Chapter 116

Xiong Paozi led Chen Bushi's cow, cautiously walking into the wild buffalo herd.

He first stood at a distance testing the wild cattle herd's reaction; seeing no response, he then slowly approached.

Until he and Chen Bushi's cow had blended into the wild cattle herd, he then began taking out bundles of herbs from his person one after another.

"If you have anything else to do, go attend to it; I and the donkey are here helping Xiong Paozi. With you like this, you can't even lead a cow, so don't get in the way. If you startle the herd later, you won't even be able to run away." Chen Bushi said to Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji readily agreed, "I really do have something else to do, go check the traps. But you guys better not keep any for yourselves—no matter how many cows we bring back, I need one!"

At least he's the discoverer, and the idea was his.

"Go on, go on, we're not that petty." Chen Bushi waved his hand like shooing flies, expressing extreme disdain.

Chen Wuji chuckled, then lowered his voice and asked, "By the way, when did Xiong Paozi come back? What's the situation over there? Do you have any idea to give me a definite answer? At home there's a woman always ready to commit suicide."

"We can manage it, and do it silently; you can first give your little maid the good news." Chen Bushi laughed, "But lately it seems someone has been watching us; I need to observe for a few days before deciding whether to act, lest we become the mantis while the snipe and clam are behind us, and we end up as the mantis."

Chen Wuji's heart jolted, and he involuntarily thought of the Zhang family.

"Who's watching us? Could it be the mastermind behind Zhou Buping?"

Chen Bushi idly plucked a weed, twisted it twice, tossed it into his mouth to chew, then turned his head and said softly, "I feel it might be, but there's no evidence yet."

"My friend at the xianya told me that recently someone has been inspecting our Xishan Village's conscription labor and land documents, seemingly intending to impose extra labor service on our village, and also to transport grain and fodder."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji's hostility flared instantly; he muttered angrily, "Don't these bigwigs have any fresh tricks? They keep doing this over and over—we're just a few petty commoners; why go to such trouble? They could just find any pretext."

"Besides, the court isn't using troops in Nan Jun; where would we need to transport grain and fodder?"

Chen Bushi's face darkened as he shook his head, "These matters aren't clear yet, but the signs are wrong. Before these bigwigs undertake anything, they certainly lay pieces on multiple fronts; what they seek is far more than we imagine."

"As for us few petty commoners, frankly we're merely noticed by the bigwigs and then swept up and dealt with. A single word from them, and someone below will devise a perfect plan; killing a few commoners is easy, but what they want isn't a blemish—they want even this trifle to become an added feather in their cap."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Although I don't know where troops will be mobilized, once such rumors spread, this matter is likely true nine times out of ten."

"Earlier there was no news of the court using troops in Nan Jun; I suspect it's very likely that the Zhang Imperial Censor, now on leave at home, is behind this—perhaps the banditry at Shenxian Ling, or the bandit refugees."

"Even if there are no bandit refugees here, as long as there are refugees, this can be made true. Using this as an excuse to mobilize troops, they can conveniently eliminate dissidents and also sweep away us insignificant scraps."

"If the plan goes smoothly, the Zhang family might use this one matter to wipe out all dissidents in the vicinity in one fell swoop, and the Zhang Imperial Censor could thus seize a great merit."

Chen Bushi's face grew ever uglier, "If it's really as you guess, then the prefecture's upper and lower echelons must be in cahoots with the Zhang Imperial Censor; besides, the officials up and down Yunan are also involved."

"However, our county magistrate who likes raising poultry is utterly at odds with the Zhang family. If one day we hear that the magistrate died suddenly or was transferred, your speculation might well come true."

This remark surprised Chen Wuji a bit, "Yo, that's actually unexpected—that county magistrate is actually not on good terms with the Zhang family; I had always thought he was a lackey of the Zhang household."

Chen Bushi nodded, "This matter is now practically out in the open; it can't be faked."

Chen Wuji idly tossed a pebble into the distance, speaking solemnly, "This matter cannot be taken lightly; when you have time, gather more information. Although we are merely the scraps in the eyes of those bigwigs, insignificant petty commoners, who wants to die? We must prepare early."

"What preparations?" Chen Bushi asked askance.

Chen Wuji shrugged, "At least we can sharpen the knife a bit faster."

In this life he only wants to live comfortably as a wealthy family head—why is it so hard?

Who the hell would have thought that beating up a few bandit refugees would pluck the fur of the local tyrant who sits in charge of Yunan?

How future events will unfold is no longer within his control.

But he has never thought of bowing his head and submitting to fate.

At least he still has in his hand a very fast sword left by his ancestors.

Chen Bushi's gaze was deep, he gave a faint hum, "You said before you were looking for someone—any progress?"

"They do have that intention, but I don't know how far they can actually go." Chen Wuji shook his head, "That person seems trustworthy to me, but we can't pin our hopes on them. If it can't be done, I hope you really have a secret base that could let our whole clan rise again."

Chen Bushi smiled mysteriously, didn't pick up on that, but said instead, "Go check your traps; I'll promptly tell you of any movement, and you needn't worry about other matters."

"Alright, with your words I feel reassured." Chen Wuji stood up and called Licentiate Yuan.

Yuan Jinshi was quick-witted; he stayed here, just in case something needed help he could lend a hand.

He and Licentiate Yuan in this situation today are pure useless, only able to watch from the sidelines.

Better to take this opportunity to inspect the mountain traps, repairing what needs repair.

Go around the hill, then follow the small stream upstream against the current.

Chen Wuji first glanced at the pond's condition; just a quick look, and the corner of his mouth split open.

Today we have a blessing to eat.

There are crabs.

Rolling up his pant legs, Chen Wuji went into the water slow as an old man.

Actually, given the pond's daytime situation, the crabs and forest frogs that come out at night to move about must be numerous.

Whether mountain crabs or forest frogs, they all have a habit of lying low by day and coming out at night.

Although they can be seen during the day, it's only occasional, very sparse.

Unfortunately, we can't go up the mountain at night.

Torchlight won't do, and the danger level in this mountain at night is too high.

"Xiucai, tied!" Chen Wuji firmly clamped a crab, then flung it ashore.

Licentiate Yuan hurriedly fumbled to grab it, "Wuji ge, this probably isn't edible, right? I heard it's… uh… some kind of utensil, I saw it when I was young."

"Don't listen to all that nonsense; it's just that people don't recognize it, but this thing is delicious!" Chen Wuji said.

Based on his recent understanding, the villagers have endowed most of the animals in this great mountain with a mythical aura. If something looks rather strange and uncommon, there's no doubt it's not an evil spirit—it's either a mountain wild sprite or some object in the service of the Mountain God.

Chen Wuji thus finally understood why hardly anyone in the village engages in hunting.

Having caught this, they dare not eat it; having caught that, they also dare not eat it.

Strolling about in the mountains, eyes constantly fixed on wild boars and rabbits—being able to fill one's stomach would be strange.