Chapter 221: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wen's words fell, and in the Chongzheng Hall it seemed as if even the air had frozen.

Everyone's gaze focused on him, awaiting his final decision.

Whether war, peace, defense, or offense, all would hinge on this young emperor's single thought.

I, have decided……

Chen Wen's voice was resolute and decisive, breaking the suffocating silence.

Not only must we fight, we must fight fiercely, we must fight painfully, we must make Yelu Tali, we must make the Khitan from top to bottom, and we must make all the monsters spying on my Great Chen in the darkness see clearly——

His gaze was sharp as a blade, slowly sweeping over every civil and military official present.

Those who invade our territory, no matter how far, shall be punished; those who harm our people, blood debt shall be repaid in blood!

Your Majesty is sage!

Shi Dun was the first to shout excitedly, his face filled with fervent fighting spirit.

Although Han Tong and Zhang Yongde were not as outwardly expressive as Shi Dun, their eyes also showed agreement and resolve.

The emperor's attitude was so firm, exactly to the liking of these military generals.

However, among the civil officials, a clear divergence appeared.

Wang Pu slightly nodded, obviously supporting the emperor's decision.

However, another elderly minister who had been urgently summoned, the Vice Minister of Revenue Zhou Wang, who temporarily took over part of the duties of Sun Jian after he was dismissed for raising objections over grain supplies, showed a worried expression and could not help but step forward to admonish.

Your Majesty!

Zhou Wang bowed and spoke, his voice urgent.

Your Majesty wishes to exalt the nation's prestige; this old minister feels the same.

Then, as the saying goes, war is a state's greatest matter, the ground of life and death, the path of survival or ruin, and must not be neglected.

He raised his hand and pointed to the vast northern border on the map.

The Khitan cavalry, coming and going like the wind, their combat strength cannot be underestimated.

Our troops have just been reorganized, their strength not yet restored; the treasury is still empty, grain transport difficult; moreover, internal worries remain unresolved……

He paused, then glanced meaningfully toward Qian Gui, clearly referring to the Iron Crow Army and internal instability factors.

If we now launch a major campaign, marching deep into the northern frontier, first, the outcome is uncertain; second, the cost would be enormous; third, it might give the enemy an opportunity to exploit!

I hope Your Majesty will reconsider; perhaps we could send envoys to rebuke them, strengthen border defenses, wait until our national strength is ample, then plan later measures without delay.

His remarks represented the concerns of a considerable portion of civil officials, especially those in charge of finance and logistics.

The new dynasty has just been established, with many affairs awaiting initiation; indeed it cannot withstand the turmoil of a large-scale war.

Vice Minister Zhou's words are mistaken!

Wang Pu immediately spoke to refute, his voice clear and logic lucid.

Precisely because the new dynasty has just been established, we must not show weakness!

The Khitan have this time invaded the border, slaughtering soldiers and civilians, looting the populace; if our court merely sends envoys to rebuke and strengthens border defenses, in the eyes of the world, how is that different from cowardice?

Then, not only will the Khitan become more aggressive, but also Northern Han, Southern Tang, Western Shu, and even those domestic military governors with ulterior motives—who would still regard our Great Chen as significant?

Once national prestige is lost, the people's hearts will scatter; only then will we face true internal and external crisis, as perilous as a stack of eggs.

He turned toward Chen Wen and made a deep bow.

Your Majesty, this war concerns the nation's fate and the people's hearts; we must fight, and we must win!

Only thus can we deter both inside and out, and consolidate our foundation!

Minister Wang! Winning? Easier said than done!

Zhou Wang's emotions also became somewhat agitated.

Campaigning beyond the frontier, the supply lines are long, the terrain unfamiliar, the climate unsuitable—these are all our army's shortcomings!

If the war drags on and we get stuck in a quagmire, how can the recently improved grain transport and the displaced persons in various regions awaiting relief be sustained?

The two civil officials each held to their own opinion, arguing without cease.

The military officers mostly showed impatience, feeling that the civil officials were overly hesitant.

Chen Wen did not interrupt their debate, merely listening quietly.

Only when both sides paused temporarily did he speak slowly, his voice steady yet carrying undeniable authority.

Minister Zhou's concerns are the words of an experienced statesman counseling the nation; I am greatly reassured.

He first affirmed Zhou Wang's starting point, easing the old minister's countenance somewhat.

Minister Wang's argument is a strategy of deep foresight; it is also what I have in mind.

He again affirmed Wang Pu's strategic vision.

Then.

Chen Wen shifted his tone, stood up, and walked to the map once more.

I, when did I ever say that we must launch a great army to campaign far into the northern frontier and wage a fateful war with the Khitan?

Upon these words, everyone was stunned.

If we do not fight a war of national fate, how can we 'fight fiercely, fight painfully'?

Chen Wen's finger precisely pointed to the locations of those villages mentioned in the military report where the deaths were bizarre and fragments of Nether Energy Crystal Ore were found.

Yelu Tali's border incursion this time is certainly not ordinary.

His forces mix in strange beings; his aim is likely not merely the simple plunder of people and livestock.

His gaze grew deep.

They are probing, probing my attitude, probing the new dynasty's bottom line, and furthermore seeking some……thing they need, or an opportunity.

Although he did not explicitly mention the Iron Crow Army, everyone present among the core personnel already understood implicitly.

Therefore, my decision is——

Chen Wen's voice was resonant and powerful.

"We will not mobilize the whole nation for a distant expedition, but we will strike with thunderous force, carrying out a limited, precise retaliatory strike!"

"The target is not Yelü Taliè's main force, nor is it the Khitan court."

His finger traced along near the border line.

"But rather this enemy army that dared to invade my territory, slaughter my people, and collude with demons itself!"

"Do they think they can just loot, kill, and then pat their backs and run back to the steppes?"

Chen Wen's mouth curled into a cold, thin arc.

"I, I want them to know that Great Chen's border is not a pasture where they can come and go as they please!"

"I want this two-thousand-strong Khitan cavalry to pay tenfold, a hundredfold for everything they have done!"

"I want Yelü Taliè to watch with his own eyes how his elite force is devoured bite by bite on the border by my troops!"

"I also want everyone to see what fate awaits those who oppose Great Chen and collude with the rats in the gutters!"

These murderous words made the blood of all the generals in the hall heat up, and even Han Tong and Zhang Yongde's eyes flashed with sharp light.

As for the civil officials, like Zhou Wang, although they still felt it was risky, hearing that it was not a nationwide war but a limited, precise strike, they felt somewhat reassured and began to consider its feasibility.

"Shi Dun, hear my order!"

Chen Wen no longer hesitated and began to appoint officers.

"The subordinate is here!"

Shi Dun stepped forward in large strides, his voice like a great bell.

"I command you to immediately select fifteen hundred elite cavalry from the Imperial Guard, choosing the bravest, most skilled in horse archery, and most familiar with the northern terrain veterans!"

Chen Wen ordered.

"Give yourself three days to prepare, carry ten days' dry rations, and travel light with minimal entourage."

"Your mission is not to seek out Yelü Taliè's main force for a decisive battle, but to act like a hound, clamping down firmly on this invading Khitan cavalry for me!"

"Find them, entangle them, wear them down!"

Chen Wen's gaze was sharp.

"I will personally go to the front lines to supervise the battle, and then I will personally bestow divine power upon you to deliver a lethal blow to the enemy!"

"Before that, steady as she goes; do not be greedy for merit and rashly advance!"

"The subordinate receives the order!"

Shi Dun's face flushed red with excitement, the emperor will personally come to the front lines and promised to personally bestow ability.

This is likewise a great trust and encouragement!

"Han Tong, Zhang Yongde!"

"Your servant is here!"

The two responded in unison.

"You two will hold Bian Liang, assist Shi Dun in allocating troops, weapons, and grain, ensuring the rear is worry-free."

"At the same time, strictly monitor the Northern Han direction, absolutely not allowing them to take advantage of an opening!"

"We, your servants, obey the order!"

"Qian Gui!"

"Your servant is here!"

Qian Gui responded like a ghost.

"Your Inspection Bureau must deploy all covert lines in the northern frontier to provide Shi Dun's unit with the most precise intelligence support."

Chen Wen's gaze was icy cold.

"Especially regarding the movements of that Khitan cavalry, and…… the traces of those 'aberrations' mingling among them."

"As soon as anything is discovered, immediately transmit it to Shi Dun at the fastest speed."

"I need to know what exactly they intend to do."

"Yes!"

Qian Gui gave a brief assent, his figure seeming to fade a bit more.

"Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, Zhou Wang."

Chen Wen looked toward the civil officials.

"Logistics coordination, grain transport, conscript allocation, and the reception and pacification of the border prefectures shall be handled by you."

"I want this operation to be swift, accurate, and ruthless, absolutely no dragging feet!"

"We, your servants, receive the order!"

Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu responded solemnly.

Zhou Wang, seeing the emperor's decision was set and not a blind reckless war, could only bow and accept the order, silently praying for everything to go smoothly.

Orders poured forth like mercury from the Chongzheng Hall.

The entire war machine of Bian Liang began to revolve around the emperor's formulated "limited precise strike" strategy, operating efficiently.

A bloody counterstrike against the Khitan provocation is about to unfold on the beacon towers of the northern frontier.

Everyone could feel that the new emperor's will, like a sword drawn from its sheath, shone with cold, sharp light, pointing straight north.