Chapter 566: with translation of chapter title

Regarding Shi Dao, Chen Wuji wasn't familiar with him at all; he merely knew such a person existed.

But as for Dingzhou, lately he's heard so much about it his ears are practically growing calluses.

Lu Ping'an raised the rebel flag, the various prefectures of Nan Jun responded in succession, only Dingzhou unhesitatingly raised a large banner openly opposing Lu Ping'an, and withstood several attacks from Lu Ping'an, and even now it remains firmly planted there.

"I once sent someone to Guangtongzhou to supervise the troops, but that person only managed to send back a letter before falling silent thereafter." Lu Ping'an continued his story, "Afterward, Shi Dao sent someone to report to me, saying that the staff officer I dispatched happened to catch a chill and unfortunately died."

"But in the letter that staff officer sent back earlier, he gave a very detailed account of Shi Dao's actions in Guangtongzhou and advised me that Shi Dao, maintaining over ten thousand troops, shows signs of carving out an autonomous territory."

Chen Wuji immediately didn't feel like speaking, "Lu Jinglve, are you testing my intelligence?"

About this, is there still any need to doubt?

Is there still any need to doubt?!

Anyone who isn't an idiot can see that, right?

Shi Dao obeys outwardly but betrays inwardly, showing signs of wanting to establish himself— isn't that already obvious?

"I have no such intention; I simply can't figure it out." Lu Ping'an said solemnly, "Others aside, Shi Dao is my wife's nephew— he absolutely has no reason to rebel against me."

Chen Wuji remained silent for a long while, then after holding back said, "Does Lu Jinglve know Gu Wenjie? For his ambition he even killed his own family; compared to Gu Wenjie, Shi Dao could be considered moderate."

Lu Ping'an fell silent.

Chen Wuji looked at him like that, his inner feelings so tangled he didn't know what to say.

Lu Ping'an somehow felt a bit embarrassed by his looks.

Who would have thought that the esteemed Lu Jinglve's inner self is like this— unless he's throwing smoke bombs here again, Chen Wuji almost feels pity for him.

His nephew has laid everything out so openly, yet he still harbors doubts there.

What's there to doubt?

"Lu Jinglve's seven commanders, setting aside Lu Ji, could it be that the others are all like Shi Dao?" Chen Wuji asked, he really was curious about this, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

Lu Ping'an let out a faint sigh, "It's merely a matter of degree; they're largely the same."

Chen Wuji: ……

Really slick!

If the facts really are like this, he seems to have no need to rush into action against Qingzhou.

If we wait a few more months, Lu Ping'an might end up being carved up by his own subordinates.

After all, his intelligence capabilities are still a bit weak.

"If that's the case, please, Lu Jinglve, divide these people again." Chen Wuji said, "Select those relatively loyal and order them to eliminate those absolutely disloyal first."

"You don't want them to surrender?" Lu Ping'an asked in surprise.

"They're not a bunch of honest folk; you can't just throw that goal out at the outset. Let them fight each other first, sort out the strengths, then talk." Chen Wuji laughed, "Besides Lu Ji, there happen to be six others— perfect for pairing them off to fight, neither too many nor too few, just right."

For now, it's impossible to determine how much of what Lu Ping'an said is true and how much false.

Chen Wuji likewise gave a mix of truth and falsehood, without telling him the real situation in Qingzhou.

Lu Ping'an nodded, "I can issue the order right away, but should Lu Ji take action? Among those who came with me this time there is another commander, who is one of the relatively more loyal."

"Relatively loyal just means ordinarily loyal— have Lu Ji kill him!" Chen Wuji immediately said, "Issue the order now; strike at dawn tomorrow, launch a surprise attack, catch him off guard."

"Lu Jinglve, put your mind at ease— no need to wear such a frown. I'll avenge you! I'll personally discipline each of your disobedient subordinates, making sure they fully realize their mistakes."

Lu Ping'an: ……

"Please, General Chen, prepare brush and ink; I'll write the military order."

Chen Wuji sternly clenched his face, ordered someone to prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and had them sent to Lu Ping'an.

If he didn't keep his face clenched like that, even relaxing a bit would make him worry he'd burst out laughing.

The esteemed Lu Jinglve— who would have thought he's like this behind the scenes?

There's just too much fun.

The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were soon brought over; Lu Ping'an picked up his brush, gathered his thoughts, and bent to write a military order.

Chen Wuji picked it up and examined it word by word, line by line, checking every detail from Lu Ping'an's wording to the first and last characters, to ensure Lu Ping'an hadn't slipped any private agenda into the order.

"Lu Jinglve, this order certainly can't be sent by your people— how do you usually issue orders? Do you have oral commands, command talismans, or the like?" Chen Wuji asked kindly.

"Only the command flag, in the hands of the commandant of my Personal Guard camp— nothing else." Lu Ping'an said quite honestly, practically bending over backward to comply.

"Good! Thank you, Lu Jinglve, for writing the other orders; I'll take care of delivering them."

Chen Wuji left the Zhongjun Camp, summoned Chen Wuyi to his side, and gave him a low-voiced instruction: first interrogate the prisoners from Lu Ping'an's personal guard to confirm the procedure for transmitting orders, then send someone with the command flag overnight to deliver the order to Lu Ji at Wenkou Town.

Given the circumstances, Chen Wuji could absolutely not have those prisoners deliver these orders.

After arranging that, Chen Wuji also took a look at how Chen Li was doing.

Qiuyu was locked up in the little black cell; if outwitting her fails, we'll have to resort to force.

"She still insists she's not a follower of the Snake Staff Elder!" Chen Li's expression was a bit awkward.

He had already interrogated Qiuyu twice; the first time that woman fooled him into letting her pass, but the second time she refused to budge at all. He had just, following Chen Wuji's instructions, staged a play with Chen Ruoshui outside, but it had no effect.

"Use the last resort— if she still won't talk, torture her!" Chen Wuji said in a cold voice.

Although making such a pretty girl all bloody ruins her image, since she refuses to give face, Chen Wuji naturally can't extend any courtesy to her beauty either.

People, after all, are reciprocal.

"Family Head, what if she really isn't?" Chen Li asked.

"She definitely is!" Chen Wuji said decisively.

Her earlier subtle movements had already given away her heart; this admits of no doubt.

"Yes!" Chen Li replied in a low voice.

After Chen Wuji strolled outside and came back, Lu Ping'an had already finished writing the other three orders, laying them out side by side, examining the wording of each.

"General Chen, take a look— my writing should be fine, right?" Seeing Chen Wuji enter, he immediately asked eagerly.

This Lu Jinglve now not only cooperates but takes the initiative.

Chen Wuji picked it up and examined it very carefully, reading it over several times, "No problem, thank you for your trouble, Lu Jinglve. I'll send someone to deliver the military order to you right away. If nothing unexpected happens, within this ten-day period you'll receive several good news."

Lu Ping'an: …