Chapter 649

Really?

Indeed! Zhi Xu Daozhang nodded, affirming again.

However, there are still some details here. As for corpse poison, there are two common explanations: one is the residual breath in the chest and abdomen of a person who died of natural causes; if ordinary people are not careful, they can be harmed by this breath—mildly causing a serious illness, severely endangering life.

The second is corpses buried after seven days; this is also the source of epidemics worldwide. In the Year of Great Chaos, epidemics often occur; where do they come from? From this Violent Corpse Wilderness, the unburied corpses. Ordinary animal corpses can also cause plague, but compared to the consequences of war, it is much smaller.

Observing the Commander's actions, this should be known? Why ask again? Though many are generals, few are as meticulous in cleaning battlefields as the Commander; even that memorial mound has been repeatedly processed. The Commander does this, surely not just to prevent epidemics?

Chen Wuji nodded, "Daozhang sees it quite clearly; I am indeed doing this to prevent epidemics, but I am not clear about the situation in this pass, so I come to ask for your guidance."

Wuyang Pass must be dismantled, but if dismantled, the soldiers would have to go deep inside; I worry that things like corpse poison could harm them.

Zhi Xu Daozhang stroked his beard, waved his hand, "The Commander's consideration is not excessive, but there will be no corpse poison in this pass; it hasn't reached that point."

However, there might be some epidemics, and the smell is not pleasant. If the Commander wants to handle this place, it's better to bury it directly; don't let the soldiers move the corpses inside.

Thank you for your guidance, Daozhang! Chen Wuji said politely.

Not at all, not at all, just offering a little help.

Chen Wuji poured a cup of tea for Zhi Xu Daozhang, "Daozhang, how do you view the situation of the world?"

Zhi Xu Daozhang raised his hand, lightly tapped the table, then folded his hands over his abdomen, smiling: "I am just a humble mountain man; if the Commander asks me about Heavenly Time and Constellations, I might still spout a few nonsense lines, but regarding the great situation of the world, I truly cannot explain it clearly, cannot make it clear; even though I have seen many things, I cannot say why."

Then how does Daozhang view Nan Jun? Chen Wuji asked.

The old Daoist doesn't like to talk about it; let's change the subject.

Zhi Xu Daozhang's eyes, calm as an ancient well, looked toward Chen Wuji: "Nan Jun gaining the Commander is a blessing for its people and a calamity for its enemies!"

Since Daozhang says so, I will take it as true, but I now do not know where to go; I don't know if Daozhang can give me some guidance? Chen Wuji raised his right hand holding the teacup, his gaze crossing Wuyang Mountain, looking toward the opposite Yushan Prefecture.

Two places separated by a mountain, the people live two completely different lives.

In the area visible to Chen Wuji, all that can be seen are burnt-out ruins, a desolate village without any human trace.

This is the path the Qiang people came from.

To glimpse a spot and see the whole.

If one place is like this, what will the whole Yushan Prefecture be like?

Zhi Xu Daozhang slightly startled, "Commander, why do you not know where to go?"

But I really don't know. Chen Wuji gave a somewhat evasive answer.

Zhi Xu Daozhang loosely clasped his hands before his abdomen, after pondering for a while, he said solemnly: "Commander, I do not know where you will go, nor where to begin speaking. I can only tell the Commander that although you do not have a perfect reputation in the world, you walk the great Dao; this path will not be wrong."

My knowledge is shallow; I cannot discern Qi Flow, nor the great situation of the world, but the saying 'Those who follow the Dao prosper' I have recited countless times in my life; the ancient sages would surely not deceive us later disciples on this matter.

Chen Wuji smiled.

This old man, his words are truly cunning; he doesn't say a single unnecessary word.

He cannot discern Qi Flow, nor the great situation of the world?

Chen Wuji does not believe that.

After a few days of brief contact, Chen Wuji was certain that Zhi Xu Daozhang is a true enlightened master.

For an enlightened master, observing Qi Flow and the situation is merely basic, a technique.

However, since he does not say, Chen Wuji will not press him.

These questions can be left for later inquiry; we are not yet very familiar, but there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Chen Wuji withdrew his gaze from the distance, took a light sip of tea, "If I win this battle, my great army will advance straight into Qiang Land along this direction, completely ending the centuries-old border calamity of Nan Jun; Daozhang, what do you think?"

Zhi Xu Daozhang chuckled lightly.

He also saw that this person today insists on getting some answers from him.

In my humble opinion, Commander, you are acting too hastily." Zhi Xu Daozhang said, "The Qiang people have plagued the borders for centuries; historically they have wielded spears and held the offensive position, while we Zhongyuan people have always been passive defenders, rarely having succeeded in conquering this plateau.

It's not that over the centuries the Zhongyuan Dynasty has been weak and unable to launch western campaigns; there are actually many reasons. Commander, as you lead the Three Armies, you surely do not need this old Daoist to elaborate.

Please speak plainly, Daozhang." Chen Wuji raised his hand and said.

Zhi Xu Daozhang: …

He shook his head, smiled faintly, pretending to understand while feigning confusion; nowadays it's also a case of the tides turning.

Since the Commander insists, the old Daoist will just spout a few nonsense lines." Zhi Xu Daozhang said.

Qiang Land is vast and sparsely populated; they are like the stars scattered across the sky, following their cattle and sheep, dwelling randomly in any corner of the plateau. When our army sets out, unless we plow every corner of this plateau, or have an absolutely reliable guide, it is extremely hard to find where their main camp is.

The Qiang people are mainly a tribal alliance; under the tribes are clans, under the clans are small families formed of fathers, elder brothers, sons, and nephews; they have no fixed abode, and all the people are soldiers. If the Commander undertakes a western campaign, each of these poses a difficulty.

Chen Wuji nodded seriously, "Daozhang, I indeed plan to plow every corner of this plateau!"

If I cannot find their main camp, then I won't look for it; I will send my three armies advancing side by side, scattering scouts over a hundred-li radius, attacking whatever clan I find. While waging war, I will establish our own pastures and military colonies on the plateau, turning their pastures into the borderlands of Nan Jun.

I also do not intend to swallow a fat whale in one gulp, marching straight to Zhong Qiang's main camp to annihilate this Qiang tribe—that's simply unrealistic. For now, I merely wish to push the battlefield from Nan Jun's lands onto the Qiang people's pastures, so they will no longer harm our people.

Zhi Xu Daozhang suddenly became somewhat annoyed, "Commander, you have already considered all this; why must this old Daoist waste more words?"