Chapter 631

"Dingzhou is small but populous, and it is mainly dominated by families and gentry. Big families, in order to guarantee their own strength and to compete with nearby villages for land and water sources, have always placed great importance on ancestral worship." Chen Luozi said, "The local customs here are prone to fighting, and it is common for big-surname families to go to war."

"Even between big-surname families and the gentry, armed clashes sometimes occur. General Hu Bu Gui previously said that Dingzhou's gentry don't have many bad things; I actually had doubts about that at the time, but after learning more today I roughly understand the reason."

"The gentry of Dingzhou do not possess the great strength and influence of other places; their position is threatened not only by other gentry but also by numerous big-surname families."

"Chen Wuji nodded, 'It seems our previous understanding was still too one-sided; Hu Bu Gui didn't lie at all, but if we don't understand those things he said in person, we will always lack them.'"

"So, what you just meant is that they have as many children as they can?"

"Indeed." Chen Luozi gave a dry laugh, "Can't you understand?"

"Yes, I just can't figure it out." Chen Wuji said.

"There's nothing about this that can't be understood."

"Families or households raising sons solely for their own strength is all too common and easy to understand."

"What Chen Wuji truly can't understand is that the family's managers should not overlook the issue of food."

"Of course, it's also possible they considered it but simply don't care."

"After all, in this era human lives really aren't worth much."

"Adding deep-rooted family values, sacrificing for the family in exchange for ancestral worship seems normal to many, as exemplified by the Chen clan."

"For the rise of this generation, the two preceding generations have always sacrificed in obscurity."

"'That's just how things are; what's there to not understand? Shall I continue?' Chen Luozi laughed."

"'Hmm, go on.'"

"Chen Luozi rubbed his brow, 'Where was I? Never mind, I'll just say it.'"

"'Let's talk about these big-surname families: they have the clan members keep having children; the benefit is they raise the kids with the whole clan's strength, but the drawback is that more and more people can't get enough to eat.'"

"'Joining the army to receive rations or becoming a wandering peddler has become many people's choice; I just asked, and eighty percent of the peddlers in Nan Jun come from Dingzhou.'"

"He laughed and said, 'So Family Head, think about it: our army camp provides three meals a day, and every few days there's meat in the bowl. Rewards and punishments are clear; earn Military Merit and you get real silver and gold stipends as well as an official post—how great an attraction must that be for them?'"

"'What about revenge? Harmed by the Qiang People?' Chen Wuji asked."

"'Yes!' Chen Luozi nodded, 'Dingzhou and Yushan Prefecture have been fighting the Qiang People for many years; many surrendered soldiers joined the army because their families were killed by the Qiang People.'"

"Chen Wuji let out a breath, 'However many there are, just assign them one by one. Prioritize selection for the central army, then have the other armies select simultaneously; let's settle this today and enter Yushan Prefecture tomorrow.'"

"'Won't simultaneous selection lead to a fight?' Chen Luozi asked."

"Chen Wuji glanced sideways, 'Uncle Nine, don't pull this on me—how could simultaneous selection cause a fight? Just have the surrendered soldiers line up and have the units take them in order.'"

"'That's actually a good plan.' Chen Luozi joked, 'Compared to the Regional Inspector Commander, I have no cleverness at all—I'm as stupid as a pig.'"

"You're really annoying, hurry up and work, my Lao Jiu uncle." Chen Wuji stood up, gave Chen Luozi's shoulder a firm pat, "I still have things to do, I'm leaving first."

"'You'd better keep an eye out—what else could you possibly be up to?' Chen Luozi shouted."

"Chen Wuji smiled calmly, 'Go check out the local customs of Andi. With Uncle Nine holding the fort here, this little matter is nothing—whether I'm here or not makes no difference.'"

"Chen Luozi: ……"

"'Next time, before you want to steal half a day of leisure, please find a better excuse so I can accept it a little more easily.' Chen Luozi shouted glumly."

"'Alright, next I'll give Uncle Nine a death order!' Chen Wuji laughed, 'Uncle Nine is getting on in years—how can he keep forgetting that I'm not just the Family Head now, but also the Regional Inspector Commander?'"

"'Then I'll resign my post!'"

"'Not allowed; if you want to resign, you have to go see the Emperor—asking me is useless.'"

"Chen Luozi: ……"

"He experienced the feeling of being slapped in the face for the first time in his life."

"It feels awful!"

"Chen Wuji left the army camp and strolled leisurely into the city."

"He came a little late last night and still couldn't make out what Andi City actually looks like."

"Although Chen Luozi was extremely displeased with Chen Wuji's excuse, Chen Wuji's going out for a stroll wasn't entirely just for fun—checking out the local customs really is also a proper matter."

"The local customs of a place can actually reveal a lot."

"Just as he entered the city, Chen Wuji bumped head-on into Hu Bu Gui, who was hastily leading a group out of the city."

"'Greetings, Regional Inspector Commander!'"

"Hu Bu Gui led the group and bowed deeply to Chen Wuji."

"Chen Wuji stopped, 'General Hu, you're in such a hurry—what are you off to do?'"

"'I've come to see the Regional Inspector Commander.' Hu Bu Gui said."

"'See me? What for?' Chen Wuji said, somewhat surprised."

"Hu Bu Gui said solemnly, 'Regional Inspector Commander, Wuyang Pass has just sent an urgent report: the Qiang People have raised ten thousand troops and laid siege to the pass; the war situation is critical—please issue orders promptly, Regional Inspector Commander.'"

"'No matter how urgent, it's not urgent right now—come back with me to Daying.' Chen Wuji turned and headed toward the army camp outside the city, 'Someone, go ahead and beat the drum to summon the generals.'"

"'Yes!'"

"Chen Wuji strode quickly, meanwhile asking fast, 'Which unit of the Qiang People attacked the pass?'"

"'Zhong Qiang!' Hu Bu Gui said."

"'Where is Wuyang Pass?'"

"'Southwest.'"

"'It's not on our route south this time, is it?'"

"'No, it's a bit to the north.'"

"Chen Wuji's steps suddenly halted, 'Ten thousand troops—is that for real?'"

"'Wuyang Pass is a strategic point; its commander is an Old Veteran I personally selected from my subordinates, whose character I know fairly well—he couldn't possibly lie about this.' Hu Bu Gui said with absolute certainty, 'If he says ten thousand, then it must be ten thousand—no less, possibly more.'"

"Chen Wuji's brows furrowed, 'Strange, where did Zhong Qiang conjure up ten thousand Bīngmǎ from?'"

"'Before our army attacked Yushan Prefecture, there was not a whisper, and then in just a few days out of nowhere ten thousand Bīngmǎ appeared—did the heavens drop ten thousand little Qiang rascals?'"

This matter seems a bit strange.

Hu Bu Gui said: "News from the western part of Yushan Prefecture has been scarce for us lately, but scarce as it is, such a major disturbance would definitely be heard."

Regional Commander, I suspect they came rushing to launch a surprise attack on Dingzhou! The Qiang people have always been adept at this tactic; their approach with 100,000 troops and with 10,000 troops is hardly different.