Everyone knew him well; Chen Changsheng was not the type to volunteer for such things!
For a moment, the villagers could only attribute his sudden shift in attitude to the change in his mindset after advancing to become a Martial Artist.
County Captain Li smiled and nodded, but the Clan Leader hesitated once more. Chen Changsheng knew the Clan Leader had already silently agreed, but thirty years of protective habits and his inherent impression of Chen Changsheng made it hard for him to decide. Thus, Chen Changsheng continued to persuade him.
"Clan Leader, I know I am completely ignorant of warfare, but I will humbly seek guidance from Lord Li.
"Furthermore, Chaoyang is only a little over ten miles away from Heifeng Stronghold. We can set up a beacon tower on Wind Fighting Ridge. Once enemy movements are spotted, we can immediately light the beacon fire.
"The distance is just over ten miles, which takes at most thirty minutes to traverse. When the time comes, if you, Lord Li, and I join forces, we will definitely be able to protect Chaoyang and the able-bodied men of the Chen Family Village."
The Clan Leader nodded heavily. "In one Hour, you will lead the team and accompany Lord Li to Chaoyang Town. Fu Sheng will assist you.
"I will personally look after your children.
"As for the clansmen going with you, just do your best to protect them. After all, anything can happen on the battlefield."
Chen Changsheng nodded and cupped his hands in farewell. "Lord Li, Clan Leader, I will head home to pack first. See you at the stronghold gates in half an Hour!"
On the way home, Chen Changsheng’s heart felt heavy. There were many suspicious points about this conscription.
Why must Chaoyang be defended to the death?
Neither County Captain Li nor the Clan Leader had explained it, but mobilizing so many people surely meant there was a hidden reason. He guessed that perhaps an important figure was stranded in Chaoyang and unable to leave in the short term. Who could this important figure be? He didn’t have the slightest clue, and for a nobody like him, knowing the truth would only add to his troubles.
For instance, right now, he could only silently ask in his heart, "Who are you? Are you really worth having so many people march to their deaths for you?"
But why weren’t arrangements made earlier? Chaoyang Town was only forty miles away from the county seat. Everything seemed far too rushed.
Chen Changsheng quickly adjusted his mindset. To him, none of this mattered. He would set aside whatever he couldn’t figure out for now—after all, he might be dead tomorrow!
His thoughts shifted to the Defense of Chaoyang Town. The Barbarians mostly consisted of small cavalry units and wouldn’t easily siege a town, especially a heavily guarded one like Chaoyang Town. Small-scale skirmishes in the wilderness just happened to be the exact type of battlefield he needed most right now.
Moreover, his family was so destitute that defending Heifeng Stronghold to the death would only drain their meager resources. Even if the Barbarians retreated, farming would never make them rich, nor would hunting bring in much wealth. Going to Chaoyang Town might yield some rewards.
As the saying goes, men die for wealth just as birds die for food, and he was greedy enough to want both.
Based on past experiences, by late March or early April, the Northern Barbarians would retreat because the dense network of rivers in Great Fog County restricted their cavalry’s advantage. After all, during the harsh winters Beyond the Passes, the Barbarians only marched south to fight because they couldn’t survive the heavy snow. They risked their lives purely for survival. Once spring blossomed and life returned to the lands Beyond the Passes, coupled with the fact that the inner passes were unsuited for their rapid mobility, their retreat was inevitable.
Returning to the stone house, his eldest daughter was already busy in the kitchen, while the other three children were still sound asleep. Chen Changsheng stood at the door and instructed in a low voice, "Eldest girl, I’m heading to Chaoyang. Take good care of your younger siblings and urge them to read and practice Martial Arts.
"If anything happens, look for your Uncle Four or the Clan Leader. If worst comes to worst, come find me in Chaoyang."
Chen Yuyao, who was kneading dough, timidly turned around upon hearing this. With large, watery eyes fixed on Chen Changsheng, she pinched the corner of her clothes and pouted. "Dad... do you really have to go?"
Those puppy-dog eyes and that little gesture were too much for Chen Changsheng’s heart to bear. He really must have been out of his mind before to neglect such an obedient daughter! He stepped forward, rubbed her hair, and said softly, "Be good, Yao’Er. I have my reasons and must go! I’ll bring back new clothes for all of you when I return!"
Chen Yuyao didn’t pester him further. She turned back to kneading the dough, nodding obediently as she replied in a crisp voice, "Okay, okay. Dad, please stay safe. You don’t have to worry about the house. I’ll make some extra flatbreads for you to take on your journey!"
Chen Changsheng’s five senses were incredibly sharp now. The moment his daughter turned around, he clearly saw tears rolling down her cheeks. An inexplicable wave of emotion swelled in his heart. This ready-made daughter of his was simply too sensible—so sensible that it made his heart ache for her. He didn’t refuse his daughter’s goodwill, simply turning back to his own room to pack his belongings quickly.
In truth, there wasn’t much to pack. In the dead of winter, especially when heading to war, he only needed the clothes on his back, a spare set, and then his Weapon and Cotton Armor. Donning the Cotton Armor, he slung a large cloth bundle over his shoulder, strapped his Long Spear and Longbow diagonally across his back, and secured the quiver straight down the middle.
In less than thirty minutes, Chen Changsheng was all packed and ready.
When he left the room and appeared in the main hall, he found all four children standing there. Though their clothes were covered in patches, they all stood with straight backs and solemn expressions, prompting Chen Changsheng to tease, "Your dad is a Martial Artist, so don’t worry!"
His eldest son, Chen Hanwen, tried hard to put on the calm facade of a little adult and spoke respectfully. "Wishing you victory on your first battle, Father, and a triumphant return!"
Looking at his son’s reddened eyes and tense face, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but pat the eldest boy on the shoulder. He nodded and said, "Mhm, your dad has already advanced to become a Martial Artist. Such small scenes are definitely not a problem! Once the Barbarians are gone, I’ll send you back to the County School to continue your studies!"
With that, he reached out his large hands to ruffle the hair of the other three children before turning to leave.
"Dad..." His clothes were tugged. His eldest daughter pressed five flatbreads into his hands.
"Dad... Dad..." His youngest daughter, Chen Yuxi, lunged forward, grabbing onto his trousers with a face full of reluctance.
Chen Changsheng took the flatbreads, rubbed his youngest daughter’s head, and gently pulled his right leg free. Without looking back, he strode away.
At Heifeng Stronghold’s sole entrance gate, nearly fifty people had already gathered around County Captain Li. Chen Fusheng had arrived and was chatting with the County Captain. Seeing Chen Changsheng approach, Chen Fusheng narrowed his eyes.
Chen Changsheng had a rough idea of his mindset—wasn’t he just worried about having his spot as the next Clan Leader snatched away? Well, he was absolutely going to snatch that Clan Leader position! Without acknowledging Chen Fusheng, he cupped his hands toward County Captain Li. "Lord Li, please take good care of me for the coming month!"
County Captain Li enthusiastically stepped forward, replying with a beaming smile, "My good nephew, you mustn’t say that. The matter of Chaoyang Town is of grave importance. From now on, you are my deputy. Don’t go throwing in the towel when the pressure gets too high!"
Chen Changsheng quickly responded with modesty. "My lord, this junior has only just broken through to the True Qi Realm. My Body Technique and Archery Skill are still unrefined, and I am quite unfamiliar with military formations. I might need a few days to adapt at first!"
County Captain Li patted Chen Changsheng’s shoulder and said seriously, "The battlefield is the best training ground. Rest assured, I will walk you through everything, no matter how trivial!"
"Thank you for your guidance, my lord!" Chen Changsheng thanked him with cupped hands.
...
After chatting for a while, Clan Leader Chen Xuan brought over another fifty able-bodied men. Following a quick greeting with County Captain Li, Clan Leader Chen Xuan began to address the hundred able-bodied men from the Chen Family Village.
"You will be divided into three squads. The thirty-nine men in the middle will follow Chang Sheng, the twenty-nine on the left will follow Fu Sheng, and the twenty-nine on the right will follow Chusheng. However, all of you must obey Lord Li and Chang Sheng!"
As soon as his voice fell, before he could finish the rest of his words, he was interrupted by Chen Fusheng’s stiff voice.
"Clan Leader! Why must everyone listen to Chang Sheng? He knows nothing about battle formations, he knows nothing about commanding, and his Martial Arts are unrefined.
"I know him very well. He might look like an idiot, but he’s actually complete trash.
"With the lives of so many clansmen entrusted to him, can he truly take responsibility?"
County Captain Li shook his head and took a step back without saying a word.
All the able-bodied men of the Chen Family Village were dumbfounded. In their memory, this was the very first time someone dared to contradict the Clan Leader in broad daylight. For a moment, the crowd grew restless, and some even began to whisper among themselves.