Chapter 657: with translation of chapter title

Even if they can only catch a faint hint of fish flavor, the lord should still share these fish with the soldiers. Xu Zengyi said.

Although we won this battle decisively, it was a costly victory; morale needs lifting so our military prestige stays unstoppable, readying for the next big fight. The lord gave these few fish to the soldiers—not to eat fish, but to share the spirit of unity between lord and troops.

Chen Wujin is quite familiar with this method; that's actually how the city of Jiuquan came into being.

But he realized that wine and fish are not the same; if they can't even taste a hint of fish, it could backfire.

But after thinking over Xu Zengyi's advice, Chen Wujin nodded anyway.

Whether or not they can taste even a hint of fish, this is ultimately his small token of goodwill.

Back at the camp, Chen Wujin kept a slightly larger fish for himself and sent the rest to the cooks, who prepared fish soup for the soldiers so everyone could simply taste a bit of fish.

"We just need to simply taste a bit of fish tonight," Chen Wujin laughed, telling his aides.

Since we want to share it with the troops, I shouldn't eat too much myself, or the point would be lost.

At dinner, Xu Zengyi wasn't thinking about eating; instead he made a round of all the camps, then returned and laughed, telling Chen Wujin, "My lord, there is still a fish flavor; the soldiers all praise the fish you personally caught, saying it is extremely fresh."

"You all look like you're good at lying with your eyes open; stop wandering around and hurry up and eat." Chen Wujin pointed his chopsticks forward, signaling Xu Zengyi to sit down quickly.

Today's fish is indeed fresh; Chen Wujin also managed to taste it faintly.

But frankly, it mostly tasted like water.

"Since you, my lord, have done this, you should let the soldiers know your intentions," Xu Zengyi urged.

Chen Wujin shook his head, "I can't bring myself to put it on my face."

"My lord, that probably won't work,"

Chen Wujin waved his hand to interrupt him, "Sir, if I can give the soldiers real benefits, I never hide them; I'll shout as loud as I can. For this sort of thing, it's enough that everyone knows."

Xu Zengyi nodded, "I understand your meaning, my lord; let me handle similar matters like this."

……

The main army stationed for three days at Mount Wuyang.

During this period, Chen Wujin had workers hollow out the area directly beneath Wuyang Pass, then used thunderous explosives to blow up the ancient gate, after which they buried it with earth.

Whatever was inside that gate, and however many stories it once held, all became the past with that series of loud booms.

Its fall seemed like an era quietly drawing to a close.

Chen Wujin did not wait for Langdu's reply.

That very courteous but somewhat rebellious Qiang leader Lu seemed to hesitate again.

But three days have already passed, and Chen Wujin still intends to keep waiting.

Give him a little time to hesitate, so he can carefully consider what he wants to say.

That day, urgent military news arrived from both the south and the north.

Qian Fugui sent a memorial from Qingzhou, reporting that he had finished organizing his troops, leaving Wu Buyu to command six thousand to garrison Qingzhou, while coordinating with Lu Ping'an and Wang Ce to prepare provisions, and he himself led his forces to attack Songzhou.

Songzhou borders Qingzhou; it is the smallest prefecture in the southern commandery and has always been insignificant.

When Lu Ping'an raised his banner and declared independence, Songzhou was the first to respond.

But when it came to Chen Wujin's turn, Songzhou surprisingly showed some backbone.

Qian Fugui wrote in his memorial that Lu Ping'an had sent a letter to the prefect of Songzhou urging surrender, but it vanished like a mud cow into the sea—there was no response at all.

"Arrogant first, then deferential—it's laughable; but what about being deferential first, then arrogant?" Chen Wujin looked at the memorial and murmured, "When things go against the norm, there must be something sinister."

Xu Zengyi and Daoist Chixu were both present.

Daoist Chixu had come today to bid farewell to Chen Wujin; their affairs were concluded, and they were preparing to return to the Fuyun Temple.

But as they talked, the conversation turned to the Great Dao and the I Ching; Xu Zengyi also had considerable knowledge of these topics, and he and Daoist Chixu sat discussing them at length.

At that moment, Xu Zengyi heard the sound and asked, "My lord, has something happened?"

"Songzhou refuses to surrender, and even Lu Ping'an's personal letter to the prefect of Songzhou vanished like a mud cow into the sea." Chen Wujin said, "If the prefect of Songzhou isn't deaf and blind, he should have heard of our victories along the way. Songzhou is inferior to Qingzhou in every respect—where does he get the nerve to refuse surrender?"

"Perhaps he has already fled," Xu Zengyi said.

"The remaining commanderies in the southern region all have limited forces; unless they ally and combine their troops, no one now has the courage to confront our army's edge. Especially after Lu Ping'an and General Hu Bu Gui each suffered a defeat and surrendered, our prestige has been growing daily."

Chen Wujin pinched his chin and asked, "Are there any other possibilities?"

"Anyway, I can't think of any other possibilities right now." Xu Zengyi said, "I don't think anyone would be foolish enough to believe our main force is being held back by the Qiang in Dingzhou, leading them to wait and see."

"You really shouldn't say that; I wouldn't rule out that such people exist in the world, but if that were the case, it wouldn't matter—I'm worried about other situations; things are indeed somewhat abnormal." Chen Wujin muttered, "After thinking it over, I can't seem to think of any other possibilities."

Xu Zengyi thought for a long time and said, "It's my oversight; there actually is one possibility."

"What?"

"The court has dispatched troops to garrison Songzhou."

Chen Wujin stared for a moment, then gave a mocking laugh, "Are you saying those big shots in the court think I, Chen Wujin, am a disaster and want to get rid of me early?"

"My lord, with you saying that, I don't know how to answer." Xu Zengyi said, speechless.

He certainly can't admit that his lord is a disaster, can he?

"You say what you say." Chen Wujin smiled faintly, "But my words are also true. In the eyes of those bigwigs at court, I and the emperor should both be considered disasters; they respectably pulled the antiquated post of military governor out of the grave and lawfully gave me the power to usurp the southern commandery."

Xu Zengyi said, "This is the only reason."

"Unless the prefect of Songzhou has fled, his confidence in opposing our army can only come from three sources. First, the remaining prefectures could ally and jointly oppose the lord. Second, the Qiang—specifically the large army of Zhongqiang—has been tied down by our forces at Wuyang City; Zhongqiang now struggles to survive and cannot divert tens of thousands of troops to aid them."

"Third, and the most unlikely, is the court itself. Any remaining possibilities, even if they exist, I think the lord wouldn't even consider them; I don't even need to mention them."

Chen Wujin nodded, "We need to give a few reminders; let Qian Fugui first test the depths of Songzhou, then make plans. This kid fights without using his brain; I worry that even Chang Jingxuan won't be able to rein in this stubborn mule. Given the abnormal situation, a little extra caution won't hurt."