Chapter 546

"Whose woman is that exactly?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Luozi

Chen Wuji seized Chen Luozi by the throat, "Speak properly, whose is it?"

Nonsense, how could a woman just pop out of nowhere for him?

As for others, Chen Wuji might not have a clear count, but for the women he's been with, each one he hasn't let down.

Chen Luozi

Upon hearing that, Chen Wuji suddenly remembered, "Oh, it's her—I really forgot, I did promise her some things. You brought her this time, but do you have designs on her?"

Chen Luozi, Lao San

"This time you're reforming the military, Lao San means he just wants to hold onto the ancestral estate in Yunan and not stay there—we Chen can't just sit on a toilet and not defecate; I need to go out and do something."

"Yunan is indeed peaceful now, with no major issues, so I came. While I was at it, I brought her along, and I also brought the former Yunan provincial troops and the select group I picked from the prisoners; as for how to arrange them, you decide."

"On this matter, Lao San and I now dare not make private decisions arbitrarily; bringing her is just for convenience."

"What nonsense are you talking? Yunan affairs have always been decided by you and San Shu; what's there that we can't decide on!" Chen Wuji said.

Chen Luozi immediately turned serious, saying, "Don't try to dump dirt on me and Lao San; we only decide on trivial family matters, while major decisions are yours. We've never been in charge of Yunan, and I won't accept this—though I have no seniority hierarchy with you here, I'm clear in my heart."

"Alright, why get so worked up?" Chen Wuji said with a smile, leading him into the Zhongjun Camp.

After sitting down, Chen Wuji ordered a pot of tea to be served first, then prepared food and drink.

"This is a serious matter; you can talk nonsense offhand, but I cannot casually agree." Chen Luozi said solemnly.

Chen Clan

No matter how casual the outward appearance, these matters admit of no slightest error at their core.

Lao Jiu Shu

"Shi Yi Shu, don't stand outside—come in and have a couple drinks; you haven't seen Jiu Shu in a while."

Chen Li entered, first clasped his fists toward Chen Wuji, then relaxed and smiled, saying, "I can accompany you, but I won't drink—I'm on guard duty, and alcohol would be inappropriate."

"Today is a day off," Chen Wuji said, "we rarely see our own family, so don't be so stiff."

"Family Head, we can't set the example of breaking the rules; otherwise, superiors will follow and it'll be hard to reinstate the rules." Chen Li shook his head, "Lao Jiu will be stationed long-term in Hezhou, we'll have plenty of chances to drink when we meet; when I'm truly off duty, this drink can wait."

Chen Wuji received two lessons in a row from Chen Luozi and Chen Li; though he accepted the teaching, he ended up a bit sullen.

Shi Yi Shu

Chen Luozi said solemnly, "Wuji, you are the Family Head, commander of the Three Armies, and now Southern Command Governor; you may occasionally bend the rules with no consequence, but we cannot. Countless eyes watch the Chen family; our every move, even the tiniest action, will be debated endlessly, leaving no room for carelessness."

Chen Wuji nodded sincerely, "I humbly accept your instruction!"

"Don't make a fuss about this; I didn't mean to teach you, I'm just mentioning it in passing." Chen Luozi hastily waved his hand.

Chen Wuji went along, saying, "I was just speaking offhand as well."

Chen Luozi

"Before the feast, let me handle the business first." Chen Wuji said solemnly, "In other words, you and San Shu both agree that this female spy is usable and can be given Bīngmǎ?"

Chen Luozi nodded, "Unless both Lao San and I have misjudged, but that's unlikely."

"Then let's form the guilty army!" Chen Wuji declared decisively.

Chen Luozi, Chen Bushi

The two of them plus Chen Li are among the most outstanding figures of the previous generation of the Chen clan.

Chen Clan

"By the way, what's that female spy's name again?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Luozi blinked, "No, you still don't know her name? No wonder you can't even recall who she is."

"Back then I didn't think to employ her heavily; then, by coincidence, the Hezhou battle happened, after the war everything was in ruins, so this matter naturally fell through the cracks." Chen Wuji said with a hint of feeling, "One's energy is limited; if I kept all these things in mind every day, I'd have died of exhaustion."

Chen Luozi, Song Qing Shuang, Song Hu Chen, Song Ruoshui, Lao San

"In fact, she even wanted to change her surname, because during her time in Yunan, although she did hard labor daily, the clansfolk treated her well; perhaps grateful for their care, she wished to take the Chen surname, the Chen of our Beijun Chen family."

"But this matter is as significant as her commanding troops; without your approval, no one dares to decide, so it was shelved, and she never brought it up again."

Chen Wuji

From Chen Luozi's tone, he could clearly sense that his uncle Lao Jiu's fondness for Song Ruoshui was not romantic but a pure appreciation.

Chen Luozi rarely feels this way about anyone.

This guy's usual reaction is that when he shows liking toward someone, it means he wants to stab them; so far Chen Wuji has seen him stab men but never a woman.

"What do you think? Should we give her the Chen surname?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Luozi waved his hand, "Don't ask me about this; it's up to you."

"I see your attitude; I can't say I understand this woman." Chen Wuji said.