Chapter 211: with translation of chapter title

Yu Xiazi's treasure wasn't just enough to break Chen Luozi's defenses.

Upon hearing that number, Chen Wuji and the others were all left reeling.

Ten thousand taels!

Enough to do so many things!

But Yu Xiazi this bastard actually spent it all in the brothels, scattering it over the bellies of prostitutes.

He simply deserves to die!

Even if he only took out half, that bunch could buy themselves a legitimate status, wipe the slate clean, and still afford three wives and four concubines, living the easy life of a rich gentleman.

Isn't this life wonderful?

Though clothes are better new and concubines better stolen, changing flavors every now and then is indeed quite stimulating.

But Chen Wuji still couldn't understand.

Yu Xiazi's gang obviously has a style of robbing while having fun.

Snag a haul, then hit the brothels to live it up big for a spell, then go back to robbing.

What a damn treasure—this might just be a rumor Yu Xiazi himself spread; who knows, maybe these bastards are using themselves as bait to lure others in, then turn around and rob them.

Chen Wuji and his group crowded into a somewhat leaky thatched hut, staring at the several large chests on the ground, their faces turning greener by the moment.

The clothes are all sexy, and the vast majority are real silk.

"If any of you are interested, take these clothes out and sell them; maybe you can get back several dozen or even up to a hundred taels—these are all high-quality garments." Chen Wuji said languidly.

"Our earlier estimate might be conservative; this kind of quality intimate apparel probably isn't something just anyone can wear in the brothels."

Chen Luozi suddenly let out a wail: "Damn it, I can't take it anymore; I need to go out and chop that bastard again—it's making me furious."

He stormed out of the thatched hut in anger, likely really going to whip the corpse.

Chen Wuji ignored Chen Luozi's sudden outburst and followed Chen Bushi into another thatched hut on the right.

The furnishings of this hut are very simple—just a table and a few stools.

And, a man tied up.

Chen Wuji glanced at the man, then pulled Chen Bushi back out, asking, "What should we do with this person?"

"Today I'll listen to you." Chen Bushi said.

Chen Wuji was speechless: "What do you mean 'I'll listen to you, you listen to me'? We should discuss it—this person is an official."

"I also noticed he's wearing official boots; maybe he's not just a minor official." Chen Bushi said, "We can discuss future matters, but today I'll listen to you."

Chen Wuji: ……

"Just kill him; he's someone Yu Xiazi captured, maybe already dead, and it's none of our business—better to have less trouble." Chen Wuji said without hesitation.

The Chen clan now makes its living as bandits; any hint of leakage would doom the whole clan, Chen Wuji can't gamble on others' mercy, and cannot have any compassion.

"Good." Chen Bushi agreed readily, revealing none of his own stance.

The two re-entered the thatched hut.

The tied-up man lifted his head to look at Chen Wuji and Chen Bushi, saying, "You don't need to kill me; I offended someone at court and was demoted here. Spare my life, and perhaps we could still cooperate later—what do you think?"

Chen Wuji's expression shifted slightly; this man has keen perceptiveness, noticing that so quickly.

He gave a dry laugh; Chen Wuji said, "You're an official, we're bandits—I fear I cannot repay this life-saving kindness, lest you think we've tarnished your official reputation, which would be a disaster for us."

I long ago lost any official reputation; even my life hangs in the balance. Not long ago, the Xiongnu again launched a major invasion of the border; the Court decided to draft the Lingnan border troops to respond. Without the border troops, the Lingnan Six Commanderies are just fat meat waiting to be devoured by the southwestern barbarians. Spare my life, and let me think of a plan for the people of San Guan Jun. The man gave a bitter smile, shook his head and sighed: "Fly-Lìng dog-Lìng—they want to sever the great Da Yu's state and lineage!"

"Does the Court intend to abandon the southwestern six commanderies?" Chen Wuji asked in a low voice.

This news is no less than a thunderclap.

Losing the border troops' protection, the southwestern barbarians, who have long been restless, will surely launch a major invasion.

This land is easy to abandon, but trying to reclaim it again is as hard as climbing to the heavens.

This natural barrier of Shenxian Ling is simply too high.

The man's eyes lit up slightly: "Looks like we can talk. This isn't the Court's intention, but the handiwork of the Ruan Xiang faction; they had brought it up last year, only to be rebuked by the Emperor and dropped."

Recently the Xiongnu invaded; they revived the old matter, planning to dispatch General Zhou to garrison Lingnan, drafting the remaining border troops north to resist the Xiongnu. I spoke up a bit, which gave us the chance to meet here today.

"Let's first get acquainted; I am Yang Yu, the Triple Prefectral Pacification Commissioner of San Guan Jun."

Chen Wuji rubbed his chin, saying, "Sir, you're still a Strategist; that makes things harder for me."

"I think you have nothing to worry about; you're not the kind who slaughters innocents indiscriminately." Yang Yu said firmly, "I may not be cut out for officialdom, but I've always been good at judging people."

Chen Wuji pondered, his gaze casually falling on Yang Yu.

The Triple Prefectral Pacification Commissioner of San Guan Jun is a local power broker; if we could really forge a good connection, that wouldn't be bad.

But, what I fear is...

Chen Wuji ignored Yang Yu's useless praise and asked, "You mentioned that General Zhou—I've heard of him before; he's a Neutral Faction, good at fighting, right?"

"Your information is quite extensive; that's indeed the case." Yang Yu nodded.

Chen Wuji asked: "Since the Court has dispatched General Zhou here, the situation in the Lingnan Six Commanderies shouldn't be too dire, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yu's fair face twitched, and he shouted angrily: "But they plan to seize General Zhou's Bīngmǎ, taking only five thousand personal soldiers south. Even if General Zhou is ever so skilled in battle, a clever woman can't cook without rice—how can such vast six-commandery land be defended with just five thousand troops?"

This wasn't the first time Chen Wuji had heard news about General Zhou and the Lingnan Six Commanderies.

Earlier, Zhang Guanshi and Zhang Xiuer had already mentioned this in their testimonies.

But it's different now.

Back then, what Zhang Guanshi said was that Zhang Mingyuan and others planned to cooperate with the Qiang Tribe to set up a scheme for General Zhou.

It seems that after Zhang Mingyuan's death, the Ruan Xiang faction immediately changed tactics.

But their ultimate goal is still to have the Lingnan Six Commanderies break free from Court control, and to have this General Zhou die here.

With the northern Xiongnu great army pressing the border, and the southwestern various barbarians restless, yet they actually want to now help the barbarians, even putting the mountains and rivers on the table for their own gain.

At this moment, that Ruan Xiang in Chen Wuji's mind was clearly aligned with a certain person.

The nation's traitor—Qin Hui!

Chen Wuji came to his senses and said softly: "They are not doing this to protect Liu Jun; they want General Zhou to die, right? As for...?"

"As for!" Yang Yu's answer was very definite.

General Zhou has remained standing to this day because he is of the Neutral Faction, yet also because he is of the Neutral Faction he is feared by the Ruan Xiang Faction; as long as General Zhou and his troops are not divided, he can be called invincible!