Chapter 237

Chen Wuji, with his own strength, subdued over eighty strongmen of the plateau's branch line.

Even though he was that arrogant, shouting in their faces, this bunch still didn't retaliate.

They weren't angry, but Chen Wuji ended up angry.

Because one person died, it crushed their morale, leaving them completely without the strength to resist?

Expecting this bunch of weaklings to fight in battle is even less reliable than hoping for pigs to climb trees.

"You're really useless!" Chen Wuji shouted angrily. "Chen Li, take these useless lot to move stones and build walls—thirty per person per day; if you don't finish, don't eat."

"Yes!"

Chen Li barked in a low voice.

He was stunned by the sight before him, shocked to the point of being speechless.

Over eighty people, being scolded with their heads pressed down by Chen Wuji alone, not a single one dared to talk back.

This aura really seemed to already have the makings of a Family Head.

This Family Head, there's hope!

Chen Li quickly selected six or seven Young Strongmen from the clan, shouting, and led the plateau's branch line Young Strongmen to the riverbank to carry stones.

This bunch was quite obedient; in fact, nobody resisted at all.

Even the old clan head went obediently, just with a face of sorrow, looking as if he were about to die.

Chen Wuji wasn't idle either; after these people left the Ancestral Hall one after another, he also followed behind, carrying a Knife.

The people of the plateau's branch line were huffing and puffing as they moved stones, while Chen Wuji also began his performance.

Insulting!

Shoving in their faces, shouting at full volume.

But honestly, it's like seeing a ghost—Chen Wuji's voice was almost hoarse from shouting, yet these people just huffed and puffed while moving stones, not a single one resisted, and not even one showed an angry expression.

He's gone this far, yet these people aren't angry? With such tolerance, why did they come to the Ancestral Hall to cause trouble?

Simply inexplicable.

This left Chen Wuji bewildered.

If this bunch isn't angry or furious, how is he supposed to play his act?

He found Chen Li and said, "Shi Yi Shu, what's the situation with the plateau's branch line? Tell me."

"You'd better wet your throat first; listen to your own voice." Chen Li replied with a helpless smile.

Today he also got to see Chen Wuji's skill at scolding—few vulgar words, but every word cuts to the heart, deeply hurtful.

"It's fine; the Presented Scholar went to fetch my tea things, he'll be back soon—you go ahead." Chen Wuji said with a hoarse voice.

His throat really does feel awful right now, like after a young man's all-night KTV session.

Scolding people is also tiring.

When Yuan Jinshi was mentioned, Chen Li's eyes flickered.

That kid, he's a tough character……

After regaining his composure, Chen Li said, "The Southern County Officialdom has long targeted our Chen family, always finding excuses to try to ruin us completely, making us suffer terribly and repeatedly losing people."

"The plateau's branch line simply couldn't withstand the government's pressure back then and became someone's dog—this isn't me insulting them; they themselves think that way."

"On the plateau there is a Great Wang Clan that had connections with a certain official in the prefecture back then. It is said that the official instructed the Wang Clan to lobby the plateau's branch line, openly telling them that as long as they acted as dogs, the government would never again cause them trouble and might even look after them."

"Their condition was that the plateau's branch line become slaves to the Wang Family and must outwardly call themselves the Wang Family's dogs."

Chen Wuji: ……

Chen Li sighed, "They couldn't withstand the pressure and agreed."

"Actually, I can somewhat understand their bowing; after all, back then life was truly bitter, utterly miserable."

"But I can't forgive them either—they threw the Chen Family's gate lintel into a filthy ditch, sat there laughing foolishly, and learned to howl like dogs!"

"Don't be angry!" Chen Wuji patted Chen Li on the shoulder.

"They can't even discard the Chen Family's gate lintel, and they're not worthy—if I don't die, how could it be their turn?"

"The Chen Family still has the Family Head line and the MainVein; as long as the MainVein doesn't fall, it doesn't matter what they become."

Chen Wuji also understood that they gave up due to hardship, all wanting to live, and would try if given a chance.

But this is always the conduct of a traitor to the Han.

Death—who isn't afraid of it?

"Chen Bushi really gave me a big problem—knowing they're all like this, he still brought them first to do what? I want fighters who can battle the enemy to the death, not useless filler." Chen Wuji was truly somewhat speechless.

No wonder he insulted them so much—these branch line people don't even have an angry expression; they've long been immune.

But even if they're immune, why did they run to the Ancestral Hall to cause trouble? Shouting "an eye for an eye, blood for blood," stirring up a huge commotion.

Chen Wuji's gaze shifted, and he suddenly asked, "Did they previously do that in order to also borrow the Wang Family's influence?"

"It's possible, but since Lao San went to settle this matter, the Wang Family should be gone now." Chen Li said.

"These people perhaps simply think that since Lao San left, only the old and weak remain in the clan, and they want to seize the chance to regain some spirit."

Chen Wuji nodded.

This indeed is Chen Bushi's way of doing things.

He was heading to solve the problem—how could he possibly overlook the Wang Family that threw dung onto the Chen Family's gate lintel?

"Sir, the tea is here." Yuan Jinshi carried a basket, with a small table tucked under his arm, and walked over quickly.

He set the basket down by the river and began to take things out.

He spread a cloth on the flat ground, then placed the small table, setting out the teapot, biscuits, dried meat, and a few pears.

After doing all that, he took out a small clay stove from the basket and started gathering firewood to light a fire.

Chen Wuji stared blankly, "I'm just thirsty, I wanted a sip of water—what's all this you've made? A wilderness outing!"

「Master, this is the arrangement of the two madams. The madam said Master hasn't even had a bite this morning, it's just right to eat some. 」 Yuan Jinshi said.

Chen Wuji glanced at this kid, 「Get lost, Master, you listen, don't be awkward? 」

Yuan Jinshi shook his head blankly, 「No, it's quite normal. Master, propriety must not be abandoned. 」

「Get lost, propriety! Give me the teapot! 」 Chen Wuji snapped angrily.

He, a hunter who had just solved his livelihood issues, found this master's shout too cheap.

Not the slightest bit of pretension.

He shook his head, Chen Wuji picked up the kettle and drank, then started walking toward the crowd working over there.

Continue!

In this situation, it's impossible to kill them all; since we can't kill them, let them be of some use.

After Chen Wuji's relentless effort, at noon, when he was tired and hungry, a man finally couldn't take it, threw down his stone and lunged at him, ready to fight to the death.

Chen Wuji obliged him, and they fought.

Not surprisingly, a few punches left that tired, hungry kid incapacitated, and then he ordered the clan's young strongmen to drag him back to the Ancestral Hall.

「A bunch of useless people, all of you, don't eat lunch at noon. 」 Chen Wuji naturally shifted the blame for that kid's earlier action onto everyone else.

He had expected to see at least some defensive argument, and to argue with him based on reason.

As a result, there was none.

The crowd merely complained for a moment about that man who suddenly went mad, then, dragging their weary bodies, resumed work.

Chen Wuji watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

It's hopeless.

Really hopeless!