Chapter 971

In the simple small courtyard of Xinglin Zhen, Chen Wuji rested for a full ten or so days this time.

As long as there were no major military affairs, all the remaining trivial military matters were tossed entirely to Mr. Xu.

Strategy and tactics were set; the remaining matters were just a bit tedious.

However, Old Mr. Xu now has three powerful assistants by his side, so these affairs aren't too taxing; he can even every few days free up half a day to go fishing with Chen Wuji, this air force layabout.

Over these ten or so days, Chen Wuji felt like he had returned to the village.

It was very leisurely.

Each day a beautiful companion accompanied him to roam the hills and play in the water; when he had free time he would discuss with Huo Sanniang how to open a tavern in Xinglin Zhen; at night he read the Spring and Autumn Annals and watched the graceful dance, simply blissful and unwilling to leave Shu.

Because of the addition of Kong Fang and his two companions, Chen Wuji truly felt the benefits of talent.

His mind and hands had gained great relief; even Mr. Xu mentioned it several times in recent days.

Although he used to never mention these matters no matter how hard or tired he was, now that he had three genuinely capable assistants under him, he began to complain, his tone and demeanor full of the sentiment of a bitter daughter-in-law turned mother-in-law.

Chen Wuji could only laugh and joke about it; as for the rest, he couldn't say.

Talent was scarce; he even wished he could split one person into eight to use, and Mr. Xu's position was more critical, naturally making it even more demanding.

This too was unavoidable.

In the early stages of entrepreneurship, troubles would certainly be more numerous.

This rare vacation made Chen Wuji cherish it immensely.

He almost greedily enjoyed every day and every inch of time, accompanying his lovely wife and beautiful concubines as much as possible, relaxing himself to the utmost, and pushing aside the sword flashes and severed limbs before him.

Probably due to deliberate guidance, in just a few days the taut string in his heart concerning war affairs somehow loosened.

Shortly after Chen Wuji became slightly alert, Guo Shuhan happened to send an urgent letter from An Sai Zhou via a messenger.

The letter contained only a few brief words.

He had coaxed Wang Yu out of the city, the point still being Liu Min Ji; he asked Chen Wuji to lead troops there, demanding ample forces to at least guarantee overwhelming superiority over the few men Wang Yu brought, and to capture Liu Min Ji without bloodshed.

Regarding this suggestion, Guo Shuhan also gave a full explanation with very careful reasoning.

He said, Liu Min Ji is a fortress; holding it now is like driving a nail deep into the flesh of An Sai Zhou. Even if this time we cannot control Wang Yu, simply occupying Liu Min Ji would basically take Half a Life from Wang Yu and An Sai Zhou.

He seemed never to have intended, from the start, to persuade Wang Yu through friendship and words.

Although his explanation was aimed at Liu Min Ji, such a strategic location.

Yet Chen Wuji faintly sensed from his words that Guo Shuhan's true aim was still against Wang Yu, likely wanting to overwhelm him with heavy troops and forcibly bind him to their chariot.

Chen Wuji naturally went along with it.

Guo Shuhan's suggestion was very down-to-earth, considering every aspect thoroughly; he really had no reason to oppose it.

After putting away the letter, Chen Wuji casually lit it and tossed it into the tea stove, then rose to examine the leather map behind him.

This was not the ancestral one, but a recently drawn map.

"Liu Min Ji..."

Chen Wuji muttered softly, his gaze fixed on the shifting terrain around Liu Min Ji.

Liu Min Ji lies northwest of An Sai Zhou; it was originally a barren alkaline plain unsuitable for grain, everywhere crimson-red hills like blood, some places even lacking a single tree; looking out, only blood‑red red, whitish pale red, and brownish red could be seen.

Such a place, the Dayu Commoners naturally would not take a liking to it.

Apart from those who have committed crimes and the Bandit Refugees, no commoner would be willing to settle here, living off the mountains until they starve to death.

However, after the Refugees were forced to gather here gradually and their numbers kept increasing, the terrain was also transformed by the Refugees' own hands, undergoing a complete change.

At least, this place now has some areas where crops can be grown.

In the past, the greatest function of this area of Liu Min Ji was to connect north and south.

Because the terrain is gentle and unobstructed by strategic points, this place has, up to now, been a very important commercial route linking north and south.

However, this situation only lasted for a while; later, due to the gathering of mountain bandits here, the scene became as prosperous as before in Guiling Xian, and caravans without a large escort dared not travel this route.

Even now, this commercial route has not restored its former prosperity, but it is much better than before.

After the rise of Liu Min Ji, it eliminated some mountain bandits, allowing this area to regain some order to a certain extent.

And escorting caravans is also a very important source of income for Liu Min Ji.

"Shi Yi Shu, relay the order!" Chen Wuji called out in a low voice.

Chen Li appeared at the doorway, "Family Head, which unit should be mobilized?"

"Yingxiu Lìng will do." Chen Wuji said after a moment's thought, "It's just a refugee settlement; having Yingxiu Lìng should be enough—one person with two horses, and leave the other horse at Xinglin Zhen."

"Family Head, those kids probably won't comply!" Chen Li said with a wry smile.

You also know how tightly those kids in Yingxiu Lìng guard their own horses, to the point they'd rather eat and live with their Warhorses. If left at Xinglin Zhen, those kids will surely suspect the Family Head wants to give their Warhorses to others.

Chen Wuji turned, took a sip of tea, and said, "Liu Min Ji area has no resupply; this battle must be swift and decisive—do we really need to bring them fodder? Let Chen Wuyi that kid go tell them: anyone who dares to voice an opinion will have their two horses deducted by the Laborers for use by other soldiers."

Yes!

Cavalry value their warhorses; that's understandable.

But which bastard dares to defy military orders, Chen Wuji will not indulge them.

Chen Li left for a brief moment, then returned with Chen Wuyi.

"Do your troops have any objections to leaving one horse behind?" Chen Wuji asked.

Chen Wuyi looked bewildered, "Family Head, no! I already passed the order down; the officers gladly accepted it and went to organize the troops—how could there be objections?"

Chen Wuji looked toward Chen Li, his eyes probing.

"This kid is starting to lie." Chen Li shook his head.

Chen Wuyi gave an embarrassed laugh and said sheepishly, "Family Head, there really were two kids who had some doubts, and I slapped them back into line."

"They're nothing but bastards with pig brains, lazy and dull-witted; since the Family Head ordered leaving one horse behind, it's surely to lighten the load, yet they can't even grasp that and dare to voice objections—utterly rebellious."

Chen Wuji burst out laughing, pointing at Chen Wuyi and telling Chen Li, "Wuyi now bears the air of a Great General; those words were well said, quite impressive."