Chapter 1101

Tang Xiaoning faced Chen Wuji's indifferent gaze, which seemed devoid of any emotion, and instantly panicked, falling to his knees with a thud, "Marquis, spare me... I was forced, I didn't want to, but Tang Commandant held a knife to my neck, threatened my family, and I had no choice."

"Who are you?" Chen Wuji demanded coldly.

Some people's gall is truly fat beyond measure, actually coming to beg for alms on his head.

"Reporting to the Marquis, I am a small vendor in Jianshui City, my name is Zheng Zhongcai. Because I am quick-tongued, barely qualifying as eloquent, this is why Tang Commandant took notice of me, gave me this task, forcing me to impersonate Tang Commandant to come see the Marquis." Zheng Zhongcai stammered, not finishing a sentence before sweat poured down his head, his body trembling as if he had a severe chill.

Chen Wuji's gaze shifted slightly, "This eloquence of yours, is it sharp?"

"I used to be fairly articulate, but facing the Marquis, I... I am nervous!"

"Give you a chance, explain again how Yunning Prefecture came to be this way!" Chen Wuji shifted his buttocks, sat sideways, and adjusted himself into a more comfortable posture.

"Yes yes yes!" Zheng Zhongcai kowtowed like pounding garlic, nervously swallowing twice before speaking, "Tang Xiaoning killed the former Prefect, now occupies most of Yunning Prefecture, commanding about seven or eight thousand troops, mainly concentrated in Jianshui City, while the surrounding counties are controlled by local gentry, who raise their own troops."

"I don't know whether he genuinely surrendered or intends to deceive you into handing over military equipment, he didn't tell me this, and I dare not ask randomly. However... I boldly speculate that Tang Xiaoning plans to pull a 'nothing-something-white-wolf' on you, but this is only my guess, I don't know if it's true."

Chen Wuji stroked his chin, pondering briefly before asking, "What is his relationship with that Xu Song?"

"Marquis, I am merely an insignificant vendor in Jianshui with no real insight, I truly don't know about this matter. Tang Xiaoning instructed me to say this, so I said it; as for other things, I genuinely don't know." Zheng Zhongcai said with a mournful face.

This question itself was deliberately posed by Chen Wuji; if he were to actually answer with a zi-chou-yin-mao, today's punishment of being torn apart by five horses would likely be his fate.

After two rounds of no truth from his mouth, Chen Wuji had no patience to treat him like a bodhisattva.

"What is Tang Xiaoning's reputation?" Chen Wuji asked.

"He..." Zheng Zhongcai suddenly didn't know how to speak, after pondering for a while he said, "Tang Xiaoning, in my personal feeling, he should have some ambition, but he is not good to ordinary commoners, he only favors the gentry."

"Actually, I think this is normal, even understandable. Those gentry have money and grain, with grain comes hired labor, with hired labor their power grows."

"As for us petty commoners, now in Yunning the taxes are only slightly heavier than before, the increase isn't much, at least we can still get by. As for other matters, I really don't know how to speak; if you put Tang Xiaoning before the Marquis, he is not a good person."

"But compared to many others, he's not too bad, at least he hasn't treated us petty commoners like livestock, still giving us a way to survive."

Chen Wuji could tell Zheng Zhongcai was now speaking from the heart.

It's just unclear which parts of his words are true and which are false.

However, based on these words, Chen Wuji intends to spare his life and let him go back.

Chen Wu looked toward Xu Zengyi and the others seated below him.

Just a glance, Xu Zengyi instantly understood, he spoke in a deep voice: "How are the defenses of Jianshui City? What is the strength of Tang Xiaoning's troops? Speak from your own perspective."

Zheng Zhongcai scratched his head, "Defenses... somewhat stricter than before, the city gate is mostly closed, only opening briefly in the morning and afternoon for people to enter and exit."

"How strong are those troops under his command, this matter... I truly don't know how to say. However, I have a fellow's son who joined Tang Xiaoning's army; that boy used to be an idle loafer, fond of fighting, but if it came to real combat, he might not be able to beat me."

"When Tang Xiaoning recruited troops, many idlers like that boy came from the city, we also haven't seen them train regularly, so... their strength probably isn't much to speak of."

"Someone, bring paper and brush!" Xu Zengyi ordered.

The guards quickly brought the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

"The terrain around Jianshui City, and where Tang Xiaoning stations his troops, draw as much as you remember." Xu Zengyi said to Zheng Zhongcai, "Once this is done, I will intercede for you with my lord; you should know you now have one foot already stepped on the edge of death, impersonating an enemy commander before my lord to defraud our army's military equipment, you are the first in history to do so."

"I will draw, I will draw now, old sir, please don't frighten me, my hand trembles..." Zheng Zhongcai said with a mournful face, whispering, just now he had already imagined his death ten thousand times.

"Once drawn, I will spare your life!" Chen Wuji spoke timely.

In his presence, Xu Zengyi could at most utter a plea, impossible to replace him in making this decision, this statement can only come from him.

Zheng Zhongcai's face lit up with joy, he hurriedly knelt again: "I thank the Marquis for his mercy, the Marquis is merciful!"

Chen Wuji waved his hand, signaling Zheng Zhongcai to draw his.

"Eh eh eh, yes yes yes!"

Zheng Zhongcai scrambled up, vigorously shook his badly trembling wrist, slightly calmed his nerves, then picked up the brush to draw.

Although he called himself a small vendor, his hands held several brushes, the map drawn was lifelike, mountains marked with mountain symbols, rivers and roads properly labeled.

It appears he is not merely a vendor confined to the city, but someone who has truly used maps and seen the world.

Xu Zengyi had been watching from the side, and the moment Zheng Zhongcai finished drawing, he took the map over, personally handed it to Chen Wuji, while softly saying: "My lord, Jianshui City can be considered for capture!"

Chen Wuji startled and lifted his head, "Mr. Xu, what stimulation did you receive today?"

Usually utterly composed, Mr. Xu actually proposed such an absurd suggestion, truly somewhat frightening.

Yunning Prefecture lies in the middle of Shangfang Commandery, Chen Wuji has been traveling along its western edge, how is this Yunning Prefecture to be attacked?

Must one cross half of Shangfang Commandery to vent one's anger?

"I... am doing quite well today." Xu Zengyi pointed at the map, "My lord, this position of Jianshui City is excellent, once taken, it will be like a thorn deeply embedded in Shangfang Commandery."

"Sir, I also want to fight, but, what do we have to fight with?" Chen Wuji asked.