Chapter 780: Find a Way Out

Talent has always been a major headache for Chen Wuji.

Although after the recruitment order was issued last year, many usable talents emerged in the prefecture, filling Nan Jun's power structure, allowing Nan Jun to finally run smoothly.

But Chen Wuji truly wanted only a few great talents.

To be honest, after learning the abilities of these people sent by the Emperor, Chen Wuji really itched to use them, very much wanting to use them.

These people, he found it hard to catch even one in Nan Jun.

The Emperor waved his hand and sent him a batch, several dozen people.

Whether these people are regular guests of the Tianlao is unknown.

Whether they were truly sidelined by powerful officials, having no foothold in the court, is also unknown.

But after Chen Wuji and a few others discussed it several times, the conclusion they reached was that the Emperor had ulterior motives.

With these four words, even if Chen Wuji eyed them covetously, he dared not use them.

Finally, having no choice, he sent them all to the various counties to serve as assistant officials like County Assistants.

Xu Zengyi's suggestion could be described as killing multiple birds with one stone, instantly resolving many of Chen Wuji's worries.

In that place of Qiang Land, Chen Wuji also wasn't afraid they'd stir up any big trouble.

Let them toss about as they please.

Yang Tiejiang's mind sparked, and he suddenly said, 'My lord, since we now have sufficient manpower, why not let them follow the army? I will seize a piece of land for them to settle and farm. If we hurry, perhaps we can still make the summer planting this year.'

Xu Zengyi, hearing this, cursed: 'You, an ironworker, shouldn't act like that—Qiang Land is all pasture; you want them to plow and plant this year—what could they possibly grow?'

'Hey, you coffin-seller, don't think I don't understand!' Yang Tiejiang shouted angrily, 'The Qiang people also grow grain, just a little less—do you really think they eat meat and drink milk every day?'

'Then what do they grow?'

'Just naked barley!'

'When to plant?'

This question stumped Yang Tiejiang; he drew a breath, scratched his head, thought for a while, then said, 'It seems to be around March or April—don't test me on this, I really don't know.'

Xu Zengyi nodded satisfactorily: 'Not knowing is fine; you should just honestly go fight, don't worry about other matters. These people aren't suitable to follow the army; wait until you have fully secured a piece of land, then send them over, lest you bring them to starve to death on the road.'

Yang Tiejiang glared with bull's eyes: 'I knew your dog mouth wouldn't say anything good!'

……

Chen Wuji only paused for a few days before becoming busy again.

The military situation had been settled, requiring no further worry from him, so Chen Wuji immediately devoted more energy to business affairs.

The crops growing in Nan Jun's land need time and depend on the weather; before harvest, no one knows how much grain they will yield.

Based on this unchangeable reality, to cope with the upcoming larger war, Chen Wuji had no choice but to turn his gaze toward Zhongyuan.

Paper brought him a great deal of wealth, but relying solely on this was still too slow to achieve his true goal.

Chen Wuji raked his memory and settled on soap.

In this era, this item could be considered a relatively advanced novelty.

More importantly, it works well!

In the future, it has the potential to enter thousands of homes and continuously generate wealth for him.

Because of this item, Grand Master Xiao Zong moved back into Chen Wuji's residence, staying up night after night to conduct experiments; in just a few days, the originally rosy-complexioned and extraordinary-bearing Xiao Zong became emaciated, his eyes dark.

'Commander, I think your method definitely has a problem.'

Xiao Zong hurried into Chen Wuji's study, ignoring Xiu Er standing nearby, burst in and shouted, saliva droplets flying like a curtain in the light.

Chen Wuji wiped his face, 'Still a failure?'

Xiao Zong raised his hand forcefully, 'If it succeeded, would I be this frustrated? It sounds simple, yet it just won't form; your method is absolutely wrong.'

Chen Wuji also felt helpless, 'I really can't remember clearly!'

'I don't care, think again; if you can't figure it out, I... I... I will today pry open your skull myself to find it. I have a feeling—just one step wrong, if that step is right, this thing will surely succeed!' Xiao Zong shouted in frustration, his gaze scanning left and right, landing on Chen Wuji's hanging saber, and he grabbed it.

This move of his startled Chen Li outside.

Almost instantly, seven or eight figures rushed into the study, their expressions cold as they surrounded Xiao Zong.

'All retreat!' Chen Wuji shouted.

'Mr. Xiao, put down your sword too; let me think again, think carefully.'

Xiao Zong looked around, 'What's with the excitement? I'm not really going to pry open his skull—just saying it—I'm not that kind of impulsive person!'

He flung Chen Wuji's waist sword hard to the ground, Xiao Zong looked around, then took a jar of wine from behind Xiu Er, broke the seal, and gulped it down like water.

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.

In his room, no matter how many jars of fine wine he hid, in the end he basically got none.

These people also don't know what kind of eyes they have; finding his hidden wine is both quick and accurate.

This sudden scene, as the instigator Xiao Zong remained completely unmoved, but it frightened Xiu Er badly, making her keep dodging toward Chen Wuji's side.

Chen Wuji gave a meaningful glance, then soothed: 'Nothing's wrong; Mr. Xiao is just joking—when he researches something, he's always like this.'

'Oh...'

Xiu Er, looking timid, sat back in her original spot.

Chen Li waved his hand; the cold-faced Personal Guard quickly retreated, he picked up Chen Wuji's waist sword from the ground and stood guard alone at the door.

'Hurry up and think!' Xiao Zong vigorously wiped wine from the corner of his mouth and shouted loudly.

Chen Wuji helplessly nodded, 'Thinking, thinking!'

When soap sparked a DIY craze online, he had also once curiously looked at it.

At that time he even had the idea of making it himself, but in the end it came to nothing.

The materials should be fine, since it's simple—just a few items, which he remembers quite clearly.

But why can't it be formed?

The problem must be in the steps.

Steps...

Chen Wuji suddenly wanted to have one.

Although these memories aren't that old, upon experiencing a second life they feel far removed in time and space; trying to pull out a detail of a problem from the vast past is not easy.

"Xiao Xiansheng, don't stare at me waiting for an answer—it's not that easy!" Chen Wuji thought for a long time, still couldn't figure it out, seeing Xiao Zong widen his eyes and stare at him, he helplessly advised, "Like this, you go back and get some sleep, rest up, and let me think again."