Chapter 75
The scouts' report was like a thousand-ton stone dropped onto the calm lake surface of Jiao Tu Zhen.
The news brought by the scouts was like a thousand-jin stone thrown onto the calm lake surface of Jiao Tu Zhen.
The news brought by the scouts was like a thousand-jin stone thrown onto the calm lake surface of Jiao Tu Zhen.
We'll produce each line.
Let's do them one by one.
【1】 The news brought by the scouts was like a thousand-jin stone thrown onto the calm lake surface of Jiao Tu Zhen.
The shadow of collusion between Northern Han and the Iron Crow Army is no longer a distant speculation.
It has become an actual, pressing threat, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.
After the meeting at the Garrison Headquarters ended, an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Like an invisible whip, it drove the entire town to operate at unprecedented efficiency.
Zhang Cheng was practically nailed to the drill ground of the Elite Soldiers Battalion.
The original training subjects were added again, and the intensity of confrontational drills was raised to near actual combat.
He even personally went onto the field, fighting and polishing with the elites who had rapidly grown under Chen Wen's Ability Granting, often adding new wounds to his body.
He wanted to ensure that when real battle came, this sword could be drawn instantly and seal the throat upon seeing blood.
The shouts of killing and the sharp clashing of weapons on the drill ground continued day and night.
It became the most majestic and reassuring war song of Jiao Tu Zhen.
Shi Dun's Construction Bureau turned into a massive arsenal.
All non-essential civilian production was halted; all iron, wood, and leather were prioritized for military equipment manufacturing.
In the blacksmith's shop, the furnace blazed fiercely; artisans worked in shifts, and the clanging sounds merged into a constant din.
New-type strong crossbows, tougher armor plates, and defensive equipment prepared for possible siege warfare.
Were continuously produced, inspected, and stored.
The air was filled with the smell of charcoal and metal.
It seemed as if the whole town was breathing steel in preparation for a great war.
Aunt Wang-led Internal Affairs Bureau faced even more complicated challenges.
She needed to coordinate the growing grain reserves, ensuring sufficient rations for the town's thousands in case of siege.
She needed to organize women to make bandages and stockpile medicinal herbs for possible casualties.
She also needed to calm the somewhat restless hearts due to the tense atmosphere.
Especially ensuring that the newly attached refugees and surrendered troops would not cause internal disorder.
She displayed astonishing organizational ability, managing all affairs in orderly fashion.
Like a precise gear, she silently supported the operation of the entire war machine.
Qian Gui's Inspection Bureau went completely underground.
More capable scouts were dispatched to the outskirts, focusing on monitoring information flow toward Northern Han.
As well as any movements of the Piercing Mountain Leopard forces.
They disguised themselves as merchants, refugees, and woodcutters, hiding at key road nodes and towns.
They did their utmost to catch any sign before the storm arrived.
Information flowed like a trickling stream, continually converging toward the hub of Jiao Tu Zhen.
Chen Wen's figure became even busier.
He not only had to oversee the whole situation and coordinate all parties, but also think of a way to break the deadlock.
He again shut himself inside the Garrison Headquarters, pondering over that map for a long time.
The union of Northern Han and the Iron Crow Army far surpassed Jiao Tu Zhen in strength; a head-on clash would be like striking a stone with an egg.
Hold out for reinforcements? Who could come to aid?
The Later Han Court itself is unable to cope; surrounding powers all have ulterior motives, and might even throw stones into the well.
The only glimmer of hope.
Seems to be nothing but that name on the map's southwest direction—Chai Rong.
The envoy's words echoed again in his ears:
"Strict military governance, honoring the wise and humble... the model of northern frontier prefectures."
In this chaotic world where human lives are like grass,
a person known for "strict military governance, honoring the wise and humble"
must have a character and ambition utterly different from Liu Du Tou, the Piercing Mountain Leopard, and even the Northern Han Liu Chong crowd.
He might be, in this dark chaotic age, truly worthy of allegiance and capable of bringing order and peace—the "wise lord".
He might be the one truly worthy of allegiance in this dark, chaotic age, capable of bringing order and peace—the "Bright Lord".
The fate of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Jiao Tu Zhen cannot be entrusted to rumor.
He must personally go to verify and judge.
A few days later, a more detailed plan formed in Chen Wen's mind.
He again summoned the core members.
"The situation is now clear: Northern Han and the Iron Crow Army have joined forces; their blades point at us; Jiao Tu Zhen is the first to bear the brunt."
Chen Wen spoke bluntly, his voice calm and firm.
"Clinging to an isolated town is not a good strategy."
"We must prepare in advance and seek external aid!"
"Or put another way, we must find a path that allows Jiao Tu Zhen to survive, even to develop and grow."
His gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on the map's southwest direction:
"I decide that after spring plowing affairs are completely settled and internal defense arrangements are made, I will personally go to Chan Prefecture."
This time, no one raised any objection.
The grave situation made everyone understand that the leader's journey concerns survival.
The grave situation made everyone realize that the leader's journey is a matter of life and death.
This trip has three objectives!
This trip has three objectives!
Chen Wen elaborated in detail.
Chen Wen elaborated in detail.
First, to personally verify Chai Rong's true nature, observe the livelihood and military appearance under his rule, and judge whether he can be relied upon.
First, to personally verify Chai Rong's true nature, observe the livelihood and military appearance under his rule, and judge whether he can be relied upon.
Second, if he is truly a wise lord, then we should opportunistically express our intentions for Jiao Tu Zhen; even if we do not immediately bring the town to submit, we must establish contact, leaving room for the future.
Second, if he is truly a wise lord, then we should opportunistically express our intentions for Jiao Tu Zhen; even if we do not immediately bring the town to submit, we must establish contact, leaving room for the future.
Third, along the way we will survey the terrain, understand the true situation of all forces in Zhongyuan, and gather intelligence for our army's possible future actions.
Third, along the way we will survey the terrain, understand the true situation of all forces in Zhongyuan, and gather intelligence for our army's possible future actions.
He looked at Zhang Cheng and the others:
He looked at Zhang Cheng and the others:
After I leave, the town will be entrusted to you.
Translate: "After I leave, the town will be in your hands." Or "After I go, the town will be entrusted to you." Keep tone: "After I leave, the town will be entrusted to you."
The strategy still prioritizes steadiness.
The strategy still prioritizes steadiness.
Keep things tight inside and loose outside; strengthen defenses, but do not provoke.
Keep things tight inside and loose outside; strengthen defenses, but do not provoke.
If the Northern Han or the Iron Crow Army attacks, rely on the fortifications, hold steady and counterattack; above all, preserve our strength.
If the Northern Han or the Iron Crow Army attacks, rely on the fortifications, hold steady and counterattack; above all, preserve our strength.
If things cannot be done…
If things cannot be done…
He paused, his voice solemn.
He paused, his voice solemn.
Depending on the circumstances, we may shift toward Li Family Village, rely on allies, and then make further plans.
Depending on the circumstances, we may shift toward Li Family Village, rely on allies, and then make further plans.
Remember, as long as the green hills remain, we need not fear a lack of firewood.
Remember, as long as the green hills remain, we need not fear a lack of firewood.
Zhang Cheng clasped his fists firmly, his tiger eyes gleaming.
Zhang Cheng clasped his fists firmly, his tiger eyes gleaming.
Chief, rest assured!
Chief, rest assured!
As long as I, Zhang Cheng, have a single breath, I will live and die with Jiao Tu Zhen!
As long as I, Zhang Cheng, have a single breath, I will live and die with Jiao Tu Zhen!
I will surely guard this foundation for you!
I will surely guard this foundation for you!
Aunt Wang, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and others also declared their stance.
Aunt Wang, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and others also declared their stance.
We will surely do our utmost, keep the town running, and await the chief's return.
We will surely do our utmost, keep the town running, and await the chief's return.
The coming days.
The coming days.
Chen Wen, while busily handling all pending matters, made detailed arrangements.
Chen Wen, while busily handling all pending matters, made detailed arrangements.
Meanwhile, he made specific preparations for the journey.
Meanwhile, he made specific preparations for the journey.
He selected five Elite Soldier Battalion members who were the most alert and steady, with extraordinary skills, as his retinue.
He selected five Elite Soldier Battalion members who were the most alert and steady, with extraordinary skills, as his retinue.
All were absolutely reliable confidants.
All were absolutely reliable confidants.
Qian Gui provided several relatively safe routes and communication methods along the way.
Qian Gui provided several relatively safe routes and communication methods along the way.
On a morning when the dawn first broke, all preparations were ready.
On a morning when the dawn first broke, all preparations were ready.
Chen Wen wore a neat martial outfit, over which he draped a plain gray merchant's cloak, concealing the chief's dignity.
Chen Wen wore a neat martial outfit, over which he draped a plain gray merchant's cloak, concealing the chief's dignity.
Zhang Cheng, Aunt Wang, and the other core members saw him off at the town gate.
Zhang Cheng, Aunt Wang, and the other core members saw him off at the town gate.
Ladies and gentlemen, Jiao Tu Zhen is now entrusted to you.
Ladies and gentlemen, Jiao Tu Zhen is now entrusted to you.
Chen Wen looked at the companions before him who had walked together with him from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his heart filled with trust and earnest instructions.
Chen Wen looked at the companions before him who had walked together with him from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his heart filled with trust and earnest instructions.
Chief, take care! Go early, return early!
Chief, take care! Go early, return early!
Everyone bade farewell in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation and determination.
Everyone bade farewell in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation and determination.
Chen Wen nodded, then took one last look at the town waking in the morning light, full of life.
Chen Wen nodded, then took one last look at the town waking in the morning light, full of life.
He resolutely turned around, brought his five attendants, and stepped onto the official road leading to the southwest.
He resolutely turned around, brought his five attendants, and stepped onto the official road leading to the southwest.
His figure quickly vanished into the thin mist and the distance.
His figure quickly vanished into the thin mist and the distance.
The road ahead of this journey is unknown, and fortune and misfortune are hard to predict.
The road ahead of this journey is unknown, and fortune and misfortune are hard to predict.
But rather than sit trapped in a worried city, waiting for disaster to strike, it is better to take the initiative.
But rather than sit trapped in a worried city, waiting for disaster to strike, it is better to take the initiative.
Go into the darkness to seek that sliver of possible light.
Go into the darkness to seek that sliver of possible light.
The fate of Jiao Tu Zhen, and even his own future.
The fate of Jiao Tu Zhen, and even his own future.
All will step forward with this step, moving toward a completely new stage.
End of Chapter
