Chapter 699

"Yingzui Ridge..."

Lü Ji muttered softly, "Near Songzhou there are no other forces; Yu Ren and the Qiang People have teamed up, it's entirely possible."

Chen Wuji also felt this speculation had some merit.

However, his current focus is what is loaded on the wagon.

Yu Ren wants to know where to send those supplies; following the traces will reveal it—just a bit of trouble, not a big problem.

But what is loaded on the wagon concerns the relationship between him and the other side.

"Send someone to measure how deep the wheels sank. Also, send someone to the supply camp to ask whether our grain wagons sank when passing this stretch, and how deep." Chen Wuji suddenly ordered.

The army encamps; covering up traces is a necessary task.

Now, to find their traces on the road, one must go more than ten li out.

Chen Wuji can only send someone to ask the supply camp personnel whether they paid close attention.

Chen Li replied, after arranging people to do this task, he then asked doubtfully: "Family Head, what's the significance of measuring the wheel depth?"

"Estimate what exactly is being pulled in those wagons." Chen Wuji said.

Scouts find it difficult to get close enough to inspect what those wagons carry.

This can only test Chen Wuji's math ability.

Chen Li suddenly realized: "Our grain wagons left no traces on this stretch; when we entered the mountains, I happened to notice. Recently the weather has been dry, with not a drop of rain, so there are no deep traces on the road."

"Our grain wagons carry thirty dan of rice and beans, leaving no clear traces on the road; what are these cavalry pulling that could exceed thirty dan?" Chen Wuji picked up a stick and noted the number on the ground.

Lü Ji hesitated, then said: "My lord, it's... wagons."

Chen Wuji flicked his hand, tossing the stick into the fire.

What a pointless calculation, take a break!

Wagons and their donkey carts used for transporting grain are inherently different; load capacity is not comparable. Although wagons are large, if used to carry goods, they are actually inferior to donkey carts.

In other words, they are pulling less volume but greater weight.

This problem no longer needs solving.

Grain is already heavy, but what their wagons pull is even heavier.

This range is actually easy to guess.

"What the other side is pulling is nothing more than ingots of iron, gold, silver, copper, and the like." Chen Wuji said.

"These items, whichever they are, are very crucial supplies. Yu Ren and the person he is sending the goods with either have deep cooperation or are engaged in a transaction."

Pass the order: extend the scouts' patrol range by another ten li.

This suddenly appearing cavalry may have other reasons behind it.

Before the two armies, any piece of information must not be taken lightly; perhaps it could be an opportunity for defeat.

Of course, it could also become an opportunity they missed for victory.

Lü Ji quickly finished the river fish in his hand, stuck the bamboo skewer aside, clapped his hands, and stared at the piece of fish Chen Li had just picked up.

Chen Li stared for a moment, smiled speechlessly, "Here, here, here, take it!"

"Thanks! General Chen's grilled fish tastes really good." Lü Ji laughed, grinning.

Chen Li shook his head, "Don't flatter me; the lord prepared the seasoning."

"My lord actually knows culinary arts; truly, one move connects to another, we can't even keep up by flattering." Lü Ji said in astonishment, his expression slightly exaggerated.

Chen Wuji glanced, "Lay off the flattery, eat the fish while it's hot."

Lü Ji gave an embarrassed smile, was about to take a bite, then his expression changed slightly: "My lord, if this cavalry's wagons are carrying gold, silver, copper, or the like, why should we let them pass? Wouldn't intercepting them be better?"

"Intercept!" Chen Wuji ordered.

He would never admit that he just overlooked this point.

This is truly foolish; what's the point of guessing anymore?

No matter whose convoy it is, or where they're sending it, just intercept and interrogate; everything will become clear.

Sometimes people make careless mistakes; negligence is common.

Even Guan Er ye lost Jingzhou through carelessness.

Fortunately, Lü Ji reacted in time.

"Deputy General, I'll go now!"

Lü Ji stood up, went to Chen Li's side, snatched the grilled fish Chen Li had just picked up, and walked off.

Hey!

Chen Li shouted, speechlessly laughing, "I never realized this person could be like this; usually he's not so gloomy, what's gotten into him today?"

"Perhaps it's because Xie Fengxian and Tang Yu aren't here, allowing General Lu to finally show his abilities." Chen Wuji laughed heartily, "I heard General Lu received a family letter today; he must have some happy news."

Joy shows on the brows; even a steady person becomes a bit more lively.

Chen Li gave a dry laugh, shook his head, glanced at Chen Wuji, then said solemnly: "General Yang sent Tang Yu to lead troops to assist, but didn't set a date; Family Head, what arrangements do you have for him next?"

This question left Chen Wuji somewhat bewildered: "What other arrangements could I have? Let Tang Yu go back whenever he wants."

"Tang Yu is indeed a brave general!" Chen Li implied.

Chen Wuji understood his meaning: "He is indeed a brave general, but we can't poach him."

"I have previously hinted at this to Tang Yu; do you know what reply he gave? He said he regards Yang Yu as a father-son bond, and thanks to Yang Yu's kindness he has his current position. Let this matter drop; Yang Yu sent people to assist, while we think of digging into their wall—it's hardly moral either."

As for Tang Yu, this brave general, Chen Wuji saying he isn't covetous would be false.

But the matter cannot be done, so we can only let it rest.

Chen Li added a few sticks of firewood to the fire, then said slowly: "Nan Jun only has this one prefecture left; if the Qiang threat disappears, Yang Jinglve will surely become the greatest threat to the lord's southern flank. This person is deep‑minded, scheming step by step; such a person's feelings are thinnest, and one never knows when he might turn against us."

This problem, Chen Wuji has not only considered, but even discussed in detail with Xu Zengyi.

"This matter, no need to rush for now." Chen Wuji waved his hand.

The Qiang people's threat isn't that easy to resolve; Nan Jun needs to rest and recuperate next; it's not advisable to launch large-scale warfare again. During this period, Yang Yu won't do anything, and as for what comes later, it shouldn't become something we need to worry about now.

Keep a careful eye, stay alert a bit; not letting your guard down is enough. Eleventh Uncle, you should relax a little; you don't speak much each day, but you have a lot on your mind, which can easily make you sick.

Chen Liqian chuckled, "Just thinking a bit more."

The Family Head has just begun to rise; the road ahead is heavy and long, I dare not be the slightest bit lax. If I could sacrifice my life to help the Family Head firmly establish itself in Nan Jun, shake Nanjiang, I would die without regret.

Chen Wuji advised, "Eleventh Uncle, you shouldn't think that way; such a bright future—how could we not take a look?"