Chapter 460: Pledge Token

Yuan Qi's remark left Chen Wuji extremely surprised.

He stared at him with a hint of teasing for a moment, then asked, "I don't know who this Yang Pojun you speak of, Elder Yuan, is."

Yuan Qi glanced at the nearby blacksmith, Yang Tiejiang, and said, "Deputy Commander Chen, a True Person doesn't speak in riddles face‑to‑face; you needn't give me that evasive look."

"Although I'm just a weed blowing with the wind in Hezhou City, being a weed means I know many hidden things in this dragon‑and‑tiger land of Hezhou, and I keep records of them all."

"Every year the Court exiles many people to Hezhou, especially Yunan City—though this year might be an exception. This exile land of Yunan and the whole Hezhou has become a refuge for all sorts: people from the southern skies and northern seas, murderers and arsonists, big thieves and small thieves, all flocking here in droves."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji finally paid enough attention and asked, "How thick is your ledger?"

"It depends on whom you're looking for, Deputy Commander. As long as they're not hermits deep in the mountains who avoid all contact, I probably know something about them." Yuan Qi said this boldly, a hint of pride in his smile.

"Our Yuan family counts as half‑native to Hezhou. Over the years, too many strongmen have come here; to protect ourselves we've acted as weeds, and secretly we've done quite a bit. If you need it, Deputy Commander, I'm willing to produce these as a pledge token."

Chen Wuji pondered a moment, then said leisurely, "To be honest, I really like your pledge token."

"But you ought to explain why you, a weed, would lean toward me. If you can't make that clear, I wouldn't dare take your favor—my family's resources are meager, and I can't withstand scheming."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!" Yuan Qi said, bowing solemnly.

"Actually, this story is long, and there are many reasons."

Chen Wuji waved his hand lightly and said, "Someone, bring a chair for Old Master Yuan."

"Here!"

The chair was quickly brought over and placed to Chen Wuji's right.

"Take your time, Elder; we have all the time in the world." Chen Wuji said.

Yuan Qi nodded, thanked Chen Wuji, and sat down properly, saying, "If I don't make the reasons clear, Deputy Commander, you won't trust this old fellow at all, so I'll ramble on a bit for you."

"One reason is your family, the Beijun Chen clan, which used to be a renowned name."

"The Chen clan is no longer what it once was; your wager seems a bit too big." Chen Wuji said.

Hearing that, his ears were practically growing calluses.

Some praised them sincerely, others deliberately disgusted them, mocking that the Chen clan had already declined.

In short, Chen Wuji could no longer recall how many people had said that to him.

Yuan Qi hesitated, then after a while seemed to make up his mind: "The Beijun Chen clan was relocated to Yunan; anyone of any standing in Hezhou knows this. Many think the Chen clan has fallen, lost its former vigor, and has no chance of a comeback."

"But haven't you, Deputy Commander, already made a comeback? I've always known the Chen clan hasn't declined."

Chen Wuji snorted, "Everyone's so poor they can't even lift a pot lid—doesn't that count as decline?"

"I'm not talking about material poverty," Yuan Qi shook his head.

Chen Wuji stopped arguing and instead looked earnestly at Yuan Qi, asking, "What else?"

This old man is far more troublesome than he imagined.

By comparison, Jia Wentao and Zhu Zaidao are just two insignificant sidekicks.

"There's also Yang Pojun's choice, and your way of governing the region!" Yuan Qi said.

"If Yang Pojun can't see some real benefits and hope, he won't take up arms again. What he achieved back then is beyond what I could do in several lifetimes; since he can do it, I can proceed with confidence."

"The final reason is your governance of Yunan, Deputy Commander. You truly care for the people. With popular support, even if your territory is small and your forces few now, given time you will surely achieve something great."

"Gu Wenjie may have a master's aid and a powerful clan behind him, but he won't last long. And the current Lord of Nan Jun, Lu Ping'an, is the same—now they merely look strong, but when collapse comes, it could happen in an instant."

Chen Wuji realized this old man indeed knows a great deal and acts with extreme caution.

Each of these reasons alone might be a bit forced.

But taken together, they are very convincing.

However, Chen Wuji suddenly realized a problem in his words: "I'm a Court‑appointed Deputy Commander; why does it sound like you're urging me to rebel? If you talk to me like this, things might be off."

It's strange enough that he himself keeps shouting about rebellion—how could someone nearby suddenly start plotting his revolt?

What do you mean by that?

Was he born with a face that looks like a rebel's?

Yuan Qi's expression flickered in surprise, "Deputy Commander, don't joke with this old fellow—you wouldn't do that…"

"What do you mean? The Court couldn't possibly appoint anyone else but me, right?" Chen Wuji laughed angrily, "Don't doubt it—I can show you the imperial edict, written in the Emperor's own hand; I might even be the first Deputy Commander of the Provincial Troops in all of Da Yu to be personally appointed by the Emperor."

Yuan Qi was truly a bit numb at that.

Could that actually be possible?

He's actually the current head of the Chen clan!

How could the Emperor possibly, from a thousand li away, specially appoint him a Provincial Soldier Captain?

After a light cough, Yuan Qi smiled benevolently, "Deputy Commander, our Yuan family, a humble local clan, is also willing to contribute our modest strength in times of national peril, to save the state and its people."

Chen Wuji: ……

This old man is an interesting fellow.

"I understand Elder Yuan's intentions." Chen Wuji decided to give it a try first.

"With the Yuan family's help, the upcoming affairs in Hezhou should become much easier. What just happened, Elder Yuan, don't take it to heart—I've just entered the city, and you gave me a rough welcome, so I had to think a bit more."

Yuan Qi's expression eased, and he gave a slight bow, "No dare, Deputy Commander—being cautious is only proper."

"Since Elder Yuan has decided to help me, we won't be acting as weeds anymore." Chen Wuji said.

"Embarrassed, embarrassed." Yuan Qi gave a dry laugh and nodded, "I can play the weed game with them, but with the Deputy Commander I won't do anything at all."

"Why? Why am I so special to you?" Chen Wuji asked feigned surprise.

Those words sounded half‑true, half‑false.

It was like coaxing a child with its mother.

Yuan Qi gave a wry smile and said, "Deputy Commander, you still seem to be a disciple of the Ciji Hall…"