Chapter 258

Upon hearing the figure of 110,000 taels, Chen Wuji's breath hitched in a most unpromising way.

Damn, it's really profitable.

Such a place being called Xiao Jin Cave is not without reason.

"This is your voluntary donation; I, the official, have not forced you in the slightest!" Qin Feng said.

The smile on his face was almost uncontrollable.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's the petty person voluntarily donating to repair the Xianya." The madam, seeing Qin Feng's tone loosen, hurriedly nodded.

Qin Feng nodded: "Your request is granted by this official, but since it involves so many people below, you still need to go to the Xianya to cooperate with my investigation."

"Yes, but relying on your decision, sir, I will certainly cooperate fully!" The madam hastily expressed her stance.

Qin Feng nodded: "Go on, Xiaofeng's hairdressing isn't finished yet; continue with your work."

"Ah? Sir, do we… still have to continue?" The madam asked in surprise.

"Naturally we continue; I came today specifically for Xiaofeng's hairdressing. If I don't continue, wouldn't I have made a wasted trip?" Qin Feng said.

"Yes… yes." The madam couldn't understand, but still agreed obediently.

In her view, Qin Feng came today to take their lives, but Qin Feng unwilling to admit it, instead insisting it was for Xiaofeng; she didn't dare to speak up, so she could only go along with whatever he said.

Since no one is bidding anyway, she wouldn't dare take even a single copper coin of Qin Feng's silver.

Hurrying downstairs, the madam quickly ordered that Xiaofeng be sent to the room, and prepared drinks and snacks, as well as the most important nuptial wine.

After finishing everything, her thoughts suddenly fluttered, and the notion to escape arose in her mind.

She really didn't want to just hand over her family wealth of 110,000.

She summoned a maid, the madam quietly gave a few instructions, then just stayed obediently on the first floor.

The petty servant who had accused nearly everyone stood at the door; she dared not stray far.

Moments later, the maid sent out returned, bringing news that chilled the madam's heart completely.

Ji Yunxuan was surrounded by constables.

At some point, the Xianya's constables had already surrounded Ji Yunxuan.

Now, not to mention her leaving with 110,000 taels of silver as a living person, even a mouse probably couldn't escape.

……

In the upstairs private room.

Qin Feng finally put aside his somewhat ostentatious official demeanor, sat down, drank two cups in a row, then went crazy eating, saying, "Damn, just talking about it made me hungry."

"Sir, excellent stratagem!" Chen Wuji praised sincerely.

This plan seems easy to carry out, yet the gains are absolutely rich.

Qin Feng gave a light laugh: "You're not good at flattery, so don't bother with this."

"Words from the heart." Chen Wuji said.

Qin Feng, while eating, said: "I've been watching these people for a while; the Xianya's finances are tight, I must find a way to make money, otherwise nothing ahead can be accomplished."

"But if we levy these rich folks, they'll just go through the motions, nobody truly wants to pony up money or grain, and raising taxes would bring endless trouble. Moreover, if we openly investigate them, first, our manpower is limited; second, these people have various ties to the Jun, and if we start probing, it's uncertain who will suffer losses—maybe even us."

"This is a method I painstakingly devised: find their faults in the brothel; though the matter is minor, once they're locked in the Xianya's great prison, how it's handled is up to me."

He suddenly turned serious, and in one breath laid out his plan to Chen Wuji in full.

This sudden serious frankness left Chen Wuji somewhat taken aback.

"Sir, there's really no need to tell me all this in detail." Chen Wuji said.

Qin Feng raised his wine cup and gestured to Chen Wuji.

After Chen Wuji clinked cups with him, Qin Feng savored the taste of the wine, then suddenly laughed: "You kid, stop pretending to be careful with me; we're on the same path."

"Not only do I want to tell you these things, but also more matters, especially those concerning the life and death of the Nan Jun populace. However, this is premature for now; right now, finances are urgent."

Chen Wuji fell silent for a while, then said: "I think you're overestimating me, sir."

"Whether high or low estimation, we know between us; you're from the Chen clan, vigilance is warranted, but these dishes aren't poisonous, so go ahead and pick up your chopsticks!" Qin Feng said testily.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly: "Sir, I've actually been eating all along."

"You're not eating now."

Chen Wuji: ……

The two chatted while eating; after Qin Feng briefly explained the backgrounds and identities of those he'd arrested today, he steered the topic to what Chen Wuji cared most about—military provisions: "Take all the money and property deeds donated by Ji Yunxuan's madam; this will be your military provisions for the coming year. Once it's gone, don't come looking for me—I'll from now on only be responsible for grain."

Chen Wuji was startled: "Sir, isn't spending this money a bit extravagant? I command three hundred men; you're giving me 110,000 taels of provisions—who do you want me to kill?"

"Because I haven't finished speaking yet." Qin Feng said.

"This official is so poor I have to scrape money this way; how could I possibly give your three hundred men such high provisions? I have conditions too."

Chen Wuji then relaxed: "What are your conditions, sir?"

"How much of the Chen lineage remains?" Qin Feng didn't answer, but instead asked.

Chen Wuji pondered: "One in ten remains."

"That's enough."

Chen Wuji:?

You're really easy to satisfy.

Qin Feng suddenly said resentfully: "I've met every officer of the Yunan Militia up and down lately; they're all useless, their grasp of battle formation is a mess. I intend to forcibly give you a promotion, and you shall serve as commandant."

Chen Wuji didn't feel pleased about the promotion; instead he felt an unprecedented pressure. He shook his head: "Sir, you're overestimating me; I'm not familiar with battle formation at all—I can say I know nothing about it. Before becoming a brigade commander, I was just a hunter."

He couldn't shoulder this responsibility, nor did he want to.

Merely protecting Xishan Village and his own family already left him harried; where would he find the energy to also safeguard all of Yunan?

"Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; even if you pretend to the end, I'll still give you this post!" Qin Feng suddenly played the rogue: "When the commandant's vacancy comes up, you'll have to take it whether you like it or not; otherwise you'll just watch helplessly as the afflicted populace dies in war and becomes slaves of the Qiang people."

Chen Wuji: ……

Sir, you can't just force it in either, this is going to cause trouble.

Qin Feng raised his wine cup, "Things have already gone wrong."

"But I'm just a Brigade Commander; I have three Commandants above me. Are you expecting me to leave all three Commandant positions vacant?" Chen Wuji asked.

Due to the special nature of the Lingnan Six Commanderies and the restriction on military authority, the Court had delegated the power to mobilize troops to the Xianya, but it did not include the appointment of officers of the rank of Commandant.

In Yunan County, the Provincial Troops are led by a Negotiation Colonel, assisted by two Guoyi Commandants, and only below that are the Brigade Commanders.

Qin Feng wanted Chen Wuji to go up, unless he could kill all three Commandants in one go, and the Court still had no other appointments, perhaps only then could it be managed.