Chapter 2 The Arrival
The army of Chen Kingdom set out with great urgency early the next morning, heading towards Anzhi County.
At the same time, Chu Chen, with the remaining three hundred plus men, was also making his way to Anzhi County. He had entered the city an hour earlier than the Chen Kingdom army, through a different city gate.
“Little Chenzi, you’re finally back. This princess thought you’d died out there.”
As soon as Chu Chen returned, he heard Princess Xinyue’s joyful voice.
With no one around, she immediately hugged Chu Chen tightly.
“Your Highness, please let go first. It won’t be good if someone sees.”
Chu Chen advised helplessly.
“Tch.”
Princess Xinyue pouted and unhappily released Chu Chen.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Princess Xinyue grabbed his arm again, asking with curiosity and excitement, “Little Chenzi, how was it? Did you burn the Chen Kingdom army’s rear provisions when you went out this time?”
“That’s a given. Your Highness, just look at who went out there.”
Chu Chen quickly recounted the thrilling experience of their night raid on Pingye County and burning the provisions. Princess Xinyue listened with great interest.
“So exciting! If only my martial arts weren’t so weak, and I were just a princess, I could have gone with you to set fires.”
After hearing the story, Princess Xinyue felt a little dejected.
“Uh, Your Highness, our roles are different. Your staying in the city is already a great contribution.”
“When the soldiers see you in the city, their morale soars.”
Chu Chen quickly comforted Princess Xinyue, telling a few jokes that made her laugh heartily.
“Speaking of which, Your Highness, why did you come to Anzhi County? Weren’t you supposed to be in Dongyang County?”
“It was too boring, so I came over.”
*And I wanted to see you the moment you returned.*
Princess Xinyue said one thing and meant another.
Chu Chen, not noticing, called for the generals stationed in the city to hold a meeting.
Inside the county yamen, Chu Chen briefly recounted the events.
He smiled and said, “With the Chen Kingdom army’s provisions burned this time, they are in a dilemma. They either retreat or stubbornly attack us.”
“But no matter which option they choose, from the moment their provisions were burned, their defeat was sealed.”
“The Defense Commissioner is too formidable! He’s a Body Refining Realm martial cultivator. No wonder he could train soldiers all at the Martial Disciple realm.”
“Hundreds of people launched a night raid on a supply hub and succeeded! This glorious achievement can be recorded in history and passed down for generations!”
“Defense Commissioner, do you take disciples? This humble subordinate wishes to become your student!”
“Cough, cough, that’s… we’re discussing serious matters.”
Chu Chen felt a bit awkward from the flattery of the generals below.
“The Defense Commissioner displayed great power. We wonder what choice the Chen Kingdom army will make?”
Gao Le flattered, then asked.
The others listened intently.
“I believe they will continue to attack us. After all, it takes five to six days to retreat. If we harass them even a little on the way back, they will surely run out of food on their return journey.”
“They seem to have a choice, but in reality, they have none.”
Chu Chen replied calmly.
“The Defense Commissioner’s strategy and bravery are truly admirable.”
Gao Le said with admiration.
Princess Xinyue, standing beside him, secretly stole glances at Chu Chen.
Chu Chen, sensing her gaze, pretended to be calm and said, “Therefore, we only need to defend Anzhi County for a few days, and we will win this battle.”
“Next, all generals must be extremely cautious and diligently defend the city.”
“Yes!”
“Please rest assured, Defense Commissioner. As long as the city stands, we stand! If the city falls, we fall!”
“Exactly. If we still can’t win after this, we might as well find a piece of tofu and kill ourselves.”
The generals shouted with excitement.
“Later, I will lead a thousand cavalry out of the city to create some trouble for the Chen Kingdom army on their way. You don’t need to worry, just focus on your tasks.”
“This… Yes!”
The generals had reservations about Chu Chen venturing out, fearing he might suffer the same fate as the previous General Zhen Dong. However, they remembered that Chu Chen was far more capable than General Zhen Dong, so it should be fine.
After everyone had left, Chu Chen smiled and said, “Your Highness, since you’ve come to the front lines, would you be interested in accompanying me out of the city?”
“Eh? Can I? That’s great!”
Princess Xinyue jumped up excitedly, “I’ve been so bored cooped up in the city these past few days. Let’s go quickly.”
Chu Chen selected a thousand cavalrymen and left Anzhi County with Princess Xinyue. However, they did not go far, stopping about ten li away.
He then had a few cavalrymen dismount and use the wooden boards they brought to nail up a sign.
It read: Chen Anmi, you little brat, your home has been robbed, and your provisions are all burned! Hurry back.
“Hahaha, Little Chenzi, you’re so wicked! You burned their provisions and then you’re trying to provoke them like this.”
Princess Xinyue clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
Chu Chen smiled helplessly, “Your Highness, this isn’t wickedness, it’s strategy.”
“I don’t believe you. You’re full of tricks.”
Princess Xinyue giggled and shook her head.
After doing this, they retreated about two li and put up another sign. It read: Chen Anmi, your family is short of food, and your wife has run off with another man! Hurry back.
The content of the sign made Princess Xinyue burst into laughter again.
Then, they retreated another two li and put up a third sign. It read: Chen Anmi, you little brat, your mother offered herself in exchange for food, so I’ll let you have a full meal.
Beneath the sign, a small bag of rice was placed, just enough for one person for a day.
“Little Chenzi, shame on you! You’re a eunuch, yet you write such things.”
Princess Xinyue’s face blushed.
“I told you it’s strategy, Your Highness.”
Chu Chen felt like crying.
“I don’t believe you, and that’s that.”
Princess Xinyue made a face at him.
After doing all this, Chu Chen had half of the cavalry dismount and dig many pits larger than their feet, then covered them with branches and grass.
Only then did he leave with Princess Xinyue.
Half a day later, General Zhengxi, Chen Anmi, arrived with his army about ten li from Anzhi County.
“Report! Your Excellency, scouts have discovered a wooden sign ahead. It reads… it reads.”
Chen Anmi’s heart skipped a beat, and he snapped, “What does it say? Speak.”
“Chen Anmi, you little brat, your home has been robbed, and your provisions are all burned! Hurry back.”
“Insolence!”
“General, it’s not this subordinate who said it, but what’s written on that sign. If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourself.”
The scout, full of a desire to survive,辩解ed without trembling.
Chen Anmi suppressed his anger and shouted, “That’s merely a ploy by the Yunyue Kingdom to disrupt our morale. There’s no need to take it seriously.”
When Chen Anmi reached the sign, he indeed saw the words written on it, exactly as the scout had said.
The matter of the rear provisions being burned was written on it. Fortunately, the army still had a few days’ worth of food, otherwise, this single sign could have caused a mutiny.
“Don’t let me find out which scoundrel from the Yunyue Kingdom did this!”
“Tear it down and continue advancing!”