Chapter 1155: Just a Thief

Chen Wuji now seriously doubts whether Deng Zhao is the long-lost brother of Cao Mu.

These two people are not just similar in temperament and physique.

They are also both talkative.

He merely gave a simple opening, and the result was that this guy started talking right from the creation of heaven and earth, and showed no intention of stopping.

"The neighboring county was occupied by mountain bandits, and the county magistrate there sent people to seek help in the middle of the night. If I didn't rescue them, I would feel uneasy in my heart. Our county magistrate also advised me nearby, so I took people there."

Deng Zhao raised his wine bowl, toasted Chen Wuji from afar, then took a sip, moistened his throat, and continued speaking: "When I heard the county magistrate of the neighboring county talk about it, I thought those mountain bandits must be formidable, but when I arrived on the scene, I saw—damn it—a bunch of useless good-for-nothings!"

"At the time, I also had no siege equipment. Facing a fortified city, I had no choice but to send people to insult the mountain bandits at the city gate, cursing their ancestors for eighteen generations. My intention in provoking him was to make him lead his men out of the city to fight me. Who would have thought that after that brat led his men out of the city, he actually wanted to duel me in combat?"

"Hehe, I am indeed a county commandant, but I have practiced martial arts since childhood. Our family's martial arts are still quite good. Although I have not entered the rank of grand master, I was already at the master level by the age of sixteen. I fear him? I killed him with a single spear thrust."

"After the bandit leader died, the remaining bandits surrendered at the sight of the wind. The trouble in the neighboring county was resolved, but I was then entangled by the county magistrate there, who insisted on placing me in command of the troops of two counties and, on his own initiative, recruited a thousand soldiers for me. I just ended up like this, dazed and confused, with nearly five thousand men under my command..."

"Later..."

Xu Zengyi and the others silently glanced at Chen Wuji, seeing that he had no intention of stopping him, so they also refrained from interrupting. A group of people slowly ate and drank, listening to Deng Zhao tell his story alone.

A perfectly good welcoming feast had thus turned into Deng Zhao's solo hundred-schools forum.

Deng Zhao this guy really can talk.

Moreover, nothing is too big or too small.

Since he came to command troops, whenever there is something even slightly important, he brings it up to talk about.

This one talk lasted an entire time period.

It seemed he even made this guy happy, talking until his face turned red and his demeanor became exalted.

He also didn't drink little—his side's jar of wine seemed to have already been finished.

Chen Wuji made a gesture, signaling the personal guard to bring Deng Zhao another jar of wine, then smiled and said: "Deng General's experiences are truly remarkable, and his qi flow is also far from ordinary. If I were to say, you invested a bit too early."

Deng Zhao quickly waved his hands: "Your Highness must not encourage me to do this—I truly know my own limits."

"Although things have gone smoothly so far on this journey, people still need to have some self-awareness. My so-called qi flow, in my view, is simply having gone through so many things and still managed to live well until now."

"Deng General, he is a remarkable person!" Chen Wuji praised.

This is not mere polite talk, but his genuine opinion.

A county commandant being able to smoothly rise to the level of regional lords, and even while holding such a high position, decisively choosing to surrender to him, and moreover, without a word of disagreement, personally running over here—

If this is not a remarkable person, how else could one introduce him?

"No, no, I am just an ordinary person—seeing good fortune and knowing when to stop is how one achieves a good ending!" Deng Zhao chuckled.

"I truly have no great ambitions. If I must say I have any, my ambition is roughly to become a general, then marry a wife as beautiful as a flower, uh... maybe two—one might feel a bit lonely, then have a bunch of sons to flourish the Deng family's incense and lineage."

Chen Wuji couldn't help but laugh.

This person is quite interesting.

"Your ambition to become a general has already been achieved, and I can satisfy you, but as for marrying a wife, don't look to me—I can't help you with that." Chen Wuji said.

After a slight pause in tone, Chen Wuji said: "Since we happen to have reached this point, then let's talk about your demands."

Deng Zhao suddenly stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said: "I will fully follow the Prince's decision—give me a county commandant position, and I will be happy; give me a general's rank, and I am willing to give it a try."

Chen Wuji stared at Deng Zhao for a moment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and deliberately asked: "If you are merely given a county commandant position, would you truly be willing?"

Deng Zhao said very sincerely: "Of course I would be willing. I used to be a county commandant before—actually, fewer matters, simpler things, I feel better, living more comfortably."

"But if I am a county commandant, I would want to ask the Prince to help me find two wives for me, since being a county commandant might not be favorable for marrying a wife, and I am not skilled in this matter."

Chen Wuji smiled.

What Deng Zhao said might be false, deliberately so.

But he is willing to believe that this person is speaking the truth.

People like Deng Zhao are truly rare in this world.

"Your original troops definitely cannot be brought here. I have two options for you." Chen Wuji's expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly: "First, you personally lead an army to garrison the recently pacified Hui Bu Northern Two Commanderies. I plan to divide the Hui Bu land into four commanderies."

"Second, personally lead an army as the main combat unit, that is, the combat force."

Deng Zhao said without hesitation: "Your Highness, I choose the second!"

"Your former troops—I can give you three thousand as a foundation, and you may select them yourself. But the mid-level officers in the army cannot all be from your old troops; the original arrangements cannot be greatly adjusted—no problem?"

"I obey orders, no problem."

After a pause, Deng Zhao probed: "Your Highness, is this army composed of martial artists?"

"No." Chen Wuji said.

"The original armies are all one position per person, with no surplus for you, but you can train your own. All the martial artist armies under my command came about this way—take the martial methods from the cabinet yourselves, and you decide which path the soldiers will cultivate."

Deng Zhao's eyes suddenly lit up: "I seem to still be cherishing my own broom, actually—my family's martial arts are also quite good. How did I not think of having the soldiers practice them too?"

"My father misled me—he kept telling me to marry early and have children, not to break the Deng family's incense and martial arts inheritance, and I really just kept thinking that way. Having the soldiers also cultivate our family's martial arts, my Deng family martial arts would not be considered broken in inheritance."

Chen Wuji nodded: "As long as you are willing, you can also do so."

"This is indeed a good thing—I am truly willing to let go." Deng Zhao said immediately.

His demeanor showed no pretense at all, as if he were born this way.

"If there are any other conditions, think of them and bring them up anytime. Although some rules must be followed, I will not mistreat those who voluntarily come to rely on me." Chen Wuji raised his cup: "Drink!"

"Toast the Marquis!"

After three rounds of wine, when everyone had chatted and drunk to about the same extent, Chen Wuji brought up the topic of future warfare: "Deng General, what do you think of Fu Jiuyou?"

Deng Zhao had already drunk nearly three jars of wine, his face flushed, his speech slightly slurred, and he had completely let loose.

Upon hearing Chen Wuji's question, he disdainfully flicked his lips and said: "He? He's just a thief!"