Chapter 1548: Seize Command

Speaking of great matters, the contest for the commander-in-chief of the expedition against Xiais currently the greatest affair in the state of Qi.Jiang Mengxiong, Cao Jie, Chong Xuan Chu Liang, and Xiu Yuan are, without a doubt,figures of the highest caliber in the present age, and the prefix "highest" needs no qualifiers.Their competition is not merely for a single position. Under the grand premise of securing victoryin the campaign against Xia, it inevitably concerns history, the interests of all parties,the entire political landscape of Qi, and certainly the moves of the Qi Emperoracross the whole world.Before such a crucial great battle as the campaign against Xia, facing several renowned generalseagerly seeking command, the Qi Emperor, with a light and airy touch, declared that the position of commanderwould be determined by military strategy. With a casual stroke, he stirred wind and thunderbeneath the calm lake, fully demonstrating the Emperor's power as the棋手.Chong Xuan Sheng wore his customary smile and said lazily, "The Emperor has deep intentions."This place was the Marquis of Dingyuan's manor.Jiang Wang, having just returned to Linzi, was pulled here by Chong Xuan Sheng to hear confidential matters.At this moment, in the Marquis's study, there were only four people: Chong Xuan Chu Liang, Chong Xuan Sheng, Jiang Wang, and Shi Si.The slightly plump Chong Xuan Chu Liang was leaning back in a spacious desk made of dark fragrant wood. His benevolent expressionshowed no trace of the so-called "Fierce Butcher" demeanor. His eyes were half-closed, as if he wereresting his spirit.Chong Xuan Sheng and Jiang Wang each pulled up a chair and sat separately before the desk.Of course, Chong Xuan Sheng's chair was more than twice as wide as Jiang Wang's.Due to his physique, Chong Xuan Sheng had to bring his specially made large chair wherever he went,otherwise he would have to stand or sit on the ground. Only when visiting Chong Xuan Chu Liang's manorwas this not necessary; there was always a chair he could sit in here.Shi Si, as usual, was hidden within his armor, standing behind Chong Xuan Sheng, silent as a statue.Hearing Chong Xuan Sheng's words, Chong Xuan Chu Liang opened his eyes slightly and asked, "What deep intention?""Hahahaha." Chong Xuan Sheng laughed happily, "Uncle, please rest assured, I will not speak idly."He was not a resounding drum that needed a heavy hammer to be struck; before your shoulder even moved,before you even raised your hand, he had already resounded on his own.Jiang Wang pondered silently, saying nothing.Chong Xuan Sheng then asked, "How were the military strategies presented by those few?"Chong Xuan Chu Liang finally couldn't bring himself to dwell too much on this fellow,so he thought for a moment and said, "At that time, the Emperor said everyone should submit their military strategiestwo days later, and the candidate for commander-in-chief would be decided by the strategies.The Great Marshal of the State, at that very moment before the Emperor, painted a diagram in the air,formed mountains and rivers with qi, and depicted soldiers and military equipment... and demonstrated a military strategy.""Regarding the campaign against Xia, the Military God must have already had calculations." Chong Xuan Sheng said thoughtfully,"Presumably, this military strategy is without flaw."Chong Xuan Chu Liang sighed with emotion, "The Military God's use of troops is indeedunparalleled in the world. Among the renowned generals of the nation, who does not have ideasabout the state of Xia, who has not pondered the military strategy for conquering Xia? But the Military God'sstrategy, with its overwhelming tactics and dominant situation, is truly invincible!"Chong Xuan Sheng's eyes glowed, "How I wish I could see it!"Chong Xuan Chu Liang looked at him, "What are you thinking? Is this something you can see?"Jiang Mengxiong's military strategy for the campaign against Xia was naturally the highestconfidentiality of the Qi Empire at that time. When the strategy was demonstrated,only those few people in the Political Affairs Hall and the Military Affairs Hall were present.Of course, Chong Xuan Chu Liang would not make the mistake of revealing it to Chong Xuan Sheng."Isn't it because I'm in front of you that I don't need to conceal my curiosity?" Chong Xuan Sheng said with a playful grin,"In front of others, I wouldn't be like this."Ever since that time when Chong Xuan Chu Liang drew his sword against the Military God for him,he had not been so cautious in front of Chong Xuan Chu Liang. One could even say... he wasbeing a little presumptuous.Chong Xuan Chu Liang didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing.Sometimes he felt relieved, and sometimes he found it quite annoying.He simply didn't say anything.Chong Xuan Sheng was completely sunk in the soft cushion of the large chair,sitting without proper posture. He smiled brightly and asked, "What about Marshal Cao?"Who would have thought that the renowned Fierce Butcher had such a good temper, such good patience,and answered almost every question? "Marshal Cao had also prepared a military strategy for the campaign against Xia long ago,but he did not present it at that time. Instead, he waited until the next dayand directly dragged ten large chests into the palace. Inside were maps,formation diagrams, budgets for grain and supplies, comparisons of military equipment,the usage of Dao Yuan Stones... various documents, and even local gazetteersof different parts of the state of Xia... He spoke of his military strategy for a full day and night.""Alright." Chong Xuan Sheng spread his hands and said, "Your advantage of being familiar with the environment is also gone."Chong Xuan Chu Liang also shook his head, "There is no other way. Marshal Cao's military strategyis astonishingly complete. The ever-changing war situation is all within his grasp. I can only feelashamed of my inferiority.""Alas!" Chong Xuan Sheng suddenly sighed, "There are too many talented people of the older generation.When will there be a day for young talents like me to emerge?"Chong Xuan Chu Liang laughed and scolded, "Achieve Divine Abode first, then talk about emerging, young talent!""Haste makes waste." Chong Xuan Sheng got the answer he wanted, so he changed the topic,"What about Marshal Xiu? How is his military strategy? Although he doesn't have much of a chance,he has a good friendship with our Jiang Wang. I'm sure Marquis Jiang is very curious."He specifically looked at Jiang Wang, "Isn't that right?"Jiang Wang merely rolled his eyes and said nothing.He admitted that he was completely ignorant of military strategy and had no say in the political situation.He adhered to the principle of bringing only a pair of ears, listening and learning, and that was all.From his current perspective, he could see a fierce painting hanging behind Chong Xuan Chu Liang.It depicted two military generals, one with a saber and one with a spear, breaking through a formation side by side.The style was extremely sharp, outlining the pervasive killing intent with just a few strokes.It was titled "Famous Saber Breaks Formation," and the inscription was "Gu Han."He thought, who is Gu Han? The painting was of a master level, but he couldn't rememberwho this person was... Perhaps they had not become famous.Of course, his ears did not miss Chong Xuan Chu Liang's answer.Chong Xuan Chu Liang said, "Xiu Yuan formulated a military strategy针对Xia overnight.It utilized the utmost skill and can also be called a first-class military strategy."Jiang Wang thought, it seems the commander of the Imprisoned Lightning Army's strategy did notconvince the Marquis of Dingyuan.Chong Xuan Sheng laughed at this point, "I'm sure Uncle's military strategy is the simplest!"The military strategies presented by the several marshals to the Emperor were the highestconfidentiality of the empire, but Chong Xuan Sheng had a confident air.Chong Xuan Chu Liang looked at him with calm eyes, "Then tell me, what military strategy did I write?"Jiang Wang was also quite curious."The Military God's use of troops is unparalleled in the world, Marshal Cao's strategy is flawless,and Marshal Xiu is also a master of military techniques. Uncle has no other way to win the position of commander..."Chong Xuan Sheng slowly sat up straighter, "It's nothing more than making a military pledge!Perhaps destroying Xia in five months, or destroying Xia in four months. To show the Emperor that you can end this warin the shortest possible time, so that the state has no past regrets and no future worries.This is the only chance of victory in this competition for the position of commander, and Uncle is preciselythe sharpest figure in Qi, who will not let go of this chance, and will not fear such a challenge!"Chong Xuan Chu Liang smiled. His smile was very similar to Chong Xuan Sheng's.Both were gentle and soft, both harmless to humans and animals.But he held up three fingers."Three months."He said, "The agreement I made with the Emperor is to destroy Xia in three months. If after three months,the state of Xia still exists in this world, I am willing to have my爵位 stripped and be sent to the execution block."His tone was calm.But Jiang Wang was momentarily shocked beyond words!Not to mention the kind of determination required for a figure of power standing at the highest levelof a contemporary hegemonic state to abandon all the accumulation of a lifetime.Just the military pledge to destroy Xia in three months, the sharp edge it revealed, was trulyunparalleled in the world!Xia was not one of the Nine Sunrise States that had long existed only in name. It oncespanned the Southeast regions and was qualified to contend for hegemony over the world. Although it is now in decline,it is still a centipede, dead but not stiff.After the battle between Qi and Xia back then, the era name was changed to Shenwu, and the reign titlehas been used until now, showing that their ambition has not been extinguished and they have not forgotten their humiliation.Over the years, they have been honing their weapons and preparing for war, not relaxing for a single day, and have graduallyrecovered some of their former state.Looking at the renowned generals in the world, how many would dare to say they could destroy it in three months?Yet Chong Xuan Chu Liang dared to make such a military pledge!Chong Xuan Sheng was also awe-stricken. He knew his uncle's fierce reputation was well known among the states,and he had always been sharp and incisive, but he still underestimated the sharpness of the blade that cut life.Destroying Xia in five months and destroying Xia in four months are not the same difficulty. Destroying Xiain four months and destroying Xia in three months, the difficulty is multiplied!"Uncle, do you think..." Chong Xuan Sheng said, "The Emperor will choose you as commander?"Chong Xuan Chu Liang smiled faintly, "Who knows? The Emperor's heart is hard to fathom. I can only make my greatest effort,and then wait for the Emperor's choice!"The more one understood the state of Qi, the closer one got to these top figures of the present age,the more one could understand the majesty of the Qi Emperor.Jiang Mengxiong, known as the Military God of Great Qi, first in military strategy, first in power;Cao Jie, known as "the one who is good at warfare in the world"; Chong Xuan Chu Liang, known as the "Fierce Butcher,"with unparalleled sharp military edge; and even Xiu Yuan, the master of military techniqueswho believed "a true man travels far"...So many brilliant figures.All must await the Qi Emperor's decision, and all must submit to the Qi Emperor's will.The massive city of Linzi, three hundred li across, the tens of thousands of li of territory in the Eastern Region,and even the islands near the coast, and even the Maze Realm, and even beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Monsters,and even the world!The will of the Qi Emperor Jiang Shu stands at the highest point in the present age.One word can cause mountains to crumble, one word can cause rivers to overturn, one word can cause nations to perish.Across the eight wastes and six unions, the four directions and the universe.With a raised hand, the sky opens and the earth expands; with a flipped hand, wind and thunder are stirred.Even a figure of utmost skill like Chong Xuan Chu Liang can only say, the Emperor's heart is hard to fathom!And Jiang Wang, who had been granted audience with the Qi Emperor multiple times, how could he notfeel this deeply?At this moment in the Marquis of Dingyuan's study, the three people sitting there were all silent,feeling that high and unfathomable majesty in a silent understanding."Speaking of which..." Chong Xuan Sheng suddenly said, "The battle of Yang State last time is stillfresh in my memory. Time truly passes in a hurry."Jiang Wang understood why Chong Xuan Sheng had this sentiment.The battle of destroying Yang in the year 3918 of the Dao Calendar was the turning pointin Chong Xuan Sheng's struggle for the position of family head of the Chong Xuan clan.From a obese young master with little hope, to competing with Chong Xuan Zun on equal footingfor the position of family head, Chong Xuan Sheng only used one war.Afterwards, he generously gifted the Qiu Shan Bow to Li Longchuan, obtaining a word from the East Hua Scholar,was granted an audience with the Emperor, and with a single phrase, "The heart that恭敬ly loves his elder brother,"sent Chong Xuan Zun into the Jixia Academy. Then, in his struggle with Wang Yi Wu, he almostcleared out Chong Xuan Zun's forces... all relying on the capital he earned in the battle of Qi and Yang.In that war, he and Jiang Wang fought side by side, killing Song Guang, the prefect of Rizhao Prefecture of Yang State,driving away the local soldiers, allowing the Autumn Slaughter Army to advance to Chiwei without worriesabout their flanks.And in the battle of Chiwei, they were the first to charge, and the two of them, supported by the army formations,jointly killed a general and captured a banner, giving the old general Ji Cheng a tragic end.Piece by piece, matter by matter, looking back now, it truly seems like it happened just yesterday.And this time, in the battle between Qi and Xia, Chong Xuan Zun has also confirmed his participation.In the time that has passed, Chong Xuan Sheng has demonstrated his superior intellect through a series of stratagems.And Chong Xuan Zun has shown his personal martial prowess, overshadowing his peers, through the Grand Master's礼,the Yellow River Meeting, and the journey to the Maze Realm.At the same time, Chong Xuan Sheng himself is also an extraordinary cultivator with excellent talent,and Chong Xuan Zun himself also possesses extraordinary strategizing abilities.The Marquis of Bowang's dilemma, on a certain level, is also a stalemate between the talents of the two.Given the current situation in the world, it is very difficult for an opportunity similar to this battle of Qi and Xiato appear again in the future.At least during the lifetime of the old Marquis Chong Xuan Yunbo, it is likely that it will not happen again.Given the importance of the campaign against Xia, it will inevitably greatly affect the entire state of Qi,and of course, it concerns the people, big and small, in the entire country... In other words, the final decisivemove in this contest for the position of Chong Xuan family head is likely to happen in this war.After all, descendants of military families ultimately have to speak with their achievements on the battlefield.That's why Chong Xuan Sheng, who never easily revealed his emotions, was so moved!The position of Chong Xuan family head has extraordinary significance for Chong Xuan Sheng.From being a neglected person, a so-called descendant of a family sinner, he lived for so many yearsobserving words and expressions, being cautious and meticulous, seizing an opportunity that was not really an opportunity,and sitting at the same chessboard with Chong Xuan Zun, who was born a favored son of heaven.Striving for each piece, fighting for each breathing space.From the Tianfu Secret Realm to the battle of Qi and Yang, to the Treasure Gathering Merchant Association, to Wang Yi Wu...every step was very difficult!After all, Chong Xuan Zun was a person who was valued by the patriarch of the Taixu Sect since childhood.Yu Beidou, who is said to be the best calculator in the world among True Masters, took one look at himand said he had overshadowed all his peers.He went out to sea once and happened to meet the Blood River True Monarch, who was also thrilled to see a huntand wanted to take him as a true disciple.Such a person is completely the protagonist of a storytelling tale, destined by heaven. No matter who sits opposite him,it is very difficult to have any chance of winning.And Chong Xuan Sheng actually turned the tide from a complete disadvantage step by step,and even suppressed Chong Xuan Zun on the surface for a time!Now that Chong Xuan Zun has also fully counterattacked, they can be considered to have maintained a situation of equal footing.But when a few elders of the Chong Xuan family gave Chong Xuan Sheng a little opportunity to discipline Chong Xuan Zun,who could have imagined that he could achieve this step?From a young age, Chong Xuan Sheng didn't understand why he was treated with indifference. He didn't understandwhy he was clearly a legitimate son of the Chong Xuan clan, yet he didn't receive any respect from anyone.He didn't understand why his father, who was clearly a True Master of the present age, a figure of peerless brilliance,had a name that was a taboo even after death.If he could, he wouldn't have wanted to be a smart person from a young age.With the talent he has shown now, even if he were to be separated from the Chong Xuan family,he would have a bright future. But he needed that position of family head to prove the years of silent effort!If he was intentionally tripped, he would lie down, and after the person left, he would get up again.He didn't want to ask why anymore.But he wanted to let people know—It can't be like this.