Chapter 328: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji readily agreed to Xiao Zong's conditions.

Ten thousand taels is a lot, excessively so.

Chen Wuji felt that spending those ten thousand taels was worth it.

The Xiao family's attitude, the support that could be mobilized at any time, and the crossbow blueprints.

Any one of these, if taken elsewhere, might not be obtainable with silver.

The Dayu Court strictly controls crossbows; even provincial troops have no right to equip them.

Aside from its short range, this thing is almost entirely advantageous.

Even soldiers without archer experience, upon picking it up, can achieve some effect with a haphazard volley; if each could be equipped, the boost to overall combat power would be tremendous.

Xiao Zong found a piece of cloth on the spot and had Chen Wuji draw the crossbow blueprint on it.

As soon as he took it up, the air of a formally trained craftsman instantly showed.

The blueprint was detailed to the point of not overlooking any small detail, with dimensions clearly marked.

After finishing the blueprint, he casually plucked a few beard hairs, folded them in his hand, dabbed some cinnabar powder, and then drew flourishes on the cloth.

Chen Wuji looked a bit dazed; this… is an anti-counterfeit mark?

No wonder his beard looks like it's been chewed by a dog.

"Deputy Commander Chen, I know many artisans know some mechanical arts, but please tell them not to alter my drawing in the slightest." Xiao Zong smoothed his messy beard, handed the blueprint to Chen Wuji, and gave a solemn reminder.

"I will, I'll have someone deliver the silver tomorrow." Chen Wuji said.

Having put away the blueprint, Chen Wuji smiled and said, "Since we've already settled our cooperation, may I ask, Lord Xiao, where does the Cao family's confidence come from?"

"I knew it, they wanted to swindle me out of five hundred taels." Xiao Zong pursed his lips and shook his head, "It's the Nan Jun Jinglue Shi, that surnamed Lu fellow, who harbors separatist intentions. The Cao family has been active lately, secretly contacting people in the city, wining and dining, giving gifts, poisoning—using every means."

"As far as I know, the Li family's patriarch has been killed by them; now the power is held by the patriarch's second son, and they have already reached an agreement with the Cao family."

"Besides that… never mind, I'll be direct: aside from the Qian family and me, the other households have all chosen to follow the Cao family, becoming lackeys of Lu Ping'an. Deputy Commander Chen, you asked where their confidence lies; it's right here—these four families have manpower, wealth, and reinforcements; that is their confidence."

"By the way, as far as I know, their reinforcements come from Hezhou, and they are specifically rushing here for Deputy Commander Chen!"

Chen Wuji immediately became unhappy, "Does Lu Ping'an have some problem? Why doesn't he ask me? Perhaps I could handle things for him without fighting; this old brat looks down on people!"

Xiao Zong eyed Chen Wuji suspiciously, "Deputy Commander Chen, do you really think that?"

"Fake, I've had a little grudge with the Lu family before, and now it's basically enemies not meeting." Chen Wuji said, "But what I think is secondary; they never even considered my attitude—really over the top!"

"How many people do these four families have in total?"

"They seem to have gathered another six thousand for Deputy Commander Chen; I don't know if he can wipe them out in one go this time. By the way, this number is tentative; they've been recruiting troops and buying horses nearby, so it might exceed this in a few days." Xiao Zong felt somewhat vexed.

Chen Wuji glanced, "Lord Xiao, are you regretting your decision?"

Xiao Zong fell silent for a while, then suddenly sighed, "I am someone who hates lying the most and is also the worst at lying; sometimes I know that speaking certain words will bring bad consequences, yet I still can't control my mouth."

"Actually, I have no choice; I also have a grudge against the Cao family."

"Lord Xiao, you needn't overly worry about your choice; in such a situation, their odds of victory aren't necessarily higher than mine." Chen Wuji's aura shifted abruptly, his eyes turning icy with killing intent.

These people have been openly and covertly competing in Yunan City for years; now Lu Ping'an has suddenly drawn them together—how could their hearts possibly unify so quickly?

As long as we cut off the Cao family's head, the opportunity will naturally arise.

This battle must be fought fast and fierce.

We must not give them a chance to gain momentum.

Xiao Zong felt a bit uneasy under Chen Wuji's gaze.

At that moment, he seemed to see a fierce beast accompanied by wind and clouds in the mountains.

"Deputy Commander Chen, do you have confidence?" Xiao Zong asked.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "Whether I have confidence or not, this battle must be fought; I am somewhat wary of the reinforcements from Hezhou, but I'm not really afraid of these people in the city."

The Cao family has allies, and he is not fighting alone.

Yang Tiejiang's old comrades are all true veteran soldiers who have crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Although Yang Tiejiang hasn't yet decided to leave the mountain, if something happens on his side, he will certainly not stand idly by.

In previous chats, Chen Wuji had already clearly sensed Yang Tiejiang's attitude; he won't leave the mountain for now, but he has made preparations.

"Because I exterminated the Qiang people, they want to come fight me?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xiao Zong's lips curled with a hint of ridicule as he sighed, "Although I don't want to admit such a shameless thing happening around me, it's indeed true. When fighting the Qiang people, we see no trace of them, but when dealing with meritorious officials, we almost employ tactics of ambush on all sides."

"Quite shameless." Chen Wuji scoffed, "But I still feel rather honored."

"I won't stay to have lunch with Lord Xiao; I'll go back, prepare, and finish off the Cao family."

Xiao Zong saw Chen Wuji out the door, "I won't keep you either, Deputy Commander Chen; this battle should be fought sooner rather than later. If there's any news, I'll send someone over—don't forget the silver you promised me."

"I won't forget."

Chen Wuji waved his hand, leading Qin Zhánhong and two others away from the Xiao residence.

"Any gains?" After leaving, Qin Zhánhong asked softly.

Chen Wují smiled, "Quite a haul!"

Spending those ten thousand taels, the more I think about it, the more worthwhile it feels.

However, Qin Feng's earlier speculation was clearly wrong.

Lu Ping'an has other intentions; no matter how much money and grain the court dispenses, not a bit will end up in their pockets.

Qin Zhánhong nodded, moved closer to Chen Wuji, and in a voice only the two could hear, asked softly, "Would it be convenient for us to go sit in that quiet inn, let me hear the details of your gains, and also let my soft body gain something?"

"Although I do have some pressing matters right now, but, let's go!" Chen Wuji readily agreed.

Refusing once is fine, but repeated refusals are detrimental to body and mind.

"What else?" Qin Zhánhong asked askance.

"I need to mobilize troops!" Chen Wuji said.

"However, it won't cause delay; fighting while mobilizing troops is also possible."