Chapter 832

What the hell?

Chen Wuji was stunned, "The Shiva envoy is going to the Capital to sue me?!"

Qin Zanred nodded, "They listed several charges, each item very clear. If we really calculate it their way, it seems we could indeed pin a crime on my husband, and it's not a minor one."

Chen Wuji laughed, "Damn, that's awesome!"

What the hell is in the heads of these Shiva people? They could actually come up with such a clumsy method.

Could it be just to occupy the nominal moral high ground?

But when have the Shiva ever cared about this? Could it be that after following the parent state for a few years, they've started to value these things?

Don't show off—saying this here isn't appropriate, is it? Qin Zanred teased, smiling, with a pointed meaning.

Chen Wuji lowered his head and glanced, his expression slightly stunned.

Just now it seemed something rolled across his face.

I'm just expressing amazement, don't drag this into other matters," Chen Wuji said.

Qin Zanred giggled, like a mouse that had stolen oil.

Yan Qiushui had just lifted her head to hear what Chen Wuji and the others were discussing; hearing Qin Zanred's remark, she didn't immediately understand what Qin Zanred meant, or whether Chen Wuji had spoken, until it suddenly dawned on her.

In an instant, Yan Qiushui's already flushed cheeks turned as red as a cooked crab.

She pulled the blanket over her head again and covered her ears with both hands.

The filth outside was too severe; she really couldn't listen any longer.

"My lord, how should we deal with these Shiva envoys?" Qin Zanred finally steered the conversation back on track, "Why not just kill them? Keeping these people seems useless; we could send their heads back to Shiva."

Chen Wuji shook his head, "No, let them go to the Capital to sue me."

Huh?

"No, to prevent any mishap on the road, we should also send troops to escort them part of the way."

Qin Zanred looked bewildered, "That's just unnecessary, asking for trouble!"

"The Shiva have been provoking the border for years; the higher-ups know, and the common folk Ye Men'erqing know." Chen Wuji said solemnly, "The Shiva envoy going to sue me isn't a bad thing; it might even help us a little."

"My reputation in Da Yu is mixed, but I can be sure that our invasion of Qiang Land and Shiva has boosted morale and uplifted the people's spirit. If at this moment the Shiva envoy goes to file a complaint, while the court officials side with Shiva, and combined with the court's army about to march south, whose face will be lost? Surely not mine."

Qin Zanred had been exposed since childhood to the highest echelons of Da Yu; she usually just didn't bother to think, but that didn't mean she couldn't understand.

Chen Wuji's simple analysis made Qin Zanred's eyes light up instantly, "Your husband's mind is really devious!"

Chen Wuji's face darkened, "Next time you praise me, think of a better word—this is a stratagem, what does it have to do with being dirty?"

When the Shiva envoys entered the capital, they brought not his army, but the armies of those high officials at court.

If they side with Shiva, their already notorious reputation will rise even higher, dragging Da Yu down with them.

But if they side with Chen Wuji, what would they say about the four hundred thousand troops preparing to attack him?

Either way, they have to pick a side.

This matter cannot be avoided.

The envoys of the two states, Chen Wuji could ambush them midway and then just dig a hole to bury them.

But once the Shiva envoys enter the capital, this matter must be discussed.

Perhaps those two ministers have other means, but no matter what, Chen Wuji will definitely not lose out here.

"Quickly find a better doctor for those envoys, treat them well with food and drink, but don't let them die!" Chen Wuji suddenly exclaimed urgently, recalling that Qin Zanred had said they'd been tortured with various methods.

"No rush; they won't die in this short time, I'll take care of it later!" Qin Zanred nudged Chen Wuji from behind, her meaning already quite clear.

Since we've encountered them, how could we just leave it at that?

Until recently we'd been on the march, and this sort of thing wasn't convenient.

After arriving at Jie Jia Zui, Chen Wuji was busy all day, every day, often working until late at night, then collapsing into sleep.

Qin Zanred had been longing for this opportunity terribly.

"You're being very disrespectful to your lord now!" Chen Wuji said deliberately, his sinful hand reaching out to press Qin Zanred onto the bed.

Qin Zanred eagerly cried, "My lord, I was wrong; you can punish me however you wish."

Beside her, Lu Wanwan's eyes sparkled, and she instantly followed along.

……

After finishing his business, Chen Wuji left the room in good spirits and personally met those Shiva envoys.

Qin Zanred wasn't joking about this serious matter; those envoys were badly injured, though not fatally, just looking gruesome.

After a few simple questions, Chen Wuji confirmed what Qin Zanred had said.

Those envoys were clearly frightened by Qin Zanred's torment; as soon as Chen Wuji spoke, they eagerly spilled everything he wanted to know, proactive and enthusiastic.

"How does your country view our army's capture of seven of your cities?" Chen Wuji asked.

He sat in the chair, Great Horse Golden Blade at his side, looking down at the envoys, idly playing with a jade pendant.

Once a person gets used to fiddling with something in their hand, it's hard to change.

Although Chen Wuji is still far from middle age, he already has the habits of a middle-aged person.

He likes tea, likes playing with handheld trinkets, and now seems to have picked up a bit of Boss Cao's habit.

These are middle-aged people's preferences.

How exactly these habits came about, Chen Wuji's current impression is somewhat fuzzy.

He only clearly remembers the handheld trinket, which is for stress relief.

As for the others, they just seemed to have appeared unnoticed.

Among the envoys kneeling in full prostration, the chief envoy A Liao lifted his head, a fawning smile on his face, and quickly replied, "Military Governor Chen, your question is excellent, very sharp—indeed, it's exactly what we wanted to tell you voluntarily."

He shook his head, "Our country has differing views on this—some favor war, some favor peace…"

Chen Wuji's eyes drooped slightly, "Don't waste my time with useless talk—I don't have the leisure to smell your stench and shoot the breeze!"

The Shiva People have a very strange smell on their bodies.

It is not purely a stench, but infinitely close.

It is a stench mixed with countless fragrances, carrying a strong sweat odor.