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

Chapter 196 Chaos

Under the blazing sun, the horse racing field below was filled with jubilation. In addition to the Tao brothers, Wu Jialangjun had also invited a few friends. After all, polo is a team game, and the more people there are, the more fun it is.

A group of young men from prominent families rode on tall horses, holding polo sticks, their eyes fixed on the small, colorful ball in the center of the field.

"Boom-"

As the gong sounded, the crowd spurred their horses on, and the steeds neighed as they charged toward the colorful ball like arrows released from a bow, their hooves kicking up dust.

Wu Guo rode his chestnut horse with the agility of a red lightning bolt, his horsemanship surprisingly superb. He wielded the cubit with ease, his movements graceful regardless of whether he hit the target or not. The servants on the periphery frequently erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause, supporting their young master.

In their youthful days, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, they were unrestrained and completely immersed in the competition.

Tao You's horsemanship was mediocre. He was just going through the motions, symbolically chasing after the flying polo ball. Suddenly, his horse, Wuzhui, became agitated for no reason. Its front hooves rose high and it neighed. He pulled tightly on the reins, trying to control the horse, but Wuzhui seemed to have gone mad and was completely unruly, rampaging wildly on the field.

"The horse is startled! The horse is startled!"

Upon hearing Tao You's alarming cry, everyone scrambled to get out of the way, fearing they would be struck by the out-of-control, mad horse, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

"Someone! Quickly, stop this horse!"

Seeing this, Wu Guo hurriedly called for the stable boy to save the people. He was really worried as he watched the chaos unfold. He had invited the people and given them the horses. If something went wrong, he would not only fail to earn any extra money but also get himself into trouble.

When Tao Yang saw Wu Guo start calling for help, he also looked anxious, "Third Brother! Be careful!"

"boom--"

The black horse went completely mad, crashing through the fence and galloping into the woods. Flying wood chips cut Tao You's cheeks, drawing blood, but he didn't care at the moment. His walking stick was nowhere to be found. He gripped the reins tightly with both hands, focusing all his energy on maintaining his balance on the horse's back.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and chase after them!"

Wu Guo raised his whip to direct his attendants, and then, relying on his superb horsemanship, he took the lead and chased after them. Tao Yang couldn't just stand by and watch, so he spurred his horse and followed.

The remaining scions of noble families exchanged glances. A wise man doesn't stand under a dangerous wall, and Wu Guo's reputation wouldn't allow them to save a stranger. They leisurely rode their horses in the direction the mad horse had galloped, focusing on participation rather than risk getting hurt.

Shen Qing, standing on the earthen slope, witnessed all of this. How familiar this scene was! Tao Yang's methods were exactly the same as when he poisoned his horse during the Imperial Guard competition. The only difference was that Tao Yang not only used others to kill but also tried to frame someone else.

If it weren't for Shen Qing's foresight, Tao You would have died "accidentally" from the "mad horse" given to him by the governor's son, and his death would have been in vain.

Shen Qing's actions in this part were very simple: to save Tao You from dire straits. As for how the dire straits came about... that's not important.

Just as Shen Qing was about to deliver justice, a group of bandits suddenly sprang out from the side of the forest and charged towards Tao You and his group.

Shen Qing paused, looked at Guo Yu in surprise, and asked, "You arranged this?"

Guo Yu responded with an expression that said, "Wasn't it arranged by you, General?"

"..."

Before he could even sigh, Shen Qing pulled out his crystal-polished binoculars. Although crude and far less precise than those of later generations, they were more than enough to see clearly over a few hundred meters.

Upon closer inspection, they spotted a familiar figure among the bandits.

"Holy crap!" Shen Qing casually tossed the binoculars to Guo Yu, cracked the whip, and yelled, "Giddy up!"

He charged straight downhill all by himself!