Chapter 128: Renowned in the Northern Frontier

Early spring sunlight

Slanted across the land that had just experienced slaughter.

The earthen slope beside the dry riverbed

The air was thick with a mixture of blood and gunpowder smoke.

The soldiers of the Jing'an Army

Silently and efficiently cleaned up the battlefield.

They collected the bodies of fallen comrades, gathered scattered weapons and armor, and rounded up the ownerless warhorses together.

Although they had won a resounding victory.

But the air held little celebratory atmosphere, only a settled, blood-tinged resolve.

Chen Wen stood on the hilltop, letting the slightly chilly wind brush his bloodstained cheeks.

The faint ache of his old shoulder wound seemed to remind him that this battlefield was far from peaceful.

His gaze swept over the two fallen soldiers being carried away, and his heart felt heavy.

The cost of victory, whether great or small, was equally heavy.

"Army Envoy, the tally is complete."

Zhang Cheng stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

"We have taken thirty-seven heads, captured five, seized twenty-one intact warhorses, and assorted bows, crossbows, sabers, and leather armor."

"Our side… two dead, one seriously injured, already given emergency treatment, twelve lightly wounded, all able to continue with the unit."

Chen Wen nodded, saying nothing.

To achieve such results with infantry against cavalry would make any army proud.

But he knew this was only the beginning.

"Army Envoy, a force is coming from the southeast!"

"Judging by the banner, it is… it is Commander Zhao Kuangyin of the Guard Army!"

Qian Gui came running to report, his tone tinged with surprise.

Zhao Kuangyin?

Chen Wen's heart stirred slightly.

This name was not unfamiliar to him; since joining under Chai Rong,

he knew this person was a capable young officer close to the Lord, brave and skilled in battle, quite renowned.

He had not expected to meet him here.

He adjusted his armor and spoke in a low voice:

"Form ranks, receive them."

Moments later.

A force of about two hundred elite cavalry reined in their horses and stopped at the foot of the slope.

The leading officer was about twenty years old.

He was tall and sturdy, with a firm countenance, wearing fine armor, his eyes sharp as an eagle—this was Zhao Kuangyin.

He and the cavalry behind him were covered in campaign dust, clearly having just come from the battlefield.

Zhao Kuangyin's gaze first fell upon that chaotic riverbed battlefield.

And upon the concentrated Khitan prisoners and captured warhorses, a flicker of astonishment flashed in his eyes, hard to conceal.

He naturally recognized them as the Khitan cavalry that had been a headache for the Zhou army's infantry.

He dismounted, accompanied by a few personal guards, strode up the slope, and clasped his hands toward Chen Wen.

His voice rang out:

"Are you Commander Chen Wen of the Jing'an Army? I am Commander Zhao Kuangyin of the Guard Army."

Chen Wen returned the salute with clasped fists, neither humble nor arrogant:

"Indeed, I am Chen. Your great name, Commander Zhao, is like thunder in my ears."

Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily, appearing quite forthright:

"Commander Chen, you're too polite!"

"I had just been engaging a Khitan cavalry unit on the left flank; hearing the thunderous slaughter here, I came specially to have a look."

"I never expected… that Commander Chen would have fought such a brilliant annihilation battle here!"

His gaze swept over the battlefield again, his tone filled with genuine admiration.

"As infantry, to wipe out fifty Khitan cavalry with such minimal losses on our side—I am impressed!"

The Guard Army cavalry behind him looked at the Jing'an soldiers on the slope—though fatigued, they were disciplined in formation and sharp-eyed.

Looking at the captured equipment, they unconsciously set aside some of their elite pride, replacing it with respect.

To defeat an equal number of Khitan cavalry in open battle by sheer force—this achievement is no fluke.

"Commander Zhao, you overpraise me."

Chen Wen spoke calmly.

"It was merely relying on the terrain, the soldiers giving their all, and a lucky win. The Khitan wolf cavalry come and go like the wind; they are indeed a great scourge to our army."

"Commander Chen, you are too modest."

Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, his expression turning serious.

"Terrain can be seized by anyone, but whether one can seize the battle opportunity, whether the soldiers dare and are able to fight, all depend on the commander's ability."

"Commander Chen's skill in training troops and commanding in battle—I have seen it with my own eyes today. No wonder the Lord holds Commander Chen in such high esteem."

He paused, his gaze locking with Chen Wen's.

Carrying a sense of mutual appreciation between generals who share a spirit of eager advancement:

Now the great war has just begun, the barbarians run rampant; we must unite our efforts and hearts to defeat the strong enemy.

Commander Chen has such a strong army; it is indeed our fortune!

What Commander Zhao says is absolutely correct.

Chen Wen nodded.

Defending home and country is our duty. The Peaceful Army will exert all its strength and stand together with you all against foreign invasion.

The two then briefly exchanged updates on the frontline situation.

What Zhao Kuangyin said roughly matches what Chen Wen knows; the Khitan cavalry continually harasses using its mobility.

Although the Zhou army's main force is strong, it feels frustrated, having strength but nowhere to use it.

What plans does Commander Chen have next?

Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Our army will continue to roam the outskirts, specifically targeting small Khitan cavalry units!

Cut off their claws, disturb their rear, and share the pressure on the main battlefield.

Chen Wen openly shared his strategy.

Good!

A flash of brilliance appeared in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes.

This plan is excellent!

If we could have a few more elite units like the Peaceful Army operating on the periphery, those wolf cubs would not dare act so recklessly!

Our two forces could perhaps respond to each other from afar.

Exactly to my liking. Chen Wen clasped his hands.

Zhao Kuangyin also said nothing more, and again clasped his fists:

Since it is so, I still need to report the military situation; farewell then.

Commander Chen, take care! I look forward to the day we stand shoulder to shoulder and defeat the enemy!

Take care, Commander Zhao!

Zhao Kuangyin led his troops away, the sound of hooves fading into the distance.

Qian Gui watched the direction they disappeared, and said softly:

Commander, this Commander Zhao seems to be a straightforward and generous person.

Chen Wen neither agreed nor disagreed, merely said lightly:

In these troubled times, to be valued by the lord and to command elite troops—how could it be based merely on the two words 'straightforward and generous'?

He said no more, turned and gave the order.

Make the most of the time to rest; after two hours, continue moving toward the northeast.

Received the order!

Zhao Kuangyin's arrival and praise were like a stone dropped into a calm lake.

News arrived that the Peaceful Army won its first battle on the outskirts of Gaoping, having slain dozens of Khitan cavalry in the field.

With the shuttling scouts and the words of commanders like Zhao Kuangyin, the news spread quickly throughout the various units of the Zhou army.

At first there was doubt, but more and more details were confirmed.

Especially the eyewitness testimony of Zhao Kuangyin's unit in the Guard Army made the news indisputable.

A recently formed army composed mainly of infantry, called the "Guest Army."

Yet it managed to achieve such results against Khitan cavalry in open battle?

This undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the Zhou army units that felt doubled pressure from Khitan archery.

Have you heard? That Chen Wen Zhong from Chan Prefecture, leading his Peaceful Army, wiped out a unit of Khitan cavalry on the northern frontier, losing hardly any of his own men!

Really? On foot beating cavalry, and still winning?

Absolutely certain! General Zhao Kuangyin himself saw it with his own eyes!

Tsk tsk, impressive! It seems the lord has a discerning eye for talent; this Chen Wen Zhong truly has ability...

Similar talk quietly spread among the camps of the Zhou army.

The name of Chen Wen and the Peaceful Army is no longer limited to the circle of commanders from Chan Prefecture.

Rather, it has truly begun to enter the view of the broad middle and lower ranks of the Zhou army, as well as other system commanders.

An intangible prestige is accumulating.

Chen Wen can faintly sense this change.

In the subsequent days of maneuvering, they occasionally encountered other Zhou army patrol or supply teams.

The other side's attitude clearly showed more respect, even curiosity.

Even there were nearby small units suffering from Khitan cavalry harassment.

They proactively sent people to make contact, hoping the Peaceful Army could assist in eradication.

Chen Wen did not become complacent because of this; instead, he became more cautious.

He deeply knows that a small-scale victory cannot determine the course of the great war; the real test lies ahead.

He still strictly followed the plan, leading the Peaceful Army like a ghost to roam the outskirts, seeking opportunities.

Time and again, using terrain, crossbow bolts, and "Ability Granting," he precisely struck those isolated or small Khitan cavalry units.

Accumulating small victories into great ones, he continually weakened the Khitan's peripheral strength while also continuously forging his own troops.