With the Blade

Chapter 316: Chapter 265: The Coldness of Reality

In Forget Sorrow Village, Du Chengfeng was still troubled by the inability to distribute the vast amount of supplies, while outside the village, in Dengzhou City, Bai Wujiu was equally worried about the influx of supplies.

Originally, under his scheme, the desperate people of Dengzhou were just on the brink of raising a rebel flag, but now, because of the organization called Forget Sorrow Village releasing a massive amount of goods, the Dengzhou people were fed—if everyone is fed, who would still revolt?

It is only when there is no way out that people gamble with their lives; at present, they are not at that stage, life can still go on, so why risk their lives?

"Forget Sorrow Village..."

Bai Wujiu’s expression grew uglier.

Intentional, this is definitely intentional, acting just before he initiated the uprising; the timing was too precise. Clearly, his most feared situation had occurred; the other side’s previous silence wasn’t because they forgot the past feud, but to strike hard at the crucial moment.

"But what benefit does it bring them? Obviously, we’re all righteous troops, if Dengzhou City cannot raise righteousness, then that side also... Wait?"

Bai Wujiu suddenly clapped his head.

Dengzhou City’s inability to raise righteousness is a major benefit to Forget Sorrow Village itself; at this moment when smoke is about to rise all around, who raises the righteous flag first is something worth competing for – whoever seizes the chance to act first not only holds greater righteousness, but moreover these living supplies inherently have the effect of winning people’s hearts; after all, people have simple thoughts, whoever feeds and clothes them, they will appreciate.

And this opportunity to show benevolence should have originally been done by the righteous troops of Dengzhou.

But now...

"Order it in the name of the Governor’s Office."

After thinking it over, Bai Wujiu still made a decision.

"Since it is done, do it thoroughly, requisition all the goods, just right as our reserves... Also find the merchant convoy from Forget Sorrow Village, but do not use force against them, just tell them it is more efficient for the Governor’s Office to ship, try as much as possible to have them send the goods here."

"...What if they refuse?"

A subordinate couldn’t help but ask.

"If they insist on causing trouble..."

"Then let them cause trouble, what else can be done?"

Bai Wujiu sighed.

Indeed, what else can be done? There sits behind them a mighty individual who can form an army alone, what can they do about it?

In the past, perhaps there were ways, after all, although on this side there was a military disadvantage, the former Prime Minister Jia Wen still kept some skilled experts as enforcers, whose Evil Qi could be released—yet it was precisely these elite who could be relied upon for martial strength, that because of seeking revenge for Jia Wen, are all trapped in Jiankang Imperial City.

This directly led to the current predicament where despite maintaining their forces well, they lack a formidable general to safeguard them.

Thousands of soldiers are easy to obtain, one general is hard to find.

This is not mere description, but objective fact; although in terms of occupation, a thousand soldiers can stabilize control over a region far more than one general, but in combat, several generals imbued with Evil Qi can easily slaughter a thousand soldiers.

And this is just Evil Qi imbued; if crossing that threshold, mastering Evil Qi release, it becomes even more remarkable, no matter how many ordinary soldiers come, they will be reaped like autumn wheat, even the commanding general of the army might lose his head in an instant.

However, more likely is death without leaving a complete corpse, like the former supervisor of Dengzhou, smashed to pieces beyond recognition.

"It really is..."

Every time thinking about these, Bai Wujiu gets extremely distressed.

Bai Wujiu has never hated this damn world so much, how can one man’s strength ever oppose a thousand men—yet Evil Qi works unreasonably like this; one lone strongman can indeed face thousands; the enemy’s death can even become nourishment for these strongmen, pushing them to more terrifying extents.

Of course, as for the strongmen themselves, perhaps they would emphasize that they too walk an extremely dangerous path, where a slight misstep can turn into madness, or into monstrosity... so what then? Only interested in destruction, those madmen and monsters, isn’t that more disgusting to others?

"If in this world there were no Evil Qi, nor those hundred-to-one crazed ones with Evil Qi, where everyone could just methodically march and war, letting those soldiers mutually battle, how great would that be?"

Bai Wujiu couldn’t help but muse; if the world became like that, it would be wonderful. No crazed ones becoming monsters, no unbeatable violent apes, even the most valiant general would be overwhelmed by numbers, we commanders could confidently dispatch orders from the rear...

But unfortunately, imagination is imagination, in the end Bai Wujiu has to admit, in this world Evil Qi this unreasonable thing indeed exists, this is the fact right in front.

Thus, he can only respect this fact.

Meanwhile, make use of this fact.

"The people I asked you to find, are they all found?"

"Found."

Several subordinates exchanged looks, then bowed to Bai Wujiu.

"In total, we found ten people, all meet your requirements, solitary but with deep attachments. Sir, what do you think..."

"Ten is too many."

Bai Wujiu shook his head.

"Have them fight, say it’s the idea of the Governor’s Office, the commanding governor only needs one personal guard, so only one of them can be selected... and throw some blades that aren’t too laden with Evil Qi to test if they can handle them, if not then swap them, until we find the person we need."

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, the subordinates accepted the order and departed.

With Bai Wujiu’s command, they headed to the city’s prison, originally used to confine serious criminals, now there were ten young men in tattered clothes separately imprisoned here.

In Bai Wujiu’s words, it is to give them a hard time, honing their ruthlessness.

"Using people in this matter is much like sharpening a blade, as long as polished, people will become sharp."

When giving these instructions, Bai Wujiu said thus, and these words, were remembered by the subordinates.

And in front, these young men imprisoned in cells are unpolished stubborn iron.

"This is your weapon, cultivate the rapport between yourselves and the blade well."

Saying so, a few subordinates instructed the soldiers to distribute the Evil Qi weapons, then turned and left.

Following matters, they didn’t want to watch any further.

They only knew that when they returned here tomorrow, only one would remain alive.