Chapter 557

As a transmigrator, Chen Wuji has always taken pride in the Chen Clan.

But the Chen Clan he has in mind is the present Chen Clan—the simple, good folk of Xishan Village whose strong clan values could make them casually discard their lives—not the past Chen Clan of Beijun, that number-one military clan under heaven.

Actually, he really dislikes hearing people talk about that so-called number-one military clan under heaven.

Whenever someone brings it up, this seems like an inescapable proposition.

Every time he hears this topic, he can't help but feel the weight of the sages' words.

People know its divinity and thus become divine; those who do not know it remain non-divine, hence divine as well.

Having seen its sagacity, one also perceives its folly; having seen its folly, one again perceives its sagacity.

Everyone possesses the sage's sagacity, but does not value the sage's folly.

"Lu Jinglve can have a pleasant chat with my uncle; this truly surprised me, and it is also an honor for my uncle!" Chen Wuji smiled plainly and naturally, always maintaining a surface modesty and inner vigilance.

Compared to that, Lu Ping'an, this seated guest, is actually much more relaxed.

He seemed as if returning home, casually tossing his foul-smelling shoes aside, sitting cross-legged on the mat without waiting for a greeting, and already downed a cup of wine by himself.

He let out an "eh", first swallowing the wine in his mouth, then said: "Chen General, between us there's no need for such politeness; I, Lu, ask myself honestly, this is my honor."

"In recent years the court openly and secretly issued orders for us local officials to suppress you Chen Clan—not to have you die quickly, but to make your lives miserable. Back then I was very opposed to this; I openly cursed the court as shameless to my attendants; they truly are shameless!"

"I have always wanted to meet members of your Chen Clan; that number-one military clan under heaven is awe-inspiring. But back then I said a cowardly thing: I really dared not see them! At that time I still ambitiously dreamed of becoming one of the Three Dukes, yet I dared not be caught with a handle."

"I never expected that after so long, something I've longed for would finally come to pass. Today I first met Chen Judge, and now I meet Chen General—Chen General, do you know how I feel?"

"What feeling?" Chen Wuji reluctantly played the straight man to Lu Ping'an's blatant bragging.

"This old guy clearly has something in mind, but now is not the time to expose it."

"Your Chen Clan folks are much more pleasant to deal with than those court officials!" Lu Ping'an laughed heartily, "Straightforward, honorable, brave and wise."

"Lu Jinglve overpraises us; we are merely a group of rural folk who can't survive any longer and thus had to raise our banners in revolt, not worthy to be mentioned alongside the lofty court officials." Chen Wuji humbly said.

However, in his heart he still agreed with Lu Ping'an's words.

Compared to those bird-brained courtiers, even the Chen Clan kids who draw birds are stronger.

"Chen General, look at you—facing me I won't bother with these pleasantries." Lu Ping'an said disdainfully, "Surveying the Lingnan Six Commanderies, aside from you and me no one can be called a hero. As for how we will proceed, I don't know and can't make it clear, but for now we must join forces and move forward together."

"We need to be practical; many things must be discussed openly to devise a plan. If you and I fight alone, Lingnan will truly be doomed; if we feud internally, it will be even worse."

"I, Lu, ask myself having read hardly any military manuals, yet I can still see the big picture clearly: the court in Lingnan has only an empty shell, lacking troops and generals; for Lingnan to break free of the Qiang people's whip, only self-rescue will do."

"Who else can we rely on for self-rescue? Besides you and me, Chen General, looking around is there anyone else? Earlier there were indeed one or two, like Yang Yu of San Guan Jun, whom I once admired, but now he's been bewitched by that Qiang beauty reeking of goatish musk."

"When a maiden lifts her leg and throws herself at him, he sneakily throws himself at the Qiang people. Who else remains? Nobody! Though a few places still hold out, their forces are few and weak; if we don't attack them, they'll only be counting days on their fingers."

Lu Ping'an spat as he talked, waving his arms in a long-winded lecture, making Chen Wuji's eyelids twitch; he truly didn't want to lump Lu Ping'an together with Cao Boss for comparison.

But damn it, they're actually somewhat alike.

What a fine fellow; Lu Ping'an's recent proposal almost rivals the legendary "discussing heroes over wine".

"General Yang's impassioned words have opened my heart and mind." Chen Wuji sighed, "Lingnan is indeed utterly corrupt, yet I am even more clueless about how to fight the upcoming battles."

"The Qiang are strong, having taken four of the Six Commanderies; can our meager troops truly resist them? With General Lu present today, I hope he can clear my doubts."

Lu Ping'an waved his hand, "Chen General, being of the Chen Clan, how can we let others' ambitions crush our own morale! The Qiang are merely a bunch of tough-looking cowards; Chen General, you should be extremely familiar with this from your battle at Shenxian Ling."

"That battle was rushed; although I lacked numerical superiority, I seized all temporal and geographic advantages. That Qiang force, rather than saying I killed them, is more like they trapped themselves to death." Chen Wuji said.

Lu Ping'an waved his hand again; having only drunk a cup, he already seemed intoxicated.

"Chen General ah, you truly are blessed but unaware of your blessings; the way you Chen family people conduct warfare is truly enviable." Lu Ping'an shook his head and swayed, sighing.

"How many there are who become generals under heaven, yet most of those who can conquer and win in battle grasp only harmony among men; those who truly understand heavenly timing and earthly advantage are few. This is the true art of warfare! If one can possess heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and harmony among men—all three talents combined—then one is not far from the stature of a war god."

Chen Wuji's mouth corner twitched slightly.

Damn it, you really can blow!

This meaningless praise had Chen Wuji feeling almost dizzy.

"I propose a toast to Lu Jinglve; if I don't have a couple more cups of this wine today, I'll truly feel uneasy!" Chen Wuji raised his cup in a remote toast to Lu Ping'an, then drained it in one gulp.

Lu Ping'an gave a satisfied chuckle twice, his eyes suddenly turning lecherous: "I've heard General Chen likes beautiful women, yet he governs his troops with extreme strictness, never bringing concubines into the camp; today I have brought some!"

"This matter is on me; it shouldn't be blamed on General Chen, right?"

Chen Wuji's expression turned solemn: "Lu Jinglve, where did you hear this rumor? I have no such liking; rumors are just rumors!"

Lu Ping'an laughed heartily, clapping his hands: "I like it, I like this; today I ask General Chen to give me face and accompany me to enjoy a dance, to look at beautiful women."

"Lu Jinglve's warm invitation—I cannot refuse; I will surely risk my life to accompany you, sir!" Chen Wuji declared generously, almost slapping his chest to add some gestures.

Lu Ping'an clapped his hands; not long after, a group of women clad in sheer gauze—what should be shown was shown, what should not be shown faintly visible—crazy flirtatious young ladies filed into the Big Tent.