Free Web NovelChapter 1510: Chapter 167 Ten Camps (Single Chapter Updated 3/3)
"The Treatise on Influence" is praised as "fully encompassing the meaning of circumstances," a must-read for disciples of the Legalists.
Han Shentu is an exceptional figure in the Legalist tradition.
His famous works, naturally, have been read by Wen Lianmu and Wang Yiwu.
Yet, they probably wouldn’t consider themselves naïve children.
In this vast and ever-churning world, everyone finds themselves caught up in it, unable to reflect clearly.
When Wang Yiwu and Wen Lianmu entered the command tent, young talents from various countries in the Eastern Region were already seated.
Apart from those like Bao Bozhao, Chao Yu, and Xie Baoshu, who had already arrived at the Star Moon Plain some time ago, even Lei Zhanqian, who arrived a few days late, was present.
Fang You had not yet arrived, but there was an extra chair beside the empty command seat.
A cold-faced woman with phoenix eyes with a hint of viciousness was sitting on that chair.
By her appearance, she seemed to be around forty, and she did not appear approachable.
Throughout the entire Xu Country, the only woman who could sit by Fang You in the command tent was, naturally, the renowned Madame Xidu.
She is also the only other strong figure in Xu Country with divine presence.
Both Fang You and Madame Xidu have stepped onto the Star Moon Plain battlefield, and at least superficially, Xu Country had done enough.
Wang Yiwu has always been dismissive of others, merely sitting down arrogantly after entering the tent,
while Wen Lianmu, on the other hand, silently took note of Madame Xidu, while also sizing up the newcomer, Lei Zhanqian.
This young talent, who became famous earlier than Wang Yiwu and was trampled harder by Jiang Wang, seemed to carry an unshakable weariness between his brows, sitting there with a sense of majesty, yet the once overwhelming air of dominance was hard to discern.
In this battle on the Star Moon Plain, among all the young talents of Qi Country, there were those like Zheng Shangming focused on the Green Flag career, and those like Zhongxuan Zun who dismissed this battlefield for young talents, choosing instead to compete for the Sea Hero Chart in the Lost World. (Additionally, according to customary practice, a family usually does not send two direct lineage members to the same battlefield. For instance, since Bao Bozhao came to Star Moon Plain, Bao Zhongqing did not. Similarly, with Li Longchuan present, Li Fengyao stayed away.)
The Lei family is not without a foundation in the military, yet the reason for Lei Zhanqian’s late arrival was unknown.
Wen Lianmu sat down next to Wang Yiwu, scanning the room. All the young talents present were engaged in whispers, each voicing their own opinions,
but Madame Xidu remained silent, merely observing coldly.
It was unclear whether intentionally or not, there were constant remarks from the chubby individual surnamed Zhongxuan about "the greatest inner mansion of all time" and "what truly constitutes invincibility within the same realm."
These words were repeated so frequently that they became tiresome and annoying to the ears.
After a while, Fang You walked into the tent clad in armor.
After all, on the battlefield, he was the commander. As soon as he entered, all the young talents, regardless of country, stood up to pay their respects.
"Be seated." Fang You simply gestured with his hand, thus ending the formalities.
He was a man with a kind appearance and gentle eyes.
However, his words and actions were straightforward, without room for delay or indecision.
"I have something to announce," he said as soon as he sat down. "Recently, the state of war has been stagnating, which has been a constant concern for me. To break the deadlock quickly and to leverage your talents as young talents, I have now decided to allocate 50,000 troops from the main force, to be organized into ten battalions."
Fang You looked around: "These ten battalions will be managed by you young individuals, with absolute autonomy. You are both hunters and prey. The entire Star Moon Plain is your hunting ground."
Clearly, the battle for Star Moon Plain was entering a new phase from this moment on. The minor skirmishes that shed no blood and caused no injuries were no longer permissible.
People like Wang Yiwu and Zhongxuan Sheng certainly knew that pressure had been sent from Qi Country’s Military Affairs Hall.
But even they could not have anticipated that Fang You would be so decisive, directly granting military power to young talents from various countries.
Each battalion had 5,000 men, which was by no means meager.
However... there were only ten battalions in total.
With so many young talents present, just on the Qi Country side alone, there were eleven. Who could command, and who could not?
Or, put another way, who could seize merit, and who would only watch?
Who could sit idly by!
"The commanders for these ten battalions will be decided and announced tomorrow. You can also discuss among yourselves who is suitable and who is not. Your opinions will be overseen by Madame Xidu."
Fang You delivered his words concisely, then stood up and left the tent, without any delay.
The heavy curtain fell, blocking out the starlight outside.
Inside the military tent, there was a moment of silence.
With only ten battalions, it naturally prioritized the young talents of Qi Country.
And among these young talents of Qi Country,
Bao Bozhao, Chao Yu, and Xie Baoshu, these three Outer Building Environment talents, whose prowess was above others, were undoubtedly each assigned a battalion.
Wang Yiwu, Zhongxuan Sheng, Li Longchuan, and Yan Fu, these four with exceptional talents and top backgrounds, of course, would not be left out.
This had already assigned seven battalions.
Since this battle was primarily led by the forces of Xu Country, no matter how outstanding Qi Country was, the young talent Li Shuwen from Xu Country naturally deserved a spot.
Thus, eight battalions were already accounted for, leaving only two spots up for grabs.
The Tian family was certainly no worse than the Yan family, but Tian Chang himself did not have a strong position within the Tian family, being neither a direct heir nor possessing overwhelming prowess among his peers. Although he had gained significant attention from the Tian family this year, thus being sent to Star Moon Plain to participate in the war, he would still need to compete for this spot.
Additionally, Gao Zhe also had the qualifications to contest for a spot. Although the Gao family was not an elite aristocratic family, Gao Zhe was the heir apparent of the family head, holding considerable weight within the family.
Lei Zhanqian’s situation was similar to Gao Zhe’s, but edged out in every aspect. Although the Lei family was not within the elite aristocracy of Daqi, it was stronger than the Gao family. Lei Zhanqian himself may not be as powerful as those like Bao Bozhao, who surpassed others by a tier, yet he was notably stronger than Gao Zhe. Hence, he had a better chance to vie for a position... though Gao Zhe might not agree with that assessment.
Wen Lianmu was known as a tactical genius, with a military background, having won first place in military exercises multiple times. Relatively, he should more rightly command a battalion. The only issue lay in his lack of a strong backing.
Those who assumed they had positions could remain relaxed, while those who knew they needed to compete were observing each other closely.
"I think I should command a battalion," Gao Zhe was the first to speak up. "My uncle is the pacification envoy of Chiwei Prefecture, renowned from the Battle of Jingyang. Since childhood, I have studied tactics from him, and I should contribute to our Daqi on this Star Moon Plain!"
Upon hearing this, Li Longchuan couldn’t help but glance at Zhongxuan Sheng.
And Zhongxuan Sheng just smiled and remained silent.
Concerning the Battle of Qiyang, the outside naturally referred to it as the "Pacification" rather than the "Annihilation" of Yang, meaning to restore stability in the Yang Region, helping the people by eradicating the dark aura, slaying the Evil God, and wiping out the decaying rule of Yang Jiande with his demonic arts.
But the issue was, those truly knowledgeable of that battle knew. It was led into war by Zhongxuan Sheng, with the core of the battle led by Zhongxuan Chuliang. Gao Shaoling merely rode the tide through an exchange of interests, his own tactical skills barely tested, yet Gao Zhe had already started waving this banner.
If one were to brandish a flag, it would be better to claim to have studied tactics under Zhongxuan Sheng. At least this plump man contributed more significantly to the Battle of Qiyang...
That was the meaning behind Li Longchuan’s look. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Of course, it was also due to the fact that the Gao family had no profound heritage to speak of.
The clan leader, Gao Xianchang, was merely a mediocrity relying on his sister’s favour, and the rest of the Gao family were even more obscure.
In the entire clan, only Gao Shaoling was of any notable worth.
Gao Zhe certainly couldn’t claim to have learned tactics from the quiet concubine in the palace...
