Chapter 556: A Long‑Anticipated Meeting

Lu Ping'an's act of leading from the front surprised Chen Wuji a little.

Even if he truly came with ulterior motives as Chen Luozi suspected, this place remains Chen Wuji's turf, guarded by five thousand elite soldiers on all sides; if Lu Ping'an managed to succeed with his eight hundred men, Chen Wuji might as well abandon any grand ambitions and just kill himself on the spot.

Although he sat in Xiang Yu's seat today, Lu Ping'an may not possess the talent of Liu Bang.

"Lu Ping'an seems to have truly spared no expense this time; whether he genuinely intends to attack San Guan Jun or us, it looks like he aims to take down one of them either way," Chen Wuji said jokingly.

"The two camps stand east and west of Wenkou Town; what is the other one for? It's hidden and secretive, making this battle feel tense from the start."

Chen Li lowered his head silently.

Though he spoke of tension, in Chen Wuji's eyes he only saw excitement.

"How does Lu Ping'an's central army look? How much of their combat strength can you gauge?" Chen Wuji asked the scout kneeling half‑squatted on the ground, then added, "Sit down and speak!"

The scout remained half‑squatting and said, "Commander, my eyesight is limited; what I say may not be entirely accurate. The Qingzhou troops appear neat and orderly, though the new recruits seem more numerous, making the ranks slightly disordered."

"At other times it's not obvious, but when they eat they all rush forward, even fighting over food. Still, the men Lu Ping'an brought are all elite; just their looks are intimidating."

Chen Wuji rephrased, "If you can't judge, just compare them to us!"

The scout thought, furrowed his face, and said, "I feel their soldiers are not as good as our new recruits, whether in overall military appearance, discipline, or other aspects—they're considerably inferior."

"All right, go rest now," Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"

After the scout left, Chen Wuji pondered a moment and said, "I suspect Lu Ping'an is playing tricks on us; perhaps he wants to devour both me and Yang Jinglve."

Chen Li asked doubtfully, "Does he really have such ambition?"

"Don't say it—this fellow really does," Chen Wuji laughed.

"When I previously chatted with Yang Jinglve, I summed up Lu Ping'an: his most striking trait is huge ambition, he is rash and arrogant, yet also somewhat timid, but his ambition might be the greatest among the Lingnan Six Commanderies."

"Our outward strength is over ten thousand troops, while Yang Jinglve is tied down by the Qiang People; if he strikes now with only this information, he will surely think success is quite possible."

Chen Li said solemnly, "Old Nine's judgment shouldn't be far off; do we need to make any preparations?"

Chen Wuji laughed, "This is our own turf—what preparations? Just have Yundi hide troops behind the big tent; the rest, prepare to receive guests at night. Damn this Lu Ping'an, making me feel like a courtesan who must entertain clients after dark."

Chen Li gave a silent, light chuckle.

"Eleventh Uncle, go arrange things discreetly, don't be too blatant," Chen Wuji ordered, picking up the already boiling tea kettle from beside the fire.

Since we'll be receiving guests deep into the night, let's drink some strong tea to refresh ourselves.

"Yes!"

Not long after Chen Li left, Chen Wuji's tea hadn't reached his lips when the camp gate was lit up by firelight, and a faint clamor of shouting men and neighing horses drifted over.

Chen Wuji slowly sipped the tea cup cooling on the grass until soldiers came to report, then rose to greet them personally.

Although the court's arrangement now makes him the highest official of Nan Jun, requiring no personal welcome for Lu Ping'an, who raised the banner of rebellion openly?

In that case, we cannot follow the court's rules.

As Chen Wuji stepped out of the gate, a short, stubble‑bearded man walked forward under the escort of a group of iron‑armored guards.

Without surprise, this man must be Lu Ping'an.

Chen Wuji actually saw the shadow of Cao Boss on this fellow, but he did not compare the two, for that would be an insult to Cao Boss.

"General Chen, we have long admired each other; finally meeting today!" Lu Ping'an laughed heartily, clasping his hands toward Chen Wuji from afar, "General Chen is younger than I imagined."

Chen Wuji returned the salute with a polite smile, "General Lu is also more martial than I expected; I never thought General Lu would come at midnight, truly an honor."

Lu Ping'an waved his hand freely, "This is my fault; I chatted happily with Judge Chen and lost track of time, arriving late. Thirty li isn't far, but once darkness falls the road becomes rough, so I was delayed."

"General Li, please come inside!" Chen Wuji gestured.

"General Chen, please! You are the host, you go first."

"When I was just a rustic country fellow, you already held command of Nan Jun; I have no right to walk ahead of you—please, General Li, go first!"

"Ah, those are past matters; now we are both renewed, I am no longer the former commander, and you are no longer that rustic youth." Lu Ping'an stepped forward, suddenly seized Chen Wuji's wrist, "Like this, let's walk together, let's walk together!"

Chen Wuji chuckled, "Please!"

Amid the mighty escort of the troops, Chen Wuji and Lu Ping'an entered the central big tent, took seats as host and guest, Chen Wuji loudly ordered the preparation of a banquet, then asked, "Where is that subordinate of mine who lacks propriety and knows neither heaven nor earth?"

"He's in the carriage, sleeping soundly; I suggest General Chen not disturb him, let him rest there. The carriage has a bearskin mattress, goose‑down silk quilt—very comfortable. The weather in Lingnan isn't cold either; just have someone lead the carriage over."

Chen Wuji had thought this fellow wouldn't release the person, but didn't expect him to arrange things so meticulously.

Thorough to the point of resembling lovers in the heat of romance.

"Let General Lu see my embarrassment." Chen Wuji said, giving Chen Li a glance.

Lu Ping'an sighed, "Judge Chen is a delightful fellow, humorous and witty; we hit it off instantly. If he weren't also surnamed Chen, I would truly want to recruit him under my banner for a position."

"That might indeed be difficult; don't hide it from General Lu, my unreliable subordinate is actually my Ninth Uncle, standing right here!" Chen Wuji apologized.

Lu Ping'an waved his hand, "Seeing his surname, I guessed roughly; no pressure. The Chen clan truly lives up to being the number one military family—talent after talent."