"Commander Chen! Lord Cui has given the order, please proceed immediately to the main military tent for a council!"
Hearing this, Chen Ye's face showed no surprise.
He rose neatly, followed the messenger, and strode toward the main camp.
Inside the main military tent, firewood piled high in a brazier was burning fiercely, illuminating the interior brightly.
Cui Changfeng sat squarely in the main seat, his expression solemn.
Before him, various military clerks and retainers of the camp stood with hands at their sides, the atmosphere heavy.
Cui Rong and Wu Qichi were strikingly among their ranks.
"Chen Ye greets my lord."
Chen Ye lifted the tent flap and stepped inside, cupping his fists in a salute.
Cui Changfeng nodded slightly, saying nothing more, and motioned for him to stand aside.
The others showed no intention of greeting him either.
Acting with utmost tact, Chen Ye quietly retreated to a rear corner at the back of the tent, standing in silent wait.
After a short while, Yan Zhang and Cai Shangping also hurried into the tent.
Both looked rather disheveled, as though they had been summoned before they could properly clean up, still stained with blood and mud.
Cui Changfeng swept his gaze over the group and said with dignified authority, "Everyone has arrived. Regarding this river crossing, what were the losses of each unit? As well as the current situation over at Heliang City, let each of you report."
Yan Zhang stepped forward first, cupping his hands in reply, "Reporting to my lord, this subordinate's three hundred servant soldiers were ambushed and charged by the Northern Liang Heavy Cavalry while crossing the river, suffering nearly two hundred casualties... Only seventy-five returned safely to camp, and they have now been properly settled."
Cai Shangping followed closely with his report, "My