Chapter 143: Renowned Under Heaven

The gun smoke had not yet fully cleared, and the bloody smell still hung heavily over the Gao Plain.

But the clamor of victory had already overwhelmed everything.

The soldiers of the Zhou army, exhausted yet excited, were cleaning the battlefield, collecting arms and armor, counting heads, taking in prisoners, and treating the wounded.

Every face bore the joy of having survived the catastrophe, as well as the exaltation belonging to the victors.

And amidst this bustle and clamor, an invisible tide was gathering.

All soldiers, regardless of which army they belonged to, in the gaps between transporting supplies and escorting prisoners,

their gazes involuntarily turned toward the same direction

—that army which still retained a relatively intact formation, like a tiger that had gorged on blood and was briefly resting.

and the "Jing'an" military banner, stained with countless bloodstains yet still fluttering loudly in the evening wind.

Whispers spread across the battlefield like ripples.

"Did you see? That's the Jing'an Army!"

"My goodness, they're incredibly fierce! You didn't see it—they charged down like heavenly gods and actually cut through the Khitan cavalry!"

"Not just cutting through! I personally saw Commander Chen split the leader of the Iron Crow Army with a single slash—what a sight, tsk tsk..."

"If Commander Chen hadn't led the charge up front and suddenly become as fierce as if he'd taken an immortal pill, we'd probably all have been done for here!"

"The Commander himself personally went forward—if it weren't for the Jing'an Army protecting..."

"Amazing, this Chen Wen Zhong—he's bound to soar to great heights!"

In these discussions were awe, gratitude, and a hint of indescribable shock.

Chen Wen's and the Jing'an Army's performance in the Battle of Gao Plain, especially their role as a pillar in the midst of desperation and the subsequent stone-shattering-heaven counterattack.

Had already been etched into the hearts of every surviving Zhou soldier through countless eyes.

Under the gaze of all.

In the direction of the central command, the golden great banner symbolizing the supreme commander began to move toward where the Jing'an Army stood.

Chai Rong, surrounded by Zhang Yongde, Han Tong, Wang Pu, and the elite palace guards, personally rode forth on horseback.

The originally noisy battlefield gradually grew quiet as Chai Rong moved.

Everyone's eyes focused on this, knowing that merits were about to be assessed and the foremost contribution was beyond doubt!

Chen Wen had already received the report and tidied his battered armor.

Accompanied by Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and the other core cadres, he stood solemnly before the formation.

Though mentally and physically exhausted, each straightened his spine—this was their moment of glory.

Chai Rong reined his horse to a halt before the Jing'an Army's ranks, his gaze first sweeping over this force, scarred yet still radiating killing intent.

Looking at those firm, youthful faces, his eyes openly showed admiration.

Finally, his gaze settled on Chen Wen, who led them.

Without speaking immediately, Chai Rong slowly raised his whip.

He pointed to the devastated battlefield behind him, littered with corpses, and his voice rang out loud and clear in all directions:

"Gentlemen! In the land of Gao Plain, rebel forces run rampant, nearly overturning our state!"

"When the right wing collapsed and the whole army faced peril, who stood firm without panic, became a pillar in the midst of the stream, guarded my central command, and reversed the tide on the brink of collapse?"

His voice carried a powerful infectivity, making everyone feel as if they had just returned to that heart-pounding moment not long ago.

Chai Rong's gaze returned once more to Chen Wen, becoming extremely solemn.

Even carrying a hint of indescribable intimacy and trust, he spoke loudly:

"It is Chen Wen Zhong! It is this Jing'an Army before you!"

He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, ringing out like a proclamation:

"In the past, Emperor Wu of Han had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, who drove back the Xiongnu to the north, sealed the Wolf's Rest, achieved unparalleled merit, and exalted Han's heavenly might!"

"Today, I have obtained Wen Zhong, who shattered Northern Han, defeated the Khitan, rescued the sovereign amidst ten thousand troops, and turned the tide of the nation at the brink of collapse!"

"Such merit and achievement can be compared to Wei and Huo!"

"Wen Zhong!"

Chai Rong gazed at Chen Wen with burning eyes, his tone utterly sincere.

"You are my Wei and Huo! The Wei and Huo of the Great Zhou!"

"My Wei and Huo!"

These four words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the silence over the battlefield!

Wei Qing, Huo Qubing! What kind of men were they?

They are etched in the annals of history, the supreme glory that all warriors spend their lives pursuing!

Now, Chai Rong actually compares Chen Wen to the two—what praise, what trust!

After a brief silence, came a shout like mountains roaring and seas surging!

"Long live!"

"Commander Chen!"

"Jing'an Army! Ten thousand victories!"

Whether the soldiers of the Jing'an Army's main force or those of the surrounding other armies.

Were all infected by Chai Rong's unreservedly high praise, spontaneously sending up earth-shaking cheers!

At this moment, the reputation of Chen Wen and his Jing'an Army, after being tempered in blood and fire.

Under the personal affirmation of the enlightened lord, reached an unprecedented peak!

"Famous under heaven" is no empty boast!

Chen Wen's heart also surged; he took a deep breath, suppressed his churning emotions, stepped forward, and knelt on one knee.

He clasped his fists and spoke in a deep voice.

"I, the subordinate, dare not compare myself to the ancient sages!"

"The victory of this battle is entirely thanks to your lordship's great fortune and the soldiers' devotion; I merely fulfilled my duty and happened to achieve a minor merit—how could I dare accept such grand praise from you?"

Behind him, Zhang Cheng, Shi Dun, and the others knelt in unison, speaking with one voice.

"All thanks to your lordship's great fortune and the soldiers' devotion!"

Seeing this, Chai Rong was even more pleased; he personally dismounted, stepped forward, helped Chen Wen up, and firmly patted his shoulder, speaking softly.

"Wenzhong, there's no need for excessive modesty; without you, the consequences of this battle would be unimaginable. This merit is wholly yours!"

Immediately, he turned to all the Jing'an Army soldiers and spoke loudly.

"The Jing'an Army, up and down, will all receive great rewards! The fallen will be generously compensated! The wounded will be given preferential care! In this battle, you are the foremost contributors!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

The entire Jing'an Army once again let out a unified roar, morale soaring to its peak.

Han Tong, Zhang Yongde, and the other generals standing aside watched, their hearts filled with myriad emotions.

Especially Han Tong, recalling his earlier doubts about Chen Wen, now feels utterly convinced.

This young man is truly a dragon among men; no wonder my lord holds him in such high regard.

Zhao Kuangyin stood at a slightly more distant place.

Watching Chen Wen, surrounded by myriad people and radiating brilliant light, his expression was complex—filled with admiration, emotion, and a barely perceptible sternness.

He well knew that after this battle, Chen Wen was no longer the up-and-coming talent needing his endorsement.

But had truly become a peer of those veteran commanders.

Even becoming a military titan surpassing them, a figure he must henceforth treat with utmost seriousness.

The news that Chai Rong publicly praised Chen Wen as "my Wei Huo"...

Spread like wings, it quickly spread throughout the entire Zhou army camp.

And it will surely accompany the victory report, spreading at the utmost speed to Chan Prefecture, to Bian Liang, and across the world.

Chen Wen's name, accompanied by the brilliance of the great victory at Gaoping, truly shook the northern borders and resounded across the world!

In his sea of consciousness, the already vast and magnificent dark-gold Fortune Momentum vortex...

Under the infusion of this supreme honor and immense prestige, it seemed to condense and expand another layer.

As it turned, faint sounds of wind and thunder lurked within, accumulating even deeper power for his future path.