Chapter 91: First Look at the Army·Undercurrents Surge

The drill field outside Chan Prefecture.

It far surpasses the level earthen ground cleared from the hillside at Jiao Tu Zhen.

The surface, compacted repeatedly with loess mixed with fine sand, is flat and hard, able to withstand the trampling of tens of thousands of troops.

Tall flagpoles stand all around.

The banners representing Military Governor Chai Rong's status and his various subordinate units flutter in the wind.

The morning sunlight spills down, gilding this solemn ground with a golden edge.

Yet it cannot dispel the bleak aura that permeates the air, a mix of sweat, leather, and steel.

Today Chai Rong deliberately changed into a light uniform, forgoing bright armor.

He wore only a dark leather jerkin, which made him look more capable.

He personally brought Chen Wen here to observe the daily drills of the Later Zhou army.

His intention is self-evident

——to let Chen Wen understand his strength,

and also to formally recommend this newly arrived "honored guest" to the troops.

On the drill field, thousands of soldiers, under their respective officers, are conducting maneuvers.

The infantry formations shout their cadence, advancing and retreating in order, spears like a forest.

At the command they thrust and withdraw in unison;

the archers draw and release, the whizzing of arrows piercing the air unceasing.

Soon the arrow racks in the distance are densely filled with shafts;

moreover, several hundred cavalry ride back and forth within the demarcated area,

practicing flanking, encircling, and charging tactics.

The sound of hooves rolls like distant thunder, coming and going in waves.

The military bearing is strict, morale high.

Chen Wen observes silently, inwardly nodding.

Chai Rong's governance of troops is indeed as famed.

These soldiers move with practiced ease, obey orders without question—clearly they train hard daily, far from a rabble.

Especially the several units flying different banners.

Whether it is the soldiers' spirit or the completeness of their equipment,

they are conspicuously a cut above, likely the army's elite shock troops.

"Mr. Chen, how do you find our drills?"

Chai Rong asks with a smile beside him, his tone carrying a barely perceptible pride.

He is quite confident in the army he himself built.

"Orders are obeyed, discipline strict—Lord, your command of troops is truly remarkable."

Chen Wen praises sincerely.

"Especially those elite units, they can be called tiger warriors."

He points to several spots in the field.

Chai Rong follows his finger, his appreciative gaze deepening:

"You have keen eyes, sir."

"The black‑flag unit is my personal cavalry, Commander Han Tong, fiery in nature and most valiant."

"The red‑flag infantry is Commander Zhang Yongde, steady and skilled at defense, also a capable officer."

He introduces Chen Wen to his officers and the characteristics of their units one by one.

Evidently he already regards Chen Wen as a trusted confidant who may participate in core military affairs.

However.

This scene, seen by the officers resting or awaiting drill at the edge of the field,

elicits quite another feeling.

Chai Rong personally accompanies a strange young man, pointing and commenting on the drill field.

His attitude is intimate, their conversation lively—this is naturally eye‑catching.

And when some well‑informed officers inquire,

they learn that this person is someone the Lord has recently highly praised, even calling him a "lifesaver."

As soon as he arrives, he is treated as an honored guest—that "Chen Wen."

Various complex glances are then cast upon him.

Curiosity, scrutiny, bewilderment……and!

Unconcealed contempt and disobedience.

Especially when Chai Rong brings Chen Wen near a formation practicing sword‑and‑shield coordination.

The officer in charge of that formation, a bearded commander,

merely clasped his fists casually and shouted, "Lord!"

His gaze then shamelessly fell on Chen Wen, scanning him up and down.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly downward, bearing the arrogance of an old campaigner.

"Commander Li, hard work on the drill."

Chai Rong seemed not to notice the other's rudeness, greeting him blandly.

"Just doing my duty."

That Li Commander replied in a muffled voice, then turned his gaze toward Chen Wen.

His tone carried a hint of provocation.

"Envoy, this is the Mr. Chen you often mentioned?"

"He looks quite young; I wonder which military family he comes from?"

"Or perhaps he is a disciple of some eminent scholar?"

"This lowly officer is ignorant; I've never heard of him."

That question was extremely rude, the implication being a doubt of Chen Wen's background and qualifications.

They thought he owed his sudden promotion only to some obscure connection or lucky break in saving the Envoy.

Chai Rong's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

But he did not flare up, merely saying lightly:

"Mr. Chen is a disciple of a hermit, versed in strategy!"

"He also possesses the courage to stand against ten thousand, a true talent, not comparable to ordinary military families."

He did not elaborate, instead adding an air of mystery.

Upon hearing that, Li Commander gave a couple of dry, heh‑heh laughs.

He said no more, but the disbelief and contempt in his eyes grew ever more obvious.

His troops seemed to sense their general's attitude as well.

Their gazes toward Chen Wen also took on a strange quality.

Similar scenes occurred several more times as they observed other units.

Not all officers were as direct as that Li Commander.

Yet that invisible barrier and scrutiny were like cold walls, everywhere.

Some senior officers with illustrious battle records.

Such as the Commander of the Horse Army, Han Tong, who merely gave a distant salute to Chai Rong.

They didn't even glance at Chen Wen a second time, their arrogance palpable even from afar.

Chen Wen took it all in, fully aware.

I, this "airborne officer," have no illustrious lineage nor notable battlefield achievements.

Relying solely on the Envoy's favor to gain rank, among those hardened officers who climbed step by step through sword and spear,

it is naturally hard to win their respect!

This is neither right nor wrong; it is simply the norm in the army.

Chai Rong obviously realized this as well.

As the observation drew to a close, he deliberately brought Chen Wen to the high platform at the center of the drill ground.

Before the many officers and soldiers gathering and preparing for inspection,

he raised his voice and proclaimed loudly:

"Comrades!"

His voice echoed over the drill ground, drawing everyone's attention.

"Today, I wish to recommend a talent to you all!"

He stepped aside, bringing Chen Wen to the front.

"This is Chen Wen, Mr. Chen!

"Mr. Chen not only saved my life, but also harbors plans to pacify the nation!"

"He possesses the courage to seize an enemy general's head amidst ten thousand troops!"

"In the recent battle at Zhang Family Settlement, Mr. Chen led five attendants and joined forces with our unit."

"He wiped out over thirty Khitan elite cavalry, rescuing the populace from fire and flood!"

"Such talent entering our Chan Prefecture is a blessing for our army and for Chan Prefecture itself!"

Chai Rong's voice rose with fervor, his praise for Chen Wen reaching its peak.

He deliberately emphasized Chen Wen's martial prowess and achievements.

This was an attempt to vindicate Chen Wen using the martial strength most valued by the army.

Yet the effect seemed not entirely as he had wished.

The officers and soldiers below, upon hearing "wiped out over thirty Khitan cavalry,"

indeed caused a stir and murmurs, their gazes at Chen Wen gaining a touch of astonishment.

But after the astonishment, many veterans and hardened officers' eyes grew more complex.

"Five against thirty, and still Khitan elite cavalry?"

Such a feat sounds almost too shocking, bordering on legendary.

Instead, it arouses suspicion.

——Is the Envoy exaggerating, or does this person truly possess unfathomable, god‑like ability?

If the latter, that would be simply inconceivable.

Especially the Commander of the Horse Army, Han Tong, who crossed his arms and let out a cold snort.

Though he said nothing, his face practically wrote "I don't believe it."

Chai Rong took in the crowd's reaction, knowing that mere words could not win everyone over.

But he didn't mind; all he wanted was a title.

A beginning that would lift Chen Wen high and bring him into everyone's sight.

The rest, he believed, Chen Wen could prove on his own.

「Effective immediately, Mr. Chen shall participate in military affairs; all of you must treat him with the respect due a teacher! 」

Chai Rong finally issued a command that rang out.

「We will obey the Commander's order! 」

From below the platform rose a scattered, uneven chorus of assent.

The inspection ended, and the officers dispersed.

Chen Wen could clearly feel countless gazes like thorns stabbing his back.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, dissent, and moreover a strong sense of challenge.

「In the army, the rough heroes only recognize strength; Brother Chen need not worry. 」

Chai Rong patted Chen Wen's shoulder and said reassuringly.

Yet his eyes held encouragement.

「True gold fears no fire; I believe your talent will surely win over everyone. 」

Chen Wen smiled faintly, his expression calm and undisturbed:

「Commander, rest assured, Chen Wen understands. 」

He certainly understood.

The waters of the Chen Prefecture army are deeper than imagined.

In the days to come, things will likely not be too peaceful.

But this suits him just fine; if there were no place to display his abilities,

How could he then truly find firm footing in this tiger-and-wolf army?

Undercurrents have already begun to surge; he need only wait for the right moment, then he can ride the wind and break the waves.