Chapter 1069: with translation of chapter title

On the nineteenth day of the winter month, Magic Capital Mountain received this year's first snowfall.

In a single night, the mountains were completely clad in snow‑white bridal attire; the view was a vast haze, with only a faint hint of green visible.

This is a sight that cannot be seen in Nan Jun.

Chen Wuji, after having traversed for so long, still sees snow scenery for the first time; it's somewhat novel.

Speaking of snow, one cannot but mention the northern landscape: a thousand miles frozen, ten thousand miles of drifting snow. Gazing inside and outside the Great Wall, only boundless expanse remains; the mighty rivers lose their roar. Mountains dance like silver snakes, the plains race like wax elephants, vying with the Heavenly Lord for height.

But Chen Wuji today does not intend to be a copyist; he also dares not use a great man's poem for this; merely seeing the snow before him, he cannot help but recall.

He also feels a bit homesick.

Xu Zengyi wore a great cloak and stood beside Chen Wuji, murmuring: "This year's snow on Magic Capital Mountain is more than a month later than in previous years; next year probably won't be a good year."

In past years, the west side of Magic Capital Mountain should have seen snow in September; the east side lags behind the west by about half a month. This year, the west side also only got snow last month; overall it's delayed by about a month.

Chen Wuji nodded, "War and natural disasters have always been twin brothers; throughout history, these things are unavoidable, so we can only prepare early, by storing grain and taking medicine."

Thanks to the lord's wisdom, we have been accumulating wealth while fighting!" Xu Zengyi laughed.

Chen Wuji narrowed his eyes looking at the distant snow scenery, exhaled a puff of white air, "We must accumulate; our reserves are too thin. Without strong support from the Qiang People, we couldn't afford to fight this battle against the Uyghurs and Nanyue Jun."

In the battle against the Qiang People, he fought without any bottom line.

But precisely because he had no bottom line, he reaped ample reputation, won the people's hearts, also gained countless warhorses and grain, plus manpower, earning a basin full.

Now, among the Uyghurs, he again employs this three‑axe tactic.

There is no bottom line!

Who made all of Da Yu's neighbors such bad sorts?

The more he acts without a bottom line, the higher his prestige among the Dayu Commoners.

According to unreliable historical records, among the Dayu Commoners, one Young Strongman dies for every two households in Da Yu's resistance to external invasion.

These are blood feuds; how could the people not bear a grudge?

As for those scholars and literati who denounce him, they can be ignored.

After all, it's not all of them!

He, Chen Wuji, may not have the legacy of six generations, but he also wishes to follow the example of his ancestors!

"The snow has fallen; fighting will become difficult." Chen Wuji murmured suddenly.

"Although we are not lacking in grain and fodder now, the soldiers lack winter gear, and the troops from Nan Jun rarely have experience living on such highlands; we need to prepare a retreat."

Xu Zengyi looked suddenly at Chen Wuji: "My lord, should we retreat now?"

"We need to consider it; the coldest time on the highlands is approaching, and further west, the soldiers' current clothing will surely not hold up." Chen Wuji said.

Magic Capital Mountain is like a natural barrier lying between the Uyghurs and Da Yu.

It blocks the cold air and also stops the warm, moist airflow.

To the east of Magic Capital Mountain, even if it snows today, Chen Wuji wearing only single garments does not feel overly cold; but to the west of Magic Capital Mountain, if one now wears only single garments, they cannot withstand it.

"After this snowfall, within the next one or two days, all units should be urging winter clothing!" Chen Wuji said, "The battle situation has progressed to this point, the results are gratifying, but the heavenly timing…… we cannot do anything about it!"

After the temperature dropped sharply last night, Chen Wuji has been considering this matter.

But to no avail.

It is a fact that the Uyghur lands are severely cold in winter; it is also a fact that Nan Jun's warm lands lack winter clothing.

The merchant caravans of Nan Jun now travel far, and their fur trade is not small, but to gather enough winter clothing for a 200,000‑strong army in a short time is utterly impossible.

Chen Wuji has personally engaged in this trade; he knows the situation well: the furs of Nan Jun are basically shipped north, and those merchants' warehouses dare not stockpile much.

Even by pooling the strength of several commanderies, the winter clothing needed for a force of ten to twenty thousand would already be the limit.

Although the war situation is pleasing, this matter of heavenly timing is truly beyond our control.

When Zhuge Liang launched his sixth expedition from Qishan, he had the advantages of terrain and harmony of people, but unfortunately the heavenly timing failed him, so he could only lament to heaven: "Plans lie in people, success lies in heaven; one cannot force it!"

Setting fire to Upper Valley, coincidentally heaven sent a great rain—who could have imagined that?

Xu Zengyi remained silent for a long time, then said: "My lord, wait another ten days; within ten days I will surely take Magic Capital Mountain. Only with Magic Capital Mountain in hand can our army advance and retreat freely. If Magic Capital Mountain remains in enemy hands, this year's campaign will have been for naught."

Chen Wuji couldn't sleep last night; in fact, he had already thought about it.

If he does not take Magic Capital Mountain, he will truly regret it for his whole life!

"Ten days, Doctor, do you think you can manage it?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xu Zengyi's body suddenly burst forth with a fierce determination: "Ten days, sure victory! These petty rats—I still don't take them seriously; our current tactic is a gentle lure‑of‑the‑enemy. Since entering Uyghur lands, our army has hardly launched any strong assault on any fortress; this is not because we cannot attack, but because we disdain to do so."

"Ten days is the longest limit I, your subordinate, set for you, my lord; but it is not the limit in my heart. My lord, our army was forged at Immortal Ridge; Magic Capital Mountain compared to Immortal Ridge is like a petty sorcerer meeting a great master."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Thank you, sir!"

"Only by taking Magic Capital Mountain will we not waste these days' hard work; if Magic Capital Mountain remains in enemy hands…… this battle can only be counted as half fought, not a complete victory."

"My lord, Magic Capital Mountain is easy to take!" Xu Zengyi gave a sinister smile.

"The reason it is still there is merely that I, your subordinate, and a few colleagues want to fish for a catch, waiting for Uyghur reinforcements. Actually, according to the timeline, this mountain has long been an empty city; even if our army does not move, they should not be able to hold out much longer."

"Sir, have you calculated the Uyghur troops on Magic Capital Mountain?"

"It was Chu Xiu who calculated it; he had long had his eye on Magic Capital Mountain, and on the first day he arrived he took all its information. My ten‑day deadline is actually Chu Xiu's calculation; it has little to do with me,"

Chen Wuji gathered his thoughts, "Sir, how do you view Chu Xiu?"

"Those who cultivate purity are skilled at divination!" Xu Zengyi said.

"His divinatory ability surpasses mine by far, far exceeding me several times; I am not exaggerating. My lord, to take the Uyghurs, he alone is sufficient."

"That lad has been hemming and hawing, unwilling to speak plainly, but from observing his words and deeds these past days, I suspect he already has full confidence in taking the Uyghurs. My lord, gaining him is indeed a blessing; after my hundred years, having him alone can assist my lord in the northern expedition."

Chen Wuji turned his head toward Xu Zengyi, raised his hand and threw a punch, "You damn it, what age are you now to talk about a hundred years later? Come on, what are you trying to pull?"

Xu Zengyi winced, pulling at his mouth, "My lord, my age is indeed not young!"