Chapter 612

After arranging matters in Qingzhou, Chen Wuji's days became leisurely again.

Besides Qin Feng occasionally sending urgent documents from Hezhou for Chen Wuji to glance at, there was hardly anything else pressing, and Chen Wuji finally managed to enjoy a rare period of leisure in his old age.

However, such days did not last long.

About six days after Wang Ce and Lu Ping'an left, Wei Shu returned.

Accompanying him was also an envoy from Dingzhou.

Chen Wuji set up a simple banquet in the rear hall of the xianya, giving this envoy a relatively high-standard reception.

Before the banquet began, Chen Wuji had never met this envoy.

Wei Shu returned to Dingbiancheng, without even resting, and immediately brought the envoy to see Chen Wuji; at that time Chen Wuji was chatting idly with Chen Luozi, and after ordering the banquet set up, he told Wei Shu to bring the person to the rear hall.

Upon entering and seeing the figure standing by the window, Chen Wuji immediately suspected the envoy's identity.

Having met many people, he no longer needed to carefully discern their aura; a single glance was enough to roughly gauge their level.

This person was certainly no ordinary envoy.

He must hold a high position in Dingzhou and is also a military officer.

"Greetings, Regional Inspector Commander!" Wei Shu bowed, then whispered to Chen Wuji, "Regional Inspector Commander, this is Prefect of Dingzhou, General Hu Bu Gui Gan."

Chen Wuji's eyebrows shot up.

What's going on lately?

Has everyone taken a liking to the spectacle of the chief commander venturing into the dragon's den and tiger's lair?

The matter of Lu Ping'an has probably already reached Hu Bu Gui Gan's ears.

In this situation, how dare he still come?

Is he not afraid that, like Lu Ping'an, once he comes he won't be able to leave?

At that moment, the figure standing by the window with hands behind his back also strode over.

"Hu Bu Gui Gan greets the Regional Inspector Commander!"

Hu Bu Gui Gan's muscles bulged; his strong, powerful arms thrust forward as he bowed deeply to Chen Wuji.

Among the martial officers Chen Wuji has seen, this man is the fiercest-looking, resembling a humanoid tyrannosaurus, with a physique akin to a modern muscular hunk.

Yet what feels incongruous is that his bearing carries a touch of scholarly elegance.

This elegance, however, is tinged with the ruggedness of the northwestern plateau, bearing no relation to delicacy.

This person must be the rumored scholar who wields a moral weapon, whose palm can split mountains and who can barehandedly twist a person's skull, adept at honoring the virtuous and employing scholars.

"Prefect Hu, you really startled me! No need for formalities, please take a seat; let's eat and talk!" Chen Wuji said warmly. Given that Hu Bu Gui Gan likely knows about Lu Ping'an's affair, his daring to come alone suggests his purpose is not malicious.

Hu Bu Gui Gan gave a slight smile, "Regional Inspector Commander, please!"

After some mutual deference, Chen Wuji took the chief seat, Hu Bu Gui Gan sat to his left, and Wei Shu kept him company.

On the right side sat Xu Zengyi and Chen Baojia, who had just arrived.

"Prefect Hu's courage impresses me!" Chen Wuji raised his cup, offering a courteous remark.

Of course, those words were also sincere.

Lu Ping'an came once, and not only did he end up staying here completely, but Qingzhou was also lost.

At this point, he still dares to come; this courage deserves Chen Wuji's first toast.

Hu Bu Gui Gan let out a dry laugh, "Regional Inspector Commander, you arrive with overwhelming force; Dingzhou is but a tiny speck—how could we resist your army? To be frank, I have come here disregarding my own safety, seeking only a way out for Dingzhou."

"I am no flood or ferocious beast, Prefect Hu; there's no need for such flattery—your praise is over the top!" Chen Wuji said, looking at him and smiling.

Hu Bu Gui Gan shook his head, "Regional Inspector Commander, you have subdued several states in Nan Jun; wherever you go, there is no equal opponent. Though I cannot gauge your exact troop strength, for Dingzhou we might withstand your initial assault, but we could never resist your mobilization and deployment of forces."

Having said that, he glanced at Wei Shu and continued, "Coincidentally, my cousin who came with me this time also told me much about the Regional Inspector Commander. After some thought, since you bring a mighty army and bear an imperial mandate, I might as well simply surrender, lest the people and troops of Dingzhou suffer an unwarranted calamity."

"Although the idea of surrender had long been decided, I still felt uneasy without seeing you in person, Regional Inspector Commander, so I came alone despite everyone's objections."

After hearing this, Chen Wuji raised his cup again and asked, "I wonder what doubts Prefect Hu harbors?"

"One of my doubts is that I would like to see the Yin Shu in your hand, Regional Inspector Commander, if that is convenient," Hu Bu Gui Gan said, looking at Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji lowered his eyelids slightly; it seemed the rumors were not false at all.

Hu Bu Gui Gan's heart leans toward the Court.

If such a person were to truly surrender, Chen Wuji now does not know whether it would be a good or bad thing; should it end up as an internal rebellion, that would be quite disastrous.

"Without doubt, go get it!" However, after hesitating a moment, Chen Wuji still said.

The Yin Shu can be shown to Hu Bu Gui Gan, but how to handle this matter still requires further consideration.

This matter must be handled cautiously.

Nowadays, nearly the entire military, both superiors and subordinates, know of his rebellious streak.

If Hu Bu Gui Gan were to surrender, this could not be concealed, and perhaps within a few months it would become clear.

Chen Wuyi made a trip out; upon returning, he not only brought back the Yin Shu but also brought the Emperor's Imperial Edict.

He directly presented it before Hu Bu Gui Gan.

"Prefect Hu, are you doubting the authenticity of this?" Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

Hu Bu Gui Gan did not hide it either, saying, "To be frank, I do have some doubts. The post of Regional Inspector Commander is, after all, from long ago; in abolishing this office that held sway over one region, the court and society certainly went through much turmoil."

"Yet at that very time, His Majesty promised such a great provincial official to the Regional Inspector Commander, which is truly contrary to reason. If I did not see it with my own eyes, I would really find it hard to believe."

After saying that, he paused and added, "Regional Inspector Commander, I am a blunt person, born not skilled in speech; if I have said anything improper, I hope you will forgive me."

Chen Wuji smiled and nodded.

You old brat, you've already offended people long ago—only now are you reacting?

He even knows that his manner of speaking is coarse and apt to give offense.

Chen Wuji finds it somewhat hard to judge whether he is genuinely blunt or merely pretending to be.

A truly blunt person would not realize that his speech easily gives offense; this is usually just a polite remark from clever people. But if he is feigning bluntness, then his saying this… really does make him somewhat blunt.

It's not offending people, it's more like Shìhòu people.

Hu Bu Gui opened the yellow silk wrapping the Yin Shu, carefully lifted the Yin Shu and took a glance, his expression changed slightly, but that surprise was quickly concealed by him.

"Your Majesty... you really did something very daring!" Hu Bu Gui murmured.