Chapter 212: with translation of chapter title

The two words "traitor" are more hated in the heart of any Huaxia person than foreign invaders.

Cannot tolerate it at all.

If it weren't for his limited strength now, Chen Wuji would want to find some justification to have a good talk with this Ruan Xiang.

"What does Sir Yang plan to do after reaching San Guan Jun?" Chen Wuji asked.

San Guan Jun is a neighbor of Nan Jun, located to its southwest, and they directly border the Qiang People.

Chen Bushi glanced at Chen Wuji with some surprise; the topic of conversation had drifted a bit, hadn't it?

What's the point of asking what this official will do after taking office?

Yang Yu obviously had already prepared for this, had no intention of hiding it from Chen Wuji, showed no hesitation, and directly said: "I will organize and train the Provincial Troops, set up beacon towers, constantly monitor the movements of the southwestern barbarian tribes, then spare no means to acquire silver. Once I have the silver, I will go trade with those southwestern barbarians, buying their cattle and sheep, then recruit brave warriors and conscript soldiers."

"Although Lingnan Six Commanderies are chaotic, they have many wealthy and powerful clans; give me two years and I can accomplish all this. As long as Lingnan Six Commanderies stay stable and General Zhou doesn't die, this thorn will remain stuck in the throats of Ruan Yuchang's grandchildren."

His answer sounded like that of an official who gets things done.

Chen Wuji frowned and asked: "Actually, I've always been puzzled as to why the Ruan Xiang Faction is so insistent on abandoning Lingnan."

"I'm not clear about this, but rumors say that the Ruan Xiang Faction has ambiguous relations with many southwestern barbarian tribes, with extremely close interests. Perhaps the Ruan Xiang Faction wants to do something, like borrowing troops, and Lingnan Six Commanderies would be the benefit given to those southwestern barbarians." Yang Yu said.

"However, these are just rumors and my own speculation; nobody knows the exact purpose."

Chen Wuji suddenly understood: "Sir Yang's guess makes sense; hearing it indeed makes one angry."

"Young friend, we've already talked this much; can my life be spared?" Yang Yu asked. "I fear death, but if it were only my life, it wouldn't be worth my begging for mercy. I want to keep this half-dead body to do something for San Guan Jun and even the people of Lingnan Six Commanderies; at the very least, I want to see with my own eyes whether this dynasty can withstand this ordeal."

"We can talk." Chen Wuji chuckled lightly. "But Sir Yang should leave something behind."

He decided to let the person go.

There was no other reason, just because of what Yang Yu said.

Even if Yang Yu says one thing to your face and does another behind your back, and later seeks trouble for them, Chen Wuji still wants to take a chance. They had originally crossed over a hundred li on this venture; as the Strategist of San Guan Jun, Yang Yu trying to find them in Nan Jun would not be easy either.

Yang Yu froze for a moment: "When I left the capital, I had two hundred taels of silver and two servants on me; the silver had left over eighty-plus taels, all taken by those bandits, and now… I am penniless."

"Sorry to say, I still plan to later shamelessly ask you for some travel money."

Chen Wuji: ……

He suddenly felt a bit dizzy.

After tossing about most of the night, he ended up making a loss-making deal.

As for that blind bastard, he had spent every last penny, then by chance ran into Yang Yu who was on his way to take office, and thus he managed to scrape together another sum.

It seems he hadn't even had a chance to spend it yet.

At first, Chen Wuji's liver ached with anger over someone's conduct.

"Damn thing!"

"I want your private seal!" Chen Wuji said with a dark face, his voice low.

Yang Yu felt a bit uneasy under Chen Wuji's gaze: "No problem with the private seal, I have one. As for travel money, I won't borrow it; I'll just pick up some food and drink along the way—I'm already not far away."

"Do you think I'm angry at you?" Chen Wuji lifted his eyelids heavily.

"Isn't that the case?"

Chen Wuji gritted his teeth, making a crackling sound, and said fiercely: "We heard that blind guy had hidden tens of thousands of taels in the mountains, we came all the way from Qiang Land over hundreds of li, and ended up stealing only eighty-plus taels of silver and a few boxes of women's undergarments. Then you tell me that eighty-plus taels are still yours, Sir Yang—do you think I should be happy about that?"

Yang Yu stared for a moment, then suddenly cursed: "How can there be such a wicked beast in the world!"

Chen Wuji slashed the ropes binding Yang Yu with a single knife, then rudely searched him all over.

After confirming that besides one official seal, two private seals, and some documents, he had nothing else, he took one private seal and returned the rest to Yang Yu.

"Please, Sir Yang, go down the mountain yourself at dawn; we can't see you off." Chen Wuji thought, then pulled out fifty taels of silver from his person and stuffed them into Yang Yu's hands: "Use it sparingly; it should be enough. This is my personal gift to you—we've traveled nearly a thousand li round trip with so many people, we ought to bring something back."

Yang Yu gratefully clasped his hands: "Your kindness, young friend, I will keep in my heart; if I encounter any trouble later, I can write to you at any time. As long as I don't die on the road, I should still be able to help a bit."

"I know you still doubt my words, young friend, and that's understandable. You're not a bandit, yet you act like one; rescuing an official is indeed a taboo."

Chen Wuji snorted: "Sir Yang, you speak too absolutely. Farewell."

That old coot's perceptiveness is somewhat terrifying; I can't say more.

Chen Wuji lingered no longer, gave Chen Bushi a glance, and the two left the thatched hut.

After putting some distance between them, Chen Bushi finally couldn't hold back and asked: "Do you believe what he said?"

"Believe!" Chen Wuji nodded. "Actually, I'm decent at judging people; this official doesn't seem like a treacherous villain."

Chen Bushi chuckled: "At your age, boasting about your eye for people—you're probably being a bit arrogant."

"Who told you to keep your butt clenched and not let out a fart? Since you won't speak, I naturally have to decide on my own—tell everyone to retreat; today's deal lost big." Chen Wuji muttered lowly.

Chen Bushi looked somewhat bewildered: "What does 'keep your butt clenched and not let out a fart' mean?"

His understanding of the word "chrysanthemum" was just the flower itself.

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched: "Just random nonsense; no need to worry about it."

"I feel you kid aren't holding back a good fart. Actually, I agree with you—I also think this official should be a good one, at least someone who considers the people." Chen Bushi finished speaking and gave a high-pitched, long whistle with his finger.

Soon, the scattered Chen clansmen nearby all raised torches and gathered around.

"Lao San, Wuji, there's still some good stuff—look, what did we find?" Chen Luozi came running over, hugging two jars of wine, excited and happy again.

"Although it's better than nothing, it at least gave us some comfort." Chen Wuji said.

A little is better than nothing.

"There are still several dozen bags of white rice and white flour!" Chen Luozi shouted.