Chapter 1121

On the battlefield, there has always been only one thing that matters, and that is strength.

Chen Wuji believed his arrangements had always been correct, not discussing the process, only looking at the outcome, and this was right—placing the right people in the right positions is what he, as lord, and his staff have always strived to do.

One could even say they have long been striving to do just that.

But what Chen Li said was also not wrong.

Chen Ruoshui and her group have solid foundations; the soldiers, whether in terms of cultivation or overall strength, are very strong. Keeping them constantly stationed on the rear battlefield is indeed somewhat regrettable.

But no matter how regrettable, Chen Wuji still did not want to take any risks on the front battlefield.

This incident has already occurred, the words have been spoken, there is no turning back, only remediation.

This is Chen Wuji's current thought, but before stating his own opinion, he still looked toward Chen Li, who rarely acted as a spokesperson for the subordinates, "Shi Yi Shu, tell me your meaning!"

"Chen Lang said that before Feng Linchuan and others decided to relinquish this opportunity, they had thoroughly discussed the situation in Shangfang Commandery, and only proceeded because they believed it could be won, not recklessly." Chen Li said.

"I have also carefully examined Puyan's influence and privately discussed it with Xu Lao. Had it not been for the Family Head's demand to swiftly dismantle with thunderous force, regardless of whether it was Chen Lang, Chen Ruoshui, or Wu Bu Yong, any of their units could have dragged Puyan down in Shangfang Commandery."

"I believe their doing this in private is inappropriate, but I agree to let Chen Ruoshui, Hu Bugui, and Wu Bu Yong go to this battlefield; such a battlefield is suitable for these units long stationed in the rear wing to hone their skills and temper the soldiers."

Chen Wuji laughed in anger, "Well, these bastards actually held a private meeting behind my back."

"Feng Linchuan and others have also seen Chen Ruoshui's situation." Chen Li said, "That military commanders can act this way, I think is a good thing, and indeed a very rare good thing."

Whether this matter is good or bad, Chen Wuji truly cannot judge this time; he cannot define in his heart the standard for good or bad, and needs to see further.

"Shi Yi Shu, your words probably don't contain too much private feeling, do they?" Chen Wuji stared at Chen Li, his expression rarely showing a hint of heaviness.

A matter he temporarily cannot judge as good or bad, yet others speak and act in near-unison; if good, it is exceedingly good, it is that stubborn thread in his mind that hasn't turned.

But if bad, then it is utterly terrible.

"Yes, my private feeling is that I hope our army grows ever stronger, the Family Head's power ever greater, to sweep aside the strong and unify all under heaven." Chen Li said.

"Actually, I wanted to propose conscription and expand the army by thirty to fifty thousand last year, drawing Chen Ruoshui and others from the rear wing, but last year's grain and funds were tight, so I also found it hard to raise."

"I have always felt keeping these units constantly in the rear wastes their strength; once their strength is wasted, our army's overall combat power will drop significantly."

"Perhaps the Family Head does not know, this matter is not just mine—Xu Lao has also submitted it several times, but our army's grain and funds have always been in a state of extreme tension; rashly increasing troops by thirty to fifty thousand might trigger a grain crisis, so for now this can only be shelved."

Chen Wuji rubbed his brow, "It seems I was overthinking."

"Standing in the Family Head's position, no matter how one thinks, it is not too much; they themselves beheading without reporting—this matter is indeed a major affair, they deserve a beating, to make them remember long." Chen Li said.

"Had they not done this themselves, I and Xu Lao would temporarily not raise this matter. Xu Lao's idea is to wait until the main army marches north, then order Chen Ruoshui's units to independently command troops and pacify the various powers in Shangfang Commandery Two, but looking at this, he probably won't get the chance to say it."

"Let this matter be dropped!" Chen Wuji waved his hand, solemnly asking, "But I now need to confirm one thing: Chen Ruoshui and her three as the main force attacking these five cities—really no problem?"

"There may be problems, but they should not be too great!" Chen Li said, "The Family Head has forgotten, they each have two fallback tactics."

"Shocking Heaven Thunder and Solid Wall Clearing the Fields?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Li laughed and nodded, "Exactly."

"On past battlefields, there was no such weapon as Shocking Heaven Thunder; aside from the Imperial Guard, it was rare to see the entire army composed of martial artists. For the same city, to ordinary soldiers, the city wall is a line of life and death; but to martial artists, the city wall is merely a consideration of how high to leap, then at what angle to hurl the Shocking Heaven Thunder in their hands."

"Martial artists paired with Shocking Heaven Thunder have basically allowed us to dispense with siege equipment; such combat power against ordinary units, I dare not say it crushes them, but making them doubt their purpose in coming into this world, we can still achieve."

Chen Wuji rubbed his chin, "Shi Yi Shu, I think I've heard the implication in your roundabout words—you're criticizing me for being too cautious in troop deployment?"

Chen Li smiled slightly, neither admitting nor denying.

"Shi Yi Shu, you really took a big detour!" Chen Wuji said helplessly.

Chen Li said: "The Family Head's troop deployment is not overly cautious; it is bold and direct on the front battlefield, adhering to righteousness as strength, establishing camps step by step, but skilled in using surprise forces on the flank battlefield, and favoring surprise forces. More so favoring frontal containment, flank victory through surprise forces—this tactic!"

"After hearing Shi Yi Shu say this, I have it figured out; let's just fight this way." Chen Wuji finally let go of his heart, that hint of anxiety instantly fading.

At the same time, he also realized he might need to redefine how, when over seventy percent of soldiers become martial artists, it affects the overall strength of all units and tactics.

This matter, the officers below may have long known in their hearts, but he, as the current lord, still lacks that insight, and is accustomed to viewing them through the lens of ordinary units.

Chen Li smiled and nodded, "I dare not guarantee Chen Ruoshui and her three, but the Family Head should trust them."

"Hu Bugui is the sole hard bone of Nan Jun; his bones remain hard to this day. Chen Ruoshui's abilities are commendable; she has walked this path entirely under the Family Head's watch, a truly outstanding female general of the silk banner."

"As for Wu Bu Yong, one of the earliest commanders to follow the Family Head, he does not contend or grab, is not arrogant or restless; he is too low-key, often making people overlook his achievements, but every time the merit ledger is submitted, his name is never missing."

Chen Wuji nodded seriously, "I indeed need to re-examine and carefully review myself and our current units. Additionally, order Chen Yuan and Peng Jinxuan to begin recruiting new soldiers, prioritizing Nan Jun descendants, not forced conscription, voluntary enlistment."

"Affirmation!"