Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 155: 155 Huangfu Hao’s Appreciation

At this moment, countless soldiers were staring at the public notice board on the training ground.

”Haha, I’ve finally been promoted to Commander this time.”

”My goodness, Chen Hong killed 1,123 people and was directly promoted from Captain to Camp Commander. I’m envious.”

”That’s already considered slow. If there were vacancies at a higher military rank, killing so many people would have certainly secured a promotion to Military Commander or Deputy Commander, or at the very least, Chief of Staff.”

”Yes, yes, I heard that before the ambush at Jiangyong Mountain, Chen Hong warned General Gao twice, but he didn’t pay attention, leading to an ambush that cost hundreds of soldiers.”

...

At this moment, Chen Mo had already taken over one camp of the Second Army with people from the Eastern Capital.

One camp is not much.

Only five units, which means 500 people.

Now that he’s become a Commander, Chen Mo also placed his trusted aides and built his faction, openly distributing benefits to his people.

And it was all laid out in the open, without a hint of disguise.

Because only this way would his subordinates work steadily and diligently follow him.

Moreover, in the previous battle, Chen Mo found that Gao Zheng and others were also trustworthy people.

Gao Zheng became Camp Deputy Commander.

Liu Dan took over Chen Mo’s former position as Captain of the Eastern Capital.

Xu Dabang took over as Captain of the Western Capital.

While Chen Mo was making various arrangements in the camp, an armored soldier walked in.

”Who is Chen Hong? The General has summoned you!”

”I am.” Chen Mo stepped forward.

The armored soldier cupped his hands and said respectfully, ”Congratulations on your promotion to Camp Commander, Brother Chen.”

Sensing the good intentions, Chen Mo also gave a slight bow.

”Congratulations to the Captain... oops, the Commander, the General has summoned you; in the future, you will surely be promoted and ennobled!”

”The Commander is a pillar of Great Song, and the General’s summoning must mean a bright future ahead.”

Gao Zheng and others also hurriedly flattered him.

Amidst the compliments, Chen Mo followed the armored soldier to the Central Army Camp and met Huangfu Hao.

This was Chen Mo’s first time meeting Huangfu Hao.

He seemed to be in his forties to fifties.

Tall and imposing, probably around 1.9 meters tall.

As for his appearance?

At first glance, one would feel he had the talents of a great general, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes giving an excellent first impression.

”Subordinate Chen Hong, greets the Generals.”

Chen Mo cupped his hands towards Huangfu Hao, and then saluted the other Generals in the camp.

Chen Mo being an eunuch was only known to Xiao Teng.

Everyone else only knew Chen Mo was arranged by the Xiao Family.

Of course, if Huangfu Hao wanted to investigate, he could quickly find out Chen Mo’s true identity.

Chen Mo’s demeanor made Huangfu Hao and the Generals nod approvingly.

Huangfu Hao laughed heartily and motioned that there was no need for formality.

”Today, I’ve observed your courage exceeding ordinary people, and I heard that before the ambush at Jiangyong Mountain last night, you advised General Gao twice: once to not deviate from the original route, and once to not go to Jiangyong Mountain and to return the original way. Is this true?”

Chen Mo replied, ”Yes, it is true.”

”Good. Courageous and wise, I have high hopes for you. When General Xiao arrives, I will certainly speak favorably of you in front of him,” Huangfu Hao said with a smile.

”Thank you, General.” Chen Mo respectfully cupped his hands again.

Huangfu Hao summoned Chen Mo mainly to see this person with his own eyes.

At the time, Chen Mo’s face was covered in blood, so Huangfu Hao hadn’t seen him clearly.

Additionally, it was to give him his rewards.

Now that he is the Camp Commander, he can participate in military decision discussions.

”The most important thing now is to stabilize the army and restore strength. Once General Xiao arrives with reinforcements, we can plan the next steps.”

Huangfu Hao said this and then let the generals discuss how the army should act next.

After intense discussions,

Huangfu Hao looked at Chen Mo and said, ”Chen Hong, what do you think?”

As he was already there, Chen Mo decided not to hold back anymore, and, combining previous simulations, expressed his opinion:

”War is the major event of the state, a matter of life and death, and the path to survival or destruction. So, I believe Qingwan Town is the back route of the Rebel Army. With today’s defeat at Qingwan Town, the news will surely reach the main forces of the Rebel Army, causing their morale and confidence to plummet while our army’s morale is currently high. With the General’s rewards and punishments, a sense of competition is sure to arise, and they will fight more valiantly to earn rewards, so at this moment...”

Huangfu Hao’s eyes lit up, feeling pleasantly surprised, and suddenly asked, ”Chen Hong, have you read military books?”

”Just a little,” came the reply.

Hearing this, Huangfu Hao became even more interested in Chen Mo and immediately said, ”What you say makes some sense. However, our troops are currently fatigued, and launching an attack now is impossible. Besides, our main forces have not yet arrived...”

”Report. Excuse me, General, General Xiao and the Military Supervisor have arrived,”

Before Huangfu Hao finished speaking, a soldier hurriedly ran into the camp and quickly announced.

”Pass the order, hurry and pass it,” upon hearing the arrival of the reinforcements, Huangfu Hao was overjoyed.

A moment later,

Xiao Teng, along with a group of commanders and Wei Xian, entered the central army camp.

This was followed by a round of pleasantries.

After the greetings, Huangfu Hao recounted the events of the past two days.

Upon hearing about Chen Mo’s actions, Xiao Teng was delighted.

The letter Chen Mo had sent him had already been received.

Xiao Teng naturally understood this as Chen Mo’s signal of goodwill towards him.

Since he was from his sister’s camp, he was also considered one of the Xiao Family.

Since someone from his family had achieved merit.

Xiao Teng felt proud.

However, with Wei Xian present, Xiao Teng couldn’t act too familiar.

And Wei Xian, looking at Chen Mo, felt a sense of familiarity.

Subsequently, Huangfu Hao shared his ongoing discussions with Xiao Teng and the others.

He also mentioned Chen Mo’s suggestions.

Being part of the family, Xiao Teng also found Chen Mo’s plan feasible.

Moreover, Fengchi County had yet to be captured, and if the forces were to charge at this moment, it would be perfect for a pincer attack on the main forces of the Rebel Army.

As the Emperor’s man, Wei Xian naturally considered the Emperor’s interests.

The sooner the battle concluded, the less pressure there would be on the Imperial Court.

The Inner Treasury could conserve some silver.

Thus, he too hoped Huangfu Hao would swiftly suppress the Yellow Turban rebels.

After consideration, Huangfu Hao said, ”It is absolutely impossible right now; the army must rest. Pass the order that the troops will rest tonight and march to Fengchi County tomorrow morning.”

After speaking, he dispatched his personal guard to notify any remaining fragments of the Song Army in various states and counties to encircle the rebel army annihilators the following day.

In the deep night,

Huangfu Hao also received news.

The grain supplies from Nan County had already entered the borders and would arrive by morning.

Huangfu Hao arranged for a cavalry unit to escort it.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

...

Meanwhile,

Because they had to move with a large amount of treasure, combined with the low overall quality and disorganized discipline of the Yellow Turban Army,

Zhang Ping and his group only slowly approached Fengchi County at night.

But even so, the army was filled with lamentations, with claims they couldn’t march further and needed to rest.