Chapter 608: The Emperor's Letter

Perhaps it's the environment, or perhaps it's the people here; in any case, Lu Ji and Xie Fengxian, these two surrendered generals, integrated into this big group quite quickly.

Even now they already show some signs of closeness.

On the contrary, Lu Ping'an, who had always been praised in words before, now seems somewhat lacking in vigor from every angle.

However, compared to his previous status, he needs more time to blend into this environment, which seems appropriate.

The sparring continued; Chen Baojia, with vigor like a rainbow, fought three generals in a row and finally lost to Chen Li.

Moreover, he lost within three moves.

Chen Li's simple move opened the eyes of Lu Ji and others who had never seen him act, as well as the personal guards.

As for Chen Li, many people actually see him merely as a steady, mature elder of the Chen family.

Even many members of the Chen clan are unclear about Chen Li's background.

Feng Linchuan, who had been eager to try, upon seeing Chen Li's move, immediately surrendered, cleanly and decisively without hesitation, saying, "General Chen Li's fist style is like a tiger; I gladly yield!"

Xie Jichuan grabbed Feng Linchuan's sleeve hard, saying, "Don't be a coward!"

"Those who understand the times are heroes; if you don't get it, stay silent." Feng Linchuan lowered his voice, saying, "General Chen Li held back just now; I know my own limited skill well—I wouldn't last three moves if I went up."

Xie Jichuan still felt regret, saying, "You little bastard are truly useless; no wonder you can only be a county assistant."

"Get out of the way!"

The martial contest ended, and the outcome was beyond almost everyone's expectations.

Although Chen Wuji had long known Chen Li was no ordinary hand, he didn't expect him to win so easily.

Once the contest decided the winner, this small errand to Yushan Prefecture unquestionably fell to the central army.

Not long after the meeting ended, Chen Li sent the personnel list for the trip to Yushan Prefecture to Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji glanced at it briefly and then arranged accordingly.

While waiting for the news to arrive, Chen Wuji finally had some leisure.

Aside from overseeing the defenses of the several forts being reinforced in Dingbian, his remaining time was either spent drinking tea and playing chess with Xu Zengyi, or Xu Zengyi accompanying him on outings to enjoy the scenery and local customs of Dingbian County.

This prewar leisure continued until Chen Wuji's pen friend the emperor sent him another ultra-long, everyday chatter from the distant capital.

At that time, Chen Wuji was with Xu Zengyi, Wang Ce, and Chen Luozi, rehearsing military strategies in the rear courtyard of the xianya.

This had become one of their most frequent recent activities.

When they had nothing to do, they studied and pondered how to quickly resolve Yushan Prefecture and eradicate this Qiang people's serpent nest.

The emperor's letter, Chen Wuji read it word for word, taking nearly half an hour.

On this utterly ordinary letter, there was indeed nothing remarkable.

His Majesty the Emperor, aside from writing about his own daily trifles, merely asked about Chen Wuji's daily trifles.

Chen Wuji saw nothing useful in it, and thus realized that His Majesty the Emperor truly is idle; if he were even slightly busy, he could not have written such a foul, long letter.

This way of writing letters is probably something only lovers in the heat of passion would do.

Rubbing his brow, Chen Wuji handed the letter to Xu Zengyi, saying, "Old Xu, you ponder it; this matter… I can't make heads or tails of it, and I have no train of thought."

The calm Xu Zengyi, hearing this, slightly tightened his expression and reached out to take the letter.

Wang Ce's and Chen Luozi's expressions likewise turned solemn and heavy; they unconsciously stretched their necks, glanced at the letter, but no one dared to ask out of curiosity.

Another half hour later.

The tea on the table had gone cold; Xu Zengyi finally set the letter down slowly.

He crossed his arms and firmly pinched his brow.

Faintly, one could still see his mouth twitching a little…

Chen Luozi finally couldn't hold back and asked, "What on earth happened? You two, tell me—don't just look at the letter and wear that expression."

Xu Zengyi said nothing, merely pushing the letter toward Chen Luozi.

"May I look? Can I look?" Chen Luozi asked Chen Wuji uncertainly.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Go ahead and look boldly."

"Then let me see—let me see what exactly has gotten you two into this state." Chen Luozi snatched up the letter aggressively.

Another half hour later…

Chen Luozi set the letter down and exhaled a heavy breath of turbid air, "No, it's just… this… this…"

"What do you have to say? Speak!" Xu Zengyi said.

The scheme succeeded; his mouth stopped twitching and instead a irrepressible smile appeared.

Chen Luozi glanced at Wang Ce, who sat with eyes nose heart in meditation.

As a newcomer who had just joined the group, Wang Ce always had a clear sense of his place—he would not say what shouldn't be said, nor ask what shouldn't be asked.

He could see that this letter was extremely important, perhaps beyond what someone of his status ought to know, so he stifled any improper curiosity and made himself invisible.

"Wují, can he look?" Chen Luozi suddenly asked.

"There's nothing he can't see." Chen Wuji waved his hand.

This letter, which drags out trivial family matters to the extreme, contains nothing but trivial family matters throughout—there is no useful information at all.

Even though Wang Ce had only recently joined, knowing these things would be no problem.

At most it could merely prove that Chen Wuji privately corresponded with the emperor, thereby solidifying his status as Regional Inspector Commander—that's about all it would amount to.

Chen Wuji's words still excited Wang Ce; he stood, bowed deeply, and said, "Ce thanks the lord's trust, will surely not betray the heavy responsibility, and will devote himself wholeheartedly to the lord's grand undertaking."

"No need for all that," Chen Wuji said. "I've always judged people by their actions; other things don't matter."

"Here!"

Wang Ce then sat down again, opening the letter with a feeling of awe and solemnity.

He read it very seriously and solemnly.

But after spending nearly half an hour reading it, Wang Ce became bewildered.

What did he just look at?

What important clue does this letter actually contain?

Why are they all wearing that expression?!

This letter, seemingly from the Emperor's hand, seems to be nothing but insignificant trifles.

Could he have misread it?

Actually, there's a lot hidden in here?!

Wang Ce, deep in doubt, did not doubt the Emperor's intention in writing such a letter; instead, he first doubted himself.

"I must have missed something crucial; let me look again!" Wang Ce rallied himself and examined the letter once more.

This time, he weighed every word and phrase, carefully studying each sentence and paragraph.

But...

It seems there's no deeper meaning at all!

No, no, I must be looking at it the wrong way; look again!