Chapter 852

The grassland, like a green carpet, stretched and extended to the horizon, merging with the azure sky in the far distance; a few white clouds hung low, looking as if they were fake, as if standing on the mountain top, a slight reach could pull down a piece.

A winding small river twined around the rolling hills, circling the vast military camp stretching several li, then winding southward like a ribbon blown down from the mountain by the wind.

Speaking of which, although summer has arrived, on this vast prairie the wind still carries a hint of chill; if one is not careful, it might even bring back a few snowflakes, which, though they hardly linger on the ground, do indeed occur.

Such a rare sight had already happened once yesterday.

Yang Tiejiang lifted a water kettle and slipped into Chen Wuji's Zhongjun Camp; upon entering he called out, then first placed the kettle on Chen Wuji's small clay stove.

Chen Wuji, who was carving a wooden chess set, looked up and said, "Do I lack a kettle here, or what? Do you need to haul your own kettle all this way just to boil tea?"

Yang Tiejiang rubbed his hands and gave a hehe laugh, "My lord, this is snowmelt; I filled it last night!"

Chen Wuji: ……

He was somewhat speechless, "Have you never seen snow, or what?"

Yang Tiejiang nodded heavily, "Indeed I haven't; I truly didn't realize Qiang Land is so close to us, with a completely different climate—even in midsummer it still snows."

Chen Wuji suddenly recalled that this old gentleman seems to have always lived in the south.

North of Shenxian Ling is the proper southern territory of Da Yu, while Lingnan is the extreme south.

Although Qiang Land lies right next to Lingnan and should likewise be extreme south, its climate is somewhat complicated.

Low-lying areas enjoy four seasons of spring, just like Nan Jun.

But higher ground, like this place, even sees snow in midsummer.

Even some mountain peaks retain snow year-round.

"I want to taste how tea brewed with this snowmelt differs from tea made with mountain spring water; that snow‑white liquid is like heavenly clouds, so the brewed tea must taste better!" Yang Tiejiang's face was full of anticipation; though a man of forty‑plus, he behaved like a child who just got a new toy.

Chen Wuji had the words on his lips, then swallowed them back.

Some facts are better left unsaid.

For a middle‑aged man who has never seen snow in his whole life, there's no need to be so cruel.

Just let him anticipate a bit longer.

Snowmelt, no matter how pure, will never be as clear and clean as mountain spring water.

Yang Tiejiang's appearance right now is exactly like a sycophant who has never seen a "green‑tea bitch".

Completely black inside, yet he only sees her superficial whiteness.

Chen Wuji silently gave his own metaphor a thumbs‑up.

Exactly, spot‑on!

"It should be better, but I'm not in the mood for tea today; you savor it slowly." Chen Wuji said, having no interest in snowmelt‑brewed tea.

Yang Tiejiang, hearing this, looked somewhat surprised, "My lord, why have you lost the mood for tea? This is tea made from snowmelt, a rare sight."

"Tea drinking is about state of mind; even if it's rare, without the right mindset there's no flavor—you try it yourself." Chen Wuji blurted out casually, "We've been stationed here for over forty days, with men and horses consuming supplies daily, yet we haven't even seen a strand of enemy hair—can I help but feel anxious and angry?"

This is not an excuse.

He has indeed been feeling some inner heat lately.

The 180,000‑strong army stationed here consumes men and horses daily—a staggering number.

Xu Zengyi, hearing this, instantly lost his smile; his expression turned grave as he nodded, "I was about to report this to my lord, but Yang Jinglve has also sent people to inquire—his side's provisions are running low."

"'Yang Jinglve frankly said, if we can't fight this battle any longer, he will first be worn down by lack of food.'"

Chen Wuji tossed the half‑carved chess piece onto the table, "What else did he say?"

"'Yang Jinglve proposed a solution: he intends to split his forces and strike west!' Yang Tiejiang said, 'He plans to use the western Qiang people to ease the supply crisis.'"

Chen Wuji rubbed his aching forehead, "He wants to go west—does he mean to carve out an enclave there? While this might solve some immediate troubles, it would create bigger problems later."

Whether it counts as an enclave or not is another matter; more importantly, Chen Wuji worries that if Yang Jinglve splits his forces just as the imperial army happens to march south, a coincidence like that would spell disaster.

Although he has already sent scouts four hundred li north, truly penetrating into Yan Zhou.

Yet even a minor skirmish, once started, could never keep pace with the enemy's marching speed.

Four hundred li is not especially far; cavalry can cover it in three or four days.

Can Yang Yu finish a battle within three or four days?

Impossible!

"'Your lord's concern, Yang Jinglve also mentioned, but right now he truly seems to have no other option.' Yang Tiejiang said, 'However, Yang Jinglve is only detaching ten thousand troops; that ten‑strong force will henceforth be responsible for supplying his entire army.'"

Chen Wuji exhaled in relief, "If it's only ten thousand troops, then it's not a big problem."

"'Yang Jinglve is not the reckless type; he will surely balance both sides.' Yang Tiejiang said, 'But the court has shown no movement for a long time, which is also problematic. My lord, why not take the initiative and send troops out?'"

"'I've been considering this very matter these past few days.' Chen Wuji said in a low voice."

"'Without doubt, the court army's claim of splitting forces to march south is obviously a smokescreen, deliberately fed false information to us. The aim is probably to keep us hanging here, draining our strength; I must say, they have already succeeded.'"

"'I've waited for you, not daring to act rashly—for a month. Now another ten‑plus days have passed; if we keep going like this, we truly will be worn to death in this mountain pass.'"

Yang Tiejiang hesitated a moment, "If we take the initiative to send troops, it will affect your lord's reputation."

"'After all this, are you worried about that?' Chen Wuji asked in surprise."

"'Yes!'"

Chen Wuji was speechless, "You're overthinking it; when did Lao Yang become so timid? The court troops are already marching south to crush this rebel, and I should hold back because of some so‑called reputation? I'm no fool."

Yang Tiejiang shook his head, "My lord, forgive my frankness, but you're oversimplifying this."

You are the Nan Jun Jiedu Guanchasi appointed by the emperor; if you do not take the initiative to send troops, the fault lies with those traitorous ministers. But if our army launches an attack and strikes Yan Zhou, you will concretely embody the identity of a rebel minister.

Chen Wuji waved his hand firmly, "No need to fuss over these; truth lies only on the blade."

If you can fight, then fight; don't hesitate over these messed-up things. I, who am preparing to be a rebel, do I need to fuss over this? You used to nag in my ear when you and Lao Xu had nothing to do, but now it's fine—you don't nag anymore, yet instead you've started to care about it?

Yang Tiejiang stared for a moment, "My lord, are you not worried because of this?"

"I'm worried that the Uyghur People will take advantage of the fire to loot!" Chen Wuji shouted.