Chapter 981

Wang Yu gave a bitter laugh, "I'm just walking back and forth because I can't think of a solution; if I could think of one, I'd surely sit down firmly."

Now the city is surrounded by a large army outside; we definitely have no chance of getting out. Even a small city like this could be sealed off by tens of thousands of cavalry, let alone just a few thousand—no one inside could escape, and a cavalry charge would turn anyone who tried to flee into a living target.

I just can't figure out why Chen Wuji would set his sights on this place.

Guo Shuhan drew a deep, speechless breath, "You're really obsessed; I've already explained this problem several times—why do you keep trying to get into this place?"

First, the Bīngmǎ outside might be Chen Wuji's troops, but it hasn't been confirmed; it might not be, as the court also has cavalry of that scale. As for why he's targeting this place, the reason could be simple or complex, but it has nothing to do with us.

Wang Yu, however, shook his head sharply, "I just suspect it's related to us!"

"What do you mean?!"

"I suspect Chen Wuji sent troops because he found out we're here."

Guo Shuhan suddenly felt a wave of panic for no reason.

She glanced at the imprint left in the courtyard by Wang Yu stepping with his feet, and the corner of her mouth twitched.

These shoes don't look like they were worn for nothing; they actually seem to have some effect.

"You damn well suspect I'm an informant?" Guo Shuhan shouted angrily.

Although she was panicked, she couldn't let her momentum falter.

This pot also can't be admitted to.

Wang Yu waved his hand, "I don't mean that, but I do suspect this point."

"You don't mean that, yet you suspect this point—you damn well still suspect me?" Guo Shuhan glared and shouted, "Those we brought are confidants who've been with us for years; you trust your people, I trust mine—who else could we not trust? Damn it, only me."

"Besides, aren't you overestimating us two? For just the two of us, Chen Wuji mobilizing tens of thousands of cavalry to attack the refugee settlement—is that something a normal person could do?"

"Something that could be settled by casually sending a few experts—why go to such lengths to mobilize a massive force?"

Wang Yu nodded, "What you say makes sense, but what if Chen Wuji simply wants to take over the refugee settlement en route and open this trade route?"

"……"

Guo Shuhan instantly didn't want to speak.

His old friend had already figured out everyone's motives.

"Qingming, do you think what I said makes sense?" Wang Yu asked.

Guo Shuhan stared blankly, then nodded, "It's very reasonable. So what should we do now? Go, walk around, think it over, and quickly come up with a foolproof plan for us."

He currently doesn't really want to chat with Wang Yu.

Better let him go polish his shoes.

Walk a bit more; if it's an eyesore, let it be.

If we keep talking, Guo Shuhan really worries he'll slip up and say something awkward.

Wang Yu furrowed his brows tightly, nodded, and said, "I'll think again, think again……"

At that moment, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.

The people in the courtyard instantly became as if facing a great enemy.

The retainers of Wang Yu and Guo Shuhan, holding knives in their hands, tiptoed carefully behind the door, and one shouted loudly, "Who's there?"

"Sirs, it's me, the tavern shopkeeper; I have an urgent matter to discuss with you two!"

Qin Lao's voice sounded from outside the door.

Guo Shuhan waved her hand, signaling the retainers to open the door.

The moment the door opened, countless people suddenly surged in.

Wang Yu's and Guo Shuhan's retainers hadn't even reacted before being shoved into a corner by a large crowd, with no space to swing their blades.

"Shopkeeper Qin, what's the meaning of this?" Guo Shuhan demanded in a low voice.

Qin Lao and Chu Yun stepped inside, Qin Lao chuckling, "Don't be nervous, you two; I mean no hostility—I'm only doing this because the marquis repeatedly ordered me to get you out unharmed, and I have no choice."

"Everyone, please don't resort to violence, lest we harm the harmony; although my men aren't skilled, our knives are still sharp, coated with deadly poison—just a small cut can cause the whole body to rot, so please be extremely careful!"

The retainers of Guo Shuhan and Wang Yu, who had been harboring other thoughts, instantly felt their hairs stand on end upon hearing that.

Those knives glowing with a faint blue light indeed looked very troublesome……

Upon hearing that, Guo Shuhan instantly let go of all her worries.

Turns out they're people sent by the marquis—then it's fine.

This is all part of his plan, isn't it!

"It's actually Marquis Zhenyuan?!" Wang Yu exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, is there anything else you need, honored guest?" Qin Lao asked with a chuckle.

He felt that anyone the marquis values certainly wouldn't be a nobody, so he ought to be polite.

"Why does Marquis Zhenyuan want to arrest us?" Wang Yu asked.

"Let's go—no point asking the obvious." Guo Shuhan sighed, "What other reason could there be? Capturing us would cause An Sai Zhou and Feng Xian Zhou to collapse without a fight; your earlier guess was probably right."

Wang Yu frowned, "Why are you speaking so strangely today?"

Guo Shuhan draped an arm over Wang Yu's shoulder like a ruffian, "It might indeed be strange, after all, a guilty thief feels uneasy… because… I suggested the marquis do this."

Wang Yu's face darkened instantly, his voice rising sharply, "What did you say?!"

"Just what you heard—come on, come on, such a show of force is enough to give you face, right?" Guo Shuhan chuckled, "When I first proposed this idea, I was a bit nervous, it seemed too extravagant, but the marquis agreed without hesitation, saying your Brother Ningyuan deserves this."

Wang Yu's face blackened like a pot bottom, "You plotted to seize me, yet you think it's for my own good?"

"Isn't that the case? If I hadn't done this, you'd probably only have a few months left to live; saving your life—how is that not for your own good? You damn ungrateful wretch!" Guo Shuhan shouted.

"Go to hell… you!"

Wang Yu nearly exploded with rage, "Damn it, I really just want to stab you to death, Guo Qingming—how can you be so shameless!"

Guo Shuhan showed no annoyance, still chuckling, "Ningyuan brother, let me answer with a line from the marquis: he said there are hardly any people like you left in the world; you shouldn't die in such humiliation on land that can't possibly be held—you deserve a broader expanse."

"This is also the main reason the marquis personally led his troops here. Of course, taking the refugee settlement, opening this trade route, and observing the situation in Lingshouzhou are also factors, but you are the root cause of his actions; the other reasons only determine how many troops he brings."

Wang Yu looked up to the sky and let out a long sigh, gritted his teeth and asked: "So, I still have to thank you?"

"Shouldn't it be?"