Chapter 449: with translation of chapter title

The Shen hour.

The army struck camp.

This expedition, just as Chen Wuji usually did, had no luggage and supplies, no civilian laborers; all soldiers carried seven days' rations on their person, mainly stir-fried noodles and cakes, and also carried mixed grains enough for five or six days.

When conditions were lacking, they ate prepared food; when conditions allowed, they cooked stewed vegetable soup in a pot.

All soldiers, including the Personal Guard, each squad had someone carrying a pot.

Although the nominal ration was seven days, the mixed grains of millet and white rice, etc., were basically always brought a little extra, just in case.

Anything can happen on the battlefield.

Although seven days' rations were planned, in practice preparations were made for over ten days.

The army marched out of the city, drawing countless townspeople to watch.

Many townspeople hurried home, grabbed various foods, and stuffed them into the pockets of any soldier they could catch.

People in this world are all different, but those who know gratitude and repay it are ultimately the majority.

No matter Chen Wuji's identity, whether Commandant or rebel, they understood one thing: when the powerful clans wreaked havoc in Yunan, it was Chen Wuji who saved their lives, their families, preventing them from becoming pitiful corpses, homeless wandering souls.

"Ten thousand victories!"

Suddenly someone strained their throat and bellowed with all their might.

Moments later, the long street was filled with an ocean of sound.

"Ten thousand victories!"

"Ten thousand victories!"

……

The elderly man with a basket, the woman carrying a basket, the child perched on his father's shoulder—these voices gathered together, and Chen Wuji suddenly felt his eyes sting.

He raised troops truly for self-preservation, and for that ambition hidden deep in his heart.

Chen Wuji reined in his warhorse and looked around.

You see, as long as one stays in one's position and does one's duty, the people will wholeheartedly support.

It shows how utterly ridiculous some people are.

The third floor of the Jade Lady Restaurant.

Huo Sanniang leaned against the window, her gentle gaze fixed on the tall, sturdy figure riding a black horse and clad in black armor on the long street, and she muttered petulantly, "This brat, he left without even saying a word."

"Sister, didn't my husband greet you last night? Or was the popping sound too loud for you to hear?" Shen Youwei leaned against Huo Sanniang, cheek resting on one hand, eyes enamored, "My husband looks so handsome, his aura overflowing."

Huo Sanniang tugged at Shen Youwei's finely coiled hair bun, "Is Zhanhong also coming with the army?"

"Maybe, he hasn't shown his face since morning; this is the one who truly didn't say goodbye." Shen Youwei said wistfully, "He always appears and disappears mysteriously, comes and goes silently, making us worry for nothing."

"Sister, we agreed not to worry about her this time; she has no idea what we feel, we're just worrying needlessly."

Slap!

A clear, crisp sound rang out.

"Speaking ill of others behind their back isn't good," Qin Zhanhong said, firmly kneading Shen Youwei's small yet elastic buttocks twice.

Shen Youwei jumped up like a startled rabbit, "Ah, it hurts…"

"Let you chirp at me behind my back," Qin Zhanhong said.

Shen Youwei stubbornly lifted her chin, "I'd say the same to your face; you never say goodbye, you just say you're leaving and then disappear for days."

"Okay, wrong, I'll change!" Qin Zhanhong chuckled.

"Hmph, that's more like it."

Huo Sanniang asked, "Zhanhong, will you be joining the army this time?"

"Go ahead; I'm currently managing military affairs for my husband, so I should stay by his side. But I still have a Court identity, so I don't need to go directly; once they enter the mountains, I'll take a shortcut and catch up." Qin Zhanhong said.

Huo Sanniang immediately said, "Then I'll go prepare your dry rations."

"San Niang, no need, I've already packed, I've got a stack of cakes, that's enough."

"There's still plenty of the cooked meat from yesterday; I'll pack some for you—it's more filling and tastier than cakes. These cooked meat were prepared using Wuji's method, so they don't spoil easily." Huo Sanniang said.

……

At dusk, the army reached the horse pasture in the mountains.

Venturing into this friendly great mountain, Chen Wuji couldn't help but feel moved.

Shenxian Ling, this blessed land of immortals, has truly not been stingy with him.

It is what solves his food and clothing needs; now, in his quest to conquer the world, it is still what he relies on.

Chen Wangzu led the dozens of clansmen grazing in the mountains, and they met Chen Wuji in the simple camp tent.

"Wangzu, I've taken care of the daughters-in-law you promised; how are the marriage preparations? Have you picked an auspicious day?" Chen Wuji asked, gnawing on a beef marrow bone, smiling.

Chen Wangzu felt a bit embarrassed, "My father sent a message a few days ago; everything else is ready, but the auspicious day hasn't been set yet—these matters are being handled by Third Grandfather and Li Chief Clerk, and my father doesn't even know about it."

Chen Wuji nodded, "I mentioned this to Li Run before; after this battle, if I have time, I'll personally preside over your wedding and see to it properly."

Chen Wangzu and the others were instantly uplifted, faces full of joy.

"Who among you still hasn't settled on a daughter-in-law?" Chen Wuji asked, looking around.

"Family Head, I… our horoscopes don't match, it fell through."

A sturdy young man rose to his feet and spoke in a low voice.

"I also got turned down; the girl they introduced me to is wild-spirited, she came to the mountains to look at me herself, scorned me as being like a short winter melon, afraid that any children would be even shorter."

"Family Head, I also got turned down; the girl they introduced me to said she wanted someone who could fight, but I've never fought."

Chen Wuji listened seriously, hearing this he laughed and scolded, "I can still understand the reasons of others, but what's going on with you? As a Chen Family member, you lost a fight?"

"Family Head, that girl's father used to work in an escort agency, and he taught her to fight from a young age." The eighteen- or nineteen-year-old boy said this, his face red as a persimmon, not knowing whether he felt embarrassed for never having fought or for saying this.

Chen Wuji laughed and scolded, "If you haven't fought, then train; once you're good, keep challenging her until you can win."

How can the sons of my Chen Family lack even this bit of spirit? Fortunately, the other side's requirement is that you must be able to win a fight before marriage; if you pretend you can't fight, after marriage you'll likely be beaten to death.

The youth suddenly lifted his head, thrust out his chest, and shouted, "Yes!"

In the midst of speaking, he suddenly changed his attire, and Qin Zhanhong, dressed in black combat clothes, appeared at the doorway.

Seeing this, Chen Wuji said to Chen Wangzu and the others, "You go down first; aside from herding, don't forget to practice martial arts."

Your herding here is only temporary; once you start a family, what you do will no longer be something I and your fathers can decide, so you must also carefully consider your own lives.

According to the customs of Da Yu, these eighteen- or nineteen-year-old youths are actually already adults.

However, Chen Wuji forcibly pulled them out of the military and temporarily took charge of this ranch.

In the future, what they will do after starting a family naturally depends on their own wishes.