Chapter 253: Frank and Upright Qin County Magistrate

Chen Bushi's judgment, Chen Wuji naturally believed it.

However, he still asked Chen Li, "San Shu suggested I make heavy use of the people from these two branch lines; what do you think?"

"Lao San wouldn't speak without cause; since he said that, these people must be trustworthy." Chen Li showed some surprise, saying with a hint of doubt, "But these two branches have always kept a low profile, avoiding any trouble, even deliberately distancing themselves from us—how could…"

"That's just how we were in the village before; it's understandable." Chen Wuji said.

Chen Li shook his head, "No, no, no, I mean privately."

"To put on a show for the court, on the surface we not only no longer maintain close unity, but we even have major contradictions; yet in private, those who should stay in contact still do, but these two branch lines have for years ignored the people we sent."

"Basically, they just give the person a meal, ignore whatever they say, then send them back. Surface estrangement doesn't count as estrangement; private estrangement still needs careful consideration."

After a moment, Chen Li added, "Still, I trust Lao San's judgment."

Chen Wuji nodded, "He didn't elaborate in his letter how it came about; since he said so, there must be a reason, so we'll follow his advice. However, I won't fully rely on them—it depends on their own abilities."

Currently, the manpower gathered in Xishan Village is approaching five hundred.

The Tianchi Guan Militia were already organized; Chen Wuji didn't plan to reorganize them.

The little trust just built between the two sides—if he pulls this, it could vanish in an instant; there's no need to stubbornly assert one's status over something unnecessary.

The only forces Chen Wuji can mobilize are the clan troops.

With war imminent, he cannot let each branch continue existing as a separate unit; splitting and reorganizing is inevitable.

For positions like squad leader, team leader, and duilu, the safest method is to hold competitions.

Whoever has stronger strength gets the position.

If one can't compete, it's due to insufficient ability; no one else to blame.

Chen Bushi's idea might be good, but facing this loose sand, Chen Wuji cannot act on whim to appoint commanders.

Even within a clan, where everyone meets as uncles and brothers, when personal interests are at stake, chaos will still erupt.

The chaos among these branches of the Chen clan, Chen Wuji has long witnessed.

Over the next few days, clan members kept arriving in Xishan Village.

Numbers ranged from over a hundred to as few as thirty-five.

As these people increased like a snowball, food pressure surged; the provisions Chen Wuji had bought at great cost dwindled day by day.

However, given the current trend, it still falls within his earlier calculations.

As long as the base doesn't exceed one thousand people, this grain worth over two thousand taels of silver can last three months without issue. Still, to be safe, Chen Wuji set his sights on the Qin County Magistrate.

Leaving aside distant matters, he now has to manage the finances and supplies of the Tianchi Guan Militia.

At least the court's influence in Nan Jun hasn't completely collapsed; it's unreasonable for the provincial troops' expenses to make a brigade commander pay out of pocket—this is certainly inappropriate.

Chen Wuji waited another three days in the village for the clan troops' squad leaders, team leaders, and duilu to be decided through competition; then he handed them over to the Tianchi Guan Militia's provincial troops for training, after which he brought Chen Li and several young strongmen from the clan to Yunan City.

Worth noting, Chen Bushi's eyes indeed have something unusual.

Chen Wuji did not fully follow his advice to forcibly employ people from the Bitter River Branch and Two Li Temple Branch; after the results came out, those two branches accounted for the majority.

Of the four duilu positions, they occupied three—two from the Bitter River Branch, one from the Two Li Temple Branch.

This result involved no hints or backdoor maneuvering from Chen Wuji; it was entirely due to their own strength.

Moreover, another duilu came from the Plateau Branch.

Actually, Chen Wuji inwardly did not want to use people from the Plateau Branch.

People from this branch always give him the feeling they might stab him in the back at any moment; when they're wild, they're wildly extreme, and when they're honest, they're honestly extreme—a strong sense of division.

But this is his rule; naturally it can't be changed overnight, so he can only pay more attention and guard against trouble beforehand.

The clatter of horse hooves stopped at the county office gate.

Chen Wuji dismounted, handing the reins to Chen Wuyou.

Everyone was training seriously; Chen Wuji wasn't idle either—aside from digging traps on the mountain and catching wild game, he spent his remaining time studying military manuals and learning horsemanship.

Now he's barely made modest progress; he can't sprint fast, but a slow jog is possible.

"Commander Chen? Oh, perfect timing."

Chen Wuji was about to step forward and knock when a delighted voice suddenly came from the gate.

Qin Feng, dressed in a pure white robe, with a long sword at his waist and holding a jar of wine, strode out.

This fellow even stuck a plum blossom in his temple for extra flair.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, come with me to enjoy flower wine—today at Ji Yunxuan's, the little phoenix has done her hair; I've heard this lady is of heavenly beauty and fragrance, called a little Xi Shi. This official has plenty of silver on hand; I'll certainly act as a guest attendant and sample the local customs of Yunan." Qin Feng stepped forward, grabbed Chen Wuji's wrist, and pulled him along.

Chen Wuji was dazed.

"Sir, are you really alright like this?"

As a parent-official, he really is unrestrained—drinking flower wine without hiding it, he shouted in the street.

"Sir, I have official business to discuss!" Chen Wuji said.

"No rush, no rush, we'll chat over flower wine; once we're happy to drink, everything can be discussed. Even if I can't manage it, I'll think of a way to get it done—don't worry. As they say, when the cart reaches the mountain, there's a road; when one reaches the flower house, there will be… hehe, there will be fate!" Qin Feng shook his head, chuckled, and without further ado dragged Chen Wuji away.

Chen Wuji looked at his lecherous appearance, his mouth twitching.

What he had just wanted to say was certainly not "upon reaching the flower house, there must be fate."

However, given his remark, this flower wine really ought to be drunk.

After all, he's come to ask for money and grain; sacrificing a bit is normal, and the ladies at home will surely understand.

Qin Feng greatly admired Ji Yunxuan, chattering away all the way to Chen Wuji.

Just the women's names spilling from his mouth numbered no fewer than ten.

During his time in office, he really seemed never to have been idle.

However, upon reaching Ji Yunxuan's gate, Qin Feng looked up at the tall five-story wooden building and suddenly sighed with a look of regret.

"Sir, do you suddenly feel there's no fate?" Chen Wuji teased.

Qin Feng nodded, "Yes, my affinity with Ji Yunxuan is ending; I've discovered that Ji Yunxuan illegally lent money at interest, caused casualties, and evaded city taxes—after today's guest attendance, I fear there will be no further connection."

Chen Wuji:...