Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 572 - 534: Stepfather is Very Gratified

Chapter 572: Chapter 534: Stepfather is Very Gratified

"Father!"

In the Central Army’s main tent, Wang Junwu stepped inside and knelt on one knee before the elderly general at the center.

Although there were still some officers in the army who found Wang Junwu disagreeable,

yet many others were already beginning to respect him.

Originally, this guy was merely a flag-bearer in the army, until the vanguard took notice and made him a new soldier.

Who could have imagined that before the vanguard’s death, he would be ordered to lead troops, and that he would lead his men to a triumphant counterattack against the Northern Qi Army, achieving a complete victory? In the end, not only was he exceptionally promoted by the old general Yuchi An, but he was even taken in as an adoptive son.

If it weren’t for the fact that many of the military officers knew Yuchi An was not one to show favoritism, they would have already caused trouble for Wang Junwu.

Still, there were some generals who were disgruntled with Wang Junwu’s meteoric rise.

After all, for someone of unclear background to swiftly become an important military leader, even having his troop strength replenished to twelve thousand men, plus the three thousand under Changsun Wudiao borrowed from Longyun Path,

it was unprecedented in the entire Jin River region for a commander just past twenty to command an army of fifteen thousand.

This naturally evoked jealousy and dissatisfaction in some.

But this battle indeed proved Wang Junwu’s capabilities.

Even those who were displeased had to remain silent.

Yuchi An was of course aware that there were still some in the army dissatisfied with Wang Junwu.

After all, for so many years, their Centrist Faction had sheltered a considerable number of capable officers who were frustrated with their lack of recognition at court, many with ability but lacking opportunity.

Now, it was hard to watch him give that opportunity to Wang Junwu instead of themselves, and naturally, they were annoyed.

Yuchi An smiled and bade Wang Junwu rise, then said, "You fought very well in this battle. Although I had ordered you to hold off the Jingzhou Army for seven days, I was actually prepared for the Jingzhou Army to come to help Huanzhou after just five days. How did you manage it? You held the Jingzhou Army at bay for a full seven days! They outnumbered you more than three to one in terms of military strength, and their army is filled with formidable warriors."

Wang Junwu clasped his hands and replied, "Father, when I first took my troops to Jingzhou, I immediately went to the Northern Qi Army’s leaders below Jingzhou City, hoping they would give up Jingzhou and move to support Huanzhou. This way, the Northern Qi Army could concentrate their forces, and who knows, they might not have been annihilated by us."

At these words, the entire camp of officers was stunned.

What situation was this?

You came up with suggestions for the enemy, is that it?

Yuchi An couldn’t help but become curious and asked, "And then?"

"I believe in being sincere to people, so I told them the truth wholeheartedly, but they didn’t believe it!"

"To convince them, I even pulled my troops back thirty miles to show that we absolutely would not attack them from behind while they were leaving Jingzhou for Huanzhou. Yet still, they didn’t believe."

Wang Junwu heaved a deep sigh as he said this.

"I, Wang Junwu, treat people with sincerity, but others always overthink and refuse to believe there are still good people in the world. So, not only did the Jingzhou Army not leave Jingzhou, but they also intensified their vigilance."

"I thought about the fifty thousand lives of the Northern Qi Army at Jingzhou and could not bear to see them suffer through the calamity of war, so during a night raid, I shot arrows into the city with messages tied to them, informing them that Huanzhou had fallen and urging the Jingzhou Army to quickly aid Huanzhou."

"The result... they took a stance as if they were ready to fight me to the death and absolutely refused to leave Jingzhou."

At this point, Wang Junwu shook his head helplessly.

"Afterward, I led my troops along with Changsun Wudiao’s men to hold the camp, and we waited for seven days. During said seven days, the Jingzhou Army did not leave Jingzhou City at all. On the eighth day, when you, Father, arrived with the main force from Huanzhou, I blocked their escape route to the east of Jingzhou, and ultimately we took down Jingzhou City!"

Upon hearing Wang Junwu’s recount, many officers in the camp were flabbergasted.

Initially, many were dissatisfied with the speed of Wang Junwu’s promotion and had openly challenged him.

Thus, Wang Junwu had made a military pledge, saying he would lead only his own troops and those under Changsun Wudiao to Jingzhou and hold back the Jingzhou Army for seven days, ensuring the main force had enough time to take down Huanzhou without interference from other powers.

Everyone knew that Jingzhou had fifty thousand Northern Qi troops, mostly elite forces.

It wasn’t just about leading fifteen thousand men to hold them off for seven days; even with a fifty-thousand-strong force, without a city to use as a stronghold, it would be a dreamer’s talk to hold against the fifty thousand from Jingzhou.

Yet this battle, no, it could hardly be said that Wang Junwu even properly fought a battle at all.

After all, apart from the two-front siege on the city after Yuchi An’s forces arrived, it was likely that Wang Junwu had only shot a few arrows into the city during the night raid.

Outrageous!

Far too outrageous!

How did this simpleton manage to take down such a difficult target with such ease?

At this moment, in the great tent, some officers remained discontent.

But a few clever ones had already realized that previously, everyone had thought Wang Junwu’s abilities were mediocre and that he wasn’t suitable for such an important leadership role. But now, it appeared that this man’s greatest asset was his cunning mind!

"The tremendous victory at Huanzhou, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you were half responsible for it. As for the great victory at Jingzhou, you also have merit. I will include these deeds in my report to Kaihuang... but..."

Saying this, Yuchi An glanced at Wang Junwu and then at the many officers in the camp and asked, "Now that the Northern Qi Army has lost the lands of the Three Zhou, what do we do next?"

A general immediately stood up with a grin on his face and said, "With the recovery of the Three Zhou region, Northern Qi is thoroughly annihilated! Naturally, our Great Army will return in triumph for Kaihuang to bestow rewards and titles!"

Another spoke out in anger, "All you think about is pleasure and enjoyment! Gao Junxian still leads a large part of the Northern Qi Army out there. I believe we should continue to pursue and exterminate them completely! Eradicate the roots of future problems—that’s the true victory!"

"The land of the Three Zhou is already incorporated into the territory of our Great Sui; the war, has thus ended!"

"As long as the Northern Qi Army is still out there, and Gao Junxian still lives, the war has not ended!"

Thereafter, Yuchi An frowned as he watched many generals stand up and start arguing.

Meanwhile, Wang Junwu stood by, glancing at Changsun Wudiao, and the two remained silent without a word.

Just as everyone was about to come to blows, Yuchi An finally spoke up and said, "How about this: you guys go outside and fight it out, weapons allowed, and whoever survives can come and tell me his thoughts, and I will listen. How about that?"

Upon hearing this, the generals who were just fervently arguing with red faces all hung their heads in shame.

However, one brawny general, upon hearing this, turned around and headed for the exit.

After taking a few steps and realizing no one else was heading outside to fight, and it was just himself walking out, he yelled, "Didn’t the old general tell us to go out and fight? Why aren’t you moving?"

Wang Junwu went over, pulled him aside, and said in a low voice, "That was sarcasm."

It was only then that the brawny general understood they weren’t being serious about going out to fight.

Yuchi An, exasperated, gestured with a wave of his hand, and the generals promptly returned to their places.

Then Yuchi An glanced at Wang Junwu and asked, "What do you think about this matter?"

Wang Junwu looked around at the assembled generals, stepped forward, and made a respectful gesture, saying, "I believe that what the several generals just said was all correct."

"Cut the crap!"

Yuchi An glared at Wang Junwu and said angrily, "They haven’t stopped complaining about you behind your back to me. You don’t need to save face for them here. In the army, it’s not about face; if you have capability and skill, everyone will respect you! Those pretentious manners are useless here! Speak up, what are your thoughts?"

Wang Junwu looked around at the other generals, sighed, and said, "I know it has been rough for all the generals these years, but truthfully, your thinking isn’t quite there."

This statement ruffled the generals.

"Big Head Wang! If you’re so smart, then you come up with a good plan!"

"Exactly! Tell us, what should we do next?"

Wang Junwu respectfully said to Yuchi An, "Kaihuang commanded the Jin River Path Great Army to move out with the purpose of annihilating Northern Qi. To annihilate Northern Qi, attacking the spirit is supreme, attacking the people is secondary, and attacking the cities is least important."

"As of now, our Great Army has recovered the land of the Three Zhou, expanding the territory of our Great Sui, but since the Northern Qi Army still exists, they could reclaim other lands at any time and reestablish Northern Qi—thus, this war has not yet ended."

"However, if our Great Army continues to pursue the Northern Qi Army, the war could drag on endlessly, with no end in sight."

"Therefore, I suggest that our Great Army aims not to annihilate the Northern Qi Army, but merely drive them and Gao Junxian northward!"

On hearing this, Yuchi An’s brow furrowed as he asked, "But if Gao Junxian reaches the north and joins forces with the Tujue, what then?"

"That would be a good thing!" Wang Junwu said with a smile. "For so many years, Northern Qi has survived, its Three Zhou abound with soldiers; why? Does heaven favor Northern Qi? No! It is because in the hearts of the people of the Three Zhou and the surrounding regions, they still consider themselves Northern Qi subjects. That is why Gao Junxian can sustain an endless supply of troops, taxes, and provisions."

"But if Gao Junxian joins with the Tujue, he’ll lose the people’s support. If Kaihuang pardons the taxes of the Three Zhou for five years, within three years, the people of the Three Zhou will only acknowledge the Great Sui and forget Northern Qi!"

Yuchi An nodded slightly.

Indeed, even if the Jin River Path Great Army annihilated the entire Northern Qi Army, the result? There would still be citizens pining for Northern Qi who would become the Northern Qi Army.

But if the Northern Qi Army lost its source of strength, their numbers would only dwindle.

"Good! Let’s proceed with this plan!"

The generals also vaguely realized that Wang Junwu’s strategy didn’t require the Great Army to continue fighting the Northern Qi Army fiercely—just driving them away would suffice and could greatly reduce casualties.

It also perfectly resolved the recurring problem of the Northern Qi Army’s resurgence.

In that moment, while many generals thought Wang Junwu appeared very honest and straightforward, even somewhat easy to bully,

in reality, they started wondering if this fellow was inwardly malicious, just feigning honesty on the outside.

"For this, you will be recorded a great merit, and I will present your strategy to Kaihuang. Wang Junwu, for you to possess such wisdom and strategy, your adoptive father is very pleased!"

At that moment, Yuchi An saw in Wang Junwu not just the future of Wang Junwu himself.

But the future of the Centrist Faction.

He himself had grown old, and many generals in the army had aged as well.

But after all, there were young people in the army, many capable members of the Centrist Faction who had been unable to shine.

He was not able to lead everyone forward, but Wang Junwu could!

He was the hope of the Centrist Faction!