Chapter 1100

The warhorses and armor each numbered ten thousand sets; upon hearing this figure, Chen Wuji nearly jumped in shock.

Damn it, you dog, you actually dare to ask for that much!

How aren't you afraid of bursting your little bastard belly?

"Warhorses and armor are easy enough to discuss, but—Yunning Prefecture lies in the central part of Shangfang Commandery; how will you transport these things there?" Chen Wuji asked deliberately, "You must know, this is no small amount."

Tang Xiaoning said confidently: "Reporting to the Marquis, I have some private acquaintance with the nephew-by-marriage of the former Inspector of Shangfang Commandery; this man is greedy for wealth and fond of beauty, so at that time I can use his connections to pass through."

"It stands to reason the Marquis surely knows that the former Inspector of Shangfang Commandery now occupies the land of the Five Counties of Shangfang Commandery, his territory mainly concentrated in the northwestern part of the north, and these goods will truly find passage difficult only in the Three Counties."

"After passing through those Three Counties, one arrives at Xu Song's territory; this man was originally a mountain bandit, but after noticing the world had fallen into chaos, he led his followers down from the mountains to pillage, gradually gaining influence. His method of governing subordinates is brutal, relying on harsh punishment and slaughter; his subordinates harbor many grievances, and I have long since turned several of his capable officers."

"I have already ordered my officers to make preparations; once the baggage train enters Shangfang Commandery, it will launch an attack on Xu Song's domain, and with internal-external coordination, this man will surely be defeated and retreat, posing no obstacle to our army's advance."

Chen Wuji gave a light chuckle: "These talking points—you've memorized them quite thoroughly; to gain my trust, your master must have put in considerable effort."

Tang Xiaoning stared in shock, then immediately spoke with panic: "I, your humble officer, truly do not understand what the Marquis means; there must be some misunderstanding here—I… I am sincerely submitting to the Marquis, harboring no second thoughts."

"With the world in great chaos, only the Marquis is the hope of our kind."

Chen Wuji watched this person's profound performance, then suddenly found it quite interesting: "How did your people learn that I had sent envoys to Shangfang Commandery, and how did you make contact?"

Tang Xiaoning's expression instantly turned strange: "Marquis, after your envoy arrived in Pingding Prefecture, did they not stir up quite a commotion, nearly to the point of being known by all? I thought finding and contacting them would not be difficult; a little attention and I would have found them."

Upon hearing this, the tables turned and Chen Wuji was left bewildered.

Because he truly did not know what had happened in Pingding Prefecture.

Neither Jia Yujing nor anyone from the Spy Camp had sent even a word about Pingding Prefecture.

"What happened in Pingding Prefecture?" Chen Wuji asked in a deep voice.

Tang Xiaoning froze for a moment: "Marquis, you don't know?"

"Nonsense—if I knew, I wouldn't need to ask you; speak the truth!"

"Well…" Tang Xiaoning saw Chen Wuji's unpleasant expression and immediately spoke honestly: "After the Marquis's envoy entered Pingding Prefecture, they first sought out the Commander of Pingding Prefecture, Fan Shuo."

"This man was a close aide of Puyan, the former Inspector of Shangfang Commandery; I do not know exactly what the Marquis's envoy and Fan Shuo discussed, but in short, they failed to reach an agreement, and then the Marquis's envoy killed him."

"Rumor has it that the Marquis's envoy declared that if Fan Shu did not surrender, when the Han Army arrived at the city gates, Fan Shu's old and young would not be spared, thus angering Fan Shu, and then the Marquis's envoy killed him."

Chen Wuji: ……

Damn it, how does this sound so mystical!

Tang Xiaoning continued: "It's also a coincidence, because Fan Shu enjoys shooting his subordinates for amusement; regardless of whether he is happy or not, he often randomly lets a group of subordinates flee into the woods, then hunts them down like game, causing his subordinates to resent him deeply."

"Before the Marquis's envoy arrived at Pingding Prefecture, several of his subordinates had already plotted to kill Fan Shu and take his place, but they had not yet acted when the Marquis's envoy arrived first and killed him."

Chen Wuji did not interrupt Tang Xiaoning's words, merely sighing inwardly: In times of great chaos, all manner of demons and monsters come forth.

When I used to read history, I always thought some things were bizarre, but only when I truly entered this grand drama of contending for the world did I realize that what I once thought bizarre was at most child's play.

Tang Xiaoning continued: "Originally, by rights, after this point the Marquis's envoy should have swiftly withdrawn, leaving Pingding Prefecture in internal strife and conflict—either self-proclaimed rule or Puyan sending someone to pacify it."

"But neither of these has occurred; the Marquis's envoy not only did not withdraw immediately, but after several days, found Lu Chengsi, who had just stabilized the situation. He is a Training Officer under Fan Shu, commanding cavalry, and after Fan Shu's death, he enjoys the highest reputation."

"It is strange—this time… the Marquis's envoy and Lu Chengsi failed to reach an agreement, and then… the Marquis's envoy killed him as well. Pingding Prefecture has thus fallen into a state of dragons leaderless; Fan Shu's officers now each occupy one or two counties, daily either skirmishing or hurling insults."

"It seems the Marquis's envoy has now stepped from behind the scenes into the forefront, acting as a mediator for those officers, shuttling daily between the counties—this is all I know."

After hearing this, Chen Wuji roughly guessed why Jia Yujing and the Spy Camp had sent no word about Pingding Prefecture—probably just two words: afraid of losing face!

Killing two commanders on someone else's turf, their reputation is indeed made resoundingly.

But handling it this way truly cannot be called splendid.

However, this disciple Jia Yujing has astonishing courage—killing two successive commanders of Pingding Prefecture, yet he did not flee.

For a person of ordinary courage, they could at most manage the first step.

But he—killing two successive commanders, neither fleeing nor hiding, instead even becoming their mediator.

One must say, this young man bears the bearing of a Han Envoy and has not disgraced his reputation.

"Wushuang, send someone to investigate who the envoy to Pingding Prefecture is, and first award him merit!" Chen Wuji ordered.

"Yes!"

"Commandant Tang, what you said is indeed reasonable and well-founded, but hearing these words in my ears, they are not pleasant. It seems as if someone keeps whispering beside me, 'You are an idiot, you are an idiot.' Commandant Tang, can you resolve my doubt—why is this so?" Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

This person named Tang Xiaoning has poor judgment in selecting people.

Though he has memorized the talking points well, he ultimately lacks courage; when panicked, he cannot keep his mouth shut.

Merely what Chen Wuji himself noticed—he has made several mistakes.

Tang Xiaoning's expression instantly turned flustered: "I, your humble officer, do not understand what the Marquis means; I have never deceived the Marquis in any way! Once the armor and weapons are in place, our army will immediately submit; I request armor and weapons from the Marquis not for other reasons, but because I fear the armor and weapons will be insufficient, and the Marquis's banner, just raised, will be extinguished by others, damaging the Marquis's prestige."

"I give you a chance to speak the truth; if you continue with nonsense, death by five horses!" Chen Wuji said indifferently.

This has spoiled him, and he's become addicted to putting on airs.