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Chapter 167: We will set off in 3 days!

"You're too kind, Prime Minister!" Chen Nan was full of doubts, but he still went along with what the other party was saying.

"When does Your Highness plan to launch the campaign against the barbarian tribes?" Changsun Du stroked his beard and spoke slowly. "I wonder if I could accompany Your Highness on this journey?"

"You're going too?" Chen Nan was even more surprised.

He still remembered that just two days ago, Changsun Du had stubbornly gone against him.

Only two days later, Changsun Du not only made a complete 180-degree turn in his attitude, but also provided his army with provisions.

Now they're even asking him to go on the expedition with the army?

Chen Nan wasn't the only one puzzled. Everyone in the hall, except for a handful of people who knew the inside story, was completely baffled and had no idea what Changsun Du was up to.

"Is what the Prime Minister said true?" Chen Nan asked in surprise.

“Of course, does Your Highness think I’m the kind of person who doesn’t keep his word?” Changsun Du affirmed again.

"Hehe!" Chen Nan chuckled dryly.

In his heart, Changsun Du was more than just a treacherous person who didn't keep his word; he wasn't even a human being. He was a complete two-faced scoundrel.

Calling him a piece of trash is an insult.

Changsun Du knew that Chen Nan didn't believe him, but what he really wanted was not for the other party to believe him.

Instead, it allows them to set off earlier, giving them more time to prepare.

Chen Nan shook his head and said, "Prime Minister, you're making fun of me again. How can you call the Prime Minister a petty person?"

“However,” Chen Nan paused, “going out to fight is, after all, something a military officer should do.”

"The Prime Minister is merely a civil official; he should focus on doing his duty. In doing so, he will become the greatest asset to Northern Wei!"

Seeing that Changsun Du had agreed to the expedition against the barbarians, Chen Nan was unwilling to argue with him and simply kept giving perfunctory replies.

"If that's the case, then it's truly a pity!" Changsun Du sighed and shook his head, as if he deeply regretted not being able to go with the army.

However, it was suspicious that he even agreed, and now he simply agreed not to go without even arguing.

Chen Nan found this action even more problematic and subconsciously began to overthink it.

"Ministers, does anyone have any other opinions or suggestions regarding my campaign against the barbarian tribes?" Chen Nan skipped over Changsun Du and asked the other officials.

However, he himself advocated for the campaign, even though Changsun Du had previously led the opposition against him.

Now that even the only person who could carry the banner is gone, those people naturally dare not have any objections.

They all nodded and said, "We all agree with Your Highness's decision to punish the barbarians!"

"In that case, if there's nothing else, everyone may leave!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Nan led his men out of the main hall.

Half an hour later, in the Wei capital government office.

Chen Nan and his group sat down in an orderly fashion.

"Don't just stand there, tell me how we should deal with this punitive expedition?" Chen Nan asked first.

"Master, what's there to discuss? Let's just sweep through!" Chen Sheng answered first. "They're just a small barbarian tribe, how powerful can they be!"

Chen Sheng is extremely arrogant right now, but once he fights the barbarian tribe, he will know just how powerful they really are.

"We must not do that!" Chen Nan shook his head and refused: "Hongming said before that the Barbarian Tribe has two crystals with extremely powerful effects. We must avoid their attacks!"

He was a brilliant military strategist, not a fool. There was no need for him to use tens of thousands of men to fight against the army of the barbarian tribes, especially an army of fearless second-tier warriors.

Unless absolutely necessary, he prefers to achieve the greatest merit with the least loss.

"Chen Nan, there's something I don't know how to tell you..." Hongming looked hesitant.

"It's alright, just say what you want to say, we're all friends here!" Chen Nan smiled gently at the other person.

Seeing Chen Nan's affirmation, Hongming didn't mince words: "Did you notice just now that Prime Minister Changsun seemed a bit off?"

"Haha, I noticed that in the imperial court as well." Chen Nan smiled disdainfully.

"Isn't it just that they plan to cause some trouble in the rear and embarrass me after I get out?"

"Don't worry, I won't be taking everyone with me on this expedition."

"Ah? Master, you must take me with you!" Upon hearing that not everyone could go together, Chen Sheng quickly spoke up.

He's a pure warmonger; fighting is much more comfortable than staying at home.

"Don't worry, you're definitely going!" Chen Nan said earnestly.

"Currently, the Wei capital is defended by 20,000 troops, including 5,000 cavalry, 5,000 iron cavalry brought by Chen Sheng himself, and 3,000 White Horse Cavalry under Zhao Yun."

"Finally, there are 10,000 Mo Dao soldiers, plus Gao Shun's 700 Trapped Camp soldiers."

"For this campaign, I plan to bring 12,000 men drawn from the Wei capital's garrison, along with your two 8,000 cavalry, and finally the Mo Dao Army, for a total of 30,000 troops!"

"Thirty thousand troops to fight the barbarians?" Hongming looked surprised. "Have you forgotten what I told you before?"

"Is 30,000 really enough?"

She was already starting to worry even before the expedition had begun.

"No way!" Hongming jumped up, ran to Chen Nan, and said in an unquestionable tone, "I want to go too!"

Just as Hongming finished speaking, Chen Nan's heart suddenly clenched. In that instant, it felt as if he had lost something important, and he immediately refused: "No, you can't go!"

Strangely, right after Chen Nan finished speaking, Hong Ming frowned, suddenly clutched his heart, and squatted down.

"What's wrong with you?"

Chen Nan looked nervous and rushed to Hong Ming's side. After helping him up, he reached out and placed his hand on Hong Ming's pulse to feel it carefully.

Hongming shook his head: "I'm fine, it's just that you told me not to go, and I feel like I've lost something important that I can never find again!"

Chen Nan's eyes widened immediately: "You feel this way too?"

The two locked eyes, and Hongming didn't ask any further questions.

She knew that Chen Nan's statement meant that he had felt the same way just now.

"I must go. If you don't let me go, I will go alone with the Hong family's personal guards!" At this moment, Hong Ming fully displayed her aura as a female war goddess.

"Sigh, I knew it!" Chen Nan smiled helplessly. "Alright, then you can come with me!"

Having said that, he looked up at the crowd and said, "Three days from now, I will personally lead Hongming, Zhao Yun, Chen Sheng, and Wu Xu, and muster an army of 30,000 to attack the barbarian army!"

"Mo Bai will remain in the Weidu Prefecture government office, while Gao Shun will go into hiding. The two of you must discuss and execute any matters together, and in the event of any dispute, Gao Shun shall prevail!"

"Do you have any objections?"

Everyone clasped their hands and nodded in unison: "Your humble servant is without fault!"