Chapter 192: Volunteer to Take the Front

Peaceful Army's main camp was now a bustling scene of solemn activity.

Shouts rose, horses neighed, and armor clashed.

Under the effect of 'broadly endowed 8x', the entire Jun Ying operated like a precise machine, highly efficient.

Auxiliary soldiers and laborers loaded bundles of arrows, stacks of shields, and sacks of provisions onto carts, moving swiftly and orderly.

The artisans were finally inspecting the armaments, especially the new infantry armor and divine-strength crossbows, ensuring nothing would go wrong.

Inside the commander's large tent, the atmosphere was even more solemn.

A huge sand table of the Fangkou Ridge and surrounding terrain had been brought in, with small flags representing enemy and allied forces planted on it.

The red flags of the Northern Han–Khitan allied forces were thick as a swarm of blood‑thirsty locusts, pressing north of Fangkou Ridge.

The blue flags representing the defending forces looked isolated and perilous before the vast red expanse.

Chen Wen stood before the sand table, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

Shi Dun, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Qian Gui, Zhao Lao Nian and other core members stood solemnly at the flanks.

"The situation is worse than expected."

Qian Gui pointed at the sand table, his voice heavy.

"Northern Han has mobilized its entire force this time, with Liu Min personally commanding the central army."

"Under Khitan general Yelü Taliè, at least five thousand elite palace‑camp troops are cavalry, formidable in combat."

"The defender of Fangkou Ridge, Wang Rao, is a tough man, but the disparity in forces is too great; it's hard to say how long he can hold out."

Shi Dun stared at the sea of red flags; his eyes held no fear, only burning battle fervor.

"My lord! Give me five thousand—no, three thousand Peaceful Army!"

"I will surely chop off the heads of the northern barbarians and pile them at the mouth of Fangkou Ridge!"

Chen Wen ignored Shi Dun's request for battle, his finger pointing to several locations behind and to the side of Fangkou Ridge on the sand table.

"With the enemy forces strong, a head‑on assault would play right into their hands."

"Our advantage lies in equipment, training, and…… speed."

He raised his head and looked at the crowd.

"Issue the order: the entire army will advance lightly and swiftly, carrying only ten days' rations; the heavy baggage will be transported by rear units."

"The objective is not to hold the Fangkou Ridge gate city to the death."

"But rather here, Black Pine Ridge, and here, Wolf Ravine."

His finger pointed to two strategic spots behind the pass.

"These two places are rugged, positioned to block the enemy's possible detour routes, and they also overlook the main battlefield of Fangkou Ridge."

"If our army seizes these spots first, we can form a pincer with the garrison inside the pass."

"Advancing, we can wait for an opportunity to strike, harass the enemy's flanks, and cut their supply lines."

"Retreating, we can hold the strategic points and prevent the enemy from penetrating deeper."

"Only in this way can we seize the initiative and keep it in our own hands."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"This is indeed a risky move, but also a brilliant one that can maximize the Peaceful Army's elite qualities and mobility."

"Directly entering the pass city would be steady, yet it would also be easy to be surrounded by the large army."

"Occupying the outer strategic points, however, allows far greater flexibility."

"My lord, your wisdom is outstanding!"

Zhang Cheng was the first to agree.

"Just… the supply line…"

"I will personally coordinate the supply line."

Wang Ru said solemnly, her voice clear and firm.

"The three counties of Luo Chuan have already activated emergency grain mobilization, ensuring smooth subsequent supplies."

"Good."

Chen Wen nodded, turning his gaze to Zhao Lao Nian.

"Supervisor Zhao, regarding armaments, especially the crossbow bolts, they must be sufficient."

"My lord, rest assured!"

Zhao Lao Nian slapped his chest.

"The artificers' workshop works day and night—we'll have enough!"

Finally, Chen Wen turned his gaze to Qian Gui.

"Qian Gui, your Inspection Bureau must keep its eyes sharp."

"I need to know every move of each enemy detachment, the commanders' habits and temperaments, even when they light their fires to cook!"

"Understood!"

Qian Gui bowed, accepted the order, his silhouette flashed, and he had already left the great tent to make arrangements.

With the order issued, the entire Peaceful Army was like a swiftly drawn strong bow, its arrows pointing north.

……

However, before Chen Wen's army could set out, the second order from the military governor's mansion arrived.

The order was brought by an unfamiliar clerk, his attitude arrogant.

"Mr. Wang has issued an order: please, Commander Chen, delay your advance slightly; wait for Generals Han and Zhang to gather their reinforcements, then move north together to ensure utmost safety."

The tent fell silent in an instant.

Shi Dun's eyes widened, he was about to erupt, but Chen Wen stopped him with a glance.

Chen Wen's expression remained calm as he gazed at the clerk.

"The military situation is urgent; Gongkou Pass is in imminent danger, and even a moment's delay could cause the gate to be lost."

"This order, was it spoken personally by Mr. Wang?"

The clerk felt a bit uneasy under Chen Wen's gaze, but he forced himself to hold steady.

"Naturally, it is Mr. Wang's intention."

"Defense Commissioner Chen Wen, do you intend to defy the order?"

Chen Wen snorted coldly in his heart.

"This is certainly not what Mr. Wang Pu meant."

"Clearly, it is Bian Liang's side, or certain individuals within Chan Zhou, who do not wish to see him gain further military merit, nor do they want him to solely command the northern front's troops; thus, under the pretext of 'stability,' they actually seek to restrain him."

"If we truly wait for Han Tong and Zhang Yongde's armies to slowly finish gathering, Gongkou Pass will likely have already changed hands."

"By then, the northern barbarians will occupy the advantageous terrain, their blades pointed straight at the heart of North River; to think of recovering then, the cost would be far more than tenfold!"

He drew a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his chest.

"Envoy, please return and report to Mr. Wang."

"Chen Wen, having received the order to resist the enemy abroad, I dare not be lax for even a moment."

"If Gongkou Pass is lost, the gate of North River will swing wide open, and we shall all be culpable."

"Therefore, the troops have already set out; it is difficult to recall them."

"All responsibility shall be borne solely by Chen Wen!"

The clerk's face changed.

"Defense Commissioner Chen Wen, you..."

"See the guest out!"

Chen Wen said no more, turned, and walked toward the sand table.

Two personal guards stepped forward, making a gestural invitation to the clerk with expressionless faces.

Seeing this, the clerk knew further words were useless and reluctantly left.

"My lord, this..."

Zhang Cheng's face showed worry.

"I fear that Bian Liang and the Regional Command will seize this opportunity to make a big fuss."

"We can't worry about that anymore."

Chen Wen didn't even lift his head, his fingers moving across the sand table.

"First, we must win this battle and survive; only then do we have the right to discuss the future."

"If we lose, everything is over."

He looked at the assembled officers, his voice ringing like metal striking metal.

"According to the original plan, march out immediately!"

"Yes!"

The officers shouted their assent in unison, with no further dissent.

……

At the same time, Zhao Kuangyin's residence.

He also received a similar notice ordering him to hold his troops and await further orders.

The difference was that the order was delivered by a trusted elderly aide of Wang Pu, whose tone was much gentler.

After respectfully seeing off the elderly aide, Zhao Kuangyin's face instantly darkened.

He returned to the hall and kicked over the table before him with a sudden strike.

Cups, plates, and tea bowls shattered across the floor.

"Chen! Wen! Zhong!"

He growled low, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins and uncontrollable jealousy.

"On what grounds?"

"On what grounds does Chen Wen alone take charge of the northern front's warfare?"

"And yet I must idle here, serving as that damned reserve unit?"

"Is it because he saved the emperor's carriage at the Battle of Gaoping? Is it because his Jing'an Army can fight?"

"Elder brother, please calm your anger."

The trusted officer beside him whispered advice.

"Perhaps Mr. Wang's arrangement is also because he values the elder brother, keeping him as a killer's mace."

"Damn the killer's mace!"

Zhao Kuangyin shouted angrily.

"He simply doesn't trust me! He fears my achievements will be too great, overshadowing his Chen Wen Zhong!"

He panted heavily, his chest rising and falling violently.

A feeling of being slighted, suppressed, and marginalized nearly consumed him.

He recalled the icy yet tempting words of the Iron Crow Army envoy.

"General Zhao, to achieve great things, how can one merely endure?"

"The moment must be seized by oneself..."

A dangerous notion took root and grew wildly in his mind.

……

Outside the great camp of Jing'an Army.

The troops had assembled, standing silently.

Black armor glowed with a faint light in the evening sky, like a silent forest.

Spears stood like a forest, blades brighter than snow.

An invisible killing intent spread; even the air seemed to congeal.

Chen Wen mounted his horse and stood before the troops.

His gaze swept over faces that were resolute, young, or weathered.

These people were the ones who entrusted their lives and futures to him.

They were his foothold in this chaotic world.

He drew a deep breath, drew his sword, and pointed toward the gloomy northern horizon.

"Depart!"

There was no rousing rally, just those two simple words.

Yet they weighed as much as a thousand jun.

The great army moved forward like a black torrent, silently and resolutely surging northward, surging toward the battlefield soon to be dyed red with blood and fire.

Chen Wen reined his horse to the roadside, watching the troops pass before his eyes.

At the bottom of his vision, that azure progress bar, at the moment the troops set out, seemed to twitch forward a little.