Chapter 949

It can be seen that Guo Shuhan is a very sincere person; to earn

Guo Shuhan was startled by Chen Wuji's words, jumped up and said: "Marquis, Subordinate cannot bear it, truly cannot bear it. Subordinate says something that should not be said: the court is in chaos, disorder upon disorder, great turmoil is right before our eyes; I too am acting out of my own selfish desires."

"What's there that shouldn't be said? Though the turmoil in the world didn't arise because of me, I may have also contributed a bit." Chen Wuji said frankly, "I am also one of the rebellious ministers and traitors in others' eyes."

As for himself, Chen Wuji has never been overly polite.

That rebellious trait, roughly speaking, had already begun to grow when he had just time-traveled.

Upon learning that the Chen clan had once been the world's foremost military family and that its strength remains formidable now, his rebellious streak had basically fully formed.

Although he follows the path of the common people, the four words 'rebellious minister and traitor' are still unavoidable.

Guo Shuhan's expression showed slight astonishment.

Marquis Zhenyuan is far more candid and straightforward than he imagined, and also much easier to talk to.

At this moment, facing him, there is not a trace of brutality to be seen in him.

But he still couldn't respond to Chen Wuji's remark.

Chen Wuji can label himself a rebellious minister and traitor, but he cannot bring himself to say: "Without the Marquis, the Lingnan lands would likely have already sunk under the iron hooves of the Qiang People; the populace might be displaced and homeless, or become fodder for the Qiang—those newborns have never regarded our Dayu Commoners as human."

"The Marquis may compare himself to a rebellious minister and traitor, but in Subordinate's eyes, the Marquis is a true hero!"

"Lord Guo, please don't flatter me; let's talk about something practical." Chen Wuji cut short the brief pleasantries and got straight to the point: "Lord Guo, since you intend to ally yourself with me, have you made the necessary preparations?"

"Replying to the Marquis, it's more or less ready." Guo Shuhan said solemnly, "Although the upper and lower levels of Feng Xian Zhou are not wholly loyal to Subordinate, the troops are in Subordinate's hands; with just a word from the Marquis, the sixteen thousand soldiers of Feng Xian Zhou can present themselves before the Marquis's tent to receive orders."

Chen Wuji nodded, "In this matter, have the upper and lower levels of Feng Xian Zhou already been informed?"

"Subordinate has discussed this matter with a few close confidants; others are unaware." Guo Shuhan said frankly, "If Subordinate did not consult those confidants and hear their opinions, mishaps would be inevitable."

"That is only proper." Chen Wuji lowered his eyes slightly, pondered a moment, then asked, "Lord Guo, how much do you know about the situation in Yan Zhou?"

"I have heard a little, but I don't know the details." Guo Shuhan said.

Chen Wuji raised his hand, signaling Guo Shuhan to continue.

Guo Shuhan continued: "Before coming to meet the Marquis, Subordinate experienced an incident. The garrison of Yan Zhou dispatched two groups to Feng Xian Zhou to requisition grain and fodder; observing their words and deeds, Subordinate felt these two groups were extremely at odds."

"Subordinate suspects that the Yan Zhou garrison has suffered internal strife. This time the Court's Bīngmǎ marching south, nominally to suppress the disloyal, i. e., to cause trouble for the Marquis, but in Subordinate's view, they likely have other motives."

"This time the Court's Bīngmǎ marching south follow Yan Yan's orders; this scoundrel now openly shows his ferocious aspect, openly deploying troops to blockade the Palace City's forbidden precincts, his rebellious nature exposed—how could sending troops south truly serve the Court? Nevertheless, since he does all this openly, Ruan Yuchang surely would not willingly go along."

"Therefore Subordinate speculates that the Yan Zhou garrison has now split into the Yan Yan faction and the Ruan Yuchang faction, their common goal being Nanyue Jun."

Chen Wuji nodded, "Lord Guo's guess is sound; I too have heard similar rumors. For that reason, I have temporarily slowed our march, intending to wait at Xinglin Zhen to see what they will do."

"Marquis, your insight is superb!" Guo Shuhan clasped his hands.

"The Bīngmǎ of the Yan Yan faction and the Ruan Yuchang faction have already come to blows; sooner or later they will spark trouble. For the Marquis to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, awaiting a good opportunity, is indeed a sound strategy."

He spoke rather vaguely, basically not expressing any of his own views.

And Chen Wuji also sensed his vagueness.

At a first meeting, it's hard to tell whether the defection is genuine or feigned; such vagueness is to be expected.

"I don't know what Lord Guo intends to do?" Seeing Guo Shuhan delay in stating the most important point, Chen Wuji bluntly asked.

Guo Shuhan said: "Reporting to the Marquis, since Subordinate has resolved to follow the Marquis here, Subordinate will obey orders: if the Marquis commands me to go east, I will mobilize the Bīngmǎ eastward; if the Marquis commands me to assault a city, I will lead the army to assault it."

Had Lord Guo not made any plans beforehand? Chen Wuji asked doubtfully.

"Subordinate's plan is merely how to meet the Marquis and how to express Subordinate's loyalty to him; as for the rest, the Marquis will certainly decide for Subordinate." Guo Shuhan laughed.

Speaking of which, I need not fear the Marquis's ridicule; although Subordinate has commanded troops for many years, Subordinate's understanding of Battle Formation is only superficial, and Subordinate dare not make hasty decisions lest they jeopardize the Marquis's great undertaking.

These words completely convinced Chen Wuji that this person had not come to dig a pit for him.

Lord Guo's such frankness means I need not hide anything either; I do not intend to attack Yan Zhou so quickly. Chen Wuji said, "The Court's Bīngmǎ are already locked in combat in Yan Zhou; surely we should give them a chance to fight like dogs, and if I make a move, they might temporarily ally."

With Lord Guo's aid, this Marquis would gain wings like a tiger, but Feng Xian Zhou lies far to the north, with An Sai Zhou in between, which is unfavorable for the forthcoming warfare. I wonder how much Lord Guo knows about the upper and lower levels of An Sai Zhou?

Guo Shuhan shook his head and let out a light sigh: "I dare not deceive the Marquis; the Inspector of An Sai Zhou, Wang Yu, is a longtime close friend of Subordinate. After Subordinate resolved to ally with the Marquis, Subordinate met Wang Yu once and discussed in detail the crux of the matter and the situation Nanyue Jun will soon face."

But as for this person Wang Yu… Subordinate momentarily does not know how to evaluate him. As a longtime close friend, if Subordinate praises him, Subordinate feels somewhat reluctant, for his actions are overly pedantic; yet if Subordinate condemns him, Subordinate would feel that Subordinate oneself is the shameless wretch.

In short, after learning the general situation of Yan Zhou, Wang Yu chose to be loyal to the Court. He refused to supply grain and fodder to the Yan Zhou garrison, and would not ally with the Marquis.

These frank words left Chen Wuji stunned, blinking repeatedly.

He has always been a person who speaks little but acts decisively.

No matter how floridly others speak, Chen Wuji always listens with a degree of skepticism.

What he says and how he says it don't matter; consistency between word and deed is what matters most.

Especially on this battlefield of deceit and intrigue, this skepticism is all the more important.

But at this moment, Chen Wuji firmly believes Guo Shuhan is a sincere person.

And he genuinely intends to ally himself with him.

Too down-to-earth.

Moreover, anyone capable of saying such words about not knowing how to judge a friend is certainly not far off the mark.