Chapter 1099

"Family Head, do you have specific numbers?" Chen Li entered the tent and asked.

Chen Wuji poked the glowing charcoal in the brazier with a wooden stick, "Let's limit it to a hundred people, just responsible for the safety of the inspectors, no need to make a big show, but also can't be too few."

The place has just enjoyed peace and can barely be said to have entered a stage of steady development.

If no major rebellion occurs, a hundred people are enough to protect the inspectors' safety.

But if rebels truly appear, it will depend on the inspectors' adaptability; even a thousand-strong guard might not suffice, let alone a hundred.

"For inspecting the region, I plan to send Chang Jingxuan and Yuan Dingcheng. What does Shi Yi Shu think?" Chen Wuji threw several cleaned yam slices into the ash pile beneath the brazier, then covered them with a layer of glowing charcoal ash.

In winter, he always liked to roast something on the brazier, followed by a pot of hot tea or warm wine.

These things have almost become habitual now.

Some think this is not what a lord should do; he doesn't look like a mortal ruler, more like a mountain recluse practicing austerity like Qingwei.

But in Chen Wuji's view, a lord is still human; he cannot maintain a stern face all day, all year round, always dignified and formal in official duties.

Such days would be too dull.

Chen Li brought over a folding bed for Chen Wuji and immediately said: "Although Chang Jingxuan and Yuan Dingcheng lack great wisdom and strategy, they are both talents in civil administration, meticulous and careful in their work, fully capable of this task!"

"Fortunately Shi Yi Shu didn't object; otherwise I really wouldn't know who else to send!" Chen Wuji said jokingly, stating a plain truth.

He seems to have always been lacking in talent.

Now looking around, his subordinates could be considered abundant in talent, yet still lacking.

Whenever a matter arises, a labor shortage occurs.

These people are now like one radish per hole; if one is dug out, his tasks must halt, and he needs to safely replace them with others.

Chen Li did not respond to Chen Wuji's teasing, but asked: "Family Head, since we cannot withdraw troops this year, why not send someone to fetch the ladies to Zhangye City?"

"Our army cannot withdraw troops this year; next year will likely be even harder. When the lord stands on the south bank of the great river, the world will tremble because of the Family Head, and then the warfare will surely be even harder to extricate oneself from."

Deeply knowing Chen Wuji's character, Chen Li no longer dares to suggest Chen Wuji take command in the rear or point to military affairs, knowing it would be useless anyway.

Chen Wuji indeed misses San Niang and the others; it's been nearly a year since they last met.

"Bring them over, temporarily settle them in Zhangye City!" Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"

Chen Li sighed in relief.

He was very worried Chen Wuji would refuse this matter.

As the legitimate head, Chen Wuji seems indifferent to his offspring; these clan elders have been worrying half-white-haired over the past half year.

Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi send him a letter every few days, urging him to press Chen Wuji to have children soon, to have children quickly.

But Chen Li is also helpless; every day he's either fighting or on the road to fight, and the ladies—only Qin Lady and Lu Lady occasionally stay nearby, visiting for a few days at a time.

In the second half of the year, the Zhang clan has been around often, but…… many nights there is not even a sound.

No sound at all—how can children be born?

……

When Chen Wuji led his army back to Zhangye City, the envoy mentioned in Jia Yujing's letter was already waiting in the city, arriving in disguise as a merchant caravan, silently; even when coming to see Chen Wuji, he appeared in merchant attire, and deliberately chose a time near dusk.

"Yunning Prefect Tang Xiaojun pays respects to Marquis Zhenyuan!"

Short and sturdy, looking nothing like a general, this man stood in the hall, posture timid and shrinking, his eyes revealing a merchant's unique shrewdness, as if the words "calculation" were almost written in his eyeballs.

Xu Zengyi, seated to Chen Wuji's lower side, glanced at this person twice, his brow barely perceptibly furrowed.

And Chu Xiu, sitting close beside him, already had an unpleasant expression, cold severity mixed with killing intent.

Chen Wuji glanced around, seeing these scholar-officials' reactions, he already had a rough idea in mind: "Tang Prefect did well in secrecy; those who contacted me revealed not a single word about their identity, only insisting on requesting an escort, even if they reached my place, they dare not come openly—what is the meaning of this?"

In the letter sent by Jia Yujing's envoy, it only said that Shangfang Commandery had a prefecture wishing to surrender, the other side proactively contacted his person in Pingding Prefecture, but refused to reveal even half a word of their identity, only saying that upon meeting Chen Wuji, everything would be made clear.

Jia Yujing entrusted the Spy Camp to investigate, but time was too rushed, only pinning down Yunning Prefecture, other specific identities remained unclear.

The Spy Camp in Shangfang Commandery already had roots left by the Ciji Zhai; investigating a person is not overly difficult, but the other side was too secretive, everything hidden head and revealed tail, making it comparatively hard.

Moreover, time was extremely limited; in the hurry, only this much information could be obtained.

"Marquis, please forgive my rudeness, Subordinate has been impolite, but this is not Subordinate's true wish; indeed, the recent situation in the prefecture and commandery is tense, Subordinate had no choice but to be cautious." Tang Xiaoning apologized.

"Since the Marquis's ten thousand cavalry entered the borders, the entire Shangfang Commandery, high and low, has been on edge, even idle city gates remain closed, all major routes guarded by troops. Subordinate, though admiring the Marquis deeply, if not cautious, today I fear I may not get to see the Marquis."

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "My entourage welcomes those like you who share the same ideals; if you believe in me, I will certainly find a way to protect you fully—first, tell me your request for coming today!"

Tang Xiaoning immediately straightened his posture, "My lord... I, Subordinate commands only three thousand troops, though all are elite soldiers and strong generals, Subordinate has no other request, only wishing the Marquis to order the troops to take a detour to Yunning, then Subordinate can seize the opportunity, coordinate inside and out, and seize Yunning Prefecture."

"As for how Yunning Prefecture should be handled afterward, entirely up to the Marquis's decision; Subordinate dares not interject. But now there are several troublesome matters: our army lacks warhorses, lacks armor; still hoping the Marquis could bestow a few sets."

Chen Wuji scratched his brow.

Now it can basically be confirmed this person came here to extract autumn wind.

Where does the gall come from, to be so brazen?

He, Chen someone, horizontally pushed the Qiang, drove the Uyghur to west of Buzhou Mountain, yet upon arriving in Shangfang Commandery, even this bit of face is gone.

Damn, it's gone too far.

"Warhorses and armor are easy to discuss; since you fight for me, I ought to prepare some life-preserving things for you." Chen Wuji said, "How many do you prepare?"

"Ten thousand warhorses, ten thousand sets of armor!"