Chapter 263

The heavy ox-cart left clear wheel ruts on the muddy road after the rain, winding its way into Xishan Village and finally stopping at Chen Wuji's gate.

Chen Li got down from the cart and, together with another Chen clan junior, lifted the large boxes containing silver and carried them inside.

Eleven hundred thousand taels of silver filled three large boxes to the brim.

Qin Zhanhong and Shen Youwei stood like door guardians, one on the left and one on the right at the gate, curiously watching.

"Husband, what are these? They look very heavy," Shen Youwei asked curiously.

Chen Wuji smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Let's talk about it later."

Such a large sum of silver, while solving many of his problems, also became a huge trouble, easily arousing the designs of those with ulterior motives.

Now the village is crowded and eyes are wandering, the various branches' hearts are unsettled; if this news gets out, it certainly won't be a good thing.

Seeing this, Shen Youwei stuck out her rosy little tongue and asked no further.

Qin Zhanhong looked thoughtfully at those boxes, then came to her senses and looked at Chen Wuji.

She hesitated for a while, then slowly walked to Chen Wuji's side and asked, "Is it silver?"

Her voice was low, just loud enough for the two of them to hear clearly.

Chen Wuji nodded, saying, "Good eyesight; with the village crowded and eyes wandering, this matter must not be publicized."

"I know," Qin Zhanhong nodded, "I'm just curious where you got all this silver from."

"The Qin County magistrate staged a 'catch the turtle in the jar' scheme, seized Ji Yunxuan, and this will be our upcoming military provisions," Chen Wuji did not conceal from Qin Zhanhong; even if he didn't say it, the Imperial City Department could easily investigate.

While saying this, Chen Wuji was merely hesitating whether to tell Qin Zhanhong about Qin Feng's plan to forcibly give him an official post.

After all, this matter still has no resolution.

"Qin Feng isn't someone who gives easily; does he have a request of you?" Qin Zhanhong asked.

Chen Wuji shook his head, saying, "It can't really be called a request of me; he plans to give me an official post, but I see little hope for that."

He thought it over and still decided to say it out.

From any angle, Qin Zhanhong is now considered one of our own.

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhanhong's expression shifted slightly, saying, "This person's courage is truly impressive, but the commandant of Yunan really ought to be moved; for you to go up would indeed be a very good choice for Qin Feng."

She immediately guessed the root of it.

Chen Wuji was not surprised; with so much silver, thinking about his own promotion channels, it was easy to think of the commandant position.

"His gambling streak is somewhat large; everyone avoids our Chen clan, yet he actually comes forward and actively sticks to us," Chen Wuji shook his head and said.

Qin Zhanhong's voice was low and grave, saying, "Matters have priorities; for Yunan, nothing now can be compared to repelling the enemy. As long as Yunan's magistrate is not a fool, when faced with military affairs, sooner or later he will certainly think of you."

"The Chen clan of Beijun, a mighty military gate, you are truly a prestigious noble family. Even if he is merely betting on your Chen clan's former reputation, he must take a gamble; in the land of Yunan, besides you, who else could lead troops?"

Chen Wuji smiled.

That statement is somewhat absolute.

He knows few people; among those who know how to lead troops, he knows only two: a retired general who now works as a blacksmith, and a retired strategist who opened a coffin shop due to a unique hobby.

It seems the Imperial City Department's foundations in Yunan are still shallow; they haven't even grasped these matters.

Chen Wuji laughed and shook his head, saying, "I've never seen such an impoverished noble family; at most it's just a poor gate, a poor mud-leg."

They don't even deserve the term "commoner".

Qin Zhanhong shook his head, saying, "Anyone who knows a bit would never dare ignore the Chen clan's foundation; otherwise, you'd think the court... never mind, I'll say nothing."

Chen Wuji knew what she was about to say, and silently did not follow up.

For these matters, mutual understanding is enough.

Speaking of it, his affinity with Qin Zhanhong is also a karmic tie.

The lovely daughter of the Chen Jun Qin clan and he, a remnant of the Chen clan, becoming involved would implicate the Qin clan.

But Qin Zhanhong made this choice; Chen Wuji could not possibly push her away.

All he can do is strengthen himself, so that those bad things will not happen.

"Qin Feng is a smart person, and you also need authority now; this opportunity should be seized," Qin Zhanhong said softly. "This is a mutually beneficial matter; don't hesitate. If Qin Feng can't secure the commandant post, I'll handle it."

Chen Wuji nodded, saying, "Don't rush; wait and see how Qin Feng's side progresses."

"... Good."

Qin Zhanhong gave a soft reply, then suddenly smiled charmingly, saying, "Little rascal, you'd better work hard; I'm still waiting for you to raise the Chen clan's military flag and come to my house to marry me. Now that you've encountered little authority and saved up a bit, how will you ever marry me later?"

Chen Wuji gave a knowing smile, saying, "I will strive."

Qin Zhanhong rolled her eyes and said impatiently, "Can't you say a bit more? For example, tens of thousands of troops entering Chen Jun, arraying the Qin clan, the military flag opening the way, laying a ten-mile bridal procession."

"I'm going to marry you, not attack your family," Chen Wuji laughed.

Her idea is indeed rather unconventional.

Qin Zhanhong gave a light hum, saying, "But I just want this: grandeur, also proving my vision is flawless; the person I like is a peerless figure in the world."

"The pressure is a bit great!" Chen Wuji muttered, then firmly said, "But I, I promise you."

Qin Zhanhong laughed happily, the bright eyes rippling with charming light, making Chen Wuji sway a bit.

After putting away the boxes, Chen Li came over and said, "Wuji, I suggest letting Wu You and the others live at your house from now on; with so much silver, without extra protection, there could be loss."

"But my house is only this big; it can't accommodate more people." Chen Wuji also thought that, but conditions are really limited; "We can't just hastily build two rooms now, can we?"

"We must build them," Chen Li said, "According to clan rules, we are actually your personal guard; we ought to attend you at all times—when going out, we accompany and protect; when coming in, we guard the residence."

"Now everyone else has their own affairs; we can't muster more people, but we also can't neglect this. Let Wu You and a few others come over first; later I'll consult with Lao Jiu and draw a few more people. If it's just to protect you, Wu You and a few would be enough, but with this much silver, it's a bit few."

"Alright, then let Shi Yi Shu oversee the arrangements." Chen Wuji didn't overreach, agreeing to Chen Li's suggestion; if those 110,000 taels of silver were leaked, the temptation would be enormous.

Chen Li nodded, gave a few instructions to Wu You and the others, then hurried away.

By noon, dozens of people from the various branches arrived.

Chen Li also came running afterward, holding a compass; he looked here and there, then pointed out two spots in the outer courtyard for Chen Wuji to choose from.

Chen Wuji examined the courtyard layout and chose the position opposite the right side of the main gate, toward the rear.

The location was set, and the massive infrastructure construction project directly commenced.