Free Web NovelChapter 253: Wu Region [1]
A peaceful day for the Wu Region has come again. Furthermore, every citizen’s life remained normal as before, and they continued to work for their leaders.
The Wu Region’s main product and contribution to the continent were weapons. Weapon production in this region was high thus, as the demand for weapons increased, workers’ lives in the region had become tighter than before. But, the leaders, those who had a place in society, deemed it a normal instance.
White Lead is a pillar of governance in the Wu region. Because of their influence, the leader, Banglang Wubao, gained a reputation and also a slot to be the commander of a mercenary force in the Xiaozhin Province.
"My Lord, the production has already reached the quota."
"That’s good. Then tally all of them and do as usual. I will visit the factory to see if they are still okay for the next production."
Banglang Wubao was a massive man with a powerful aura that surrounded him at all times. If he had murderous intent toward that person, anybody who glanced at him would quiver with horror. In a nutshell, Banglang’s identity might disrupt a normal person’s system enough to make them fear him in a split second.
But, those who knew him, viewed him as a respectable person, a reverent one-and-only.
Banglang went to the factory, which was located inside a cave in the mountain range in the region. Smoke could be seen just as he arrived outside of the factory. They all came from the ventilation of the cave.
The cave was just normal in the past, but because of the minerals found inside, a mine was created. And to hastily produce the weapons they needed, they created a factory, or smithing place, since it was already wide.
For some reason, Banglang sighed and went inside. It was obvious from his face that he was doing this frequently as he had no certain expression. He nonchalantly walked inside and then inspected it for a short moment.
"Any death?" he asked.
Immediately, two people arrived in front of him, reporting what was inside. They were normal in the eyes of Banglang, but in reality, they were already tattered, fatigued, and unhealthy. Their eyes had deep eyebags, and their bodies didn’t have enough nutrition to have some muscles. freёwebnoѵel.com
Even so, Banglang commented on it before they could answer. "Eat some. Why don’t you eat some meat to get some muscles? Look, all of you are skinny."
"No... my lord. The meat was all reserved for the executives and you. We are still strong despite our bodies."
"Alright. Now, tell me, any death?"
"None, sir."
"Okay. That’s good. I will be leaving." It was indeed short, as Banglang didn’t seem to be interested in staying longer inside. He could also feel his sweat forming on the surface of his skin and the disgust of the smell was coming at him.
He immediately left, but even so, it could be questioned why he was doing this when he could just order his subordinate to do the inspection. But for some reason that no one knew, they could only wonder about it given how Banglang seemed to be diligent in inspecting the factory himself.
Just when Banglang had left the disgusting place of the mine and factory, he went straight back to his office, were on every shelf were books of his techniques and others’ knowledge he had stolen.
When he arrived, another subordinate approached him with another report.
"Ah..." At first, Banglang couldn’t recognize him, but after giving it a thought, later on, he recognized the man he ordered to search for his son. "You... have you already found my third son?" he asked with a penetrating voice for no reason.
His subordinate was shaken in his system, but he ignored it and continued with his report. He lowered his head and carried on. "The young master, Brian Chang, is still missing. However, we found a lead on him going to the Quanzhi Province, but due to the internal conflict, we couldn’t pursue him any further."
Feeling agitated, his Banglang’s subordinate couldn’t help but hide his trembling lips. They were also numb and pale as he didn’t know what to expect from Banglang’s reaction. But, as he calmly responded, he felt a little relief in his system.
"I see... Then, continue with your search but don’t get involved with the people from the Quanzhi. That cannibal monster is still there, even though he is not a general anymore. Even if he was crippled, some of his men would still protect him."
There was no basis for Banglang to be smart, as his face, including his behavior, seemed to be mediocre for those who were smart. But, Banglang still had the common sense of a warrior, and it was not about jumping into obvious danger, whether it was about pride.
"Understood, my lord. I shall take my leave."
Banglang let out a sigh and leaned on the backrest of his chair. He looked at the scrolls on his table, containing the reports from the other places and cities in the region.
"It is tiring to be the boss of a region at some point."
***
An unnamed group against unhealthy labor in the Wu Region had gathered once more. It was their 5th meeting to plan on revolting and destroying the system of White Lead. They sought to take over the Wu Region as the unhealthy labor conditions had already killed plenty of people from overworking.
Just as this group was still starting, they were still immature about the reality but had the motivation to put an end to the tyranny of the governance of White Lead in the region.
Consisting of 15 mysterious individuals, among whom all of them were cultivators, they had formed a circle inside a cave with their faces hidden, and only the tattoo, the sign of their group, was shown.
Their tattoos were on their shoulders, which showed that the pads or anything that covered their shoulders should be absent from their meeting.
And to further hide each individual’s identity from the other, they had to cover their faces.
"Alright... As you can see, the White Lead started to overwork the people again, and now, because of the war, their operations have started to weaken the side of the citizens again."
"If this continues, plenty of people will die and the population will drop, making the land dead as well."
"So, as a suggestion to keep their operations out of the Wu Region, we will infiltrate their operations and we will stop them from supplying. If the emperor noticed that the White Lead had been lacking for a few days and weeks, they might stop asking for supplies in the region."
"But, isn’t that just redirecting the problem to another place? How could we stand up for them?"
"Always remember that you can’t save everyone. So, while you have time, choose those you want to save. Sacrifices are inevitable, so don’t get driven by your emotions. We are not being saviors; we are only fighting against the White Lead, not the emperor."
Why don’t we broaden our sphere of influence? I already have a village in my back pocket, which would expedite some things."
"That is stupidity. We cannot fully take over the continent as we don’t have the power to fight the whole military power of the continent. We don’t even have enough power to go against the White Lead and their associates."
"So, the best plausible approach in this one is to show the fighting stance of grabbing authority over land in the traditional way. We take over the land and approach the emperor to show our pledge. In that case, will that be our approach?"
"I think that is also possible. I will agree on this one, as the government doesn’t forbid challenges to authorities over a region as long as it doesn’t threaten the emperor’s authority."
"I will agree on this one as well. We should be on the side of the people, so we don’t have to use too much force. Our land first, before others. We are not heroes in this one, but retaliators for our land."
"I guess everyone agrees with his idea, so I will agree as well.
"I don’t agree. We should see that the continent is in danger if we start moving. So, I think that saving the Wu Region is not enough. We should spread our influence in the shadows as we search for other pillars that will agree with our advocacies."
"Hmm... I will follow the majority."
"I will do it as well."
"I agree."
"Standing neutral may not be the best option, but because we share the same goals, I will agree to challenge the White Lead and approach to pledge under the Emperor."
"You are all selfish. How could you contain the disgust of the tyrannic governance of the emperor."
"We have no power to fight the whole continent. If you are thinking that way, then we have to have some allies with other continents to fight the whole military."
"Sighs... Then, I will have a pause in that approach. I will agree with you for the moment, but our advocacy is freeing people from tyranny."
