Wang Xunzhi was momentarily stuck, because he didnât know what to do either.
Although as a strategist, he should expect the enemyâs worst, prepare thoroughly, and consider defeat before victory, when it comes to the point where the plan reveals the dagger, damn it, surrounding one with dozens only to be counter-killed by tenâwho can play this kind of game!? Who can play!?
Chen Xuantian shook his head while holding his tea,
"Sigh~ If you hadnât acted so ruthlessly, taking down a few of the Eight Tigers, having them prove their loyalty, maybe there would have been a turnaround. Now, what can be done? Oh, donât you still have five hundred under your command? Given the situation, send everything in."
"Them?"
Wang Xunzhi was taken aback, instinctively glanced to his side.
Chen Xuantian smiled, blowing his tea, sweeping his gaze over the assassins disguised as palace concubines and eunuchs lurking in the surroundings,
"Arenât they quite powerful now? Itâs time to risk their lives. Rather than staring at me, why donât you all go up?
Iâve already proven my loyalty, offered the city, stop using me as an excuse to hide at the back."
Wang Xunzhi chuckled along,
"Master, why bother getting involved with them? These are..."
"I know, people from the palace."
Chen Xuantian chuckled, spilled the tea on the ground, took out a medicine bottle from his sleeve, poured a bowl full of Frenzy Blood Pills with a clatter,
"Since the Assistant General is the leader chosen by mutual agreement, how could it be without these barbarians? But what does it matter if theyâre from the palace? Without proving their loyalty, who knows youâre faithful? Who knows if you leaked the plan given the current predicament!
The temple master would be foolish to return to the city now, having escaped Wulin, he would surely seek refuge in the Central Plains through Huarong. Yunmeng Swamp is difficult for cavalry, but you Qi Refiners, each take a pill, climb the mountains, take a shortcut and ambush. No matter how formidable he is, he canât kill all five hundred of you in one breath.
Now, itâs a matter of life for life. If you catch the thief leader, then the battle is not entirely lost. If you donât catch him, thereâs no need to return. Die outside."
For a moment, everyone was silent, only the sound of the Frenzy Blood Pill falling out of the tea bowl was heard.
Chen Xuantian chuckled, slapped the table,
"Whatâs the matter? As the Chief Clerk, is my word completely ignored? Oh, so the seal is just to deceive me then! The loyalty test was just targeted at me? Or are you dog slaves! Your loyalty to the court doesnât even compare to that of a concubine!"
Wang Xunzhi coldly swept his gaze over the crowd,
"Didnât you hear the Chief Clerkâs words?"
With Wang Xunzhiâs order, there was no pretending to be deaf anymore, so a group of assassins, Death Soldiers, palace concubines, and maids had to kneel to accept the command, each stepped forward to take a Frenzy Blood Pill, holding it in their mouths, gritting their teeth, manipulating their Qi, dashing off like a flock of crows towards the thorny, swampy mountain ridges.
Wang Xunzhi chuckled along,
"Thank you, Chief Clerk, for your quick wit and stratagem, truly allowing Xunzhi to marvel. Without your intervention, I really wouldnât know what to do."
Chen Xuantian waved his hand, patted his belly,
"Donât mention it, donât mention it, actually, I already perceived that the Nangong Family wouldnât escape today, wouldnât make it out of Wulin. Itâs just a formality, strategy altered on the battlefield, snatching the credit, venting my frustration on them, Wang Yuan, donât take it personally hahaha."
Wang Xunzhiâs smile froze on his face, wiping cold sweat,
"Ha, haha... by the way, I forgot to mention to the Chief Clerk, although it was Chief Administrator Xiâs plan today, the military officer highly values you, but worries the Nangong Family will fight like cornered beasts, hence arranged more troops for your assistance."
Chen Xuantian looked astonished,
"Oh, so the Chief Administrator is from the Gao Ping Xi Family, but generally, isnât it Sima who plans the military affairs?"
Wang Xunzhi explained,
"The military officer has old ties with Fuguo, not only are they close friends, but heâs also a rare talent, having been an adviser and strategist since the Langya Governorâs tenure. Now assuming the role of a general, naturally promoted to Chief Historian. As for the Sima position, it has been requisitioned by the Xie Familyâs Young Master, who hasnât yet assumed the role."
Chen Xuantian nodded and smiled,
"Itâs only right, without the assistance of high-class families as left and right arms, nothing would get done.
From this, it seems the Chief Clerk position ought to belong to Wang Yuan."
Wang Xunzhi laughed,
"Master, donât take it to heart, born in a valve family, would I lack a seal in my bosom? Now with the Three Yans uniting to launch the Northern Expedition, itâs the top priority to support the General and reclaim the Central Plains with talents like you~"
Chen Xuantian nodded repeatedly,
"Rest assured, I estimate Huan Fuguoâs great achievement will soon lead to a promotion, everyone will get a position shift, this Chief Clerk position will eventually be yours."
"At that time, only giving me a Chief Clerk would be so stingy hahaha!"
The two carried on laughing in the tent, while outside, the soldiers adeptly cleared the battlefield, stripped the dead of the Nangong Family clean, tallied military armor and artifacts, then based on merit from beheading, the rewards of money, silk, and cloth recently granted by the court were promptly divided, and the corpses piled on the riverbank to feed the fish.
Until noon, as the sound of hooves came from the North, three waves of Eagle Riders came scouting and delivering messages, and the cavalry were already prepared in formation, ready for action. Chen Xuantian and Wang Xunzhi went out to welcome them.
From afar, it felt like the earth was shaking as if a mountain torrent was pouring down, thousands of horses galloping, suddenly tearing open a vast stretch of black cloud in the horizon, a line of bright light emerging in sight, looking up to see halberds like a forest, blades like snow, three thousand Iron Cavalry, over ten thousand Armored Soldiers, charging down Chidao, thunderous as if pounding drums.