Chapter 873

The commanders' expressions tightened instantly.

They actually overlooked this matter.

It's not that they're stupid; it's just that this is their first stop upon entering Yan Zhou, they haven't yet figured out exactly what they need to do, and they're mostly focused on the war.

"My lord, I'll go." Chen Ruoshui said, standing up.

"Mr. Xu's words were clear enough; just follow them." Chen Wuji ordered.

"Yes!" Chen Ruoshui clasped her fists.

Chen Wuji pointed at the shopkeeper and said, "Take this old Lao Zamao as well."

The shopkeeper instantly went rigid, his soul fleeing: "Sir, sir, your meal isn't ready yet; I'll... I'll..."

"You're the shopkeeper, not the cook; don't delay my meal." Chen Wuji said calmly.

Chen Ruoshui grabbed the shopkeeper by the collar and dragged him out of the Tavern hall like a chick.

Hu Bu Gui stared in shock, murmuring, "General Chen's arms are so frail, yet he has such strength?"

Qian Fugui said wistfully, "She trains desperately, constantly pushing herself to the limit; having this strength is no surprise." She sleeps only two hours a day, and aside from eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, she's entirely training; this woman... is like a madman, completely not treating herself as a person.

Over time, he found Chen Ruoshui increasingly pleasing to the eye, more and more to his liking; in private he quietly made contact, hoping to invite her back to be his principal wife.

After following Chen Ruoshui in training for a few days, he agonizingly gave up.

That is simply not a life fit for a person.

He didn't want to live like that anymore either.

Sleeping only two hours a day and spending the rest of the time desperately training feels utterly tormenting, worse than death.

The commanders sucked in a cold breath, their eyes instantly filled with admiration.

"It's still the lord's keen eye; a woman achieving this is indeed no easy feat." Lü Ji sighed softly, speaking to himself, "Should we also put in some hard work? Otherwise we'll end up serving under General Chen."

"Don't put pressure on us, my lord; rewards and punishments are clear—whether you advance or retreat, they look at Military Merit, not personal strength. If it were just personal strength, Kong Sir and Qi the Elder could now ride on your head." Chen Wu Yin shook his head.

Qian Fugui said wistfully, "Gentlemen, she doesn't just train; while training she also recites military texts and ancient classics... Actually, she seems to have already worked out a new approach to drilling troops; you can go see it when you have time."

"Hiss... I suddenly feel some pressure."

"Me too."

Chen Wuji smiled faintly, looking at Qian Fugui, "Marrying a woman like that would be a blessing; aren't you going to try again?"

Basically, no major or minor affair in the army could escape his notice.

Although he chose the model of mutual understanding between officers and soldiers to directly command troops in response to the war, this does not mean he completely laissez-faire, without any restraint.

Qian Fugui's face turned bitter, he said agonizingly, "I do admire General Chen, but I truly cannot endure this; sleeping at Zi hour and rising at the end of Chou, I can't bear such a life—it's too tormenting."

"A man can't say he can't; Ruoshui isn't going to train this hard her whole life, once she reaches a certain level she'll surely ease up." Chen Wuji said, "You can progress together; although you fight well, your personal strength is indeed somewhat lacking."

"My lord, I'm training too, but I don't want to train that hard!" Qian Fugui shook his head like a rattle drum, "This kind of joint progress, I, as Deputy General, will have none of it—I cannot endure it, I cannot endure it."

Upon hearing this gossip, the commanders' eyes instantly lit up.

"General Qian, if you find these days hard to endure, I happen to have an idea." Lü Ji suddenly chuckled low, "It will surely solve your current troubles."

Qian Fugui was half-believing, half-doubting, "What method?"

"First, find a way to sleep." Lü Ji raised his eyebrows, "Once you reach that point, you two will have room to negotiate, and General Chen should also be willing to hear your opinion."

"Sleep? Damn, you want me to die!" Qian Fugui exclaimed, "Old Lü, you're such an upright person—how could you come up with such a despicable idea? I may be a bit boastful, but I'm a gentleman; I won't do this sort of lowly deed."

"Besides, Ruoshui is a fellow officer; if I did this, the only result would be her killing me, then the lord having my corpse whipped."

Lü Ji's old face darkened, "What lowly deed? I'm talking about proper association, mutual consent—where did your mind go? What filth do you have stuffed in your belly? You didn't hear my words clearly and jumped to these places—who's really being improper?"

"You... mean that?" Qian Fugui awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"How am I not? I said sleep, not making you sleep in a lowly way!" Lü Ji shouted angrily, then hefted his tea cup and took a heavy sip.

Qian Fugui coughed lightly, forcing an explanation: "It's not that... I just didn't hear clearly."

"General Qian, explaining to us is useless; you'd better think about how to explain to General Ruoshui—what you just said will most likely reach her ears." Hu Bu Gui shook his head and laughed.

Qian Fugui instantly grew nervous, "My lord, and all of you, you can't do this to me! I was wrong, truly wrong—please don't tell her, I still want to live a few more years."

Everyone smiled at Qian Fugui, pressing their lips and staying silent.

Qian Fugui felt numb, "You... you bunch of beasts, my lord, I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about them."

"It's fine; I'll tell Ruoshui myself—you dare call me a beast? I see you've grown some wings, kid." Chen Wuji let out a light snort.

"My lord, no—I just made it clear, I didn't say you!" Qian Fugui shouted urgently.

He couldn't even imagine what would happen if those words reached Chen Ruoshui's ears; that woman would surely make him sign a life-and-death contract, then kill him.

Plus Lü Ji, that old lecher, won't escape either.

Damn it, what a lousy idea.

Still laughing there? Laugh your ass off!

"But you put the beast first, the explanation after." Chen Wuji said slowly.

Qian Fugui:...

He lifted his tea cup and took a sip, then said weakly, "Go ahead, I don't care anymore, let it be destroyed. I ask for nothing; as long as I see some people die before me, that's enough. Anyway, I just misunderstood—the idea wasn't mine."

Lü Ji's expression was calm, "What's wrong with lovers sleeping together by mutual consent? The lord's new laws explicitly require this; your thoughts are dirty, so don't try to drag me down."