Chapter 169

Near early autumn, on the official road outside Chen Prefecture.

A convoy of carriages and horses kicked up a light dust.

The entourage was small, only three carriages and over ten cavalry guards.

But the stern, solemn bearing brought from Bian Liang, markedly different from that of the frontier garrison,

yet it caused passing pedestrians and merchants to glance askance and instinctively make way.

The curtain of the leading carriage was lifted a corner, revealing a fair, slightly plump face with no beard on the chin.

He was about forty years old, dressed in a dark green official robe.

His gaze swept over the somewhat rugged scenery on either side of the road, his brow faintly furrowing.

He was the newly appointed Supervisor of Military Affairs for Chen Prefecture by the Bian Liang Imperial Court, a eunuch dispatched from the Palace Service — Wei Jun.

"This Chen Prefecture territory, it's actually… neater than I imagined."

Wei Jun lowered the curtain, his voice not loud, carrying the characteristic thin, sharp tone of a eunuch.

He spoke to another attendant in the carriage wearing a blue-green official robe, seemingly a records keeper.

The attendant replied respectfully.

"I've heard that Commander Chai governs the army with strict discipline, treats his subordinates well, and coupled with last year's great victory at Gaoping, both military and popular sentiment remain relatively stable."

Wei Jun gave a light hum from his nose, noncommittal.

Stable?

What the Imperial Court wants is not a monolithic 'stability' of the frontier garrison.

He bears an important mission on this trip; nominally it is to 'assist in military affairs and audit accounts.'

In reality, he must penetrate deep into Chen Prefecture, especially the vigorous defense sector of Chen Wen.

To take a good look, to feel the depth of this pool.

A twenty-five-year-old defense commissioner who rose rapidly due to military merit, commanding elite troops and administering three counties.

How could the Imperial Court be at ease with that?

The convoy slowly entered the gate of Chen Prefecture, where officials of the Commissioner's residence had already come to greet them at the gate.

After the customary pleasantries, Wei Jun did not rush to see Commissioner Chai Rong.

Instead, he proposed to first settle at the relay station; his attitude seemed accommodating, yet carried an undeniable implication.

After a brief rest at the relay station, Wei Jun, with a few attendants, went straight to the Commissioner's residence.

In the main hall of the residence, Commissioner Chai Rong sat upright in the chief seat, his countenance as usual, only his brow showing...

... a hint of fatigue not easily noticed.

Chen Wen, Han Tong, Zhang Yongde and the other chief officers and officials stood in rows on either side.

"We, Wei Jun, have come by imperial decree to serve as supervisor in Chen Prefecture; henceforth we will need your assistance, Commander, and all the generals."

Wei Jun wore a slight smile, clasped his hands in salute, and spoke courteously.

But the slight lift of his chin and his scrutinizing gaze betrayed an air of superiority.

Chai Rong rose to return the salute, his tone calm.

"Supervisor Wei, you have endured a hard journey."

"His Majesty sent the supervisor to rectify frontier affairs and correct military discipline; this commander and his troops will naturally cooperate fully."

"Commander, you understand the greater good; we admire you."

Wei Jun smiled, turning his gaze toward Chen Wen, who stood at the forefront of the officers.

"This must be the one who beheaded the enemy chieftain in battle, whose valor crowns the three armies, now famed across the realm—Commissioner Chen Wen? Indeed, a hero in his youth."

Chen Wen stepped forward, clasped his hands in salute, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Supervisor, you overpraise me. I merely fulfill my duties loyally, occasionally achieving minor success, all thanks to the commander's proper deployment and the soldiers' devotion."

"Ah, Commissioner Chen is being too modest."

Wei Jun waved his hand, his smile unchanged, but his tone shifted.

"Before leaving the capital, we had heard that Commissioner Chen Wen is not only brave and skilled in battle,"

"but also adept at administration, having governed the three counties of Luo Chuan, An Ping, and Lin He in orderly fashion, with full granaries and flourishing troops, a model for our dynasty's frontier garrisons."

These words sound like praise, but actually conceal a barb, directly putting Chen Wen on the spot.

For a frontier commander to be 'too adept at administration' has always been a taboo.

Chen Wen's expression unchanged, he spoke in a low voice.

"Supervisor, you praise me wrongly. The three counties have just been settled; a hundred undertakings await revival."

"I merely fulfill my duties: comforting refugees, encouraging agriculture and sericulture, and strengthening military preparedness."

"All for defending the border and pacifying the people, to live up to the commander's and the court's heavy trust."

Chai Rong spoke at the right moment, taking over the conversation.

"What Wen Zhong said is correct. In a frontier garrison, livelihood and military preparedness are inherently one."

"Only with a solid foundation can we repel external foes; the supervisor will learn the details in future inspections."

A gleam flashed in Wei Jun's eyes as he chuckled.

"That's only natural; we will examine closely, so as to report the true state of the frontier to His Majesty."

He no longer pressed Chen Wen, turning his gaze to Chai Rong.

"Commander, we have just arrived and are not yet familiar with Chen Prefecture's military and civil affairs; we wish to begin by auditing recent military equipment and grain accounts, and inspecting the garrisons of each unit—may we?"

"That is only proper."

Chai Rong nodded.

"This commander will arrange the relevant personnel to cooperate with the supervisor's work."

In the coming days, Wei Jun brought his entourage and, like a ghost, began operating in Chan Prefecture and its subordinate defense zones.

He first inspected the military arsenal and accounts office of the Military Commissioner's Office.

He checked each arms issuance and grain distribution item, inquiring with extreme detail, even to the point of splitting hairs.

Afterwards, he shifted his focus to the three counties under Chen Wen's jurisdiction.

That day, Wei Jun's carriage, escorted by dozens of cavalry, arrived at Luo Chuan City.

Chen Wen led his subordinates to welcome him outside the city gate.

Wei Jun alighted from his carriage and did not rush to enter the city.

Instead, he stood at the city gate, scrutinizing the obviously reinforced and renewed city walls and barbican.

And the spirited, brightly armored garrison on the city wall; a flicker of strange color passed through his eyes.

"Defense Commissioner Chen, you have put considerable effort into repairing Luo Chuan City," Wei Jun said lightly.

"Replying to the Supervisor, after last year's battle the city walls suffered much damage; to prevent future trouble, we have reinforced them."

Chen Wen's answer was flawless.

After entering the city, Wei Jun directly requested to inspect the Peaceful Army's military registry, grain distribution records, and arms ledger.

In the side hall of the county office, Wang Ru brought several clerks who carried up stack after stack of ledgers.

The accounts were clear, items distinct, every expenditure and income recorded, leaving hardly any flaw.

The accountant Wei Jun brought flipped through for a while, only able to shake his head slightly.

Wei Jun's expression unchanged, he closed the ledger and spoke again.

"The accounts are clear, excellent. I wish to go to the military camp to review the troops' drills; Defense Commissioner Chen, what do you think?"

"Please, Supervisor." Chen Wen gestured with his hand.

The party arrived at the Peaceful Army Main Camp outside the city.

On the drill field, shouts of killing shook the heavens.

The soldiers, under the officers' lead, were drilling; formations changed skillfully, archery shots were precise, close-quarters combat was fierce.

Especially a cavalry unit of about five hundred, under Shi Dun's command, was conducting charge drills.

Hooves thundered, momentum astonishing, clearly they had undergone extremely harsh training.

Wei Jun understood military affairs; he could see this force was no mere show.

Rather, they were true battle-hardened elite; their training level and spirit even surpassed part of the Imperial Guards of Bian Liang.

He secretly marveled; Chen Wen's ability to train troops truly lived up to its reputation.

"The troops are indeed quite formidable."

Wei Jun gave a brief comment, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"However, now that it is not wartime, maintaining such a scale of standing elite troops, the daily grain and arms consumption, is surely not a small amount."

"Defense Commissioner Chen, can the taxes of these three counties still support it?"

He again steered the conversation toward the sensitive matter of grain and funds.

Chen Wen responded calmly.

"Replying to the Supervisor, the three counties' taxes are all levied according to Imperial Court regulations."

"All military expenditures have traceable accounts; there is absolutely no extra levy or apportionment."

"Moreover, since last year we have settled refugees and reclaimed wasteland; this year's summer grain has a slight surplus."

"Furthermore, the Military Commissioner's Office occasionally provides allocations; for now we can still maintain it. If the Supervisor doubts, they may inspect the treasury at any time."

Wei Jun stared at Chen Wen for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Defense Commissioner Chen governs the military and administration with order; no wonder Envoy Chai relies on him so heavily."

"I am merely doing my duty; Defense Commissioner, you need not worry."

Although he said so, his sharp gaze continually swept over every corner of the military camp, as if searching for some flaw.

He could feel it—this Luo Chuan, this Peaceful Army.

From top to bottom exuded an air of being a monolith, making it hard to intervene or to find any obvious fault.

But this only made him more certain that this place must conceal a secret.

How could a young commander with no foundation, in just a year or two, have built such a situation?

Behind this, there must be some unknown force.

After inspecting the military camp, Wei Jun then proposed to look at the imperial granary.

Upon seeing the grain stores nearly overflowing, the corner of his eye twitched slightly.

This stock far exceeded his estimate.

"Defense Commissioner Chen, quite a clever method."

Wei Jun said something with deep meaning.

Chen Wen merely bowed slightly.

"All this is simply our duty to defend the borders."

After a day's inspection, Wei Jun returned to the relay station, his face sinking.

Accounts clear, military appearance strong, grain and fodder ample, people's hearts at peace…

This Chen Wen had practically brought every possible surface accomplishment to perfection.

Trying to find a handle on him through conventional means would likely be difficult.

But he was not discouraged.

The more so, the more it shows his ambitions are not small.

He simply did not believe that, beneath this seemingly monolithic situation, there would be no gap at all.

Someone!

Wei Jun ordered his trusted attendant:

Investigate thoroughly for our side: look into the origins of those refugees, and look into the backgrounds of those artisans under Chen Wen's command.

Check whether he has any secret dealings with other commanders in Chan Prefecture, or even with the northern side!

If we can't find anything openly, we'll start from the shadows!

He lifted his teacup, took a sip of the already cool tea, and a cold light flickered in his eyes.

He has stirred up the waters of Chan Prefecture.

He also wants to find a way to shake Chen Wen's roots.

Otherwise, wouldn't his coming as supervisor be in vain?