allonlinenovel Chapter 178 Lure him with benefits
Chapter 178 Lure him with benefits
He described how Cui Yubin used some of the unemployed and homeless people in the city to win them over with small favors.
They were instructed to spread rumors in the marketplace, disseminating false information such as the shortage of supplies in Hesha City and the exploitation of the people by officials and soldiers, and even inciting some uninformed people to riot.
They were trying to make the people lose faith in Hesha, thereby undermining the morale of their army.
Bai Nishang listened coldly, her face expressionless, but her heart was in turmoil.
The reconstruction of Hersha City was bound to be a smooth process, with bandits outside and spies inside. But she never expected that someone would be willing to sacrifice the lives of the people in the city to achieve their own goals.
The fact that someone like Cui Yubin would exploit the fear and ignorance of the people in an attempt to shake the foundations of Hesha City sent a chill down her spine.
As the prisoner recounted his story, Bai Nishang's thoughts drifted back to those past days.
She remembered how she led her soldiers to patrol the city walls, seeing the trusting gazes of the people behind her, and how those young soldiers guarded their homes in the wind and sand.
However, some now want to destroy this trust, using lies and conspiracies to undermine the unity of Hesha City.
The anger in her heart was slowly burning, but she forced herself to calm down and remain rational.
"What else did Cui Yubin make you do?" Her voice remained cold, but it carried a barely perceptible hint of suppressed anger.
The prisoner lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze, as if afraid of encountering the coldness in her eyes.
He remained silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant about whether to reveal more secrets.
However, Bai Nishang's gaze was unyielding, and he finally spoke with trembling voice: "He... he also ordered us to keep an eye on the supply routes, sabotage the supply lines, and force the garrison to be unable to maintain their defense for long."
He said... "If I plunge Hesha into famine and chaos, I'll have a chance to control the city's resources."
Bai Nishang's eyes flashed with a cold light, her fists clenched slightly, but quickly relaxed.
Knowing that anger would not solve the problem, that these people were merely pawns, and that the real enemy was still secretly manipulating everything.
Cui Yubin's conspiracy clearly didn't stop there; he wanted to throw Hesha City into chaos so that he could ultimately reap the benefits.
She looked at the prisoners with a mixture of disgust and pity—these people were being manipulated for petty gains.
In the end, however, even their own fate was in the hands of others.
"Do you know that Cui Yubin will abandon you all at the crucial moment?"
She said it calmly, her tone carrying an all-knowing indifference.
The prisoners' expressions changed; they were clearly moved by her words.
Yes, they are nothing more than Cui Yubin's tools. If Hesha City really falls into chaos, Cui Yubin will abandon them first.
Those who originally thought they were just insignificant people being ordered around now realize how lowly their situation is.
They bowed their heads, their hearts filled with fear and regret, but it was too late.
Bai Nishang looked at them, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Such people are the most pathetic; they have neither courage nor faith, they live only for profit, and ultimately become victims of power struggles.
However, she felt no pity; she knew her duty was to protect Hersha City and the people who believed in her.
Instead of being moved by the remorse of these traitors.
She turned and left, handing the men over to the guards.
The next step is to completely expose Cui Yubin's conspiracy and make him nowhere to hide in the shadows of Hesha City.
In this quiet little town, the night was deep, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the streets.
Occasionally, patrolling guards would pass by with lanterns, but more often the city relied on the boundless darkness to conceal its secrets.
A cool, damp air filled the air, and even the wind seemed to whisper in your ear, as if brewing a storm that was about to erupt.
Meanwhile, deep within the city's alleyways, a secret outpost is quietly operating.
Under the cover of night, the caravan leader stood alone in the simple hut, his expression stern.
Outside the door stood several henchmen disguised as ordinary citizens, ready to receive new orders at any moment.
His gaze swept around the room, taking in the simple and secluded space—a few old wooden tables and scattered scrolls, several buckets of prepared rations and weapon boxes piled in the corner.
All of this, though seemingly insignificant, carried an undeniable weight. Each box, each table, seemed to weigh heavily on his heart, stirring up waves of emotions within him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
In recent days, he has gone through countless secret transactions and anxious discussions in order to prepare for this base.
He remembered the low whispers during the discussions, the sharp gazes, and the cold, stern faces.
Are those people allies or enemies?
He didn't fully trust them, and wasn't even sure if he would one day become their victim.
But he had nowhere to retreat.
The caravan's interests and the family's fate will be staked on this adventure.
Now, he can only move forward step by step, like a traveler trapped in the fog, unable to find peace in his heart.
He thought of his family and everything he carried on his shoulders.
The commotion outside caught his attention. A familiar subordinate walked in and whispered, "Everything is ready. Tomorrow at midnight."
The goods will be transported out through a secret passage in the south of the city, and delivered to the enemy camp according to the agreed route.
He nodded slightly, a cold glint unconsciously flashing in his eyes.
This shipment was far more than just provisions and weapons; it was the enemy's support in their war effort and proof that they were putting themselves in danger.
However, after weighing the pros and cons, he still chose to help them.
Perhaps it was because of the enormous profits behind it, or perhaps it was because of a long-buried belief that drove him to decide to gamble everything.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a soft sound, as if to conceal the turmoil in his heart.
The knocking echoed in the silent room, gradually resonating with the unease in his heart.
He began to wonder what would happen to him if this deal were discovered.
He imagined the bloody scene, where the enemy might use cruel methods to erase all evidence, leaving neither him nor his men, not even a single brick or tile of the stronghold.
His hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
It's all his own choice.
"Go ahead,"
He said in a low voice, his voice revealing a cold determination, "We must be careful and not make any mistakes."
His subordinate nodded slightly, then quietly withdrew, closing the door behind him and leaving him alone in the empty room.
The room was now even quieter, with only his heavy breathing echoing in the air.
A night breeze blew in through the window, bringing a chill that made him shiver slightly.
He wasn't afraid of the cold before, but at this moment the chill seemed to penetrate his skin and reach his heart.
He walked to the window and quietly gazed at the dark street.
The lights flickered faintly in the distance, like countless burning thoughts, appearing and disappearing.
He closed his eyes, letting his thoughts churn in his mind. He recalled himself many years ago, that spirited young businessman.
He once dreamed of expanding his caravan and making a name for himself.
But now, everything he does is getting further and further away from his original dream.
At that moment, a painful emotion welled up from the bottom of his heart—it was a regret he had kept hidden for a long time.
Perhaps he shouldn't have gone down this path; perhaps he could have chosen a different life.
However, this path has already been taken to this point, and there's no turning back.
He could only keep moving forward, keep groping in the dark, and keep gambling with his fate.
He heard a few whispers outside the window. He opened his eyes and saw a group of soldiers passing by. Their steps were steady and powerful, clearly guards patrolling the city.
His heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to calm down.
As the soldiers walked further and further away, his mood gradually calmed down.
The patrols of guards are a symbol of the city's security.
But to him, it was like a rope wrapped around his neck, which, if not handled carefully, would drag him into an endless abyss.
He took another deep breath, and the inner struggle seemed to subside a little.
I am no longer the young person who can choose.
He can only play the role of a competent chess player now, secretly placing his pieces and waiting for the right opportunity.
As night deepened, the room became increasingly quiet.
The caravan leader finally turned away from the window and sat down at the table.
He slowly picked up a scroll, the last record he had made for this operation.
His fingers lightly brushed across the scroll, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Perhaps, at some point in the future, he will regret all of this.
But at this moment, he must suppress his inner turmoil and take each step firmly.
This is his choice, and the only path he can take.
As night fell, fine rain pattered on the bluestone streets, creating a thin mist.
Hersha City was unusually quiet at this moment. The few shops on the street had closed early, and only a few scattered lights flickered at the end of the alley.
Gu Jinyan stood outside the warehouse, looking at the long line of people inside the courtyard, a resolute glint in his eyes.
After the war, supplies were scarce in the city, and the food being distributed might be the hope for an entire family.
"Please don't rush! Line up in an orderly manner. We'll give the cards to the elderly, the infirm, and the disabled first, and then it'll be the turn of everyone else."
She raised her voice, her words conveying a firm reassurance.
However, a group of merchants stood in a corner of the group, whispering among themselves and occasionally casting cold, disdainful glances at her.
A hint of dissatisfaction flickered in their eyes, their gazes seeming to silently provoke, creating a sense of hostility in the air.
Just then, an older merchant stepped forward and said with a hint of impatience, "Lord Gu, we have also contributed to the city, why should we be ranked last?"
Gu Jinyan frowned slightly, turned around and looked at the person, his eyes filled with calmness and authority.
"This is not discrimination, but rather for the sake of the many people in need in the city. Everyone receives supplies according to the rules; this is the system I established."
The merchant, however, gave a defiant sneer, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.
“You’re an outsider, you don’t understand the rules here. Our business has its own allocation system, so you don’t have to be driven by others.”
Gu Jinyan looked at him quietly, her heart unwavering, but a coldness appeared on her face.
Instead of arguing with him directly, she looked around and noticed that the other people were looking at her anxiously, with a glimmer of hope and trust in their eyes.
A moment later, she turned back to continue inspecting the group, seemingly not taking the merchant seriously.
This unspoken neglect only angered the group of merchants.