Chapter 574

In the evening, the wind was light and the clouds thin, the sky carried a faint chill.

This chill is Lingnan's greatest respect for winter.

Chen Wuji returned to camp with his troops, and the three thousand soldiers under Lu Ping'an and Xie Fengxian followed.

As for Lu Ji, Chen Wuji did not act rashly; he still ordered him to station troops at Wenkou Town and sent scouts to watch the movements of Tang Yu in Hongde City opposite.

When the main force returned to Po Feng Ridge, the sky had grown almost completely dark, with only a dim gray light; the first thing Chen Wuji did upon entering camp was to order the whole army to set out a feast, welcoming these new comrades-in-arms.

Although Chen Wuji had never served as a surrendered soldier, he had changed masters before.

In a new environment, people's hearts are sensitive.

As the chief commander, Chen Wuji set aside their combat strength and first won over their hearts.

No matter what, he first let them become familiar with this environment before considering other matters.

After taking care of the surrendered soldiers under Xie Fengxian's command, Chen Wuji did not forget Lu Ji's side.

Taking advantage of the fact that it was still light enough to see, he ordered the soldiers to prepare a large amount of wine and meat, swiftly sent it over, and had someone tell Lu Ji that this was a reward he was giving the troops.

"Commander, this morning a herdsboy came outside the camp wishing to see you; I told him you were leading troops outside and not in the camp, but he refused to leave and is still on the hillside outside." A soldier entered the tent, clasped his fists, and reported.

Chen Wuji had just settled down, about to eat dinner.

Upon hearing this, his mind took a few moments to react before he remembered what was going on.

"Let him in."

"Yes!"

Not long after, a commotion came from outside the camp; Chen Wuji looked up and saw Chen Luozi stride in, refreshed and spirited, saying, "Wuji, impressive, truly impressive—I am genuinely convinced this time."

Chen Luozi did not take part in today's battle; he led five hundred men to guard the main camp and look after the luggage and supplies there. These supplies are the rear cornerstone of wartime, the true lifeline; Chen Wuji must entrust them to someone who can hold the overall situation steady.

Among those accompanying the army this time, besides Chen Luozi, only Chen Li was suitable for this task.

"Hearing you say that, you weren't really convinced before, were you?" Chen Wuji laughed.

Chen Luozi rubbed his hands as he walked in, tinkering with Chen Wuji's brazier, "Before it was just reluctant acceptance; now it's wholehearted conviction—we took Qingzhou without losing a single soldier!"

"Qingzhou isn't secured yet," Chen Wuji said, "it's just these two forces."

Chen Luozi blinked, "What do you mean? Lu Ping'an has surrendered, so why hasn't Qingzhou been settled yet?"

"You slept comfortably in the carriage outside last night, so you're unaware of some things; this needs to be explained in detail," Chen Wuji said.

"Wait, I didn't get drunk or fall asleep last night; I was deliberately putting on an act for Lu Ping'an to see." Chen Luozi interrupted Chen Wuji before he could finish, explaining urgently.

Chen Wuji smiled and nodded, "I know, I know."

"If it weren't for Jiu Shu's cleverness, we wouldn't have won such a great victory today. You won a major battle in two days; you just said you were convinced by me, but actually Jiu Shu, you should be convinced of yourself—you played a crucial role in this battle!"

Chen Luozi chuckled smugly, "Hey hey, I don't have any merit—I just moved my lips a bit; the real credit goes to you."

"Jiu Shu's modest and cautious demeanor makes me feel unfamiliar." Chen Wuji shook his head and sighed.

Chen Luozi placed the teapot on the brazier where flames were leaping up, "I really don't like hearing that; I've always been modest and cautious—you can't tie my misspeaking to a lack of modesty and caution; that's slander and injustice against me."

"Go on, keep talking—I don't know what you're referring to."

Chen Wuji scooped a mouthful of food, "There's also the matter of our old friend in here."

"Who?"

"The Snake Staff Elder."

"Gu Wenjie, that old fossil of a strategist?"

"Hmm."

Chen Luozi tilted his head, stunned for a while, "Why does this old thing keep turning up everywhere? What has he been up to?"

"He sent people to secretly sway many prefects and Negotiation Colonels in Nan Jun; although on the surface they haven't betrayed Lu Ping'an, secretly they are no longer of one mind." Chen Wuji said.

"Lu Ping'an left two generals in Qingzhou, and both of their entourages have members of the Snake Staff Elder."

Chen Luozi stared with wide eyes, silent for a while, then muttered in bewilderment, "What exactly does this old Lao Zamao want? Is he trying to control Nan Jun this way?"

"At his age, even if he succeeded, how many years could he enjoy it?"

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Perhaps things aren't as simple as they appear now; Nan Jun's waters run deep, with many forces capable of stirring things from behind the scenes."

"For example, the force that killed many officials in Guangyuan Prefecture and Hezhou in one breath—could it be that the Snake Staff Elder sent people to do that? Ah, no, that's wrong; Gu Wenjie was occupying Hezhou then, he had no reason to do that." Chen Luozi thought of a possibility, then denied it.

Chen Wuji grunted, lowered his head and scooped a mouthful of food, "What I want to say is this."

"The affairs of Hezhou and Guangyuan Prefecture are clearly not the work of a single faction; the Snake Staff Elder indeed has no reason to do that. Even if his assistance to Gu Wenjie isn't sincere, at least for now he's still by Gu Wenjie's side, so he has no reason to cut off his own roots."

Actually, as he said those words, the three characters "Charitable Relief Hall" appeared in Chen Wuji's mind.

But he thought about it and still didn't say it out loud.

Zhang Lao, that old riddler, had once vaguely uncovered a bit of the mystery, but he still needed Chen Wuji to guess.

"Regional Commander, Young Master Wang has arrived!" Chen Li appeared at the doorway, reporting in a low voice.

"Let him in."

"Here!"

Chen Luozi stopped talking at the right moment.

Seeing Wang Ce, who was indistinguishable from a youth, enter the door, he was slightly stunned, pulled over a wooden stool and sat down beside the bronze brazier.

"Young Master Wang pays his respects to the General!" Wang Ce stood in the hall, proper and meticulous, performing the salute with exactness.

Chen Wuji asked with a hint of teasing: "Young Master Wang, you didn't come today just to ask me for tea, did you?"

"I, Wang, have come today to apologize to the General!" Wang Ce said loudly.

"Oh? What crime?"

"The crime of mystifying and deceiving!"

"Really?" Chen Wuji asked strangely.

Wang Ce felt a bit uneasy: "The General has already seen through it, so why bother… Actually I'm not a youth; I'm thirty-two this year, just stunted in growth, always looking like a youngster."

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "Your compensation isn't sincere enough; your own tea isn't tasty, would you like to try mine?"

"I dare not." Wang Ce stood ramrod straight and continued, "Actually, yesterday's invitation for the General to come to my home for a brief sit was not my spur-of-the-moment idea; I have long known you are General Chen."