Chapter 1085: Advancing South Is Not as Good as Holding Fast

Lu Chuan ate his meal with relish, taking big bites, chewing slowly and swallowing deliberately, occasionally drinking alcohol.

He had his own unique rhythm, composed and natural.

He almost made Chen Wuji look hungry.

At this time, Xu Zengyi and the others entered after receiving the summons.

Seeing Lu Chuan sitting in the tent, eating and drinking heartily, everyone was somewhat surprised.

Although no one in this central command tent had ever worked with Lu Chuan, everyone was quite familiar with him, not just casually acquainted.

"Commander Lu has traveled a thousand li from Songzhou to bring us a piece of extremely important intelligence: Commander Guo Jin'ge of Hezhou wishes to surrender. Gentlemen, please consider how this matter should be handled!" Chen Wuji, unable to devise a perfect solution, had no choice but to toss this problem aside.

He is now very adept at using the think tank.

Previously accustomed to hardship, at first he was not quite used to it, still following his old habit of consulting Chen Li first, then Xu Zengyi, when matters arose.

Upon Chen Wuji's words, all the strategists were invigorated.

"My lord, this is truly a great piece of news!" Zhao Chen exclaimed excitedly.

"If Hezhou surrenders, it means your fame has spread throughout the nine provinces and four seas, known to all under heaven, and thereafter more men of virtue and ambition will surely come to submit."

"Da Yu has already fallen into utter chaos; in the court, three great worms contend for supremacy, seeking to seize the world and ascend the throne, while the provinces below are not lacking in those with boundless ambition, eager to emulate your feat of linking provinces across regions."

"Yet beyond these, there are also many who are lost and directionless; if you can win their hearts, great things can be expected, and the world can be won!"

This fellow spouted a string of lotus-flower nonsense, yet Chen Wuji found it rather pleasant to hear.

But unfortunately, these were not the points Chen Wuji wished to hear.

"I do not insist on fame!" Chen Wuji said.

"In my view, these are external, empty things; I act from the heart, fight hard battles, and deal with facts."

"If I pursue fame, I will surely be burdened by it; but if I do not pursue fame, my reputation will at best be mixed, certainly not fall to ruin. Let us set this aside—gentlemen, discuss how Guo Jin'ge's surrender should be handled? Hezhou is not a small distance from us."

Zhao Chen felt no embarrassment at all.

He quickly adjusted his mindset and had already begun considering the matter of Hezhou.

For those who flatter, if they constantly计较 their own words, how can they accomplish anything?

"My lord, can General Guo independently defend Hezhou?" Zhao Chen asked, raising his head.

Chen Wuji immediately grasped Zhao Chen's implied meaning; he tapped the armrest lightly and said: "General Guo did not clearly state this in his letter, but he mentioned that the situation in Hezhou City is now a mix of fish and dragons, with those who have attached themselves to the three factions of the court all present, all seeking to control Hezhou and show their faces before their masters."

"General Guo is something of an exception; he has chosen to attach himself to me, and Hezhou now is a scene of four powers contending, very chaotic. If General Guo possesses the strength to break the deadlock with four taels moving a thousand jin, this might succeed—but it is still very difficult!"

Zhao Chen further said: "My lord, order the elite of the spy camp to proceed; this matter can succeed!"

"Hezhou is the most important city in the southwest of Da Yu, the hub of all water and land transport. If you obtain Hezhou, it will be like driving a nail into the heart of Da Yu's southwest—you can advance to attack, retreat to defend, and great things can be expected."

Chen Wuji pondered for a moment and said: "Zhao Canjun's words, I am not unaware—this piece of fat meat in Hezhou I have long eyed with greed—but alas, the risk of this matter is still too great."

"General Guo's surrender is not merely the surrender of one man; behind him stand countless pairs of watching eyes. If this matter fails, Zhao Canjun's earlier mention of fame will inevitably be halved."

Chu Xiu spoke up: "My lord, the risk of General Guo leading troops southward is equally great."

"If our army cannot control Hezhou, General Guo will need to traverse the entire Shangfang Commandery to join our forces; we know neither how many powers exist in Shangfang and Jiannan Commanderies, nor how many troops they command."

"I believe that one movement is not as good as one stillness; advancing south is not as good as holding fast!"

Chen Wuji did not expect that Chu Xiu would hold this view as well.

He temporarily retained these two opinions and turned his gaze to Xu Zengyi and Guo Shuhan.

Young men tend to be more aggressive in their use of兵; these two older, steady individuals should have some differing opinions.

Noticing Chen Wuji's gaze, Xu Zengyi said: "My lord, I concur!"

Chen Wuji gave a soft hum.

No, how could you, old man, also concur?

Is it possible that I have been overly cautious?!

Chen Wuji then turned his gaze to Guo Shuhan.

Seeing Chen Wuji single him out in this way, Guo Shuhan had no choice but to rise and say: "My lord, I have not yet fully understood this matter temporarily, but given the current situation, I also agree that one movement is not as good as one stillness; advancing south is not as good as holding fast."

"Hezhou is a land of fish and rice, with ample grain and grass, high walls and strong defenses; if we can control Hezhou, holding it for one or two years will certainly pose no great problem. And within two years, I believe my lord should be able to quell the Uyghur rebellion and launch a northern campaign!"

In the兵法 they had all studied, warfare typically drags on for years.

But since following Chen Wuji, they have come to know what true use of兵 like fire means.

Others' two years may not suffice to finish a single battle, but Chen Wuji's two years can see him advance from Nan Jun all the way, break through the Qiang lands, and enter Uyghur territory.

The great problem that two dynasties failed to resolve, Chen Wuji settled here in just over a year.

Guo Shuhan estimated a two-year period and actually felt somewhat disdainful toward this lord of his.

But if reduced even slightly, he found he could not bring himself to say it.

No other reason—it's simply too absurd!

Chen Wuji gazed at the four strategists whose opinions were completely unanimous, as if they had consulted beforehand, and remained silent for a long while.

"Do we count this as radical or conservative?"

"It is rare enough to see your opinions so unanimous." Chen Wuji sighed, "In that case, I too will heed the advice: advancing south is not as good as holding fast. But, how then should we hold fast?"

Xu Zengyi asked: "My lord, I believe we must first confirm one matter: the truth or falsehood of Guo Jin'ge's surrender!"

At this moment, Lu Chuan, having just finished his meal, stepped forward and said: "Marquis, this subordinate can vouch for Guo Jin'ge—this man is truly a loyal and clean official who serves the state and the people, though his temper is somewhat obstinate, he is single-minded."

"He gets along with few people; what others like, he dislikes none of. If he wishes to serve, in today's Da Yu, only you, my lord, would suffice!"

Chen Wuji asked: "You are this confident?"

"I believe in Guo Jin'ge's character, but what I say can only serve as reference; perhaps Guo Jin'ge has undergone changes in recent years."

Chen Wuji chuckled: "So you're only vouching for half?"

"Not even half—I merely vouch for Guo Jin'ge's conduct; if his conduct fails, this subordinate willingly accepts punishment." Lu Chuan said.