Chapter 1146: Bottom Line Probe

Chen Wuji had just sat up after turning over in bed when Yan Qiushui brought a cup of hot tea to his face.

Regarding Chen Wuji's habit of having a cup of hot tea after waking from his nap, Yan Qiushui and Shen Lu now know it better than Chen Wuji himself—basically, as soon as Chen Wuji opens his eyes, the tea is brought over.

These days have finally given Chen Wuji a sense of high position and great authority.

Those trivial miscellaneous affairs no longer require him to handle personally; a single word or a glance is enough for someone to act.

Jia Yujing walked in and said, "My lord, Wei Zhong requests that you dispatch troops to take over the territory, as well as the troops of him, Wei Baoguo, and Zhuge Xun."

"He even managed to win over Wei Baoguo?" Chen Wuji expressed slight surprise.

As for these three—Wei Baoguo—his desk has long been piled with who-knows-how-many intelligence reports sent by the Spy Camp, so detailed that Chen Wuji now only needs to dig up their ancestors eighteen generations back.

Although the Uyghur matter remains unresolved, Chen Wuji's eyes have long been fixed on these few neighbors.

Jia Yujing replied: "My lord, speaking of this matter, it is actually quite interesting. Wei Baoguo, to prevent your surprise attack on Shangyu and Hongde Commanderies, summoned Wei Zhong and Zhuge Xun to form an alliance at Xinhe Zhou, where the three sides gathered over 150,000 troops."

"But perhaps Wei Baoguo was overconfident, or perhaps he gave Wei Zhong some face—he did not dispatch troops to control Xinhe Cheng, so the city remains under Wei Zhong's control. He only brought three thousand personal guards into the city, and then was subdued by Wei Zhong."

Chen Wuji nodded: "Did their troops just honestly surrender?"

"Of course not. Wei Zhong forcibly ordered Wei Baoguo and Zhuge Xun to set up a Hongmen Banquet, dealt with some troublemakers, and only then did the surrender come about. Now these officers are still detained in Xinhe Cheng. Wei Zhong requests that you dispatch troops quickly, fearing delays may bring changes." Jia Yujing said.

Chen Wuji pondered slightly, then asked: "Do you think there is any deception involved in this?"

"I feel it's not too likely, but judging these matters based solely on the words of a single envoy would be too rash. I suggest my lord deploy more troops."

Chen Wuji nodded: "Being cautious is not wrong."

"Someone, let Chen Baojia and Hu Bugui come see me as quickly as possible."

"Yes!"

……

The surrender of Shangyu and Hongde Commanderies went so smoothly that Chen Wuji felt it almost unbelievable.

It was as smooth as slicing jelly with a sharp knife—effortlessly resolved.

Moreover, the gains were extraordinarily exaggerated.

The number of surrendered troops alone reached 220,000, and the remaining grain and supplies listed on the ledger—those strings of numbers—Chen Wuji almost had to count them one by one like an elementary school student to verify.

To quickly accumulate strength, Wei Baoguo and the other two all adopted the same method: flirting with local gentry, exchanging official posts and land for large amounts of supplies.

Over the past nearly a year, these three did nothing else but hoard money and grain, then recruit troops and buy horses. They never fought a single battle externally, so their consumption of supplies was naturally not high.

This naturally benefited Chen Wuji.

Without losing a single soldier, Chen Wuji became modestly rich in a flash.

But regarding the fate of these three, Chen Wuji found himself in a dilemma.

Wei Zhong and Zhuge Xun are still relatively manageable.

The key is Wei Baoguo.

Chen Wuji knows exactly how this man surrendered.

This person's ambition is not small.

After discussion, Xu Zengyi and others suggested that Chen Wuji temporarily retain this man in the role of Assistant Officer by his side, without assigning him a post.

After consideration, Chen Wuji agreed.

Keeping him nearby indeed allows clearer observation, and future decisions can be made later.

As for Wei Zhong and Zhuge Xun, Xu Zengyi and others suggested that after pacifying the Uyghurs, they be assigned there—since the Uyghur territory is not small, once pacified, it will certainly require large numbers of personnel.

Especially men like Wei Zhong and Zhuge Xun, who originally held the position of Prefect and have ample experience as local officials.

Several days later, Chen Wuji personally met the Wei brothers and Zhuge Xun, who had been escorted by hundreds of black-armored cavalry, at the Hezhou Fu government office.

Wei Baoguo and Wei Zhong are indeed brothers born of the same mother, their appearances nearly identical, but their temperaments differ greatly: Wei Zhong exudes the air of a scholar from head to toe, while Wei Baoguo carries a hint of banditry, with a fierce look in the corners of his eyes.

"Several of you have come far and endured hardship—please have some simple refreshments first." Chen Wuji did not put on any airs, casually greeting them to eat.

Today is a traditional banquet, with separate seating—each person at their own small table, eating individually.

With the large-scale rise of taverns, people now often share tables, which has become a trend.

But in any somewhat large gathering, separate seating remains the rule.

It is also a necessity of etiquette.

"I would like to know how Marquis Zhenyuan will deal with us? Please, Marquis, inform us of one or two details; otherwise, no matter how good the food, I fear I cannot swallow it." Wei Baoguo rose, reluctantly performing a salute.

His question was phrased crudely, his words full of resistance and unwillingness, though his posture was acceptable—at least he knew to salute, and likely understood he was now truly the meat on the chopping block.

Chen Wuji smiled and said: "Your surrender was seen by me, Chen Wuji—I will not shortchange the three of you. As for specific arrangements, they still need discussion. You have come to serve us—how could I let your talents go unused?"

If reputation were not a concern, Chen Wuji would actually not intend to keep Wei Baoguo.

But if he were killed, others who later wish to serve would certainly develop reservations.

The consequences of killing him would be far more troublesome than not killing him—so for now, he must be kept, to observe the outcome.

"Marquis, my martial ability in battle is decent—I wonder if I might have the chance to command a route of troops?" Wei Baoguo asked again, his tone slightly frivolous.

Chen Wuji's lips curled slightly—this newcomer had already begun probing his limits.

Indeed, he is an restless sort.

Chen Wuji said: "I have also heard somewhat of General Wei's abilities—indeed, they are quite good. But in my army, it has always been one position per person. General Wei wanting to command troops is temporarily impossible. However, I can offer you the role of Assistant Officer, to assist in military affairs."

"Is the Marquis being a bit stingy? I, at least, have presented you with a commandery!" Wei Baoguo said displeased.

Chen Wuji suddenly found this person somewhat interesting.

One who dares to show emotion from the start is better than one who hides and hesitates.

"Assistant Officer may not be a high post, but here, our Assistant Officers differ from those elsewhere." Chen Wuji said: "Many important positions here are essentially filled by those who started as Assistant Officers."

Chen Wuji raised his hand to point at Zhao Chen and Xu Xiu sitting beside him: "They are still Assistant Officers now, but respectively serve as Inspectors of Shangfang Commandery and Jiannan Commandery."