Chapter 370

Chen Wuji and a few others racked their brains, but couldn't come up with a decent conclusion; in the end they could only let it drop.

To get an answer to this matter, it seems we can only ask the person himself.

Both groups have this idea; it's just damned absurd.

The group talked as they walked, and rushed to Xiao Jia Ji.

Xu Zengyi and Yang Tiejiang temporarily stationed the Bīngmǎ at Xiao Jia Ji, scattering Scouts widely around, covering a radius of twenty li.

In the shabby civilian house, Xu Zengyi threw a few fresh chrysanthemums into the boiling water pot, placed it on the fire to simmer a bit, then picked it up and poured a cup each for Chen Wuji and Yang Tiejiang.

Have a drink, reduce the fire, soothe the liver!

Yang Tiejiang held the cup in one hand, absentmindedly watching the receding Qin Zhanhong and Xiao Yuji.

Xiao Yuji wanted to see who the dead were, and Qin Zhanhong accompanied her.

Old Yang, I recall you used to keep away from women, right? How come, now that you're older, you're also moved? Xu Zengyi said, his tone not good.

Lao Yang's steady gaze made him feel a bit embarrassed.

Yang Tiejiang came to, his gaze fixed again on Chen Wuji: «Commandant, bringing women on a march is a major taboo; even if you have extremely strong control over the whole army, there are still hidden dangers. »

Having said that, he glanced at Xu Zengyi: «I still keep away from women! »

«You damn scared me. » Xu Zengyi shook his head and said.

He had just almost thought that this old fellow was coveting Chen Wuji's woman.

Yang Tiejiang lowered his head and took a sip of Chrysanthemum Tea: «I'm just thinking, when I first entered the army, should I speak up or not? »

«You, as Commandant, don't know about the past; you're aware of it. I fell out of favor with the Western King just because I spoke too much; if I hadn't had considerable military achievements, this head of mine would have been moved god knows how many times. »

Xu Zengyi said to Chen Wuji: «I can bear witness, this is indeed his scar. »

«Clearly the army you lead is strong, yet you just can't help speaking up; speaking up is bad enough, but you also don't know how to adapt, you just blurt out straight away, just like just now, not a single word of nonsense. »

«Because of this flaw, he often gets targeted; if he weren't truly capable in battle, he'd probably be about one or two years old by now. »

Chen Wuji said calmly: «I don't have the Western King's petty mind; those who won't listen to advice can't achieve great things. »

«Miss Qin is my woman, but she is also a person of the Imperial City Department; we need our own intelligence, and there is no one more suitable for this than her. »

Xu Zengyi jerked his chin at Yang Tiejiang: «Look, I knew the Commandant wouldn't be so quick to act foolishly. »

Yang Tiejiang put on a stern face and said nothing.

If one doesn't know him, seeing this expression they'd surely think he's still angry.

But the more you interact with him, the less you'd think that.

This is his normal demeanor.

«As for Miss Xiao, the matter I'm about to discuss is related to her. » Chen Wuji then detailed to Xu Zengyi and Yang Tiejiang his plan to use the Reciprocal Scheme to attack Baiquan Village.

Xu Zengyi immediately said: «We can fight! »

«Commandant has let me take the main attack; I'm honored, but… I seem to have no troops. » Yang Tiejiang said.

Chen Wuji remained silent for a long moment.

Should the principle be so strict?

He hadn't even considered this matter.

«Before your new troops are filled, take command of the Personal Guard Lìng first; don't be too harsh. I finally managed to get hold of you, this senior Great General; if I don't make use of you, how can I justify it? » Chen Wuji said.

Actually, he really had a headache over how to place Yang Tiejiang.

This is an old general who made his name abroad, with outstanding achievements; logically he should certainly be given a Commandant post.

But under his Negotiation Colonel there are only two Guoyi Commandants, now occupied by Chen Bushi and Qian Fugui, leaving no spare seats.

But letting Yang Tiejiang serve as a Brigade Commander would certainly be unsuitable.

Chen Wuji plans that if it really won't work, he'll just add another Commandant.

If the Court is willing to recognize it, that's best; if not, then we'll self-govern.

We can't let such a great general, after returning to the Rivers and Lakes, go do a petty Brigade Commander job.

«I agree! » Xu Zengyi said.

Yang Tiejiang fell silent for a moment: «Please, Commandant, allow me to pick people from the prisoners; whenever the troop numbers are sufficient, I'll hand over the Personal Guard Lìng. »

«All right, but at least a thousand; don't try to hand over just a few hundred. » Chen Wuji added, he needed to give a preventive shot first, lest this old fellow later pick out a hundred or so and pawn off his old subordinates.

Yang Tiejiang startled: «Isn't a thousand too many? »

«We can afford it! » Chen Wuji said boldly.

«You're such a great general; this counts as a grievance for you. But there's no help—I'm only a Negotiation Colonel of the Provincial Troops; at most I can give you a Guoyi Commandant, and that's only because I added it myself. »

«But I think we can temporarily not worry about the official post; a Guoyi Commandant of the Provincial Troops has little weight. Let's get to work first; when we grow bigger, regardless of whether the Court recognizes it, we'll just slap a general's title on whoever. »

Yang Tiejiang picked up the firewood at his feet, poked the fire a bit: «I never meant for this; Commandant, you needn't worry. I've taken up arms again for the Commandant, not for these empty things. »

This weather makes the fire a bit excessive; just a moment of roasting leaves the person sweltering all over.

Once the water boils, this thing can be dispensed with.

The three of them, holding their tea cups, moved in unison to the eaves outside the door, each on a stone slab, slowly sipping tea and idly brainstorming.

This suddenly reminded Chen Wuji of his college days.

Back then, the people in their dorm liked to sit like that, watching the lively youthful vibe coming and going; the beauties back then were truly many, and in summer their eyes could hardly keep up.

From afar came a noisy clamor; before Chen Wuji could wonder what had happened, a Scout came running up, reporting: «Commandant, our army has won a great victory! »

«Brigade Commander Wu cut down over three hundred enemy troops, captured eighty, and rescued nearly a thousand civilians; Brigade Commander Wu sent this subordinate to request orders from the Commandant: how should we settle the civilians? »

«First send them into the city. » Chen Wuji ordered, «Tell me the details of this battle. »

«Yes! »

The Scout replied, «Brigade Commander Wu wiped out an enemy force that had been terrorizing the village; the enemy revealed there were more troops nearby, so Brigade Commander Wu deliberately released some survivors to lure them for reinforcements, drawing in seven waves of enemy troops. »

«Go pass the order. » Chen Wuji raised his hand.

Here!

The scout sprang to his feet and hurried away again.

"Our scout is still somewhat lacking in experience; the results of actual combat differ greatly from what we scouted!" Chen Wuji said, "However, given this trend, Lao Yang, you'll find it hard to gather enough for a thousand-strong force; after cutting down over three hundred in battle, we've only captured eighty."

Yang Tiejiang said gruffly, "These little bastards are pretty vicious!"