Chapter 983: Dust Settles

Is the purpose of pulling grass to hit rabbits?

Of course not.

It's to hit rabbits that we pull grass!

What Chen Wuji is doing now is pulling grass to hit rabbits.

And this bunch of despicable rabbits can only be the Snake Staff Old Man; as for the Court Army already laid out in the open, there's no need to rack one's brains anymore.

First watch them fight, then force them to fight, and when they've fought enough, rush in and give them a thorough beating.

This procedure has long been crystal clear, couldn't be clearer.

We are now at the second stage.

The only variable now is how to let this plan proceed smoothly without letting this gang ally and counterattack.

This could be significant, and its degree is hard to grasp.

Especially when that bunch of despicable rabbits has already been startled.

"My lord, they will definitely launch a counterattack!"

Kong Fang firmly gave a conclusion first, then explained: "My lord has destroyed their purpose of secretly occupying Nanyue Jun; their next purpose will surely shift to our army. Only by defeating my lord can they continue to achieve their purpose."

"At present, the biggest change is merely that Nanyue Jun is this small piece of meat, but too many eyes are on it, so inevitably some will retreat and some will decisively seize the opportunity."

Lu San Ye walked in with his hands behind his back and said, "Marquis, let me take those boys out for a walk. Secretly kill a few of their leaders, this muddy water will surely become thoroughly stirred up, which should benefit your next move, Marquis."

"The experts of Ciji Zhai and our Lu Family's junior generation have been idle too long; they should get moving, otherwise they'd just be eating the Marquis's grain here for free, and I feel ashamed for them."

Chen Wuji felt a slight stir in his heart, but after thinking he waved his hand and refused, "No rush for now; you are my Killing Hand, exposing you now is too early."

"Yes!"

Lu San Ye didn't insist, nodded, sat in the seat near the door, lit himself a pipe, and began puffing away.

Seeing that, Chen Wuji also rolled himself a cigarette.

He hadn't smoked in such a long time; actually he had no craving anymore, but when overusing his brain he wanted a little something to adjust.

Kong Fang's eyes widened as he glanced at Chen Wuji and Lu San Ye, lightly jabbing Lu San Ye's arm, "San Ye, you and my lord use... the same thing?"

"Yes, you want some too? Here you go!" Lu San Ye generously shared with Kong Fang.

Kong Fang hehehed, "I'll give it a try, seems pretty interesting."

"This is indeed a good thing."

Bang!

Chen Wuji suddenly slammed his fist on the map, "The army advances slowly northward, seizes the opportunity to act, issue orders to all units: all enemy troops along the way, none left! What's with the scheming? Too much trouble; worst case, we just meet them head-on and fight."

"We've overthought things; what should we be worrying about now, and why am I racking my brains here?"

Chen Li smiled slightly, "Family Head, being cautious is good."

"It's good, but being overly cautious hurts the brain! Damn it, so boring; let's just fight, send the order!" Chen Wuji declared loudly.

Suddenly enlightened, the sea vast and sky wide.

What should have been a situation making the enemy worry has instead seen him tangled up by the Snake Staff Old Man and an obscure force, utterly absurd—basically he's making things difficult for himself!

Chen Li received the order and quickly set to drafting the military command.

"Send someone to check the city's situation, then summon Wang Yu and Guo Shuhan, and immediately assign someone to take charge of the Refugee Assembly!" Chen Wuji ordered.

"Yes!"

Before the military order had even been in effect for half an hour, the Personal Guard came to report that Chu Yun and Qin Lao brought Wang Yu and Guo Shuhan to see him.

After Chen Wuji's thoughts had connected, he was then playing cuju with the soldiers; hearing the report, he let the soldiers play on their own and personally went to greet Wang Yu and Guo Shuhan.

Now is precisely the time to win people's hearts; the face of a prefect of a prefecture still needs to be given.

Although Chen Wuji couldn't match Cao Cao's shameless barefoot welcome, stepping out a bit to meet them outside the tent is still quite natural and wouldn't lose his standing.

Having reached this position, Chen Wuji can no longer do many things entirely as he pleases.

How he himself views it is actually secondary; what matters more is how others see him.

In the crowd, Guo Shuhan, Chu Yun, and Qin Lao all wore beaming smiles, bearing the air of a groom.

Only Wang Yu's face was black as lacquer, as if a living person were near death.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

Everyone performed the salute.

Wang Yu hesitated a moment, then also clasped his hands in salute.

Not very willing, but he didn't seem to strongly resist either.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "Everyone, relax; I don't have so many formalities here."

"Your Highness, we've long been spiritually acquainted; today I can finally have you here. Thanks to Brother Qingming's strong support, otherwise I would surely have missed you, even become enemies on the battlefield, clashing on stage!"

Guo Shuhan hurriedly said, "I dare not, Marquis; I too have selfish motives, and as long as you don't blame me, I'm already satisfied."

"Don't be modest; whether it's merit or fault, I can still see it clearly." Chen Wuji said with a chuckle.

Wang Yu's expression was complex, his gaze somewhat stiff as he looked at Chen Wuji and said, "I'm just a lowly prefect; I never expected the Marquis to value me so highly, leaving me truly... overwhelmed by favor."

"Your Highness also starting to be modest? You are indeed worthy, very worthy!" Chen Wuji personally took hold of Wang Yu's and Guo Shuhan's arms and led them into the Zhongjun Camp, "Someone, set up a feast!"

"Old Master Qin, relax and sit; Xiao Chu, work a bit harder and boil us a pot of tea."

Chu Yun responded excitedly, his eyes scanning the tent for tea-making utensils.

A guy who had only come once actually caught the old master's eye so quickly.

Ill-intentioned visitors!

"I have something I want to confess to the Marquis..." Guo Shuhan suddenly said.

"No need for confessions or not, just speak directly."

Whether to be honest or not, just say it directly.

Guo Shuhan took a moment to think, then said, "Marquis, why not... first punish my crime?"

Chen Wuji laughed, "What nonsense are you spouting? You haven't said anything, yet you want me to punish you for what? Speak your mind—as long as you haven't secretly betrayed the enemy or secretly met my wives, I won't punish you for anything!"

"You great hero, your butt hasn't even warmed up yet, and you're already asking me to punish you? Do you want me to become a damned bastard?"

Guo Shuhan shook his head. "It's not that exaggerated; I just concealed some matters and didn't inform the Marquis in time. However, I didn't deliberately withhold information from the Marquis; I merely wanted to prevent the news from leaking and startle the snake."