Chapter 245: Supplies in Place

Chen Wuji had just finished stationing the Tianchi Pass provincial troops when clansmen came to report that the wall they had been building for several days on the plateau's branch vein had been torn down by villagers.

Upon asking the reason, they found out that the Ruan Clan Brothers had cut off their usual path with the wall, demanding money and benefits, and would not let them build unless they paid.

The Ruan Clan Brothers started it, and others immediately saw a business opportunity, thinking they too could make a profit, and clamorously followed suit.

They all thought Chen Wuji was now making money and didn't lack silver, so building the wall that took up their space should be paid for, and each of them opened their mouths wide like lions, demanding tens or even hundreds of taels at the drop of a hat.

Chen Wuji laughed when he heard about this.

I've long known these people lack brains, but when did they also go blind?

Now the village has gathered over five hundred strong youths, a mighty force, yet they actually choose this moment to give him eye drops? Where does their confidence come from?

"Tell Chen Li, anyone causing trouble will be hanged from a tree and given thirty lashes as a warning, ordered to repair the wall, and if they reoffend, they'll be cut down!" Chen Wuji ordered in a low voice, too lazy to go see for himself.

They've grown accustomed to this—what is he building the wall for?

Isn't it to protect the Four Directions Village and safeguard their lives?

This bunch of rascals, ungrateful as they are, actually tripped him up at this time.

Moreover, building the wall in the village wasn't a rash decision by Chen Wuji; he decided it outright. He notified each villager personally and, in his capacity as Brigade Commander, required each household to send some labor to handle the foundations and drainage near their homes, preparing for the wall construction.

Who would have thought that after just a few days they would go back on their word and pull this stunt?

He had already begun to adapt to his roles as Family Head and Brigade Commander, yet the villagers still seemed to see him as the former Chen the Simpleton whom they used to bully.

Moreover, someone must be behind this, stirring up trouble and sowing discord.

As for who it is, Chen Wuji can't be bothered to investigate now; let everyone suffer a bit and learn a lesson, then the troublemakers will reveal themselves, and he can deal with them later, so as not to give these villagers another excuse to cause trouble.

Chen Wuji had just finished giving orders when another able-bodied youth from the clan hurried into the courtyard.

"Family Head, Ninth Uncle and Wu Yin have returned."

Chen Wuji felt a surge of joy, was about to go out to see, when he heard a commotion outside.

Upon stepping out, he saw Chen Luozi and Xiong Paozi striding over amid the crowd's escort.

"Wuji, mission accomplished—we've procured all the supplies, enough for us to eat and use for about a year." Chen Luozi wore a weary expression but was excited, clasping his hands firmly toward Chen Wuji.

"Come inside, catch your breath first, then speak." Chen Wuji said.

The Chen clan members are now shifting from their former way of life to a military household, with plenty of leisure each day, especially when they have to report to Chen Wuji, who is both Family Head and Brigade Commander.

It seems Chen Bushi and others had previously insisted that treating Chen Wuji as Family Head must be done with proper etiquette; these clansmen, including Chen Luozi and Chen Li, the two uncles, show respect but often forget details, inevitably causing amusement.

After all, everyone used to be casual; suddenly being this formal requires an adjustment period, and Chen Wuji doesn't mind—he even enjoys watching it each day.

Several people sat down in the courtyard; Chen Luozi took a few sips of bitter tea, then produced a bag and handed it to Chen Wuji.

"Wuji, we've gathered all the grain, raw iron, medicinal herbs, and weapons we could collect from nearby villages and towns, spending 3,400 taels of silver; this is what remains." Chen Luozi said, then handed over a silk document.

The silk document lists in detail the purchased supplies, clearly itemized, even noting exactly which shop each item came from.

"You've worked hard; with these supplies, our confidence can finally be bolstered." Chen Wuji sighed; these past days he had truly been worried, his sleep quality plummeting.

Although he brings much advanced knowledge from his previous life, he knows nothing about military formations—even discussing them on paper is beyond him; his knowledge in every area is extremely lacking, how to arrange personnel, how to allocate logistics, how to fight this upcoming battle—every detail hangs over his head like a sharp blade.

Although even after Chen Bushi returns, the manpower he can mobilize here will at most be a few hundred to around a thousand, even that thousand is not easy to command.

Chen Wuji thought it over and decided to first settle the matter of grain and supplies.

The rest can be taken slowly, but if the grain and supplies are cut off, major trouble will ensue.

"Wuji, you wouldn't really plan to keep using your own silver to subsidize the troops, would you?" Chen Luozi suddenly asked, "I just heard you successfully persuaded the Tianchi Pass provincial troops to come down the mountain; using your own money to support our own clan troops is reasonable, but if we also add the provincial troops, it wouldn't be appropriate."

"As for provisions, it's natural to reach out to the county office for them." Chen Wuji said.

"These provisions are our fallback; with chaos approaching, if we miss this chance, buying grain and weapons from nearby will become much harder."

As Brigade Commander of Tianchi Pass, all future military expenses naturally fall to the county office.

This isn't Chen Wuji's private army—how could he possibly be expected to foot the bill himself?

Previously, he hadn't mentioned this to the county office, merely because the Tianchi Pass provincial troops hadn't been settled yet. With no one in place, reaching out for money and provisions looks unsavory and also strains his relationship with the Qin County magistrate.

Before things spiral out of control, Chen Wuji doesn't want the Chen clan to become, in others' eyes, an uncontrollable time bomb too soon; ambition needs matching strength.

"Although we are clan troops and have some other aims, this mobilization is purely to resist the Qiang people, with no second thought; they ought to manage our provisions and expenses. We provide manpower and effort—if they don't give us a say, it's not appropriate." Chen Wuji said calmly.

"Tomorrow I'll make a trip to the county office to discuss this thoroughly with the Qin County magistrate."

Chen Luozi nodded, "That's only right—I almost thought you'd become a gullible fool."

Chen Wuji glanced at him, "My foolishness is long cured."

"With these funds, plus the bit of family property Third Uncle has been secretly keeping from me, we needn't worry about this in the short term. The Tianchi Pass provincial troops have taken over training the clan; as for the main vein folks, do you think it's necessary for them to drill as well?" Chen Wuji said calmly.

Chen Luozi chuckled lightly, "Wuji, don't bother with the main vein people—those Tianchi Pass provincial troops' meager skills couldn't teach us anything."

Chen Wuji gave Chen Luozi a faint glance, "From what you're saying, it seems I, as Family Head, know nothing about the clan's heritage—have you all been training in private?" Chen Wuji said calmly.

"You… weren't you stupid before?" Chen Luozi gave a dry laugh.