Chapter 450

In Chen Wuji's previous life, netizens often joked that the world was a huge Makeshift Troupe.

Chen Wuji also often said this saying when he was making jokes.

But in this life, this saying really came true.

He unexpectedly became the ChenClanHead, and unexpectedly raised troops; whether managing such a large family or commanding the Three Armies, leading troops in battle, everything was learned on the job—calling it a Makeshift Troupe is not an exaggeration.

Chen Wuji always felt immensely fortunate that he had met a group of very lovable clansmen, a bunch of friends with different identities and backgrounds who were all willing to open their hearts to him; thanks to them, this Makeshift Troupe miraculously ran extremely smoothly.

It's like a bunch of bugs colliding to produce a rather good situation.

Chen Wuji doesn't know how far he can go in the future, nor what outcome he will arrive at.

But it definitely won't be too bad.

Ambition is something that must be had.

……

After slaughtering cattle and sheep on the mountain, the soldiers had a hearty meal and then began a rapid march.

This was originally an army that took root and sprouted in the mountains and wild forests; entering the mountains and returning home made no difference to them; the mountains and wilds that others dreaded were, to them, completely everyday fare.

After marching over fifty li each day for four consecutive days, the army entered the Hezhou Border at noon on the fifth day.

Chen Baojia had already established a Yíngzhù in a strategic mountain location beforehand, and Scouts had been sent out.

After setting up camp, Chen Wuji personally walked around the vicinity, observed the terrain, and drew a detailed topographic map.

Then, he dispatched Bīngmǎ to another mountain peak overlooking the valley, set up a concealed small Yíngzhù there, and sent three hundred Bīngmǎ over.

After resting one day in the crude Yíngzhù, the next day Chen Wuji simultaneously received information from Scouts and spies under Qin Zhanhong.

"Is Gu Wenjie really preparing to attack us?" Chen Wuji looked at the received information, somewhat unable to understand.

At this moment, Chen Li, Chen Baojia, Qin Zhanhong, and several others took their seats in the tent.

But after he finished saying that, a while passed and not a single person made a sound.

"Come on, give me some opinions," Chen Wuji asked, raising his head.

Qin Zhanhong decisively shook his head: "I don't know; if I can't guess, I won't just spout nonsense."

Chen Baojia suddenly stood up: "Deputy Commandant, this... I also don't know how to say it."

Chen Wuji looked at Chen Li: "Shi Yi Shu, you should have some opinion, right?"

"Well..." Chen Li gave an embarrassed smile, "I think there are probably just two reasons: Gu Wenjie was angered by you, the Commandant, and is preparing to launch troops for revenge; another possibility is that Lu Ping'an is pressuring, and Lu Jinglve seems to now regard the Commandant as a thorn in the eye, a splinter in the flesh."

"There's nothing wrong with the words, but why did he only send five hundred people?" Chen Wuji asked.

The intelligence said that Gu Wenjie had frenziedly looted several wealthy families in Hezhou, exterminating their entire households.

Then he used the captured Young Strongmen to form a new army, also rewarded the main forces, and immediately dispatched five hundred Bīngmǎ to Qing County.

Five hundred people—who is he looking down on?

Last time, a thousand so-called elites were sent as fodder, and they returned with a heap of Head Trophies; Chen Wuji doesn't think he still has the courage to repeat old tricks.

Unless Gu Wenjie and the Snake Staff Old Man, this old-young pair of rascals, have truly gone crazy.

Several people in the tent fell into deep thought.

"How do I feel that these five hundred people are like a bait?" Chen Wuji murmured.

Chen Li's brows slightly furrowed: "Commandant's meaning is that Gu Wenjie uses these five hundred people as a smokescreen, while actually having other plans."

"I do have some suspicion, but to say this is a bait laid with the Mi Zhuang would be too obvious. Even a fool seeing this formation would instinctively suspect, is this brat too contemptuous of people?" Chen Wuji said.

The Snake Staff Old Man's scheme, he has now also figured out a bit of a pattern.

No matter whether the stratagem is useful or not, but his initial layout, others absolutely cannot guess what he intends to do.

It's truly mysterious.

Chen Li pondered seriously for a moment, then suddenly said: "Commandant, the Sheep Commandant garrisoning Qing County is also a bait we deliberately laid; could it be that Gu Wenjie shares our idea? With five hundred troops in the open, actually they intend to take the Mountain Middle Path."

"This Mountain Middle Path, Gu Wenjie surely knows. If he puts the five hundred troops in the open, deliberately provoking us to draw our army's attention, he leads a large force of Bīngmǎ along the Mountain Middle Path, descending from Xishan Village, coercing our clansmen to think they are being held hostage, or directly driving them to attack the city."

"When Gu Wenjie withdraws his troops, he has always been thinking of our clansmen."

Chen Wuji nodded: "Some sense."

"Let's list this possibility first; if Gu Wenjie really does this, don't startle the snake, let them pass."

"He still thinks Xishan Village and Yunan City are as they were when he left; with five hundred troops defending, holding for two days should be no problem; we'll launch a tail-chase surprise attack, and we can catch them off guard."

Chen Baojia suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Commandant, if that's the case, our army could probably take Hezhou in the wake of it."

"That makes sense, but urgently order the Sheep Commandant to launch troops and take Hezhou." Chen Wuji nodded in agreement.

He paused, then hearing the voice advised: "Baojia, just say it while sitting; don't make a sudden attack, your sudden shout is quite frightening."

Chen Baojia gave an embarrassed, honest smile: "Yes."

"Everyone, think if there are any other possibilities," Chen Wuji said.

Several people frantically racked their brains, thinking over and over, but all ended up with a clueless look.

Whether to speak or not, Gu Wenjie's series of maneuvers is truly bizarre.

It's like a card player who, on the first round, throws away his smallest card.

There must be something big hidden behind this.

But the current problem is, where will he throw this big thing?

Chen Li lowered his head in thought for a moment: "Commandant, does Gu Wenjie have the possibility of seizing Guangyuan Prefecture?"

"There is, but if he wants to take Guangyuan Prefecture, why would he deliberately toss these five hundred people out for me to eat?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Or perhaps it's to attract our army's attention." Chen Li said.

"Gu Wenjie's forces currently don't seem affluent; if he wants to seize Guangyuan Prefecture, he will surely rely on troop superiority for a quick victory. If he deploys too many troops, alerting our army, Hezhou would become hard to defend; these five hundred may be buying time, giving them a chance to seize Guangyuan Prefecture."

"I've just thought carefully: given the current situation, seizing Guangyuan Prefecture is more advantageous and easier than attacking us. Gu Wenjie, in order to take Hezhou, even abandoned his clansmen; there's no reason not to take the soft meat at this time, but instead he chooses to gnaw on our hard bone."

Chen Wuji's mist before his eyes cleared up by half: "Very reasonable."

Shi Yi Shu, draft a letter, send someone to inform Mr. Xu of your speculation just made, let him act according to circumstances; if the situation turns unfavorable, retreat immediately.