Chapter 783: with translation of chapter title

After Yang Tiejiang led troops to Qiang Land, Qian Fugui took over his position, leading troops stationed in Hezhou.

Actually, with the current situation, Hezhou fundamentally does not need any other garrison.

Having the central army here is completely sufficient.

But Qian Fugui's troops do not need to move this time; anyway, to garrison Hezhou, Chen Wuji casually handed over this nominal command to Qian Fugui, just in case.

Hezhou affairs are as steady as an old dog; everything proceeds in orderly fashion.

After Yang Tiejiang led troops out, Chen Wuji stayed in Hezhou for several days, confirmed there were no urgent matters needing his attention, then led his people back to Yunan and back to Xishan Village.

Chen Wuji's wandering soul, after experiencing so many things, finally thoroughly regarded Xishan Village as his home.

This time returning, Chen Wuji did not mobilize forces.

Only the central army's three thousand cavalry and his wives and concubines accompanied him.

This time everyone in the household was present, even the elusive Qin Zhanhong and the perpetually busy Xiao Yuji were there, and a long procession of carriages followed.

Achieving fame and success yet not returning home is like walking at night in fine clothes.

Returning home in fine attire is the current trend.

But this seems to have nothing to do with Chen Wuji.

After Chen Bushi's frenzied renovation, Xishan Village is no longer what it once was; now it is Chen Wuji's rear rear, which can be considered the true foundation.

The original residents of the village have mostly moved away; what remains there, besides Chen Wuji et al.'s old residence, are the military arsenal workshop for crafting various weapons, the horse farm, the school, and the martial drill field.

Most branches of the Chen clan have already moved here.

The land is still being cultivated; the previously uncultivated rough slopes have all been reclaimed by them.

But what is more important for them now is the task of training and studying.

Children of appropriate age must attend school, and the Young Strongmen of the clan must study even more.

Having hidden for who knows how many years, today they finally openly brought out the clan's collected classics to teach children and teach Clan Troops.

Those dust-covered Battle Formations and military tactics are also rehearsed daily on the Martial Drill field.

These people are Chen Wuji's most important foundation.

The slowly advancing procession went around the village entrance and stepped onto the land of Xishan Village.

Chen Wuji halted his horse on the slope, gazing upon the greatly changed Xishan Village, his eyes full of satisfaction.

This is what he changed with his own hands!

Really awesome!

"When I was young, I once heard elders casually mention that during the Chen clan's heyday, many even went to the Emperor seeking his mediation to send their children to study in our Chen clan academy." Chen Li said with a light smile.

Chen Wuji did not turn back; only his voice drifted over on the wind: "Did the clan agree?"

"Of course not." Chen Li said, "The Chen clan academy has always been open only to Chen clan descendants, not transmitted externally, not privately taught. No matter who the other party is, this clan rule has never had an exception."

"That is why the Chen clan encountered such changes; there is a reason." Chen Wuji murmured.

"Although every family hides its own inheritance, trying every means to prevent their family learning from being learned by others, but the Chen clan did this too absolutely, which is wrong."

"We were originally the number one military family under heaven, yet we treat our family learning so rigidly, not even giving the Emperor face; even if the Emperor is magnanimous and has no suspicion, those below stirring up trouble there would be enough for us to drink a pot."

Chen Li lightly nodded, "The elders used to say the same."

"When wood stands out in the forest, the wind will break it. Even though we know we are absolutely loyal, our strength being too strong inevitably makes the Emperor uneasy. As long as the Emperor harbors even a hint of suspicion, those below will surely find ways to deliver the knife that would kill the Chen clan."

"Even if we do not hide our family learning and let them study, as long as our strength is too strong, this difficulty is probably unavoidable."

Chen Wuji gave a flat-toned hum, "From now on, it won't happen."

He certainly did not intend to become a powerful minister beside the Emperor.

Chen Li glanced at Chen Wuji's back, the corner of his mouth subtly curving.

A standard auntie smile.

In the distance, a group of people hurried over.

"We pay our respects to the Family Head!"

Chen Wuji turned his horse's head, gave this group a serious look, and recognized only two people.

Chen Xingyuan, and Chen Wangzu.

Chen Xingyuan remains as before: upright posture, standing properly, eyes not glancing askance, his whole body written with the two words "bored and lecherous".

Chen Wangzu has changed considerably; his height shot up a lot, his build nearly catching up to Chen Wuji, he's also gotten tanned, standing there he's impressively stalwart.

Chen Wuji dismounted, "Is everything alright at home?"

"Replying to the Family Head, nothing happened; it's rather bland and also very stable." Chen Xingyuan replied.

After Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi were successively transferred away, Chen Xingyuan, who guarded his one-third mu of land at the Xianya, was transferred over to take charge of village affairs.

"Lead the way ahead, let's go take a look!" Chen Wuji said.

"Sure!"

Chen Xingyuan served as guide, introducing the changes in the village over the past half year as they walked.

"Last year, the members of all branches gradually moved over; those who have not yet come either have become vassals of other families, or have completely abandoned their ancestors, unwilling to return to the clan."

"The village now has 832 households of clan members, totaling over five thousand clan members, with over two thousand Young Strongmen, all now serving as Clan Troops. Besides farming, they study and train; current combat capability is still decent, and many still have some martial arts foundation."

Chen Wuji gazed at the military camp, expanded several times compared to last year, with complete facilities, and asked doubtfully: "With so many people, how is the food problem solved?"

The village's cultivated land cannot bear such a huge population.

A village of over five thousand people, in the whole territory of Da Yu, should only be Xishan Village.

Da Yu's population is relatively large, villages are also relatively concentrated, but the most populous villages are only one or two thousand people; it's impossible to find another with over five thousand.

"The land around Xishan Village is now all cultivated by clan members; grain is more than sufficient, as long as the harvest is good, the clan members' food problem presents no difficulty." Chen Xingyuan said.

"When San Shu was around, he coordinated with the county to relocate the residents of places like the Zhao clan's li to other places, without bullying with power, and the clan compensated these people."

"Gu Wenjie's havoc in Yunan left many places in the county with empty villages; a great deal of farmland lay idle, and the county gave compensation to those who migrated there, adding thirty percent more land per capita."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Using power to bully others—this kind of thing cannot happen. You are now a clan elder, overseeing the ancestral land; if such a problem arises, I won't look for anyone else, I'll look for you!"

"Family Head, rest assured, if such a thing happens, I will definitely not show favoritism, nor will I evade responsibility!" Chen Xingyuan said in a deep voice, "The Family Head can freely cause trouble for me, and I will not be lenient toward those clan members who made mistakes."