Chapter 610

At first, aside from Wang Ce, everyone thought it was just an ordinary letter.

But after hearing Wang Ce's analysis, the situation instantly changed.

Chen Wuji ordered Wang Ce to elaborate on his discovery.

Xu Zengyi had already picked up the letter and began reading it carefully, word by word.

Things they had overlooked now, upon closer look, were completely different.

Wang Ce, who had been somewhat discouraged, suddenly gained confidence: "My lord, the remaining details are indeed very minor, possibly not important."

"Don't worry, just speak plainly."

"Yes!"

"His Majesty the Emperor mentioned his Imperial Uncle twice in the letter; this person must enjoy the Emperor's deep trust, perhaps a certain prince, or someone holding a high position in the imperial clan."

"Continue."

"His Majesty the Emperor is skilled in archery and horsemanship, so he must have martial abilities."

"Hmm, anything else?"

"Yes, the Emperor should have studied the Zonghengjia Technique."

……

A letter that Chen Wuji and the three of them thought contained no useful information, after Wang Ce's frantic dissection, yielded a heap of scattered bits of news.

Moreover, several of them were extremely important.

After Xu Zengyi read the letter again, he gave absolute affirmation to all of it.

"The present Emperor has means and ambition, and besides mastering the Zonghengjia Technique, he may secretly have some scheme, perhaps the Fudi Chouxin Technique," Xu Zengyi said in a low voice.

"My lord, the Emperor's these advantages, we must be cautious."

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod: "Indeed we must be cautious; if Wang Ce hadn't noticed carefully, we might have taken these matters as ordinary."

Wang Ce:???

This left him feeling a bit bewildered again.

So at first it wasn't that he misread; it was just that nobody believed the Emperor's letter could be that simple, which made their expressions solemn?

In that case, it's good he kept an extra eye, drilling down into the horn's tip?

"Such an emperor, yet he keeps throwing baskets of favors at me, leaving me rather anxious," Chen Wuji chuckled low, "So what exactly is he thinking?"

Xu Zengyi rubbed his short beard with some force, then after a moment said: "Although it sounds utterly unrealistic, we must guard against His Majesty the Emperor wanting to stage his own rebellion."

"The Emperor staging his own rebellion? How would he do that?" Chen Luozi asked, eyes widening.

Xu Zengyi pondered: "The method is actually simple, but it is a Path of Taking Risks—nothing more than using another's stone to polish jade."

"In the current court, although the Emperor remains Emperor, power has waned, falling into the hands of ministers and powerful clans. If anyone rebels, the actual consumption is not the Emperor's strength but that of those ministers and clans."

"The strength of ministers and clans is being consumed in constant warfare; isn't the Emperor gaining an opportunity to intervene? The present Emperor clearly isn't waiting for an opportunity—he is creating one for himself."

Xu Zengyi raised his head, looking at Chen Wuji: "My lord, those whom the Emperor tries to help by raising the banner of righteousness may not be you alone; perhaps there will be many."

"Some words may be hard to hear, but after thinking, I should tell you, my lord. You are likely the one the Emperor selected, one of the stones from another mountain used to polish jade, and very possibly the one he values most."

Chen Wuji snorted: "I really have to thank him."

"He truly thinks highly of me; I am stranded in Lingnan with only these modest abilities, yet he regards me so highly that I feel both honored and ashamed."

Chen Wuji gulped down a mouthful of cooled tea: "The personnel plan we set earlier must change; even if I lack talent, I won't use any of these people."

"These people indeed cannot be reused, but now is not the time to kill them," Xu Zengyi advised.

"I didn't say to kill them; if it's exile, then it should have the appearance of exile. Gather them somewhere, let them become self-sufficient, reclaim wasteland, farm, and engage in agriculture," Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi nodded: "I agree."

"Wait, let me sort out what you just said." Chen Luozi suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "You mean the Emperor wants to incite rebels worldwide to truly rebel, so he can create an opportunity to regain his throne?"

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised: "Uncle Nine, you're supposed to be smart; how did you only grasp this after listening so long?"

"When did I become smart? I've always been stupid." Chen Luozi said, "Good thing I finally understood; the old Emperor's actions are somewhat sneaky—who could have thought of that!"

"Actually, the Emperor granting my lord the title of Regional Inspector Commander—a post long abandoned—itself shows something unusual; we just never connected the dots." Xu Zengyi said solemnly, "My lord, you previously asked me about this in your letter, and I overlooked it then."

"It's not too late now." Chen Wuji said, "Wang Ce, is there anything else we missed?"

Wang Ce shook his head: "I've only seen this much."

"I'll take up the pen; you help me weigh it—how should we reply to the Emperor's letter?" Chen Wuji said, this matter now requiring his careful attention.

Before, when he hadn't considered these things, he read casually and wrote casually.

Now he truly must weigh each word, every character carefully.

Besides being careful, it must be written naturally, so the Emperor sees no flaw.

This somewhat tests Chen Wuji's writing ability.

The few of them gathered together, studying the Emperor's every word over and over; perhaps the Emperor's side is even more meticulous.

They ordered someone to fetch brush, ink, paper, and inkstone; Chen Wuji took up the brush to write a reply to the Emperor, while Xu Zengyi and the three others watched beside him. Chen Wuji wrote a passage, they studied it, ensuring no vital information leaked, then continued with the next.

A reply letter turned into an exam for Chen Wuji, taking nearly an hour to finish.

By then, the sky was gradually darkening.

They spent the whole afternoon on this.

Just as Chen Wuji raised the reply letter, ready to sigh at how difficult it had been, a courier galloped up, delivering military news from Qingzhou.

Since Qian Fugui's troops were dispatched to Qingzhou, this is his first formal memorial.

Chen Wuji handed the reply letter for the Emperor to Wang Ce to seal, then he opened the military report from Qingzhou.

At first glance of the unfolded military report, Chen Wuji saw words like "Qingzhou City fallen," and his spirit was jolted.

Old Qian remains as charmingly wealthy as ever, truly not disappointing him.

"Qingzhou City has fallen!" Chen Wuji exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement to those around him.

Qingzhou is not merely a city; it holds an extraordinary significance in Nan Jun.

Capturing Qingzhou means——to become the master of Nan Jun.