Chapter 666

When the Qiang people were down to fewer than a hundred, they unexpectedly surrendered.

Translation: When the Qiang People were down to fewer than a hundred, they unexpectedly surrendered.

When the Qiang People were down to fewer than a hundred, they unexpectedly surrendered.

Unfortunately, they were just ordinary soldiers who had no idea about the Wolf Pack's troop deployment and intentions, and didn't even know where their other forces had gone.

Translation: Unfortunately, they were just ordinary soldiers who had no idea of Langdu's troop deployment and intentions, not even knowing where their other forces had gone.

After repeated questioning yielded nothing useful, Chen Wujì had no choice but to regretfully send them off to travel west.

Translation: After repeated questioning yielded nothing useful, Chen Wuji had no choice but to regretfully send them off to travel west.

send them off to travel west

The Qiang people didn't trust that he would give them a chance to surrender, so he had to stick to this principle to the end.

Translation: The Qiang People didn't trust that he would give them a chance to surrender, so he had to see this principle through to the end.

"Issue the order: confirm the situation on both flanks, and send scouts out ten miles to reconnoiter the Qiang's movements." Chen Wujì sat on a relatively clean stone, took a sip of water, then gave the order to his left and right.

Translation: "Pass the order: check the situation on both flanks, and have the scouts extend ten miles outward to scout the Qiang People's movements." Chen Wuji sat on a relatively clean stone, took a sip of water, then issued the order to his left and right.

If the Wolf Pack wanted to ambush him, they wouldn't just send these three thousand troops over to give him a mere annoyance.

Translation: If Langdu wanted to ambush him, he wouldn't have sent only these three thousand over just to give him an itch.

That wolf certainly still has other tricks up its sleeve.

Translation: This wolf certainly still has other tricks.

"Tell Officer Xu, the central army will set up camp right here and hold this mountain!" Chen Wujì ordered again.

Translation: "Tell Military Advisor Xu: have the central army set up camp right here and hold this mountain!" Chen Wuji ordered again.

Yes!

Translation: "Yes!"

The Wolf Pack's forces outnumber his, and their strength is roughly equal; knowing the enemy had an ambush, Chen Wujì dared not advance rashly, first needing to clarify the surrounding situation.

Translation: Langdu's forces outnumbered his, and their strength was roughly equal; knowing the enemy had an ambush, Chen Wuji dared not advance rashly, first needing to clarify the surrounding situation.

Not long after, Xu Zengyi led his troops up the mountain.

Translation: Not long after, Xu Zengyi led his troops up the mountain.

"My lord, from now on don't keep your ideas to yourself; I finally realize what's been bothering me." Xu Zengyi said with a wry smile to Chen Wujì.

Translation: "My lord, next time you have an idea, don't keep it to yourself—I finally realize what feels off about my position." Xu Zengyi said with a wry smile to Chen Wuji.

He heard the sentence Chen Wujì shouted when ambushed, and guessed that Chen Wujì had already anticipated this situation.

Translation: He heard the sentence Chen Wuji shouted when ambushed, and guessed that Chen Wuji had already anticipated this situation.

Chen Wujì asked, "Do you think the problem is that the Qiang would set an ambush right here?"

Translation: Chen Wuji asked: "Do you feel that the problem is that the Qiang People would set an ambush right here?"

Hmm.

Translation: "Hmm."

"I was just idly thinking about this at the time; I originally thought it impossible, but who knew it would actually happen. The Wolf Pack pulled a 'repair the plank road openly, sneak through Chen Cang' trick on us." Chen Wujì said, and even now he can hardly believe the Wolf Pack would dare to do such a thing.

Translation: "I had just casually thought of this at the time; I originally thought it impossible, but who knew it would actually happen. Langdu this doggy thing played us a 'pretend to repair the plank road while secretly crossing Wei Valley' trick." Chen Wuji said, and even now he actually finds it hard to believe that Langdu would really dare to do that.

Xu Zengyi said with a solemn expression: "This person is extremely scheming; things we thought impossible actually end up producing a surprising effect."

Translation: Xu Zengyi's expression grew somewhat solemn as he said: "This person is extremely scheming; what we thought impossible actually ends up producing an unexpected effect."

"However, judging from now, his courage seems a bit small; if he were to ambush a large force here and attack from both sides, our army would likely suffer defeat."

Translation: "However, judging from now, his breadth seems a little small; if he were to ambush a large force here and attack from both flanks, our army would likely suffer defeat."

Chen Wujì shook his head: "Sir, you just said this wolf is extremely scheming; if he's that scheming, he would certainly notice such an obvious issue. Seeing it yet not acting that way can only mean one thing: he has a better option."

Translation: Chen Wuji shook his head: "Sir, you just said this wolf is extremely scheming; since he is extremely scheming, he would certainly notice such an obvious issue. Seeing it yet not doing so can only mean one thing: he has a better option."

Xu Zengyi furrowed his brow: "My lord, you're right; I've overlooked this again, but what other better option could there be..."

Translation: Xu Zengyi frowned: "My lord, that's correct; I overlooked it again. But what other better option could there be..."

Upon saying that, his face suddenly changed: "Wuyang City!"

Translation: At this point, his face suddenly changed: "Wuyang City!"

"Wuyang City!"

Translation: "Wuyang City!"

Chen Wujì said at the same time.

Translation: Chen Wuji said at the same time.

"I'm afraid it's already too late." Chen Wujì muttered, then quickly ordered: "Someone, send a fast horse to scout Wuyang City's situation; let the scouts widen their eyes, see clearly whose flag flies over Wuyang City, and what the people on the city walls look like."

Translation: "I'm afraid it's already too late." Chen Wuji muttered, then quickly ordered: "Someone, send a fast horse to scout Wuyang City's situation; have the scouts widen their eyes to see clearly whose flag flies on Wuyang City's walls and what the people on the battlements look like."

Yes!

Translation: "Yes!"

Xu Zengyi said regretfully: "I'm afraid it's really too late; seeing our army ambushed, Lü Ji couldn't possibly continue to follow the lord's previous order to hold Wuyang City."

Translation: Xu Zengyi said regretfully: "I'm afraid it's really too late; Lü Ji seeing our army ambushed could not possibly continue to hold fast to the lord's previous order to defend Wuyang City."

"Let's see first; after the battle at Wuyang Mountain, this wolf has become cautiously frightening." Chen Wujì said: "He wants to lure Lü Ji out of Wuyang City; our left and right wings must have been attacked, and once we get the intelligence from Xie Fengxian and Tang Yu's sides, we'll probably be able to figure it out."

Translation: "Let's see first; after the battle at Wuyang Mountain, this wolf has become cautiously frightening." Chen Wuji said: "He wants to lure Lü Ji out of Wuyang City, and our army's left and right wings likely both suffered attacks; once the intelligence from Xie Fengxian and Tang Yu arrives, we should be able to guess as much."

... Hmm.

Translation: "... Hmm."

Xu Zengyi remained silent for a while, then suddenly rested his hands on his knees and sighed: "After all, I'm old; after seeing through it, such an obvious matter actually eluded me all night."

Translation: Xu Zengyi remained silent for a while, then suddenly, resting his hands on his knees, let out a sigh: "After all, I'm old; after seeing through things, such an obvious matter actually eluded me all night."

"At around forty, one is still a young man capable of striving and fighting; saying such things is a bit over the top." Chen Wujì said; lately, Xu Zengyi has been making such remarks rather often.

Translation: "Someone in his early forties is exactly the age to strive and fight; saying such things is a bit much." Chen Wuji said; lately, Xu Zengyi has been making such remarks rather often.

Although it's true he didn't anticipate that, who could possibly calculate everything without omission?

Translation: Although it's true he didn't anticipate this, who could possibly plan for every contingency?

Chen Wujì has read plenty of books on strategists, but few are truly divine. Being able to calculate the general direction, the enemy's intentions, and major movements is already quite impressive.

Translation: Chen Wuji has read no few books on strategists, but very few are truly divine. To calculate the general direction, to calculate the enemy's intentions and major moves, is already quite an accomplishment.

Even geniuses like Zhuge Liang and Guo Jia have moments of error.

Translation: Talents like Zhuge Liang and Guo Jia also have moments of error.

In Chen Wujì's view, Xu Zengyi is being overly preoccupied with appearances.

Translation: In Chen Wuji's view, Xu Zengyi is being overly obsessed with appearances.

His former reputation has now become his burden.

Translation: His former reputation has now become his burden.

If this situation isn't resolved, it will only grow worse, eventually eroding all his ambition and talent. When a person loses confidence and decisiveness and starts doubting himself, no further doubt is needed—he begins to go downhill.

Translation: If this situation isn't resolved, it will only grow worse, eventually wearing away all his ambition and talent. When a person loses confidence and decisiveness and begins to doubt himself, no further doubt is needed—he starts down the slippery slope.

No matter how great his talent once was, once this mindset takes hold, he will surely decline day by day.

Translation: No matter how great his talent once was, once this mindset takes hold, he will surely decline day by day.

"Are you about to say again that I'm no longer fit to be a chief strategist?" Chen Wujì asked.

Translation: "Are you about to say again that I'm no longer fit to be the chief strategist?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xu Zengyi shook his head: "Saying these things over and over is pointless; I'm thinking about how to change this situation. My current negligence is indeed significant; perhaps I should bend down to read some books again and wash away this stale air."

Translation: Xu Zengyi shook his head: "Saying that over and over is meaningless; I'm thinking about how to change this situation. My current negligence is indeed considerable; perhaps I should bend down to read some books and wash away this murky aura."

Chen Wujì heard this, feeling somewhat surprised yet also relieved.

Translation: Chen Wuji felt both surprised and relieved upon hearing this.

Fortunately, Xu Zengyi is still Xu Zengyi.

Translation: Fortunately, Xu Zengyi is still Xu Zengyi.

Doubt aside, he hasn't truly given up on himself.

Translation: Doubt aside, he hasn't truly given up on himself.

"If you think that way, you're right; if you can consider yourself old, why not also think you need to calm down and train, to fix these flaws that are giving you a headache right now?" Chen Wujì laughed.

Translation: "If you think that way, you're right; if you can consider yourself old, why not also think you need to calm down and cultivate, to make up for these flaws that are giving you a headache right now?" Chen Wuji laughed.

Xu Zengyi turned his head, glanced at Chen Wujì, and smiled lightly: "My lord, I've been saying I'm no longer suitable, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable; I haven't completely denied my own abilities."

Translation: Xu Zengyi turned his head to glance at Chen Wuji, smiling faintly: "My lord, I've always said I'm no longer suitable, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable; I haven't completely denied my own abilities."

"That's very good; I'm relieved that my extra worries were just that—extra worries. Frankly, whenever you bring this up I get a headache; an overly appearance‑focused strategist will only become more so, which is indeed worrying." Chen Wujì laughed, gazing down at the forest below where several soldiers were sprinting toward the summit.

Translation: "That's very good; I'm relieved that my extra worries were just that—extra worries. Frankly, the moment you bring this up I get a headache; an overly appearance-obsessed strategist will only become more so going forward, which is still worrying." Chen Wuji laughed, looking down at the forest below where several soldiers were running swiftly toward the summit.

As expected, the intelligence from the left and right flanks has arrived.

Translation: As expected, it should be the intelligence from the left and right wings.

"Appearances..." Xu Zengyi whispered the two words repeatedly, then nodded slightly, deep in thought: "Indeed, I've been caught up in appearances; I need to break free."

Translation: "Appearances..." Xu Zengyi repeated the two words softly, nodding slightly in thought: "Indeed, I've been caught up in appearances; I need to break free."

Report!

Translation: "Report!"

Several scouts rushed up to Chen Wujì and Xu Zengyi.

Translation: Several scouts rushed up to Chen Wuji and Xu Zengyi.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, both our left and right flanks have been ambushed by the Qiang. General Xie encountered a three‑sided enemy ambush; his cavalry charged into battle and is now locked in fierce combat. General Tang was ambushed by enemy archers; he has already led his troops to wipe out the ambushers and is now clearing the battlefield."

Translation: "Reporting to the Commander, both of our army's left and right wings have been ambushed by the Qiang People. General Xie encountered enemy troops ambushing from three sides; the cavalry charged into battle and is now locked in fierce combat. General Tang was ambushed by enemy archers; he has already led his forces to wipe out the ambush troops and is now clearing the battlefield."

"As expected!" Chen Wujì sprang up: "Uncle Eleven, hold this position and protect the strategist. Chen Wuyi and Feng Linchuan, follow me to reinforce the left flank."

Translation: "As expected!" Chen Wuji sprang up: "Eleventh Uncle, hold this position and protect the military advisor. Chen Wuyi and Feng Linchuan, follow me to reinforce the left wing."

Yes!

Translation: "Yes!"

"Be careful, don't personally expose yourself to enemy arrows." Xu Zengyi advised.

Translation: "Be careful, don't personally rush into the arrow storm." Xu Zengyi advised.

"No need to worry about my safety." Chen Wuji put on his hood, picked up the ancestral horizontal knife, "That wolf actually took our army's left flank as a soft persimmon to pinch; I'll go see what's going on."