CHAPTER 335: CHAPTER 20: LARGE AND SMALL PEARLS FALL ON THE JADE PLATE! _4

"Sir, if you want to take all these 1,500 Barbarian soldiers, I’m afraid we simply cannot accept that."

"Exactly, sir. Among us present here, you can certainly claim the lion’s share, but you should still leave some for the rest of us."

"If our units had more Barbarian soldiers, we would be much more flexible on the battlefield."

The commanders voiced their opinions one by one, each with a sound rationale.

The crux of their arguments was simple: Yes, you’re in charge, but you cannot gobble up everything for yourself!

Hui Wenzu picked up his teacup, blew the foam from the surface, took a sip of tea, and only when the commanders’ voices subsided did he finally put the cup down.

He said:

"Gentlemen, it’s not that I’m being imperious. I, as a Northerner, have spent most of my life dealing with the Barbarians. Firstly, these Barbarians are unruly and difficult to tame. Secondly, as the saying goes, ’only when five fingers work together can they form a powerful fist.’

To split up these 1,500 cavalrymen, I fear, would be a terrible waste."

"Then, according to Lord Hui, who should these Barbarian soldiers be entrusted to?"

At this moment, a commander who had remained silent throughout finally spoke up:

"Lord Hui’s words are indeed far-sighted. These 1,500 cavalrymen are all from the same tribe. If we split them up now, firstly, the Barbarian soldiers themselves might harbor resentment. Secondly, it would indeed be difficult for them to operate as an effective, established unit.

In my view, these 1,500 cavalrymen should be entrusted to a general truly proficient in cavalry warfare.

The world knows our Great Yan has three major armies: the Zhenbei Army, the Jingnan Army, and the Imperial Guard. Now that His Majesty intends to march south, the more elite troops our Great Yan has, the better. If we can forge a fourth powerful army, it would be an honor for us and a blessing for Great Yan."

Hui Wenzu narrowed his eyes. This fellow had been quiet all along and now suddenly spoke up to affirm his words. Fatty Hui couldn’t possibly believe that his personal charm had won the man over, making him switch sides.

Hui Wenzu had only been in Yinlang County for a short time, and being a Northerner, none of these commanders were his ’own people.’

At this time, two other commanders spoke:

"Indeed, Commander Chen is absolutely right. These 1,500 cavalrymen must be entrusted to the most suitable person to lead them."

"Then who is the most suitable person?"

"Naturally, it’s the one with the most distinguished military achievements. In our Great Yan Army, military merit is what commands the most respect!"

"Exactly! Give them to whoever has the highest military achievements."

"Well said!"

"I second that!"

Hui Wenzu continued to toy with the snuff bottle in his hand, cursing inwardly,

Damn it! Are they digging a pit specifically for me to fall into?

Hui Wenzu immediately said, "Zheng Fan, Commander of Green Willow Fortress, is a Northerner and is most adept at dealing with Barbarians. He once personally led four hundred Barbarian cavalry to breach Mianzhou of the Qian State, beheaded its commanding officer, left a message, and returned, greatly boosting the prestige of our Great Yan! Lord Jingnan praised him: ’A divine steed in the army!’"

"Ha! Rash opportunism and a stroke of luck, that’s all. If Lord Jingnan hadn’t led his army to rescue him, he would likely have perished in the Qian State long ago. This man is not suitable!"

Hui Wenzu frowned slightly. He had already invoked Lord Jingnan as a backer and hinted at Zheng Fan’s background. Although Lord Jingnan hadn’t actually praised Zheng Fan in those exact words, no one would be foolish enough to go and verify it with Lord Jingnan. Even if word of this reached Lord Jingnan, Hui Wenzu believed the Marquis wouldn’t bother to refute it. But even after he’d gone to such lengths, someone still dared to object? Where did their confidence stem from?

As a veteran of the official circles, Hui Wenzu was a cut above them. He had experience in both civil and military affairs, unlike these soldiers who only knew the military path. Hui Wenzu concluded that the person they wanted to promote must have a background even more profound than Zheng Fan’s! Otherwise, it would be impossible to gather so many commanders to build momentum for their candidate and help him snatch these troops!

Just then, someone outside announced, "Sir, General Deng Ziliang requests an audience!"

Deng Ziliang?

Hui Wenzu understood. Someone from the Deng Family! The Deng Family hailed from a long line of military men, their influence in the army significant. They weren’t an aristocratic family; for generations, they had been Martial Cultivators in the army. Even if they had wanted to mingle with the aristocratic families, those families would likely have looked down on them for lacking refinement and wouldn’t have included them. But this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. During the Yan Emperor’s recent campaign to suppress the aristocratic families, the Deng Family remained completely unscathed. The most important point was that the daughter of the Deng Family’s current patriarch was the mother of the Fourth Prince!

Considering these factors, it’s not surprising they could garner the support and help of so many commanders. After the Yan Emperor suppressed the aristocratic families, it indeed rooted out a chronic ailment of Yan, a cleansing that proved quite effective; the massive amount of supplies accumulated in Nanwang City was the best proof. However, suppressing the aristocratic families also had side effects: it unshackled people’s thinking to some extent. In the past, when princes competed for the throne, the aristocratic families would secretly vie to exert their influence. The Emperor’s marriage partners were also often chosen from among these families. Everyone was playing on the same chessboard. Most people didn’t even have the qualification to watch the game, let alone play. But now that the aristocratic families were gone, these military leaders’ ambitions began to stir. They believed they too now had the qualification to place their bets. It sounds foolish, but not everyone can resist such a temptation! Moreover, it wasn’t as if they were being asked to raise troops in a ’loyal rebellion’ to ’cleanse the court.’ It was merely a request to lend a hand, to help build some momentum. ’Many hands make light work,’ as they say. Everyone was willing to do the Deng Family a favor and forge a friendly connection.