Chapter 113

The reminder words from Han Tong at the banquet still rang in his ears, that hidden worry coming from the southern Bian Liang.

It was like an unexpected cold surge arriving in autumn, silently descending upon Chan Zhou.

That day, at the eastern gate of Chan Zhou city, banners fluttered and drums and music sounded together.

Led by the Privy Council's Edict Bearer and Pacification Commissioner Cui Renji, the Imperial Court's envoy delegation.

Under the escort of several hundred imperial cavalry, they mightily arrived at Chan Zhou.

According to precedent, they routinely comforted and bestowed rewards upon Chan Zhou's military governor Chai Rong and his troops.

In the main hall of the military governor's residence, the incense altar was set high, the atmosphere solemn yet subtle.

Chai Rong led the chief civil and military officials of Chan Zhou, kneeling to receive the imperial edict.

In the edict, it lavishly praised Chai Rong's achievements in guarding the northern frontier and pacifying the locality, granting him an increased fief and bestowing gold, silver, and silks;

His subordinates Zhang Yongde, Han Tong, and other commanders also received corresponding rewards.

The words were grandiose, the favors abundant.

However.

When the eunuch proclaiming the edict, with his slightly sharp and thin voice, read out Chen Wen's reward.

Many perceptive people in the hall prick up their ears.

"There is Chen Wen, a military officer of Chan Zhou, who previously patrolled the border at Linhe and achieved notable merits; he is specially promoted to Lieutenant General of Loyal Martial, appointed as Military Commander, and made Commander of the Pacified Army; let it be so."

The reward exactly matched what Chai Rong had previously petitioned for and had already announced within Chan Zhou.

Lieutenant General of Loyal Martial, Military Commander, Commander of the Pacified Army — not a single word differed.

This in itself seemed to represent the Imperial Court's approval of Chai Rong's recommendation and affirmation of Chen Wen's merits.

But the ensuing scene made this 'approval' appear to have a deeper meaning.

After the proclamation ended, Chai Rong set up a banquet to entertain the envoys.

At the banquet, Cui Renji, the Edict Bearer, with a fair complexion and perpetually bearing a formal smile,

yet he showed an extraordinary interest in Chen Wen.

He did not discuss state affairs much with Chai Rong, but instead frequently questioned Chen Wen, who sat not far down the lower seat.

"Commander Chen is truly accomplished at a young age."

Cui Renji held up his wine cup, his smile warm and inviting.

"I hear you are not a native of Chan Zhou; may I ask your ancestral home and what you did before joining the army?"

The question seemed casual, but it was actually probing his background.

Chen Wen had already prepared his response, and answered calmly:

"Reporting to the Edict Bearer, I am a native of Mount Yao in Xingzhou; my family fell into decline, and in my youth I followed merchant caravans traveling everywhere; later, due to the turmoil of war I was displaced, but fortunately the commander took me in, and I have served in the army."

This account was half‑true, half‑false, obscuring his prior experience at Jiao Tu Zhen.

It fit the image of a drifting weed in troubled times, and had also been approved by Chai Rong.

"Oh? I see."

Cui Renji nodded, his smile unchanged.

"At Linhe, you defeated eighty fierce bandits with just over ten men; what exquisite formation did you use? Was it a family‑inherited technique?"

His gaze seemed gentle, yet carried a barely perceptible scrutiny.

Chen Wen felt a chill in his heart, knowing this was a test of his military ability.

Perhaps it also harbored doubt about whether the feat of defeating many with few was genuine.

He replied modestly:

"Edict Bearer, you overpraise me; there is no family‑passed formation, just luck."

"At that time the bandits were lax, our soldiers gave their all, and the cover of night allowed us to strike unexpectedly, which led to success."

"It was truly the commander's divine protection and the soldiers' bravery, not my sole achievement."

He attributed the merit to heavenly will, the commander, and the soldiers, answering without a flaw.

Cui Renji chuckled, no longer pursuing the matter, and turned to ask:

"Linhe County, after this turmoil, its people were impoverished, yet you were able to restore its vitality in a short time."

"Even hearing that this autumn a bountiful harvest is expected, such administrative talent is all the more astonishing."

"May I ask which esteemed scholar you studied under, or whether any elder in your family held office?"

This question was even more pointed, directly challenging the legitimacy of Chen Wen's knowledge.

A young military officer originating from a traveling merchant, possessing such mature administrative methods, indeed arouses suspicion.

Chen Wen's countenance remained unchanged, his mind racing, and he replied:

"I dare not presume to compare myself to eminent scholars."

I merely, in my early years as a merchant, witnessed much of the people's hardships and occasionally encountered a few impoverished scholars, from whom I heard some sage teachings and practical miscellaneous learning.

As for the Linhe affair, it was nothing more than following the commander's strategy, adapting to local conditions, comforting the people's hearts, and letting each settle into their livelihood.

All this is due to the commander's proper guidance; I merely carry out orders.

He again attributed his merit and ability to Chai Rong's guidance and his experience in turbulent times, which was entirely reasonable.

Cui Renji gave Chen Wen a deep look, seeing that he responded appropriately, neither arrogant nor impatient.

In his words he was extremely respectful toward Chai Rong, leaving no fault to be found.

He could only smile and raise his wine cup: "Commander Chen, you are too modest. Come, drink this cup fully; may you achieve new merits, serving as the bulwark of the Great Zhou's northern frontier!"

The banquet passed in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious but actually concealed hidden motives.

Cui Renji did not deliberately target Chen Wen again, but that omnipresent sense of scrutiny was clearly felt by all the civil and military officials present in Chan Zhou.

In the following days, the envoy delegation did not depart immediately.

But they were just casually touring inside Chen Prefecture city.

They "coincidentally" passed the drill ground where the Jing'an Army was training, and watched the soldiers drill;

They "incidentally" went to the resettlement area for the military and civilians of Jiao Tu Zhen, inquiring about living conditions;

Even someone "curiously" asked the prefectural clerk about Chen Wen's daily conduct and relations with colleagues, etc.

These actions, seemingly unintentional, actually had a clear purpose.

—They wanted to personally verify all the rumors about Chen Wen.

Assess the true capabilities, sphere of influence, and loyalty to Chai Rong of this suddenly risen young commander.

Chen Wen was fully aware of this; he ordered his subordinates to carry on as usual, neither humble nor arrogant.

He should train troops when it was time to train, handle military affairs when it was time to handle them, regarding the envoy delegation's possible "chance encounter".

He also merely met them according to ritual, without saying much.

Several days later, the envoy delegation finally set out to return to Bian Liang.

The farewell ceremony remained grand, with Chai Rong personally seeing them off to the outer suburb pavilion.

Watching the dust of the departing envoy delegation, Wang Pu stood behind Chai Rong.

He gently stroked his long beard and spoke softly:

"Sir, Envoy Cui's purpose this trip is not the wine, as the saying goes."

Chai Rong's face was expressionless, his eyes deep:

"The Imperial Court, after all, does not trust me."

"Wen Zhong's sudden rise merely gave them a more concrete point of focus."

Wang Pu nodded: "Indeed so. Commander Chen handled things appropriately, revealing no flaw; that is fortunate."

"But after this matter, over there in Bian Liang he is now thoroughly marked; henceforth every move of his will likely be under others' eyes."

"No problem."

Chai Rong's tone turned cold, with a hint of resolve.

"Suspicion breeds change. The more they doubt, the more we must strengthen ourselves."

"Regarding Wen Zhong's side, please look after him more. The Jing'an Army needs to quickly form combat capability. The wind in the northern borders is likely to grow stronger."

Chen Wen did not go to see them off; he stood in the courtyard of the Jing'an Army's temporary headquarters, gazing southward.

The arrival and departure of the envoy delegation were like a silent warning, letting him understand more deeply the vortex he was in.

He was no longer merely a commander who led troops in battle and governed localities.

His very existence had become an important variable in the delicate relationship between Chen Prefecture's forces and the central Imperial Court.

Han Tong's reminder that night still rang in his ears.

The suspicion in Bian Liang hung like a sword over his head; though it had not fallen, its chilling aura was already clearly felt.

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body and the ever more solid vortex of Fortune Momentum in his sea of consciousness.

In troubled times, only strength is the fundamental basis for coping with all overt and covert attacks.

He turned and walked toward the drill ground, where his Jing'an Army awaited his training.

No matter from which direction the waves came, he must make his foundation even more impregnable.

This Chen Prefecture's game, and indeed the grand situation of the world, he has already been drawn into.

Only by advancing step by step can he carve out a new realm.