Chapter 887

Reporting to my lord, in the southwest about twenty li we discovered enemy troop traces, confirmed they are fleeing enemy troops, roughly a thousand, they seem to have solved their grain and fodder shortage by cutting off the stream, and they have set up a camp on the leeward slope of the mountains. the scout reported.

Chen Wuji asked, "Where is the Kangxiu Camp now?"

It's about fifty li from here.

Chen Wuji blinked, "Qin Yu, this bastard, runs this fast?"

I don't know the specifics, but Qin Training Officer, when passing through my area, indeed was making a forced march; however, earlier reports from ahead said Qin Training Officer had already slowed his march, and is now resting; perhaps Qin Training Officer forced marched because the morning air was cool. the scout said.

Your guess is probably right. Chen Wuji nodded.

The Kangxiu Camp was the earliest unit of the Ba army to set out; they left before dawn.

But in that half a day, covering seventy or eighty li over such terrain, the Kangxiu Camp's marching speed is already somewhat exaggerated. If they were any faster, they could probably keep up with Dai Zong who had cheat abilities installed.

Apart from this, have you found any other enemy forces in this area? Chen Wuji asked.

Yes, for now there's nothing else. the scout said.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Rest a bit, lead the way."

Yes!

The scout's report directly verified the feasibility of Chen Wuji's tactics.

We can fight!

In this battle, Chen Wuji's aim was not merely to strike the Court Army's main force, but also to account for the routed troops.

No one knows the current state of the Court Army.

But it is highly likely that the routed troops have already outnumbered the main force.

The army's long serpentine formation, unable to support head and tail, in such extreme conditions compounded by grain shortages, morale is surely already in turmoil; mutiny and collapse are definitely taking turns happening.

Chen Wuji must be ready to switch attack direction at any moment.

He spread a large net with a thousand‑strong scout corps along both sides of the Gu Zhandao, the scouts dispersing into the smallest three‑to‑five‑man teams, serving only as eyes to scout enemy conditions, not to engage in close combat—this is the purpose.

The scouts dispersed everywhere will pass along the information they gather, consolidating it to the nearby units, after which the unit Training Officers themselves will decide whether to fight or to hold back.

Ahead, there is still a rear unit mopping up; if that rear unit also lets them pass, the northern mouth of Gu Zhandao still has Guo Songbai's vanguard camp lying in wait with an open sack.

Unless the Court Army's fugitives are truly hidden so deeply that Chen Wuji's scouts cannot find them, whether they fight or flee, they will at least have to face one of Chen Wuji's units.

In this sweep, the scouts constantly linger about thirty to forty li ahead of the main force; although Chen Wuji cannot guarantee to net the entire Court Army, the chance for their fugitives to escape is extremely slim.

Centering on Gu Zhandao, with a radius of about fifty to sixty li forward and back, five hundred scouts on each east and west side are responsible for reconnaissance, deployed in three‑to‑five‑man teams across this area; this density is not small.

After resting about a quarter hour, Chen Wuji rose, "Let's go!"

The troops moved at the command, quickly formed ranks, and, led by the scouts, rushed toward that rout of the Court Army.

After marching at an even pace for about half an hour in the hills, the lead scout suddenly halted, "My lord, that routed force lies just ahead in the leeward mountain hollow."

Hardly had he finished speaking when several figures burst from the woods, darting straight for the hollow with the agility of a startled rabbit.

Quite cautious, they even posted pickets on the perimeter." Chen Wuji adjusted his armor, "Charge!"

Yes! Wushuang gave a feral grin and charged ahead first.

In the extremely humid and hot hills, a nearly silent charge erupted, rushing toward the streamside hollow and cutting down all before it.

Within less than a quarter hour, cries of battle, wails, and the clashing of metal suddenly rang out; in the layered terrain, the sound kept echoing, as if it came from all directions.

Chen Wuji strolled over as if on an outing, followed by Kong Jianshi and the Chen Clan Personal Guard; by the time he arrived, the battle had already ended at breakneck speed.

Wushuang approached, flexing his wrists, his expression showing no joy at the victory; instead he seemed somewhat stifled, "My lord, over a thousand routed troops merely put up a token resistance—just a few were cut down before they surrendered. They look utterly famished, unable even to hold their knives."

Chen Wuji glanced around, "Bring the person in charge over here!"

Yes!

Soon, a middle‑aged man looking somewhat emaciated was brought forward by the Imperial Guard soldiers, his arms twisted behind him; one look at his face told you he had barely eaten anything lately—his complexion sallow, cheekbones protruding, his eye sockets deep as if he'd been a ghost for decades.

Only his eyes remained fairly bright, radiating a vigor utterly mismatched with his frail body.

I don't know which general of Nan Jun I have the honor to face; I am Fan Yang, paying my respects.

Although being held by the soldiers, Fan Yang still performed the salute with meticulous propriety.

Chen Wuji.

Fan Yang froze, his face shocked as he looked at Chen Wuji.

He sized up Chen Wuji from head to toe, then lowered his voice: "I've long heard that Commander Chen is young and capable, bearing the semblance of a flying dragon; now that I've met him, reputation falls short of reality—to be personally routed by Commander Chen's army is an honor for me."

As the saying goes, you can pierce a thousand holes but flattery won't stick; I don't like your flattery. As a Military Governor loyal to the sovereign and serving the state, you dare to accuse me of rebellion!" Chen Wuji felt displeased.

Right off the bat you spout nonsense about a flying dragon's appearance—this is nothing but smearing him with dirt.

This guy clearly hasn't gotten enough of society's beatings.

Fan Yang hastily pleaded guilty in panic, "Commander, please forgive me; I'm not good with words—this is how outsiders evaluate the Military Governor, I blurted it out by mistake, truly I meant nothing else."

For now I'll spare your life—let me ask: is your commanding officer Liu Yan?" Chen Wuji asked.

... Yes!

Where is he now?

Fan Yang's eyes flashed with sudden resentment and hatred; he shook his head: "I don't know where he is, but he should be in the central command. After our army entered the mountains, Liu Yan dispatched a full twenty thousand troops as a vanguard to scout the terrain, find suitable campsites, and build roads and bridges."

"He was then trailing behind that vanguard, but later the troops' morale collapsed, deserters everywhere, and Liu Yan's orders had lost all effect in our rear, so we too lost track of what was happening."

As a surrendered commander, Fan Yang showed great awareness; his answers came without hesitation, it appears he has basically realigned his mindset—after all, he led his troops in flight, so it's natural he could no longer feel any loyalty toward Liu Yan.