Chapter 93: Chai Rong's Decision·Overcoming All Opposition

The argument inside the Military Commissioner's Office study quickly spread throughout the entire Chan Zhou military and political core circle.

Chen Wen's 'unorthodox' drilling strategy.

And Chai Rong's decision to finally support its implementation caused a major uproar among the generals and staff.

Although the formal order had not yet been issued, various voices of opposition and doubt had already been gathered before Chai Rong through various channels.

A group of fierce generals led by Commander-in-Chief of the Horse Army Han Tong showed the most intense attitude.

Han Tong even disregarded the guards' obstruction and directly requested an audience with Chai Rong.

His dark face flushed with excitement:

"Lord!"

"I, your humble subordinate, speak frankly: that Chen Wen has an obscure background, and his words and deeds are even more bizarre!"

"Let the soldiers do as they please? Simulate a bloody battlefield?"

"This is not drilling, but child's play, the way to ruin an army!"

"Three hundred new recruits may not be many, but they are fed by Chan Zhou's grain supplies; how can we entrust them to a reckless person to be wantonly wasted, merely consuming grain and money?"

"I, your humble subordinate, earnestly beg the Lord to withdraw the order!"

The Commander of the Infantry Army Zhang Yongde, although not as fierce as Han Tong.

but also expressed his concerns in a tactful manner:

"Lord, Mr. Chen may have talent, but the drilling method is the foundation of the army; pulling one thread moves the whole body."

"A sudden change may raise doubts in the army, shaking morale."

"It would be better to let him first serve as a staff advisor; after he truly understands our army's situation, then we can consider it, which would be prudent."

Even some officials who were originally neutral or wait-and-see felt that Chai Rong's move was somewhat risky.

After all, Chen Wen is too young and has no experience.

Relying only on a theory that sounds 'mysterious' and the Lord's trust.

He thus gained independent authority to train troops, which is indeed hard to convince the masses.

In private, discussions were rife, with most holding an unfavorable view.

However.

Faced with these surging waves of opposition, Chai Rong's attitude was unusually firm.

He did not erupt in anger in public.

Instead, he chose to set the tone at a small meeting attended only by a few core staff members such as Wang Pu.

"Gentlemen's worries, how could I not know?"

Chai Rong's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable force.

"Han Tong and Zhang Yongde are both pillars of our army!"

"Their concerns stem from their love for the Chan Zhou army; I am deeply reassured."

He shifted his tone, his eyes turning sharp:

"Then, gentlemen, have you ever considered how our Chan Zhou army, though strong, compares to the Khitan Palace Guard army?"

"How does it compare to the Bian Liang Forbidden Army?"

"How does it compare to the private troops of powerful warlords who have held sway for years?"

"It is only thanks to my and your efforts that we barely have an edge!"

"If we only know how to cling to old laws and dare not step beyond the limits, the ceiling of our Chan Zhou army is clearly visible."

"How can we face future greater storms, how can we bear……greater responsibility?!"

His final words carried deep meaning; those present, such as Wang Pu, naturally understood the ambition contained within.

"This person Chen Wen is indeed beyond ordinary measure."

Chai Rong continued.

"You only see his youth, his lack of experience, and his shocking words."

"Have you ever seen him rally people's hearts in dire straits and found a cause?"

"Have you ever seen him, with five men, nearly annihilate thirty Khitan cavalry in street fighting?"

"Have you ever seen his profound insight into the state of the world and people's livelihood and governance?"

"Such a person is either a talent encountered once in a century! Or……"

"but an extraordinary person bearing an exceptional fate!"

He paused, his fingers lightly tapping the table:

"Now he voluntarily proposes to test-drill new troops, needing only three hundred men, a matter of one or two months."

"If successful, I will gain a commander's talent for a day, and the Chan Zhou army will obtain the method to become a mighty army under heaven, with boundless benefits!"

"If it fails, it is only a loss of several months' grain for three hundred new recruits; what harm is there to the foundation of my Chan Zhou?"

"Such an opportunity to gain big with small stakes, if missed through clinging to the old and being timid, will one day be regretted!"

Chai Rong's analysis laid out the pros and cons with extreme clarity.

Especially by keeping the risk within an extremely small range, it made those staff members who originally thought it risky also fall into contemplation.

Wang Pu spoke up at the right moment, his voice steady:

"Lord, your insight is lofty!"

"Observing this person Chen Wen, though his actions are unusual, he is not aimless."

"His drilling method, upon careful consideration, indeed has its own unique rationale."

"Especially emphasizing the initiative and resilience of individual soldiers, it could make up for our army's shortcomings."

"Let him test-drill the new troops; this both verifies his talent and reassures the generals."

If his method truly works, we can slowly plan it; spreading it later will not be too late.

If it is ineffective, when public outcry arises, we can simply let him solely handle counsel; that will not damage the lord's authority.

Wang Pu's words provided more rational support for Chai Rong's decision.

Finally, Chai Rong overruled all opposition and formally issued the order:

Appoint Chen Wen as Lianbing Duwei, temporarily commanding three hundred recruits, fully responsible for training them according to the new method!

All required supplies will be directly allocated by the Jiedushi Fu; no one may interfere!

At the same time, to placate Han Tong and other veteran generals, Chai Rong also made it clear.

This is merely a "drill", limited to these three hundred recruits, and will not affect the main army's original training schedule.

When the order was announced, the army erupted in an uproar.

Although Han Tong and the others dared not openly defy the order, their resentment showed plainly.

In private they muttered, just waiting to see Chen Wen make a fool of himself in two months.

Many more people held strong curiosity and a wait-and-see attitude.

They wanted to see what tricks this young man, so highly regarded by the lord and whose conduct differs from ordinary people, could pull off.

Having received the formal appointment, Chen Wen's heart was not greatly disturbed.

He knew this was an opportunity that Chai Rong had fought for him under great pressure.

It was also a key step for him to integrate into Chan Zhou and prove himself.

He held the tally, accompanied by an official of the Jiedushi Fu, and came to the recruits' barracks garrison west of Chan Zhou city.

This was originally the barracks of the militia farmers, with rudimentary conditions.

The three hundred newly recruited soldiers, not yet assigned to any units, gathered in disorder on the open ground.

Most of them were sallow and thin, their eyes filled with uncertainty about the future and a hint of fear of military life.

The detachment was led by a mature squad leader; upon seeing Chen Wen, his attitude was respectful yet aloof.

He had obviously also heard of this new superior's "great reputation" and the rumors circulating in the army.

Chen Wen's gaze swept over these three hundred young, naive faces, as if he saw those who had once followed him in Jiao Tu Zhen, enduring hardship.

He knew these people would be his "work" and also his weapon to break through doubt.

He did not deliver a passionate, stirring speech.

He simply calmly ordered the old squad leader: "Assemble everyone."

Then

He turned to the three hundred recruits, his voice ringing clearly across the field:

"From today onward, I, Chen Wen, will be responsible for drilling you."

"My method will be hard, bitter, and even strange."

"But I want to tell you: if you follow my training, as long as you yourselves do not give up,"

"In two months, you will be reborn and become the most outstanding batch in the Chan Zhou army!"

"Now, does anyone want to drop out?"

The field fell silent; the recruits looked at each other, no one daring to move or answer.

"Good."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Since you have stayed, you must strictly obey my orders."

"Now, dismiss, tidy the barracks, assemble at the drill field tomorrow at the mao hour!"

The brief meeting was short and decisive.

Chen Wen knew the real test had only just begun.

He turned and left, leaving behind three hundred pairs of eyes filled with doubt and unease.

Perhaps there was also a glint of a weak spark in the eyes stirred by those three words "most outstanding".

Chai Rong's decision pushed him onto the crest of the wave.

And he will use these three hundred recruits, in this land of Chan Zhou, to stir up what kind of turmoil?

Everyone is watching with bated breath.