Chapter 629: with translation of chapter title

Chen Wuji was so preoccupied that he even forgot the time.

Even though he was the commander of the Three Armies, some things on the march were not something he could easily change.

Of course, if he insisted on changing it, that could naturally be done.

But the results and troubles after a change are often unpredictable.

So when the urgent drumbeat sounded, Chen Wuji, despite being the commander, hurried out of the beauty's quarters like a raw recruit, quickly washed up, and under Qin Zanhong's service put on his armor.

When the sky was still dim, the soldiers who had finished breakfast struck camp and set out.

The mighty army marched like a black cloud in the morning light, passing through Dingzhou's land, crossing the orderly fields and the not-so-dense villages, reaching Andi City at nightfall.

Upon hearing the news, Dingzhou Civil and Military came out thirty li outside Dingzhou City to welcome them.

The reception was grand, and the scale of the feast was equally grand.

The copper coins were brought over in whole cartloads.

But they had done something very impolite: upon meeting, one group came to see Chen Wuji while another group, with many servants, had already begun distributing things to the soldiers.

Naturally, none of the soldiers dared to accept.

Even if some soldiers had instinctively reached out, upon seeing the situation they immediately pulled their hands back.

All the soldiers were looking at their superiors, and all those gazes finally converged on Chen Li, Xie Fengxian, and the others.

Chen Wuji waved at Hu Bu Gui and said, "General Hu, who are these people?"

"They are all Dingzhou Civil and Military and the local gentry," Hu Bu Gui said.

He actually also saw this embarrassment, even saying it was highly offensive, and was hesitating whether to step forward to take responsibility and apologize.

This matter could be big or small, depending on how Chen Wuji viewed these gentry.

If he disliked them, he could directly pick a fight.

Without asking the commander, privately providing a feast is tantamount to taking silver from someone's pocket without permission; the act itself is minor, but the offense is great.

As Hu Bu Gui hesitated, he heard Chen Wuji say in a low voice, "Dingzhou is still wealthy; this generous hand is truly lavish, making me feel honored and startled."

Upon hearing those words, Hu Bu Gui's scalp instantly went numb.

He just knew.

Given Chen Wuji's usual habits, he would certainly dislike these gentry.

"Country folk, ignorant of etiquette and inflexible; please, Commander, forgive us." Hu Bu Gui decided to say just that; if Chen Wuji insisted on pursuing it, he would no longer interfere.

If we were to really settle this matter down to Zi Chou Yin Mao, definitely a few people would have to die.

He could not possibly risk himself over the rudeness of a few people.

Some of Dingzhou's gentry really needed a good beating, and even a few deaths would be necessary.

"I really did see their lack of etiquette," Chen Wuji said lightly, "If General Hu weren't standing beside me right now, I would almost have thought they were trying to win over and subvert my troops."

Hu Bu Gui inwardly cursed, then forced himself to say, "Commander, I think they wouldn't dare have such an idea; perhaps it was just a momentary oversight."

While speaking, he quickly gave a glance to the Dingzhou Civil and Military beside him.

What a smart bunch—how could they be more dazed than him at a time like this?

At a time like this, why not hurry up and apologize instead of waiting for something else?

Waiting for them to praise you with a few words?!

Those Dingzhou Civil and Military and gentry also sensed that the atmosphere was off.

Of the things they offered, not a single soldier reached out to take them; they merely stared at them with indifferent gazes.

With ten thousand troops before them, this sense of oppression was truly too strong.

A group hurriedly apologized, back and forth explaining this small matter, thinking through everything they could and couldn't, as if they had considered every possibility.

Chen Wuji gave a light laugh, "Turns out I misunderstood—look, this misunderstanding really gave me a start just now. You all really are something, sending money and goods to my soldiers, yet almost causing trouble; if you had actually caused trouble, how unfair would that be!"

"Just accept it all, and properly thank the Dingzhou elders for their goodwill."

A group bent over and hurriedly said yes.

In just that moment, many people's faces were already sweating.

Chen Wuji and his followers exuded an oppression that was truly too strong.

Standing before them was like facing a sheer mountain rising thousands of feet.

Hu Bu Gui also breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Chen Wuji did not pursue the matter further.

Otherwise, as a surrendered general, his dignity today would likely be completely lost to his own old subordinates.

Silently keeping these people in mind, Hu Bu Gui decided to have a good talk with them during the investigation; having already offended Chen Wuji to his face, these people certainly deserved to die a few and to be made to bleed heavily.

Without having seen the commander or sought his permission, they arbitrarily decided to provide a feast; if they encountered a commander who cared even a little, this would actually be a serious taboo.

Upon receiving Chen Wuji's order, the soldiers finally reached out their hands.

The atmosphere once became extremely lively.

But only the soldiers who received the food and silver were happy.

The gentry who hauled cartloads of silver from their own storerooms here were not happy at all; they merely forced a smile, feeling inside as if they had drunk cold water, chilled from head to foot.

Having spent vast wealth on the feast, they not only failed to gain favor but also offended Chen Wuji; seeing the lively scene around them, several gentry involuntarily considered their own retreat—or... their aftermath.

They came to provide the feast only after gritting their teeth and enduring the pain of bleeding heavily upon learning of Chen Wuji's fearsome reputation abroad; who would have thought that merely because of a small mistake, it would turn out like this.

Given the circumstances, they this time were likely to suffer more misfortune than fortune.

After the consolation of the troops was finished, Chen Wuji entered Andi City accompanied by Dingzhou Civil and Military and the gentry.

As host, Hu Bu Gui arranged a place in the city to welcome and cleanse Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji, who had dozed on his saddle all day, upon arriving had no desire to eat; he now just wanted to lie down and sleep.

Even though his physique was quite good, not sleeping a night and then marching at high intensity all day would still be a bit too much for him to bear.

But we have to give face to the Dingzhou civil and military.

They came out thirty li from the city to greet him; he couldn't be so arrogant as to refuse to share a meal with them.

These people might be replaced later, but for now Chen Wuji still needs them to maintain Dingzhou's stability.

The dishes were soon served, and then came the drinks.

A large vat was carried in by three people and placed in the center of the hall; it looked like it was just a vat of water.

It's just that the wine is a bit strong.

Chen Wuji had never seen wine served in a vat before, and he was almost dumbfounded.

Damn it, Hu Bu Gui, what the hell are you up to?!