Chapter 922 - 766: Family Letter (2)

Chen Ji put the Wu Yun tied to his chest aside and pushed the door open. He saw Zheng Jiye holding a Wild Great Sword, swaggering around and knocking on doors with its hilt, a waist tag of the Anti-Japanese Army thousands of households hanging from his waist.

The old and young men of the Anti-Japanese Army, bleary-eyed and cursing, came out: "We never used to get up this early, Zheng Jiye, are you just bored out of your mind?"

Zheng Jiye patted the waist tag: "How can you speak to a thousand households like that?"

The men of the Anti-Japanese Army paused briefly, and a moment later, an old soldier took off his straw sandals and chased Zheng Jiye, hitting him: "You’re putting on airs with your uncle? If it weren’t for the smuggling of private salt and tax reductions, no one would join your Anti-Japanese Army. It was only after your mother begged for three days that I came to suffer this!"

Zheng Jiye, covering his head, ran like a rat: "We’re now the victorious Anti-Japanese Army, so we must present ourselves more dignified, Zhang Lao Liu and the others train daily, we must do the same."

Uncle Zheng cursed angrily: "What does winning battles have to do with you?"

Zheng Jiye, exasperated, held up his waist tag: "I am now a true thousand households!"

Uncle Zheng snatched the waist tag in one swipe and tossed it into Chen Ji’s arms: "Say one more word, and I’ll take you back to the village to kneel at the ancestral hall."

Zheng Jiye, deflated, had his first act as a new official doused by his uncle.

Uncle Zheng turned to Chen Ji, smiling apologetically: "Sir, my nephew is ignorant, please don’t take it to heart."

Chen Ji casually tossed the waist tag back to Zheng Jiye and said to the Anti-Japanese Army: "Since you’re awake, go to the riverside and dig some yellow clay to help repair the courtyard walls and rooftops for the Jingjiang County folk. Many have their homes destroyed with nowhere to stay. With the Jiangnan spring rains, children and adults alike will suffer."

The Anti-Japanese Army quickly cupped their hands: "Yes."

Uncle Zheng led the Anti-Japanese Army, pushing a wheelbarrow out of the city to dig clay, leaving Zheng Jiye standing there at a loss, until Chen Ji glanced at him: "You too."

Zheng Jiye was about to retort but seeing Yuan Xing and others behind Chen Ji, meekly slipped away: "I’m the best at house repairs. Even the big beams in the village before needed me to help..."

Yuan Xing sneered at Zheng Jiye’s back: "Think you’re going to fly high just because you’re a thousand households? Dream on."

Chen Ji turned to Yuan Xing: "You too."

Yuan Xing widened his eyes: "Foster Father, we’re all nobles; when have we ever done mudding or roofing work? That’s a servant’s job."

Zhou Chang chimed in: "Indeed, Foster Father, with so many Anti-Japanese Army hands, a few of us aren’t needed. Besides, what does the destruction of Ning Dynasty people’s houses have to do with us Jing Dynasty nobles? We’ve done enough by fighting the Wokou."

Old Ears was leaning against a wall watching the show until he saw Chen Ji turn his way, fearing the worst.

Chen Ji, smiling, asked: "You’re not a noble, right? You’re also a Ning Dynasty person."

Old Ears grumpily replied: "Spit it out if you have something to say. No matter what you say, I won’t go play in the mud."

Chen Ji thoughtfully said: "Weren’t you a Flower Waist in Da Heishan..."

Old Ears’ expression changed: "Shut up!"

Chen Ji, with a hint of a smile, continued: "Weren’t you in Shangjing City..."

Old Ears turned and walked outside the city: "Fine, I’ll go repair the house."

Chen Ji watched Old Ears’ back before turning to Yuan Xing and others: "How about now?"

Yuan Xing gritted his teeth: "Might as well learn a craft."

Zhou Chang sighed: "Rise, the people suffer; fall, the people suffer. One day the Ning Dynasty people will become our Jing Dynasty people, so it’s fine to help them."

The group started to walk out of the city, with Jiang Chai remarking to the side: "Foster Father, I heard that broker said the Matsubara Clan is very vengeful and might come back with a larger force. We might not be able to hold Jingjiang County."

Chen Ji seemed unconcerned: "Let’s wait and see."

Jiang Chai was puzzled: "What are we waiting for, Foster Father? We can’t just help the people rebuild houses every day. At least we could train the Anti-Japanese Army in maneuvers, even if they’re not very useful, it’s better than not training at all."

Chen Ji paused to think: "These old soldiers get winded running just two steps, they’d be dead from your training before the Wokou arrive. You needn’t join in the repair work. Instead, pick some agile young and strong ones to scout out information in nearby towns... like Qu Xia, Huangqiao, Gushan, Ma Qiao, Dongxing, Xinqiao, Jishi."

Jiang Chai was taken aback: "Foster Father, what information are we seeking in these places?"

Chen Ji whispered a few words.

Jiang Chai was momentarily stunned, then his eyes lit with excitement: "Foster Father is indeed planning an uprising, wait for my good news!"

With that, he energetically gathered a few capable young members of the Anti-Japanese Army and left.

...

...

During the day, Chen Ji rolled up his trouser legs and sleeves, leading over a hundred members of the Anti-Japanese Army in repairing houses and city walls. By evening, he washed the yellow clay and dust off his hands and waited on the pier for the Qing-marked ferry from Jinling to bring the day’s Wuxiang Morning News.

On the first day, returning passengers from Jinling brought the second Wuxiang Morning News.

The front page content was still about Marquis Wu Xiang, but not about romantic matters. It was about him saving Prince Fu at the Qi family home and perishing in the sea of flames. Chen Ji sighed with relief, unconcerned about Yuan Xing and the others crowding around to watch.

The group sat in a row on the pier reading the newspaper, with Yuan Xing whispering: "This thing is great, knowing what’s happening every day in Jinling. Once we return to the Jing Dynasty, we should start our own, criticizing Lu Jin in the papers every day."

Chen Ji paid him no mind, focusing on the paper.

Unlike yesterday, pages seven and eight were no longer filled with recruitment ads, but with Jinling’s local customs.

The seventh page talked about the incense at Chaotian Palace: "Grand Ancestor bestowed the name Chaotian Palace, meaning to worship the heavens and visit the Emperor. The sloping flagstones on the steps at the palace gate are polished smooth from children sliding on them. Entering the main gate is the Glorious Treasure Hall, where devotees pray for the safety and peace of their husbands..."