Chapter 729

In the pleasant spring scenery of the mountains and fields, several personal guards spread out mats under a large willow tree, then set up a table, lit a fire for Chen Wuji's favorite clay stove, and boiled mountain spring water to make tea.

Chen Wuji and Chen Li walked over slowly, and after taking their seats, Chen Li advised: "Family Head, the jianghu forces should not be underestimated either; we must treat them with caution."

"In Nan Jun, the manpower of some jianghu forces is not inferior to that of a prefecture's provincial troops, and their combat strength even surpasses the provincial troops. Those recruited by these jianghu forces are all vigorous martial artists; though they know nothing of military strategy or battle formations, their individual bravery is flourishing, each being capable of taking on ten opponents."

"These people acting so frenzied today likely hide a greater conspiracy behind them."

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod, saying, "Although I look down on them, I haven't gone so far as to completely despise them."

When facing any enemy, Chen Wuji never had the fault of being overly contemptuous.

This is the instructor's teaching.

Before, Chen Wuji merely knew those words and understood their meaning.

But since he took command of the troops, every word the instructor said has been rapidly increasing in value.

What he looks down on is merely the methods these jianghu forces employ; however, he does not underestimate these people.

Jianghu forces are mobile and flexible; they can be said to gather like a ball of fire, and when they disperse they become ordinary people.

Dealing with them is actually more difficult than fighting those local powers.

"Nan Jun is originally a place where fish and dragons mingle; the jianghu forces are even more rampant, and it's to be expected that they would be somewhat strong." Chen Wuji said, "For now, let whatever comes come; we'll meet soldiers with generals and water with earth."

He also had no other tricks.

The orders to the various prefectures have already been issued, and the manpower of the Ciji Zhai has also begun to move.

But these matters all need a little time, need a process.

In the short term, it's impossible to bring him any good news.

"Family Head, no matter how many personnel the jianghu forces mobilize, they remain jianghu forces; before my resplendent military might, their meager strength is not worth a glance. As long as the Family Head does not detach from the main army and act alone, his safety should be assured." Chen Li's face grew slightly solemn.

"I merely suspect that the jianghu forces' frenzy today is in support of Yu Ren."

Chen Wuyi raised his eyebrows slightly, "Supporting Yu Ren?"

"Without solid evidence, I merely have this suspicion." Chen Li said.

Chen Wuji nodded thoughtfully, "After careful consideration, it indeed seems to have some meaning in that regard. Leaving other things aside, just the Bu Yi Alley jianghu force has a bit of this inclination."

"Bu Yi Alley seems very much the work of the Snake Staff Elder, and he himself is now mingling with the Qiang People. If there is a direct connection between the Qiang People, Yu Ren, and the jianghu of this Nan Jun region……"

"The jianghu forces handle intelligence and assassination, while the aristocratic clans behind them provide grain and funds; Yu Ren and the Qiang People take charge of the main army. If we calculate this way, their scheme can be described as very tight, an all‑directional attempt to put me to death."

"I never expected that at this juncture, when Nan Jun is about to be fully recovered, I would actually seem to have become the enemy of the entire Nan Jun."

Chen Li chuckled, "Family Head, saying that is somewhat exaggerated; I think calling them the last counter‑strike would be more appropriate. When the lords of Nan Jun rose up together and each fought for himself, these people each made their own choices, making it hard to unite them into a single rope."

"Now the Family Head is about to unify Nan Jun, and since he takes the common folk as his base, showing no leniency toward the aristocratic clans that harm and exploit the people, these people are surely anxious, placing their last hope on Yu Ren, lavishly staking their fortunes, hoping that Yu Ren can turn the tide."

Chen Wuji nodded, "What Shi Yi Shu said is very reasonable."

"Then the current problem is, besides the most direct purpose of assassinating me, what other use can this frantic counter‑strike of the jianghu forces have for Yu Ren and the Qiang People?"

Yu Ren and the Qiang People are currently laying out a great formation on Yu Gong Shan for him; even if they receive the news and rush over now, he has already completed the contraction of his forces and entered Zhuque City.

The distance from Yu Gong Shan to Zhuque City is far greater than the distance from Chen Wuji's current location.

"Family Head, you should ask Mr. Xu about this!" Chen Li said.

"You go first, Shi Yi Shu; you're not an outsider, so why do you always hide your opinions? You are now the main commander of the central army; you can't keep playing this game." Chen Wuji reminded him.

Chen Li's habit of staying silent when unnecessary is highly improper.

"Family Head, you really wronged me; I'm not hiding anything, I truly don't understand." Chen Li said with a bitter smile, "I have studied battle formations in depth, so I can be said to have a little insight, but as for strategic planning ability, I truly only have a slight grasp."

"When I have a slight feeling, my guesses might be a bit more accurate; but if I have no feeling, and you ask me to speak, I actually don't know what to say. My strategic planning, shamefully speaking, seems to be just going by feeling."

"In this regard, Lao San and Lao Jiu are much stronger than I am, but when it comes to deploying troops and arranging formations, neither of them compares to me."

Chen Wuji chuckled, "Could it be that I've been getting it wrong all along?"

"It's definitely the Family Head who's gotten it wrong."

"Regardless of whether there's been a mistake, Shi Yi Shu, go ahead and state your guess; you do have a feeling today, don't you?" Chen Wuji said with a light smile.

The water in the clay stove boiled, bubbling and steaming.

Chen Wuji picked it up and poured two cups, handing one to Chen Li.

In these mountains and fields, the aroma of the tea seemed to have grown richer.

Chen Wuji used to disdain the affectation of scholars and literati, who had to pick a special place just to drink tea or alcohol; only now did he realize that they truly know how to enjoy themselves.

Chen Li took the tea cup, sat cross‑legged, and then said, "Family Head, you insist I speak, but I feel there's a problem; yet I really can't think of what the problem is, so I can only spout a few nonsense sentences."

"The fundamental purpose of the jianghu forces should still be assassination; secondly, it might be to delay our army's advance, buying time for the Qiang People and Yu Ren."

"Could there be such a possibility?" Chen Wuji muttered softly.

"Perhaps." Chen Li said, "The Qiang People are all cavalry, each with two horses, capable of rapid marches; it's not impossible. They can cover in one day a distance that our army would need more than two days to travel."

Chen Wuji lowered his head in thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Since this is possible, we should guard against it—loose outside, tight inside, always ready to repel the enemy. In the forthcoming march, the cavalry under Wu Yin and the central army will advance separately, keeping a certain distance in parallel lines, and then we will place the scouts……"

Chen Wuji paused mid‑sentence, "Shi Yi Shu, do you think it's possible that the purpose of these jianghu forces acting so frenzied is to block our army's scouts?"

He had merely had a flash of inspiration, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt this could be possible.