Chapter 583

Let Chen Wuji's balding problem, Xu Zengyi raised his hand and gave a solution: "In the past, a military governor always had a rear-camp army, which was also the true elite force he relied upon."

"This old custom may not suit the lord, but these six thousand troops can be placed under General Chen Li's command, becoming part of the lord's central army."

Chen Wuji had a slightly different view: "If we put them in the central army, I might as well swap them with Chen Baojia's unit; I find Chen Baojia's troops easier to use."

"The lord could simply put both units into the central army; together they're only about ten thousand, and with the lord's total forces nearing a hundred thousand, that's not much."

"Although what I'm about to say may not be proper, I think I should remind the lord: the lord can make use of and rely on the clan troops, but they shouldn't be given too special a position; just let them be slightly above the other soldiers."

Chen Wuji nodded: "That point you made is clear to me as well; let's put them together in the central army, with these six thousand under Chen Li's command."

"The lord need not worry about this unit's combat strength; they're actually quite strong." Xu Zengyi had full confidence in this unit: "Although they are Provincial Troops, they truly fought their way out with knives and spears on the battlefield of Guangyuan Prefecture; they just might need a little time to integrate."

Chen Wuji walked toward the Zhongjun Camp, waved his hand casually, and said, "I've never worried about this; I trust Old Xu's judgment more than anyone's."

Not to mention far away, just take himself as an example.

Xu Zengyi was the first to address him as lord; back then, what was his status?

He was merely a small hunter who, forced by the threat of the Qiang people descending from Xishan Village to the south, was compelled to rally troops and prepare to do something.

Although he still isn't considered a big shot nowadays, his progress is still quite fast.

It's not Chen Wuji boasting; Xu Zengyi, as the former Strategist of the Western King, could address him as lord in that situation—such boldness and vision are unbeatable.

This isn't something just anyone would dare to think or do.

That evening, Chen Wuji set up a banquet in the army to welcome Xu Zengyi and Tang Yu, also celebrating his formal alliance with Yang Yu.

The atmosphere was fairly harmonious, and the group chatted happily.

It was Lu Ping'an, the former Nan Jun Jinglue Shi, and Wang Ce, who looked just like a youth, who attracted attention; the conversation eventually turned to them.

Lu Ping'an had long since developed a thick-skinned, unflappable demeanor; he parried every move, never hiding past matters, answering any question with a laugh, his attitude so casual it seemed he wasn't talking about his own affairs.

On the other hand, Wang Ce, a pure newcomer to Officialdom, found it hard to cope.

Xu Zengyi and Lu Ping'an, these two old foxes of Officialdom, together reached an almost flawless level—one sharp-tongued, the other very adept at whitewashing; despite never having met before, they achieved a marvelous coordination.

By the time the meal was finished, Wang Ce was sweating on his face.

……

Under the deep night, Chen Wuji, who had drunk quite a bit, fell asleep the instant his head touched the bed.

There was no transition at all.

Half-asleep, he suddenly felt something amiss beside him.

It seemed someone was pulling off his clothes, and a soft thing was pressed against him.

Chen Wuji, who had already been tossed about twice by the Snake Staff Elder, instantly became alert; he reached with his right hand to his side, intending to draw the family heirloom knife he always kept there.

But he grasped at air.

He flung his eyes open and saw a expanse of snowy white in the dim light.

The white was blinding.

He still had a bit of drunkenness, but the trembling white flashed and he instantly sobered.

He focused his gaze and met the mischievous eyes of Qin Zhanhong.

"I've actually disturbed my husband's deep sleep; I am at fault..."

Qin Zhanhong spoke in a pinched, coquettish voice, her hands not stopping as she hastily pulled out what she wanted.

Chen Wuji lay down again and said helplessly, "You living ancestor, could you give me a heads-up next time so I can prepare a bit? This is a military camp; doing this like you do is dangerous, you know?"

"I know, but if I tell you beforehand, would it still be a surprise?" Qin Zhanhong chuckled, "Just lie down; you don't need to do anything, I'll attend to you. Also, keep your voice down—your Big Tent is surrounded by experts; I don't want them hearing what we're doing."

Chen Wuji laughed helplessly, "You actually still care about this now?"

"Have I not always cared? I just didn't know before. Who would have thought the Chen family still had so many masters, each hidden like a thousand-year-old corpse—unimaginable." Qin Zhanhong said resentfully.

She truly knew nothing about this; when she first learned of it, she was dazed for a long time, almost failing to react, and then her mind filled with disbelief.

Because of Chen Wuji, Qin Zhanhong, using the convenience of the Imperial City Department, investigated the Chen Family of Xishan Village from top to bottom, but found nothing at the time.

Result……

One after another, things that left her astonished began to happen.

First came the combat strength of the Chen Clan Troops, then the fierce generals Chen Li, Chen Wuyi, and Chen Wushuang, followed by this luxurious Personal Guard lineup.

Qin Zhanhong even suspected that when she first abducted Chen Wuji to her temporary lodging, those Chen Family masters were already following in the dark; perhaps they already knew what she and Chen Wuji were doing.

Just thinking about it made Qin Zhanhong wish she could find a hole to bury herself in.

Don't come out to see people.

Too embarrassing!

"Not to mention you, I was kept in the dark too." Chen Wuji muttered, patting Qin Zhanhong's soft butt, "Come on, what are you standing there for?"

"Don't you need me to first soothe the one about to go to battle?" Qin Zhanhong asked with a sly smile.

Chen Wuji lay comfortably and said, "Of course I need it!"

In this matter, of course the more procedures the better.

Best to mix real combat with procedures, taking turns.

Qin Zhanhong brushed aside the hair at her temples and leaned over beside Chen Wuji.

"Hiss... where have you been cultivating lately? How did your strength suddenly increase?"

Qin Zhanhong angrily slapped Chen Wuji, "Don't slander me like that; I've been keeping myself pure for you, I wouldn't fool around outside. But, has it really increased?"

"Hmm."

"Guess how I learned it?"

"How would I know? I can't just guess you learned it outside."