Chapter 172

The news of the great victory at Gray Wolf Pass was like ladling cold water into a boiling oil pot, instantly exploding.

It spread with astonishing speed across all of Chan Prefecture, then surged rapidly toward the various garrisons of Hebei and even toward Bian Liang.

"Five hundred raw troops broke two hundred elite! They beheaded one hundred eighty in battle, suffering no casualties themselves?"

"How… how is this possible? Even if you let five hundred pigs be caught by the Khitan, they wouldn't end up with only three wounded, would they?"

"Could it be false merit reporting? But Supervisor Commander Jun is right there in Luo Chuan—would he just stand by?"

At first it was incredulous skepticism, but as more and more details were revealed,

especially since Supervisor Commander Jun raised no objection to this battle result.

On the contrary, after feigning illness and staying out of sight, all skepticism turned into immense shock and deep awe.

Luo Chuan, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Linhe counties were even more submerged in an ocean of jubilation.

In street talk, everything was about the prestige of Defense Commissioner Chen Wenzhong and the valor of the Jing'an Army.

In teahouses and taverns.

The storyteller stayed up all night crafting the tale "General Shi splits the Khitan chief with his blade, the Jing'an Army awes Gray Wolf Pass," drawing applause from the packed house.

Ordinary folk walking the streets found their spines straightening unconsciously.

A hitherto unknown sense of security and belonging took deep root in this land.

Inside the Defense Commissioner's residence, Chen Wen remained calm as ever.

He carefully listened to Shi Dun's replay of every detail of the battle.

He affirmed his battlefield command, while also pointing out a few minor aspects that could be done better.

"We won this battle because of daily hardship, decisiveness in combat, and the troops giving their all."

Chen Wen looked at Shi Dun and the several mid‑level officers who had taken part in the battle, his tone steady.

"Yet, we must not become arrogant because of this."

"The Khitan Cavalry are not their main force."

"If we later encounter the Northern Han elite troops, the Khitan Palace Guard Army, or even… the Iron Crow Army! The bitter battles lie ahead."

"I understand, sir!"

Shi Dun and the others received the instruction with solemn reverence.

They knew well that this battle was a great victory.

The unfathomable "Extensive Bestowal" contributed greatly, but this could only rot in his heart.

Compared to the excitement among the populace and the military, the reactions of the various powers were far more complex.

In the study of the Chan Prefecture Military Commissioner's residence, Chai Rong dismissed his attendants, faced the detailed battle report alone, and fell silent for a long time.

His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop; his eyes held both relief and an indescribable heaviness.

"Almost unscathed, we wiped out two hundred Khitan elite scouts…"

He muttered to himself.

"Wenzhong, oh Wenzhong, your ability to train troops and your skill in employing them—both perilous and precise—are already beyond ordinary measure."

"Given time, this Chan Prefecture… no, this whole world—who could still restrain you?"

He picked up Wang Pi's earlier comment that "perhaps an ordinary military commissioner could not handle this," and his brows furrowed tightly.

The more outstanding Chen Wen became, the heavier the suspicion and pressure from the Bian Liang Imperial Court on his shoulders grew.

And deep within himself, the innate vigilance of a sovereign against potential threats also sprouted silently like weeds.

"Issue the order, heavily reward the Pacification Army soldiers who marched out, and double their compensation."

"Furthermore… in my personal name as commander, I bestow upon Defense Commissioner Chen a set of gold-thread armor and a fine bow, as a token of commendation."

In the end, Chai Rong still made a decision.

He needs Chen Wen this sharp blade; at least for now, this blade is pointed at the enemy.

He must grip it firmly in his hand, even if his palm is already sore from the blade's edge.

Compared to Chai Rong's complex state of mind, Zhao Kuangyin's reaction was more direct and intense.

"Bang!"

The precious celadon tea cup was slammed hard onto the ground, shards scattering in all directions.

Zhao Kuangyin's chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot, veins bulging at his temples.

"Trash! All trash! Two hundred red scout cavalry, yet they were wiped out by five hundred new recruits!"

He growled low, his voice hoarse from extreme anger.

"Could it be that Chen Wen is the reincarnation of Sun Wu, reborn as Wu Qi?!"

He originally thought that, with the Iron Crow Army's covert support, gaining intelligence and supplies, given time he could catch up and even surpass Chen Wen.

But the Battle of Grey Wolf Mouth was like a resounding slap that completely woke him up.

This is fundamentally not a contest on the same level!

The overwhelming, almost inhuman combat power displayed by Chen Wen's Jun Ying.

It made him feel a bone-chilling cold and a deep sense of helplessness.

"Iron Crow Army… yes, Iron Crow Army!"

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly lifted his head, his eyes flashing with an almost mad light.

"Wang Yansheng! Tell them over there, I want more!"

"Better arms and armor, more accurate intelligence, and…"

"The means they promised to deal with 'extraordinary individuals'! If they can't provide them, then forget this cooperation!"

He had been backed to the edge of a cliff; either he grasps the Iron Crow Army's possibly lethal straw and makes a desperate effort.

Or he can only watch helplessly as Chen Wen soars skyward, forever trampling him underfoot.

He chose the former, even if it meant dealing with a tiger for its skin.

And in the Luo River, the direct impact of this great victory was a steady stream of volunteers, whose quality far surpassed before.

In just a few days, several batches of people arrived.

There was the cavalry unit from Former Xiang Prefecture that came to surrender because the commander was harsh.

There was the artisan Lei Huo from East of the River, who claimed mastery of gunpowder and could craft "Thunderbolt Fireballs".

Even there was a humble old man of extraordinary bearing, who had considerable insight into machinery and water conservancy in conversation.

Bringing a spirited youth, he came to visit under the pretense of studying abroad.

Chen Wen personally interviewed them all, hiring according to ability.

Those capable of fighting were added to the army; those with skills were assigned to the Artisan Battalion.

Even those seemingly ordinary refugees were properly settled, registered and assigned to land reclamation.

He knew well that population and talent are the foundation for standing firm in chaotic times.

This gathering of people's hearts and talents corresponded to the internal surge from his power expansion.

The stable and ever more massive and heavy Fortune Momentum qi vortex resonated, silently accumulating power.

That day, Chen Wen was reviewing documents sent from various places when Qian Gui silently appeared in the corner of the study.

"My lord..."

Qian Gui's voice was low, carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Our people discovered that Zhao Kuangyin's side had suddenly become much more frequent in contact with the Iron Crow Army."

"Moreover... the Army Supervisor Wei Jun, though he claimed illness and did not appear, but his close aides..."

"But recently they have been frequently mingling with merchants from Bian Liang, seemingly secretly inquiring about your past, my lord..."

"Especially... the matters concerning Jiao Tu Zhen before."

Chen Wen set down his brush, his eyes sharp as a blade.

The tree desired calm, but the wind did not cease.

The victory at Grey Wolf Pass shocked the enemy, but also drew deeper wariness and more covert undercurrents.

"Understood."

Chen Wen said lightly.

"Keep an eye on them. As for Wei Jun's side, let him investigate. As for Zhao Kuangyin and the Iron Crow Army..."

He paused, a flash of cold light flickered in his eyes.

"If they think they can turn the tide with some petty tricks, they are gravely mistaken."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the new recruits training hard on the drill field.

Sunlight fell upon him, as if gilding him with a golden edge.

The bearing of a famous general had already begun to show.

But the road to the pinnacle of power is destined to be filled with thorns and traps.

What comes next will be even more perilous covert struggle and contest.