Chapter 830

The area of Qiang Land is greater than the area of the entire Lingnan Six Commanderies.

Translation: "The area of Qiang Land is larger than that of the entire Lingnan Six Commanderies."

The area of Qiang Land is greater than the area of the whole Lingnan Six Commanderies.

But the Qiang people's interior has always been extremely chaotic; that one unification only brought together about half of the Qiang people's territory, leaving the rest of Qiang Land divided.

Translation: "But the Qiang people have always been extremely chaotic internally; that sole unification only united about half of the Qiang people's land, and did not unify all of Qiang Land."

Chen Wujie doesn't fully grasp the internal feuds among the Qiang, but the turmoil among these people is truly real.

Translation: "Chen Wuji does not really understand the grudges and feuds within the Qiang Tribe, but this bunch's chaos is truly chaotic."

They constantly make alliances and just as constantly fight; today they may swear blood brotherhood, but tomorrow they could clash over your sheep wandering into my field, turning into a deadly, never‑ending grudge.

Translation: "They form alliances every day and fight every day; today they swear brotherhood by drinking each other's blood, and tomorrow they might go to war over your sheep straying into my pasture, becoming mortal enemies."

But this time, confronted with Chen Wujie—the Qiang's common formidable foe—they may or may not bury their old internal vendettas and turn all their spears against him.

Translation: "But this time, facing Chen Wuji, the common strong enemy of the Qiang people, they might or might not set aside their old blood feuds and point all their spears at Chen Wuji."

Especially now, as the imperial army advances south.

Translation: "Especially at this critical juncture when the court's great army is marching south."

Chen Wujie has no intention of giving them that chance.

Translation: "Chen Wuji does not want to give them this opportunity at all."

"Since you and I share the same view, let's mobilize the troops and appoint the commanders!" Chen Wujie said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the map of Qiang Land as he slammed his hand down.

Translation: "\"Since you and I are of the same mind, let's mobilize the troops! \" Chen Wuji said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Qiang Land on the map, and he slammed his big hand down."

"In two months' time, I will make sure no Qiang remains to obstruct my sight in this region!"

Translation: "\"In two months' time, I will make sure there are no Qiang people to obstruct my view in this region! \"

The area covered by Chen Wujie's hand is a vast expanse where Qiang Land borders the Uyghur to the north and Nan Commandery to the east, accounting for roughly forty percent of Qiang Land.

Translation: "The broad region covered by Chen Wuji's big hand is the area where Qiang Land borders the Uyghurs to the north and Nan Jun to the east, accounting for about forty percent of Qiang Land's territory."

Xu Zengyi laughed and said, "My lord, you are being overly cautious; two months is more than enough. Why not also include the region bordering Shendu?"

Translation: "Xu Zengyi chuckled, \"My lord, you're being overly cautious; two months is more than enough. Why not also include the region bordering Shendu? \""

Chen Wujie glanced at Xu Zengyi and asked, "Are you really this confident now, sir?"

Translation: "Chen Wuji glanced at Xu Zengyi, \"Are you this confident now, sir? \""

"My lord, General Yang leads Xie Fengxian, Chen Baojia, and Feng Linchuan—three generals—dividing his forces into five routes as they march north. The area you have marked on the map is already sufficiently covered by just this one route of General Yang's troops." Xu Zengyi said with a faint smile.

Translation: "\"My lord, General Yang leads Xie Fengxian, Chen Baoja, and Feng Linchuan—three generals dividing their forces into five routes, marching north; the area you have pressed down on the map already has enough troops with just General Yang's route. \" Xu Zengyi said with a light smile."

General Yang leads the three generals Xie Fengxian, Chen Baojia, and Feng Linchuan, dividing his forces into five routes.

"In two months, General Yang will surely give my lord a satisfactory result. Our forces in Qiang Land have not yet encountered any major enemy resistance, and the likelihood of that happening later should remain low. I understand my lord's concerns, but this area truly does not need additional troops."

Translation: "\"In two months, General Yang will surely give my lord a satisfactory result. Our army has not yet encountered major resistance in Qiang Land, and thereafter that likelihood should not be high either. I understand my lord's worries, but this area truly does not need additional troops. \""

"At present, the only units we can dispatch are the two detachments led by Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui. Sending these two forces northward would not be a bad idea; it would allow these two generals to completely clear the region between Nan Commandery and Shendu."

Translation: "\"For now, the only forces we can dispatch are the two units under Generals Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui; sending these two units northward would not be a bad idea, letting these two generals completely clear the area between Nan Jun and Shendu. \""

"The benefits of capturing this area are threefold: if our front line becomes stuck, this vast expanse will serve as a buffer for our army. Our cavalry is numerous—likely three to five times the size of the imperial army's cavalry, of which I know the imperial forces have fewer than one percent cavalry. This expansive Qiang Land is ideal for our cavalry to gallop freely, while the imperial army can only watch our backs."

Translation: "\"There are three advantages to capturing this region: if our front line gets stuck, this vast expanse will serve as our buffer zone. Our cavalry is numerous, likely three to five times the size of the court army's; as far as I know, the court army's cavalry is less than one in a hundred. This expansive Qiang Land is ideal for our cavalry to gallop freely, while the court army can only gaze at our backs. \""

This is a classic kite‑flying tactic.

Translation: "This is a typical kite-flying tactic."

We need not hear any other reasons from Xu Zengyi; this single reason is already enough for Chen Wujie to make up his mind.

Translation: "There's no need to hear Xu Zengyi's other reasons; this single reason is enough for Chen Wuji to make up his mind."

At that time, a defender skilled in guarding will hold the western gate of Nan Commandery, the battlefield will be wholly placed in Qiang Land, and the advantage of our cavalry will be fully exploited.

Translation: "\"At that time, we will place a skilled defender to guard the western gate of Nan Jun, keep the battlefield entirely in Qiang Land, and the cavalry's advantage can be fully exploited. \""

Xu Zengyi continued: "The second benefit is simply the connection between Nan Commandery and Shendu. Thereafter, whether it is the Hu general rushing aid from within the commandery or the Hu general's troops marching north to aid the Qiang battlefield, everything will become easy."

Translation: "Xu Zengyi continued, \"The second advantage is naturally to connect Nan Jun and Shendu. Then, whether it's reinforcements rushing from the commandery to General Hu, or General Hu's troops marching north to aid the Qiang battlefield, it will become easy. \""

Chen Wujie nodded and asked, "What is the third benefit?"

Translation: "Chen Wuji nodded, \"What is the third advantage? \""

"Seizing the initiative in the Lingnan battlefield!" Xu Zengyi said, his voice sinking with a rare excitement.

Translation: "\"To seize the initiative on the Lingnan battlefield! \" Xu Zengyi's voice sank, his tone tinged with a rare excitement."

Chen Wujie did not press further; he simply turned his gaze back to the map, waiting for Xu Zengyi's continuation.

Translation: "Chen Wuji did not press further; he simply lowered his gaze back onto the map, waiting for Xu Zengyi's continuation."

"My lord, please look!" Xu Zengyi strode quickly to the map, drew a firm line south of Nan Commandery, and said, "Once we open this stretch of Qiang Land, linking Nan Commandery with Shendu, the remaining five commanderies of Lingnan will lie as if in our embrace, giving us great room to advance or retreat."

Translation: "\"My lord, please look! \" Xu Zengyi strode up to the map, drew a firm line south of Nan Jun, and said, \"Once this stretch of Qiang Land is opened, linking Nan Jun with Shendu, the remaining five commanderies of Lingnan will be as if in our embrace, with ample room to advance or retreat. \""

"Regarding the Yang Jinglüe that my lord worries about, if he truly intends to serve the court and launch a campaign, no matter from which direction he attacks, our forces can strike his rear. The Yang Jinglüe is quite clear about both Nan Commandery and my lord; he certainly knows that with too few troops he cannot achieve any success, but with too many troops his flank will be exposed."

Translation: "\"The Yang Jinglve that my lord worries about—if he truly intends to serve the court and launch a campaign, no matter which direction he attacks from, our army can strike at his rear. Yang Jinglve is quite clear about both Nan Jun and my lord; he surely knows one thing: if his forces are few, he will hardly achieve any success, but if they are many, his back will be exposed. \""

Chen Wujie stared at the map, his eyes growing brighter.

Translation: "Chen Wuji stared at the map, his eyes growing brighter."

Indeed, what I have read in books differs somewhat from actual experience.

Translation: "Surely, what is seen in books and real experience still have some gap."

This point, he has indeed not noticed.

Translation: "He has not noticed this point at all."

"The same reasoning applies to the remaining four commanderies. Except for the Three Officials Commandery, the other four are likely to bring only trouble to our army." Xu Zengyi said, "It is not that I look down on them; it is simply that the forces in these four commanderies are too mixed, making the chance of them uniting for the court to oppose us extremely slim."

Translation: "\"The same reasoning applies to the remaining four commanderies' lands. Except for San Guan Jun, the other four commanderies will likely only bring us trouble. \" Xu Zengyi said, \"It's not that I look down on them; it's simply that the forces in these four commanderies are too mixed, making the chance of them allying with the court to jointly march out against us extremely slim. \""

Chen Wujie waved his hand, saying, "No need to consider them; the vast majority of these forces will certainly not work for the court, and the few that might are not worth overemphasizing."

Translation: "Chen Wuji waved his hand, \"No need to consider them; the vast majority of these forces will absolutely not work for the court. The few that might, are not worth overemphasizing. \""

"Come, let Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui come see me!"

Translation: "\"Come, summon Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui to see me! \"

"Yes!"

Translation: "\"Yes! \"

Chen Wujie wasted no time; after finalizing the upcoming tactics, he ordered someone to summon Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui.

Translation: "Chen Wuji did not delay; after finalizing the next tactics, he ordered someone to summon Qian Fugui and Chen Ruoshui."

"In two months' time, I want to see this region under our control!" Chen Wujie pointed to the area on the map that Xu Zengyi valued highly and handed over the tiger tally.

Translation: "\"In two months' time, I want to see this region under our control! \" Chen Wuji pointed at the area on the map that Xu Zengyi valued highly, and handed over the tiger talisman."

Qian Fugui stared intently at the map for a moment, then clasped his fists in salute and received the tiger tally with both hands.

Translation: "Qian Fugui stared intently at the map for a moment, then turned, clasped his fists in salute, and received the tiger talisman with both hands."

"I have received the order! In two months, if I fail to take it, I will present my head!"

Translation: "\"Deputy General receives the order! In two months, if I cannot take it, I will bring my head to see you! \"

Qian Mangfu remains as reckless as ever; when he spoke these words, he clenched his teeth tightly and glared like a leopard.

Translation: "Qian Mangfu remained as reckless as ever; when he spoke those words, he clenched his teeth with extra force, his eyes glaring like a leopard's."

Recently he has changed considerably—once a clean‑cut, handsome young gentleman, he is now dark and stout, his face having grown noticeably wider.

Translation: "Over the recent period, he has changed greatly; from a clean-cut young gentleman, he has become dark and fat, his face enlarged by a full circle."

Although his appearance is no longer as pleasing, his overall presence has risen greatly.

Translation: "Although his appearance is not as good, his overall aura has risen considerably."

Upon seeing this, Chen Ruoshui thrust his chest forward and shouted in a clear, ringing voice: "In two months, if I fail to accomplish this, please execute my three clans!"

Translation: "Upon seeing this, Chen Ruoshui puffed out his chest and shouted in a clear, ringing voice, \"In two months, if I fail to accomplish this, please execute my three clans! \"

The two of them still compare themselves to each other.

Translation: "These two even competed with each other."

Qian Fugui glanced at Chen Ruoshui's explosively decorated breastplate and remarked, "General Ruoshui, you seem to be trying to fool my lord; I recall you have no close relatives, is that correct?"

Translation: "Qian Fugui glanced at Chen Ruoshui's extremely explosive breastplate and said, \"General Chen Ruoshui, you seem to be bluffing my lord; I recall you have no relatives, is that right? \""

Chen Ruoshui replied with a haughty tone, enunciating each word: "I have just heard some news, but I have not yet had the chance to verify it."

Translation: "Chen Ruoshui's expression was arrogant; he said word by word, \"I have just heard some news, but I haven't yet had the chance to verify it. \""

Qian Fugui's mouth twitched sharply as he said, "General Ruoshui, this supposed kinship of yours is hardly worth recognizing; who would acknowledge a relative and then immediately send their three clans to the execution ground?"

Translation: "Qian Fugui's mouth twitched, \"General Chen Ruoshui, acknowledging those kin is hardly necessary; who would recognize their relatives and then send their three clans to the execution ground? \""

"In two months I will be able to fulfill my lord's command!" Chen Ruoshui declared solemnly.

Translation: "\"In two months, I can fulfill my lord's command! \" Chen Ruoshui said solemnly."

"Yes, yes, I believe you can do it, but you are still sending your unacknowledged three clans to the execution ground; tell me, if they ever find out, how heartbroken they will be." Qian Fugui said.

Translation: "\"Yes, yes, I believe you can do it, but you're sending your unacknowledged three clans to the execution ground; if they ever find out, how heartbreaking that would be. \" Qian Fugui said."

Chen Ruoshui nodded and said, "I have heard that my parents tried to drown me in a chamber pot twice, but I survived; later they sold me to the Snake‑Staff Old Man. I think I can use them to draft a military order; if I can do so three times without incident, then I will go and acknowledge my kin."

Translation: "Chen Ruoshui nodded, \"I heard that my parents tried to drown me in a urinal twice but failed, then sold me to the Snake Staff Old Man. I think I can use them to establish a military order; if I can do that three times without issue, I will go acknowledge my kin. \""

Qian Fugui opened his mouth, "You said... that seems reasonable, I agree!"