Chapter 189: Two Heroes Lock Horns

Chan Prefecture, the council hall of the Military Governor's office.

Chai Rong is gravely ill and unable to attend to affairs; Wang Pu temporarily takes charge of presiding over the military and civil affairs meeting.

The atmosphere is even more solemn than before.

Han Tong, Zhang Yongde, Chen Wen, Zhao Kuangyin and other core commanders stand on either side.

The topic quickly entered a sensitive zone—the redeployment of autumn defense troops and provisions.

Wang Pu, following a plan previously discussed with several senior generals, proposed that, given the pressure on the northern front, part of the forces should be drawn from each army to strengthen the defense of strategic passes such as Hukou Pass, while provisions should be uniformly allocated, prioritizing the front lines.

This in itself is a standard procedure.

But when it comes to implementation, the contradiction erupts immediately.

The finance official in charge of the specific allocation plan presented the document.

A commander from Zhao Kuangyin's side, after reading it, immediately frowned, stepped forward and said:

"Master Wang, generals,"

"This plan seems unfair."

"Why does my infantry left wing need to draw two divisions, while the Jing'an Army only draws one?"

"Regarding provisions, my unit must hand over thirty percent of its stores, while the Luo River side only needs to contribute ten percent?"

He swept his gaze toward Chen Wen, his tone laced with obvious dissatisfaction.

"The Luo River troops are elite and well-supplied, known to all."

"At this critical juncture, they ought to bear more of the burden for the greater good."

Before his words had even finished, Shi Dun could no longer contain himself, craning his neck and shouting:

"Nonsense!"

"We old-timers guard the north, directly facing the Khitan troops, bearing the greatest pressure!"

"Last time at Hui Lang Pass, it was we who fought!"

"When Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping was attacked, it was we who defended it!"

"You lot hide in the rear, untouched by wind or rain, and now you complain about contributing too much?"

"You want our men and our grain? Not a chance!"

His voice boomed, making the beams and pillars hum.

Wang Yansheng immediately stepped forward, confronting Shi Dun head-on.

"General Shi! Watch your language!"

"This is a military council, not your personal drill ground!"

"The Luo River region is wealthy; contributing more is simply one's duty!"

"Could it be that the Jing'an Army intends to hold onto its troops and act arrogantly?"

"The four words 'holding onto troops and acting arrogantly' are like a spark flung into an oil pan."

Several commanders behind Chen Wen immediately glared angrily.

The commanders of Zhao Kuangyin's faction also rose to their feet, and the scene instantly bristled with tension.

"Wang Yansheng! You're spitting blood!"

"It's clear you're colluding with the Iron Crow Army, harboring ill intentions!"

Shi Dun pointed at Wang Yansheng's nose and cursed:

"Wang Yansheng! Stop spouting nonsense! Bring evidence!"

"Evidence? The sneaky fellows I killed in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping are the evidence!"

"Evidence? Those sneaky bastards I slaughtered in Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping are the evidence!"

"Enough!"

Wang Pu slammed his hand on the table, his face turning ashen.

Han Tong also bellowed in a low voice:

"Shut up, all of you!"

"What propriety is this!"

Zhang Yongde hurriedly tried to smooth things over:

"Generals, please calm your anger; we're all here for public affairs—why must it come to this?"

Chen Wen remained calm and composed throughout, sitting there as if the argument before him had nothing to do with him.

Only when Wang Pu and Han Tong spoke did he slowly lift his eyelids and glance at Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin was also looking at him.

Their gazes met in midair.

There were no sparks.

Only cold scrutiny and unfathomable calculation.

Chen Wen spoke, his voice not loud but clear enough to rise above all the clamor.

"General Shi, step back."

Shi Dun was still unwilling, but under Chen Wen's gaze he gave a grudging snort and retreated to his seat.

Chen Wen then turned to Wang Pu, Han Tong, and the others, speaking calmly:

"Master Wang, General Han, General Zhang."

"The autumn defense is of great importance; I am fully aware."

"However, the Luo River defense line is long, directly facing the Khitan cavalry, and the pressure is indeed extraordinary."

However, the Luo River defense line is long and stretched; facing the Khitan Cavalry, the pressure is indeed extraordinary.

The last ambush, though we fortunately suffered a defeat, also proved that the enemy army's intent to destroy us is not dead.

If we now further weaken Luo River's forces and draw out too much grain, I fear the defense line may be lost; by then it will be too late to regret.

His tone was calm, yet reasonable and well-founded.

As for provisions,

He paused, then continued.

Luo River does have reserves, but most are from last year and this spring, painstakingly gathered civilian grain and community granary stores to cope with the Imperial Court's increased taxes and possible famine.

If large amounts are diverted, what will happen if an emergency arises? How will the three counties' people feed themselves? Where will the refugees be settled?

An army without provisions will scatter; a people without food will rebel.

You all surely understand this reasoning better than I.

He never mentioned Zhao Kuangyin, only stating Luo River's difficulties and importance.

He turned the accusation of 'holding troops for self-importance' into a reasonable concern for defense and livelihood.

Wang Pu fell silent, pondering.

Han Tong and Zhang Yongde also showed thoughtful expressions.

What Chen Wen said was indeed the truth.

Luo River's defensive pressure and the results of its internal governance are plain for all to see.

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin realized he could not let Chen Wen keep the moral high ground.

He rose to his feet, cupped his fists toward Wang Pu and the others, and spoke in a sorrowful tone:

"Mr. Wang, generals,"

"Defense Commissioner Chen's words are not without reason."

"But now the lord is gravely ill, the state is in dire straits, and we officials must unite and cooperate to overcome these troubled times."

"If everyone clings to their own posts, sparing troops and provisions, then what becomes of the greater situation? Where is the dignity of the Imperial Court?"

He shifted the concept, elevating the specific dispute over provisions to the level of 'loyalty to the ruler and service to the state.'

"I, Kuangyin, am lacking talent, but I wish to squeeze out half of my infantry's grain stores from my own reserves and submit it to the overall coordination to meet the larger situation!"

He appeared as one who sacrifices personal interests for the greater good, enduring hardship.

His declaration immediately prompted the generals behind him to echo in agreement.

"Commander Zhao, noble and righteous!"

"Exactly! We must put the greater situation first!"

The pressure shifted back to Chen Wen once again.

Everyone's gaze focused on him.

Watch how he responds to this coercion in the name of loyalty and righteousness.

Chen Wen snorted coldly inside.

Zhao Kuangyin's move is nothing but advancing by retreating: he gains reputation while putting Chen Wen over a fire.

If he insists on not giving, he is disregarding the greater situation.

If he gives, he harms himself to benefit others, especially Zhao Kuangyin.

He slowly rose, his gaze sweeping over the assembly, finally settling on Zhao Kuangyin.

"Commander Zhao understands the greater righteousness; I, Chen, admire him."

"Since Commander Zhao is willing to contribute an extra half of his grain stores,"

He shifted his tone.

"Our Luo River is not oblivious to the greater situation."

"Let's do this,"

He seemed to have made a difficult decision.

"The Peaceful Army can spare another unit of troops to assist in defending Gu Pass."

"As for provisions,"

He looked toward Wang Pu.

"Luo River can contribute another five thousand shi of grain, but it must be delivered directly to the troops guarding Gu Pass, with General Han Tong assigning personnel to receive it, dedicated exclusively to that purpose, to ensure it truly goes to frontier defense."

"How about that?"

By making this concession, he demonstrated 'sacrificing for the greater good' while cleverly avoiding the possibility of handing the provisions over to Zhao Kuangyin or his allies.

He sent the grain directly to the frontier troops under General Han Tong, who is not aligned with Zhao Kuangyin and is relatively neutral.

This move both silenced everyone, actually protected his own interests, and subtly drove a wedge between Han Tong and Zhao Kuangyin.

Wang Pu glanced at Zhao Kuangyin's somewhat grim face, then at Han Tong's expressionless visage, and inwardly sighed.

"Thus... very good."

"Then let us follow Defense Commissioner Chen's proposal."

A disturbance, temporarily quelled.

But everyone knows that the confrontation between Chen Wen and Zhao Kuangyin has been fully exposed to the public, with no room for compromise left.

The meeting ended in an even more eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

Chen Wen and Zhao Kuangyin almost simultaneously rose and walked toward the door.

At the doorway, they encountered each other again.

Zhao Kuangyin's steps faltered slightly; he turned his head to look at Chen Wen, squeezed out a faint smile, and lowered his voice:

"Brother Wenzhong, fine tactics."

Chen Wen returned a calm gaze and said lightly:

"Tit for tat."

"Yuan Lang, you're quite scheming."

Their gazes collided again.

This time, it seemed icy sparks flew out.

Immediately, each turned and went their separate ways.

Clear-cut.