Chapter 381: Troops from Hezhou Arrive

A relatively simple banquet, with host and guests enjoying themselves fully.

After the banquet, Xiao Yuan sought out Chen Wuji alone, and upon meeting him said with a worried frown: "Lord Chen, we deeply appreciate your kindness and feel honored, but we old brothers are indeed getting on in years and are not suited to serve again in the military under the Deputy Commander's command."

"If I were ten years younger, I would unhesitatingly join the Deputy Commander's ranks as a lowly horseman holding the whip and stirrup, to fulfill my life's ambition."

"The Deputy Commander runs his troops with strict discipline; the military is not merely a place to compare personal strength. Though we old brothers do have some skill, we would surely fall short if we joined the army."

Chen Wuji listened with a gentle smile on his face.

In fact, he didn't believe a word of it.

He had truly observed the battle that Xiao Yuan and the others fought today; their advance and retreat were measured, their tactics orderly, they cooperated well, and everywhere bore the mark of a military background.

Had he spoken of something else, Chen Wuji might actually have believed him.

But when it came to this, he simply could not believe it.

It seemed Xiao Yuji had given this old man a hard time, forcing him to seek him out again.

He had been found, yet showed no sign of relenting; it seemed Xiao Yuji would need to press them harder.

In their fifties and sixties, they should be striving, yet they're already thinking of retirement—how could that be acceptable?

Chen Wuji smiled and said: "Xiao Ershu, I come from humble origins, risen from the dust; I harbor only a fervent wish to serve the nation, but my strength is slight and I have no means to carry on."

"You few are all masters of great ability; I care not what you have done before, but if you are willing to lend your aid, everything can be arranged as a special case, and absolutely no one will dare to object."

"But we are old after all!" Xiao Yuan sighed.

Chen Wuji immediately replied: "General Lian Po is old yet can still eat a dou of rice and ten catties of meat. At your age, you are prime for achieving great deeds; in youth, ability and insight are often lacking, making it easy to fall into minor faults such as greed for glory, rash advancement, and impulsive action."

"At your age, your experience and insight have peaked; I would entrust the army to your hands—a hundredfold reassurance—so please, Xiao Ershu, do not decline further."

Xiao Yuan was stunned.

No, can one really say that?

Although it did seem to make some sense, listening to it he even felt as if he had grown much younger.

But this was not what he wanted to hear.

Xiao Yuan gave a wry, helpless smile and said: "Please, Deputy Commander Chen, grant us a little more time to consider."

Chen Wuji clasped his hands and said: "Xiao Ershu, take your time to consider; I will always keep the mat swept here for you."

"If you join the army, I could never treat you as ordinary soldiers; at the very least you must each command a brigade, and then all arrangements can be made as special cases—Xiao Ershu, if you have any inconvenience, feel free to mention it."

Xiao Yuan nodded repeatedly with a helpless expression: "I appreciate the Deputy Commander's good intentions; I will discuss it thoroughly with the old brothers—at our age, some decisions are truly not to be made lightly."

He bowed to Chen Wuji, heavy-hearted, and left the room.

Chen Wuji could not tell whether he had been moved or not, and immediately followed after him to find Xiao Yuji.

For this matter to succeed, we still have to rely on Xiao Yuji.

If it really won't work, Chen Wuji plans to sacrifice his own looks.

If Xiao Yuji tells her family that they have actually become husband and wife, out of consideration for this relationship the Xiao family ought to give some assistance.

However, this also carries considerable risk; it might even backfire.

Therefore Chen Wuji instructed Xiao Yuji to first sound them out; if their response is favorable and welcome, they can then discuss further and reveal their true relationship.

If the reaction of those old men of the Xiao family is not friendly, he should break off at once and seek another plan.

In any case, Chen Wuji will absolutely not give up on those old masters so easily.

Just based on their skill in wielding cleavers, it is worth Chen Wuji putting in some hard work.

Having just settled the matter mysteriously with Xiao Yuji, Xu Zengyi arrived with the tallied military merits, saying: "Deputy Commander, the military merits from today's battle still need to be double‑checked."

Xu Zengyi, fearful of disturbing Chen Wuji and Xiao Yuji's private talk, stood at the doorway, far off.

"Here I am."

Chen Wuji left the room.

This kept him busy until deep into the night.

Post‑battle verification of military merits is a very tedious affair.

It is not as simple as the soldiers reporting a number and taking it at face value.

Although military merit verification uses the enemy's pair of ears as the standard, in the chaos of melee omissions are inevitable.

Moreover, the omissions are many, while those who actually manage to cleanly cut off both ears are few.

This requires comrades to cross‑check each other, then verification proceeds layer by layer from squad to platoon to company to brigade, finally aggregating all the way up to Chen Wuji.

No one can achieve perfect accuracy; reaching roughly accurate precision is sufficient.

The soldiers now place great importance on the rewards for earning military merit.

This is also the primary reason why the morale of Chen Wuji's unit is boiling hot.

Therefore, when facing military merit, Chen Wuji must be exceedingly cautious.

Having finished the military‑merit business and seen off Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji was about to head to Qin Zhanhong and Xiao Yuji's quarters to rest, when Qin Zhanhong arrived first.

"My lord, I have just received a secret report: troops are advancing from the Hezhou direction."

Chen Wuji, who had been tidying up, flopped into a chair speechless and said: "These scoundrels, are they timing me with a stopwatch over there? I've just finished one battle, I haven't even caught my breath, and they're already coming again? It's utterly outrageous."

"Once my troops are strong and my horses sturdy, I will certainly string them up one by one, even if it enrages me to death!"

Chen Wuji was truly angry.

All he wants now is to rest properly; even a couple of days would do.

Lately the high frequency of battles has left him constantly on edge, desperately craving rest.

But it seems this can only remain a luxury.

He does not deserve to rest.

"However, a small mishap has occurred: the commanding general leading the troops was killed by his subordinate officers, and they are now stationed in Qing County and not moving on." Qin Zhanhong deliberately drew out the rhythm, smiling wickedly, and said: "So, my lord, you actually still have time to rest."

Chen Wuji gave him a sideways glance and said: "Come over and let me slap you twice—don't just keep puffing out your breath while you talk!"

Qin Zhanhong, calling it a cooperation, immediately swayed her alluring waist over to Chen Wuji's side, lifted her butt, and spanked him.

Smack!

Smack!

Chen Wuji whipped with both arms, causing a swaying motion.

That arc and extent instantly made Chen Wuji feel a bit hot.

How can this guy be so good at it?

One move, plus a captivating gaze, can take a person's life.

I can't withstand it, I absolutely cannot withstand it at all.

"How many troops have come from Hezhou?" Chen Wuji's big hand landed on Qin Zhanhong's bouncy butt.