Chapter 760

Qian Fugui fought this battle, making everyone very excited.

The only one not happy was probably Xi Leng.

In his view, even if it were 160,000 pigs, it would be impossible for eight hundred people to slaughter them so easily.

But when the facts are laid before him, no matter how hard he finds it to believe, it's superfluous.

These 160,000 people are not even as good as 160,000 pigs, truly defeated so easily!

Once he still harbored great fantasies for his own clan, thinking of enduring humiliation and bearing a burden for a time, then bringing back Chen Wuji's side's very detailed intelligence.

But now, Xi Leng has completely severed this idea.

What's the point of enduring humiliation and bearing a burden? It's already meaningless.

He is now about to become the last bloodline of the Canlang Qiang.

He is about to become a traitor through and through!

He wants to devise plans for Chen Wuji, to find a way to kill Yu Ren and kill the other Qiang people.

He wants to make his appointment as a military officer targeting the Qiang truly deserved, winning Chen Wuji's trust.

So what if he's a traitor? So what if he's condemned by thousands?

As long as he can keep the spark of the Canlang Qiang alive under Chen Wuji's rule, he will be a meritorious hero of the entire clan, and in the hearts of future descendants, he will be an undoubted martyr.

"Commander, why not take this opportunity to eliminate Yu Ren?" Seeing Chen Wuji finish his orders and remain silent for a long time, Xi Leng took the initiative to ask.

He lowered his posture to the extreme, and a hint of a fawning smile hung on his face.

Chen Wuji glanced at Xi Leng somewhat unexpectedly, "Xi Leng, do you have any schemes?"

"It's not really a scheme; Yu Ren's forces are merely a rabble, and the commander's victorious army can, with a single push, easily rout them." Xi Leng said.

"What Yu Ren relies on is merely that his followers are unafraid of death, disregard their lives. But does anyone in the world truly have no fear of death, no regard for life? Probably not."

"They're not unafraid of death; they just aren't afraid enough, and not enough people have died! As long as the commander makes them tremble with fear, whether they have tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even more, they will instantly become frightened birds and beasts, scattering in flight. No matter how many there are, they will always be a rabble, unable to withstand the commander's elite troops and fierce generals."

"The commander need only allocate thirty percent of his forces, charge head-on, and eliminating Yu Ren is merely a matter of time."

Chen Wuji originally thought Xi Leng would propose some relatively complex schemes, but who would have thought that after listening, it turned out to be simply a head-on charge.

This suggestion, one cannot say it's bad.

At present, this tactic is indeed the most direct.

But, this is not what Chen Wuji wanted to hear from Xi Leng.

To display one's stratagems on something so simple that almost anyone could think of it—does that count as strategy?

No!

This is an insult to his intelligence!

"Xi Leng's suggestion is not bad, but I have other arrangements for this battle. Xi Leng, please quickly perfect the information on those Qiang nobles for me." Chen Wuji said with a cold expression.

"Also, your great leader Lu Zizhi—hurry up and persuade him well; my patience is extremely limited. If he remains obstinate, Xi Leng, don't blame me for not giving you face."

Xi Leng's heart jolted; he hastily bowed his head and bent his waist, responding with reverent fear.

He could see Chen Wuji's displeasure, but he couldn't figure out exactly where he had gone wrong.

Could it be that this tactic is no good?

No.

Xi Leng racked his brains frantically, suddenly realized, and immediately wanted to give himself a few slaps.

The allied Qiang armies have already been defeated; is Yu Ren still considered a trouble?

Isn't it still the case that one can fight whenever one wants?

What need is there for any tactic? What need is there for thirty percent of the forces?

Only a cavalry charge is needed to rush out!

For such a simple problem, he is actually still here solemnly devising plans.

After all is said and done, what he's saying is still a head-on charge.

No wonder Chen Wuji feels displeased.

Xi Leng can't figure out the cause of the problem, but the words have already been spoken.

Even if he explained a bit, going back to make up for it would be meaningless, and would rather look like over-embellishment.

Secretly sighing in bitterness, Xi Leng had no choice but to withdraw helplessly.

He acted on a momentary impulse.

He shouldn't have spoken so rashly.

Chen Wuji stared at Xi Leng's retreating back for a moment, then ordered his attendants: "Let Hu Bu Gui come!"

Yes!

The messenger left for about two shichen, then brought Hu Bu Gui hurrying over.

"Commander, did you summon me?"

The days of marching and fierce fighting have made this already rugged general look even more rugged.

His skin is rough, reddish-black, and his cheek beard is tangled messily over his chin.

If it weren't for his tall, sturdy build and somewhat burly appearance, he would be the spitting image of Da Yu's Li Kui.

"Yu Ren's three guards, four divisions, ten directions—is that the ten directions?" Chen Wuji said, not entirely sure.

"Yes, it's the ten directions!"

Chen Wuji nodded: "Yu Ren's main force is less than thirty li from Shili Ting; I intend to pursue the victory, quickly dispose of that hateful dog-thing, and we'll be at ease a few days earlier."

"Yu Ren and the Qiang are called a 300,000-strong army; here we already have 160,000, and Yu Ren's command is only just over 100,000 rabble—do we have confidence?"

Hu Bu Gui asked: "Commander, only my troops?"

"Or is it that you lack confidence?" Chen Wuji asked.

Yes! Hu Bu Gui's expression instantly turned cold, "It's merely a rabble of a hundred thousand; Deputy General isn't afraid, just worried others will steal my credit."

"As long as you have confidence, that's enough." Chen Wuji nodded.

"This time there really are no extra troops to give you; the Qiang People have fled tens of thousands, Zhuque County is quite large, suppressing them will take considerable effort, and others still have to catch mice."

"Chen Wu Yin's Cavalry would be well suited for this battle, but he is currently at the border between Qing and Song provinces, and it will take another two days to return. Two days—I don't want to wait!"

Hu Bu Gui clasped his hands and said, "Yu Ren's followers are not skilled in attack; they're merely disgusting. I, your humble servant, am confident that with just my division I can pacify them."

"But don't be reckless—fight if you can, retreat if you can't; first wear them down, then send for reinforcements." Chen Wuji cautioned.

He isn't anxious about these few days; it's just that military prestige is currently at its peak, perfect for striking in one go, knocking out these troublesome obstacles, and pacifying Nan Jun in one fell swoop.

This time, he wants to see what tricks the Snake Staff Old Man can pull!

"Yes!" Hu Bu Gui responded, and departed with the order.

……

In the coming days, every part of Zhuque County was a battlefield.

Hu Bu Gui led troops in the southwest to contend with Yu Ren's followers, while the other units were everywhere catching mice.

The fleeing Qiang People scattered in groups of dozens or hundreds across Zhuque County; Chen Wuji had to disperse his forces, combing through the county like a sieve.

The defense of Zhuque City fell upon the central army.

This is also currently the only army that has had a chance to rest, lying in wait to cope with any eventuality.

Even if everything seems about to settle, we still need to guard against any unexpected occurrence.