Chapter 306: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji indeed made a fortune this time.

The Qiang people who liked to bring their families when fighting effectively brought all the wealth of their six thousand people over and gave it to Chen Wuji.

This was something Chen Wuji had never even considered before sending troops, nor dared to imagine.

Initially, he simply wanted to block the Qiang people, using the advantageous terrain of Shenxian Ling to gradually wear them down.

He never imagined winning so smoothly, or reaping such abundant rewards.

But Chen Wuji also clearly understood one thing: his ability to gain such a great harvest was entirely thanks to the soldiers' desperate efforts.

All of this was obtained by him and the soldiers risking their lives.

"Let the cattle and sheep continue to be managed by Chen Wangzu; in a few days we'll select a batch of veterinarians and refugees from the city and hand them over to Chen Wangzu, who will be solely responsible for these cattle and sheep." Chen Wuji said.

Chen Bushi grunted, "With so many cattle and sheep, we'll probably need dozens to a hundred people to look after them properly."

"We're not afraid of having too many people now; what hinders us is land." Chen Wuji said.

"I'll discuss this with the County Taiye another day, to see if there's suitable land nearby to allocate for us as a pasture."

Chen Bushi suddenly exclaimed, "We already have a ready-made option—Tianchi Pass would be perfect, wouldn't it?"

Chen Wuji's expression brightened: "How did I forget about Tianchi Pass? They even have people there to raise cattle."

"Wait, let me think…"

"The Qiang people's cattle are not good for plowing; they need to be domesticated. These two things can be done together: hire the families of the Tianchi Guan Militia to raise the cattle, simultaneously domesticate them; once the cattle can plow, we'll rent rather than buy to help the people farm. After the cattle give birth, they can buy them at half price. How about that?"

"Feasible!" Chen Bushi immediately agreed with Chen Wuji's proposal without hesitation.

While Chen Wuji was speaking, he had already been considering the feasibility of this matter.

So far, it seems very thorough.

In Chen Bushi's dictionary, one must first act; only by acting will you get answers and discover problems.

"The biggest trouble now is these precious warhorses." Chen Bushi said.

"In the village, only that kid Wu Yin knows how to raise horses, but his skill isn't great either; we're afraid we'll still need to find additional help."

Among these livestock, horses are undoubtedly the most valuable.

If raised well, they will thereafter have a steady stream of cavalry to train.

Chen Wuji suddenly regretted having buried all those Qiang captives.

We should have let them first open a few mountains and build a horse farm.

"The person in charge of the horse farm should first be selected from our own people, and we should also look for outsiders to serve as deputies. Moreover, we need a large number of people to open up the mountains; keeping horses in pens would be useless, so we must have a horse farm. On the western side of South Mountain there are several mountains with gentle slopes, barely suitable for raising horses." Chen Wuji said.

"I'll take care of this." Chen Bushi pinched his forehead, "All these matters are mixed; let's handle them one by one, so you don't have to wear yourself out over each one."

Chen Wuji laughed, "So you mean you want to handle internal affairs?"

"You think I can't?" Chen Bushi retorted.

"It's doable, but it would be a bit unfair to you."

What Chen Wuji said is true; Chen Bushi is a versatile talent and has been the leader of the Chen clan for many years.

Only because of the Ancestral System did he step down from that position, and they forcibly pushed him up.

"What's there to complain about? I've always been doing these things." Chen Bushi laughed and waved his hand, "This has nothing to do with power; it's all for the family. In short, we're both destined to toil."

Chen Wuji actually admitted that point.

But power is also not to be ignored.

"You must manage family affairs, but you can't ignore military affairs either; I, as the so-called Colonel, still have another Colonel's position under me—you can temporarily take it." Chen Wuji said.

"We must temporarily accept the Court's rules, and we also need this title."

Chen Bushi smiled, "Even if you don't give me this Colonel position, I'll still ask you for it. This position really can't be given to someone else, or else you'd appear to be sidelined."

Upon hearing that, Chen Wuji felt relieved, "Then let's settle it like that."

"Later I'll go to Yunan City to settle these matters with the Qin County magistrate first, then see when he'll finally give me the Colonel post. The war is over, but my official rank hasn't been finalized; as a Brigade Commander with two Colonels handling affairs, it's somewhat hard to justify." Chen Wuji said.

Afterward, the two of them settled one by one some minor details.

For example, division of duties, and also training new recruits, logistics personnel, etc. —there are many scattered matters.

After discussing these, Chen Bushi continued to focus on matters here, while Chen Wuji returned home.

Construction at home was still ongoing, with noises of extensive earthworks everywhere.

These precious artisans didn't go to the battlefield; they are truly strategic resources.

Chen Wuji stood at the doorway watching for a while, then suddenly frowned.

He suddenly realized, not knowing which guy had arbitrarily decided, these artisans weren't supposed to just build a couple of huts; they actually wanted to build a whole residence.

"Wuji!"

An urgent call broke Chen Wuji's train of thought.

He turned his head and saw Huo Sanniang flying toward him like a swallow, throwing herself into his arms.

This hug made even the corners of Chen Wuji's mouth break into an auntie's smile.

Before, San Niang would absolutely not dare to do this.

She would only dare to sneak a hug in private; if any outsider were present, any pulling or tugging would make her face blush with the brilliance of peach blossoms in March.

"It's fine, you came back alive and well." Chen Wuji gently patted Huo Sanniang's back and said softly.

Huo Sanniang tightly pressed her lips, tears glimmering in her eyes, she shoved her head hard into Chen Wuji's embrace for a moment, then quickly pulled away, swiftly wiping the tears from her eyes, and with a soft light and faint smile said: "Zhanhong left, saying she'd go help you solve some troubles in the city, and will come over once things are settled. She didn't tell me the specifics, nor whether those matters involve any danger."

Chen Wuji guessed it was probably about the Colonel position, there might be some danger, but Chen Wuji didn't tell the truth, saying, "There's nothing dangerous; I'll go check in the city later."

"She also doesn't tell us directly; the more she beats around the bush, the more I worry." Huo Sanniang said wistfully, "These days have passed, everything's changed too fast—I haven't even had time to adjust to you becoming an official, and you're already brandishing knives and fighting people."

"Don't think so much; now it's peaceful." Chen Wuji said, smiling and soothing.

He understood Huo Sanniang's worry, but his ambition has always lain far away.

Before, there was no opportunity; he could only suppress those feelings in his heart, honestly be a hunter, and strive to become a wealthy man who need not worry about food and drink for several lifetimes.

Now that the opportunity has arisen, Chen Wuji will not easily give up.

Huo Sanniang gave Chen Wuji an annoyed sideways glance, then said with a teasing smile: "Just coax me."

"Although I worry about you, I am proud of you, my husband—a man who stands tall between heaven and earth!"