Chapter 287: Suddenly Urgent Time

Chen Wuji's words eased Xu Zengyi's expression somewhat. 'It's not exactly something overly important; Chen merely wishes to ask the Brigade Commander, in this battle not to leave any prisoners, but to bury them all alive.'

Chen Wuji had previously been thinking of avoiding this matter, but now Xu Zengyi brought it up again, and he could no longer evade it; on this issue, their opinions must be unified.

'Killing these Qiang people by burying them alive won't affect my conscience or morals; I can do it completely.' Chen Wuji said. What he heard and what he saw now left him with almost no mercy for the Qiang people; if they could be defeated, what harm would there be in burying them all alive?

The Qiang people only brutally slaughter and toy with the Han people; why should he show them kindness?

'Just...' Chen Wuji changed the subject, 'I also want to ask the Sir one thing: will burying prisoners alive affect the upcoming battle, causing the Qiang people to prefer death over surrender?'

Xu Zengyi smiled, though his smile was somewhat cold, 'The Brigade Commander having this concern is perfectly reasonable. But if we can defeat them, the Qiang people won't lose their blood courage and choose to surrender. Surrender only happens when they cannot win; if they worry our army will kill prisoners, between fighting to the death and fleeing, I think they'd rather flee.'

Chen Wuji thought carefully about these words; they seemed to make sense as well.

The Killing God Bai Qi seemed to have already told him the answer.

'I have accepted the Sir's suggestion; as long as we win this battle, I don't mind wasting a piece of land to bury them all.' Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi nodded with a smile, turned his head again to look at the endless stretch of tents below, 'In their tribes, they are fathers, sons, husbands; but once in Da Yu, they have completely lost all humanity, regarding our Da Yu commoners as livestock, cooking and eating them is commonplace.'

'For such a people, if we still give them a chance to live well as prisoners, the resentful spirits of the Da Yu commoners who died will certainly be displeased.'

Chen Wuji's gaze was solemn, his expression like a blade.

He had also seen much of what Xu Zengyi had said.

The group hurried back along the mountain ridge to Chen Wuji's simple camp at Xiangbi Ling.

'Issue an order to Chen Lang: have him closely monitor the Qiang people's movements, restrain the subordinates, not to get too close for observation, to avoid being discovered by the Qiang; violators will be beheaded!' Upon returning to the simple hut, Chen Wuji issued the command immediately.

Although this place is far from where the Qiang people have set up camp, if the enemy dispatches scouts, there is still a great chance of being discovered.

Once scouts make contact, it will be very difficult for him to carry out a sneak attack; the Qiang people will certainly be prepared.

Even if those Qiang people now appear to not take him seriously at all.

But Chen Wuji cannot afford to lose the caution he ought to have.

Afterward, Chen Wuji left Chen Bang on the mountain, ordering him to supervise the scouts there, while he and Xu Zengyi quickly descended the mountain; the Qiang army had already arrived, and they must hasten to get the troops in position.

Returning to the village, Chen Wuji went to the camp, while Xu Zengyi took an ox cart to Yunan City.

This time entering the city, he not only had his own plans to attend to, but also needed to help Chen Wuji finalize the commandant and provisions matters, and arrange them as soon as possible.

The Qiang army had already advanced to Shenxian Ling, but aside from the roughly thousand sturdy youths in the village, Chen Wuji's side was still a disorganized mess.

During this time, Chen Wuji had been working hard to sort things out, but some matters simply couldn't be rushed just because he wanted them to be.

'Old Wu, how's the training going?' Chen Wuji asked.

Wu Bu Yong hurried over as soon as he saw Chen Wuji.

He had now fully accepted Chen Wuji as his direct superior, his words and deeds showing considerable respect.

'Not good, just barely scraping by.' Wu Bu Yong said bluntly, 'I'll say something the Brigade Commander might not want to hear: among these clan troops, the good ones are so fine they hardly need my drilling to go straight to battle, but the bad ones are like clumps of elm wood.'

'These people mixed among the others seriously drag down the overall combat strength.'

Chen Wuji nodded, 'Tonight I will arrange for everyone to have a hearty meal; the soldiers have things they need to do, so while there's still some time today, they should get busy, and we'll break camp and advance into the mountains at dawn tomorrow.'

'Hearing this news, they probably won't run away, right?' Chen Wuji suddenly added.

Wu Bu Yong scratched his head, 'This... I suppose it's actually possible.'

'Then let them leave a last will!' Chen Wuji decisively abandoned his previous plan.

There are only this few people; if fear of going to the battlefield makes them all run off in a bunch, what's he even good for? Since morale isn't that solid right now, better not gamble on their loyalty.

'Yes!'

Wu Bu Yong's aura shifted abruptly, and he asked in a deep voice, 'Brigade Commander, have the Qiang people arrived?'

Chen Wuji nodded, 'Six thousand strong, bringing tens of thousands of cattle and sheep; if we win this battle, we'll also have struck it rich.'

Wu Bu Yong's face changed slightly, 'Six thousand... this Qiang force really is a grand undertaking; marching along mountain plank roads, they actually dare to bring so much luggage and supplies.'

'Make good preparations, and also give the soldiers a mental readiness.' Chen Wuji said.

'Understood!'

After Wu Bu Yong left, Chen Wuji summoned Xiong Paozi and briefed him on the preparations needed.

Xiong Paozi and Chen Bushi had long been the village's gang leaders; they had participated in dozens of battles, though previously they commanded only tens of men, now they lead hundreds, but essentially there isn't much difference.

Many things don't need Chen Wuji's reminder; he already knows them well.

Having settled the matters for tomorrow's deployment, Chen Wuji hurried back home.

Qian Fugui and company's tents were still at Chen Wuji's doorstep, but now there were many more ox carts.

Servants one by one, like diligent ants, were transporting the grain.

Qian Fugui, true to his word, had already sent people to bring over a batch of grain.

Qian Fugui himself also changed his attire, wearing a pure white martial outfit, holding a long spear as he personally supervised unloading the grain; the old donkey he rode yesterday had been replaced by a sturdy, tall brown steed.

'Qian Fugui greets the Brigade Commander!'

Seeing Chen Wuji and company approaching on the small path, Qian Fugui immediately dismounted and shouted loudly.

His ostentatious appearance made Chen Wuji's eyes darken, and he suddenly regretted his decision.

'I suggest you change your clothes and send the horse back home; in this battle we won't have use for a warhorse. The white-robed young general may look cool, but this time there's no place for him to shine.' Chen Wuji said.

'Not usable? Horses can run fine here.' Qian Fugui asked doubtfully.

Chen Wuji calmly replied, 'The battlefield is in the mountains.'

'Ah? Then... that really seems unusable, fine, I'll change it tomorrow.' Qian Fugui felt a bit regretful but didn't voice further opinions, readily accepting Chen Wuji's arrangement.