Chapter 524: then translation of title

Yang Gong, don't keep trying to flatter me; I, as an insider, know my own affairs, and I know I don't have that ability. Chen Wuji leaned against the desk, waving his hand as he said.

This old guy always likes to flatter to the point of harm, which makes him quite displeased.

He, Chen Wuji, has always been a humble person, and he is truly sensitive to such words.

Chen XiaoYou, don't be modest; I also know a bit about your troops—you're good at field warfare, good at night battles, you wiped out six thousand of the Can Lang Qiang in a night raid in Shenxian Ling, then later fought a field battle at Shenxian Ling and took Hezhou. Yang Yu listed Chen Wuji's past exploits like counting treasures.

This stretch of lofty mountains and steep ridges in Shenxian Ling isn't something just anyone can venture into to fight; having to go up and down valleys exhausts most soldiers to the point that just walking wears them halfway to death.

Mountain folk, after all, are long accustomed to going up and down the valleys. Chen Wuji casually explained.

Yang Yu, however, shook his head and said, "Chen XiaoYou, since you're being modest, I won't say more, but such achievements are truly rare."

Anyway, I'm worried that Chen XiaoYou, not knowing the truth, might meddle, but I'm not worried that Lu Ping'an will raise troops to invade; if he wants to fight me, I'll accompany him anytime, but if Chen XiaoYou comes with troops, I can only seek peace.

Yang Gong, we're just chatting, so stop constantly flattering me! Chen Wuji said helplessly, "If you keep talking like this, I'm afraid I'll get swollen-headed and think I'm number one under heaven."

The Chen family's use of troops is naturally number one under heaven!

Chen Wuji: ……

This old guy, isn't he never going to finish?

Chen Wuji forcefully ended this topic that made him awkward to the point of scratching his feet, and asked, "So Yang Gong, you came personally because Lu Ping'an said he'd invite me to send troops?"

Yes. Yang Yu admitted openly, "But I can't offer you any benefits; San Guan Jun has endured this war, the crops are nearly ruined, and just making it through this winter is extremely difficult."

Even the silver in the treasury I've taken to support the troops; now probably only the Buddhist statues in the temples might still yield a bit of gold or silver. I came empty-handed, and the only thing I can offer Chen XiaoYou is a promise.

I'd like to hear the details! Chen Wuji said solemnly.

If Chen XiaoYou ever needs to use troops, this old bone of mine will not question right or wrong, nor who the opponent is—I will personally lead the troops to assist! Yang Yu declared with a ringing voice, his tone firm and unyielding.

Chen Wuji deliberately asked, "If I send troops northward, would Yang Gong also be willing to lend a hand?"

Willing, what's there not to be willing about? I also want to ask the current emperor and the court officials: on what basis have they abandoned the Lingnan Six Commanderies? Aren't the people of these six commanderies the people of my Great Yu? Isn't the land of these six commanderies the territory of my Great Yu? What have the Qiang given them that they would just give up? Yang Yu shouted angrily.

Although I won't betray the court, I still need to ask: if you want to fight, I will still send troops to assist. Moreover, I could even point you to a route—I know which places have connections with those officials in the court.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly and sighed, "I never imagined that one day I, Chen Wuji, would have Yang Gong, such a venerable figure, personally promise to win me over—I'd say I've brought honor to my ancestors."

The Chen ancestors would surely look down on someone like me. Yang Yu waved his hand.

Chen Wuji ignored that flattery, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Yang Gong, how is the situation in San Guan Jun right now? I mean, can we draw out some troops?"

Yes, the Qiang People have recently suffered a setback and are hunkering down; perhaps their next mobilization will be around the year's end. Yang Yu gave Chen Wuji a deep look, "Chen XiaoYou, who do you intend to fight? If the war can be wrapped up within two months, I can contribute ten thousand troops; if it must last longer than two months, I can only provide five thousand."

I haven't decided yet who to fight; lately my hands have been itchy, and I really want to find someone to exploit." Chen Wuji laughed, "But since Yang Gong came in person today, I definitely won't go to San Guan Jun—in fact, I hadn't originally planned to go there."

My forces are few and weak, guarding Hezhou, this little bean of a place; looking around, there's really no one I can provoke, so I can only hunker down and plant some fields or something.

Yang Yu's mouth corner twitched slightly.

However, seeing Chen Wuji putting on such a fervent act, he didn't expose it.

If Hezhou truly had few troops and weak strength, he wouldn't have come in person.

The Chen clan forms the backbone, the Xi Wang Old Faction the support, and the Western King's strategist himself serves as a counselor—with such strength, who among the four neighboring regions would dare ignore it? No, probably only that Lu Ping'an who spends his days in pools of wine and meat, arrogantly self-important, would dare not take it seriously.

Since Chen XiaoYou hasn't decided yet, just let me know when you've figured it out! I'm still saying what I just said: a two-month deadline, up to five thousand, down to ten thousand—all veterans who have fought desperately against the Qiang People, with absolutely no raw recruits just promoted to fill the ranks. Yang Yu said with a smile.

Chen Wuji nodded, shifted the conversation, and said, "Yang Gong, you've come weary from travel, and it's been hard on you. This way, as host, let's go out and grab a meal—to welcome you and wash away the dust, we can eat and chat, how about that?"

Splendid, actually I've wanted to mention eating for a while, but I've endured this long stretch, and since discussing business is urgent, I hadn't brought it up. To be honest, it's quite a long story; in order to hurry on the road, this old bone of mine has only had a proper meal in three days, and I'm really hungry. Yang Yu laughed heartily.

I'm so hungry it's intense—my stomach doesn't even feel like growling; otherwise I'd definitely make Chen XiaoYou listen to what it means for a clamoring drum to urge the stove.

Chen Wuji laughed heartily, "Come on, come on, come on—I'll definitely treat Yang Gong to a good meal today."

Yang Gong, you should have said so earlier; you're already here—how could I let you discuss matters on an empty stomach? This little moment really doesn't delay anything, nor could it accomplish anything, so why bother?

Yang Yu shook his head with a sigh, "I've been holding back a burst of energy all the way here; if I don't get a definite word from you, even if I'm famished, this stomach probably couldn't keep anything down—I'd have no appetite."

Do you have an appetite now? Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

Yang Yu threw back his head and laughed heartily, "Half of this matter is settled; if Chen XiaoYou can plainly say who he next wants to find trouble with, my appetite will certainly improve. Your beating around the bush leaves me still feeling uneasy inside."

What does Yang Gong have to be uneasy about? Anyway, my hands definitely won't go probing San Guan Jun. Chen Wuji said, raising his hand in a gesture of invitation; Yang Yu modestly yielded and stepped out the door first.

Outside the door, Yang Yu's steps paused, he stroked his moustache and said, "Indeed, it seems I was overthinking. I've already said all this up front—no matter who you prepare to fight, I'll just need to ready the troops when the time comes; anything else, even if considered, would really be superfluous."

Chen Wuji asked in a joking tone, "How about Yang Gong giving me a place to go?"

Yang Yu feigned astonishment, waving his hands repeatedly, "Chen XiaoYou, don't tease this old bone of mine—how could I possibly point you to a place for that?"