Chapter 998

Fifth Lord spoke gravely, like a laborer who had blown a huge secret.

But to Chen Wuji, this news wasn't exactly fresh.

He already knew most of it.

Although he'd heard a lot of repetition, putting it another way, one could say Fifth Lord wasn't exaggerating this time—he really did say something useful.

Seeing Chen Wuji's unfazed demeanor, Fifth Lord suddenly grew uneasy: "Marquis, surely... you already know all this?"

Chen Wuji said nothing, just quietly watching him.

Fifth Lord staggered, then lifted his head and bellowed, "Heaven, why forsake me? Must you take my miserable life? Let's discuss what to do."

After shouting that, he abruptly stopped, stared hard at Chen Wuji, and asked, "Marquis, do you know the situation of the Salt Gang? They're also Huo Wudi's men, his navy! Moreover, the Salt Gang has a band of fearless gamblers—folks who keep their heads tucked in their waistbands."

"Although there are only over a thousand of them, if these things slip to the rear, the trouble will be endless!"

At this moment, the cunning Fifth Lord began to consider Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji gave a slight nod; this was indeed something he didn't know.

Having said it all in one breath, Fifth Lord slumped like a deflated balloon, sitting cross-legged on the ground, looking at Chen Wuji: "Marquis, I've told you all the secrets I know—there's nothing left."

"I understand. Rest here for now," Chen Wuji said.

Nanyue Jun is just this big—all together less than five prefectures; it's about time we finished speaking.

The forces of Old Man Snake Staff stationed in Lingzhou have already been rooted out by Chen Wuji; Lingshouzhou is now clear as well. The only places still posing problems are Feng Xian Zhou, An Sai Zhou, and Yan Zhou.

But Feng Xian Zhou and An Sai Zhou have surrendered; I'll leave that to Guo Shuhan to handle—I'm sure he'll turn in a splendid report.

As for the sole remaining stronghold, Yan Zhou,

Let him have it!

In this place, Chen Wuji is now purely in a spectator's mindset.

However, the Fat Elder Lady and Tang Xiao Yan mentioned by Fifth Lord aroused Chen Wuji's vigilance.

These people's destructive power is considerable; we must guard against them!

Seeing Chen Wuji about to leave, Fifth Lord hurriedly shouted, "Marquis, although you seem to know most of what I said, isn't my attitude acceptable? How about giving me a way out?"

"I can trade merit for punishment; Huo Wudi that dog didn't just plot Nanyue Jun alone—he's pissed his mark elsewhere too. I can help you root out all his forces, Marquis, and nail that bastard down completely."

"My earlier stubborn resistance wasn't my true intent; I simply didn't want to owe anyone. Even setting aside Huo Wudi's patronage, they saved my life—I can't just walk away unpunished; that would be too despicable."

Chen Wuji glanced indifferently, then turned and left the dungeon.

"Hey, Chen Wushuang, you blockhead—even if this old thing has some use, Chen Wuji doesn't want him to get off easy; his punishment will be no less than deserved, and he'll surely remember it well."

Leaving the dungeon, Chen Wuji ordered the newly emerged Chen Wushuang: "Two things—immediately send people to capture the Fat Elder Lady and Tang Xiao Yan; I'll have Chen Ruoshui assist you. Also, that person inside must not die—that's the bottom line; otherwise, handle the rest as you see fit."

"Yes!" Chen Wushuang nodded, understanding.

"I give you five days; after five days, the main army marches north!"

Chen Wushuang's expression tightened; he quickly replied again.

After a pause, he swiftly produced a document from his bosom and handed it to Chen Wuji: "This is the file Fifth Lord Zuo Wenqu previously entrusted; please review it, my lord."

"Handle your own case; I don't need to look—I know there's not much useful in it."

"... still, it's somewhat useful, though its value is indeed small."

"Think things over, plan before acting, don't let others lead you by the nose."

Chen Wushuang nodded embarrassedly.

Compared to Chen Wuji's interrogation, he had long realized his own questioning was a shapeless lump of dung; after all those days, he still hadn't found the right method nor asked the core questions.

Returning to the camp, Chen Wuji summoned Wang Yu and, regarding what Fifth Lord Zuo Wenqu had said, sounded him out for his opinion.

Wang Yu finally shifted his mindset these past few days; as a newly appointed official, he even felt a fervent enthusiasm, his very bones thrumming with excitement for his career.

But after Chen Wuji finished speaking, his enthusiasm vanished, his excitement extinguished.

Wang Yu carefully reconsidered his earlier plan, and suddenly felt like a clown.

He put on a show on stage, and the result was that everyone laughed at him.

His troops had long since become someone else's, yet he still plotted to oppose everyone, stubbornly holding An Sai Zhou.

"Marquis, is this… true?" Wang Yu asked in disbelief.

"It was spoken personally by Zuo Wenqu, the trusted aide of Huo Wudi who overseys Liu Min Ji and Lingzhou affairs."

……

Wang Yu clenched his teeth silently, "Marquis, these turncoats who forget righteousness for profit—none can be spared. In these chaotic times, we must employ harsh punishments to warn others, and make scholars and commoners alike fear the law."

"I won't continue employing them; they'll go where they belong." Chen Wuji said with a light smile, "Now that the main matter is settled, let's chat a bit—how have you been lately? Are you still adjusting?"

Wang Yu rose to pour tea for Chen Wuji, "I'm quite at ease now; before, I was just too stubborn."

"You've done nothing wrong; in this era, someone like you is rare."

"Marquis, you overpraise me; I'm just single‑minded, a bit stubborn."

"A little stubbornness is good; people should have their own principles—be flexible when needed, and stand firm when it calls for it."

Wang Yu glanced at Chen Wuji, his expression odd.

Was that said, or not?

Chen Wuji and Wang Yu chatted for a while, drank half a pot of tea, then ordered Kong Fang to draft a document, issuing Guo Shuhan a command to discretionarily handle the former troops of An Sai Zhou, and authorized him to act within a certain scope, using all means to root out any enemy spies possibly hiding in the army.

Because of the sudden appearance of Pang Danniang and Tang Xiaoyan, Chen Wuji, who had originally planned to send troops north to Lingshouzhou in these two days, ended up staying.

The next day, Chen Wuji, idle and reclining, was enjoying Zhang Xiuer's gentle leg massage, about to take a nap, when a sudden urgent shout exploded in the camp.

That was the commotion of a victory report!

Chen Wuji slowly sat up, gesturing for Zhang Xiuer to first retreat to the inner tent to rest.

Before long, the shout sounded outside the tent.

Report to my lord, An Sai Zhou won a great victory! Our army has occupied all of An Sai Zhou, killing over four thousand enemies, capturing nearly thirty thousand, and seizing countless more.