Chapter 639

Bored Chen Wuji finally had something to do.

Translation: "Bored Chen Wuji finally had something to do."

Bored Chen Wuji finally had something to do.

The frontline battle report arrived.

Translation: "The battle report from the front arrived."

Seeing the battle report made him exhilarated, but after reading it he remained silent for a long time.

Translation: "Reading the battle report made him feel exhilarated, but after reading it, he remained silent for a long time."

Xu Zengyi, sitting across from him leisurely washing tea utensils, saw Chen Wuji's expression and his hand motion paused abruptly, "My lord, did you suffer a defeat?"

Translation: "Sitting opposite, Xu Zengyi was leisurely washing the tea set when he saw Chen Wuji's expression; his hand movement suddenly stopped, 'My lord, did you suffer a defeat?'"

"Great victory!" Chen Wuji handed over the battle report, "The win was extraordinarily brilliant—Xie Fengxian annihilated a Qiang cavalry force of over five thousand, leaving only the horses that fled; not a single enemy soldier escaped the battlefield."

Translation: "\"Great victory! \" Chen Wuji handed over the battle report, \"The win was extraordinarily brilliant—Xie Fengxian annihilated a Qiang cavalry force of over five thousand, leaving only the enemy's warhorses that fled; not a single enemy soldier escaped the battlefield. \""

"Chen Li routed the enemy's three thousand cavalry, killing over a thousand, but unfortunately failed to capture their commander, letting them escape. Only Tang Yu's side lacked strength; the wolf-pack tactic didn't succeed, the enemy slipped away, and they killed only over six hundred."

Translation: "\"Chen Li defeated three thousand enemy cavalry, killing over a thousand, but unfortunately failed to cut down the enemy commander, letting them escape. Only Tang Yu's side was ineffective; the wolf pack tactic didn't bite, the enemy slipped away, and they killed only over six hundred foes. \""

Upon hearing this, Xu Zengyi immediately doubted, "My lord, are you dissatisfied with this battle result?"

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Xu Zengyi immediately wondered, 'My lord, are you dissatisfied with this battle result?'"

"What more could I be dissatisfied with regarding such achievements?" Chen Wuji laughed, "In our initial clash we wiped out six thousand enemies; such a great victory, how could I not be pleased?"

Translation: "\"What more could I be dissatisfied with such achievements? \" Chen Wuji laughed, \"In the first engagement we wiped out six thousand enemies—such a great victory, how could I not be pleased? \""

"Then my lord, why just now..."

Translation: "\"Then my lord, just now why... \""

"Oh, you mean this? I'm pondering whether it's because our troops are too fierce, your wolf-pack tactic is too effective, or the Qiang are simply too weak? Fighting infantry against cavalry on three fronts, we slaughtered six thousand; I like this result, but upon reflection it does seem somewhat exaggerated, and we need to summarize the experience," Chen Wuji said solemnly.

Translation: "\"Oh, you mean this? I'm wondering whether it's because our troops are too fierce, your wolf pack tactic is too effective, or the Qiang are just too weak? Fighting infantry against cavalry on three fronts, we slaughtered six thousand enemies—I like this result, but upon reflection, it does seem somewhat exaggerated; we need to sum up the experience. \" Chen Wuji said solemnly."

Xu Zengyi nodded, "So the lord is contemplating these matters; naturally it's the first two reasons."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi nodded, \"So the lord is pondering these matters; naturally it's the first two. \""

"I don't mean to boast, but my wolf-pack tactic indeed can counter the quick response of one or two cavalry units when facing infantry. If we also have brave and skilled soldiers, the wolf-pack tactic naturally exerts greater power; even a herd of horses, no matter how swift or strong, cannot withstand the relentless tearing of hungry wolves."

Translation: "\"I don't mean to boast, but my wolf pack tactic indeed can counter the quick response of one or two cavalry units when facing infantry versus cavalry. If there were also brave and skilled soldiers, the wolf pack tactic would naturally exert greater power; even a herd of horses, no matter how fast or strong, could not withstand the repeated tearing of a hungry wolf pack. \""

"He might hold out for a moment, but he absolutely cannot sustain it unless he abandons the battlefield and flees, just as Tang Yu's forces did—when the situation turned unfavorable, they dropped some corpses and retreated immediately."

Translation: "\"He can hold out for a moment, but it's absolutely impossible to keep holding on unless he abandons the battlefield and flees voluntarily—just like Tang Yu's troops, who, seeing the situation turn against them, dropped some corpses and retreated immediately. \""

Chen Wuji nodded thoughtfully, "Sir, our army has just undergone a reorganization!"

Translation: "Chen Wuji nodded thoughtfully, \"Sir, our army has just undergone a reorganization! \""

After incorporating the Dingzhou troops, Chen Wuji's original intention for this battle was merely to let everyone get accustomed, to test the waters, to make a probing strike; he never imagined they could achieve such a result.

Translation: "After joining the Dingzhou Army, Chen Wuji's original intention for this battle was merely to let everyone get accustomed, to test the waters, to make a tentative probe—he never imagined they could achieve such results."

"I think there are two reasons," Xu Zengyi said. "First, the Dingzhou troops are not weak to begin with; second, the lord's system of military merit and titles is too enticing for the soldiers, so they naturally strive forward bravely."

Translation: "\"I think there are two reasons. \" Xu Zengyi said, \"First, the Dingzhou Army is not weak to begin with; second, the lord's military merit title system is too enticing for the soldiers, so they naturally wish to advance bravely. \""

"It seems I still underestimated them," Chen Wuji murmured, then chuckled softly, "I have been exhausting myself searching for talented civil officials, but to little avail. I never paid much attention to military commanders, yet suddenly one appeared—Xie Fengxian and Feng Linchuan made a big splash in this battle."

Translation: "\"It seems I still underestimated them. \" Chen Wuji murmured, then chuckled low, \"I've been racking my brains looking for talented civil officials, but the harvest has been meager. I never paid much attention to military officers, yet out of nowhere came one—Xie Fengxian and Feng Linchuan's performance in this battle really made a splash. \""

Xu Zengyi lowered his gaze at the battle report and couldn't help but remark, "Feng Linchuan's bare-handed, single cavalry charge is indeed fierce; usually he is quite refined, it's hard to imagine him on the battlefield like this—it's as if he's become a different person."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi lowered his head to look at the battle report and couldn't help sighing, \"Feng Linchuan's bare-handed single cavalry charge is indeed fierce; usually quite refined, one never expected him to be like this on the battlefield—it's as if he'd become a different person. \""

"Aren't Xie Fengxian and Tang Yu also rather refined? They occasionally utter a couple of lines," Chen Wuji laughed.

Translation: "\"Aren't Xie Fengxian and Tang Yu also rather refined? They occasionally throw out a couple of lines. \" Chen Wuji laughed."

Xu Zengyi set down the battle report and spoke seriously, "The lord's destiny is to gather both civil and military talents. Now, as he opens up new territory, generals naturally gather; after reclaiming Nan Commandery and the lord taking charge of Hezhou, perhaps then the literary stars will flock together."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi set down the battle report and said seriously, \"My lord, the Mandate of Heaven calls, and surely civil and military talents will gather. Now the lord is in the time of pioneering new territory; naturally, generals will assemble. Once Nan Jun is recovered and the lord takes charge of Hezhou, perhaps then the Wenqu stars will flock in. \""

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "Don't feed me that nonsense; hurry up and brew tea—I'm waiting so long my throat is drying out."

Translation: "Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, \"Don't feed me that nonsense—hurry up and brew tea; I'm waiting for this cup until my throat is dry. \""

Xu Zengyi smiled faintly, "That will do."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi smiled faintly, \"That will do. \""

Within the pot lies a vast world; after finishing a pot of tea, Chen Wuji also led his troops away from the main camp.

Translation: "Within the pot, heaven and earth are vast; after finishing a pot of tea, Chen Wuji also led his troops away from the camp."

He intended to personally go opposite the Qiang's main camp and erect a lofty memorial mound to honor the people of Wuyang massacred by the Qiang, then dig a large pit for this Zhongqiang force.

Translation: "He intended to personally go opposite the Qiang camp and erect a lofty Victory Monument to memorialize the people of Wuyang harmed by the Qiang, and then dig a large pit for that Zhong Qiang unit."

Having killed his people, if we do not eradicate them root and branch, this matter cannot be finished.

Translation: "Having killed his people, if we don't eradicate them root and branch, this matter cannot be finished."

A blood feud must be repaid with tenfold or even a hundredfold of blood.

Translation: "A blood feud must be repaid with tenfold, a hundredfold of fresh blood."

However, it was only about twenty li away; at noon Chen Wuji already saw the Qiang encampment at the foot of Wuyang Mountain. These scoundrels chose a good spot—the camp was built against the mountain, slightly higher than the base, with two trenches dug front and rear for cavalry to enter and exit.

Translation: "However, it was only twenty li away; at noon, Chen Wuji already saw the Qiang camp at the foot of Wuyang Mountain. These bandit scoundrels actually chose a good spot—the camp was built against the mountain, slightly higher than the base, with two roads dug front and back for cavalry to enter and exit."

If Chen Wuji wished to attack this fort, it would be essentially no different from assaulting a city.

Translation: "If Chen Wuji wanted to attack this stockade, it would be basically no different from assaulting a city."

The main army established a simple camp on a small hill less than five li from the Qiang encampment.

Translation: "The main army established a simple camp on a small hill less than five li from the Qiang camp."

Here there were still only Chen Wuji's accompanying three thousand central troops, plus several hundred men under the Sinrong Army and Hu Bu Gui; the divisions of Tang Yu, Xie Fengxian, and Chen Li were not present.

Translation: "Here there were still only Chen Wuji's accompanying three thousand central troops, as well as the Sinful Troops and several hundred men under Hu Bu Gui; the troops of Tang Yu, Xie Fengxian, and Chen Li were not present."

They were all hidden around, with Chen Wuji's central command tent as the center, like outstretched wings facing the Qiang camp.

Translation: "They were all hidden in the surroundings, with Chen Wuji's central command tent as the center, like outstretched wings facing the Qiang camp."

At noon.

Translation: "Noon."

Chen Wuyi led a group of Daoists rushing to the camp.

Translation: "Chen Yiyi led a group of Daoists to the camp."

"My lord, the Daoists of Fuyun Temple have arrived!"

Translation: "\"My lord, the Daoists of Fuyun Guan have arrived! \""

"Please, Daoists, come over."

Translation: "\"Please have the Daoists come over. \""

"Yes!"

Translation: "\"Yes! \""

Chen Wuji personally stepped out of the tent to greet these Daoists.

Translation: "Chen Wuji personally left the tent to greet these Daoists."

When the army arrived here, Chen Wuyi, following orders, went to seek nearby Daoist temples that could host a great rites, finding it fairly smoothly and arriving quickly.

Translation: "When the main army rushed to this place, Chen Yiyi, having received a military order, went to seek nearby Daoist temples, looking for one that could host a Grand Offering; the search went fairly smoothly and he arrived quickly."

"Your humble servant, Daoist Chixu, pays respects to the Commander!"

Translation: "\"This humble Daoist Zhi Xu has met the Regional Commander! \""

Though he had black hair and a youthful face, the old Daoist, whose beard and hair were flecked white, smiled amiably and gave Chen Wuji a Daoist bow.

Translation: "With black hair and a youthful face, yet oddly sporting a white-streaked beard, the old Daoist smiled amiably and gave Chen Wuji a Daoist salute."

"No need for excessive courtesy, Daoist; let us enter the tent and discuss in detail." Chen Wuji raised his hand and also instructed Chen Wuyi, "Wuyi, arrange attendants to look after the Daoists and let them first enjoy some fruit and tea."

Translation: "\"Daoist, no need for excessive courtesy; let's go inside and discuss in detail. \" Chen Wuji raised his hand and also instructed Chen Yiyi, \"Yiyi, arrange attendants to look after the Daoists and let them first enjoy some fruit and tea. \""

"Yes!"

Translation: "\"Yes! \""

Having placed the other Daoists to one side, Chen Wuji and Daoist Chixu entered the central command tent.

Translation: "Having arranged the other Daoists to one side, Chen Wuji and Zhi Xu Daozhang entered the central command tent."

After the guests were seated, Chen Wuji got straight to the point: "I summoned you in haste because there is a small matter I would like to trouble you with."

Translation: "After the guests were seated, Chen Wuji got straight to the point: \"I hastily summoned you Daoists for a small matter I'd like to trouble you with. \""

"Your humble servant heard that general just now say something—does the Commander wish to hold a memorial for the deceased people of Wuyang?" Daoist Chixu asked.

Translation: "\"The humble Daoist heard that general just now say something—does the Regional Commander wish to hold a ritual for the deceased people of Wuyang? \" Zhi Xu Daozhang asked."

"Yes, but there are some discrepancies; I must be frank with you, Daoist." Chen Wuji said solemnly, "I have prepared some offerings; I wonder if they can be used in the rites."

Translation: "\"Yes, but there are some discrepancies; I must make this clear to you Daoist. \" Chen Wuji said solemnly, \"I have prepared some offerings; I don't know if they can be used in the ritual. \""

"Certainly, the rites already include the five offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, water, and fruit!" Daoist Chixu said.

Translation: "\"Of course, the ritual naturally includes the five offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, water, and fruit! \" Zhi Xu Daozhang said."

Chen Wuji rested his hands on his knees, gently shaking his head, "My offerings may differ from what you mentioned; they are the enemy's heads, probably several thousand. I intend to erect a lofty memorial mound facing the Qiang camp opposite, using the enemy's heads to honor the Wuyang victims."

Translation: "Chen Wuji propped his hands on his knees, shook his head slightly, \"My offerings may differ from what you mentioned—they are enemy heads, probably a few thousand. I intend to erect a lofty Victory Monument facing the Qiang camp opposite, using the enemy heads to memorialize the people of Wuyang who perished. \""

"These bandits killed our people; using their heads to memorialize the populace should be fine, right?"

Translation: "\"These bandits killed our people; using their heads to memorialize the people should be fine, right? \""

Daoist Chixu's mouth opened slightly.

Translation: "Zhi Xu Daozhang's mouth opened slightly."

Chen Wuji's fearsome reputation, in fact, he had also heard of it.

Translation: "Chen Wuji's fierce reputation, in fact, he had also heard of it."

Daoists naturally concern themselves with state affairs; on this land, any significant movement they will deliberately seek to understand.

Translation: "Daoists naturally concern themselves with state affairs; on this land, any major disturbance they deliberately seek to understand."

Speaking of which, Chen Wuji's name had already reached Zhi Xu Daozhang's ears for several months.