Chapter 635

Forget it, then choose Silver.

Chen Wuji thought it over, but still gave in to money.

He now commands Bīngmǎ far exceeding a hundred thousand; earning an extra tael of Silver brings an extra tael's benefit, so there's no need to act on a moment's anger—flattening the wheels only relieves frustration; everything else can be said to be purely negative.

Earning Silver is still more reliable.

There are many ways to exterminate their tribe; my lord need not affect your reputation over this." Xu Zengyi then added softly, with a hint of curiosity asking, "My lord, what are you gathering these things for? Can they be eaten?"

You haven't eaten it?" Chen Wuji asked in surprise.

Xu Zengyi shook his head: "I've heard this kind of thing is mostly poisonous; I dare not try it lightly, and I rarely see ordinary people eating it."

No wonder it's all over the mountain; what a waste of a delicious bite." Chen Wuji said, "This chicken-leg mushroom—I guarantee that after you try it once, you'll never forget it."

Xu Zengyi laughed: "Then today I'll have to try my lord's cooking."

My family runs a Tavern; sir, do you still doubt my cooking?" Chen Wuji asked with a laugh.

I almost forgot about that." Xu Zengyi shook his head, chuckling, "Since it's tasty, why not give the troops an extra meal?"

We can let everyone pick some first; I'll try it myself, and if there's no problem, then give it to the troops." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi stared wide-eyed at Chen Wuji: "My lord, you don't even know if this is edible? You want to test poison yourself?"

Sure." Chen Wuji said, "I'm just not sure whether the chicken-leg mushrooms growing here differ from the ones I know; but likely there's no problem."

Don't look at me like that; even if it's poisonous, it would just cause a brief dizziness, nothing serious. I can handle a little dizziness myself, but if the whole army gets dizzy, that's a problem.

Xu Zengyi was silent for a moment, then said, "My lord… this… chicken leg, chicken-leg mushroom?"

Hmm.

My lord, is this chicken-leg mushroom truly something we must eat?

Chen Wuji nodded firmly, "Indeed we must eat it; I've been craving it for a long time."

Xu Zengyi: ……

Don't worry, I'm just being cautious; this chicken-leg mushroom is exactly the same as the one I know, so it shouldn't be poisonous." Chen Wuji said.

... Alright." Xu Zengyi agreed reluctantly.

On this slope, chicken-leg mushrooms are almost overflowing; in no time Chen Wuji gathered a large pile, washed them, tore them into strips, and threw them straight into the pot to stew.

There are many ways to eat chicken-leg mushrooms, but Chen Wuji prefers to stew them into soup.

When I was young, with limited means, a bowl of chicken-leg mushroom soup soaked with flatbread could make a meal.

Moreover, the mushroom itself is extremely fresh; it needs hardly any seasoning—just a pinch of salt will do.

Today's chicken-leg mushroom meal, he must use it to recall his childhood.

Is this enough?" Xu Zengyi asked, staring at the iron pot bubbling and steaming.

Having finished cooking simply, Chen Wuji, sitting cross-legged to the side sipping tea, nodded: "Good ingredients often need only the plainest cooking; trust me, after this meal you'll never forget it."

This cooking method is indeed quite plain." Xu Zengyi sighed.

Wash, tear, dump in the pot and stew—there's hardly any cooking skill involved.

After the soup in the pot boiled, its aroma wafted out.

Xu Zengyi sniffed, "This smell is indeed fresh."

It's even fresher to eat." Chen Wuji laughed.

Several Cavalry came galloping from the southern slope, their Command Flag fluttering left and right with their movements, signaling urgently.

Report!

The Knight charged straight in, riding all the way to within ten steps of Chen Wuji before dismounting.

Reporting, Commander: the Qiang People have set up camp at the foot of Wuyang, split their forces into two routes—one scattering everywhere to loot villages, the other heading for Wuyang City; enemy numbers unknown, I've sent scouts toward Wuyang City." The Scout reported, panting.

The frantic rush left his face covered in sweat, layered like salt crystals.

Chen Wuji nodded, "You've worked hard; go rest."

Yes!

The Scout, supporting his lower back, rose and took his leave.

Chen Wuji looked at Xu Zengyi: "As you predicted, hardly any difference. Lü Ji and the Qiang People seem to be marching one after another; this city defense may turn into an encounter battle."

Lü Ji should be able to hold the situation." Xu Zengyi said.

Let's keep an eye on that side for now." Chen Wuji murmured, "We still need to wait a day."

After a day of forced marching, the troops' bodies could barely take it.

Otherwise, given Chen Wuji's nature, he'd want to charge straight into Qiang Ren Da Ying right now.

Although Chen Wuji didn't say it outright, Xu Zengyi fully understood his meaning: 'My lord, Sharpening Knives doesn't delay the woodcutter; though the people suffer from raids and none feel happy, we must not rush into battle.'

I know, the soup's ready—drink up." Chen Wuji set down the teacup he was toying with, picked up the bowl and chopsticks beside him, and first served Xu Zengyi a bowl.

Xu Zengyi looked at the bowl placed before him, paused, then shook his head: "The first sip of this soup, I'd say it's actually better than yours."

I zoned out, forgot—this bowl is mine; you guys just look on the side." Chen Wuji realized, took back the bowl he'd offered, sat cross-legged, and started eating.

The soup was fresh, the mushrooms tender, and Chen Wuji tasted the flavor of his childhood.

But it lacked the feeling he had as a child, when a single sip would make his whole body and soul seem to brighten—probably due to the bad news he'd just heard.

When one's mood is poor, even the finest food loses much of its flavor.

After eating a few mushroom bites and sipping some soup, Chen Wuji crumbled his flatbread and soaked it in.

This is the typical way he ate as a child; the taste is exactly the same, but the feeling is quite different.

The place has changed, and so has the person.

Xu Zengyi rose and fixed himself a bowl: "If it's poisonous, I'll share the poison with my lord."

Just eat it, it's fine—just that flavor." Chen Wuji said.

Chen Wuyi and the others then began to eat.

Only Chen Li remained motionless; he still stood there silently like a pillar.

Only after everyone had nearly finished their meal, and still nothing unusual had occurred, did he finally serve himself a bowl.

Chen Wuji didn't eat happily, but he ate comfortably.

He ate two bowls in succession, then set his bowl and chopsticks aside.

The taste of a proper, orthodox childhood.

But he was preoccupied with the war at the front, and his childhood memories didn't really surface.