The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 379 is already doing something against the heavens and changing one's fate, so why should one care about this worthless body?

In the middle of March of the eighth year of Zhangwu.

Spring is cold.

Outside Shouchun City, banners fluttered in the wind.

The camps stretched like clouds for dozens of miles.

The Hebei Army, the Henan Army, and the Qingxu Army all gathered here.

Swords and spears stood like a forest, and armor gleamed in the sun.

In front of the central command tent, a large red banner embroidered with the words "General Chen, the General Who Conquered the South of Han" fluttered in the wind, making a rustling sound.

Inside the tent, Chen Denggao sat in the commander's seat.

He had a lean face and piercing eyes.

He wore a black armor suit covered by a crimson battle robe, and the sword at his waist gleamed coldly.

Those seated to the left and right were all renowned generals of the time—Zhang He from Hebei, Gao Shun from Henan, and Zang Ba from Qingxu.

Local generals from Huainan, such as Gan Ning and Zhou Tai, were also waiting solemnly for orders.

Chen Deng surveyed his generals, stroked his long beard, and said slowly:
"...Gentlemen, you have come from afar and have had a hard time."

"The main army for the campaign against Wu has now assembled, but the Jingzhou army is attacking the western front alone."

"Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, is holding out on the river and stubbornly resisting. I wonder if any of you gentlemen have a good strategy to defeat him?"

The tent fell silent for a moment, except for the sound of military flags fluttering outside.

Suddenly, Xu Huang stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke in a booming voice:
"General, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

Chen Deng smiled slightly and raised his hand in greeting:

"Please speak freely, Gongming."

Xu Huang's eyes shone brightly as he said in a deep voice:

"The art of war says, 'To attack the enemy is the lowest form of warfare; to attack their mind is the highest form of warfare.'"

"Today, the strength of our Han Dynasty far surpasses that of Eastern Wu, but our naval fleet is not as large as that of Wu's army."

"If we can first seize their will and disrupt their mind, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"Oh?"

Chen Deng raised an eyebrow slightly, leaned forward, and asked:
"What are your thoughts, Gongming?"

Xu Huang walked to the hanging map, pointed to the Yangtze River area, and analyzed it methodically:

When Huang arrived, he saw a large number of craftsmen in Huainan felling trees and building ships, with wood chips piled up like mountains.

"Why not dump these sawdust into the river and make the Yangtze River full of sawdust?"

"When the people of Wu see this, they will surely think that we have countless warships and be filled with fear."

"At that time, the people of Wu will likely fall into chaos without a fight."

"If the people of Wu become disorderly, they will certainly not help Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the tent showed expressions of approval.

Gan Ning slammed his fist on the table and said:
"Brilliant plan! The people of Wu have always valued naval warfare."

"If one sees wood chips like clouds on the river surface, one will surely think that our Han navy has become a formidable force."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Deng, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and volunteered:
"General! This humble general believes that General Gongming's plan is feasible!"

Chen Deng pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter:
"Gongming's plan is excellent!"

"Let's proceed according to this plan!"

After saying this, he immediately gave the order:
"Send the order!"

"Immediately order men to dump all the remaining wood chips from the logging into the river, and send more craftsmen to work day and night to create a false impression!"

Once the military order was given, all units of the Han army immediately took action.

Thousands of craftsmen felled trees day and night, and the sound of sawing wood could be heard incessantly along the riverbank.

Furthermore, soldiers dumped countless wood chips into the Yangtze River, which drifted eastward with the current.

Within days, sawdust fell like snow on the Yangtze River.

Floating and sinking, stretching for dozens of miles.

The people of Wu along the river were all horrified by this sight.

"My God! The Han army has built so many warships!"

A fisherman stood on the bank, gazing at the river filled with sawdust, his fishing net slipping into the water without him noticing.

Although official Wu documents consistently referred to Liu Bei's regime as the State of Qi.

But whether they were people from Shu or Wu, they all knew that Liu Bei's ascension to the throne was perfectly legitimate.

It was a proper abdication process, and he received the throne from Liu Xie.

Therefore, only the leadership referred to the Han people as Qi people, but the common people were used to calling them Han soldiers.

"I heard that the Han army has a million soldiers and their warships blot out the sky."

"These sawdust pieces on the river are probably just the tip of the iceberg!"

Another old man shook his head and sighed.

Panic spread like a plague.

That night, hundreds of Wu people took advantage of the darkness to sneak across the border to Han territory.

In the days that followed, there was a constant stream of people fleeing, and there were even instances of entire villages crossing the river together.

The news quickly reached Lu Xun's tent.

Lu Xun immediately wrote to Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, to comfort him and mentioned:

"Your Majesty, do not worry, this is Chen Deng's strategy to win hearts and minds."

"I observe that although there are many wood chips on the river, no corresponding warships have appeared."

"The Han navy is newly established; how could it have built so many warships in such a short time?"

"This must be a bluff, intended to demoralize our soldiers and civilians."

After explaining the reasons, Lu Xun proposed specific solutions to Sun Quan.

First, the Yangtze River should be immediately blocked to strictly prohibit people from crossing it illegally.

Secondly, we will increase the number of naval patrols to demonstrate the strength of our Wu army.

Thirdly, relocating the people along the river to the interior would not only spare them from the ravages of war but also cut off the source of the Han army's instigation.

After reading it, Sun Quan immediately agreed and ordered Lu Xun to take charge of the matter.

Upon receiving the order, Lu Xun immediately mobilized his troops.

Wu's warships patrolled the river day and night, setting up checkpoints along the banks for inspections.

At the same time, the government began to organize the relocation of people living along the river to inland areas.

For a time, the sound of weeping echoed across the south bank of the Yangtze River.

That night, Lu Xun sat alone in his military tent, picked up his pen, and wrote a memorial:

"Your subject Xun reports: The Han army is now using wood chips to disrupt the river, intending to attack the enemy's morale."

"I believe their navy is not yet fully developed and is not a cause for concern."

"However, the hearts of the people are easily swayed, and we must be vigilant."

"The people have been moved inland in accordance with the king's order, and defenses have been set up along the river."

"The Han army's land forces are strong and may attempt a forced crossing. Please send more elite troops to garrison key points."

Having written this far, Lu Xun put down his pen and fell into deep thought.

Outside the tent, the river wind howled, and the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses could be faintly heard.

He looked north and seemed to see Chen Deng and his generals strategizing in the Han army camp on the opposite bank.

"...Chen Yuanlong, what a brilliant 'Jiangmu feint' tactic."

Lu Xun muttered to himself, "Unfortunately, there are people in Jiangdong who can see through things."

at the same time,

Inside the Han army camp, Chen Deng was discussing matters with his generals.

"Report——"

A scout rushed into the tent, reporting to the general, "The Wu army has blocked the river and begun relocating the people along the river!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Huang clapped his hands and laughed:
"Lu Boyan saw through my plan as expected."

"However, their move to relocate people reveals their guilty conscience."

Chen Deng nodded with a smile:

"Although the plan was exposed, it had already gained the upper hand by striking first."

"The morale of the Wu people has been dampened, and our army has gained the upper hand in this battle."

He looked around at his generals and said, "Order the three armies to intensify preparations for battle. Once the Jingzhou army succeeds on the western front, we will immediately cross the river in full force!"

Outside the tent, the spring breeze was gradually warming, and the river was flowing swiftly.

A spring breeze swept across the river, rippling the surface of the pond.

Two days later,
Inside the Han army's main tent, bronze lamps hung high.

The shadows of the generals were projected onto the tent wall, like heroes vying for supremacy.

Chen Deng stood before the military map, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, and surveyed his generals:

"Gentlemen, we raise an army for a thousand days, but we use it for only one moment."

"While strategic planning is important, in the end, real battles must be fought with real swords and spears."

He suddenly raised his voice, "The crossing of the river is imminent, who dares to be the vanguard?"

Silence fell instantly inside the tent.

Hebei generals—

Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Zhang He kept their eyes down, seemingly lost in thought, like old monks in deep meditation.

Xu Huang stroked the tassel on his sword at his waist, while Zhang Liao lowered his head to adjust his wrist guard.

Zhang He stared at the teacup on the table, as if it held infinite mysteries.

Chen Deng's gaze swept over the generals of Hebei, and he understood.

Then he looked at others.

Gao Shun, the commander-in-chief of the Henan army, sat upright like a pine tree, his face calm.

Behind him, two young generals, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, were eager to try their luck, but Gao Shun stopped them with a single look.

Chen Deng frowned, then turned to Zang Ba, the commander of the Qingxu Army, and asked:

"Brother Xuan Gao, the men of Qing and Xu are brave and skilled in battle. Are you willing to take on this important task?"

Zang Ba raised a thick eyebrow and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Chen Zhengnan, you are wise. The men of Qingxu are skilled in horseback combat. This business on the water... hehe..."

He smiled and shook his head, "It would be better to send the elite troops from Huai and Si."

The voice has not fallen,

At the generals' table in Huainan, Gan Ning suddenly stood up, his iron armor clanging loudly.

"The general will go where he wishes!"

Xu Sheng, standing beside him, also stepped forward and said loudly:

"Sheng, please accompany Xingba!"

The two men's voices were like booming bells, causing the candlelight in the tent to flicker.

Gan Ning, a former bandit, was wearing Han army armor, but his brows still revealed a fierce and ruthless air.

Xu Sheng was a veteran general from Huainan, with a resolute and chiseled face.

Chang Xi muttered to himself behind Zang Ba:
"The people of Huainan are clearly skilled in naval warfare, but they deliberately waited for us to push them away before stepping forward. How cunning!"

His voice was soft, but loud enough for the people around him to hear.

Zang Ba hurriedly placed his hand on his sword and said in a deep voice:

"Silence!!"

"The army that is attacking Wu is a mixed bag. We should avoid causing trouble and just protect ourselves."

His gaze swept over the generals in the tent, his expression suggestive.

As for Zang Ba, he was already very satisfied with his position as the head coach of Qingxu.

And at his age, he had no intention of continuing to climb the ranks.

Once the campaign against Wu is successful, we can settle down safely.

On the other side, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao were also whispering to each other.

Guan Xing said with a cold laugh:
"The people of Huainan are indeed as arrogant as rumored; they want to be first, but they also put on airs."

Zhang Bao clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, and gritted his teeth as he said:
"These people from Huainan are just taking advantage of us because we're not good at playing the game of the water."

"If it weren't for General Gao's obstruction, I would have volunteered to show them the swimming prowess of the men of the Central Plains!"

"presumptuous!"

Gao Shun suddenly shouted, his voice like thunder.

He turned and glared at the two generals, showing no regard for the fact that Guan Xing was Guan Yu's son and Zhang Bao was Zhang Fei's descendant.

"This is a crucial military meeting place; how dare you gossip like this?"

"Any further words will be dealt with according to military law!"

The two generals immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

Gao Shun's strict discipline of his troops was known to everyone in the court and among the people.

Back when he was under Lü Bu's command and led the elite Trapped Camp, he punished even Lü Bu's trusted confidants for their mistakes.

At the corner of the tent, the supervising officer, Prince Liang Liu Li, gently stroked his jade belt, a smile playing on his lips.

His phoenix eyes, seemingly half-closed, took in all the open and covert struggles among the generals.

He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, but did not utter a word.

Only the meaningful smile on his lips revealed a calm understanding of everything.

Chen Deng was fully aware of the undercurrents running through all sides, but pretended not to see them.

He strode towards Gan Ning and Xu Sheng, and said loudly:
"You two generals are commendable for your courage! I, the commander, will grant you three thousand naval troops. Set sail immediately and challenge them!"

"I will obey your orders!"

Gan Ning clasped his hands in agreement, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness.

Xu Sheng solemnly accepted the order, and the two men, their armor clanging, turned and left the tent.

After the two generals left, Chen Deng looked around at everyone and said meaningfully:

"Since you gentlemen have no objections, tomorrow the entire army will prepare for battle. Once the vanguard has ascertained the situation, we will cross the river immediately!"

The generals responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

But only Jiang Feng knows the thoughts hidden beneath those unified responses.

Outside the tent, Gan Ning and Xu Sheng walked side by side toward the water fortress.

The Yangtze River surged and crashed against the warships on the shore.

"Brother Xingba, we've taken the credit today, and we're afraid we'll offend quite a few people."

Xu Sheng gazed at the river and said in a low voice.

Gan Ning laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the night sky:
"Why worry so much, Wenxiang? A great man should strive for success and establish his career; how can he be timid and hesitant?"

He patted the twin halberds at his waist, "Tonight, I'll show Wu Gou what a real naval battle is like!"

Xu Sheng nodded, but then frowned and instructed:
"Our army is small, and this battle is only to probe the enemy's strength and weaknesses, so we cannot be careless."

"Know!"

As the two were talking, their personal guards had already prepared warships.

Three thousand naval troops were fully equipped and ready to set sail, their warships gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

……

The moonlight, as silvery as silver, spilled onto the Yangtze River, creating shimmering ripples.

Gan Ning stood at the bow of the boat, the river breeze blowing against his face, carrying moist water vapor.

Behind him, three hundred warships silently cut through the water, like a black dragon swimming on the great river.

"Wenxiang, look."

Gan Ning suddenly lowered his voice and pointed to the opposite bank.

Xu Sheng looked in the direction he was pointing.

The Wu army's water fortress was brightly lit, and patrol boats moved back and forth in an orderly manner.

The flags on the watchtowers were bright and clear, showing no sign of slackening.

Xu Sheng gasped:
"Lu Boyan's military discipline is so strict?"

"I originally thought that after the feint with wood chips, the Wu army would be in a state of panic."

Gan Ning gripped his twin halberds tightly, his brow furrowed, and said in a deep voice:
"I had long heard that Lu Xun was skilled in training troops, and seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

He rarely showed a hint of solemnity, saying, "If this person is not eliminated, he will surely become a great threat to the destruction of Wu by our Han Dynasty."

"Let's test his ability to command in battle today!"

Xu Sheng was about to reply when he suddenly saw the Wu army patrol boat ahead turn around, and immediately shouted in a low voice:
"No, I was discovered!"

"If you've found it, you've found it!"

A fierce glint flashed in Gan Ning's eyes, "My men, follow me and kill!"

In an instant, the drums of the Han army warships sounded loudly.

Arrows flew like locusts, heading towards the Wu army's naval camp.

Wu Jun was clearly unprepared for the Han army's nighttime attack, and was initially thrown into chaos.

Gan Ning personally led his warships at the forefront, wielding his double halberds.

He successively cut down several Wu soldiers in the water, their blood staining the deck red.

Xu Sheng then commanded archers to suppress the guards at the gate, and it seemed that the first line of defense of the Wu army was about to be breached.

Suddenly, a rapid sound of drums and gongs rang out from Wu Jun's water camp.

Immediately afterwards, the gates of the village were opened wide.

Dozens of warships filed out, with two generals standing at their bows—

The left boat is He Qi, the right boat is Ding Feng.

"Gan Xingba! Stop being so arrogant!"

Do you recognize Ding Chengyuan of the Wu Kingdom?

Ding Feng shouted loudly, holding a long spear, and his warship charged straight at Gan Ning.

Gan Ning laughed wildly:

"I've never heard of such a nameless scoundrel!"

The two ships came together, weapons clashed, and sparks flew.

Xu Sheng was about to step forward to help when he saw countless torches suddenly light up the river surface—

From the four directions of east, west, south, and north, a large number of Wu army warships appeared at some unknown time and were rapidly closing in.

"Xingba! Something's wrong!"

Xu Sheng shouted a warning, "Wu Jun was prepared!"

Gan Ning forced Ding Feng back with a single halberd strike, then looked around and his expression changed drastically.

The once empty river surface is now densely packed with Wu army warships.

The large ship is in the middle, while the small ships shuttle back and forth.

Their actions, characterized by measured advances and retreats, clearly indicated careful rehearsal.

"this!!"

Gan Ning gritted his teeth, "That bastard Lu Xun actually!"

Gan Ning was quite surprised to see Wu Jun, who was well-prepared.

It seems they've fallen for a trap.

But how did Wu Jun know they would launch a night raid tonight?
On Wu Jun's flagship,
Lu Xun, dressed in white robes, stood atop the warship, calmly observing the battle situation.

Lu Fan, standing beside him, asked in confusion:
"General, the Han army has only three thousand vanguard soldiers and a hundred or so warships. Why mobilize the entire army to encircle and annihilate them?"

Lu Xun's eyes were sharp and keen:
"...Mr. Ziheng, you are unaware of this."

"Since the feint involving wood chips, the morale of our troops has been low."

"If we can annihilate this force today, it will surely boost the morale of the entire army."

He turned and ordered, "Move the remaining warships from the water fortress and make sure to annihilate the enemy!"

Lü Fan suddenly realized what was happening and immediately gave the order.

Before long, dozens more Wu warships joined the battle, surrounding the Han army. On the river, the Han army was engaged in a fierce battle.

Xu Sheng swung his sword, cutting down a Wu soldier who was boarding the ship, and shouted to Gan Ning:

"Xingba! We originally came here to test their strength, but now that we have achieved our goal, we should break through immediately!"

Gan Ning, covered in blood, his eyes wide with rage, roared through gritted teeth:
"That Wu scoundrel has gone too far!"

But he was a seasoned veteran, and he quickly calmed down.

"Wenxiang is absolutely right. Order all ships to break out to the east!"

However, Wu's encirclement was already complete, and the Han army's several charges were repelled.

By midnight, the Han army had lost more than half its men.

The river was stained red with blood, and floating corpses drifted with the current.

Xu Sheng was panting heavily:

"Xingba, if this continues, we fear we will all be wiped out and die on the river!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Gan Ning's eyes:
"If that's the case, then perhaps..."

He lowered his voice, "Burn the ships and break through!"

"what?"

Xu Sheng was shocked. "These warships are the fruits of our army's labor. If we burn them, how can we explain it to Chen Zhengnan?"

"I can't care about that anymore!"

Gan Ning roared, "At this critical juncture of life and death, we must act decisively!"

"Warships can be rebuilt. As long as we live, we will have a day of revenge."

Xu Sheng glanced at the increasingly tight encirclement around him and finally nodded emphatically:

"Fine! We'll follow Xingba's plan!"

The order was quickly issued.

The remnants of the Han army poured oil on their warships and threw torches, instantly sending flames soaring into the sky.

Just then, an east wind suddenly rose, and the fire spread rapidly, illuminating the river surface as if it were daytime.

"Wu Gou! You two keep a close eye on him!"

Gan Ning stood on the last intact warship and laughed wildly at the Wu army.

"I'll borrow your heads for now, but I'll take them back tomorrow!"

Wu Jun did not expect the Han army to set their own warships on fire, and their formation was thrown into chaos.

He Qi hurriedly ordered his warships to give way to the fire ships, and a gap immediately appeared in the encirclement.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gan Ning and Xu Sheng led their remaining troops to break out and sped towards Jiangbei.

Lu Xun stood on the warship, watching the departing Han army, and sighed softly:
"Gan Xingba is indeed ruthless and decisive."

After saying this, he turned to Lü Fan and said, "Order the troops to withdraw, treat the wounded, and take stock of the spoils of war."

In this battle, the Han army lost seven or eight tenths of its three thousand naval troops, and all its warships were destroyed.

Although Wu Jun won, he also paid a considerable price.

But most importantly, the morale of Wu Jun was boosted, and the soldiers cheered with joy.

"General Lu is a brilliant strategist!"

"The Qi army is nothing special!"

"Let's see if they dare to cross the river again!"

Cheers reached the other side of the river, and Gan Ning, Xu Sheng, and others scrambled ashore.

Looking back, the firelight still lingered in the middle of the river, reflecting on their ashen faces.

"If I don't take revenge for this, I swear I won't be a human being!"

Gan Ning punched a rock on the shore, oblivious to the blood flowing between his fingers.

Xu Sheng remained silent for a long time before sighing:

"Sigh! I should go back and report to Chen Zhengnan."

The morning mist had not yet dissipated before the gate of the Han army camp.

Gan Ning and Xu Sheng, with their upper bodies bare and carrying bundles of thorns on their backs, crawled in on their knees.

Thorns pierced his flesh, and blood flowed down his back, leaving two dark red streaks on the sand.

In front of the central command tent,

Chen Deng had already received the news and sat upright in his command seat, his face ashen.

The generals in the tent were arranged on both sides, with the Hebei army on the left and the Henan army on the right.

The Qingxu Army and the Huainan Army stood facing each other, an eerie silence filling the air.

"This humble general, Gan Ning (Xu Sheng), has suffered a crushing defeat and disgraced the nation. I have come here to beg for forgiveness!"

The two men banged their heads on the ground, the sound shaking the tent.

Chen Deng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his brow furrowed with displeasure, and said coldly:
"Report in detail."

Gan Ning looked up, his former arrogance completely gone, and sighed:

"Our army launched a night attack on Wu Village, but Lu Xun was prepared."

"The naval tactics were exquisite, and the warships were deployed skillfully."

His voice lowered, “This humble general underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, thus falling into an ambush… and was surrounded and killed by the Wu army.”

Xu Sheng then added:

"Wu's warships outnumbered ours several times over, surrounding us in layers."

"In order to preserve our remaining troops, we had no choice but to burn our ships and break through the encirclement."

When he said the words "burning the ships," his throat bobbed as if it weighed a ton.

A cold glint flashed in Chen Deng's eyes, and he asked sharply:
"Of the three thousand men, how many are left?"

The air in the tent momentarily froze.

Gan Ning and Xu Sheng exchanged a glance, and finally Gan Ning said in a hoarse voice:
"Less than...400 people."

"what?"

Chen Deng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, causing the teacups on the table to overturn and spill tea everywhere.

"Of the three thousand elite troops, only four hundred remain?"

An uproar immediately erupted in the tent.

At the Hebei military assembly, Zhang He shook his head and sighed.

In the Henan army camp, Gao Shun closed his eyes and remained silent.

Among the generals of Qing and Xu, Chang Xi let out a cold laugh:
"I've long heard that the men of Huainan are skilled in naval warfare, and seeing them today, I can confirm that their reputation is well-deserved!"

"That's really impressive, I'm impressed!"

He emphasized the last four words heavily, his sarcasm evident in his words.

Upon hearing this, the generals of Huainan immediately changed color.

Zhou Tai's temples bulged with veins, while Jiang Qin drew his sword three inches from its sheath and roared:

"Chang Xi! Dare you say that again?"

Chang Xi, not to be outdone, drew his knife and stepped forward:

"What? A defeated general isn't allowed to be criticized?"

"enough!"

Chen Deng roared, but it was too late—

At the Huainan generals' table, Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Hu Zhi, and others stood up in unison, drawing their swords.

On the Qingxu army's side, Wu Dun, Sun Guan, and Sun Kang also drew their swords and protected Chang Xi in the middle.

"Are you going to rebel?"

Zang Ba shouted sternly, but only restrained his own generals, glaring angrily at the generals of Huainan.

At the height of the tension, Zhou Tai's steel blade was pointed directly at Chang Xi:

"When did it become the place for people from Qing and Xu to interfere in the affairs of Huainan?"

Wu Dun held his sword horizontally in front of him and sneered:

"Is this how the people of Huainan treat their guests?"

Seeing that blood was about to splatter five steps away, Chen Deng suddenly drew his sword and cleaved the corner of the table in two with a single stroke:
"presumptuous!"

Amidst the flying sawdust, his hair and beard bristled. "Put away your swords, all of you!"

Zang Ba also seized the opportunity to grab Chang Xi's shoulder:

"Back off!!!"

The swords in the tent slowly returned to their sheaths, but the killing intent lingered.

Chen Deng took a deep breath, suppressing his anger:

"Gentlemen, you come from all directions and are all subjects of the Han Dynasty."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, we must prioritize national affairs and not allow ourselves to be thrown into disarray by mere verbal disputes."

Chang Xi broke free from Zang Ba's grasp and sneered:
"Since Chen Zhengnan has stated that national affairs are of utmost importance, then may I ask—"

"Gan Ning and Xu Sheng suffered heavy losses, which dampened the morale of our army."

"What crime should be committed for even burning warships and destroying military equipment without authorization?"

Zhou Tai stepped forward, his towering figure blocking Chang Xi's view:
"How to handle this is Chen Zhengnan's decision; why should you all interfere?"

"what!"

Chang Xi laughed loudly, "Even a defeated general is so arrogant..."

"If we win the battle, what will happen then?"

"Does this mean you don't even respect His Majesty?"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the tent was shocked.

The teacup in Zhang He's hand shattered on the ground with a "crack".

Even the usually composed Gao Shun suddenly opened his eyes.

Meanwhile, Liu Li, the Prince of Liang, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, sat up slightly and frowned.

Zang Ba's expression changed drastically, and he grabbed Chang Xi by the back of his shirt:
"You scoundrel!"

Changxi was unaware of the implications of his casual remark.

But it touched the most sensitive nerve of everyone present.

This is a problem that all the founding generals had to face.

Zhang He originally intended to avoid getting involved in the matter, believing it was better to avoid trouble.

But upon hearing this, he finally couldn't sit still and hurriedly stood up to smooth things over:
"General Chang is drunk. Let's talk this out."

Gao Shun also said in a deep voice:

"A bond forged between comrades, a friendship that transcends life and death."

"Let's talk things out calmly, why ruin the harmony?"

Chen Deng's expression was unpredictable, shifting between light and dark.

Chang Xi's words, though seemingly rash, struck at the heart of his hidden worries—

The Huainan Army's power has grown increasingly strong, arousing the court's suspicion.

He glanced at Liu Li, the King of Liang, out of the corner of his eye.

The young prince was playing with the jade pendant at his waist, a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were unfathomable.

After a long silence, Chen Deng finally spoke slowly:
"Gan Ning and Xu Sheng underestimated the enemy, leading to their defeat, and should have been severely punished..."

His gaze swept over the tense faces of the generals in Huainan, "but considering their past merits, I will temporarily strip them of their vanguard seals and let them atone for their crimes through meritorious service."

Chang Xi was about to speak again when Zang Ba stopped him with a look.

Chen Deng continued:
"As for Changxi..."

He paused, then said, "His words were inappropriate; he will be fined three months' salary as a warning to others."

This approach of assigning equal blame to both sides is clearly unsatisfactory to either party.

Zhou Tai's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, Gan Ning's eyes still burned with rage, while Chang Xi's face was full of disdain.

For these officers, who would live off that meager salary?

The rent from the land alone would be enough for them to enjoy a comfortable retirement for the rest of their lives.

Chen Deng stood up, his voice suddenly rising:
"From this day forward, anyone who engages in internal strife, regardless of their background, will be subject to military law!"

He flicked his sleeves and shouted:

"Go back!"

The generals retreated in dissatisfaction.

When only Chen Deng remained in the tent, he let out a long sigh and slumped down.

The tea on the table had soaked through the military report, the ink stains spreading like his turbulent emotions at that moment.

Outside the tent, Gan Ning and Xu Sheng were still kneeling on the sand.

Zhou Tai walked over and ripped the brambles off their backs:

"Arise! The backbone of the men of Huainan is not for petty people to see!"

The two remained kneeling, their backs marked with bloody welts from the thorns.

"Get up!"

Chen Deng suddenly roared, his voice shaking the heavens.

The two then slowly got up.

Chen Deng sighed, stepped down from his command seat, and personally draped the outer robes over the two men.

"The defeat in this battle was due to my underestimation of Lu Xun and my underestimation of the Wu navy."

"The fault lies with the commander, not the general."

“The fault lies with me, not with you.”

He lowered his voice, "It's a miracle that you all came back alive."

"It was inconvenient to say this out loud in front of all the generals just now."

With tears in his eyes, Gan Ning and Xu Sheng knelt down together:
"General, your kindness is something I could never repay even with my life!"

Chen Deng helped the two up and said gently:
"You should rest in the camp for the next few days and you don't need to attend the military meeting."

Gan Ning clasped his hands and said urgently:

"This humble general is willing to continue serving the general to the death!"

His eyes still held a fighting spirit, clearly indicating that he did not understand Chen Deng's deeper meaning.

Xu Sheng secretly tugged at the hem of Gan Ning's battle robe and gave him a wink.

Gan Ning then realized what was happening and quickly corrected himself:
"This humble general... obeys."

Seeing this, Chen Deng sighed again:
"Fine, how about this—"

"You should go to the rear to oversee the transport of supplies. Once things have calmed down, you can return to your own lines."

"Here!"

The two men accepted the order and left the main tent.

After the footsteps faded into the distance, Chen Deng suddenly spoke to the shadowy corner of the tent:
"The military supervisor has been listening for so long, why not show himself?"

Liu Li slowly emerged from behind the curtain, his brocade robes and jade belt gleaming softly in the candlelight.

He cupped his hands and said:

"It is my duty, and I hope General Zheng Nan will forgive me."

Chen Deng waved his hand:

"It's alright, it's just..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharp and intense.

"Does Your Highness wish to report today's events to His Majesty?"

Liu Li shook his head and pondered for a moment:

" Quarrels in the military are detrimental to unity."

"If it is not conducive to unity, there is no need to report it to the emperor."

"However, I must report the defeat of Generals Gan and Xu truthfully; this is my duty as a military supervisor."

Chen Deng nodded slightly:

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."

Liu Li smiled calmly:
"...General, you're too kind."

"I also hope that the war will go smoothly. If we lose, not only will the country suffer, but the people will also be devastated."

"Ah, Your Highness's words..."

Chen Deng suddenly laughed, "Just like His Majesty."

Say it,
Chen Deng walked to the tent entrance with his hands behind his back, gazing at the lights of the Wu army on the distant river, and was suddenly filled with emotion:
"Chen was arrogant all his life, but only when he climbed high did he realize that the higher one climbs, the colder it gets."

He turned to look at Liu Li, "Only now do I realize Li Xiang's abilities."

"Possessing a central position, maneuvering among various parties."

"He was so adept at navigating social situations that he won the respect of all sides."

"Since the beginning of my life, I have never heard of such an extraordinary person in the world."

Liu Li stood quietly listening, and saw a rare look of admiration in Chen Deng's eyes.

"Your Highness saw it too."

Chen Deng gave a bitter smile and sighed:
"In the end, Chen was biased towards his old subordinates in Huainan. He couldn't bear to part with the bond of more than 20 years of camaraderie."

"They risked their lives for me for many years, and I cannot treat them unfairly."

"But Prime Minister Li is different..."

He looked up to the sky and sighed, "He was able to completely transcend personal feelings; he is truly a perfect man throughout the universe!"

"With this brother, I, Chen, have no regrets in this life."

Liu Li gently stroked the jade pendant at his waist.

With a profound gaze, he said, "Prime Minister Li is a man who defies fate, and we are all fortunate to have achieved what we have today."

Upon hearing this, Chen Deng burst into laughter, but his laughter carried a hint of desolation.

He suddenly became serious, "Your Highness, what should our army do tomorrow?"

Liu Li said meaningfully:
"The general already has a plan in mind, why ask me?"

"I only hope you will never forget—"

He pointed north, "His Majesty is watching, and Prime Minister Li is waiting."

Outside the tent, a sudden night wind rose, causing the military flags to flutter loudly.

The lights of the Wu army on the opposite bank of the river flickered in the darkness, as if mocking the Han army's internal and external troubles.

Chen Deng stood with his hand on his sword, and suddenly felt that the wind on this spring night was even more biting than the dead of winter.

The chill of being at the top is indeed something that ordinary people cannot bear.

And at this moment, he was standing on the edge of the highest cliff in this empire.

Taking a step back is like falling into an abyss, while taking a step forward is like facing a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire.

A true man has things he will not do, but things he must do.

"Now that the nation is at stake, why should this old man care about this wretched body?"

"Let those in the court who want to impeach me go ahead and do so!"

"The sentence that Li Xiang said to me most often was that everyone who stands at a high position should fulfill their historical responsibilities."

"Now I only want to destroy the Wu Kingdom as soon as possible. Once the Wu Kingdom is destroyed, all the land south of the Yangtze River will be recovered."

"My lifelong wish has been fulfilled."

"Those who know me and those who condemn me, only history will tell."

"I firmly believe that future generations will not forget my contributions."

History will give a fair evaluation!

Liu Li's eyebrows twitched, and he slowly walked over, saying in a deep voice:
"The General Who Conquers the South is a true hero!"

"You are a meritorious official of the country and should not be treated poorly. His Majesty will certainly not treat you poorly either."

"The current emperor is not Emperor Gaozu, and the old general will never become Han Xin."

"If you won't give up on me, I'll help you!"

(End of this chapter)