand civilians to the Garrison Commissioner for settlement, leaving roughly thirteen thousand captives and thirty thousand Young Strongmen. Training Officer Lu said the Garrison Commissioner can't accommodate many more, so these people are temporarily held in the camp, and I don't know where to place them—please give orders, my lord." Hu Bu Gui said.

"First send them to Yǐnmǎchuān to build a city; the Village Chief is currently allocating manpower for the Garrison Commissioner, and after a while should be able to free up hands." Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"

"The city has only about 130,000 soldiers and civilians?"

"No, there are also those unwilling to leave; the Deputy General hasn't urged them, letting them continue to hold out inside until the fire mostly dies down, then we'll slowly deal with them." Xie Fengxian said grimly.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Better to send people to control the walls and gates, lest we capsize in a gutter; don't underestimate the Uyghur's hatred for Da Yu."

"Yes, Deputy General will arrange this at once!" Xie Fengxian declared, puffing out his chest.

Hu Bu Gui's mouth twitched with suppressed amusement, he let out a soft 'pfft' laugh, then quickly assumed a solemn expression.

Chen Wuji glanced at his face: "Any story in there?"

"Reporting to my lord, none!" Hu Bu Gui immediately straightened up and said firmly, "The Deputy General merely, merely thought of something amusing, pfft..."

Xie Fengxian's face darkened, he gave Hu Bu Gui a hostile glare.

Seeing that neither of them volunteered to speak, Chen Wuji waved his hand: "Just like this, quickly take charge of the city, tally the treasury's grain and the populace; we don't have much time to waste—if we can win swiftly, don't drag it out."

"Yes!"

Xie Fengxian and Hu Bu Gui both accepted the orders, as if pardoned, turned and ran.

Watching the two recede, Chen Wuji chuckled: "Actually I'm curious what petty grudge lies between them, but no one wants to share it with me—why don't you guess again? Those two sneaking around must be up to something."

Xu Zengyi shook his head: "My lord, that's not easy to guess, but I can try to find out for you; it's not difficult."