Chapter 1112

Chen Wuji did not immediately comment on Cui Jiuzi's suggestion, but instead looked toward Xu Zengyi and the others.

Xu Zengyi directly pulled out a cloth-wrapped map from his chest, and the several people reeking of alcohol gathered around to study it on the spot.

The northern Uyghur region borders Jiannan and Shangfang Erjun, but does not directly adjoin them.

Between them lies a desolate tract of land.

That area belongs to Da Yu and is also part of Shangfang Commandery, yet no officials are stationed there and hardly any commoners reside.

The locals have many names for that place: some call it the Northern Wilderness, some the Western Frontier, and others Tianji Yuan, because the famed Tianji Pavilion of the jianghu is said to be hidden on that plateau.

Many have nearly forgotten that it was once called Anding Prefecture.

Anding Prefecture, or what is now the Northern Wilderness, is a remnant of the war between Da Yu and the Uyghurs; Da Yu conquered the Uyghurs there but abandoned that land.

Back then, to deal with the Uyghurs, nearly all the inhabitants of Anding Prefecture were relocated, and after that move they never returned.

Originally, the court had maintained a large garrison in Anding Prefecture to guard against the Uyghurs and these western neighbors, but as the court underwent continual upheavals in recent years, the garrison here, like that of the Lingnan Six Commanderies, was repeatedly drawn down, and now it seems fewer than three or five thousand troops remain stationed there.

Beyond Anding Prefecture lies the Uyghur Northern Frontier.

From there, heading south one can directly penetrate the Huíxué Wáng Tíng.

This northern sector has always been a key Uyghur defensive zone, far more so than today's Buzhou Shan, because the Uyghurs fought several brutal battles with Da Yu in the north, suffered losses, learned lessons, and naturally sought to mend the breach.

The defenses along the Buzhou Shan line are indeed strict, but this must be judged by comparison; compared to the northern defenses, they are somewhat lacking.

If one were to rank the Uyghur troop deployment zones by importance, the northern sector would unquestionably be the mainstay, Buzhou Shan would rank second, and all other places would be mere supporting roles.

"My lord, this plan is excellent!" Xu Zengyi said.

They had discussed and reached a conclusion.

"Although it is merely some minor adjustments in detail, this change stirs the entire Uyghur troop deployment. Xie Fengxian has already led his army into Uyghur territory; if he creates further disturbances in the south, the Huíxué Wáng Tíng will inevitably continue to reinforce the south, and dispatching the northern border armies southward will be almost inevitable."

Xu Zengyi lavished praise on Cui Jiuzi's scheme, then proceeded to analyze it point by point for Chen Wuji.

"The Uyghurs indeed have no shortage of combat-ready troops, but having fought those several brilliant engagements with us at Buzhou Shan, the Uyghur King certainly does not feel at ease maintaining the status quo."

"When they shift their main forces southward, our army will suddenly strike from the north, and combined with the east-west response of General Xie Fengxian and General Yang Pojun, our army will seize full geographic advantage."

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod, "You all discuss this further, check for gaps and fill them. If feasible, we will mobilize troops before the New Year."

"Understood!"

"Cui Jiuzi, are you willing to join my staff as an Assistant Officer?" Chen Wuji asked.

"This subordinate is willing!"

……

The weather at Yǐnmǎchuān grew colder by the day, the year's end approaching, and the air seemed to hurry toward an icy, snowy celebration, yet on the drill field, the troops' training fervor rose daily.

Each military unit strained every nerve to catch the last train of troop division.

Perhaps due to the military atmosphere, Chen Wuji's subordinates, already martial artists, aspired to higher realms; those not yet martial artists strained every nerve to become one; no one wished to be a synonym for mediocrity and fall behind.

Amid such an atmosphere, Chen Wuji also underwent his transformation.

After who knows how many dawns of arduous cultivation, he, at last, at last, stepped into the rank of martial artist!

That feeling was indeed not quite the same.

His eyes grew brighter, his ears seemed sharper, and even the scents in the air became clearer and more complex; formerly he had not noticed the faint scent of green grass, water vapor, or the earthy aroma from Zhangye City's walls under construction, now they wove with perfect clarity around his nostrils.

As for strength, it underwent a complete transformation.

Chen Wuji himself was unsure whether this was merely an illusion, but he felt he could now kill his former three or five selves with a single punch, and without effort.

Chen Li was the first to notice Chen Wuji's anomaly, and came forward with a face full of delight.

"Congratulations, Household Master!"

Chen Wuji shook his wrist, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Shi Yi Shu, you noticed this so soon? What level of martial artist am I—upper or lower?"

"Well... middle, perhaps." This question put Chen Li in a spot, and he nearly stumbled over his words.

Chen Wuji immediately understood, "It looks like middle-lower, but also—I know my own abilities. If not for Daoist Yu Yu's martial method, I might never have entered the martial artist rank in this life, and could only watch from outside the gate."

"Daoist Yu Yu's martial method indeed has profound subtleties and seems tailor-made for the Household Master. What I meant to say earlier is: if we discuss innate talent, the Household Master belongs to the lower tier, and quite low. But after mastering Daoist Yu Yu's martial method, his achievements in martial progression thereafter are middle-upper." Chen Li said.

He explained this earnestly, fearing Chen Wuji might misunderstand some nuance.

Chen Wuji clenched his fist, feeling the abundant power within his body, and while doing so asked, "I've never heard of a martial method changing innate talent; Shi Yi Shu, are you just comforting me? There's no need for that—I know what I am, and deep down I've long been aware."

"On the path of martial training, I cannot surpass others; reaching this point already satisfies me greatly, and I do not truly seek to attain any great height of achievement."

Chen Li said, "Household Master, what I say is all true."

"As for whether a martial method can change innate talent—I once thought it impossible, for talent is talent, inborn, and could not be altered by a single manual! But now I am not so sure of that claim, nor dare I fully believe it, because, my lord, it does seem... indeed changed."

"Perhaps the martial methods of antiquity differ from those we practice today; as for what mysteries lie herein, I may still need to ponder and reflect."

Chen Wuji considered a possibility: "Perhaps the issue is not the martial method, but the two words 'harmonious fit'—because I harmonize with this method, that is why such an effect occurs."

"That is also so."

Chen Wuji smiled, "Today is a fine day—I have finally become a martial artist, San Niang and the others are soon to arrive, double joy comes together. Shi Yi Shu, have the camp tents been readied?"

"Already prepared as the Household Master directed, on the west side of Zhangye City, I selected a thousand elite troops from the Imperial Guard to take charge of guard duty." Chen Li said.

Chen Li responded with an affirmation, "Follow me to have a look!"

"Understood!"