Chapter 340: Various Movements

After Shopkeeper Li was taken away, Chen Wuji waited again on the city wall.

Other families had no news at all.

But Chen Wuji was very clear that at this moment, countless eyes were surely hidden in the dark, watching his movements here, paying attention to his every action.

"These people seem determined to go down a dead-end road, not willing to give any face at all." Chen Wuji shook his head and gave a light laugh, but the chill in that smile could rival the cold wind of the depths of winter.

He truly believed that the Cao family's fate should be quite deterrent.

But looking at it now, these local tyrants in Yunan City don't seem to think so.

"Actually, I can't understand either." Xu Zengyi looked toward the Cao family's direction; the fire there had completely died down, but the air still smelled strongly of burnt fire.

"The Cao family has been razed to the ground; they should feel uneasy, their hearts should waver."

Chen Wuji said indifferently: "Maybe they think the Cao family just had bad luck. Anyway, it doesn't matter; from now on their luck won't be good either—they've become trapped beasts in a cage, and yet they still dare not show me any face, so don't blame me for being ruthless."

"I originally planned that if they took the initiative a bit, we could negotiate a little. But since they're unwilling to take the initiative, it seems I can only take it myself by force, which seems a bit troublesome!"

Xu Zengyi shook his head and laughed: "At least after tonight's battle, the situation has slightly turned around; the Commandant has a city to defend and terrain to rely on. These matters can be taken slowly; there's still room for discussion."

"Do you really think, Mr. Xu, that the treasure map given by Shopkeeper Li contains something?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Trying it can't hurt, just in case." Xu Zengyi stretched his arms, "Even if that person racks their brains, they can't stir up any big waves; Commandant, why not play along with him? If there really is any gain, at least a hundred thousand taels of silver sounds very tempting to me."

"Then let's play along with him." Chen Wuji nodded and immediately ordered Qian Yong to lead the troops, together with the Provincial Troops, to garrison the city wall; Chen Bao's family stationed troops below the city, guarding the city gate.

Wu Bu Yong continued to lead troops stationed near the Cao family, watching the fire to prevent stray sparks from accidentally injuring nearby civilians and causing unnecessary casualties.

After arranging these matters, Chen Wuji returned to the camp with his twenty-eight Personal Guard and Xu Zengyi.

Next, nothing was more important than sleep.

Even if the sky fell, we had to wait until he woke up before speaking.

This unit, since its formation, has seemed cursed, fighting only night battles.

Starting off with high intensity, it indeed drilled the soldiers, allowing this unit to undergo a qualitative leap in a short time.

Yet the training imposed on Chen Wuji was also quite harsh.

It's almost the Chou hour now.

Fatigue plus having to consider all sorts of miscellaneous things in his mind made Chen Wuji feel somewhat dizzy and uncomfortable; he now dearly misses his bed plank and pillow.

……

In the early morning, what finally woke Chen Wuji was no longer a soft, delicate body, but the pattering rain on the roof; Chen Wuji turned over and stretched his arm out from under the covers.

Some people find the rain noise noisy, but Chen Wuji feels this movement is exceptionally tranquil, able to calm the heart.

After staring at the swaying green leaves outside the window and the rain lines hanging from the eaves for a moment, Chen Wuji then crawled out of bed; today no one was attending to his dressing, so he had to clothe and feed himself.

After tidying his clothes, Chen Wuji pushed open the window.

A cool, moist breeze immediately blew in.

This hot, long summer finally welcomed a heavy, refreshing rain.

Chen Li appeared timely at the window: "Wuji, the Xiao family sent a letter last night; at dawn, the Escort Agency also sent a letter and three thousand taels of silver."

"Also, the Gu family sent someone; they just left not long ago, please go to the Gu family for a banquet at noon."

Saying this, he handed over the two sealed letter tubes.

Chen Wuji broke the wax seal, reading the letter while asking: "Did the Escort Agency people mention anything else?"

Chen Li shook his head: "The person who came seems of low status, knows nothing when asked, only said it was the Escort Chief's order. On the other hand, the Gu family's representative said more, claiming there is something important about Yunan that needs a face-to-face talk with you, Wuji, and that it concerns our survival, urging you to give them face."

Chen Wuji snorted: "I will definitely give them that face."

"It turns out these people aren't still indifferent to me; they just have too many ideas, too much on their minds."

The letter sent by Xiao Zong was written in a rather simple style, with only a few lines.

It simply told Chen Wuji the reason he didn't come to the banquet last night.

Xiao Zong said he knew other families hadn't come, so he couldn't either; if he did, it would prove he was related to Chen Wuji, which would be unfavorable for gathering information later, and he hoped Chen Wuji would understand.

Chen Wuji put away the letter and instructed Chen Li: "Eleventh Uncle, secretly send someone to deliver the silver seized last night together with the three thousand taels just sent by the Escort Agency to the Xiao family; remember to act covertly."

"Okay!"

After a pause, he said: "Wuji, the Escort Agency suddenly sent three thousand taels of silver; they likely have ulterior motives—using it like this, is it appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? Even if they have ulterior motives, I've already claimed this advantage." Chen Wuji didn't care at all; since the Escort Agency dared to send the silver over, he dared to swallow it in one gulp.

Outside the city, he remains at a disadvantage.

But inside the city, the situation has now reversed.

Saying this, Chen Wuji opened the letter sent by the Escort Agency.

This is from the Escort Agency's chief, a fellow who calls himself a nameless rustic, Xue Chou, who wrote it.

In the letter, he first expressed admiration for Chen Wuji like looking up to a lofty mountain, wildly praising how mighty Chen Wuji's recent battles were, saying that for the Yunan populace to encounter a Commandant like Chen Wuji is a blessing for the people and also a fortune for him, Xue Chou.

Then……

This old fellow then began to complain to Chen Wuji about his grievances.

He claimed that regardless of whether the Cao family wanted to support Lu Ping'an or the Gu family wanted to replace the Cao family, in fact it had nothing to do with him; he had never sent anyone to participate.

What's being spread outside now are all rumors, put out by the Gu and Cao families.

And the three thousand taels of silver he sent are his token of sincerity, also his expression of loyalty to Chen Wuji; he said this is just the initial amount, and he is trying to liquidate his property to raise funds to aid Chen Wuji in military affairs, to completely quell the turmoil in Yunan.

"Another one perched on the wall wanting to watch, really thinking all the good things in the world have been snatched up by them, not knowing what they look like but their ideas are pretty." Chen Wuji gave a light snort, tossed the letter aside, and asked: "Is Qian Fugui in the camp?"

"He went to the city wall early this morning." Chen Li said.

"Have him bring the Provincial Troops and roll back to see me." Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"