Chaotic World Book

Zhao Changhe looked in astonishment at the Demon Suppression Department's General, Wu Weiyang, in the tent. He had previously been sent to serve as a deputy to the vanguard, Xue Canghai, which was his own decision, fearing that the Blood God Sect might go too far, seriously damaging the heavenly order. He sent someone from the Demon Suppression Department to assist, also to suppress the Blood God Sect's Evil Qi. However, not even half of the march had passed, no hard battles fought, and they had already returned...

Wu Weiyang reluctantly cupped his hands towards Zhao Changhe: "We also know that war is not a place for mercy, especially in the past when the nomads scattered after defeat, regrouped and prospered once again, turning into a cycle. Therefore, regarding the tribes caught this time, General Xue wanted to kill the adult males, and we didn't say anything..."

Zhao Changhe said, "He wants to kill women and children? Didn't we tell him not to kill those below the wheel height?"

"But General Xue lowered the wheel."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

"I stopped, sweating profusely, but General Xue said, if only women and children are left here, they wouldn't survive anyway. If we were truly merciful, it would be better to send them into the pass, scatter them across various places, then they could replenish the population." Wu Weiyang said, "I thought it made sense, but it would require diverting considerable military strength to do this, whether it's fit or not needs Commander and King Zhao's decision. Or it's an option to relocate them post-war anyway. Regardless of victory or defeat, the battle won't last long."

Zhao Changhe looked at the Vermilion Bird. In matters like this, he truly had a soft heart and couldn't make the most rational decisions. However, the Vermilion Bird is a Great Demon who wouldn't blink at slaughtering an entire family. He was also afraid that the Vermilion Bird would suggest laying the wheel flat...

But the Vermilion Bird nodded: "Indeed, it can be done after the war... this kind of battle truly won't last long, let's give them some basic living protection first."

Zhao Changhe and Wu Weiyang both exhaled, and Wu Weiyang cupped his hands and said: "Then I'll convey this to General Xue."

"Don't rush. Weiyang is also knowledgeable about military matters, let us all discuss together." said the Vermilion Bird: "We are now analyzing, our formations marching in two directions cannot be concealed. Tie Muer should also be well aware. Normally, he wouldn't be foolish enough to split his forces to deal with us separately. He could only possibly entangle one route, focusing his superior forces to destroy another. What do you think, where would his main force appear?"

Zhao Changhe said, "What do people say?"

"The mainstream opinion now is that on our end, dominated by light cavalry, highly maneuverable and not easy to block, there are you, me, and Hongling, three in the Imperial Realm. So, it's more probable that the enemy's main force would be placed on my father's side, only slightly restricting us on this route, as long as they don't let us advance unchecked, otherwise, the destruction would be unbearable for them."

Wu Weiyang said: "If you ask me, I share the same view. Considering the current discord between Tie Muer and Bo'e, he might really let us advance unimpeded, charging towards their Divine Mountain to have a deadly battle with Bo'e, allowing him to later seize the fruit."

Many generals said: "That shouldn't be the case. If we really can advance unimpeded, couldn't we circle around to attack from behind Tie Muer?"

"That's hard to say, after all, the distance between the two routes is quite vast, and coordinating such a detour is hard to time correctly."

Zhao Changhe watched the generals discuss, shrugged. Thus, being the main commander wasn't easy, while it's easy to offer ideas, making the most correct choice from various opinions is the real skill. Writers documenting the events can criticize after the fact that this or that general didn't heed the right advice leading to failure, but actually being in the decision-making position, who can so easily judge which statement is right?

The situation now is fairly good; although there are differences in details, the general consensus is that Tie Muer's main force will appear on Huangfu Yongxian's path. As the main commander, the considerations are based on such consensus about the next move – whether to circle and strike at Tie Muer's back, or straightforwardly drive to the Divine Mountain? And how to support my father's route, when, who, and how many troops to send.

With the vast distance and no telecommunication, it all relies on judgment.

The Vermilion Bird looked at the sand table and pondered for a long time, then whispered: "Everyone thinks so... would Tie Muer also think that we'd think this way?"

Zhao Changhe was taken aback, as was everyone present. This wasn't the time to play "I predict your prediction," it required a reasonable basis; otherwise, such matters could infinitely regress, making no judgments at all.

The Vermilion Bird waved her hand: "I am not baselessly regressing. Because the situation in Jinbei was personally pacified by me, I know the situation more intimately than you all. First, the various tribes in Jinbei only submitted because of fear of my threat, internally they are not convinced, and reluctantly providing abundant supplies has filled them with resentment. When my father was stationed in Yanmen County, they behaved well, but now with the army leaving Yanmen, what will they do?"

Seeing the crowd in contemplation, the Vermilion Bird continued: "Initially, I intended to head south, but with Demon God Feng Yin stationed in Jinnan, I didn't act recklessly. It means that there exists an extremely powerful Demon God holding them together. Whether inciting the tribes in Jinbei to rebel, or personally attacking Yanmen, are both entirely feasible. Once chaos breaks out in the Three Jin regions, and the army's family members outside the pass are all in Yanmen, what will result?

Wu Weiyang said: "The army's morale would waver, wishing to return to the pass. Tie Muer merely needs to harass, potentially containing this route, perhaps even without a single soldier engaged, could drive them back. Conversely, if met with the main force, it might lead to a do-or-die mentality."

The generals said: "Indeed... but Commander, since you're aware of this situation, why didn't you resolve it in advance?"

The Vermilion Bird smiled slightly: "I certainly have arrangements, but Tie Muer doesn't know. Instead, he might think, we rely on mobility and elite troops, wouldn't engage the main force..."

As she spoke, her eyes swept over the generals, capturing their expressions completely.

Actually, as a first-time main commander, when she said these words, she wasn't very confident internally, but everyone's reactions gave her confidence.

During the Spring Festival, she familiarized herself with the generals, and there was a clear sense—that outwardly obedient, at heart, they scorned her. Sure, you come from a family of generals, indeed you have battled with your father as a youth, but you've never commanded as a main general, usually engaging in Worldly Society, Demon Path matters, can you really fight? Anyway, you're in the Imperial Realm, Holy Sect Venerable, indeed the Empress Dowager, so no one can challenge your command, but the inner distrust leaks out unconsciously.

Just as earlier, when they thought she was playing a game predicting predictions, the uncomposed expression in their eyes almost overflowed. If they caught her making an obvious mistake, they would definitely rebut it openly, showing no face.

But not one person refuted, even that exasperated expression from before disappeared as each fell into thought.

This showed that her judgment seemed reasonable in the eyes of these veteran generals, hence the confidence was born.

The Vermilion Bird took a deep breath, made a conclusion: "I am eighty percent sure, Tie Muer's main force will appear on our side... and dare assert, there is absolutely no conflict between Tie Muer and Bo'e in this battle." The mighty Demon God would be an assurance for them, whether to incite Jinbei tribes' defection or launch a surprise attack on Yanmen, these are things he can absolutely do. If the three Jin provinces fall into chaos, while the army families outside the pass are in Yanmen, what will happen?

From the start to the end, with legs crossed in a corner and saying nothing, Yue Hongling slowly opened her eyes: "I feel that my crisis instinct is now unmatched by anyone in the world."

Even if not meeting the main force, there's a high probability that their Imperial Realm would be here when encountering ours.

The camp was not filled with cowards fearing battle but rather warriors who've fought long battles, their spirits rose with the prospect of encountering the main force, exuding an air of excitement about the "war merit coming."

One of the generals said: "That might be the case... but Commander, since you're aware of this, why did you not resolve it in advance?"

The Vermilion Bird pondered for a moment: "Not enough. From now on, don't use storage boxes first. We should charge straight to the Divine Mountain? Also, how should I support father's route, at what time, send who, how many individuals."

There is a great distance, no phone calls; it all needs to be judged.

At night, Demon Suppression Department's formidable general Wu Weiyang led ten thousand cavalry westward, supporting the western line. Shortly thereafter, they left the eastern line, observed by scouts in the northern skies, who reported back.

The next morning, Xue Canghai's vanguard, having slept soundly all night, received the news from the rear army while having breakfast.

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PS: Still a bit short. The easter egg chapter has a rough marching map, giving a general idea of the situation.