Chapter 1041

Chen Wuji gave Hu Yuyan a deep look, then suddenly laughed, "So, Miss Hu, what do you want to say? Could it be you have a way to let me get those things back without paying any price?"

"Indeed there is!" Hu Yuyan said, very confident.

Her confidence made Chen Wuji inexplicably recall that pair of Murong brothers who, while dragging a Miss Yuyan around the world in chaos, constantly talked about restoring the nation.

Chen Wuji couldn't help laughing a little, "I'm all ears!"

"As long as Marquis Zhenyuan helps my Qili Tribe unify the Uyghurs, we Qili Tribe can help Marquis Zhenyuan smoothly obtain what he wants today, and after success we Qili Tribe can cede land and pay tribute to Marquis Zhenyuan, becoming his vassals year after year." Hu Yuyan spoke in a clear voice, enunciating each word.

She spoke very definitely and was very confident.

But Chen Wuji, hearing this, felt a bit dazed.

What kind of opening is this woman making today, huh?!

"Marquis Zhenyuan need not doubt whether I have the right to say this; as long as you nod, someone will naturally prove to you that I am qualified to stand before you and speak these words, and every word I say will be trustworthy and usable!" Hu Yuyan said.

Chen Wuji stared silently at Hu Yuyan for a moment, "Today's matter is already an arrow on the bowstring!"

"As long as the Marquis nods, there will be enough time." Hu Yuyan said, still so certain, her expression unchanged, "When it comes time to charge into battle, the Royal Court will not let our Qili Tribe off; although I don't know the current situation opposite, our Qili Tribe will definitely be needed."

"Given the Royal Court's past conduct, they will likely have our Qili Tribe's women, children, and elderly take up arms and go to the battlefield. Although I am a woman, my commands still carry some weight in the Qili Tribe, and I cannot guarantee everyone will obey me, but helping Marquis Zhenyuan win this battle and obtain what he wants should still be possible."

"If the enemy could be reduced by half, and that half became Marquis Zhenyuan's ally, then with his ability this battle should have no suspense at all."

Chen Wuji's heart was stirred deeply.

What he is now torn about is not whether to agree, but a moral dilemma.

The Uyghurs he wants are not about swapping one tribe for a king to receive tribute; he wants to cut off their lineage, exterminate their people, so that the Central Plains will never again suffer this foreign menace.

"Your condition really makes it hard for me to refuse." Chen Wuji gave a light smile.

He decided to agree.

One only discusses morality with gentlemen; what morality is there to talk about with petty people?

That thing was never meant to be theirs.

"Please, Marquis, have my attendants found; I will give them instructions." Hu Yuyan's expression, which had been tense, finally changed, and she visibly relaxed.

Chen Wuji made a slight gesture with his left hand, then looked at Hu Yuyan with interest and asked, "I'm really curious why you suddenly had this idea."

"I also need to thank the Marquis for locking me together with the Third Prince and providing such a quiet place; calming down and looking at that face let me understand many things." Hu Yuyan said.

"I locked you together not to let you contemplate life."

Hu Yuyan's brows and eyes relaxed, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly, "If the Marquis hadn't said that, I would have always thought he was doing it to make me face reality, for my own good."

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched, "Come on, you really think I'm a three-year-old you can fool?"

This woman, it turns out, is not a fuel-saving lamp.

My earlier judgment was off.

"Since we are now in a cooperative relationship, I have an off-topic question: why did you kidnap me that day?" Chen Wuji asked.

Hu Yuyan's brows and eyes suddenly flashed with a hint of slyness, "Can Marquis Zhenyuan's advisors not see how simple this is? Or… do you think I'm simple-minded and clumsy in my actions?"

"……"

Damn, this woman seems to be taking a jab at him.

"I want to hear the answer from your mouth." Chen Wuji said with a dark face.

Hu Yuyan straightened her expression, nodded, and said, "Actually, there really isn't any complicated reason; I just wanted to trade my life for Li Qichen's. Doing this can't guarantee the safety of the Qili Tribe, but it can buy us a chance to catch our breath."

"The Uyghurs are not something the Royal Court can control alone; major affairs involving all tribes are watched by the others, who will certainly intervene. The Qili Tribe had previously been targeted by the Royal Court and all tribes, but if I trade my life for Li Qichen's, they will have to consider public sentiment and reputation."

Chen Wuji's expression was strange.

This woman is smart one moment, stupid the next.

He had almost really thought there was some deeper meaning behind her actions, but… it turned out to be just this?

"I saw contempt in the Marquis's eyes." Hu Yuyan said, "My idea and action were indeed a bit foolish, but given the situation at the time, that was the only thing I could think of right away."

Chen Wuji didn't answer that question, he waved his hand and had the Personal Guard bring Hu Yuyan's attendants over.

"Give your report in front of me!" Chen Wuji said.

Hu Yuyan nodded in acknowledgment, then briefly conveyed to her attendant—who looked slow-witted, like a zombie—the words she wanted to say to her tribe.

But this person is a master.

When Chen Wuji had previously sent people to search, this kid was loitering outside the camp, preparing to charge into the camp alone to rescue his master.

"Xingyuan, she's yours!" Chen Wuji pointed at Hu Yuyan and shouted at Chen Xingyuan, who stood not far away, "Ally, be polite, but don't capsize in the gutter again."

Chen Xingyuan walked over, his face somewhat dark.

He didn't really like this arrangement.

Compared to Chen Xingyuan's grim expression, Hu Yuyan remained calm, even offering a smile as she bowed to him, "Thank you, General; I am the commoner Hu Yuyan, and I have offended you before."

Chen Xingyuan gave a soft snort and paid no further heed.

Because of this, he is about to become the laughingstock of the entire central army.

If Hu Yuyan's strength were a bit stronger, it would be fine, but aside from being skilled with poison and possessing a marvelous Disguise Technique, she only knows a little bit of three-legged cat kung fu.

"Family Head, although Hu Yuyan's proposed cooperation sounds good, I still can't help but pour some cold water on it—cooperating with the Uyghurs is no different than scheming with a tiger." Chen Li followed up, standing half a step behind Chen Wuji, and spoke in a low voice.

After a pause, he added softly, "The four borders of Great Yu are all wolves and tigers, with not a single good sort. This is not my summary; it is the mottled blood and tears left in the histories by a thousand years."

Chen Wuji stopped walking, "Eleventh Uncle, do you know what I was thinking before I agreed to her? I was wondering whether my morals could withstand this kind of tossing."

Chen Li was taken aback.