Chapter 277: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji has many plans.

But as the old saying goes, making plans is merely to break them.

That is its sole reason for existence.

The things Chen Wuji once listed in his plans are not left undone; rather, they are done slowly, gradually, and in an orderly manner.

Originally, according to his expectation, Huo Sanniang and the others should already have gone to Yunan City these past few days, and the tavern matter should have been put on the agenda.

But Qin Zan Hong arrived.

"Opening a tavern won't delay Commander Chen's going into battle to slay people; I'll handle all matters of selecting the tavern site, and Commander Chen just needs to arrange the manpower when the time comes." Xu Zengyi suddenly took charge of this, and said indignantly, "The arrogance of Li Si Fencha has left my mind in turmoil; I must vent this spite through Commander Chen's hand."

Chen Wuji placed the freshly stir-fried venison on the table and asked, "Mr. Xu, do you have a grudge against Li Si Fencha?"

"Yes, but it's just some petty sesame and mildewed grain matters; I bowed my head back then, and it's considered past. Only now I suddenly sensed such an opportunity, and resentment rose again in my heart." Xu Zengyi waved his chopsticks, speaking in a flat yet indistinct manner.

He was eating somewhat hastily, so his speech was not very clear.

Chen Wuji understood, "Mr. Xu actually managed to bow his head, which genuinely surprises me, but I will definitely help him vent this anger. Speaking of which, the owner and manager of Li Si Fencha act too narrowly, which also displeases me."

"Why can't I bow my head? I'm just a coffin shop owner, while they are the Yunan Li clan, the most numerous great family. By 'numerous' I mean headcount, unrelated to strength; if we talk strength, your Chen clan still leads." Xu Zengyi said.

Chen Wuji smiled blandly, "When Mr. Xu humbles himself, he can also help humble our Chen clan."

"That is an indisputable fact."

Chen Wuji: ……

He previously only felt that this person was somewhat aloof and hard to get along with, but now he suddenly realized that this person's speech also makes them somewhat difficult to deal with, hiding sharpness beneath a soft exterior.

"Since you have a grudge against Li Si Fencha, why not take this opportunity to crush them outright? A tavern is merely commercial competition; it's hard to really hurt the Li clan." Chen Wuji asked.

In Yunan City, with so many factions, facing the Qiang people as an external enemy and this newly appointed commandant whom they surely won't trust, conflict and chaos are inevitable; one will certainly have to employ the art of forming alliances and counter-alliances.

With old grudges in place, the Li clan is eighty or ninety percent unlikely to choose cooperation.

Xu Zengyi hastily shoved food into his mouth, speaking indistinctly: "Now is not the time; if we move against the Li clan, others will lose trust in us, making any later plans difficult."

"Although I have old grudges with the Li clan, they never waver in matters of state; I intend to go to them first, and they should choose to set aside hatred and help us. Once the Li clan nods, others will be easier to persuade; our old grudges can be taken up again after the war if needed."

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised, "The Li clan separates public and private so clearly?"

He had just been thinking that the Li clan and Xu Zengyi had old grudges, and might seize the chance to trip them up.

This thought is normal thinking; ordinary people generally would think that way.

What is unlike the ordinary, however, is the Li clan.

To pick up hatred lightly and put it down heavily is not easy.

"They indeed divide things quite clearly." Xu Zengyi took a big gulp of liquor and vigorously wiped his mouth.

"In the face of national righteousness, they have set aside grudges and cooperated with the enemy more than once or twice. This family has aspects that are extremely aggravating, yet in other respects they are truly beyond reproach."

"As for our old grudge, don't take it to heart; later, opening a tavern and making a little fuss will do. Best if I can daily stroll over to Li Si Fencha to mock them—what point is there in seeking old grudges among the dead?"

Chen Wuji smiled and nodded, "I will surely devote my full effort to achieving this small obsession of yours, sir."

He did not curiously ask how Xu Zengyi and the Li clan came to bear their grudge, but from what he heard it seemed not major. Xu Zengyi spoke lightly and carefree, yet how could a person who once commanded tens of thousands in battle be one who readily bows his head and yields weakly?

He bowed his head merely because those matters were tolerable within a certain range.

"Full, full, thoroughly satisfying!" Xu Zengyi leaned back slightly and patted his belly.

Chen Wuji had stir-fried three dishes, but he alone ate them all clean.

"Sir, have you been to the camp these past two days?" Chen Wuji continued busying himself with his tasks, preparing to give the clansmen working outside an extra meal, something good to eat.

"I have." Xu Zengyi yawned and said, "You having the Tianchi Guan militia drill and letting your clansmen command troops is not bad; the Tianchi Guan militia's basic skills are solid, but their battle formations are lacking. Let the soldiers first solidify their basic skills, then hone them for a few years on the battlefield, and they can become an elite force."

"I'm going to sleep; you go about your business, and call me when we set out tomorrow morning."

He picked up the wine jar, patted his belly, and staggered out of the courtyard.

"Where are you going to sleep?" Chen Wuji shouted urgently.

"At the door; I'll squeeze in with those two kids." Xu Zengyi shouted without turning back.

Soon, outside came the sound of Xu Zengyi directing the two Yuan Jinshi brothers to find bedding for him and to mark out his sleeping spot.

Chen Wuji looked at the hurriedly entering Yuan Jinshi and asked, "Where has Mr. Xu been sleeping these past two days?"

"On the large stone slab at the gate of the ancestral hall." Yuan Jinshi said.

"Huh? Nobody arranged a place for him?" Chen Wuji's face suddenly looked somewhat unpleasant.

He had instructed Xiong Paozi about this before leaving.

Did Chen Wu Yin, that little bastard, just ignore it outright?

"Yes, but as soon as Mr. Xu arrived he fixated on that stone slab, saying he wanted to sleep there and that being close would let him feel the incense aura of the Chen ancestral hall." Yuan Jinshi said.

"Elder Brother Wu Yin really couldn't do anything about him, so we just laid out a bed for him there."

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Understood, you may go."

"Yes."

As evening approached, a caravan came to the village, heading straight for Chen Wuji's home along familiar routes.

A richly dressed youth rode a donkey, swaying a palm-leaf fan in his hand, humming an unknown tune, leisurely gazing at the surrounding scenery, occasionally lowering his head to open his mouth and accept food fed by the maiden's bare hands walking beside the donkey.

"Shopkeeper Han, why do I seem to smell a strong aura of clashing arms and killing intent here?" The youth suddenly glanced sideways, asking the carriage behind him.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Chunshen Han's ruddy, plump face: "Chen Wuji recently served as brigade commander, choosing the Tianchi Guan militia; perhaps he has subdued those proud and brave soldiers of Tianchi Guan and brought them to Xishan Village. But... the aura of clashing arms and killing intent—how did Young Master Qian detect it?"

The youth laughed heartily, "Shopkeeper Han, you're old—such fierce clamor of slaying, and you actually didn't hear it?"