The result was as expected, Chu Chen won and successfully obtained command.
Back in the yamen, Gao Le kept his word and, with his subordinates, directly acknowledged Chu Chen's command of the border army.
Then, at Chu Chen's suggestion, Princess Xin Yue, in her capacity as the princess guarding the border, appointed Chu Chen as the Defense Commissioner of Anping Commandery in the Eastern Frontier.
Thus, Yun Yue Kingdom's first eunuch Defense Commissioner was fresh out of the oven, and also the youngest.
After a round of flattery and compliments from the border generals and Dongyang County officials, the formal discussion began.
Gao Le asked, "May I know how the Defense Commissioner plans to deal with the invasion of Chen Kingdom's 150,000 strong army?"
"We'll discuss that later. First, let's talk about how long it will take for the Chen Kingdom's army, at their current speed, to reach Anzhi County and Pingyang County?"
"Originally, with the late General Zhen Dong leading the army to hold them back, it would have taken them at least seven to eight days. Now, it could be as fast as two days, or as slow as five."
Gao Le calculated mentally and replied.
"Even if it takes three days, how far is Pingyang County, the closest county to Chen Kingdom, from Chen Kingdom?"
Chu Chen asked again.
Gao Le replied, "About two hundred li."
Chu Chen nodded and continued, "Is there a detailed map of this two-hundred-li buffer zone between the two countries?"
"Yes, and it was updated within the last three years." Gao Le answered while signaling for it to be brought.
Chu Chen looked at it and firmly memorized the map.
"How far apart are Dongyang County and Anzhi County?"
"Twenty li."
Chu Chen and Gao Le exchanged questions and answers.
Soon, Chu Chen had obtained all the data he needed, making him more confident in his battle plan.
It was an extremely risky plan, but if successful, it would allow them to defeat a superior force.
"Good, I understand. Now I will assign everyone their tasks. I implore everyone to cooperate. As long as we work together, I, Chu Chen, guarantee that we will absolutely defeat the invasion of Chen Kingdom."
Chu Chen smiled confidently, instantly inspiring the generals and officials present.
Having experienced a major defeat, with an enemy three to four times their size approaching, their morale was low. They desperately needed a confident superior to lead them and turn the tide.
"We obey the Defense Commissioner's orders."
At this moment, everyone seemed to have forgotten Chu Chen's identity as a eunuch, preferring to call him Defense Commissioner rather than Eunuch Chu.
Chu Chen's confident demeanor deeply captivated Princess Xin Yue, who had been standing by as a decorative figure, not uttering a word.
She didn't understand military matters and had no intention of speaking rashly or pretending to know what she didn't.
Since Chu Chen was so confident, she chose to trust him and stand behind him, offering her support as a princess, just as she always had.
"General Xuanwei Gao Le, heed my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I order you to lead the remaining seventeen thousand border infantry to Anzhi County to establish defenses. Upon arrival, immediately reinforce the city walls and moats, check for any secret tunnels within the city, block the eastern city gate, and hold Anzhi County for three days at all costs."
"Do you have any questions?"
"Your subordinate has no questions. Please rest assured, Defense Commissioner. I pledge my head that I will complete the task you have given me!"
Although he didn't understand why Chu Chen was doing this, it was clearly part of the plan.
Gao Le didn't think too much about it; it was better than having no plan and rushing in blindly. After all, the worst that could happen was death.
"Generals Zhongwu Gao Cheng, Pang Ling, and Zhongwu Zhonglang Jiang Cao Hua, Zhao Meng, heed my command!"
"Your subordinates are here!"
"I order the four of you to each lead seven thousand able-bodied men, under the command of General Xuanwei Gao Le, to Anzhi County to assist General Gao Le in defending the city. Upon arrival, you are permitted to recruit three thousand able-bodied men each, for a total of forty thousand."
"Your subordinates obey!"
Hearing this, Gao Le's last remaining worry vanished.
He had initially thought that twenty thousand border troops might not be able to hold for three days, but now, with an additional forty thousand able-bodied men, if they still couldn't hold for three days, he could find a place to hang himself.
"You must hold Anzhi County for three days. You are only permitted to withdraw and return to Dongyang County after three days. Anyone who flees in the face of the enemy will be executed immediately!"
"Yes!"
The generals bowed in response.
"Anping Commandery Prefect, heed my command."
"Your humble servant is here!"
"I order you to lead the three thousand county soldiers of this county, along with the five thousand supporting county soldiers, and two thousand able-bodied men, a total of ten thousand, along with the remaining two deputy Zhongwu Zhonglang Jiangs of Gao Cheng and Pang Ling, to defend Dongyang County to the death, and await my return."
"During this period, any wrongdoers will face double penalties! Those who commit murder or arson will be killed! Anyone proven to have colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country will be killed! Those who hoard grain and drive up prices will have their property confiscated, and the main culprits will be killed!"
"Those who spread rumors and disrupt military morale will be killed! Do you have confidence?"
The four words of "killed" made the Prefect, a civilian official, sweat profusely, thinking to himself, "Do I dare say I don't have confidence?"
He immediately accepted the order, "Your humble servant absolutely has confidence. Please rest assured, Defense Commissioner."
"Deputy Captain of the Guard, Chong Chong, you are responsible for training the newly recruited five thousand new soldiers."
"Captain of the Guard, Wang Biao, you will focus on your duties and ensure the safety of Her Highness the Princess."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys Eunuch Chu's orders."
The two captains immediately bowed in response.
"Princess, I request that you remain in Dongyang County and manage the various administrative affairs. The existing officials will assist you. If they are not diligent, do not hesitate to kill them."
After speaking, Chu Chen looked at the officials with icy eyes, scaring them into kneeling and exclaiming that they dared not.
"Yes, this Princess understands."
Princess Xin Yue nodded, then asked with concern, "Little Chenzi, everyone has been assigned tasks. What about you? What do you plan to do?"
"As for me, of course, I believe in returning courtesy for courtesy."
Chu Chen revealed a slight smile. "I plan to lead my five hundred soldiers, traveling day and night, straight to Pingye County in Chen Kingdom, to capture Pingye County and burn the grain they have stockpiled there."
His words stunned everyone present.
Five hundred men attacking a border county? Was he serious? The county garrison alone had at least several thousand men. How could five hundred men capture it?
Not to mention that the place was two hundred li from the closest county in their own country, Pingyang County. How many days would it take to travel that distance? Three days? That was not enough time.
Seemingly sensing everyone's shock and confusion, Chu Chen explained, "The five hundred soldiers under my command are different from your border army; they can travel a hundred li by day and fifty li by night."
"With some detours, it will only take three days to arrive. By then, the Chen Kingdom's army will have just reached Pingyang County. I will deliver a great gift to them in Pingyang County, delaying them for another day."
"By the time they reach Anzhi County, it will be about the fifth day. You only need to hold on for three days, and I will be back."
"When I return, and the Chen Kingdom's army learns that their rear supplies have been burned, their morale will be in disarray. That will be our time to counterattack."