Chapter 349

Yang Tiejiang, who was usually not good with words or didn't like to talk, suddenly said a lot.

According to reason, these scoundrels each had a livelihood before joining the army—some farmed, some worked as this artisan or that artisan—and after they no longer held swords in their hands, they could still return to their old trades.

But I can't say exactly why; they just couldn't do it well—those who farmed couldn't grow crops, and those who worked as artisans produced messy goods that nobody wanted.

If it weren't for these years, during which I privately found ways to subsidize them, this lot would at least have had to take up banditry for a living, let alone marry and have children and settle down here—that would be pure fantasy.

They merely followed me as soldiers for over ten years, cutting down people for over ten years, yet afterwards they seemed to know only how to wield a knife and kill people, becoming clueless about anything else.

In their lifetime, I've come to see clearly—they're fit only to be butchers!

Yang Tiejiang has been subsidizing these old veterans, and Chen Wuji knows about it.

Yang Tiejiang has brought this up more than once.

But after these people stopped being soldiers, they couldn't do anything else, which made Chen Wuji feel somewhat eerie.

Surely they haven't all forgotten how? Chen Wuji asked.

Of course not; I didn't mean they all can't do it—some do it well. Yang Tiejiang said, "They still can do it, but most of them do it poorly."

Chen Wuji thought of the days the Chen family people used to live.

Old Yang, do you think it's possible that they were never good at it to begin with, and that the lives of Nan Jun's common folk were never easy? Chen Wuji asked in a low voice.

This involves a question of one's position.

Yang Tiejiang certainly doesn't know how these people lived before joining the army, or how good their farming or craftsmanship was. Now that they've settled in Nan Jun, he constantly worries about them, regarding himself as their family head, seeing everything clearly, and thus the hardships of their lives are magnified.

The Chen clan people have been settled in Xishan Village for many years; among them there are no shortage of skilled farmers, good blacksmiths, good carpenters, and good veterinarians, yet none of them live well.

When the harvest is poor, each of them struggles to stay above the subsistence line.

Yang Tiejiang stared, then waved his hand irritably and said, "Never mind that—anyway, this bunch of scoundrels live poorly, lack silver, and are born suited to be knife‑wielders, living a life of licking blood from the blade."

Take them away, quickly take them away; I'd rather not see them. For years, in order to support these scoundrels, the laborers have often been left without a next meal. Now that they have such high pay, let me also enjoy a few days of peace.

Chen Wuji smiled; in fact he could understand the emotion behind Old Yang's seemingly nonsensical words.

This is more like a handover.

These troops still need you to lead them! Chen Wuji said seriously.

Nonsense!

Yang Tiejiang suddenly flew into a rage, grabbed Chen Wuji and pulled him aside, saying, "No matter how much you trust someone, he absolutely cannot bring his own troops into the fold and still continue to command this army; you're just digging a trap for your own future."

Troops motivated by profit will also lose their loyalty to you for profit. Whether you separate soldiers from officers, mix in sand, or replace mid‑level commanders, in short, you must never let one person completely bring his troops, and I am no exception.

If you let me keep leading this bunch of scoundrels, I will absolutely not help you with anything!

He said it with absolute firmness, his tone hard as iron, leaving no room for doubt.

Chen Wuji had not only thought about this issue, but also discussed it several times with Chen Bushi and Xu Zengyi.

The final result was to temporarily shelve it, leaving it unchanged.

Therefore, whether it's the provincial troops at Tianchi Pass or the Qian family's retainers, for now they remain exactly the same personnel, with no change at all. Chen Bushi and Xu Zengyi both think the current troop numbers are too low to warrant a major mobilization.

I'm just taking them temporarily! Chen Wuji said.

Then I won't do it either! Yang Tiejiang said with absolute determination.

He seems to regard this matter as highly taboo, giving Chen Wuji no room to negotiate at all.

If you want me to come help, give me another unit or a brand‑new retinue. But letting me continue leading these scoundrels—I can't do it, and don't give me any more reasons; I won't listen! Yang Tiejiang said.

Seeing that Yang Tiejiang really couldn't be persuaded, Chen Wuji could only nod in agreement.

How about letting them join my personal guard unit? Chen Wuji asked.

Yang Tiejiang gave Chen Wuji a deep look and said, "I know you value their abilities, but I must say plainly: this bunch's loyalty and righteousness are fine for now, but they have a host of bad habits—too many to count; put bluntly, they are soldier thugs."

You don't even think—among those who have been rebels, there isn't a single good person.

Chen Wuji smiled and said, "You don't need to exaggerate like that; let's settle on this: they will enter my personal guard, and you will train the new recruits."

Although Yang Tiejiang's words were unpleasant, from the state of these old veterans as they just formed ranks, Chen Wuji could actually see quite a lot.

An army with lax discipline could not manage to tidy its armor and produce only the sound of armor pieces clacking together.

After many years, when this group of old comrades lines up again, they can still avoid personal chatter and avoid discussing recent affairs; their discipline must have seeped deep into their bones.

When they line up, whatever is latent in their bones comes out.

The Chen clan troops now count as Chen Wuji's elite, yet when they line up they still can't help muttering trivialities, unable to remain completely silent.

Seeing this, Yang Tiejiang didn't try to persuade further, and said irritably, "Since you've made up your mind, let it be so—but if anything goes wrong, don't come looking for trouble with me."

Besides, do we want others? If these scoundrels hear about such generous pay, I shouldn't even need to wet my face with spit to easily summon them.

They're different from me; they actually don't object to fighting, nor to serving as soldiers and receiving pay.

Chen Wuji immediately said, "Yes, the more the better."

He's almost been driven to anger by the alliance of the Gu, Li, and Xue families; how could he possibly dislike having many troops?

What he worries about now is having too few troops.

He worries even more about having too few troops that can fight.

Even if another five thousand veterans like these showed up, he wouldn't consider it too many.

Understood; I'll have people take care of this. They already have their weapons and armor, so you don't need to prepare anything extra. Just get ready what you just promised; otherwise, these scoundrels will surely draw their knives on you—I tell you, I won't be able to stop them. Yang Tiejiang said.

Chen Wuji smiled and said, "I won't do that sort of thing; when I have no silver, I will do what a penniless person does—coming and going as I please."