Chapter 436: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji's discussion with the two county magistrates, although there were some twists and turns, the result could be said to have been quite amicable.

Whether it was Fang Zijing or Lu Jing, both showed Chen Wuji respect and a not-so-obvious loyalty.

But having these is enough.

Chen Wuji didn't expect them to be wholly loyal.

That in itself is unrealistic.

Being able to get this far is actually much better than Chen Wuji had anticipated.

Afterwards, to celebrate the successful collaboration among the three parties, Chen Wuji sent someone to order a table of food and drink outside and entertained Lu Jing and Fang Zijing.

Perhaps because they were still not very familiar, Lu Jing and Fang Zijing ate little food, drank only a few cups, and then retired to the lodgings Chen Wuji had arranged, citing their low tolerance for alcohol.

"Prejudices in people's hearts are indeed deeper than gullies!" At the wine banquet where only Chen Wuji and Yang Tiejiang remained, Chen Wuji lifted a cup and said as such.

Yang Tiejiang chuckled lightly, "Their loyalty has already been shown, but I also fear you might find them troublesome and send them off westward on a crane after just one banquet. The twists and turns in these people's minds are far more numerous than those of ordinary farmers; even Qin County magistrate, who comes from a prestigious scholarly background, would be a bit inexperienced before them."

Chen Wuji, however, had a different opinion on this point: "That brat Qin Feng harbors ill intentions in his heart, he's just too lazy to think; if he really wanted to play intrigue, these local officials might not necessarily be his match."

"What he has been exposed to since childhood is entirely court party politics, which is far more ruthless than local squabbles. Even if he only learned twenty or thirty percent of that skill, it would be sufficient."

"We've gone off topic." Chen Wuji raised his cup and clinked it with Yang Tiejiang's, "Let me hear the details of these counties' situations, and whether you've found any talent that catches Lao Yang's eye."

Chen Wuji is really lacking in talent right now.

He lacks talent to the point that he wants to raid a place with talent to bolster his entourage.

Yang Tiejiang put down the chopsticks he was about to use to pick up food, and said solemnly: "In these two counties, my Bīngmǎ encountered hardly any resistance anywhere; before even reaching the Xianya, they sent people to deliver provisions and pay for the troops, and politely invited me to a banquet, after which I brought the people over."

"As for Qian Fugui's side, I'm not really informed; the places of San Yuan and Ning Yuan are not like these two counties, they will definitely require some effort. As for talent, I haven't encountered any yet; perhaps Qin County magistrate's side might have some news."

Yang Tiejiang and Qian Fugui divided their forces and went to these four counties; Chen Wuji didn't know exactly how they chose, and he didn't inquire further, but if nothing unexpected happened, it was surely Qian Fugui again clamoring to gnaw at the hard bone.

"Lu Jing and Fang Zijing are indeed quite straightforward." Chen Wuji sighed.

"Although these two counties have no usable troops, if the influential clans' Young Strongmen were stirred up, they would also constitute a usable force; didn't they think to move even a little?"

Yang Tiejiang gave a light smile, "We have to thank Qin County magistrate; he took the initiative, sending the county Clerks to investigate the situation. He identified which influential clans were causing trouble and which would become obstacles for us; after a few days he had a clear picture, and I led my men straight through, so how could these two magistrates not be courteous?"

Chen Wuji: ……

Lao Yang also began to speak off-topic; I don't know who he learned this bad habit from.

Yang Tiejiang suddenly remarked with feeling, "Qin County magistrate's move is absolutely brilliant; I never realized that the Clerks and bailiffs of the county could be more useful than Scouts? Although a county isn't large, if Scouts were sent to investigate, it would definitely not be this quick."

Chen Wuji's heart stirred, and suddenly inspiration struck: "Perhaps we just didn't think enough."

"The Xianya Clerks constantly travel the villages and fields, interacting only with these people; they naturally know where to start for convenient investigation."

Yang Tiejiang nodded, "This method can be promoted; if applied properly, it should later compensate for some of our shortcomings in unclear military intelligence."

"Not bad, have the Xianya Clerks ever been with you?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Never; they remain in these two counties, Qin County magistrate said he wanted to investigate more thoroughly, so I first took the two magistrates and led the troops back."

Qin Feng's consideration in this way is not improper; Chen Wuji merely nodded, then dropped the topic and asked instead: "Regarding Lu Jing's mention of stationing troops to guard against Gu Wenjie, what do you think?"

Although Lu Jing and Fang Zijing both agreed to send their families to Yunan, he still felt somewhat uneasy; Qing County's terrain is suitable for warfare, but garrisoning troops for defense is indeed somewhat difficult.

"Let me go." Yang Tiejiang said bluntly and directly.

"Having too few troops is indeed risky, but having too many leaves the rear vulnerable to loss; my going is the most appropriate. As for Lu Jing's suggestion of garrisoning cavalry, that's just nonsense."

"However, if you currently have no other military arrangements, you could let the cavalry accompany me on the march and find time to drill them. Our cavalry now is limited to being able to ride horses and swing Knife while mounted; they still have a considerable way to go before becoming a proper force."

Chen Wuji smiled faintly, "Without realizing it, I actually followed Lu Jing's line of thought; you going is indeed the most suitable, the cavalry's temporary military plan is just to drill, so bring them along as well."

"Lu Jing constantly talks about Qing County's prosperity; the grain and fodder supply will be handled by Qing County."

"Good!"

Chen Wuji picked up a bite of food, accompanied it with a small cup of wine, and then said: "There is still one matter."

"That defector spy previously made a request to command a unit of Bīngmǎ; I agreed to it at the time. But after some consideration these past few days, I feel it's somewhat inappropriate—not because giving her troops is wrong, but because I'm troubled about where to place this person."

Yang Tiejiang stared blankly, looking at Chen Wuji in silence for a while, then said: "My lord, you are somewhat confused."

Chen Wuji: ……

On serious matters he keeps his mouth shut about those two words, but on this matter he just blurts them out.

"How could a mere defector spy be allowed to command Bīngmǎ? My lord, this is no different from fetching chestnuts from the fire." Yang Tiejiang sighed with feeling, being made by Chen Wuji's approach to open and close his mouth several times.

He was probably concocting even harsher words, but when they reached his lips he swallowed them back.

Chen Wuji said: "I had been worrying about how to placate Yunan's former Provincial Troops, so I just brushed it aside. Those former Provincial Troops of Yunan all deserve death, yet I cannot simply kill them all; but to have me reorganize them into the army leaves my mind unsettled, with a feeling of suffocation."

"Ah, I see; I must have misunderstood." Yang Tiejiang said.

"We could instead form another unit, designated the Sinful Soldiers Army, formed from guilt, using labor in lieu of punishment. Such things have existed throughout history—known as convict troops, sinful troops—and even the Designation Numbers are already available."

"If my lord finds it difficult to handle, just place them under my command; I'll take charge of these troublemakers!"