The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Who Is This

Wen Hao: ”...”

He looked at Huangfu Jingchen with eyes full of resentment and shock, as if he were staring at a madman.

Huangfu Jingchen merely smirked coldly. Yu Shikui was ruthless, and Wen Hao was no gentleman either. He thought he concealed it well, but his flickering eyes and the malice within were all seen clearly by Huangfu Jingchen.

If released, he would only become a more effective mad dog beside Yu Shikui. Although keeping him here was of little use, it might just delay things a bit in the end.

It must be said that Yu Shikui’s methods were also swift and decisive.

Managing to drive so many villagers from various villages took only a day and a night. The next morning, the five thousand stationed troops formed a complete encirclement, surrounding all the villagers of Wangshan Town.

It’s said some villagers tried to flee, only to be mercilessly shot down.

Thousands crammed the quarantine area to the brim.

The soldiers herded people into rooms, nearly bursting them with people.

The quarantine area was a temporary setup, though the rooms were quite large, able to hold dozens of people. But with thousands, there was no space in the rooms, and many filled the yard as well.

To prevent patients from leaving, the courtyard walls of the quarantine area were built firmly, now guarded by soldiers with weapons drawn.

These weapons were not pointed at a foreign enemy but at the civilians they ought to protect.

Shang Jingwang, Wang Bolao, and others crowded in the courtyard. Shang Jingwang looked haggard, gazing from afar at Yu Shikui, who had rested sufficiently and just finished eating, looking healthy and determined. Shang Jingwang took a few steps forward but was immediately blocked by soldiers’ spears.

Some soldiers piled firewood on the perimeter and poured kerosene.

In an area for thousands, even though there was a lot of firewood, it wasn’t enough to form a large ring, and the scent of kerosene was dizzying, while the villagers’ cries shook the heavens.

However, the soldiers outnumbered the villagers, and moreover, they wielded weapons and had archers in the rear. Escape was impossible.

Yu Shikui also spotted Shang Jingwang, and his eyes showed no emotion, as if looking at a dead man. Shang Jingwang shouted: ”Lord Yu, I implore you to reconsider! Many villagers here are innocent and disease-free. The condition is improving even in this quarantine zone, and the epidemic will soon be over.”

He shouted hoarsely, not for the first time.

But Yu Shikui acted as if he didn’t hear, his gaze sweeping over, seeing the villagers controlled by soldiers, trembling like quails, without any emotional stir. He spoke to someone beside him, and immediately a messenger came.

A soldier told Shang Jingwang: ”Lord Shang, Lord Yu asks you to save your strength! This is the source of the epidemic; all sources must be eradicated. As Lord Shang is in the epidemic source, sorry but so it must be!”

Shang Jingwang’s face flushed with anger, caught between despair and helplessness. He pointed to the courtyard, to the villagers driven into the rooms, and angrily said: ”Yu Shikui, those are lives. Are they less than grass in your eyes? A cure has been developed, and in just ten more days or so, the entire epidemic can be eradicated. Yet you wish to wipe out all of Wangshan Town at this time. Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Yu Shikui frowned slightly. A cure has been developed? This must not be heard by others.

Should even one person spread this, his achievements could be questioned, and if it reached the Imperial Censor’s ears in the Capital City, it would be disastrous, potentially erasing all his contributions.

He abruptly stood up, coldly shouting at Shang Jingwang: ”Shang Jingwang, to think you’d dare utter such lies to save your skin. Who doesn’t know what the epidemic is? Where is this so-called cure? So many have died in Wangshan Town from the disease, and you still want the epidemic source to spread, bringing disaster upon the Northern County? Dare to utter lies again, and I will have you dismembered!”

Yu Shikui’s rage and scolding stunned Shang Jingwang into silence.

Having spun in official circles for years, how could he not understand why Yu Shikui spoke thus?

He pleaded: ”Lord Yu, I have also reported this epidemic to the Capital City. Aren’t you afraid that when the Holy Emperor’s Imperial Envoy arrives, they might charge you with the slaughter of innocents?”

Saying so only further solidified Yu Shikui’s resolve to act promptly.

Shang Jingwang’s damnable scheme! But he responded as soon as he received the letter, and the Capital City was far away. Even if the Holy Emperor saw the letter and reacted, the Imperial Envoy, without delay, would still be several days late. By then, he would have wrapped everything up; what was there to fear?

Yu Shikui sneered, asking the military strategist beside him: ”Is the diesel ready? Can we begin?”

After finding Wen Hao’s Command Token, Yu Shikui originally planned to hold it himself to order the Generals. But then he cleverly thought of a better plan.

He conferred with the military strategist, and after gathering all the Generals, the strategist, holding the Command Token, informed them that General Wen had entrusted him with full command of the operations.

The military strategist was deeply trusted by Wen Hao and, holding the verified Command Token, none of the Generals doubted anything, complying with orders.

Yu Shikui was greatly pleased with this arrangement. If he had held the Command Token himself, his partnership with Wen Hao might have seemed suspect as a Civil Servant holding sway over a Military General, and Wen’s men might not be as trusting.

With the strategist holding the token, he and Wen Hao remained officially collaborating, and any issues in the military could be blamed on Wen Hao, since the strategist was his advisor.

This is why all the Generals executed without hesitation.

Fearing complications from delays, Yu Shikui hoped to resolve everything swiftly, clean up, and when the Capital City’s envoy arrived, it would be a matter of claiming merit for himself.

The military strategist obsequiously said: ”Rest assured, Lord Yu. Lord Wen already had everything prepared yesterday. Not only for one ignition point, we have enough to turn all seven villages under Wangshan Town into a sea of fire!”

Yu Shikui cruelly ordered: ”In that case, what are we waiting for? Light it up!”

”Wait!” a voice rang out: ”Yu Shikui, you’re forging military orders, thinking you can act alone. Others may not know, but do you think you can deceive everyone? First, see who this is!”

Even Shang Jingwang turned around involuntarily.

The crowd parted, and Huangfu Jingchen stepped out, dragging Wen Hao with him.

Shang Jingwang’s eyes widened. He thought Wen Hao had been sent away last night and had just been seeking an audience, never expecting he was still here and, moreover, captured by Huangfu Jingchen. What was going on?