Chapter 938

Chen Wuji hosted a banquet to welcome Kong Fang.

This time, he concealed all his sharpness and instantly became honest, as if he were a different person.

Only his gaze, after regaining freedom, remained bold and unrestrained.

At the banquet, there wasn't much to talk about; Chen Wuji spent most of his time observing him and considering whether to shift some of his burdens onto Kong Fang. Mr. Xu now bears too many responsibilities, which is unfriendly to a middle‑aged man just recovered from a serious illness.

But regarding entrusting important duties to Kong Fang, he admitted he still felt uneasy.

This guy is undoubtedly a madman!

The restraint before my eyes is just something that came out of being locked up in the Dungeon; perhaps in a few days I'll be doing as I please again.

"Forget it, let's wait and see," Chen Wuji thought, his head aching.

Such talent is rare around him; when he sees one, he doesn't want to let it go.

Then Kong Fang rose, cup in both hands, waist slightly bowed, and sincerely said to Chen Wuji: "I, unworthy, thank the Commander for sparing my life."

Chen Wuji raised his cup: "No need for that; you never committed a capital crime."

Kong Fang's lips moved, but he swallowed the words on his tongue and instead said: "I humbly punish myself with a cup to make my intentions clear."

He tipped his head back, drained the bowl, then dramatically overturned the wine bowl to show Chen Wuji.

"Sit, eat, drink, no need to stand on ceremony," Chen Wuji waved his hand.

"Here!"

After Kong Fang sat down and fell silent for a moment, he suddenly rose again: "Commander, I, unworthy, wish to volunteer for duty."

"What do you want to do?" Chen Wuji wore an amused expression.

This fellow still can't sit still.

"To Yanzhou City!" Kong Fang said.

"Mr. Xu previously asked me two questions while in prison, the first concerning Yanzhou."

"The Commander wishes to pacify Nanyue; the 400,000 troops stationed in Yanzhou City are an obstacle. No matter what schemes the court officials hatch or what they intend to do in Nanyue Commandery, even if they mean no harm to the Commander, they must be driven out of Nanyue Commandery!"

"I have some reputation in Nanyue Commandery; I could feign surrender, then stir up discord. They are already a coalition of factions, constantly scheming behind the scenes—I need only nudge them a little to worsen the situation and create a military opportunity for the Commander."

Chen Wuji nodded: "That is indeed a method, but there's no rush."

"Has the Commander found a solution to the grain and fodder shortage?" Kong Fang asked.

His question cut straight to the heart of the matter—truly a piercing insight—that made Chen Wuji instantly regard him more highly.

"Grain and fodder are not a problem for now," Chen Wuji said frankly. "There are a few old foxes in Yanzhou City; if you go there, I'd worry things might take an unpredictable turn. Let's first see what results from their own infighting before we decide."

"It's not that I distrust your abilities; it's just that now is not the time to rush—we seek stability, not speed."

Kong Fang felt a tinge of regret: "I understand; I was impatient, wanting to achieve something quickly after just joining the Commander."

"You'll never lack a chance to display your talents here," Chen Wuji said.

Kong Fang asked boldly: "I dare ask, who are the 'old foxes' the Commander mentioned? I know a few of the reclusive sages, talented scholars, and noted gentlemen of the southern commanderies; perhaps I can help the Commander gain a clearer picture of Yanzhou's situation."

In the eyes of the Dayu people, Dayu's southern region lies north of Shenxian Ling, while the Lingnan Six Commanderies south of Shenxian Ling constitute Lingnan.

It is also seen by the Dayu people as a remote and chaotic region.

This ingrained perception is also one reason why Ruan Yuchang, in his maniacal way, would trade territory for advantage.

In most people's eyes, every inch of Dayu's territory must be fought for.

Not even a single mu of land should be yielded to outsiders.

Yet there are those like Ruan Yuchang who think that, since these barren lands yield little tax, it's better to give them away, gain concrete benefits for oneself, and at the same time ease the frontier crisis—achieving two goals at once.

"Others need not worry overly, but there is one person here whose real name I don't know; I only know his alias Huo Wudi and his nickname Snake Staff Elder. Do you have any impression of him?" Chen Wuji said.

The Snake Staff Elder, this old troublemaker, has caused Chen Wuji too many headaches; his meticulous thinking and cautious conduct force Chen Wuji, when dealing with him, to pay extra attention to those two aspects, lest he jeopardize the major undertaking.

Kong Fang frowned slightly, thought seriously, then shook his head: "This person is unlikely to be a reclusive sage of the southern commanderies; I've never heard anyone mention such a figure."

"Perhaps the Commander is unaware, but the scholars' circle in the southern commanderies is actually small; many know each other well and often gather to drink tea, discuss the Dao, and exchange learning."

"I have attended a few of their literary gatherings before, but found them rather dull, so I stopped going. I only occasionally meet with a few kindred spirits to play and chat about worldly affairs."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji's mouth corner suddenly curled up.

What Kong Fang said is easy to understand.

Just look at the state of scholars at the end of the Han: the gentlemen of Jingzhou would greet each other with clasped hands and cries of "Mr.", yet in private they were either relatives or shared relatives—so familiar it couldn't be more so.

And the phrase "kindred spirits" stands out even more within the scholars' circle.

In their view, liking is liking, disliking is disliking; it's basically impossible to force them together—just as the most influential scholar leaders of the late Han, the Three Lords, the Three Rests of Jingzhou, the Three Brights of Liangzhou, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, and so on.

"Wenjun, hearing you say that, you must have quite a few friends in the Nanyue commanderies?" Chen Wuji smiled warmly, no longer addressing Kong Fang by name but using his courtesy name instead.

Kong Fang felt a bit uneasy under Chen Wuji's gaze: "Not many, just three or five close friends. Does the Commander have any orders for me?"

"Nothing major, just asking casually," Chen Wuji chuckled.

"With your talent, Wenjun, anyone who could become your sworn brother must surely be a great talent. Haven't you been out of touch for a while? Why not get in touch and invite them to come play at Xinglin Town?"

Kong Fang's mouth opened slightly, and he suddenly grasped Chen Wuji's meaning.

He's trying to get him to lure people away!

"I'll do my best," Kong Fang replied with a wry smile.

"Besides, the Commander also knows my temper isn't the best; the people I associate with surpass me in talent and insight, but… their tempers aren't great either. If they clash, please deal with them leniently, Commander."

"What nonsense!" Chen Wuji waved his hand magnanimously. "Talented people having some temper is to be expected; I'm not a petty person—you can set your mind at ease."

Kong Fang's mouth twitched slightly; he seemed not to feel it.