Chapter 613: with translation of chapter title

Hu Bu Gui's low mutter wasn't just offending Chen Wuji.

He instantly offended everyone present.

Xu Zengyi and Chen Baojia both openly revealed killing intent in their eyes; Chen Wuyi and Chen Wushuang standing at the door had already placed their hands on the knife hilts, their sharp, hawk-like eyes eager to test.

Wei Shu sat beside Hu Bu Gui, and in an instant he was frightened until his whole body was soaked in cold sweat.

Large beads of sweat rolled uncontrollably down his forehead.

He considered himself fairly skilled in Qi nurturing, but facing this invisible pressure he truly couldn't bear it; he nervously swallowed, quickly wiped his sweat with his head down, and hastily gave Hu Bu Gui a subtle glance.

But Hu Bu Gui merely stared intently at the Imperial Edict with his bright eyes, not noticing at all.

Wei Shu instantly felt like dying.

This cousin of his seems to want his life today.

When Hu Bu Gui decided to come to Dingbian in person, he was the first to stand up and oppose.

But he couldn't be persuaded.

Although this cousin of his is sufficiently Loyalty and Righteousness, his brain truly isn't clever.

His greatest strength is that he listens to advice.

Knowing his own shortcomings, he has always entrusted mental tasks to the government office officials and those aristocratic elders.

This time he decided to come alone to see Chen Wuji, and everyone opposed.

But Hu Bu Gui unusually clung to his own view once.

And it is precisely this rare occasion that Wei Shu now seems to have already seen the disaster that would befall him, Hu Bu Gui, and all of Dingzhou.

Chen Wuji's ferocity is truly not just talk.

Things were fine on the way, so why did he suddenly act foolishly at this moment?

This is really going to get him killed.

Wei Shu was anxious to death inside, but for a moment he couldn't find a good way to refute Hu Bu Gui's words; the accusation was too blunt, and he couldn't find any reason to defend himself.

"Commander, Hu Zhizhou probably meant…… this kind of thing is too rare, yes, too rare." Wei Shu forced himself to rise and stammered, "My humble self's cousin has always been a rough person, his speech is habitually crude, he speaks without thinking, Commander……"

Wei Shu was almost crying as he spoke.

He actually quite wanted to gain a minor post under Chen Wuji's command; over there it clearly had prospects, and one could gamble on one's Qi Flow.

But now, it seems…… it's over……

Chen Wuji raised his hand to interrupt Wei Shu's words: "It's fine, Hu Zhizhou's words are also true; my Regional Inspector Commander appointment indeed came too unusually, and the Emperor's action truly was unexpected; anyway, I still haven't figured out why he did this."

Put your knives away, you two; our hospitality is not like this.

Chen Wuyi and Chen Wushuang at the door withdrew their icy gazes and loosened their grip on the knife hilts.

Only then did Hu Bu Gui move his gaze from the Imperial Edict, he stared directly at Chen Wuji and asked: "Commander, why does the Emperor do this?"

I don't know!

Hu Bu Gui said: "If Commander is speaking the truth, I actually have some speculation."

Hu Zhizhou may speak frankly; since Lu, the Council Army, isn't here today, I will speak plainly—I guarantee you won't become like Lu, the Council Army, so speak freely." Chen Wuji said.

Hu Bu Gui blinked slightly: "I don't know who Lu, the Council Army, is."

Lu Ping'an, he currently serves under my command in the Council Army.

"The Commander uses him for Council Army duties? This…… is also rather unusual." Hu Bu Gui fell silent for a moment, the corner of his mouth showing a smile-not-smile, looking somewhat constipated.

Chen Wuji chuckled: "If Council Army Lu weren't a Strategist, he still has many good points; people always have strengths and weaknesses. In this regard I suppose I have some advantages, not being one-sided in judging a person."

"Commander… magnanimous!" Hu Bu Gui pressed his lips tightly.

The words were praise, but Chen Wuji seeing his expression felt that hearing them reversed would be more fitting.

"Whether magnanimous or not doesn't matter, Hu Zhizhou, just speak freely." Chen Wuji laughed.

Hu Bu Gui's expression turned solemn: "I suspect the Emperor intentionally fans the flames, seeking to overturn the superior with the inferior."

Xu Zengyi's face slightly changed; his already sharp gaze suddenly became profound and unfathomable.

Chen Wuji actually understood, but deliberately feigned ignorance and asked: "What does that mean?"

"The situation the Emperor now faces, Commander surely knows: the aristocratic clans and powerful ministers control the court, making the ruler no longer a ruler and the subjects no longer subjects." Hu Bu Gui said solemnly.

"The Emperor is not a weak sovereign; he has tried several times to change this situation, but all failed. Now he suddenly granted the Commander supreme military and civil authority over a region; I suspect this is another of the Emperor's attempts."

"He intends, by elevating local power, to intimidate the capital region and excise the toxic growth of aristocratic clans and powerful ministers; this is essentially the ancient practice of summoning the feudal lords—loyalist kings."

"Emperor…… this is using poison to counteract poison."

Chen Wuji: ……

Just how clever is this guy, really?

If you say he's not clever, the matter of the Regional Inspector Commander had Xu Zengyi pondering for a long time before catching a hint, yet he exposed it with a single word.

But if you say he's clever, how could he just blurt out something like 'using poison to counteract poison'?

Could he be the legendary great wisdom that appears foolish?

"I don't know what Hu Zhizhou means by 'using poison to counteract poison'," Chen Wuji asked slowly.

He ought to properly show some attitude.

Otherwise this guy might really think he has no temper.

"Commander, my words are not aimed at you," Hu Bu Gui said.

"What I mean by 'using poison to counteract poison' is merely restoring the office of Military Governor. In ancient times, the Military Governor was abolished because local power grew too strong, with troops self-sufficient, causing imperial authority to wane and the court to struggle to command the localities."

"In order to cure the court's poison, the Emperor revived this post; to me, that is using poison to counteract poison. This poison will ultimately affect not the Commander, but perhaps… the Emperor himself."

Chen Wuji deliberately asked: "What else does that mean?"

"If the Emperor wishes to command the world's loyalist kings, the Military Governor will certainly not be just the Commander alone; perhaps more will follow." Hu Bu Gui said frankly.

At that time, the power of powerful ministers, aristocratic clans, and regional feudal lords will surely be the strongest, while the Emperor will remain the weakest side.

Nowadays, loyal ministers are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns... His Majesty wishes to rely on the regional lords; this plan, I fear, will still not work, and in the end it will only plunge the world into even deeper suffering.

This... this is a strategy for a doomed nation!

Hu Bu Gui suddenly let out a mournful howl, covering his face as he wept.

The Wei Shu beside him was almost scared to death.

While Hu Bu Gui was speaking, he kept desperately picking at his legs, almost tearing the flesh off.

But, their heart also died.

Based on Hu Bu Gui's words, he can forget about earning any merit; this little life of his is probably about to end.