Chapter 285

Holding and filling it is better not to do so.

Sharpening it by grasping cannot be long preserved.

Chen Wuji never felt proud or complacent because of his modern identity; on the contrary, in this completely unfamiliar world, he always maintained a modest and learning attitude, knowing he was not omnipotent and had no talent for understanding without study.

In this new life, he has many things to learn.

Even though the tactics Mr. Xu spoke of, he had already understood ninety percent, yet he still seized the opportunity to ask about minute details.

Mr. Xu also explained in great detail, from the Qiang People's practice of following water and grass for settlement, to their cattle and sheep being the Luggage and Supplies, and how, when they set up camp, the camp layout was arranged, where the cattle and sheep were placed, and where the Leader resided.

The Qiang People, among these neighbors of Da Yu, are the most prone to being beaten but not to remembering. Mr. Xu pinched the sparse beard on his chin, his gaze deep as he observed the surrounding terrain, leisurely telling Chen Wuji the history of the Qiang People.

Looking through history, they are always dogs for a period; when food gets a little better, they become arrogant and want to bite their master. Dynasties of the Zhongyuan Dynasty have always used appeasement toward this group, which is why this stubborn ailment has never been fully eradicated. The Court has its plans, imperial arts cannot be guessed, but those who suffer repeatedly are the common people.

We Han People can also herd livestock, and we can also follow water and grass for settlement. Nowadays, as long as the common people can survive, they actually don't mind what way of life they use; perhaps letting them do so, they might even find a way to farm on the grasslands.

Chen Wuji fully believes this.

The Han People's skill in farming is truly ingrained in their bones.

"Nomadic ethnic groups are very difficult to truly exterminate." Chen Wuji said.

Mr. Xu's idea he agrees with, but to completely eradicate this stubborn ailment is not an easy matter.

In the history he is familiar with, the wars between the Zhongyuan Dynasty and the northern nomadic peoples have lasted over two thousand years.

On that vast pasture, the Dog Rong, Ghost Direction, Xiongnu, Xianbei, Rouran, Khitan, and Turkic peoples took turns appearing; each dynasty always had one side as the main actor, and there were countless wars.

They are like that pasture rich in water and grass, always regrowing after the wildfire burns, sprouting anew with the spring breeze.

Attributing the cause, the strong mobility of the nomadic peoples is perhaps a very important point.

Mr. Xu however laughed and said: "As long as our side is strong enough, that day will come; the earth has its limits, they cannot truly flee to the ends of the earth. For those not of our kind, their hearts must be different; I have always advocated dealing with these barbarians by achieving total victory in one battle, exterminating them completely, leaving no future trouble."

Seeing his murderous aura, Chen Wuji had the words on the tip of his tongue but swallowed them back.

That matter is still far off; just hearing about it is enough.

Assimilation is necessary, but if they are obstinate and unresponsive, Chen Wuji also doesn't mind exterminating them completely.

Mr., what is meant by 'blocking the front and pursuing the rear' is cutting off the enemy's retreat, then taking advantage to strike from behind, and continuing to block until we reach the place where we cut off the road? Chen Wuji asked.

Too distant an issue need not be argued for now; the present problem, however, needs to be refined and refined again.

Mr. Xu's face lit up with joy: 'Speaking with Brigade Commander Chen is truly refreshing; I don't need to waste words! That dog of a Western King, his greedy words slip lightly into the ear, his wicked words slip lightly out of the mouth; even if I lay out the reasoning clearly before him, he still doubts my schemes and my intentions.'

Such a petty person, if he is not defeated, then everyone under heaven can succeed.

The usually calm and selfless Mr. Xu gradually became unsettled as well.

His expression grew indignant, his face even flushed a little.

Losing Mr. is like Liu Bei losing Zhuge Liang, or Wu Zetian losing Li Zhi! Chen Wuji laughed, "But this is my fortune; with Mr.'s help, I even find myself unable to resist harboring the ambition to oversee all under heaven from Nan Jun."

Mr. Xu burst out laughing, then asked doubtfully: 'Where does the allusion Brigade Commander Chen mentioned come from? I've never heard of it.'

I also heard it by chance; I don't know where it comes from! Chen Wuji casually gave a evasive reply.

History has some subtle overlaps, but for the most part they are different.

Chen Wuji has not yet discovered the pattern here.

Mr. Xu nodded, saying: 'There are so many books in the world; I simply haven't read enough.'

After saying that, he pointed to the birch forest ahead and, with utter certainty, declared: 'The Qiang army will surely be stationed here; ahead lie steep cliffs that block the way, behind the mountains slope gently, allowing advance to attack and retreat to defend.'

The streams on the mountain converge downstream, forming a shallow lake, which then winds its way into the birch forest; the terrain resembles the place where Chen Wuji yesterday met Ji Qinghuan and her group.

However, the lake is not that large; one can see the bottom with the naked eye.

"Mr., are you so certain? If we are chasing water sources, the lake we just passed is larger."

Mr. Xu smiled faintly and shook his head: 'That lake, although larger, has narrow sides and no rear route.'

The Qiang army, having come from afar, will surely choose a nearby place to set up camp to rest and sharpen their strength. This place is about sixty or seventy li from South Mountain, the distance is just right, and the geographic location is even a top choice. Stationing the camp here, scouts can return in a day, facilitating the Qiang army's deployment.

They cannot possibly launch an all-out assault on Nan Jun with their entire army at once; it is necessary to establish a camp, making long-term plans. Since it is long-term, one cannot neglect the retreat route; although the Qiang People are arrogant and reckless, they are not mindless brutes, and among them there are Wise Ones who plan in the tent.

Chen Wuji gained a little more insight.

This matter, he has always thought of it rather vaguely. He realized the Qiang People could not possibly commit their entire army at once, but his idea remained vague, and he had not determined how the Qiang People would set up camp.

"Let's keep moving!" Mr. Xu said.

The group walked on for about another ten li, when Mr. Xu suddenly changed direction, climbed the nearby hill, looked around, and then told Brigade Commander Chen: 'This place can hide five hundred troops, to cut off the Qiang army's rear; after the front raises a clamor for the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, we can then emerge to strike from concealment.'

'The place I previously indicated for the Qiang army's encampment can hold a thousand troops, with many banners and rolling stones; at the point where the road is cut off, we can then hide another five hundred, and this battle can be won.'

Chen Wuji suddenly realized a problem: 'Mr. Xu, are you having me use two thousand troops to directly engage the Qiang People in a decisive battle?'

'Have I not always meant that?' Mr. Xu replied bewilderedly.

Chen Wuji immediately felt uneasy: 'Mr., isn't this a bit too rushed?'

'With heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony all in Brigade Commander Chen's hands, what is there to fear?' Mr. Xu asked.

Chen Wuji: ……

He feared!

He truly feared!