Chapter 538

Chen Wuji - original term: Chen Wuji

Chang Jingxuan - Chang Jingxuan

Yuan Dingcheng - Yuan Dingcheng

"The prefecture has a post of Military Affairs Assistant, responsible for selecting military officers, equipment, beacon and relay stations, and other affairs. This post is currently vacant, but letting you take it directly might cause dissatisfaction among those around; you could start from the historiography post, get familiar for a while, and then I will promote you." Chen Wuji said this very politely.

Lu Ping'an - Lu Ping'an

"But before these people actually do anything, no one knows whether they are merely empty reputation or possess genuine talent; therefore, we should first be polite and keep them around, then talk about them later."

"If he does have genuine talent, Chen Wuji naturally wouldn't mind giving him a high office and generous salary."

"But if he's just empty reputation, it's just a matter of kicking him out."

San Guan Jun - Three Officials Commandery

"Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised; this guy actually likes to play with contrasts."

Commandant - Commandant (generic)

"\"I happen to lack someone who can devise plans and strategies right by my side; would you be willing to do that? \" Chen Wuji asked."

Guoyi Commandant - Guoyi Commandant

"\"Yes! \" Chen Wuji laughed, \"If you like fighting, here there are absolutely plenty of opportunities—so many that they could make you completely lose your fondness for it. \""

Nan Jun Jinglue Shi - Southern Commandery Pacification Envoy

San Guan Jun Envoy - Envoy of the Three Officials Commandery

"Yuan Dingcheng Shìhòu asked: \"Sir, can I also go to the army? \""

"\"Why do you also want to go to the army? \" Chen Wuji asked."

"Yuan Dingcheng glanced resentfully at Yuan Qi beside him and said, \"My father and those uncles of mine have taught me since childhood to behave in a sneaky, two-faced way—one way in front of people, another behind their backs. \""

I've studied these things since I was young, and now I've learned to be like two people; whenever I talk to anyone, I unconsciously observe that person's reactions, judge their likes, and so on.

I can't be a normal person; I seem suited to be a scout in the army. The Commandant might as well assign me there. I'd like to go elsewhere, but I worry that after just a few days I'll have offended everyone.

Chen Wuji gave a dry laugh, "You're pretending quite well; why are you afraid of offending people?"

Sir, why do you pretend to be confused when you understand? In officialdom, the purer the water, the no fish; everyone surely has some secrets of their own. After working with them for a few days, perhaps I already know all those secrets. Yuan Dingcheng muttered.

If I've grasped those secrets, and if they involve corruption or bribery, I'll definitely have to tell the Commandant. Given my habit, the Commandant will always be changing posts, which is also troublesome.

Chen Wuji nodded with a smile, "What you say is indeed reasonable. We've been chatting for a while; what secrets have you seen here?"

Well... I'm not really comfortable saying that. Yuan Dingcheng said embarrassedly.

Just say it; I'm not going to hit you, what are you afraid of? Chen Wuji laughed.

He is genuinely curious about Yuan Dingcheng's ability.

Yuan Dingcheng stretched his arms and said, "Then I really should say it?"

Speak!

The Commandant hasn't bathed in several days; there's a slight stench.

Chen Wuji: ……

Yuan Qi beside him was startled and quickly used his gaze to stop him.

It's fine, keep talking; I'm thick-skinned and don't mind what people say. Chen Wuji waved his hand, laughing. I've been in the Lìng for a few days; I really do have some odor, just got back and haven't had a chance to wash up.

Yuan Dingcheng immediately continued, "This is the second thing I wanted to say. The Commandant just met someone and the conversation wasn't pleasant. When we came in earlier, we encountered the Envoy sent by Nan Jun; the Commandant and them probably had a falling out."

The Commandant's Guard are usually hidden in the dark, but today they are more out in the open, and their hands unconsciously rest near the Knife hilts. These Envoys from Nan Jun might possibly be unfavorable to the Commandant.

On the Commandant's desk lies a letter just opened; its sender is likely Nan Jun Jinglue Shi Lu Ping'an. After this incident, I only now recalled the San Guan Jun Envoy who had stayed in the prefecture for several days. What's more interesting is that they entered the city low-key, and from beginning to end no news of them has leaked out.

When talking about his own field of expertise, Yuan Dingcheng grew more confident and spoke at length about what he had seen.

Both San Guan Jun and Nan Jun have sent Envoys; first, we can be certain that both sides want to win over the Commandant. Yuan Dingcheng continued, "But winning over requires certain prerequisites, especially when both sides send people simultaneously, so it will inevitably involve military matters."

The information I currently have is limited, but one thing is certain: either Yang Yu wants to attack Lu Ping'an, or Lu Ping'an wants to attack Yang Yu.

Chen Wuji slightly broadened his horizons; this observational skill is indeed not trivial.

Chang Jingxuan, who had remained calm and indifferent from start to finish, showed a surprised expression because of what Yuan Dingcheng said, his gaze repeatedly flicking to Yuan Dingcheng's face.

"Your ability is indeed impressive!" Chen Wuji praised, "But there's a small problem: you know that an envoy from San Guan Jun has entered the city, so why aren't you aware that the envoy from the commandery arrived even earlier?"

"No offense, Colonel, this is just a coincidence." Yuan Dingcheng said truthfully, "When you, Colonel, led the provincial officials to see off the San Guan Jun envoy, I happened to have a few friends dining at Dingqing Lou. They told me this, so I guessed that San Guan Jun must have sent a high-ranking official."

"If there were no high-ranking official, it wouldn't be fitting for the Colonel to personally lead the provincial officials to personally host a farewell banquet, but I don't know when they arrived. As for the commandery's envoy, I do know when they came, but based solely on that I cannot tell which side arrived earlier."

Chen Wuji nodded, then gave the order directly, "You two are both assistant military officers; for now, give me your plans and strategies, and later I'll make other arrangements!"

He had already seen Yuan Dingcheng's ability; it would be better to keep him close.

When the time is ripe, he could even become Qin Zhanhong's deputy.

"I, your humble subordinate, thank the Colonel for his patronage!" Yuan Dingcheng exclaimed delightedly.

Although the position of assistant military officer has no specific bureau, it is merely a temporary posting.

But staying by Chen Wuji's side is completely different from going elsewhere.

"Just now there's a matter; help me draft a preliminary plan!" Just as the post was appointed, Chen Wuji assigned them their first task: "My Bīngmǎ now far exceeds the jurisdiction of a Negotiation Colonel; continuing to command the army with this system is no longer suitable; help me devise a military system."

With twenty thousand troops, a single Negotiation Colonel with four Guoyi Commandants could still manage for a while.

Now the troops have expanded, and everyone from top to bottom is a Colonel—wouldn't that be chaotic?

The military system must be changed, and it must be done as soon as possible!