Chapter 754: with translation of chapter title

Lu Ji rose from his seat, clasped his hands and said: "Reporting to my lord, Deputy General has divided troops into three routes to guard the grain supply line; one route wanders between Qingzhou and Songzhou, specifically tasked with suppressing bandits along the way and dealing with the Qiang Cavalry."

Chen Wu Yin

Lu Ji's plan for escorting the grain and grass, Chen Wuji and Xu Zengyi had already seen it earlier; at the time they also thought it was fine, but now the Qiang People have come up and their troops pressured outside the city by ten li—such a tumultuous momentum means we cannot be overconfident.

Lu Ji

"If we could wipe out the Qiang People's cavalry outside, perhaps it would go more smoothly, but we cannot guarantee against accidents. The Qiang People have advanced ten li, and to attack the city with such a tumultuous momentum is rarely seen; this matter requires another arrangement."

the humble general

General Qian

General Hu

Commander

Hu Bu Gui Gan

Yu Ren

Qian Fugui

Chen Wuyi

Qin Zhanhong

Linglu

Qiang People

Qiang Cavalry

Army

"20,000 troops are used for escorting the grain and grass; unless the Qiang People mobilize more than half of their forces, by rights there should be no danger, but after all considerations, still just in case—this way, you two bring along another half of the Shocking Heaven Thunder!" Chen Wuji thought it over, then added more.

Warhorse

Heaven-shaking thunder

Personal Guard

He Yuan

Rui Wang Fu

Xishan Village

Qingzhou

"Taking this opportunity, let's also assign the duty of guarding the city." Chen Wuji raised his wine cup, took a sip, and asked Xu Zengyi, "Sir, with 80,000 troops crowded inside the city, is there any place to accommodate them?"

Zhuque City

Zi

Emperor

His Majesty the Emperor

Zhuque City, though a large city, has buildings that are mixed and disorderly; Yu Ren, in order to become emperor, also extensively built some utterly useless places, leaving very limited space to accommodate the troops.

"This time our forces are sufficient, the cities will take turns defending." Chen Wuji continued, "Except for Chen Wu Yin and Lu Ji, the rest of you few can discuss among yourselves."

"Specifically, you'll rotate every few days; consider your own situations. This matter, you should be able to work it out among yourselves, hopefully without coming to blows."

Hu Bu Gui Gan chuckled, stood up, and said, "Commander, how about the central army temporarily not taking part in the city defense, serving as reserve troops; I, the Deputy General, and General Qian will each take two days, rotating guard duty."

"My lord, General Hu's suggestion is extremely appropriate!" Xu Zengyi echoed.

"Then let's decide it like that." Chen Wuji decided the matter simply and crudely.

"Nothing else, right? Then it's time to eat and drink; when the Qiang people come, we won't have the leisure for this, nor will we be able to enjoy ourselves like this."

The crowd burst into laughter, the atmosphere heated up again.

After finishing a big drink, it was nearly midnight; Chen Wuji, under the escort of the Personal Guard, staggered back to He Yuan.

Bright moon high in the sky, floral fragrance rich, the whole courtyard elegant and serene.

Although Yu Ren is a thoroughgoing villain, Chen Wuji still greatly agrees with his aesthetic.

Whether it's the standard of constructing the courtyard, or the choice of those maidens, his eye is very much on point.

Chen Wuji has been to many places; aside from Xishan Village, he truly rarely becomes enamored with a place.

But this He Yuan, he truly desires it.

Every step a scene, each step pleasing to the eye.

Returning to the study, Chen Wuji ordered Chen Wuyi to brew hot tea; he himself sat at the desk, smoothed the paper, pondered a moment, picked up his brush, and wrote a letter to his pen-friend the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, how have you been lately? I miss you greatly, but alas, the lofty mountains and winding ravines hinder my longing. A few days ago I clashed again with the Qiang people, slaughtering fifty thousand foes and capturing a Qiang chief Linglu, who has recently taken a liking to warhorses, spending each day mingling with the horses in the pen, letting loose."

"By the way, in Songzhou I encountered a novelty: the Prefect here has self-proclaimed himself as the Prince of Rui, his mansion built with an imposing aura, the golden tablet and its accoutrements all complete; I've attached it to this letter, please Your Majesty have a look."

"However, this place is now mine; I reside in the Rui Wang Fu, feeling somewhat out of place. I boldly ask Your Majesty to bestow a name upon it; the residence is quite fine, and it will not disgrace your imperial calligraphy."

"……"

When spouting nonsense, Chen Wuji becomes extraordinarily talented.

In a moment, he produced thousands of words in flowing prose.

Qin Zhanhong entered, carrying a boiling kettle, took a teacup, and poured tea with her red sleeve, saying, "My lord, why aren't you resting yet?"

"Write a letter to Your Majesty! Today I've seen too much fun; I must open His Majesty the Emperor's eyes—he surely hasn't seen what a self-proclaimed prince is really like." Chen Wuji said with a smile.

"You all rest early, no need to wait for me!"

Qin Zhanhong sipped her lips, smiled faintly, "I, your concubine, have also prepared a surprise for you, my lord."

Chen Wuji's brush paused slightly, "What new thing have you cooked up again?"

"You'll know after you take a look later; it's certainly something you'll like." Qin Zhanhong kept it a secret, the corner of her mouth twitching with a mysterious, mischievous smile.

Chen Wuji suddenly felt a twinge of wariness: "Those maidens can stay in the mansion fine, but don't make me take a concubine—my waist really can't handle it."

Keeping close attendants in Da Yu is very common, not something novel.

People also generally assume that maidservants from wealthy mansions have all slept with the masters of the household.