Chapter 115

The Jing'an Army main camp's soaring morale and vigorous bearing have not yet fully subsided.

A sudden, heart‑pounding burst of horse hooves, like hail, shattered the brief tranquility of Chan Prefecture.

Urgent military reports from the northernmost border beacon towers arrived one after another.

They were rushed to the jiedushi's residence at top speed, each reeking of blood and fire.

「Report! Northern Han lord Liu Chong has mobilized all his country's elite troops, and invited the Khitan general Yang Gong, leading over ten thousand cavalry as reinforcements, total forces exceeding forty thousand, dubbed a hundred thousand, having already marched out of Jinyang, splitting into two routes, invading southward to raid the border! 」

「Report! The enemy vanguard has already breached three of our border forts, and the defending commander has died for the nation! 」

「Report! The northern route army's spearhead points straight at Lu Prefecture! The eastern route army descends along the Hutuo River, threatening our Ji and Bei prefectures! 」

「Report! Khitan cavalry roam the flanks, burning, killing, looting, shaking prefectures and counties! 」

Bad news followed one after another, like heavy war drums beating on the hearts of Chan Prefecture's civil and military officials.

The Northern Han‑Khitan allied forces' southern advance this time is imposing.

It is clearly a long‑planned plot, aiming to strike while the Later Zhou ruler is young and the state uncertain, internal affairs not yet fully consolidated, to deliver a fatal blow.

In the main hall of the jiedushi's residence, the atmosphere was so solemn it seemed almost to drip water.

Chai Rong sat upright in the chief seat, his face sunk like water; though he spoke not, his tightly pressed lips and keen gaze like a hawk or falcon already revealed soaring anger and resolve.

Below, Zhang Yongde, Han Tong, Wang Po and other core civil‑military officials stood on either side, everyone's expression solemn, the air filled with the oppression of an impending great battle.

Chen Wen, as the newly appointed marching commandant and Jing'an Army commander, also stood among the military officials' ranks.

Although he had long been mentally prepared, knowing that this great war in turbulent times was unavoidable.

But when the war truly descended with such a surging, mighty force, he still felt a heavy pressure.

Forty thousand enemy troops, among them over ten thousand Khitan cavalry.

This is absolutely not comparable to the earlier bandit suppression in Linhe County or any small skirmish; this is a strategic battle that decides the fate of the nation!

「Gentlemen, the military situation is urgent, the bandits' power is rampant; does anyone have a good plan? 」

Chai Rong's voice broke the silence, icy and firm.

Han Tong stepped forward first, clasping his fists and said:

「Military governor! Old Liu Chong, you bully people too much! 」

「How dare you collude with the Khitan and invade our territory! 」

「I, your subordinate, request orders: I am willing to lead my cavalry as the vanguard, surely to blunt the enemy's spirit! 」

He is of a stern and fierce temperament; he rejoices at hearing of war.

Zhang Yongde, by contrast, is relatively steady; he pondered and said:

「The enemy forces are great, and they also wield the might of Khitan cavalry; we cannot meet them head‑on. 」

「The urgent priority is to stabilize the front line, impede their advance, while urgently reporting to Bian Liang, asking the Imperial Court to dispatch large reinforcements, then seek an opportunity to break the enemy. 」

Among the civil officials, someone also showed a worried look, speaking in a low voice:

「Military governor, the enemy's coming force is fierce; should we… should we temporarily avoid its sharp edge, trading space for time? 」

「Impossible! 」

Chai Rong decisively rejected it, suddenly rose, his gaze sweeping the whole assembly, bearing an unquestionable authority.

「The invaders have already entered our home; how could we retreat? 」

「If Lu and Ji prefectures fall, the gate will be flung open, allowing the enemy to march straight in, pressing directly upon Bian Liang! 」

「At that point the people's hearts will be panic‑stricken, the state will cease to be a state! This battle must be met with a crushing blow! 」

「Moreover, we must be swift and ruthless, striking when they have concentrated their forces and their momentum is at its peak, to shatter them! 」

He walked up to the huge map of Bei Jing, his finger pressing heavily on the area around Ze Prefecture's Gaoping.

「This place is a crucial chokepoint for Lu Prefecture's southern advance; its terrain is quite important. 」

「If Liu Chong seeks a quick victory, he will surely rush to do battle here with us! Our army should take the initiative to meet him and seize the initiative! 」

He paused, his gaze falling on Chen Wen: 'Wenzhong.'

「Your subordinate is here! 」 Chen Wen stepped forward, knowing the critical moment had arrived.

「Your Jing'an Army, though newly formed, has already shown the beginnings of a strong army from recent drills. 」

「This battle is a great affair of the state, and also an opportunity for you and your Jing'an Army to gain fame and establish ten thousand renown! 」

Chai Rong's tone was deep and solemn.

「I order you, effective immediately, the Jing'an Army shall enter first‑class combat readiness, with provisions and materiel given priority, to be ready for dispatch at any moment! 」

「Your subordinate receives the order! The Jing'an Army up and down already lies with arms at dawn, certain to be the vanguard, to slay the enemy for the state! 」

Chen Wen's voice rang out, without a trace of hesitation.

In his sea of consciousness, the vortex of Fortune Momentum spun, due to this immense pressure and clear mission.

And it began to spin at an unprecedented speed, a faint golden light faintly radiating from his body, revealing his inner turmoil and resolve.

「Good! 」

Chai Rong voiced his approval, then immediately began issuing a string of orders.

「Han Tong, I order your cavalry to set out on reconnaissance at once; you must ascertain the enemy's detailed movements and troop disposition! 」

「Received! 」

「Zhang Yongde, tighten the infantry's organization; within three days you must complete preparations for departure! 」

Yes!

Orders issued like a spider's web from the jiedushi's residence.

The entire Chan Prefecture, this war machine, began to operate with unprecedented efficiency, roaring to life.

In the camp, bugles sounded continuously; soldiers inspected their swords, spears, and armor; the air was filled with the smell of niter and leather.

Within and without the city, convoys transporting provisions and materiel flowed in an endless stream.

The conscripted laborers gathered amid the officials' shouts, each face mixed with fear, bewilderment, and a hint of resolve to be swept up in the torrent.

When Chen Wen returned to the Pacified Peace Army's main camp, the entire army had already learned the news.

There was no expected panic; instead, a long-suppressed fighting spirit finally found an outlet, stirring restlessly.

The soldiers silently wiped their weapons, checked the bowstrings, and in their exchanged gazes brimmed with a yearning for battle and steadfast resolve.

"Brothers!"

Chen Wen stood on the platform for appointing generals, his voice carrying across the entire field.

"Northern Han Liu Chong, colluding with the Khitan, has invaded our mountains and rivers, slaughtered our people! This is national hatred and personal grudge! The commander has ordered me, the Pacified Peace Army, to follow the imperial army north to repel the invaders!"

His gaze swept over the young, resolute faces below the platform:

"I know, many of you come from Jiao Tu Zhen and Linhe County, having personally witnessed the cruelty of chaotic times and experienced the pain of losing family and home!"

"We take up arms not for fame and profit, but so that our parents, wives, and children behind us will never again suffer such hardship!"

"It is to make this world have fewer displaced wanderers like we once were!"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried a power that struck straight at the heart:

"In this battle, the enemy forces are mighty, surely fraught with extreme danger!"

"But I, Chen Wen, believe in you! Believe in every brother of the Pacified Peace Army!"

"We have sweated together, trained together; our blades are swifter than the enemy's!"

"Our armor is sturdier than the enemy's; our hearts are more united than the enemy's!"

He drew the saber at his waist, pointed it north, his voice like thunder:

"If the invaders can go, so can I! Follow me north to slay the enemy and serve the state—Pacified Peace All Under Heaven!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The earth-shaking roar coalesced into an invisible torrent, sweeping away the last trace of gloom, leaving only pure battle intent and belief.

The Pacified Peace Army's newly forged sword has already been drawn, its cold light sharp, pointing straight at the beacon fires of Bei Jing.

The clouds of war completely shrouded Chan Prefecture, and also the entire northern frontier of Later Zhou.

The Battle of High Flat, destined to be recorded in history and to decide the fate of Later Zhou and even the future of Zhongyuan, is a great war.

Thus it opened the heavy, bloody curtain.

Chen Wen and his Pacified Peace Army will, in this historical torrent, face their most severe test since their founding.