Chapter 821

Chen Wuji suddenly discovered that emotional intelligence also seemed to be heritable.

After one meal he almost doubted his life; after several mindset adjustments, when he became completely indifferent, he felt he could get along with the Lu family members—that secluded family's trait was overly strong.

Compared to them, Lu Wanwan seemed the most normal.

After the banquet, Chen Wuji had people settle Erhu and the others, then he discussed the main matter with Lu Daye.

"Old Master, I now roughly understand the Lu family's intention, but I want to know how far you can go," Chen Wuji asked.

This is a crucial question; how far they can go determines how Chen Wuji will use them.

If it's merely a verbal promise, it wouldn't mean anything.

He also wasn't lacking in that manpower.

Lu Daye sat cross-legged on the grass, even taking off his shoes and tossing them aside, giving him an extremely relaxed feeling of "let heaven and earth collapse, let nobles and ministers be damned—I only care about my freedom."

"The Lu family may not be worldly, but that doesn't mean we won't act like people; since we've decided to emerge, we won't spare any effort," Lu Daye said. "How the Brigade Commander wants to use us is up to him; our demands aren't high—just like the road‑workers outside the city."

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod. "Does the village need to be relocated?"

"No need to move; we're living fine—why bother?" Lu Daye glanced at Chen Wuji. "When Nan Jun was in turmoil and the border Qiang people kept rebelling, we never thought of leaving. Now that the Brigade Commander commands Nan Jun and has conquered most of Qiang Land, we should have even less reason to relocate."

"Old Master, you've misunderstood—I mean to move you to a better place," Chen Wuji explained.

Lu Daye stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "In our eyes, Lu Jia Village now is the best place."

After a moment's thought, Chen Wuji voiced his idea: "The Lu family may decline, but I must still give what I owe—Lu family experts joining my staff will be treated like the Personal Guard Lìng, with official posts and salaries, their children free to attend county and prefectural schools, and taxes exempt."

Lu Daye suddenly sat upright. "Brigade Commander, you're not joking with this old man, are you?"

"Why would I joke about such a small matter?"

"These are just the basics; there's no need to make a fuss, right?"

Lu Daye suddenly burst out laughing, his face kind, almost a bit… lecherous.

"Brigade Commander, you won't change your mind, will you?" Lu Daye asked again, uneasy.

Chen Wuji fell silent for a moment. "Old Master, this is the most basic; I have no need to deceive you."

"Any military officer who earns promotion to Brigade Commander enjoys free county schooling for his children and tax exemption; upon reaching Commandant, his children get free prefectural schooling and a grant of ten mu of land, and so on. Since the Lu family's children are all experts, they should start at a higher level—otherwise how could they deserve the title of experts?"

Lu Daye instantly beamed; his joy was genuine, not feigned.

He slapped his palm hard. "This is good, this is truly good. Brigade Commander, I can also pick out more manpower, right?"

Chen Wuji's expression shifted slightly. "Old Master, how many more people can you still pick out?"

"Not a hundred eighty, but thirty or fifty are still available—do you want them?" Lu Daye looked at Chen Wuji with eager eyes.

"Yes!"

Chen Wuji would never complain about having too few experts nearby—of course, the more the better.

Although the Lu family members are somewhat touching in emotional intelligence, their simplicity is also evident.

These people have no ulterior motives; from top to bottom they seem all straight‑shooters.

Just like Lu Daye right now, a few words expose his bottom line.

As clan leader, his speech lacks guile, so Chen Wuji can roughly understand why, despite their great strength, they choose to remain hidden from court and the Rivers and Lakes.

In the Rivers and Lakes, might makes right, which is somewhat better; but at court, everyone is a man‑eater who spits out no bones, and the pure‑hearted have no chance to survive there.

"I'll write to them later and have Lao San bring over another batch of youths," Lu Daye said impatiently.

Chen Wuji merely nodded.

He suspected that this old man had misunderstood his meaning.

What he had just said about free schooling and tax exemption for children applied to the entire Lu clan.

But the Old Master seemed to think it referred only to Erhu and the others.

However, since the misunderstanding had already occurred, Chen Wuji had no choice but to let this beautiful misunderstanding continue.

After chatting briefly with Lu Daye about other details, Chen Wuji ordered Chen Li to find a room for the Old Master to stay in temporarily.

Originally, Chen Wuji's purpose in conscripting the Lu clan was to trample the Rivers and Lakes and put Nan Jun's jianghu in order.

But this process went much faster than he expected; now it's nearly finished, and there's no longer any need to let the Lu family members take the stage.

Among Nan Jun's tumultuous Jianghu Person, only the first half month saw fierce resistance like fire in a wok for a few days; immediately afterward they suffered the harshest suppression by the garrisons everywhere, and that flame was quenched before it could fully ignite.

This time all the prefectures exerted themselves, with not a single slip‑up.

As for the reason, it's not hard to guess.

In Nan Jun's central and eastern regions, all those in command of Bīngmǎ are Chen Wuji's true direct subordinates.

Although the western prefectures now have only supervisory officials, with Nan Jun unified and more than half of Qiang Land incorporated into it, even if they harbor other little schemes, they must now keep them suppressed and dare not show them.

……

The next day.

The first ray of morning sunlight flashed with dazzling light, shining upon the city that had regained its vitality.

The banner with a black background and red characters fluttered slowly, making a snapping sound.

Armored soldiers stood by the city wall, as straight as long spears, their eyes fixed on the ground below, where orderly ranks lay silent yet exuded a heavy pressure.

All present!

A loud, clear shout rang out suddenly, like a thunderclap from flat ground.

March out!

Roar!

The entire army let out a heavy muffled cry, and the square formations shifted in order.

On the city wall, the guarding soldiers suddenly thrust out their chests, driving their long spears heavily into the ground, and with their gazes saw off the tens of thousands of troops below.

The great army set out once again.

The heavy footsteps and horse hooves shattered the clear summer morning of heaven and earth, and they marched westward toward the direction of light.

Huo Sanniang lifted the carriage curtain, poked her head out from inside, and gazed into the distance at Hezhou City, which was growing smaller and smaller in her sight, and whispered softly, "This feels like the first time I've ever left Hezhou; if it weren't for these soldiers risking their lives to travel back and forth, I might never have left this border in my lifetime."

Lu Wanwan's little head squeezed over from beside her, "Older sister, you're so timid! Although your husband has conquered Nan Jun, there are still bad people; just stay close to me, and I'll protect you, older sister."