Chapter 311: Not Pointing at You

Chen Wuji didn't hide much from Yang Tiejiang, merely omitting some details as he recounted the battle's before and after to him.

After hearing it, Yang Tiejiang's gaze toward Chen Wuji instantly turned strange, even somewhat horrifying.

"Your guts are truly huge!" After a moment, he said slowly.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "On the battlefield, isn't it just gambling with one's life?"

Flames rose in the small red-clay stove; Chen Wuji fanned the smoke swirling before him, placed the petite clay teapot on it, and added clear water.

"It's gambling with one's life, but not like your way of gambling!" Yang Tiejiang shook his head.

Chen Wuji looked over, "You mean, fighting through the night?"

Yang Tiejiang nodded, "Not only that, but it's the most dangerous."

"Many well-trained elite soldiers dare not engage in night battles lightly, let alone a night raid of dozens of miles like yours. In extremely harsh conditions, rewards can sometimes be useless; when soldiers' strength reaches its limit, they won't think about rewards, only about the commander's head."

Chen Wuji nodded, "I also worried about that, but I had no choice at the time."

The fate of that Qiang force was exactly what Yang Tiejiang had worried about.

Chen Wuji could only feel relieved.

Although the Chen clan had declined and faced the danger of fragmentation, at least they still had some spirit left.

"I'll say something I shouldn't: a commander cannot stake the battle's outcome on a gamble; it's a double-edged sword—if it doesn't kill the enemy, it kills oneself." Yang Tiejiang said sincerely.

Chen Wuji listened very seriously, clasped his fists, and said, "I appreciate the lesson."

"The Chen clan is truly enviable." Yang Tiejiang suddenly laughed and shook his head, "If our side back then had a few more Chen clan members, perhaps the outcome would have been different."

Chen Wuji added tea leaves, scorched dates, and a few goji berries and astragalus to the boiling teapot, then said, "We Chens, hearing you say all this, are almost getting spooked—can we stop blindly praising? Are you really worried the court isn't killing enough?"

Yang Tiejiang laughed, "From what you just said, I see a breaker-of-formations commander, a vanguard tiger warrior, elite scouts, and a wise leader—gathering such strong individuals in a unit is no easy feat, but you… you have them all."

"I envy you a little—isn't that justified? Leading a new infantry force against cavalry, overcoming numbers to smash through enemy lines, there must be a tiger general at the front."

Chen Wuji glanced furtively at the two Chen oxen not far away.

That remark is indeed correct.

Yang Tiejiang continued, "In the vast dark night, tail-chasing pursuit—once the moment arrives, strike with thunderous speed; such scouts, everyone wants."

This refers to Chen Luozi and Qian Fugui.

Chen Wuji naturally omitted Chen Luozi, smiling, "The person you're talking about isn't surnamed Chen but Qian—the Young Master of Hengtong Business Business Business Business Business; this kid fights like he doesn't care about his life."

Yang Tiejiang stared, "The son of that Qian thing? He actually has this ability?!"

"Yes!" Chen Wuji affirmed, "He served twice as a vanguard, leading the charge to break formations."

Yang Tiejiang fell silent, then suddenly turned and shouted at the Yang clan apprentices in the workshop, "Everyone, if anyone fails to finish fifty pots today, come find me for individual drills!"

The workshop instantly filled with wails.

"You damned things, what are you yelling for? Yell again and each person gets ten more pots." Yang Tiejiang roared.

The workshop fell silent instantly, then the urgent clanging of hammering began.

Chen Wuji shook his head and chuckled lightly, "Old Yang is seriously stimulated."

After a long while, Yang Tiejiang muttered in disbelief, "That kid looks like a worthless good-for-nothing drained by drink and lust—how could he possibly be a vanguard, and twice? Impossible!"

"I also think it's impossible, but he really did it." Chen Wuji said.

"Besides, that kid is quite smart, his vision rather vicious—don't be fooled by his appearance."

Yang Tiejiang suddenly looked up, "Has the Qian family completely thrown in their lot with you?"

"As far as I can tell, it seems so." Chen Wuji said.

As for the Qian family, he still retains a bit of suspicion.

But what they've given is truly too much.

They provide manpower, they provide grain, and Qian Fugui is so fierce—truly beyond reproach.

Even if Chen Wuji harbors doubts, he must swallow them honestly.

"What tremendous resolve!" Yang Tiejiang sighed.

Chen Wuji nodded in acknowledgment.

Actually, given the Qian family's overbearing display, he really doesn't need to doubt.

But in this world, staying vigilant at all times is the first rule of self-preservation.

After sighing, Yang Tiejiang suddenly fell silent, staring blankly at the bubbling teapot before him, lost in thought.

Chen Wuji didn't disturb him, merely picking up his teacup and drinking quietly.

The tea water boiled; the refined tea leaves, after mingling with the aromas of goji and astragalus, suddenly turned mellow, gaining a woody elegance, while the date's scent became almost imperceptible.

"Do you want to swallow all those big and small powers in Yunan City?" Yang Tiejiang suddenly asked.

Chen Wuji shook his head, "I don't have that ability; Yunan is a city of the Rivers and Lakes, its waters deeper than the great river outside—merely touching it is possible, but to annex it, I might as well dream."

"In dire wartime, I had to give it a try—whether with dates or not, one must first throw a couple of punches to know. Now that hostilities have paused, those matters aren't so urgent; I need to first clarify who is the enemy and who might be a friend."

The waters of Yunan are so deep that even Chen Wuji now has only seen a hint of the surface.

The Chen clan wishes to rely on this city to rise again; these things must be done.

But there's no rush to do it right this moment.

Yang Tiejiang stared straight at Chen Wuji, fell silent for a long while, then said, "I hope you can forgive my selfishness—I need… to take another look."

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised, "Where does this come from?"

"We escaped from mountains of corpses and seas of blood; this meager peace is hard-won. I truly lack the Qian family's resolve, but when necessary, I won't hesitate." Yang Tiejiang said with utmost solemnity.

Chen Wuji understood his meaning, smiled and waved his hand, "Old Yang, I said the Qian family isn't pointing at you—no need to overthink; my ambition hasn't swollen to that exaggerated extent."

Actually, it's not surprising Yang Tiejiang overthinks; the Qian family, though not close to Chen Wuji, can muster that many troops and provisions, while Yang Tiejiang, who has long partnered with Chen Wuji, hasn't sent a single soldier—comparing the two, certain things become apparent.

But Chen Wuji really hasn't thought much about it; he has always regarded Old Yang as his backup.

Moreover, he knows Yang Tiejiang won't let him down.

Since that night when Yang Tiejiang could lead the clan's youths, without questioning why, and follow him to storm the inn, this answer had already become clear; excessive speculation would only become the weight that breaks trust.