Chapter 310: Zhang Lao's Old Friend

Zhang Lao complained verbally, but still let Chen Wuji pour him a drink.

After two cups of wine, he raised the old matter again: "When do you plan to become the shopkeeper of Ciji Hall?"

"I dare not deceive you, Old Master, but there's probably no chance for that; I've taken up the post of Negotiation Colonel, and a few days ago I fought the Qiang People at Shenxian Ling, and now I can't get away." Chen Wuji said frankly.

The reason, Chen Wuji had actually explained many times already.

But he spoke his piece, and whenever Zhang Lao had a question he would still ask, completely unaffected.

"I know, the battle was fought splendidly, but these two do not conflict." Zhang Lao said with a light smile, "Holding a post as a Negotiation Colonel in the Court does not hinder you from healing and saving lives."

These words left Chen Wuji bewildered.

How could it not be a hindrance?

After much thought, Chen Wuji could only say: "When I have free time, I can come over."

But Chen Wuji clearly understood that, given the current situation, his spare time would not be much—perhaps only a few days even if stretched to a month.

This matter, Zhang Zhongjing had already personally tested.

To be a good doctor, one cannot hold this office too thoroughly; conversely, the same holds.

"Enough." Zhang Lao nodded slightly, then said softly, "Nan Jun is about to undergo a change."

Chen Wuji's expression flickered, he sat down opposite Zhang Lao: "This situation has already become dire; how could it change further?"

Zhang Lao did not directly answer Chen Wuji's question, but instead asked, "A piece of meat thrown away by someone—what do you think will happen to it?"

"Besides wild dogs, no one would touch it, fearing poison." Chen Wuji replied.

Zhang Lao stroked his beard and chuckled, "That answer is quite clever. Indeed, no matter how delicious the meat, once discarded, anyone seeing it will surely think it problematic; only starving wild dogs would dare to touch it, wild dogs..."

"Old Master, could this meat you speak of be merely referring to Nan Jun?" Chen Wuji wondered inwardly.

Although Zhang Lao did not say it outright, his meaning was already quite clear.

Zhang Lao chuckled lightly, "I am merely an old man on his last legs; besides Nan Jun's affairs, I cannot know anything else. This meat can only be Nan Jun."

Chen Wuji raised his eyebrows, "Related to that person just now?"

Zhang Lao pondered, but gave Chen Wuji no answer, instead asking how that elbow dish was prepared.

He knew Chen Wuji's cooking skills were excellent; the chef of Li Si Fencha was a disciple of Chen Wuji.

Zhang Lao did not wish to speak of it, and Chen Wuji naturally would not press further.

But the answer was also quite clear.

Chen Wuji explained to Zhang Lao in detail how that elbow dish should be made, then shifted the topic, asking: "Nan Jun has already attracted the attention of the Qiang People; although I fought fiercely, they should not relent so quickly. At this juncture, if others also set their sights on Nan Jun, do they have the capability to deal with the Qiang People?"

"Many people in the world possess abilities greater than yours and mine." Zhang Lao said.

He pointed with his chopsticks at the dish before him, "Those who run taverns can raise private troops; you say how strange this world is? The Court may be weakened, but that does not mean the whole of Da Yu lacks usable talent."

"Eat your vegetables; discussing these matters at dawn only brings displeasure."

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Old Master, you eat; I'll just keep you company with a drink."

Chen Wuji did not have a thorough understanding of Da Yu's overall situation; being a hunter by origin, his previous self had no chance to encounter anything beyond Yunan City, and what he had heard and seen was limited.

Yet Zhang Lao's remark sparked a sudden realization in him about things he had previously overlooked.

If tavern keepers can raise troops, then what about those with power and influence?

They would certainly raise even more.

Referring to the late Han and late Tang dynasties, much becomes clear.

Da Yu's fate has not yet reached the point of collapse, but those below are already making preparations.

"Old Master, from your tone it seems a powerful force has set its sights on Nan Jun. Stop speaking in riddles—I have staked myself and my entire clan on this city; I cannot afford failure." Chen Wuji said earnestly.

"If we fail, how will I later be able to show filial piety to you?"

Zhang Lao set down his chopsticks, took a small sip of wine, and said, "Why the rush? I haven't reached my end yet; first, let's see, let's see."

Chen Wuji: ……

He disliked riddles.

But, having spoken so plainly, Zhang Lao still refused to say more.

Chen Wuji also knew he could not continue pressing.

However, one thing is certain: this matter is inevitably related to that old man who just left.

A friend, not an foe, and an old acquaintance of Zhang Lao.

Truly a headache.

Chen Wuji drank a few cups with Zhang Lao, then at noon dragged a sack of Shocking Heaven Thunder from Zhang Lao's place and went to the Coffin Shop.

Xu Zengyi had left several days ago; Chen Wuji wanted to inquire about progress, but found the Coffin Shop's gate tightly shut.

Chen Wuji asked the neighboring residents and learned that Xu Zengyi had not returned for several days.

After leaving Xishan Village, it seemed he had never come back here.

Chen Wuji then turned to Yang Tiejiang's place.

The blacksmith Yang Tiejiang was still forging iron.

The workshop's staff had increased somewhat, but not by much—only a dozen or so.

Following Chen Wuji's suggestion, Yang Tiejiang had taken over the surrounding shops, turning this place into a small workshop.

Occasionally, locals would bring a crude wooden sign here to fetch a pot.

Iron pots now dominate the kitchen market in Yunan City, nearly completely replacing those old, bulky cooking utensils.

"Just send someone; why come personally to ask for reinforcements? I don't recognize only you and reject others. Manpower has been prepared for you; you can take the field at any time to fight the enemy, but after the battle, whether dead or alive, you must provide something for these brothers." Seeing Chen Wuji appear at the doorway, Yang Tiejiang quickly removed his leather apron and began assembling the few iron rods standing in the corner.

His movements were swift, yet his tone remained steady.

"Stop fussing; the battle is over." Chen Wuji picked up the small stool standing at the doorway's side, went to the roadside, and began tinkering with Yang Tiejiang's little earthen stove by himself.

Having not drunk for several days, he still missed a bit of the tea flavor brewed from it.

Yang Tiejiang came out with a strange look, "You just said……finished fighting?!"

Chen Wuji nodded, "Old Xu's tactics are swift and ruthless."

In this battle, the one who truly achieved great merit was Shocking Heaven Thunder.

Without the commotion created by that half-box of Shocking Heaven Thunder, they would have achieved nothing; they would likely have been forced to adopt harassing tactics, trying to stretch the front lines and prolong the time, to wear down the Qiang People.

But the merit of Shocking Heaven Thunder can be concealed.

"That consumptive ghost really has a couple of tricks, but could it be this fast? You're raw recruits in your first battle; no matter how brilliant the tactics, if the forces are severely unbalanced, you won't win." Yang Tiejiang shook his head, "I'm really curious how you fought this battle."