Chapter 643

You are guest troops; I indeed have the intention to look after you, but you are also more suited for this task." Xu Zengyi said, "Wuyang Pass is now in the hands of the Qiang people; you must not only guard Wuyang Mountain, but also seize Wuyang Pass—this is the key to whether our army can win a great victory in this battle!"

Our army lacks experience fighting the Qiang people, making it easy to end up protecting the head but not the rear; you often fight the Qiang people and have rich experience against the enemy. Although this seems a simple task, it is of great importance and must not be taken lightly.

Tang Yu's expression was strange.

Although anyone can tell, this is merely polite talk.

But hearing it was still rather pleasant to the ear, Tang Yu did not insist further and naturally agreed.

To ponder over words of praise—what a pure fool!

Xie Fengxian, you lead your unit to attack the enemy's right flank; Chen Li leads the central army to attack the left flank; Chen Ruoshui and Hu Bu Gui, you two are the mobile reserves, ready to provide support." Xu Zengyi said in a low voice.

Yes!

The generals all responded in unison, taking the order.

Chen Wuji added at this point, "If the enemy sends fast horses breaking out to seek aid, pay no attention, let them go. Also, send orders to Lü Ji: if the enemy in Wuyang City shows signs of retreat, pursue them closely, but be careful not to overexert; avoid a decisive battle, just nip at them, and strike if an opportunity arises."

Yes!

Mr., is there any problem with my arrangement?" Chen Wuji asked Xu Zengyi.

Xu Zengyi shook his head, "The lord's arrangement is very strict, there is no problem."

Then, gentlemen, the night is so lovely—let's get to work!" Chen Wuji said.

Yes!" The generals responded in a low voice, taking the order.

Tonight's moonlight is indeed charming; although the bright moon is not visible, the star river across the sky is especially brilliant.

But Chen Wuji today did not have much mind to appreciate the scenery.

In his eyes tonight, no matter how beautiful the night scenery, it could not compare to the earth‑shaking roar just now in the Qiang camp, nor to the ensuing cries of the bandits calling for their parents as they scattered.

It's a pity that as the chief commander he must miss this grand battlefield, only able to watch from afar outside.

These people are now watching him too closely, leaving him no chance to act.

He has only just attained this position, yet those beneath him actually care more about his life than he does.

Yet the exalted emperor, the Nine‑Five Supreme, is targeted by countless people who wish to kill him.

If one views worldly affairs with a rigid perspective, one will certainly understand nothing.

The generals left the barracks where the chanting of scriptures continued to rise and fall; Chen Wuji shook his somewhat empty wine gourd and handed it to Chen Wushuang standing beside him, saying, "Fill it up a bit more; also, bring a jar of wine for Mr. Xu—why do I always have to drink from a single wine gourd?"

Yes!

Before Chen Wushuang returned, Chen Yiyi came back first.

Family Head, I accomplished the mission without disgrace; the explosion was quite satisfying, only I'm not sure how many people died." Chen Yiyi, covered in dust and dirt, had his face and hair almost turned to mud by the grime.

How are our casualties?" Chen Wuji asked.

More than seventy brothers have been killed, shot to death by the Qiang people's arrows." Chen Yiyi said.

The commotion from the Shocking Heaven Thunder startled all the Qiang people in the camp; those bastards didn't know where we were, shooting arrows wildly everywhere, and these brothers unfortunately got hit.

However, the Qiang people likely died in greater numbers. The Shocking Heaven Thunder's commotion was so huge that the Qiang people and their horses seemed to have gone mad—warhorses ran wildly everywhere, people also ran wildly, not bothering to see where we were, they just raised their bows and shot.

Chen Wuji nodded, "You know the procedure—first handle the aftermath for these seventy‑plus brothers; the condolence letters and compensation money must be handled carefully, checked thoroughly, without negligence."

When that's done, wash up and then go rest.

Yes!" Chen Yiyi clasped his fists and accepted the order.

Chen Wuji gazed at the not‑distant Qiang camp still in chaos, flames shooting to the sky, and murmured to himself, "A hundred‑thousand‑strong Qiang army—why does fighting them suddenly feel a bit bland?"

Xu Zengyi looked over in surprise, "My lord, do you not like this result?"

Naturally I like it—I like that our troops can suffer fewer deaths, so I certainly like this result. Of course, saying this now is still a bit premature." Chen Wuji said.

Exactly, how should I put it? The hundred‑thousand‑strong Qiang army came with a mighty presence; such a massive scale ought to be intimidating, yet they never took the initiative to strike us, actually letting the side with fewer troops become the attacker.

It's not that I look down on them; the Qiang really fought this battle rather poorly. Speaking frankly, if I had to choose, I would still prefer them to be even more useless—best to let me roll over them all the way and exterminate their lineage.

Xu Zengyi thought a moment and said, "My lord, if we win this battle, the Shocking Heaven Thunder will have made the greatest contribution."

However, saying this now is still premature; if the Qiang people can maintain control of the present camp's clamor, they might still have some fighting strength—there could still be fifty thousand troops in the forward camp. If they manage to break out and join forces with the Qiang in Wuyang City, our army would likely have to engage them in a face‑to‑face battle.

Chen Wuji nodded, gave a light laugh, and said, "Break out?"

Being cautious is right, sir, but even if this Qiang force succeeds in breaking out, only one in ten would likely survive. It's not that I look down on them; just from the current commotion, they are in no better shape.

They no longer have a good chance to slowly sort out their internal chaos; if Chen Li and Xie Fengxian cannot seize this opportunity, then they do not deserve to be called elite.

Xie Fengxian and Lü Ji are the brave generals that Lu Ping'an has constantly spoken of, and they are the elite of the Qingzhou troops.

Judging by the battles they have fought so far, they are worthy of the name elite.

Especially Xie Fengxian, who fights like a madman just as Tang Yu does.

Chen Li's central army and Chen Baoja's right‑wing troops are the true elite under Chen Wuji's command.

The central army takes the Old Veterans under Yang Tiejiang as its core; although it has been reinforced many times, its numbers have directly surged to fifteen thousand, but the central army's reinforcements have always been selected from the elite of various units.

Chen Baoja's forces, meanwhile, take the Chen clan troops with which Chen Wuji started as their core; although the conditions for later reinforcements are not as strict as those for the central army, their strength has also reached thirteen thousand, but the combat effectiveness of this unit has remained steady, without numbers increasing to drag down its fighting power.

As for the quality of this Zhong Qiang unit, Chen Wuji neither knows nor cares.

But if, in the situation where the Qiang camp has fallen into this chaotic mess, Chen Li and Xie Fengxian cannot give him a perfect answer, Chen Wuji will probably need to reflect a bit.

Xu Zengyi suddenly burst out laughing, "Although that's the case, actually what I think in my heart is the same as the lord's; but with the great battle at hand, one must guard against arrogance and impatience, and as a strategist I must not be self‑conceited."

This is confidence!" Chen Wuji corrected.

You, sir, should also have the confidence that, in the snap of a finger, strong bandits will be reduced to ashes and smoke!