Chapter 1098

"Fireman?!"

Chen Wuji looked dazed and asked again.

Is this pursuit by a Daoist sect disciple a bit too eccentric?

Just being a fireman—does he really need his immortal-like master to first write a letter, then personally say it all over again? Sneaking in to enlist as an assistant officer wouldn't achieve the same?!

Qingwei bowed with clasped hands, "Marquis, this humble Daoist has a greedy mouth and enjoys good food; I often like to ponder over various edibles. Serving as a fireman in the supply camp should be the most suitable post for me now. As for other matters, I currently lack the confidence, dare not, and find it inconvenient to lightly attempt them, fearing I might delay others."

This reason—how to put it—can also be considered a reason.

Chen Wuji then turned to Yu Yu Daozhang, "Daozhang, don't you have any opinion?"

"If he wants to be a fireman, Marquis, just let him be. This brat has been like a wild monkey since childhood; even if I had an opinion, he might not listen!" Yu Yu Daozhang sighed, his face showing the helplessness of an old father.

Chen Wuji felt a bit disappointed.

Just being a fireman—does it really require going to such great lengths?

He had always thought Yu Yu Daozhang sending his disciple over was to find him a capable subordinate.

This, compared to what he originally envisioned, cannot be said to have nothing in common—it's off by a hundred and eight thousand miles.

"Since Daozhang has no objection, then let him be a fireman in the central army!" Chen Wuji said.

Although everyone had already prepared to become firemen, Chen Wuji still felt things shouldn't be that simple. A Daoist sect disciple, if truly fond of researching food, wouldn't need to come to the army to be a fireman; on the mountain, their conditions would be more flexible, they could research however they wanted, and wouldn't have to endure hardship.

First, arrange the person to go down, then reassess the situation later.

Perhaps this isn't even Qingwei's own intention, but rather Yu Yu Daozhang's arrangement, possibly mixed with deeper meaning.

Such enlightened masters most enjoy doing things like this—before the mystery is revealed, they keep you shrouded in mystery, at most uttering a few cryptic remarks, barely touching on it.

……

Chen Wuji stayed briefly in the mountains for several days; Jia Yujing suddenly sent a letter saying Shangfang Commandery would soon have people coming to defect. Chen Wuji dared not linger longer, hastily leading his troops down the mountain, straight for Zhangye City.

Yu Yu Daozhang did not accompany Chen Wuji; he said he would stay a while on Buzhou Shan to gather medicinal herbs, then afterward go to the Uyghur region.

Chen Wuji tried several methods to lure Yu Yu Daozhang along, but failed.

The Daozhang has his own heaven and earth in mind; worldly power and profit are but floating clouds in his eyes, utterly unmoved. Chen Wuji even resorted to invoking himself and the Zhongyuan common folk, but the old Daoist simply said he had his own fixed numbers and dismissed Chen Wuji.

Helpless, Chen Wuji could only abandon this plan.

However, the young Daoist Qingwei has adapted well to the supply camp. According to those below, he truly is researching food, and very diligently—nearly all day long he stays by the pot, either boiling this or stewing that.

The only issue is his great fondness for using medicinal herbs.

A single meal requires heaping large handfuls of herbs into it.

Since Qingwei Daozhang obeyed orders and arrived at the supply camp, the soldiers there now must spend half each day gathering herbs; otherwise, there simply isn't enough for the young Daoist's daily use.

That is, this is done under Chen Wuji's orders; otherwise, the supply camp soldiers would have long since beaten him up, for unjustly increasing their workload—this would surely earn him a few thrashings.

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji summoned several soldiers from the guard camp to ask if they noticed any bodily changes. After listening, the several soldiers all looked bewildered, feeling no change in their bodies.

This left Chen Wuji slightly bewildered.

Could it be that Qingwei Daozhang's dosage is too small, so far no effect is visible?

"Does the Family Head think Qingwei Daozhang's voluntary request to go to the supply camp aims to improve the soldiers' constitutions?" Chen Li asked from the side, unable to hold back.

Chen Wuji nodded, "It seems so, but the soldiers feel nothing."

"You know about the supply camp—Qingwei adds large amounts of herbs to the meals daily; this must serve some purpose, and certainly not a harmful one. This master and disciple pair could not possibly do such a thing; in other words, it's unnecessary."

Chen Li gave a low chuckle, "I still can't believe this is the first time I've seen the Family Head trust someone to this extent!"

"Shi Yi Shu, your words—I don't particularly like hearing them!"

Chen Li lightly coughed, "Really, how did I accidentally blurt out the truth?"

"Qingwei Daozhang does these things openly, not behind anyone's back—indeed, it's not a bad thing. I sent people to carefully check the herbs he uses; they are qi-tonifying and orifice-opening herbs. Such herbs are for laying foundations; one feels no strong effect initially, but they have the effect of gradual accumulation leading to great results."

"For martial practitioners, these herbs are very important. When there's no sensation, there's not even a hint of feeling; but when sensation arises, sometimes one can achieve the effect of a thousand miles in a day."

Chen Wuji chuckled, "So this time it's Shi Yi Shu who's uneasy?"

"The Family Head trusts too much—I'm not at ease." Chen Li said seriously, "According to my own heart, I also greatly trust Yu Yu Daozhang, but vigilance against people must not be absent, especially when we cannot fathom many of their actions—then caution is even more needed."

Chen Wuji lightly coughed, "Actually, I also occasionally ask the two Lu family elders to take a look."

"Too bad these two don't understand herbal medicine; clearly they've reached that level in martial arts, yet half their lives they've hardly dealt with herbs. Lu Daye personally brought the prescription to consult his old friend."

Chen Li: ……

After a long while, he lightly chuckled, "Also, in our army's main camp, why would I need to do this extra thing? With those few around, even a casual glance makes everything clear as day."

Chen Wuji stared at Chen Li with a strange expression.

Some people pretend to be ordinary to the point of addiction, as if they truly forgot what level they are.

"Although due vigilance should be observed, but since they've gone to such trouble to help us, we shouldn't judge a gentleman's belly with a petty heart." Chen Wuji waved his hand, "Send more personnel to the supply camp to await Qingwei Daozhang's orders—herb gathering is no easy task."

"Yes!"

"Also, Shi Yi Shu, recently select from the army some soldiers with strong strength and alertness!" Chen Wuji walked into the big tent, casually giving an order, "I personally cannot go south to inspect the situation now, but this inspection task must still be carried out as before."

He planned to make the inspector's tour a fixed project in the future.

He now effectively controls four commanderies' territory; he cannot continue to let things take their own course—what needs perfecting must be perfected, everything adjusted as quickly as possible onto the proper track.