Chapter 409: The Old Partner in the Mountains

Xu Zengyi's roundabout talk almost made Chen Wuji believe it.

"Next time when you talk to me, be straightforward; pulling this, I really wondered if there were any other ways to make money." Chen Wuji said unhappily.

Scholars' speech is just like an onion.

You think he's at this level, but who the hell knows which level he's actually on.

Xu Zengyi smiled, "My lord, you've misunderstood; actually, I have both."

"Although I personally prefer to use troops outward, but exactly how to do it is entirely up to the lord." Chen Wuji said unhappily.

"The benefits of using troops outward are three: first, it can ease the upcoming grain and finance difficulties; second, occupying more land helps the lord raise troops. Nowadays Yunan is a hundred wastes awaiting revival, barren and impoverished; hoping to feed a ten-thousand-strong army with taxes from such a population is extremely difficult." Xu Zengyi said.

"Third, as the lord with the title of Negotiation Colonel of Yunan County, upon recovering the lost territory, you can lament to the court for some substantive benefits, or at least gain a reputation." Xu Zengyi said.

Chen Wuji glanced at Xu Zengyi; this strategist had put all his scheming into him.

"I agree with your first two reasons, but is this third one perhaps too rash?" Chen Wuji had a different opinion on this.

"Mr. Xu, don't forget my status; our Chen clan should be the only family that the emperors of the Da Yu dynasty have always kept in mind. Now that I'm raising troops, they should be nervous, perhaps they'd rather negotiate a peaceful surrender than see me grow powerful." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi said calmly, "I recall that my lord was appointed Brigade Commander by the emperor."

"That's indeed the case." Chen Wuji did not deny, "but a Brigade Commander and a Negotiation Colonel commanding ten thousand troops are different; the emperor can tolerate me leading a few hundred troops, but not necessarily ten thousand." Chen Wuji said.

"My lord, giving it a try wouldn't hurt." Xu Zengyi advised.

"Even if the emperor is unwilling, he seems… unable to do anything to my lord now." Xu Zengyi said.

Chen Wuji took a sip of tea, lowered his head and let out a light laugh.

No wonder he's the strategist for the rebels; his thinking is all-encompassing.

In this remote place where the emperor is far away, he actually even schemes against the emperor.

Xu Zengyi never originally wanted to be an official of the Da Yu court, but that doesn't stop him from pretending to be one, seeking a court position and some substantive benefits.

Of course, what he cares most about should still be a court position.

A legitimate, court-recognized status is far more important than mere grain and money.

"Let's put this off for now; our fame isn't loud enough, our strength isn't strong enough; if we could take Hezhou, I think that would be about enough." Chen Wuji thought it over and rejected Xu Zengyi's proposal.

It's still too early now.

"If the emperor and court agree, that's best; if not, what's wrong with me personally taking the post of Prefect of Hezhou? We'll take it step by step; as long as the people of Hezhou accept it, even if my prefecture is nominal, it's real." Chen Wuji said.

"Personally take it?" Xu Zengyi froze for a moment.

That term was somewhat novel to him.

"Won't work?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xu Zengyi pondered for a while before saying, "This also has no precedent; I'm a bit unsure for now—does personally taking it not just amount to rebellion?"

"That's different; I acknowledge the court and am willing to offer tribute. But the situation is turbulent, roads are cut off, I can't promptly report to the court, nor have I received an appointment, so I can only temporarily take charge personally." Chen Wuji said, "How could that be considered rebellion?"

Xu Zengyi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he exclaimed in praise, "My lord truly lives up to being my lord; I have nothing to say. Then let's follow your view, and after we take Hezhou we'll make further plans."

Chen Wuji smiled faintly, hiding his achievements and fame.

He had watched the divine battles of the Three Kingdoms countless times; could such a little trick possibly elude him?

Rebelling and rebelling are not the same.

"Cao Laoban has been a Han subject his whole life; is he a rebel?"

"Let's put other matters aside for now; let me rest a few days at home before we talk again." Chen Wuji said.

"Here!"

Xu Zengyi stayed behind in Xishan Village.

This strategist, who holds multiple positions, will next be responsible for the overall construction of turning Xishan Village into a military garrison.

The strategist gained another identity, becoming Xu Chief Engineer.

The next day, Chief Clerk Li Run led thousands of villagers to Xishan Village.

After detailed allocation, these villagers were assigned to different places.

Those with skills and strong bodies were assigned to building walls and forging armor.

The frail and women were responsible for light tasks such as splitting, tanning hides, and making hemp rope, among related auxiliary work.

When they arrived, Chen Wuji personally explained the upcoming treatment and tasks in detail, and personally prepared a rather abundant welcome feast for these villagers.

At the feast, he answered the villagers' most pressing concerns.

For example, whether they could still return home, what would happen to their family fields, etc.

Soon, a massive civil engineering project began in Xishan Village.

During this period, Chen Wuji was not idle either.

When there was no official business, he would lead people into the mountains to hunt, providing the villagers with game to improve their diet.

The fact proves that his hunting skill was best when he was at Shenxian Ling.

Basically, each day brought a large game harvest.

The only thing that made Chen Wuji regretful was that the old partner he had met in the mountains had disappeared.

Perhaps the Mountain Lord felt that Chen Wuji hadn't visited in a long time, got angry all of a sudden, and decided not to bother with Chen Wuji anymore.

This matter made Chen Wuji feel sorrowful for two more days.

Finally, he consoled himself with the reason that interspecies friendship is inherently difficult, and let it go.

Unexpectedly, when he let it go, the Mountain Lord suddenly appeared.

That day, when Chen Wuji entered the mountains, he suddenly heard that familiar, impossibly familiar tiger roar.

Roar roar roar.

Roar roar roar…

It wasn't just one sound, but two.

One mighty, one tender.

Chen Wuji was a bit dazed.

Such an improper tiger roar—besides his old friend, there would be no other tiger.

But what's going on with that extra tender 'hoo-hoo-hoo' sound?

Until Chen Wuji approached the source of the sound and saw the two tigers, one big and one small, in the thicket did he realize what was going on—his unreliable old partner had asserted seniority.

No wonder I haven't seen it for so long; it turns out it was busy at home raising its child.

Chen Wuji stopped about ten steps away from the tiger father and son, tossed his bow and arrow to the side, and smilingly asked: 'Long time no see, Mountain Lord Partner.'

The mighty tiger nudged his son with his big head.

Then the little tiger, which looked to be only about a month old, stumbled over to Chen Wuji, tripped and fell at his feet.

Chen Wuji smiled, squatted down, flipped the little guy over, and rubbed its fluffy head.

'You're just like him, partner.'

'Hoo-hoo-hoo...'