Chapter 747: Xi Leng's Defection

Regarding the Qiang people, Chen Wuji never trusted them.

These people fear power but not virtue.

The nature of this race is like a poisonous snake.

Only after being beaten do they lower their heads and feign obedience, but once they regain strength they will instantly erupt.

Xi Leng's current honesty, in Chen Wuji's eyes, is all pretense.

He seemed to have said a lot, but he hardly mentioned anything essential.

The Qiang Alliance and Yu Ren colluded to invade Nan Jun; a little thought shows the conclusion of dividing and governing Nan Jun.

This hardly needs him wasting his breath to say.

Xi Leng fell silent for a moment, then said again: "Zhong Qiang wishes to establish a state in Nan Jun, with Zhong Qiang's Great Shi Bi Bai Shi as state preceptor and leader Dian Ge as the first ruler."

They have coaxed a few small tribes, combined forces of about two hundred thousand, but after clashing with General Chen, Zhong Qiang's forces have dwindled to less than thirty percent. Yet their desire to found a state remains unchanged, unaffected by this.

Chen Wuji raised his eyebrows: "So you mean Zhong Qiang's founding a state and the Qiang Alliance are not the same thing?"

"No, Zhong Qiang and the leagues attached to him are part of the Qiang Alliance." Xi Leng explained, "The reason the Qiang allied is fundamentally due to that strategist beside Yu Ren; of course, the Qiang also have their own desires."

"As for how to divide the post-war Nan Jun lands, this is still under discussion; before our troops march out, no result has been settled. Zhong Qiang demands too much, and the other tribes are unwilling."

Chen Wuji gave Xi Leng a cold glance: "Elder Xi Leng, organize your words and say something I truly care about; I already know all you've said."

Xi Leng's expression flickered; he clasped his hands and asked sincerely: "I don't know what General Chen wishes to learn. I thought these were important to him; otherwise I truly don't know what else is urgent."

"Please, General Chen, believe my sincere defection; I don't want to return to that cage—give me a death sentence if you must, just spare me further torment; I can't bear it any longer."

Chen Wuji let out a soft snort: "Don't play these useless tricks with me!"

"Chen Wuyi, give him paper and pen, let him write down what he knows, including important figures in the Qiang, upcoming troop deployments, and their ultimate intentions, and so on!"

"'Yes!' Chen Wuyi replied."

"'Elder Xi Leng, if what you write doesn't satisfy me, you'll spend the rest of your life in a stable,' Chen Wuji said coldly."

He really had no interest in wasting more words with this guy.

All this talk is useless; chatting with him is purely a waste of time.

Xi Leng was taken aside by Chen Wuyi, who silently wrote down what he knew.

"'Old Thirteen, is that Great Linglu still holding out?' Chen Wuji asked."

Chen Wu Yin is number thirteen among the MainVein brothers.

However, his name and rank usually appear only in formal settings; privately he is called only Xiong Paozi.

Chen Wuji often calls him that too, but now perhaps we should change it.

After all, he is a great general commanding an army; constantly shouting 'Xiong Paozi' loses face and sounds unpleasant.

Chen Wu Yin raised his head and sneered: "My lord, that kid is a talent; I don't see him as stubbornly resisting, but rather enjoying it. On the first day he wailed and howled there, cursing us, but these past two days he's been quiet and compliant—too perfect."

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched sharply: "Can anyone actually enjoy this?"

This news somewhat challenges his worldview.

He simply couldn't imagine it.

How could anyone possibly enjoy that?

That's a warhorse, not a gentle‑waisted girl in a brothel.

That's truly absurd.

"'Who knows? Anyway, I see he's genuinely enjoying it,' Chen Wu Yin said with a sideways grin."

Chen Wuji shook his head, took a sip of tea, and suppressed his surprise.

Just hearing it made his whole body break out in gooseflesh.

Not long after, Xi Leng's statement was finished.

Chen Wuji picked it up and glanced; he was somewhat surprised.

This old fellow's writing is actually quite solid.

From how many divisions the Qiang Alliance has, total troop strength, who the leaders are, what their next strategy is, who commands the troops, which road they take to Zhuque City, and so on—every detail was written down.

After reading it, Chen Wuji asked strangely: "Why didn't you say these earlier?"

"'I thought what I said before was what mattered most to General Chen,' Xi Leng said; he wasn't making things up, he truly believed that."

He just didn't expect that Chen Wuji already knew all that.

Chen Wuji put away the statement, studied Xi Leng seriously, and asked: "What do you want?"

Regarding this person, he suddenly had a different thought.

"'I don't know what General Chen can give me,' Xi Leng asked anxiously."

He no longer remembered how long it had been since he felt nervous.

It seemed like ages ago.

But right now he is very nervous.

More nervous than the sum of all his nervousness in this life.

He truly came today seeking death, but if there were a chance to survive, he would prefer that.

Being able to live well, nobody wants to die.

But he knows this possibility is extremely low, minuscule.

Chen Wuji pondered for a moment, then said: "For now, follow the army and handle Council Army affairs, overseeing the war against the Qiang."

Upon hearing this, several people in the tent were somewhat surprised.

Xi Leng's face showed utter disbelief.

He thought that even if Chen Wuji didn't kill him, he would surely be made a slave, kept nearby to suffer humiliation; he dared not imagine holding an office under Chen Wuji—it was too fantastical.

But Chen Wuji actually gave it to him.

Besides, he also serves in the Council Army, i. e., as an assistant military officer.

Even if he only handles warfare against the Qiang People, it is still the post of assistant military officer, an official position with considerable authority in the army.

"Thank... General, for your mercy of not killing!"

Xi Leng's expression was complex, but his tears fell uncontrollably.

This traitor, he seems to have no choice but to reluctantly accept the role.

He does not want to die, nor does he want to suffer those inhuman torments again.

It's not that he has let down the tribe; it's simply that Chen Wuji is too ruthless.

This really cannot be blamed on him; he has already done his best.

"Without a doubt, give Xi Leng Elder — no, nowadays he should be called Xi Leng Assistant Military Officer." Chen Wuji laughed, "Assign a few aides to Xi Leng Assistant Military Officer, then take him to persuade his nephew."

Xi Leng straightened his waist slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "I, your humble subordinate, will surely not betray the General's trust; I will definitely handle this task well and persuade Shi Er to pledge allegiance to the General."

"Go on, first have a good meal, rest, the task is not urgent." Chen Wuji said with an easygoing smile.