Chapter 144: Suppression (1)
Chapter 144: Suppression (1)
September 25, 2017
Wang Ti is not Wang Jun, although both are data NPCs, this guy is a former bandit and has the demeanor of a warlord.
Due to their different roles, their approaches to handling the current situation are completely different.
Wang Jun hopes to quell this unrest peacefully, and if possible, without resorting to force, as these people are much-needed manpower for the mountain fortress.
However, Wang Ti is different. From the moment he arrived, he sensed the impending unrest and began gathering the fortress's forces while Wang Jun was negotiating. In Wang Ti's eyes, the solution is straightforward.
Isn't it just a bunch of troublemakers causing a ruckus? A show of force should be enough to suppress them.
With their distinct personalities and roles, their methods differ, and it's challenging to determine who is right or wrong.
Nonetheless, Wang Ti's preparations seem to please Lu HaiKong more. Hundreds of archers take their positions, and under the rain of arrows, the once furious and discontented people shiver in fear. Not to mention, hundreds of bandits from within the fortress have already gathered.
Wang Ti's readiness slightly improves Lu HaiKong's mood, but soon after, another wave of footsteps echoes, indicating a substantial group approaching, numbering in the thousands.
Hearing these footsteps, Zhang Tie, who had been scowling at the archers and bandits, suddenly breaks into a smile. He recognizes these footsteps as belonging to the remaining villagers in the fortress, who are now coming to support them.
"Look, all the villagers in the fortress are on our side. What can these bandits do, even if they are fierce? Can your thousand men defeat our ten thousand?"
Zhang Tie is well aware that his greatest advantage lies in the villagers he has incited. As long as he controls their anger, victory will be his.
So, without hesitation, he begins to encourage the villagers, who have just been frightened by Ma Pen and Wang Ti's arrangements, hoping to reignite their fury and lead them to overthrow Lu HaiKong.
"Don't be afraid, everyone! These bandits are all show. With our numbers, we have nothing to fear. Look, our helpers are here!"
Zhang Tie estimates the approaching footsteps and points in their direction, shouting, "Look, here they come!"
Indeed, another group of villagers rush over, armed with farm tools like hoes and poles, in contrast to the rioting villagers. These newcomers are almost all the remaining villagers in the fortress.
Seeing such a large group approaching with determination, the rioting villagers, who had been intimidated, regain their confidence. With the entire village supporting them, do they still need to fear these bandits? Some even resume their insults towards Lu HaiKong and his group.
However, Zhang Tie's joy is short-lived. They soon realize that these villagers are not here to help. As soon as they arrive, they start swinging their hoes and poles, attacking the workers who had just come down from the wall, causing them to scatter in panic.
Witnessing this, Zhang Tie and the rioting villagers are dumbfounded. Weren't they supposed to be reinforcements? Weren't they supposed to support us?
Lu HaiKong is also taken aback, not by the villagers' support but by the presence of a small figure among them. She wields a sword and fights alongside the villagers, and despite her young age and small stature, she is quite skilled, opening wounds on her opponents with her swift strikes.
"Alright, alright, stop it everyone!"
Lu HaiKong stepped forward, snatching the long sword from Lu Ying's hands and holding the young girl back from attacking. He set the little one aside and took up his Grimskull Cleaver, striding towards Zhang Tie and the others.
Most of the citizens who had arrived later were those Lu HaiKong or Wang Ti had rescued from the Xianbei's oppression. These people were extremely loyal to Lu HaiKong and the fortified camp, and when he spoke, they obediently stepped back, their weapons still in hand, their faces filled with resentment towards the rioters.
In their eyes, if not for Lu HaiKong, they would have perished under the Xianbei's iron hooves long ago. If not for him, they wouldn't be enjoying such a good life now, free from worries about food or the threat of foreign tribes. How could they allow anyone to ruin this life they cherished?
As soon as they heard about the unrest, they spontaneously organized themselves, grabbing the tools they used for work and meals, and rushed over to confront the rioters. In a short clash, out of the thousand or so people standing behind Lu HaiKong, a hundred or so fell, and the rest showed fear on their faces.
With the support of thousands of armed citizens, the archers on the residential towers, and the assembled bandits, the situation was now fully under control. Yet, Lu HaiKong's anger didn't subside.
"I just can't understand, I really can't. Where does all this resentment come from?"
In a 1619 version of a book, he read without error!
"Is life in this camp not good enough? We have food and shelter, we're not cold or hungry, and we don't have to worry about the Xianbei or the Xiongnu coming to take our lives. Isn't this a good living environment?"
"Oh, right, it's not that it's bad, it's just too good. It's so good you bastards have forgotten who you are! You don't want to live with us bandits? You want to drive us out and live here yourselves? Do you even deserve it, you bastards!"
"And you dare accuse me of taking your wealth! Since I started as a bandit, I can say with a clear conscience that I've never killed a single citizen or taken a single copper from you. Why? Because in my eyes, we're all in the same boat, oppressed and bullied, the most pitiful of the common folk."
"So I established this camp, wanting to gather those oppressed by the merchant aristocracy and bullied by foreign tribes. I wanted to use my strength to give you a better life, but what have you done? You want to drive me out? All my hard work and effort, and you turn out to be a bunch of ungrateful scoundrels? When you eat, when you sleep, do you ever think that all this is because of me?"
Leaning on his axe, Lu HaiKong cursed freely for the first time, looking at the crowd, some with guilty faces, some resigned, and some with disdain. Suddenly, he felt a sense of emptiness.
"Alright, alright, I don't want to say more. Since you don't want to live with me, a bandit, then get the hell out, all of you!"
(End of Chapter)
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