Chapter 1108

The current state of the world can be described as ever-shifting winds and clouds.

Today's situation is uncertain; it might change completely by tomorrow.

In some people's eyes, the grand trend of the world is like a game on a chessboard, but for the vast majority, the chaos is so tangled they cannot tell who is who, nor do they know where they should go—confusion, disorder, and panic seem to have become the main theme of the entire world.

It is precisely in such circumstances that Chen Wuji's name grows ever louder.

A series of things he once did have been unearthed one by one and widely celebrated.

Because of these events, more and more people are heading to the wild lands of Lingnan.

Nowadays, this is not just a one- or two-time coincidence; it seems to have become a trend.

However, the arrival of over a hundred people at once, as today, is still relatively rare.

Due to the continuous influx of talent from all regions, the lower-level personnel in Nan Jun, Nanyue Jun, and the Tuntian Wei posts have basically reached saturation; some prefectures and counties even have more talent than they can place, so they can only reassign people to other prefectures and counties.

But what Chen Wuji regrets is that while talent keeps pouring in, the great talent he has in mind has not appeared.

Chen Wuji feels he is not being greedy; he does not need someone extraordinarily outstanding—someone of the caliber of Cheng Yu or Jia Xu would satisfy him greatly.

Yet so far, there has been none.

……

At dusk, Chen Wuji set up an outdoor grand banquet in the open space before the central army's big tent to welcome and refresh the arriving civil and military officials.

There were too many people; the big tent could not hold them all, so this method had to be used.

After a simple opening, Chen Wuji raised his cup and drank with everyone, then told them to eat and drink freely without attending to him.

"Sir, you also go down and mingle with them." Chen Wuji smiled and greeted Xu Zengyi, "They are the future pillars; you elders should also get closer to them."

Xu Zengyi looked doubtful, "My lord, including the military commanders, there are over two hundred people? Should we ask them one by one?!"

"Each of you take a few, arrange it yourselves." Chen Wuji said, "Bring a little alcohol; what they say will then not be so empty. But pay attention—those who drink too much should not be listened to, for at that point it is not emptiness but boastful talk."

Xu Zengyi nodded and obeyed the order; he felt Chen Wuji's method was novel and could indeed yield genuine insights, but the surrounding scholar-officials and military commanders all looked bewildered, having no idea what was happening.

No one knew what Chen Wuji and Xu Zengyi were discussing.

Xu Zengyi also understood the crux; after receiving the order, he picked up his wine pot, gathered the civil and military officials, and spoke about the matter of the examination question.

Upon hearing this, everyone instantly became cheerful.

Especially the military commanders, each one leapt up eager to try.

They liked this kind of assessment mixed in with toasting and cup-changing, finding it very interesting.

"Since everyone understands, then go ahead and divide yourselves—each take a few people, pick those who look pleasing to sit with." Xu Zengyi lowered his voice to the crowd, "Do not let them notice; best to ask casually, as if by chance, and hear their true thoughts."

"Yes!"

"Sir, rest assured, I will go first!"

"I like that burly bunch; they definitely won't say anything good, but I can still listen to their other views."

"Hey hey hey, you damn it, take it easy—those people are now my deputy commanders!"

"Unfilial wretch!"

"Hey, surnamed Qian, why are you still cursing people?"

"Where did I curse anyone? Hurry up and find your people; I have no time to fight you. The lord said today is for drinking!"

"I'm watching you—if you dare to poach my deputy commanders, watch out for your third leg!"

"Hmph!"

……

Soon, this grand banquet turned into small groups of private gatherings.

Xu Zengyi and others personally going down almost ruined the moved feelings of these people who had just come to join.

In their view, people like Xu Zengyi, Chen Baojia, and others should be high and lofty, beings they need to look up to.

Yet today, upon first entering the camp, these people actually lowered their stature and personally came to drink with them.

This feeling is no less than a leader inviting you for a small drink after a meeting, or your favorite star asking you to go to another restaurant after a concert—impact and shock are simply overwhelming.

Many were left flustered, unable to speak, just gripping their wine bowls and gulping down alcohol.

This almost surreal atmosphere made every newcomer who came to join feel they had come to the right place.

In this joyful atmosphere, Chen Wuji became the loneliest person.

No one accompanied him.

Chen Li stood on his left, Chen Wushuang stood on his right lower side, sword in hand, their expressions growing increasingly stern.

"Shi Yi Shu, today is an exception—you also have a drink." Chen Wuji looked at the lively atmosphere below, suddenly feeling a bit bored.

Chen Li hesitated, "Family Head, I cannot hold my alcohol; why not let Wushuang keep you company with a drink?"

"Forget it; let him stand there—this brat talks too much and annoys me." Chen Wuji immediately refused.

Having Chen Wushuang accompany him, he might not only be in a bad mood today but could even lose his life.

This brat's killing power is too terrifying.

Chen Li smiled helplessly, took off his waist sword and handed it to a guard on the side, then sat down at Chen Wuji's lower seat.

"Family Head, this child Wushuang is naturally upright; in fact, his mind is very meticulous." Chen Li poured wine for Chen Wuji, then casually remarked as if by chance.

Chen Wuji sat up, "I know, and I bear him no grudge; I mean exactly his uprightness."

"This flaw of his will likely stay with him for life; it's not likely to change. Too bad, with all his talent, given his nature, wanting to carve out a fief and win battlefield glory is probably impossible; from now on, just follow me into the inner court."

In front of these his own people, Chen Wuji no longer concealed his ambition; he said what needed to be said.

Across the world, already more than a dozen people are stirring and plotting to become emperor; his idea, even if spoken aloud, is actually nothing.

After all, long ago, someone had already spread rumors everywhere claiming he wanted to proclaim himself king in Nan Jun.

Later, even the emperor supported replacing him; now revealing a bit of ambition counts for nothing.

"This should be Wushuang's best destination; in fact, he is also suited for this post." Chen Li said, "Family Head, speaking of this, I want to shamelessly ask a favor for Wushuang."

This is Chen Li speaking very rarely.

Not for himself, but for Chen Wushuang!

"Shi Yi Shu, I rely entirely on the brothers of the clan, and I will not forget the brothers of the clan!" Chen Wuji said seriously.

"If they act out of self-interest and pervert justice, I will not let them off lightly, but I will not ignore their merits either. The clan is my Chen Wuji's support, now and in the future!"