Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 192 Suspicion breeds dark ghosts

Restaurants have always been a good source of information, so the largest restaurant in Yucheng is naturally Lu Zhen's property. Of course, making money is also very important; no place can be without a high-end club.

When Shen Qing first came, she remained silent for a long time. Hmm... Marshal Lu is really worried about military expenses...

Getting back to the main point, at this moment Tao Yang is in the outhouse, thoroughly enjoying the cycle of bodily functions.

Whew~ Just as Tao Yang straightened his clothes and was about to go out, there was a noise from the next room.

"Sigh~ The military advisor and Tao Sanlang had a tacit understanding long ago, but today they have to put on another show, making us all busy as well."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yang paused. Were they talking about him?

Thinking this, he retreated, not in a hurry to leave, and frowned as he waited for what would happen next.

"There's more to come. Border trade is a deep and murky business. The first year of negotiations went awry, and unable to cover the losses, Tao Qilang had no choice but to slink back to Anguo, never again able to touch the trading rights of Pingshan Pass."

"If you ask me, why go through all that trouble? The two countries are separated by mountains and poisonous miasma; it's common for people to be bitten to death by venomous snakes on the road."

"Haha~ Wouldn't it be even easier to get sick from the change in environment then?"

……

After the two lazy servants left, Tao Yang, sitting on the chamber pot in the inner room, felt weak in the knees. His heart pounded with fear and anger, and his palms were covered in cold sweat.

Forcing himself to calm down, Tao Yang returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

"Why have you been gone for so long, Seventh Brother? We were just talking about you a moment ago."

"Is that so?" Tao Yang said with a forced smile. "I will punish myself with three cups."

"Shichiro-kun is a good drinker!"

However, Guo Yu's hearty smile had taken on a different meaning in Tao Yang's eyes at this moment.

The banquet continued, and Tao Yang coldly watched Guo Yu and Tao You chatting enthusiastically. He no longer wanted to join them. He carefully considered the truth or falsehood of every word they said, wondering if they were setting a trap for him to fall into.

Looking at Tao You, who still maintained a gentle and refined demeanor, Tao Yang felt a mix of emotions.

"Isn't it easy for poisonous insects, snakes, and ants to kill a person?"

The servant's words kept echoing in his mind. Perhaps his third brother had not yet decided to kill him, but if he was instigated by someone, who knew what he might do? After all, how much was their brotherhood worth in the face of huge profits?

Tao Yang only has one life, and he doesn't want to risk testing it.

"Seventh Brother, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Tao Yang's taciturn nature finally caught Tao You's attention.

Tao Yang felt extremely uneasy and, following Tao You's advice, agreed and excused himself from the table.

Upon seeing this, Guo Yu's lips curled up slightly, and a sly glint flashed in his eyes.

Although Tao You felt that Tao Yang was acting strangely, he didn't pay much attention to it. His seventh brother was used to doing things his own way.

Tao Yang hurried downstairs, but once outside, he felt a sense of loss. In a foreign land, he felt unsafe no matter where he was.

"Qilang, what are you doing standing in the street?"

Tao Yang snapped out of his daze and saw a young man lean out of the car window and greet him, "It's better to meet by chance than by arrangement, let's go have a drink together!"

·

"Who is this?" Shen Qing asked from the second-floor window.

Qi Shang, who was originally planning to go downstairs to create a chance encounter, also stopped his actions because of this unexpected guest. He replied, "Wu Guo, the second son of the Governor of Yongzhou, usually lives in the prefectural city. He returned to his ancestral home in Yucheng a little over a month ago to celebrate the birthday of Old Master Wu."

Qi Shang hadn't paid much attention to Wu's second son, but because he had sent people to keep an eye on Tao Yang, he naturally started to notice Wu Guo, whom Tao Yang had recently befriended.

"As for why he lingered in Yucheng, it's probably because he was impatient with the governor of Yongzhou's control..." Qi Shang paused, "It's said that Second Young Master Wu is an uneducated, dissolute playboy, and... has a fondness for the south wind..."

"..." Shen Qing watched Tao Yang get into Wu Guo's carriage, and after a moment of silence, said, "Keep an eye on him."

This is where the difficulty of setting up a scheme lies. Living people are not NPCs who will follow the pre-set plot step by step. Unexpected changes can occur, which tests the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As long as the result is correct, the process is not important.

On the other hand, the Wu family of Yongzhou is quite wealthy; if they manage things properly, they might kill three birds with one stone.

Shen Qing rubbed his hands together and silently prayed, "May everything in this world benefit me, Amen."

Meanwhile, in the carriage, Tao Yang, upon receiving Wu Guo's invitation to play polo the day after tomorrow, had a sudden thought pop into his mind.

"It's not uncommon for startled horses to be trampled to death."