Chapter 159

The Bian Liang imperial envoy is still in Luo Chuan city 'investigating the people's sentiments', another wind has already quietly arrived.

That day, Chen Wen was at the drill ground inspecting the new recruits' crossbow drill.

The personal guards reported that Zhao Kuangyin, Commander of the Chen Prefecture cavalry, leading a small retinue, had already arrived outside Luo Chuan city.

He said he was merely passing through and had come specially to pay a visit to Defense Commissioner Chen.

'Zhao Kuangyin...'

Chen Wen set down the standard crossbow that had just been sent for inspection, a flicker of realization crossing his eyes.

What was bound to come will eventually come.

In the Battle of Gaoping, both were part of the Chen Prefecture faction of commanders, and each had earned military merit.

But the one whose star shone brightest was undoubtedly him, Chen Wenzhong.

Now he has set up his own office and controls three counties; though serving under Zhao Kuangyin in Chen Prefecture, he faintly shows signs of standing on equal footing.

This time he has come.

He claims to be merely passing by to pay a visit, but his real intention is to probe, as obvious as day.

'Please have Commander Zhao come to headquarters to meet.'

Chen Wen gave the order.

He did not rush back, but instead continued watching a segment of the crossbow drill.

Only then did he leisurely turn his horse and return to the city.

Upon returning to the Defense Commissioner's headquarters, Zhao Kuangyin had already been led to the main hall for tea.

Chen Wen changed into a more formal robe, entered the hall, and his face bore a perfectly warm smile.

'Commander Zhao! What wind blew you to my humble place? I failed to greet you afar, please forgive me!'

One person stood up in the hall: stalwart, broad-faced, wide-mouthed, with a heroic aura between his brows—it was Zhao Kuangyin.

Upon seeing Chen Wen, he also laughed loudly, clasped his fists in salute.

'Defense Commissioner Chen, you're too polite! It's I who rudely intruded!'

'This time I was ordered to inspect defenses to the north; passing through Luo Chuan, how could I not stop in?'

'I should have come earlier to congratulate Brother Wenzhong on his promotion!'

After exchanging pleasantries, the surface was all harmony, and they took their seats as host and guest.

'Brother Wenzhong, your fame now shakes the world...'

Zhao Kuangyin held his teacup, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Chen Wen.

His tone carried admiration, yet also a hint of probing that was hard to notice.

'At Gaoping you saved the lord, turned the tide, were ennobled and made a general—truly deserved.'

'What's rarer is that you've governed Luo Chuan, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Linhe counties so orderly.'

'Just now entering the city, I saw the bustling market, the people at peace—far surpassing elsewhere, truly admirable.'

'Commander, you overpraise me.'

Chen Wen waved his hand, his expression modest.

'It is all thanks to Lord Chai Rong's wise leadership, the soldiers' dedication, and the people's diligence.'

'Wenzhong merely does his duty conscientiously, fulfilling only his basic responsibilities.'

'Compared to you, Commander, who commands the cavalry and is the lord's right arm, bearing greater responsibility.'

Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily and set down his teacup.

'Brother Wenzhong, you're too modest. Now everyone knows that your three counties are the financial and grain base of our Chen Prefecture, the source of our strong troops.'

'I've heard the artificer camp can forge fine weapons; even Commander Han Tong praises it without end.'

'I wonder if Commander Zhao would have the honor to take a look?'

'When the map is unfolded, the dagger appears.' Chen Wen inwardly sneered; sure enough, he came to probe the realities.

But on his face he showed a look of difficulty.

'Commander, you may not know that the artificer camp is a vital military zone with strict regulations; even I cannot easily bring people there.'

'Moreover, we are currently testing new devices, in utter disarray, lest it offend your discerning eye.'

'How about I accompany you on a walk through the city to see the market and the people's livelihood?'

A flash of light appeared in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes, then he smiled and said.

'If that's the case, then no need to insist; a stroll would be fine—perfect to observe Brother Wenzhong's governance abilities.'

The two rose, taking only a few attendants, walked out of the headquarters and blended into the streets of Luo Chuan city.

At this time Luo Chuan city, though not as prosperous as Bian Liang, nevertheless had its own vibrant vitality.

The streets were clean and tidy, shops lined both sides, peddlers and hawkers calling out their wares.

Passersby, though mostly dressed plainly, had ruddy complexions and hurried steps.

Their eyes lacked the numbness and panic common in troubled times, instead holding a bit more hope for life.

Occasionally, a patrol of the Jing'an soldiers passed by, their bearing orderly, causing no harm to the populace.

Zhao Kuangyin watched silently, yet his heart was tumultuous.

He had not lacked worldly experience, but to bring such a remote frontier town to this state in a short time was no easy feat.

This Chen Wenzhong, not only brave in battle, but his talent for governing localities is even more astonishing.

He noticed some details, such as public wells and fire barrels set at street corners.

There were dedicated officials managing market order, to the extent that beggars were rarely seen.

'Under Brother Wenzhong's rule, it truly is a scene of prosperous times.'

Zhao Kuangyin sighed from the heart; this time there was less probing and more complexity.

He asked himself, if he were to place himself in Chen Wen's position, could he achieve this in such a short time?

The answer seemed not optimistic.

"It is all thanks to your support, Sir, and the united efforts of all your colleagues."

Chen Wen still stuck to that set of explanations, watertight.

He accompanied Zhao Kuangyin through the grain market, seeing newly arrived wheat, prices stable;

passing the ironware shop, seeing improved farming tools for sale;

even gazing into the distance at the dock outside the city undergoing expansion.

Along the way, Zhao Kuangyin's questions never ceased, from resettling refugees to tax collection.

From commercial management to military training, it seemed like casual chatter.

In fact, every sentence stuck to the core, trying to probe Chen Wen's background and governance approach.

Chen Wen either avoided the main point or shifted blame to Chai Rong's strategy and the execution by Zhang Cheng and others.

He himself consistently maintained a low profile and humility, but when occasionally mentioning specific data or measures,

that air of having everything under control, of knowing things like the back of his hand, only made Zhao Kuangyin feel increasingly apprehensive.

Upon reaching a high ground, one could overlook a small half of Luo Chuan city and the distant fields.

Zhao Kuangyin stopped his steps, gazing at that thriving scene, and suddenly sighed.

"In these troubled times, to obtain such a peaceful place is truly a blessing for the people."

"Brother Wen Zhong, you say, when will this world truly be at peace? As martial men, where lies our way forward?"

This question went a bit deep, carrying a hint of barely perceptible confusion and ambition.

Chen Wen stood at his side, his gaze likewise directed far away, silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Pacifying the world is not a matter of a single day."

"For us martial men, our path is nothing more than following a wise lord, quelling the wicked, and restoring peace to the world. As for other…"

He paused, turned his head to look at Zhao Kuangyin, his eyes calm yet profound.

"These are not things for us to think about, nor to ask about. Do our utmost, fulfill our duties, and that is enough."

Zhao Kuangyin, hearing this, felt a jolt in his heart and gave Chen Wen a deep look.

Seeing his composed expression, with nothing unusual, he then laughed heartily, covering up his earlier slip?

"Brother Wen Zhong's words are absolutely correct! I, Zhao Kuangyin, have been rash. To do our utmost and fulfill our duties—these words are excellent!"

As the sun set westward, Zhao Kuangyin politely declined Chen Wen's dinner invitation, stating that military duties called and he needed to travel overnight.

Seeing him off at the city gate, Zhao Kuangyin mounted his horse and clasped his fists.

"Brother Wen Zhong, please stay! Today's meeting has been most beneficial. If you ever have leisure, please come to my camp for a chat!"

"Certainly." Chen Wen returned the salute with clasped hands.

Watching Zhao Kuangyin's entourage disappear in a cloud of dust, the smile on Chen Wen's face gradually faded, his gaze turning profound.

Shi Dun appeared behind him at some point, speaking in a deep, resonant voice.

"Sir, this Zhao Kuangyin, laughing all the time, I always feel he's got something foul brewing in his belly."

Chen Wen did not turn back, merely said lightly.

"As people, everyone harbors ambition and calculation."

"His visit today is nothing more than wanting to see how this 'nouveau riche' of mine really is, whether he's just an empty reputation."

He paused, the corner of his mouth curling with a hint of coldness.

"Let him look. Some things he can see, but cannot learn."

He turned and walked toward the city.

Today's meeting seemed peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

Zhao Kuangyin's probing, the pressure from the Imperial Court, were both clearly indicated.

He, Chen Wen, was no longer that small figure who could silently accumulate power.

He had already stood at the forefront of the storm, becoming the focus of all factions' attention, and also a potential adversary to some.

And this was merely the beginning.

Returning to the headquarters study, Chen Wen pondered for a moment, then gave orders to the silently appearing Qian Gui.

"Add personnel, keep watch on the movements of Zhao Kuangyin's forces, especially… whether any suspicious-looking strangers have appeared around him."

"Yes." Qian Gui replied, his figure once again melting into the shadows.

Chen Wen sat at the desk, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the surface.

Zhao Kuangyin's appearance added another degree of urgency to his heart.

On this chaotic world's chessboard, the number of players placing pieces keeps growing.