Chapter 1075

Good, they moved, good they moved—this bunch of little bastards finally moved!

Good, they moved, good they moved—this bunch of little bastards finally moved!

Good, they moved, good they moved—this bunch of little bastards finally moved!

Xu Zengyi, usually stern and resembling an old scholar, excitedly clapped his hands and said, "It's been five days; I really thought this lure-the-enemy plan would fail halfway, but finally there's some movement."

Translation: "Usually stern, Xu Zengyi, who resembled an old scholar, clapped excitedly: 'Five days have passed; I really thought this lure-the-enemy plan would fail midway, but at last there's some movement.'" Need to keep quotes. Use Xu Zengyi. Ensure no extra.

Chen Wují laughed and said, "Old Xu, are you worried about your military order? Don't worry—I certainly won't hold it against you. You're a senior elder; there's no need to take every word so seriously when you speak and I listen."

Translation: "Chen Wuji laughed: 'Old Xu, you're worried about your military order, aren't you? No need to worry—I definitely won't do anything to you! You're a senior elder; some things, you say them and I hear them, no need to be nitpicky.'" Use Chen Wuji.

Xu Zengyi solemnly said, "My lord, how can we treat a military order as a joke?"

Translation: "Xu Zengyi, however, sternly said: 'My lord, under a military order, how can it be child's play?'" Use Xu Zengyi.

Chen Wují said, "Some things, when they come from your mouth and enter my ears, don't need to be bound by formalities before they reach a third person's ears."

Translation: "'Some words, spoken by you and heard by me, need not observe propriety before they reach a third person's ears,' Chen Wuji said."

Xu Zengyi and Chen Li have always been very rule‑observant, to the point of being somewhat rigid.

Translation: "Xu Zengyi and Chen Li have always been two people who are very observant of propriety, to the point of being somewhat stiff."

What they do has both good and bad sides.

Translation: "Doing this has its good and bad sides."

The good thing is that with them leading the way, no one can overstep the rules.

Translation: "The good part is, with them taking the lead, no one can overstep the rules."

When these two take a stand, all factions in Nan Commandery are left speechless.

Translation: "When those two take a stand, all factions up and down Nan Jun have nothing to say."

The downside is that Chen Wují can sometimes be difficult to deal with.

Translation: "The bad part is, Chen Wuji can sometimes be difficult to handle."

Just like this time, if Xu Zengyi issues a military order, will he be punished or not?

Translation: "Just like this time, if Xu Zengyi issues a military order, should he be punished or not?"

According to ancient and modern rules, once a military order is issued, failing to fulfill it means losing one's head.

Translation: "According to ancient and modern rules, once a military order is issued, failing to fulfill it means losing one's head."

But could Chen Wují really be intending to behead Xu Zengyi?

Translation: "But could Chen Wuji really intend to behead Xu Zengyi?"

Of course not!

Translation: "Of course not!"

So, in that situation, the one who will be embarrassed is him.

Translation: "So, the one who will be in a dilemma then will be him."

Now Chen Wují has made his meaning clear: the military order can be issued, but it must be treated differently in private versus public settings.

Translation: "Now Chen Wuji has made it clear: the military order can be issued, but we must distinguish between private and public handling."

After a long silence, Xu Zengyi sincerely said, "My lord, you value my half‑life more than I do; I, your subordinate, truly feel unworthy and uneasy inside."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi remained silent there for a long time, then sincerely said: 'My lord, you value my half-life more than I do; I, your subordinate, truly feel unworthy and uneasy inside.'"

Chen Wují said, "Old Xu, you are to me a teacher, a friend, and a strategist."

Translation: "'Old Xu, to me you are teacher, friend, and strategist,' Chen Wuji said."

Chen Wují said, "I don't like the practice of discarding the bow when the birds are gone or cooking the dog when the rabbit is dead. In my view, past rulers who, after pacifying the world, liked to kill their meritorious officials did so out of self‑distrust."

Translation: "'I dislike doing things like 'when the birds are gone, the good bow is stored; when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.' In my view, after past rulers pacified the world, their tendency to kill meritorious officials stems from their own lack of trust.'"

Chen Wují said, "A true emperor would scorn such actions; instead, they should make greater use of these meritorious officials. Having won the realm, there remain the tasks of making the people prosperous, strengthening the nation's power, and making our vast country's might shake the four corners—none of these is any easier than conquering the realm."

Translation: "'A true emperor would scorn doing such things; on the contrary, they should employ these meritorious officials more. Having won the realm, there remain three tasks: making the people prosperous, strengthening national power, and making our vast country's might shake the four corners—none of these is any easier than conquering the world.'"

Chen Wují now controls several commanderies and over ninety percent of the Qiang territories.

Translation: "Chen Wuji now is merely a lord who holds several commanderies and over ninety percent of Qiang Land."

However, in Nan Commandery the ruler‑minister relationship has already evolved.

Translation: "But in Nan Jun, both ruler and subject have already developed their notions."

Even Hu Bu Gui, who had long been fixated on serving Dayu, after learning that Dayu's emperor had been placed under house arrest, completely abandoned his ambition to serve the state and began wholeheartedly serving as a commander under Chen Wují.

Translation: "Now even Hu Bu Gui, who had long harbored thoughts of serving Da Yu, after learning that Da Yu's emperor was placed under house arrest, completely abandoned his ambition to serve the state and began wholeheartedly serving as a commander under Chen Wuji."

This statement is not hearsay; it is a memorial personally written by Hu Bu Gui.

Translation: "This is not hearsay passed through others; it is a memorial personally written by Hu Bu Gui."

This person, once famed as the toughest prefect in Nan Commandery, never hides anything he does.

Translation: "This man, once famed as the toughest prefect in Nan Jun, never hides anything he does."

He used to say, "I won't surrender to you; I'll surrender to Dayu's Zhenyuan Marquis," and he wasn't afraid to offend Chen Wují—he spoke quite bluntly.

Translation: "Before, he said, 'I won't surrender to you; I'll surrender to Marquis Zhenyuan of Da Yu,' and he wasn't afraid to offend Chen Wuji—he spoke bluntly."

In that memorial he also directly stated that the state of Dayu is essentially defunct, with no hope left, and that he wishes to take Chen Wují as his lord and to serve as a vanguard in clearing away the demons and monsters of the world, unifying the mountains and rivers.

Translation: "In that memorial, he also directly stated that Da Yu's state is essentially defunct, with no hope left; he wishes to take Chen Wuji as his lord and, as a pioneer, sweep away the realm's demons and monsters to unify the mountains and rivers."

The wording in his writing is so straightforward that anyone else would have to think long and hard to express it.

Translation: "The words he wrote are so blunt that anyone else would surely need to think a while."

Xu Zengyi, moved by Chen Wují's words, suddenly became a bit sentimental, turning around several times.

Translation: "Xu Zengyi, moved by Chen Wuji's words, suddenly grew sentimental, turning around several times."

Although everyone in the tent pretended not to notice, it was clear that this strategist was a man who does not shed tears lightly.

Translation: "Although everyone in the tent pretended not to notice, it was clear that this strategist was a man who does not lightly shed tears."

Chen Wují laughed and said, "Sir, don't dwell on it; the road we have to travel is still very long."

Translation: "'Sir, don't dwell on it; the road we must travel is still very long,' Chen Wuji laughed."

Xu Zengyi took a deep breath, regained his stern, unsmiling demeanor, and nodded.

Translation: "Xu Zengyi drew a deep breath, resumed his stern, unsmiling demeanor, and nodded."

Xu Zengyi said, "My lord, the enemy forces have emerged from Módū Mountain; we too must take action." He quickly shifted gears, walked to the sand table and began studying, saying, "They surely won't completely abandon their mountain defenses; there will certainly still be troops guarding the key points in the mountains."

Translation: "'My lord, the enemy forces have emerged from Modu Mountain; we too should take action.' Xu Zengyi swiftly shifted gears, walked to the sand table, and began studying: 'They surely won't abandon the mountain's defenses entirely; key points there must still be garrisoned by troops.'"

"Yes, according to scout observations, about ten thousand."

Translation: "'Yes, according to scout observation, about ten thousand!'"

Xu Zengyi muttered, "Ten thousand…" and stared at the map, then remained silent for a while.

Translation: "'Ten thousand...' Xu Zengyi muttered, staring at the map, silent for a while."

Guō Shūhán suddenly said, "Mr. Xu, are you undecided about where to attack?"

Translation: "Guo Shuhan at the side suddenly said: 'Mr. Xu, are you torn about where to attack?'"

Xu Zengyi tugged at the fine new stubble on his chin and muttered, "The troops the enemy leaves behind to guard must be at a vital point; my lord doesn't want to destroy that crucial pass, so even if the enemy forces are few, it probably won't be easy to take."

Xu Zengyi tugged at the fine new stubble on his chin and muttered, "The enemy's garrison must be a vital point; my lord doesn't want to destroy that crucial pass, so even if the enemy forces are few, it probably won't be easy to take."

Guō Shūhán said, "Taking one city and one pass is achievable, but our casualties would likely double."

Translation: "Guo Shuhan said: 'Taking one city and one pass is doable, but our casualties would likely double!'"

Chen Wují said, "You two don't need to dwell on this; blow up what needs blowing up, tear down what needs tearing down."

Translation: "'You two needn't agonize over this—blow up what should be blown up, tear down what should be torn down!' Chen Wuji said."

Chen Wují said, "There's no perfect solution; those passes are certainly important, but far less important than the lives of our soldiers. If a pass is destroyed, it can be rebuilt or replaced by other means, but if soldiers lose their lives… that's truly gone."

Translation: "'There is no perfect solution; those passes are certainly important, but far less so than the lives of our soldiers. A pass can be rebuilt or replaced by other means, but if soldiers' lives are gone… they are truly gone.'"

Xu Zengyi clasped his hands and said, "Please, my lord, issue the order: have the scout corps carry a large number of sky‑shaking thunderbolts, take the small paths into the mountains, ambush at the strategic passes, and await the signal to act."

Translation: "After hearing this, Xu Zengyi immediately clasped his fists and said: 'Please, my lord, issue an order: have the Scout Camp carry a large amount of Shocking Heaven Thunder, take a small path into the mountain, ambush at the strategic pass, and await the signal to act.'"

Xu Zengyi added, "Order General Chen Ruoshui to advance into the mountains from the southwest mountain pass, order General Cao Mu to advance via Deer‑Calling Creek, and order Generals Xie Fengxian and Qian Fugui to set up an ambush on the southern mountain highway."

Translation: "'Also order General Chen Ruoshui to advance into the mountain from the southwest mouth, General Cao Mu to enter via Deer Cry Gully, and Generals Xie Fengxian and Qian Fugui to set an ambush on the southern mountain highway.'"

Xu Zengyi continued, "Once the attacking forces are in position, use the sky‑shaking thunderbolt as the signal: the thunderbolt will sound outside the pass, the scout corps will launch long‑range sky‑shaking thunderbolts at the pass, responding to each other, and we must create the appearance of a full‑scale army offensive."

Translation: "'Once the attacking troops are in place, use Shocking Heaven Thunder as the signal: when the thunder sounds outside the pass, the Scout Camp will launch long-range Shocking Heaven Thunder at the pass, echoing each other, and must create the appearance of a full-scale assault by our army.'"

Chen Wují didn't add anything, didn't hesitate even a bit, and directly issued the order exactly as discussed.

Translation: "Chen Wuji added nothing, not even hesitating, and directly issued the order exactly as stated."

At that moment, Zhao Chen, Chu Xiu, and the other mid‑rank commanders hurried over.

Translation: "At this moment, Zhao Chen, Chu Xiu, and the mid-army generals hurried over."

It's not that they were slow; they simply lived farther away, each responsible for their own camp, so the round trip took some time. Xu Zengyi and Guo Shuhan, however—one a strategist, the other a marching commander—lived next door to Chen Wují; hearing the commotion, they arrived as soon as they lifted their feet.

Translation: "It wasn't that they were slow; they lived farther away, each responsible for a camp area, requiring some travel. Xu Zengyi and Guo Shuhan, one a strategist, the other a marching commandant, lived next door to Chen Wuji; hearing the commotion, they arrived with a single step."

A group entered the tent, heard that Chen Wují had already begun deploying troops, and everyone felt a bit nervous and flustered, all clasping their fists in apology.

Translation: "A group entered the tent, hearing that Chen Wuji had already begun deploying troops; they were somewhat nervous and flustered, all clasping their fists in apology."

Chen Wují said in a low voice, "Don't rush to apologize just yet; immediately pass the order down: each unit should prepare meals, and in one and a half hours the whole army will set out for Módū Mountain."

Translation: "'Don't rush to apologize just yet—immediately pass the order: each camp, prepare meals; in an hour and a half, the whole army will set out for Modu Mountain!' Chen Wuji shouted in a low voice."

"Yes!"

Translation: "'Yes!'"

The commanders hurried into the tent, barely caught their breath, then hurriedly turned and ran out again.

Translation: "The generals hurried into the tent, had barely caught their breath, then hurriedly turned and ran out again."

Chu Xiu and Zhao Chen, however, stayed behind.

Translation: "Chu Xiu and Zhao Chen, however, stayed behind."

Chu Xiu dared not ask Chen Wují directly, so he whispered to Xu Zengyi, "Lord Xu, has the plan been settled?"

Translation: "'Sir Xu, has the plan been settled?' Chu Xiu dared not ask Chen Wuji directly, so he quietly asked Xu Zengyi."

Xu Zengyi gave a slight nod and said, "The enemy forces on Módū Mountain have mobilized in large numbers, actively attacking Generals Chen Baojia and Feng Linchuan; hiding by day and moving by night, this activity suggests they intend to launch a surprise attack at dawn."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi gave a slight nod: 'The enemy forces at Modu Mountain have marched out in strength, actively attacking Generals Chen Baojia and Feng Linchuan; hiding by day and moving by night, this activity suggests they intend a sudden strike at dawn.'"

Chu Xiu's mouth twitched slightly and he said, "If they were looking for someone else, I'd still worry a bit, but picking these two generals… I can only say it's a good choice; they should have been chosen this way, saving us a lot of trouble."

Translation: "Chu Xiu's mouth twitched: 'If they went after others, I'd still worry a bit, but going after these two generals… I can only say they chose well; they should have done so, saving us much trouble.'"

Xu Zengyi thought the same.

Translation: "Xu Zengyi shared the same view."

This kind of baiting tactic, if not coordinated well, will also cause big trouble; it's very easy to get carried away and take the act for real.