Chapter 1118

Chen Wuji carefully examined every part of Zhangye City.

Originally, he had only planned to come take a look, but once he started, he had opinions, and then he discussed planning and adjustments with the artisans on site, and before he knew it, it was getting late.

Returning to the camp, Chen Wuji immediately ordered a banquet to be prepared, and then gathered all civil and military officials for another round of late-night discussions by the fire, settling major matters while eating and drinking.

This kind of thing had already happened more than once for Chen Wuji.

At first, everyone was quite surprised, and some even thought this was improper, how could one discuss affairs while eating and drinking? After Chen Wuji ignored this opinion, everyone now quite enjoys it.

With food and drink, the atmosphere is relaxed, and all matters that need discussion have been addressed.

Whenever there is a disagreement that cannot be resolved by words and might come to blows, Chen Wuji has always been tolerant, telling them to fight it out outside, settle the result, and then continue, without delaying others' meals.

Since Chen Wuji raised his forces, the military atmosphere has been somewhat strong here; even if he wanted to change it now, it would not be so easy, and Chen Wuji thinks it might not be a bad thing, so he simply lets it be.

Looking through ancient and modern times, a strong military atmosphere is not necessarily a bad flaw as long as martial people do not monopolize power, but an overbearing literary atmosphere, especially when the pure stream holds power, will certainly lead to serious problems.

"I heard the vanguard personnel have already been decided, right?" Chen Wuji said after raising a cup to everyone, "But this battle is different from before; the vanguard is also the flanking mobile troops, and after scouting the enemy's situation ahead, the vanguard must shift to support. Chen Baojia, do you have any opinions?"

Chen Baojia quickly put down the roasted lamb trotter in his hand, casually wiped his mouth, swallowed the food in his mouth, stood up and said: "Reporting to my lord, the deputy general has no objections; mobile support is exactly what the deputy general excels at."

"Since there are none, eat yours!" Chen Wuji pressed down with his hand, then pointed to the map behind him.

This is something the spy camp and Jia Yujing painstakingly produced over one and a half months.

The western part of Shangfang Commandery is detailed down to towns and counties and the major and minor roads they connect; the map of Yunning Prefecture becomes somewhat rough, showing only the counties and important official roads.

The personnel of the spy camp and Jia Yujing have not yet traveled that far.

"In this battle, our army will divide into three routes, attacking the five cities under the former governor of Shangfang Commandery, Puyi Zhi, in other words, I want to cripple Puyi Zhi half a life in one go; these five cities, you choose them yourselves." Chen Wuji said.

As his words just fell, Lv Ji stood up: "My lord, the deputy general wishes to participate in this battle. The deputy general missed the Ancient Mountain Battle and does not wish to miss this one again."

"If you go, who will handle the grain and fodder? Who will garrison Zhangye City?" Chen Wuji asked, "Or perhaps you should still endure the hardship, guard this battle, and all major and minor affairs of Zhangye City and grain fodder are handled by you; hastily changing personnel now could lead to mistakes."

"My lord, the deputy general can divide troops!" Lv Ji insisted again.

"The deputy general can continue to garrison Zhangye City, oversee grain and fodder affairs, but please allow the deputy general to take a portion of troops to march with the army."

"The deputy general also knows that garrisoning Zhangye City is a great responsibility, but... the officers below have recently been eyeing merit with great jealousy, my head is almost being shouted apart by them. Zhangye City now has General Cao Mu garrisoning Buzhou Mountain to the west, and Wang Yu guarding Nanyue Commandery to the east, with no external threats to worry about."

Xu Zengyi secretly nodded at Chen Wuji.

"Looking at you like this, you indeed seem a bit vexed by being provoked, approved!" Chen Wuji said.

"But troop division cannot exceed half; as for which unit you send, you decide yourself. Also, I must remind you: when you divide your troops, if they earn merit and stand with you later, you must not complain to me; even if you cry bitterly, I can only assign you personnel from the new soldier camp."

Lv Ji laughed: "The troops under my command are only under my control; they are all the lord's troops. If someone among them earns merit and can stand with me, I would be happy and have no time to complain."

"You had better be truly magnanimous; anyway, if you cry then, I won't care." Chen Wuji assumed a casual posture, spoke casually, "The troops you send out will, together with the Assault Camp, be temporarily assigned to the Sinful Soldiers Army, under Chen Ruoshui's battlefield command."

"Affirmed!"

"Affirmed!"

Chen Wuji gestured for the two to sit down, then shouted again: "Choose!"

"My lord, the deputy general chooses Pingding Prefecture Xima and Sandi Erxian!" Chen Ruoshui shouted.

Chen Wuji was slightly surprised: "Ruoshui, I just allocated some troops to you, and you're already getting arrogant? Even if you supplement the Assault Camp and Lv Ji's army with half their troops, you still have the least forces among all the armies; think again before choosing!"

Chen Ruoshui's eyes were firm: "Reporting to my lord, the deputy general has chosen, and is willing to issue a military order."

The once alluring female assassin, having followed Chen Wuji on eastern and western campaigns for two years, now shows no trace of her former appearance.

Although her face is still beautiful, she now stands there with no trace of allure, more like a cold, slender sword, sharp edge exposed, drawing it immediately injures.

"Xima and Sandi Erxian belong to you!" Chen Wuji said without further persuasion.

The statement that the five cities and three armies should let them choose themselves was just made by him; now, even if he feels it improper, he should not say more.

Having given only one piece of advice, this woman wants to issue a military order; if he continues speaking, he fears he might truly have to weep while beheading Ma Shu, not advising still leaves room, but if he advises one more sentence, there will be consequences.

Chen Wuji quite likes these officers under his command; currently, he has no intention of relinquishing military authority, nor does he think any of them deserve to be punished.

"My lord, the deputy general chooses Gutianzhou Zhangde and Wanyuan Ercheng!" Hu Bugui stood up and said.

Chen Wuji was stunned: "You also want to choose two cities?"

Have these two gone mad today?

They have always been at the bottom among the armies, yet today they managed to get ahead of everyone else.

Moreover, the two of them, upon opening their mouths, have taken on four cities.

Chen Wuji suddenly regretted letting them choose themselves; what nonsense is this!

He truly did not expect Chen Ruoshui and Hu Bugui to have such appetites.

Hu Bugui clasped his hands firmly, raised his voice: "My lord, the deputy general is also willing to issue a military order; if we fail to take these two cities, please take my head."

Chen Wuji: ……

They even put their own heads on the line.

Chen Wuji's head suddenly felt huge.

He glanced at Qian Fugui, Feng Linchuan, and others in the seat: "Only the last city remains; judging by your speed, with no battle to fight, all will be assigned to the rear wing, take charge of the cities, handle post-war affairs. In this battle, no prisoners will be left; all military and civil officials in the city will be beheaded, their families assigned to labor service, and relocated to Qiang Land."

Upon Chen Wuji's words, a group of people suddenly stood up.

Not a single person who had not stood just now remained seated; all rose.

"Who stood up first?" Chen Wuji asked left and right.

Cui Jiuzi whispered: "My lord, it seems to be Wu Bujiang."

Chen Wuji: ……