Chapter 593

The term 'military might' had, in Shi Dao's understanding, always meant numerous troops and broad generals, a grand and imposing atmosphere.

He believed that his twenty thousand troops constituted military might.

But at this moment, upon seeing Chen Wuji arrive with those hundreds of cavalry surging like black clouds, he truly gained a new understanding of the two words 'military might'.

Such momentum cannot be compared or substituted by mere numbers.

No need for many words.

Those knights needed only a glance.

Anyone who saw it would think this is a fierce army!

It is a unit whose military might is as sharp as a blade, irresistible!

"Subordinate Guangtongzhou Negotiation Colonel Shi Dao, pays respects to Commander Chen Jieshuai, Commander Jieshuai... Commander Jieshuai noble and righteous, momentum like breaking bamboo, you have won my heart and mouth, I wish... I wish Commander Jieshuai good health."

Shi Dao saw Chen Wuji dismount from his warhorse, hurriedly bowed, prostrated himself, and shouted loudly.

Just the words he had previously memorized well were all forgotten amidst the turmoil of Chen Wuji's personal guard camp's momentum; in his panic, Shi Dao could only improvise.

Tang Yu standing aside wore a look of utter despair, silently placing his hand on the hilt of his knife.

This idiot!

Chen Wuji gave Shi Dao a strange look, then asked Tang Yu and Xie Fengxian: "What's going on with this person?"

He suddenly pulled this stunt, genuinely giving Chen Wuji quite a fright.

What, he's suddenly noble and righteous?

And yet wishing him good health—this isn't a holiday, saying this now, is that appropriate?

Tang Yu silently wiped his face: "General, he might have been frightened into babbling."

"The mighty lord of Guangtongzhou, whose own old father-in-law wants to stab him in the back, actually frightened by me? I like hearing that." Chen Wuji laughed heartily: "Someone, go fetch Old Lu, and let him have a good talk with his good wife's niece."

"Yes!"

Chen Wuji glanced at the other prisoners around, summoned Tang Yu and Xie Fengxian forward: "Tell me which can stay and which should be killed."

"Commander Jieshuai, we... haven't prepared this." Xie Fengxian said.

"Didn't you check?"

"We didn't check these people, but we did look into the wealthy clans of Guangtongzhou." Xie Fengxian replied.

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised: "Why investigate them?"

"Because what they've done is somewhat excessive."

"Come, tell me!" Chen Wuji said.

Xie Fengxian felt a bit uneasy: "Shi Dao in Guangtongzhou invented various pretexts, imposing countless miscellaneous taxes; if the commoners couldn't pay that sum of silver, they'd have to offer livestock, wives and daughters, or fields as payment. And all these ended up in the hands of Guangtongzhou's wealthy clans."

"These people also amassed wealth this way behind the scenes, turning vast tracts of Guangtongzhou land into their private property, turning ordinary commoners into their slaves, with some contracts even signed for hundreds of years."

"In their hands, the commoners fare worse than livestock, able only to eat a daily bowl of clear broth and water; if they fail to finish work, they are whipped, and they often openly abuse private punishment, beheading those who disobey to intimidate others."

Chen Wuji, hearing Xie Fengxian's few words, suddenly felt a familiar sensation.

He thought of the term 'manor'.

It had a somewhat similar meaning.

"Later give me a list; you did well on this matter, and in this battle you've again earned great merit—first think about what benefits we can strive for you and your subordinates." Chen Wuji laughed.

"As for Commander Tang, you are under General Yang Jinglve; I won't speak of merits, I'll let you earn some silver, make a little money so you and your soldiers can have a few good days."

Xie Fengxian's face lit with joy, and he hastily gave thanks.

"No need to hide it from General Chen, I've been afraid of poverty since childhood, so I like silver." Tang Yu laughed.

"I can well understand you; to be frank, I too have feared poverty." Chen Wuji laughed, patting both their shoulders, "I must say, you two fought this battle truly splendidly, breaking Ningyuan City the very day you arrived—such speed ought to count as the pinnacle of siege warfare."

"Don't dare accept such praise, General." Tang Yu modestly replied, "Actually, it's not that we two are so formidable; it's really that Shi Dao is utterly useless—he seems only concerned with recruiting soldiers, never training them, so many troops can't even hold their weapons steady."

"That's also siege warfare!" Chen Wuji interrupted him, "No need to be overly modest; later, tally up your merits, especially the soldiers'—must be clear, cannot be neglected; Tang Yu just needs to hear this, I'll focus on telling Xie Fengxian."

"If Commander Tang is interested, you can also give me a record of Military Merit; I'll write a note to help forward it to General Yang Jinglve's presence. If inconvenient, forget it; in any case, this battle, I'll talk money with you."

"Yes!"

The two responded in unison, accepting the order.

Chen Wuji casually swept his gaze over the prisoner crowd, raised his hand and pointed at two individuals: "Have those two come over!"

Xie Fengxian stepped forward, grabbed with a big hand, and dragged Nan Li and a county functionary over.

"What name, what office?" Chen Wuji asked, hands behind his back, appearing casual.

Nan Li Mister first said: "Qu Nan Li, a staff officer under Commander Shi."

"Cheng Rui, Officer of Soldier Affairs."

Chen Wuji nodded: "Who established those miscellaneous taxes in Guangtongzhou?"

"Most came from Commander Shi's hand; I too once offered suggestions, but mostly as advice. Being of lowly origin with no way into officialdom, I thought to take advantage of the chaos in Lingnan Six Commanderies at this time, to attach myself to a warlord for a future, knowing that this kind of killing the hen for its eggs is improper." Qu Nan Li again spoke first.

Chen Wuji turned his gaze to Cheng Rui.

"What Nan Li Mister said is correct; this is a scheme Commander Shi devised to support his troops. He also lowered the salaries of us assistant officials, just to save silver for building mansions, taking beauties, and raising elite troops." Cheng Rui said.

"However, as far as I know, some wealthy clans in the city also contributed many ideas. Commander Shi is very close to these people, and they are eager to devise money‑making schemes for him."

"Many officials in the Government Office privately believe that Commander Shi intends to rule Guangtongzhou jointly with the wealthy clans, squeezing the commoners to the bone."

Chen Wuji glanced at Shi Dao, who was being beaten up by Lu Ping'an, "Such a scoundrel, yet you actually take him as your lord—I see your eyes are quite normal; as a strategist, how could you be so blind?"

"General, this office was bestowed by the Court; I, your Subordinate, am a presented scholar." Cheng Rui said.

"Not talking about you!"

"General, you're referring to me." Qu Nan Li gave a bitter smile.

"The General is right; I too have often thought of sneaking away at night, but feeling indebted, I can't just idle away—my conscience truly feels uneasy."

"Last year, when I went to the capital to take the exam, I encountered bandits on the road; Commander Shi saved my life, then gave me silver to help with the exam. After I failed, I returned here and became his aide."