Chapter 743: with translation of chapter title

The war has settled.

The soldiers are surrounding and slaughtering the few groups of Qiang people trying to flee up the mountain.

Chen Wuji and Xu Zengyi found a relatively clean spot and have already begun discussing the next battle.

Under the tree shade, Xu Zengyi repeatedly examined that sheepskin map, saying, "My lord, for the upcoming battle I believe we should still use stillness to counter movement, wait a bit, and not clash head-on."

"Why?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xu Zengyi said: "According to intelligence, the Qiang people still have at least a hundred thousand cavalry."

"In recent years, there has been a rumor circulating throughout court and countryside claiming that ten thousand Qiang are invincible; I don't know where this saying originated, nor what motive those who utter it have."

"But once the cavalry numbers reach ten thousand, a direct clash becomes difficult; with a hundred thousand, the fight becomes even harder. I have examined every possible route the Qiang army might take; with our current forces this battle is not unwinnable—we can win, and the odds are good—but there is a deadly consequence."

"Easy to get bogged down there?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Exactly!" Xu Zengyi nodded.

"Our forces have gathered around seventy thousand at Songzhou; the soldiers are strong and the commanders are all capable great generals, yet the enemy is not weak either."

"This is an allied army selected from the various Qiang tribes, perhaps strong or weak, but since we lack detailed intelligence on the enemy, we should still treat them as elite. As for the followers under Yu Ren, there's no need to mention them."

"If we get entangled there, our army risks falling into a mire—just like the situation of this Qiang force today—and we will also face the danger of running out of provisions."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Then let's abandon field warfare and simply hold the city."

"If there's an opportunity, we'll seize it; if not, we'll just honestly hold our position."

"Having fought to this point, Chen Wuji isn't feeling particularly anxious; his mindset is remarkably calm, and he has even prepared himself to fight for a year and a half."

"As long as he keeps the Qiang people honestly tied down at Songzhou, Xie Fengxian and Chen Baojia can create a bigger stir in Qiang Land, and Yang Yu can then shift the front line southward."

"Even if the various Qiang tribes are strong, drafting several tens of thousands for a large army would leave their rear somewhat empty."

"Let's wear them down slowly and see who can't hold out first."

"Once we see a slight setback, everything afterward will be his opportunity."

"My lord, we've caught two big fish; they seem to be the enemy's main commanders!"

"Chen Wu Yin strode over, shouting loudly from a distance, his mouth split wide like a big ladle."

"Wu Yin, jump twice so I can see!" Chen Wuji waved and shouted.

"Upon hearing that, Chen Wu Yin jumped hard twice, 'My lord, what's the point of this?'"

"Did you really take those fifty military staff blows?" Chen Wuji asked offhandedly.

"Chen Wu Yin stared in shock, 'My lord, heaven and earth as my witness, countless soldiers can attest—I received every single one of the fifty military staff blows, not a single one missed. Elder Shi Yi Shu personally supervised the punishment; do you still not believe me?'"

"I still believe Elder Shi Yi Shu, but looking at you, you don't seem to be in the state of someone who took fifty military staff blows," Chen Wuji asked.

"Chen Wu Yin stood straight before Chen Wuji, 'My lord, the fifty military staff blows were truly real; the pain was genuine, but I'm thick-skinned and resilient—I can endure a bit of pain. Look at my buttocks, aren't they quite raised? Underneath are all herbal pouches.'"

"If it weren't for these things sustaining my life, I certainly couldn't put on this mighty display today."

"Chen Wuji raised his eyebrows slightly, 'Still thinking of showing off? The grandeur of a rainy night, lightning, and a great army charging—indeed that's quite imposing, right?'"

"Chen Wu Yin chuckled twice, 'No, not really; mainly I feel that battle is truly winnable. We can't see them, they can't see us, and my troops have practiced the battle formation millions of times—just charge forward like a wall and it will do.'"

"On that point you're definitely not bragging; I saw it myself just now," Chen Wuji said.

"In this regard, Chen Wu Yin's ability—if he doesn't accept it, he really can't."

"Training eight thousand cavalry to the point of moving as if they were an extension of one's arms isn't just a matter of putting in a little extra effort; some hard work can achieve it."

"It truly requires some skill and method."

"Even if the training formations are perfectly neat and movements highly uniform, that is still completely different from the battlefield ability to move as if one's arms were an extension of the body."

"That's not even the same order of magnitude."

"For the next few days, don't think about showing off; properly nurse your injury, or you'll end up needing to have your whole buttocks cut off!" Chen Wuji reminded him, "Bring the big fish you captured over here."

"Yes!"

"Chen Wu Yin acknowledged with a sound, then glanced back at his indeed notably raised buttocks."

"'Just a few beatings—could it be exaggerated to the point of cutting off the buttocks?' He muttered softly, then ordered the captured prisoners to be brought forward."

"Those captured by Chen Wu Yin are none other than Shi Er and his uncle."

"After finally deciding to withdraw the army, Shi Er can be said to have exerted his full ability in trying to find a way to break out."

"But Chen Wu Yin and Chen Wu Dou held on so tenaciously, their strength far exceeding his expectations."

"He led his meager Bīngmǎ in left-and-right charges, but ultimately failed to break out, unfortunately becoming a captive."

"At this moment, he finally saw the Chen Wuji he had longed for, yet his identity had undergone a complete transformation."

"'Gentlemen, please introduce yourselves.' Chen Wuji glanced at the two with an indifferent gaze."

"Judging by their attire and demeanor, they truly resemble two big fish."

"It's just that this youngster in front is overly young—he looks about eighteen or nineteen."

"Shi Er looked at Chen Wuji with a cold eye, his expression arrogant, full of contemptuous disdain."

"He ignored Chen Wuji's question."

"'My lord, this youngster seems to be the commander of this Qiang army; the soldiers shout something like 'Great Linglu' at him,' Chen Wu Yin said upon seeing the situation."

"'As for the old fellow behind him, I don't know his identity, but the youngster calls him 'uncle.''"

"Chen Wuji was slightly surprised; he had previously thought the person behind was the one of higher status."

"A commander this young, yet also a Great Linglu, is not commonly seen."

"At this age, there are plenty of commanders under his command."

"But basically they are all Training Officers or Brigade Commanders; none independently command an army."

"Commanders of this age aren't nonexistent; there are some, and not few."

"For example, the widely known Champion Marquis who bears courage above the Three Armies."

"To attain the position of commander at this age and reach such a status must involve extraordinary ability."

"Great Linglu, don't be so unwilling to give face; since you're already a Prisoner of the Steps, just follow local customs." Chen Wuji said lightly.

"Our Da Yu is a land of propriety; you, as a Great Linglu, are also a person of standing. It wouldn't look good to treat you like a dead dog, don't you agree? Let's have a nice chat—tell me what I want to know, and I'll give you a bit of face. Why not?"