Chapter 724

Chen Wuji actually doesn't know much about the affairs of Rivers and Lakes.

One's energy is very limited.

When he puts his energy into the world, into the people, into having sufficient troops and grain, other matters are destined to become only minor embellishments.

Although he is not in the Rivers and Lakes, the Rivers and Lakes are still extensively entangled with him.

He simply doesn't want to, and can't be bothered to investigate these matters further.

In the instructor's theory of contradictions, there has long been a very clear directive regarding such matters.

One must clearly distinguish the principal contradiction from the secondary contradiction.

And in Chen Wuji's eyes, the Rivers and Lakes are merely a secondary contradiction.

When encountered, it should be dealt with, but there's no need to investigate it deeply, wasting too much energy on it.

No matter how large a Rivers and Lakes force, it is nothing before the government and a mighty army.

"This 'Divine Punishment' force is actually quite interesting," Chen Wuji said with a light smile, "With such a grand name, can they really live up to it?"

"Young Master, Divine Punishment is merely an insignificant small force, while Bu Yi Alley actually has some real strength," Kong Jianshi reminded again.

"I know, but this Divine Punishment has provoked me," Chen Wuji said.

Although he is not the type to seek revenge for every slight, these people have provoked him and are preparing to kill him; if he does nothing, wouldn't that appear weak?

"I understand, Sir, Lou Li will take Divine Punishment as the next target for eradication," Kong Jianshi said in a low voice.

Chen Wuji leisurely handled the fish, stringing them one by one on bamboo skewers over the fire, saying, "No need; I also want to see just how strong Nan Jun's government forces are now, so let them try their hand at this."

"Yes!"

"Wushuang, have you ascertained the location of Divine Punishment's headquarters and its main personnel?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Wushuang picked up the thick confession and glanced at it, "Yes."

"That's enough; later issue orders to the respective provinces to deal with Divine Punishment," Chen Wuji gave the order succinctly.

As for which province Divine Punishment is specifically in, how many people it has, he couldn't be bothered to ask.

For these matters, he only looks at the results.

If he doesn't see a satisfactory result, he'll cause trouble for the responsible province.

"As for this Bu Yi Alley..." Chen Wuji hesitated slightly about how to deal with this force.

An organization specializing in intelligence, with its people scattered throughout Nan Jun, scattering seeds everywhere, is actually somewhat unusual.

"Old Kong, first send someone to check whether Bu Yi Alley has any connection with the Snake Staff Elder, who uses the alias Huo Wudi," Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"

Chen Wuyi caught plenty of fish; if you want to eat, go roast your own—there's none for you here.

Everyone grinned, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Chen Li also didn't stand on ceremony, immediately calling for a fire to be lit and then proceeding to prepare the fish by the river.

The upturned-mouth fish is very tasty among river fish, fairly common, and relatively easy to catch.

But today Chen Wuji broke a major precedent.

This fish just isn't to his liking.

After the fish were grilled, as Chen Wuji was vengefully eating them, a scout came rushing in.

"Report!"

Reporting to my lord, suddenly enemy troops have crossed the river on the opposite bank, about a hundred vessels of various sizes, flags unclear, origin unknown—Bīngmǎ.

Chen Wuji stood up holding the grilled fish, walked to the bank, and looked upstream.

Indeed, at the bend of the great river, countless boats were drifting downstream.

The distance was somewhat far; those boats on the Milky Way stretch of water looked like tiny black dots.

Issue the order: the whole army on alert, Chen Wuyi, bring out the Shocking Heaven Thunder! Chen Wuji commanded.

"Yes!"

On the shore, against troops attempting to land, the Shocking Heaven Thunder is undoubtedly a formidable weapon.

There's no need to engage them head-on; just throw it.

"This fish is really not bad, Chen Wuyi, finish it and keep going," Chen Wuji praised.

Just as Chen Wuyi had been ordered to bring over the Shocking Heaven Thunder, he suddenly froze, "My lord, enemy troops are coming, and you're still fishing?"

He had already fished enough; he didn't want to do this anymore.

"It's fine; the enemy troops come with mighty vigor, while you sit steady on the fishing platform—this is how true heroism shows! If they really are enemies, seeing you like this will make them uneasy for a moment." Chen Wuji laughed.

Chen Wuyi: ……

He suspected the Family Head was stringing him along, but he had no evidence.

Left with no choice, he obediently complied, eating the grilled fish while sitting again on the riverside boulder, continuing as a fishing enthusiast.

Xu Zengyi saw this and said, "My lord, if we want to scare the enemy, General Chen Wuyi alone probably isn't enough; why not bring a few more people to sit where they're conspicuous?"

"That makes sense; whoever wants to fish, hurry up—there are still a few rods over there," Chen Wuji shouted.

Even if the enemy truly are troops, even if they have nearly a hundred boats, Chen Wuji isn't the slightest bit nervous about this battle; his mindset is as steady as an old dog.

With the Shocking Heaven Thunder in hand, this riverbank is an impregnable bronze wall and iron wall to that possibly enemy troop.

Kong Jianshi walked over, picked up a fishing rod, and immediately sat on the highest reef by the bank.

After all, a master is a master; the moment he sat there, his aura changed completely.

There was an ethereal, transcendent feeling, as if looking down on the mortal world.

"I'll give it a try too; it's been a long time since I've fished," Xu Zengyi said.

Chen Wuji called out to the Personal Guard, "Anyone else want to have some fun? Hurry up!"

From the Personal Guard, several people immediately stepped forward.

My lord, let us try.

Try, whoever catches the most fish gets a reward!

A great battle is imminent, yet a row of fishermen sit by the river.

Chen Wuji walked over to Xu Zengyi's side, sat down calmly, and asked, "Sir, do you think this navy resembles an enemy?"

"Yes, but if our lord does not begrudge the Shocking Heaven Thunder, they are indeed nothing to worry about," Xu Zengyi said.

Chen Wuji said regretfully, "Actually, I am a bit envious of their ships, but it's a pity—boarding to fight would be too disadvantageous for us; it would be more cost-effective to simply use the Shocking Heaven Thunder."

"We must adapt to the situation. If we can hurt them, there might be a chance to persuade them to surrender," Xu Zengyi said, as the fishing line jerked violently and a fish hooked.

Chen Wuji's mood instantly turned sour.

These fish that look down on people, damn it!

When others fish, the fish bite the hook frantically, but when it's his turn, he doesn't even glance at it.

Report!

The scout came rushing in again.

"Report to my lord, the flags of the river navy are now clear—they bear the character Chen! They are our army's flags!"

Chen Wuji laughed heartily, "All this tension for nothing—the Chen flag should belong to Chen Wu Yin."

At this moment, the outlines of those large ships could already be faintly seen.

First came three two-deck tower ships, followed by a vast multitude of war ships.

This is no ordinary fleet; it is a true navy.

Tower ships combined with war ships constitute the most typical and common naval formation of this era.

"Does Songzhou even have a navy?" Chen Wuji wondered, having never heard of such a thing.