Chapter 295: The fleeing enemy must be pursued

The chaotic camp only gradually grew peaceful at the Xu hour.

In the Qiang people's central grand tent, Chen Wuji sat upright on a thickly fur‑covered mat that exuded a strong goatish smell, listening to the reports of several squad leaders below.

"Lao Jiu and Squad Leader Wu's side sent word that they had run into small bands of Qiang people, both sides suffering casualties. But the night is too dark for fighting, so they are trying to pursue; as for the results, we'll have to wait a bit." Chen Li said.

Chen Wuji nodded, his voice low: "The Qiang people's morale is already in disarray, but our kill count isn't high; most of them have fled and are scattered across this area between our three forces. We can't give them time to catch their breath—how are the troops' rest and recovery?"

If the Qiang people regain their composure and rally their broken troops, then on this flat expanse of the ancient river road, who strikes whom will no longer be certain.

Being infantry versus cavalry already puts us at a disadvantage, let alone the fact that Chen Wuji's force is still a poorly trained, green unit that has only just seen battle formation.

Even though the night is deep, at this moment time means life and victory for Chen Wuji.

Qian Fugui leapt up and said, "Reporting to the brigade commander, the soldiers have already recovered; now full of vigor, this is the perfect moment to pursue the fleeing enemy—I request to lead the first charge."

Chen Wuji: ……

"With you in that state, can you still serve as the vanguard?" Chen Wuji asked.

He thought he had stuffed a big shot into the army, but never imagined he had stuffed in a spearhead instead.

Qian Fugui's mouth—his talk is no different from farting.

Qian Fugui slapped his thigh hard and said, "Nothing at all—just a mosquito bite on my arm."

"Don't overdo it." Chen Wuji felt a headache.

He feared that if Qian Fugui entered the camp he would act like a big shot, but he also feared the lad's current state.

Too awesome.

He had been jumping around today as if the black‑and‑white impermanence's soul‑hooking chains were just rubber bands.

Qian Fugui shook his head firmly: "No strain, not the slightest strain, brigade commander—I know my limits."

"All right, go prepare." Chen Wuji said helplessly.

"Order received!"

Qian Fugui took the command and marched out, full of vigor and high spirits.

Chen Wuji pinched his brow and asked again, "How many enemies have we killed?"

"Almost two thousand." Chen Baoja replied.

"Most of the enemy were killed by their own men and their own horses; the true number felled by our blades is no more than about five hundred, perhaps a bit more or less, roughly around five hundred. Our forces met the enemy two li out, and some enemy corpses were not counted."

Chen Wuji nodded.

That chaos lasted a long time; the entire Qiang tribe's camp turned into a vast horse‑racing field, so a higher death toll is normal.

All his painstaking efforts to disrupt the enemy's morale were aimed at exactly this result.

However, given the circumstances of striking while the enemy was in disarray, this new force managing to kill five hundred enemies is not bad.

It is far better than he had imagined.

In this battle, as soon as they met the enemy, Chen Wuji had already prepared several contingency plans to adapt on the fly.

Fortunately, the big guys didn't let him down, allowing him to press straight into the enemy's main camp without resorting to harassing tactics.

"How are our casualties?" Chen Wuji asked again.

"One hundred eighty‑two killed or wounded."

This casualty figure was within Chen Wuji's expectations, yet it still felt hard to bear.

In the army's statistics, only deaths, routs, and serious injuries are counted; light wounds are generally excluded.

Given today's medical conditions, a serious injury essentially amounts to a death notice.

"Leave a detachment to take the wounded and warhorses up the mountain for settlement; in this camp we need only leave a few men to keep watch, while the rest quickly inspect weapons, strike under cover of night, and take their lives while they're sick." Chen Wuji ordered in a low voice.

"Yes!"

All responded in unison and swiftly left the big tent.

Chen Wuji also followed closely behind and walked out.

This camp certainly cannot be held for long; the Qiang people's fighting strength is not weak, and once they recover they will surely counterattack.

Unless Chen Wuji can tonight completely break their spirit, leaving them unable to muster any force.

But that is no easy task.

Of the six‑thousand‑strong army, over two thousand are dead or wounded, and two‑thirds of the enemy are now roaming outside.

Even if Chen Wuji reacts swiftly, it is still hard to annihilate that force completely.

He must steady his pace, lead them on, and strike at their heels.

We can give them a chance to catch their breath, but we must never let them actually catch their breath.

In the vast camp, soldiers were making torches and sharpening blades.

The Qiang people's supplies are abundant; making a batch of torches on the spot is more than enough.

Amid the bustle, a shout of argument suddenly rang out.

Chen Wuji followed the sound and saw Qian Fugui jumping on his feet, arguing with Qian Yong.

"You damn thing, why are you so stubborn? I now have the brigade commander's order to take you to kill the enemy—isn't what I'm saying clear enough?" Qian Fugui roared loudly.

"Young Master, I have not received the brigade commander's order." Qian Yong said with a stern face, expressionless, "The family head has repeatedly instructed, and you, Young Master, said before that in the army we must obey military orders first, not act on our own or overstep our authority."

"Since you, Young Master, hold the brigade commander's order, why not get another order from him for me instead of quarreling with me?"

Qian Fugui jumped and shouted, "I've told you all along—this is it!"

"This isn't it!"

"You bastard!"

Qian Fugui's veins bulged on his forehead from anger; he suddenly turned and saw Chen Wuji not far off, grabbed Qian Yong and, taking three steps in two, lunged forward, "Brigade commander, I'm leading the troops out first to hunt the Qiang dogs—is this your order to me?"

"Yes!" Chen Wuji nodded.

Qian Fugui turned, pointed at Qian Yong's nose, and shouted, "Did you hear that? Is it so? Can I now mobilize you?"

"Yes, I can!" Qian Yong clasped his fists.

From beginning to end, his face remained very calm.

Or rather, he might have been born with such a face.

"Damn it, really pisses me off—go, go, go, hurry up and go, what are you standing there for?" Qian Fugui shouted anxiously.

"Yes!"

Qian Yong responded with a shout, loudly ordering the Qian Family's brave warriors to assemble.

Chen Wuji's expression turned slightly odd.

He now seriously suspected that Qian Fugui was putting on another act for him.

In the military camp, torches were erected one after another.

If viewed from high above at this moment, this Yíngzhù was entirely a sea of starlight.

With each shouted command, these flames quickly gathered together, then split into two streams that rushed out toward both ends of the river channel.

For a newly formed army, Night Battle is a tremendous test.

But no matter how difficult, Chen Wuji must do it.

Missing this opportunity tonight will make this battle even harder to fight.