With the Blade

Chapter 313: Chapter 263: Undertaking Great Deeds (2)

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"

A group of subordinates nodded in agreement.

Absolutely, although in name they should at least appear sad for the death of the previous manager, grief is one thing, but it doesn’t mean they’re willing to sacrifice themselves. After all, those were five hundred well-trained crossbowmen, a formidable force, and yet such a team was completely wiped out in less than a minute.

Now, this new superior has arrived and actually doesn’t want revenge— that’s wonderful!

"In crucial matters, we cannot afford complications."

Bai Wujiu reiterated this point,

"Therefore, not only can we not seek vengeance, we must also strive to form alliances with them... Whatever they want, sell it to them, since we haven’t completely broken ties with the Southern Chen, we can still procure supplies from there. Anyway, if we truly befriend this expert, when the moment comes for us to rise..."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

The subordinates all began to applaud.

Indeed, having an expert facing us is disgusting for everyone, but if the expert becomes one of us... This expert managed to clear five hundred crossbowmen at once, so on the battlefield, could they also clear the enemy troops in one go?

With such an expert in our ranks, how could our grand enterprise not succeed?

"Let’s do this!"

At this moment, the consensus in Dengzhou City was reached.

However, while it was easy to say, selling supplies wasn’t that simple. Perhaps due to last time’s shock, those so-called "Forget Sorrow Villagers" haven’t appeared anymore, even though Dengzhou City searched its territory thoroughly, previous trade caravans could not be found.

The search extended for two months, and as time went by Bai Wujiu grew more anxious. He wasn’t afraid of any animosity from the expert, but feared a lack of communication— the unknown is the most terrifying, especially when hostility exists, who knows if when they act, that expert hidden in the shadows will strike fiercely?

Fortunately, in the third month, a scout sent outside by Dengzhou City finally discovered people from the former trade caravans in Longzhou.

"Collect supplies? What supplies?"

The Forget Sorrow Villager questioned, furrowing brows.

"Oh, you mean buying goods, we’re not buying anymore. This time we’re out just to deliver a letter... Wait, your accent, are you from Dengzhou?"

Realizing something wrong, the Forget Sorrow Villager immediately drew his waist knife, displaying dried blood stains on the blade, indicating it was a murderous weapon.

Confronted with an aggressor almost ready to kill, the Dengzhou City scout could only retreat.

"Sure enough they’re rebels, how could villagers wield such deadly weapons?"

Bai Wujiu painfully slapped his forehead.

What a pity, such a shame, due to the foolish actions of the previous manager, the opportunity to unite with another rebel army was lost— he could even understand why the other side was so guarded, if it were him, trade caravans captured, negotiator met with crossbows, he’d also doubt what intentions the other side had.

"Then... Let’s focus on our own matters first."

After isolating himself in the study for three days, Bai Wujiu ultimately made a painful decision.

Although the risk increased, actions must still proceed, other rebel armies inside Southern Chen are nearly prepared, yet news from the north must also be shared— after all, the Khan’s headquarters was attacked, the Khan himself missing, nearly everyone in the north knows. The only reason Southern Chen’s court delayed reporting is due to its ineptitude, still debating whether to migrate southward, causing news from the north to remain unreported.

But this has been dragging on for so long, even the sluggish Southern Chen court must soon react, then seize the chance, sweeping northward amidst chaos, yet could they still smoothly rise in such a triumphant movement?

"Justice, justice is crucial."

One day, Bai Wujiu taught the Dengzhou subordinates, similar to how his teacher educated him before arriving.

"When everyone believes Southern Chen has lost virtue... Simply put, when everyone thinks Southern Chen is worthless, rising to replace it becomes the righteous course, ensuring victory. But if Southern Chen sweeps north, recovers territory, it’s neither worthless nor destroyed, it’s still Southern Chen, thus rising against it would be mere rebellion, do you understand?"

"We understand."

The subordinates nodded in unison.

Being chosen by the descendants of Ping one could only be intelligent, inevitably grasping Bai Wujiu’s intended meaning.

To seize righteousness, grasp time, and convince Dengzhou’s populace that Southern Chen is wrong, they are right.

Finding a suitable opportunity would be crucial, yet this opportunity isn’t far off.

Next month, the young emperor’s birthday arrives, requiring tributes from various regions, though nominally ceremonial, in reality a test of loyalty— attending, quantity sent, type delivered, each nuanced, palace experts assess regional loyalty solely through these tributes.

This time, Bai Wujiu planned for Dengzhou City to appear the most loyal.

Thus, for the young emperor’s birthday, an edict mobilized every corner of Dengzhou City, all gold, silver, treasures, silk brocade gathered under the guise of "tribute to the emperor", even commoner grains, cloth, necessities included with justification central supplies needed.

For a time, in Dengzhou protests echoed, people suffering greatly.

"This is exactly what’s needed!"

Bai Wujiu snapped his fan.

"Once dissatisfaction grows, we’ll throw the Dengzhou governor out... since he wants to use our power to become a vassal lord? Perfect, use his head as the flag’s pledge."

"Master strategizes flawlessly! Truly brilliant!"

Though not entirely bootlicking, the subordinates couldn’t help but praise, as this method of unifying hearts was near unrivalled. Even if Southern Chen court tried pacifying discontent, furious Dengzhou citizens would chase them off, no explanation possible.

After the Dengzhou military governor perished, everyone became complicit in bloodshed, though they may not desire rebellion, they’d have no choice but to follow.

"Three days, just three days more."

After viewing scouts’ reports, Bai Wujiu gave an exact timetable.

"After three days, Dengzhou citizens will protest at the governor’s manor, then we’ll force the Dengzhou governor out, sacrifice him as a pledge!"

"Agreed!"

The subordinates withdrew to await these difficult three days.

First day passed, hearing citizens outside, excitement grew.

Second day, voices softened, yet they understood silence precedes imminent eruption.

Third day...

"Where are they?"

Gazing at the scouts, Bai Wujiu and subordinates furrowed brows.

"Those people, Dengzhou citizens, weren’t they supposed to protest? Why haven’t they come?"

"Well..."

The scout hesitated.

"They said... resources aren’t lacking, so they didn’t come."

"Not lacking?"

Bai Wujiu was dumbstruck.

Not lacking? How could they not be lacking? Dengzhou City’s resources were first massively acquired as military supplies, then seized under the Dengzhou governor’s name, so who could possibly have such abundant provisions for citizens now?

"It’s... Forget Sorrow Village caravans."

The scout gritted his teeth, speaking.

"They stopped procuring, begun selling instead."