Chapter 400: Suddenly Became Hope

Zhang Lao's remark made Chen Wuji suddenly find the food and drink before him bland.

In such a short time, two of the six commanderies have already been lost.

Since Da Yu founded the dynasty, to guard against the Qiang people and be ready for war, the troop deployment in the Lingnan Six Commanderies has always been the largest.

Not only the border troops stationed at strategic points, but the provincial forces elsewhere are several times more numerous than those of the Central Plains.

Each prefecture, state, and county has provincial troops, layered in command; even a single county is guarded by a thousand such troops.

Even though, due to the court's circumstances, the border troops of the Lingnan Six Commanderies have been withdrawn leaving only an empty shell, any single commandery could easily muster tens of thousands of provincial troops, and two commanderies combined could field over a hundred thousand.

Even if it were a hundred thousand pigs, the Qiang people couldn't possibly slaughter them all in such a short time, could they?

He used a newly raised unit to defeat the six thousand Qiang wolf-tribe warriors against the odds; shouldn't those provincial troops be a bit stronger than him?

Thinking this over, Chen Wuji's thoughts paused, and he suddenly felt annoyed.

He thought of the provincial troops of Yunan County—a bunch of pleasure-seeking good-for-nothings who only know how to fleece the people; they really aren't as strong as he is.

But after all, they have over a hundred thousand troops; there's no way their territory should have fallen so quickly.

Zhang Lao shook his head and smiled, 'The battle you fought at Shenxian Ling earned the only bit of face for Da Yu and the emperor.'

'You haven't even won a single battle?' Chen Wuji found it hard to believe.

'Anyway, I haven't heard anything; small-scale wars wouldn't get back here.' Zhang Lao said, pointing his chopsticks at Chen Wuji, 'Because of this news, your prestige among the people of Yunan is now extremely high. The folks of this small town have already placed their hope for peace and security on you—have you figured out what to do next?'

Chen Wuji really hadn't felt anything about this matter.

But regarding future affairs, he indeed already had a plan: 'The situation is so dire; we must seize this precious time to pacify the people, train the troops, maintain the arms, prepare what needs to be prepared, and be ready for war that could break out at any moment.'

'I don't intend to go looking for trouble with Gu Wenjie so soon; he's busy with his affairs, and I need time to raise my own strength.'

Many of the things in his plan have yet to be scheduled because of the successive wars.

Even though time is still tight now, we must hurry and get it done.

Zhang Lao nodded approvingly: 'A mature plan, and staying calm after a great victory—that's rare. You, kid, truly have the makings of a general, not a physician; it's a pity.'

Chen Wuji knew Zhang Lao was just teasing, and he laughed, saying, 'Old sir, please don't praise me; my potential as a general is entirely from being forced onto the job—I don't even know how far I can go.'

'As for other matters, I can't help you much; I've had Xiaoyu make some more Shocking Heaven Thunder—come pick it up when you have time.' Zhang Lao said gently, 'This thing still has great room for improvement; you, kid, can slowly refine it, but remember, don't let outsiders handle it.'

'Pooling ideas is naturally a good method; a group thinks much faster than an individual. But this substance is no ordinary thing—since its debut it has brought bloodshed. The formula must be fixed; even if you take on disciples later, you must judge their character before passing it on.'

Chen Wuji nodded seriously, 'Understood, Master.'

This is not just a case of cherishing one's own broom.

In such an era, Shocking Heaven Thunder in the hands of someone without absolute power is like a harmless man carrying a jade—his crime.

Zhang Lao's caution is actually half self-interest; the other half stems entirely from the trouble caused since Shocking Heaven Thunder appeared.

Chen Wuji had merely made a few booms in Yunan City, and all the ambitious folk in the city were roused.

After drinking a few cups with Zhang Lao and chatting for a while, Chen Wuji left the Ciji Studio and went to the county office.

In the rear courtyard scented with faint floral fragrance, Qin Feng was again performing his drunken sword dance.

Chen Wuji couldn't make sense of its technique, but he knew it was the sort of thing women like.

Clad in flowing white robes, unrestrained and carefree, he could surely draw a crowd of women vying to bow before him.

Too bad Qin Feng probably has poor peach-blossom luck; despite such a graceful sword dance, not a single woman cheered.

Only a rough old fellow like Chen Wuji had mistakenly wandered in.

'Are you seeing someone in a brothel?' Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Feng sheathed his sword, his brows knotted as if Chen Wuji owed him eight million, 'What the heck—what did I discuss in a brothel?'

'Naturally, a red‑petal confidante.'

'Then can his mother be called a red‑petal confidante?'

'If you think she's a red‑petal confidante, she is—status doesn't matter.'

"..."

'Really?!' Chen Wuji was somewhat startled.

Although Qin Feng denied it with full confidence, his expression still gave him away.

It's true.

Chen Wuji had also just had a sudden thought: throughout history, talented romantics always seem to be tripped up by brothel women, leading to a moving love story.

Chen Wuji had originally been quite puzzled.

Qin Feng is handsome, has such superb skill, is a county magistrate, and likes to wear white; with all these qualities combined, how could he possibly lack women around him?

But he simply has none—whenever he has free time he rushes to the brothel.

Now the case is solved.

It's not that the brothel offers better value; rather, someone lives in the brothel.

'Don't hide it—pick an auspicious day and set a table!' Chen Wuji laughed.

Qin Feng flicked his hand dismissively, 'Get lost.'

Just don't know why, his face seemed a bit red.

'If you really care, don't worry about status or reputation—settle the matter early.' Chen Wuji added in passing, then changed the subject: 'Pick some people from your clerks and runners, then form a squad or a unit.'

'What are you planning to do?' Qin Feng asked warily.

Chen Wuji sat at the stone table, poured himself a cup of tea that had long gone cold, quenched his thirst, and said, 'My subordinates have recently objected strongly to my not taking prisoners, but I don't want to feed them for nothing, and grain is now expensive.'

'These past few days I've been racking my brains—hey, I actually came up with a decent idea; I plan to put those people to labor reform!'

Qin Feng eyed Chen Wuji suspiciously, slammed the wine jug onto the table, sat down, and asked, 'What do you mean?'

'Let these useless people create silver for us!' Chen Wuji said.

'I have a papermaking method I've pondered for a long time, but I've lacked both funds and leisure to try it. Let them do this—perfect, since the workers won't cost us a penny, and later we just need to keep them strictly separated, with the process handled by our tools.'