Chapter 283: You Have the Mandate of Heaven

The consequences of the information blockade, Chen Wuji now truly feels them.

Damn it

However, he quickly let it go.

Compared to the Qian family, the Chen clan seems only better, not worse.

He had just straightened his thoughts when Xu Zengyi said: "What the Qian family did back then only made the former emperor angry, but your Chen family has been feared by the emperors from the Taizu Emperor all the way to the present sovereign."

Putting anger and apprehension together, Brigadier Commander Chen, which do you think weighs more?

Chen Wuji chuckled, "In that case, it seems the Qian family's bet this time is a bit heavy, and also a bit off."

"Not exactly off; in my view, the Qian family finally made a correct choice this time." Xu Zengyi stopped, leaned against a nearby tree trunk to rest.

After climbing only a third of the mountain path, he felt like he was about to run out of strength, panting heavily.

"Let someone carry you later; your build, sir, isn't suited for climbing mountains," Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi waved his hand: "I'm not yet unable to move; I'm not used to riding on someone's back. A short rest will do—take it slow, no rush for now."

"The Qian family has placed their bet on you; this decision is very wise. It seems the Qian family has produced a truly capable person. The former emperor's edict mentions them; no matter how they toss and turn, the present sovereign will absolutely not reemploy them, giving them a chance to rise again."

"But if the sovereign reinstates your Chen family, he will certainly give them face and give the Qian family an opportunity. Even in the worst outcome, if your Chen clan raises troops and becomes independent, the Qian family can still gain considerable benefits; they won't lose out."

Chen Wuji smirked, "Reputation really is a good thing."

Regarding future matters, he has always been cautious and timid, lacking much confidence.

But these outsiders each have extraordinary confidence in the Chen clan.

A person's fame casts a shadow like a tree's shade; Chen Wuji now also counts himself burdened by his reputation.

Xu Zengyi rested a while, then broke off a branch nearby to use as a walking stick and continued on.

Howl howl howl

Suddenly, a deep, muffled roar came from the mountains.

"What's the commotion?" Xu Zengyi barked low.

Chen Wushuang and the others quickly grabbed their knives and went on high alert.

"It's fine, don't be tense, it's a friend," Chen Wuji said.

This damned commotion—aside from that big tiger, it couldn't be anyone else.

As expected, moments later a yellowish silhouette appeared on the mountainside.

Soon after, several muffled thuds came in quick succession.

Only to see two huge objects tumbling down the slope, crashing and rolling.

"Let's go over," Chen Wuji said.

Brother Tiger is here again to deliver favors and worldly affairs.

It keeps sending gifts, making Chen Wuji feel a bit embarrassed.

"Family Head, it's a tiger!" Chen Wushuang said solemnly.

Chen Wuji soothed, "It's fine; the friend I mentioned is the tiger. This fellow has become somewhat spirit-like. I saved it once, and it keeps bringing me game. Let's go see what it has tossed down this time."

By the way, help me think—what would be a good gift for the tiger? This big tiger keeps giving me presents, making me feel a bit embarrassed. As humans, we can't let a tiger outdo us in social graces.

Xu Zengyi and the others:!!!!

Do you want to hear what you're saying?!

"Brigadier Commander Chen, does such a tiger really exist in the world?" Xu Zengyi asked.

He was merely startled for a moment, then quickly regained his composure.

Chen Wuji nodded: "At first I was also frightened badly, but now I've grown used to it—there it is, alive and right before my eyes; you can't disbelieve it. In matters of social graces, it's truly unbeatable."

Xu Zengyi gazed toward the mountaintop and sighed, "The world is vast; truly, nothing is strange."

The big tiger is still there now, but most of its body is hidden in the thicket, only its large head peeking out, quietly gazing at Chen Wuji's side.

"Brigadier Commander Chen, have you had any intimate interactions with this tiger? If so, how intimate could it get?" Xu Zengyi's eyes twitched as he suddenly asked.

"I bandaged it; it nudges me with its head and plays with me—that's the extent of it," Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi said, "Brigadier Commander Chen, would you like to try riding it?"

Chen Wushuang and the others' pupils contracted in shock, their faces full of astonishment.

They hadn't yet recovered from what Chen Wuji said when Xu Zengyi dropped another bombshell—could this be something a person could think of?

"Mr. Xu, are you trying to get me killed?" Chen Wuji asked in astonishment.

How could he have such a ridiculous idea?

That's a real tiger, not a cat, nor a big dog.

Xu Zengyi calmly said, "Why not give it a try? If it works, Brigadier Commander Chen will bear the Mandate of Heaven. The Mountain Lord would willingly serve as a mount; once this spreads, heroes from all over will surely flock to the Brigadier Commander's banner."

By then, the modest posts of Brigadier Commander and Commandant would be insignificant. Nan Jun is a land of fish and rice, rich and fertile, with the Shenxian Ling natural barrier at its back, reliable and fearless of enemies from the north. Brigadier Commander Chen could calmly annex the southern mountains and rivers, cultivate himself, and then hold the Shenxian Ling peril as a base, awaiting the right moment.

Chen Wuji: …

Indeed, none of them are easy to deal with.

This matter, Chen Wuji has indeed thought about it—after all, the Chen family's situation is rather awkward.

But this is the last resort, forced upon us.

If there were any other path, Chen Wuji would never voluntarily take this step.

"Mr. Xu's idea is good, but reality entangles us too much; now is not the time." Chen Wuji said, "I haven't yet fully straightened my own status—how dare I plot such a grand affair?"

"Just a passing thought."

"Although it's just a passing thought, if you act on it mistakenly, the whole clan will be in danger." Chen Wuji said.

"For now I rely on the court to support me; at least for the present, that's a reasonable choice. Just as the Qian family has placed this heavy bet on me, I too need a reasonable and higher status—what do you think, Mr. Xu?"

"Indeed!"

Xu Zengyi's eyes flashed slightly, then he quickly composed himself, "Brigade Commander Chen Wuji has thought this through very thoroughly; I was a bit rash, after all I'm older now, my considerations aren't as careful as before."

Chen Wuji also didn't expose him.

Is this a matter of being careful or not?

He was deliberately Shìhòu.

Considering Xu Zengyi's former identity, Chen Wuji also didn't hesitate to give him an answer.

This might be the opportunity to firmly bind Xu Zengyi to his war chariot.

As the former strategist of the Western King, Xu Zengyi hates the Western King, and he certainly doesn't have much affection for the Court either.

His very nature bears the label of Rebel.

"However, Brigade Commander Chen Wuji should still try to see if he can ride this Big Tiger; even if he does nothing now, it can serve as preparation for the future!" Xu Zengyi suddenly said again.

Chen Wuji: ……

"Mr. Xu, I don't want to die, after all this is a tiger."