Chapter 174: Chen Clan Rebellion

Sister-in-law?!

Chen Xingyuan glanced at the outside, that alluring yet brisk and cold dark red figure, his mind went blank for a moment.

Is that sister-in-law?

Could that be... sister-in-law?!

Chen Xingyuan suddenly felt the world somewhat topsy-turvy.

Chen Wuji's situation he actually knows very clearly.

After all, this is the main line of the Family Head.

His every move will affect the development of the whole Chen clan, and also draws the clan's attention.

If it were the former main line of the Chen clan head, officials of the Imperial City Department would absolutely not look down on them; those who could marry into them could only be the most massive aristocratic families, at least those with a heritage of several hundred years.

But what is their status now?

Per capita farming households, each person is struggling for food and clothing.

Someone like him, within the Chen clan, is considered relatively well-off.

As for Chen Wuji, now he's just temporarily a bit better, no worries about food or clothing.

But he actually managed to secure the female official of the Imperial City Department...

Awesome!

After the long shock, only these two words can sum up Chen Xingyuan's current feelings.

"Eh, no, how could that be my sister-in-law? I'm older, shouldn't that be my sister-in-law?" Chen Xingyuan suddenly belatedly reacted.

Chen Wuji lightly said: "You just said I'm the main line? Then I should have some advantage."

Chen Xingyuan immediately fell silent.

"Mad, it really seems so."

Moreover he can't call her sister-in-law, he must call her lady.

"Damn!"

"Small talk we can discuss later; now there's an urgent matter I need to entrust to Elder Brother Xingyuan." Chen Wuji said solemnly.

"You just said you're the main line, have advantage, for matters just give orders." Chen Xingyuan said solemnly, "Although our Chen clan now lies in a corner, many things haven't changed; as the future Family Head, you should learn to wield authority."

Chen Wuji actually hasn't figured out how to accept this, he said solemnly: "Please Elder Brother Xingyuan mobilize your confidants, quickly take control of the county office. Zhu Wei and Zhang Mingyuan are of the same ilk; the things County Chief Wang mentioned you also heard a bit; they hold a lead, quickly dig it out."

"Yes!" Chen Xingyuan clasped his fists firmly, not waiting for Chen Wuji to say more, he quickly left the room.

The night was thick as ink.

Everyone had things to do, but Chen Wuji ended up being the most idle.

The rear hall of the county office, he had never entered; taking this opportunity, he wandered around a bit.

Just the night too dark, many things couldn't be seen clearly.

However he discovered Zhu Wei's breeding farm inside the county office; this guy really raises everything.

Chickens, ducks, geese, turtles, pigeons, even several beehives.

To create an image of being incorruptible and loving the people, this guy really put effort into the pretense of clean sleeves.

Just then, Chen Xingyuan raised a lantern and hurried over, "Wuji, hurry, something big happened!"

"Zhang Mingyuan discovered? He led people to attack?" Chen Wuji asked in surprise.

Chen Xingyuan's expression was like constipation, "It's our Chen clan that came to attack!"

"Hmm... huh?!"

Chen Wuji stared blank for a moment, "Our Chen clan... came to attack? Do you want to hear what you're saying?"

The Chen clan in Xishan Village, even if you add up all men, women, old and young, it's only that many people.

Now the city gate is closed, and there are many provincial troops stationed; how could they attack?

"Just now the provincial troops hurriedly reported, mountain bandits attacked the city at night, requesting we quickly mobilize reinforcements; I hastily went over and saw in the crowd San Shu." Chen Xingyuan said urgently.

"They definitely came to save you, but the trouble is we can't leave the city, there's no way to send out the news that you're safe."

Chen Wuji was dumbfounded.

Being so valued by the clan makes him feel a kind of indescribable dazed honor.

But implicating so many clan members, putting their lives at risk, he also became tense.

"Is there any way to get me out of the city?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Xingyuan shook his head, "No, although the Zhang family isn't anything good, they've put great effort into city wall repairs; they nearly every year gather the city's gentry to raise funds to repair the walls. This wall doesn't even have a dog hole; besides walking out the gate, there's no other way to exit."

Yunan City is a small city, it has only one gate.

A single gate has many drawbacks, but for city defense it's extremely convenient.

"Then you go!" Chen Wuji said, "With your identity as a captain, give them a good dressing-down, drive off the mountain bandits, maybe you'll even earn some merit."

Chen Xingyuan stunned, "Me? Drive off? How to drive off?!"

"Scold them, these words aren't for our Chen clan to hear, but for the provincial troops on the city walls; you can just spout about loyalty to nation and family, parents, wife and children." Chen Wuji said.

"As long as San Shu sees it's you, he should understand I'm fine, then they'll naturally withdraw troops. I hope they've taken some cover, not openly marching in; otherwise we might have to become outlaws."

After all this turmoil, I thought everything was settled; next we just need to figure out how to deal with the Zhang family.

Never expected suddenly this would happen.

If this matter isn't handled well, the Chen clan will still inevitably become bandits.

Chen Xingyuan looked embarrassed, "I... don't know how to scold people, I'm not good at this."

"Even if you're not good at it, you still have to go, hurry up!" Chen Wuji urged, "Just put on a show of scolding, no need to be profound, I don't expect you to have Zhuge Liang's talent."

"Who is Zhuge Liang?"

"A reclusive grand master; now you don't need to worry about that." Chen Wuji grabbed Chen Xingyuan and left the county office; at this critical juncture, you still care about Zhuge Liang?

That is a divine being that ordinary people can never hope to reach in a lifetime.

Chen Xingyuan suddenly said, "Wuji, why don't I hang you from the city wall?"

"It would be better if you scared off the bandits—that's worth something—hurry up," Chen Wuji urged.

He's a grown man, after all still a constable, yet he's so cowardly about this.

Finding a way to send him away would also work.

But its value is far less than Chen Xingyuan going out and driving off the bandits single-handedly.

With the Imperial City Department, as long as a note is added to the memorial, Chen Xingyuan's future official career will be smooth.

In the Dayu Dynasty, constables usually inherit the position from their fathers or come from the military.

Even if one spends a lifetime in the job, there is no hope of promotion.

The career path is cut off; it's fundamentally impossible to advance even a step.

But if one could achieve a notable merit before the emperor, everything would be different.

Chen Xingyuan was forcibly sent up onto the city wall by Chen Wuji.

He had no way to get up onto the city wall, so he could only wait below.

The shouts of killing outside were fierce, and Chen Wuji heard several familiar voices.

Hopefully there have been no casualties for now.