Chinese Generals Summoning System

Chapter 32: Off to Qianzhou

Doctor Zhang had just re-dressed the wound on Liu Hao’s back when Chen Yan walked into the room. Liu Ji hurriedly asked, “Second Uncle, did Grandpa agree to lend us the money?” Chen Yan’s expression suddenly turned very awkward. “Liu Ji, well… well… my father would like to discuss the loan with you in person.” Without giving it much thought, Liu Ji immediately nodded and said, “Second Uncle, then please take me to see my maternal grandfather right away!” Chen Yan looked at Liu Ji, hesitating as if he wanted to say something but held back. Finally, he sighed, shook his head helplessly, and said, “Alright, let’s go see your grandfather first. We’ll talk about the rest later. Sigh—” At that moment, Liu Ji didn’t even notice Chen Yan’s expression; his mind was completely consumed by the thought of 400 taels of gold. Liu Ji followed Chen Yan into a study within the Chen family compound. He discovered that, besides his maternal grandfather Chen Ta, there was also a middle-aged man in the room. Chen Yan introduced them: “Liu Ji, this is your eldest uncle, Chen Qi. Eldest Brother, this is Liu Ji, the son of our fifth sister.” Chen Qi smiled and nodded at Liu Ji, though his smile was somewhat stiff. After all, in his eyes, Liu Ji was just a child—and his own nephew—yet his father, Chen Ta, had set his sights on this boy. After paying his respects to both Chen Ta and Chen Qi, Liu Ji immediately said to Chen Ta, “Grandfather, my father urgently needs five qian of black rhinoceros horn to save his life, so I’d like to borrow 400 taels of gold from you for the time being. I promise to repay you as soon as possible.” At that moment, Chen Ta suddenly broke into a kind smile and said, “Your father is, after all, my son-in-law, and you are my grandson. Although 400 taels of gold is no small sum for the Chen family, I am willing to provide it to save your father.” Upon hearing this, Liu Ji was overjoyed and said, “That’s wonderful, Grandfather. Thank you so much. I will definitely repay you the 400 taels of gold as soon as possible.” It seemed that when it really mattered, his grandfather was still a great help. Chen Ta then cleared his throat and continued, “However, Grandfather has one favor to ask of you.” “Grandfather, whatever you need me to do, just give the order.” “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. I want you to take your eldest uncle’s place and serve on the frontier in Qianzhou!” “What! Go to Qianzhou to guard the border!” Liu Ji instantly felt sick to his stomach, and the favorable impression he’d just formed of Chen Ta vanished in an instant. Chen Ta explained to Liu Ji the circumstances surrounding Chen Qi’s deployment to guard the border in Qianzhou. Chen Ta’s intention was for Liu Ji, as the Chen family’s grandson-in-law, to take his uncle’s place in Qianzhou. Given Chen Ta’s slight influence with County Magistrate Wang Ji,County Magistrate Wang Ji should not object. Furthermore, Liu Ji had several well-trained household guards under his command, more than enough to intimidate the 800-man contingent assembled from the powerful families of Qi County along the way, safely escort 500 of them to the border fortress in Qianzhou, and complete the mission entrusted by the imperial court. Chen Ta also promised Liu Ji that if he was willing to take his uncle Chen Qi’s place in guarding the border at Qianzhou,the Chen family would not only contribute the 400 taels of gold intended for purchasing black rhinoceros horn but would also gift the residence where Liu Ji and his party currently lived to Liu Ji and Liu Hao free of charge. Furthermore, they would grant Liu Ji and Liu Hao a shop in Qi County’s town center, as well as 50 mu of prime paddy fields outside the county seat. Furthermore, to prevent Liu Ji from fleeing along the way, Chen Ta demanded that Liu Hao and Liu Niuniu—Liu Ji’s closest relatives—remain in Qi County. Although Liu Ji felt that Chen Ta was taking advantage of his vulnerable situation, saving his father, Liu Hao, was the top priority at this moment. Moreover, Liu Ji reasoned that he had several military commanders under his command and possessed the “Chinese Martial Generals Summoning System.” While others sent to guard the border in Qianzhou might never return, he himself might not face significant danger. Even if there were risks, Liu Ji could not afford to worry about them at this point. Liu Ji thought it over for a moment, then said to Chen Ta in a solemn voice, “It’s fine for me to take my maternal uncle’s place in guarding the border at Qianzhou. You don’t need to give me those 400 taels of gold; I only need five qian of black rhinoceros horn. Besides, one shop and 50 mu of paddy fields are far too little. Once I’m in Qianzhou, my father will have to stay in Qi County to recover from his injuries, and the expenses for our entire family will certainly be substantial. Two shops and 200 mu of paddy fields—that request shouldn’t be unreasonable, after all, going to Qianzhou to guard the border is essentially a suicide mission.” Chen Ta hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, “Very well! I’ll agree to your terms! Furthermore, I’ll ask County Magistrate Wang Ji to grant you the military rank of Qixian Captain!” Liu Ji clasped his fists and said, “Grandfather, as long as those arrangements are in place, your grandson is ready to set out for Qianzhou at any time.” Chen Yan and Chen Qi, standing nearby, exchanged glances. Both looked extremely awkward—after all, Liu Ji was their nephew, and only sixteen years old. Scheming against him like this was, no matter how you looked at it, simply not right. Chen Yan and Chen Qi then accompanied Liu Ji back to the room where Liu Hao was staying. Before entering, Liu Ji instructed the two not to mention the matter of going to Qianzhou to guard the border just yet. Chen Qi and Chen Yan nodded silently. Feeling somewhat guilty, Chen Qi even promised Liu Ji that he would allocate a batch of weapons and armor for him to take to Qianzhou, while Chen Yan also promised to prepare extra provisions for Liu Ji. Liu Ji returned to the room where Liu Hao was staying and told Doctor Zhang that five qian of black rhinoceros horn could be procured within two days; he entrusted his father, Liu Hao, to Doctor Zhang’s care. Liu Ji then asked Doctor Zhang if it would be possible to move Liu Hao to the residence on the west side of the city. After all, Liu Hao’s stay at the Chen family compound was rather inconvenient, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, that residence would eventually belong to the Liu family. Dr. Zhang told Liu Ji that Liu Hao’s main problem at the moment was that the toxin had invaded his internal organs; as long as he took the secret family remedy, once the toxins were purged from his body, he would be fine. It was fine to move Liu Hao to the mansion in the western part of the city, but care must be taken to ensure the journey wasn’t too bumpy. Liu Ji then turned to Chen Qi and Chen Yan, who had accompanied him, and said, “Uncle Chen, Uncle Chen, could you arrange a horse-drawn carriage? I plan to take Father back to the residence in the western part of the city so he can recover.” “No problem. I’ll have someone arrange a carriage right away,” Chen Yan said before turning and leaving. Chen Qi walked over to the bedside to greet Liu Hao and urged him to rest and recover, then left as well; he felt extremely awkward staying there any longer. Before long, the carriage was ready. Liu Tie and three servants from the Chen family worked together to gently lift Liu Hao into the carriage. Chen Yan then walked over to Liu Ji and said apologetically, “Liu Ji, I’m truly sorry. I never expected things to turn out this way, but… sigh—” “Second Uncle, I, Liu Ji, am deeply grateful that the Chen family is helping me save my father. Going to Qianzhou to guard the border is no big deal.” “Sigh—there’s no point in saying more now. In any case, the Chen family owes you a debt of gratitude. If there’s anything you need before you leave for Qianzhou, just let your Second Uncle know. I’ll do my best, along with the Chen family, to see that it gets done.” “Thank you, Second Uncle.” After the carriage passed through the main gate of the Chen family compound, Liu Ji called out to Liu Pi, who was waiting at the entrance, and the group returned to their residence in the western part of the city.