The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Foolproof

Shang Jingwang thought about it and felt that his words were indeed redundant.

Huangfu Jingchen scrutinized Shang Jingwang, asking, ”Does Lord Shang have any other findings?”

Xia Wenjin knew that he still held onto the hope for a better outcome, but with her memories from her past life, she understood that it was impossible.

Shang Jingwang slowly said, ”My office just sent people to investigate. The entire Wangshan Town is surrounded, even the side against the mountain is tightly guarded.”

Once Yu Shikui arrives, the next step would be to tighten the encirclement, gather all the villagers in one place, shoot them with arrows, set fire to burn them...

As if witnessing the tragic scene of the past reemerge, Xia Wenjin’s face turned somewhat pale.

Huangfu Jingchen thought she was unwell, quickly supporting her, saying, ”Wenjin, sit down and rest for a bit. The matter hasn’t reached its final stage yet. Let’s see what Yu Shikui has to say when he arrives!”

Shang Jingwang didn’t find it strange for him to call the Prefectural Governor by name. After all, heirs of the Imperial Family naturally hold esteemed positions, and Yu Shikui is merely a prefectural official, just a minister.

Xia Wenjin grasped his sleeve and said, ”Send someone to investigate, besides the military encirclement, what else are those people up to!”

Huangfu Jingchen’s expression slightly tensed, ”You mean...”

Almost through clenched teeth, Xia Wenjin squeezed out a few words, ”Are there preparations of bow, arrows, kerosene, wood...”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes darken, but even Shang Jingwang’s complexion changed greatly. They all understood what it implied if those things were present, it was almost self-evident.

Shang Jingwang trembled as he spoke, ”Doctor Xia, aren’t you being overly alarmist?”

Xia Wenjin gave a bitter smile, ”I hope so too.”

However, she knew this hope was rather slim. Clearly, Yu Shikui and Wen Hao did not come with good intentions.

Huangfu Jingchen immediately said, ”I will go personally.”

Now, among the guards staying by his side, the nearest ones, those in Jiang Ning and Yan Nan, weren’t in Wangshan Town. Now, even if they wanted to come in, they probably couldn’t. Ordinary people with weaker skills wouldn’t be able to probe for the bottom line.

Once Huangfu Jingchen said he would leave, he promptly took action. Shang Jingwang placed his hopes on Huangfu Jingchen, thinking that with this distinguished person from the Capital City here, even if Yu Shikui didn’t regard the lives of the people here as lives, he should still have some scruples.

But only Huangfu Jingchen understood himself that although he was indeed a member of the Imperial Family, even the current Holy Emperor was his own grandfather, he was, however, the son of a Vassal King who had been stationed in a Vassal Land. He should not appear outside the Vassal Land. Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion.

Huangfu Jingchen had some regrets. Although Xia Wenjin had reminded him of this matter, he hadn’t given it sufficient attention. Coupled with worrying about Wenjin’s illness, he had set this matter aside, only relaying a message to Jiang Ning to closely monitor all things in the Northern County.

Now, due to Wang Bolao’s delay, he wasn’t sure to what extent things had progressed or whether there was any room for retrieving the situation.

Through this event, he realized that he had been too optimistic about people. Though there were indeed good people in this world, there also existed people without any bottom line.

If ordinary folks harbored evil intentions, the harm would be small, but the greater the capability, the greater the potential harm. Especially for those officials of the Court, those who sharpened their heads to climb up, what do human lives count for in their eyes?

Huangfu Jingchen’s heart became incredibly calm. This kind of mistake, he would never make again.

The terrain of Wangshan Town, with five thousand men, of course, could not completely and utterly encircle it. Rather, the places that must be traversed and where the common people might escape all had stationed personnel.

Such an encirclement could not keep someone with the skills of Huangfu Jingchen contained.

Huangfu Jingchen chose a place believed impossible to leave from, displaying his qinggong, leaping over houses and rooftops, climbing trees and treading on branches, quickly went away from this side. Later, he detoured to the place where the Military Commander was stationed.

The troops had set up camp in that city, with only four camps, and three of them formed a defensive shape sheltering the camp of the Military Commander in the middle.

After all, it was summer, so soldiers could sleep in the open. Moreover, as the soldiers were tasked with encircling Wangshan Town, they were seldom found in the camps.

Wen Hao was waiting for Yu Shikui’s arrival. Since the action of the stationed troops was decided upon by the discussions between the two, the one arriving earlier would naturally make preparations accordingly, and any orders given would originate from the Military Commander.

From this point, Yu Shikui indeed exhibited treachery. If ever this matter was pursued by someone, he could place all the blame on the Military Commander, as all preparatory work was done by him.

If successful, the merit would naturally be credited to his decision-making.

To avoid alerting anyone, Huangfu Jingchen struck the points on an isolated soldier to put him to sleep, then carried him to a secluded place and donned his military uniform.

With this uniform, his actions were made much easier.

Very quickly, he snuck closer to the camp of the Military Commander.

Having spent several years in the army, Huangfu Jingchen was very familiar with the layouts and defenses of these camps. Wen Hao, knowing he would only face common people, didn’t implement any sophisticated defensive protocols. Such a simple patrol mode certainly posed no challenge for Huangfu Jingchen.

At Wen Hao’s place, men dressed as generals moved in and out, reporting the situation to him.

Seizing the chance, Huangfu Jingchen snuck into a place out of others’ sight, getting close to Wen Hao’s Central Army Tent.

In the Central Army Tent were Wen Hao and his military strategist.

At this time, another general approached, reporting to Wen Hao, ”Sir, after inventory, we have confirmed there are four thousand arrows in stock!”

Wen Hao slowly nodded, ”Four thousand will suffice.”

The general added, ”Doctor Wang warns that the epidemic shouldn’t be underestimated; should our soldiers be taking precautions?”

Wen Hao said indifferently, ”Weren’t they instructed to cover their noses and mouths with cloths, and just surround for now? Once Lord Yu arrives, our kerosene, saltpeter, and sulfur will all be here. There’s plenty of wood around here, and by then, we’ll use fire to drive out those infected in the epidemic areas.”

The general replied, ”Yes!”

The military strategist suggested, ”Sir, since fire is going to be used, this Wangshan Town is quite large; I’m afraid the fire oil and saltpeter brought here might not be enough, so it’s better to prepare more just in case!”

Wen Hao nodded and instructed the general, ”Take all your men to gather some dry wood. Prepare more, and ensure strict patrols everywhere, making sure no one escapes.”

”Yes!”

”You may go!”

The general left.

Wen Hao then asked the military strategist, ”Mr. Liu, do you think our plan ensures infallibility?”

The strategist, caressing his three strands of beard under his chin, replied, ”Sir, you have everything prepared. Within Wangshan Town, there are merely some commoners; in their panic, what strategy could they possibly have? Besides, this area is already surrounded. Even if they have plans, without a way out, they can only await in anxiety. Once Lord Yu arrives, we’ll promptly take action. It won’t take more than a day. Sir, there is no need to worry!”

Wen Hao sighed, ”Luckily, this outbreak is currently only within Wangshan Town. According to Lord Yu, as long as we burn everything in Wangshan Town, leaving no person or animal, we can eradicate the source of the infection, and the epidemic won’t spread, securing the safety of the entire Yanglu County.”