Chapter 412

"He can use Yang Scheme on us, and we can use the same Yang Scheme against him." Chen Wuji tossed the bamboo slip in his hand aside like trash, then poured himself a cup of cool tea.

Unfortunately, our intelligence is limited, and we don't know what the situation is like in the other prefectures of Nan Jun. If we could know their specific circumstances and their relationship with Lu Ping'an, we could treat the headache for the headache, the foot pain for the foot, prescribe the right medicine.

For a newly founded small military group, Chen Wuji has many advantages, but his shortcomings are equally obvious; though not fatal, they create many obstacles.

Qin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Lu Ping'an has already put the shit pot on our heads; this trick of yours is never superfluous, no matter how you do it—better than nothing. If it works, that's best; even if it has no effect, it won't harm us."

"Our intelligence is limited; this is all we can do." Chen Wuji said regretfully.

"If we had enough intelligence, he would still use this trick to disgust me, and I would disgust him to death."

For a rebel who just started an uprising but in one gulp ate himself into a fat rebel leader, there is plenty of room for maneuver here.

Unfortunately, our intelligence is limited; even if Chen Wuji had many more ideas, he would have nowhere to apply them.

Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

"Any other dirty tricks?" Qin Feng asked.

Chen Wuji shook his head. "None."

"This won't work either." Qin Feng said disdainfully.

Chen Wuji:??

Old brat, don't force me to expose your shortcomings.

I know all the dirt about you being tied up by a woman and whipped with a leather strap.

"There's one more thing." Qin Feng reached into his bosom again and took out a silk document.

"This is the supply list sent by the Li family; I've already released the Li family's clansmen. Just glance at these items. What I want to say is, we're actually not that poor—there's no need for you, a high-ranking deputy commander, to go hunting in the mountains all day for big game."

Chen Wuji's face darkened. "I'm idle."

This guy, capable as he is, still went around in a big circle to say this.

If it weren't for fear of exposing his dirty secrets, this guy would completely lose control; Chen Wuji really wanted to have a good talk with him, imagining that upon hearing topics like whips, his face would surely look quite interesting.

Just as they were speaking, Xu Zengyi and Li Run walked in together from outside.

The waiting Yuan Jinshi immediately brought over two bamboo chairs and placed them to the side.

Chen Wuji glanced over and asked doubtfully, "Where did these chairs come from?"

"I brought them." Qin Feng said leisurely, "Knowing your family is poor, I specially brought them for you."

Chen Wuji could hardly bear it anymore.

You were a charming ladies' man in public, but behind closed doors you're a bottom who keeps getting whipped—am I right?

Just as Chen Wuji was thinking about how to approach the topic of whips properly, Qin Feng straightened his expression and said seriously, "I had already cleaned up the courtyard of the county office for you, but you suddenly moved back to the village. I had previously searched a few wealthy households; their things are all top-notch, so I picked some and brought them along for you this time."

"Speaking seriously, you are now undoubtedly the foremost person in Yunan County; you should pay attention to your status, not be so casual about everything. You may not care, but your subordinates do."

"You live all day in the old house, using the same things as before—how can you let your subordinates use good things? I know that under your command, someone has recently made a tidy profit."

Chen Wuji swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.

He really hadn't thought of this.

"This matter is indeed my oversight; I normally don't care about these things and simply forgot." Chen Wuji said, "But saying I'm the number one is an exaggeration; the foremost person in Yunan County is you, not me—this office of mine was obtained thanks to you."

"That was in the past; now you are the number one." Qin Feng laughed it off.

"In other words, I've managed to keep you appeased well enough; otherwise, you as county magistrate might have been replaced long ago. The entire county office inside and out is filled with your people—do you think I dare to let out even a fart?"

Chen Wuji really wanted to glare this guy to death; you call this sucking up?

Why don't you go out and gain some worldly experience for a few days, then come talk about sucking up?

However, Qin Feng has a point that's actually correct: his county office inside and out is truly full of Chen Wuji's people, and the chief constable is also a member of the Chen clan.

"Anything else to discuss? If not, hurry back to sleep." Chen Wuji said speechlessly.

If he goes on, he fears he really won't be able to hold back and will blurt out a few things about the leather whip.

Qin Feng suddenly lifted two jars of wine from under the table and put them down with a bang, saying, "Have a drink; Mr. Xu and Chief Clerk Li have just arrived, so go ahead and call Deputy Commander Chen too, and let me, the county magistrate, make friends over wine, how about that?"

"Yunan County isn't what it used to be; we at least ought to get better acquainted, right?"

Mr. Xu smiled faintly and said, "Magistrate Qin, your words are quite reasonable; I also think it's absolutely necessary."

"When you came, you should have called Lao Yang and Qian Fugui, too; we're forming a little clique—if they found out, wouldn't they have objections?" Chen Wuji joked, then told Yuan Jinshi, "Go call your third uncle."

Yes.

Qin Feng said indifferently, "One of them isn't here, the other has official duties; that's certainly understandable. We just happened to bump into each other—it's not a deliberate private meeting."

Chen Wuji was just speaking offhand, but his explanation was quite serious.

Lao Yang was busy drilling troops, even leaving the blacksmith shop to his nephews and not inquiring about it.

After the army returned to Yunan, Qian Fugui went back to the Qian family to demand money, grain, and manpower.

That was what he himself said.

He said that the Gu and Li families have fled en masse to Hezhou, the Xue family has been utterly destroyed, and the Qian family's few Old Immortals must shed some more blood, otherwise he couldn't face himself.

Chen Wuji had advised him, but it seemed to have no effect.

The Qian family could have, when he had just raised his troops, chosen to abandon the powerful clans and instead help him, such a petty hunter; Chen Wuji actually kept feeling grateful for their kindness in his heart.

Whether it was because they judged accurately or for some other reason.

In short, the Qian family helped him when he most needed manpower—that's a fact.

Yuan Jinshi quickly summoned Chen Bushi over.

Most of the influential people of Yunan County had gathered in this old residence that has been passed down for over a century; Chen Wuji personally prepared a few side dishes, and they drank while discussing official matters.

The atmosphere at the table was somewhat solemn, but the conversation was quite relaxed.

Shen Youwei and Huo Sanniang were peeking furtively from the window, saying, "Sister, your husband is becoming more and more like a high official."

"I don't see it; he's still just as shapeless as before." Huo Sanniang shook her head, a sweet smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

She never imagined that she would one day become the wife of a Deputy Commander.