Chapter 97: The Peoples Heart
After arriving in Iron Wall City, Wang Wei was a little surprised. Just like the name implied, this city is surrounded by a massive wall that is at least 500 meters in height, and more than 20 meters in width. The thickness of the wall was between 2 to 3 meters.
Considering the backward technology of this world, Wang Wei was indeed a little surprised. It seemed that he underestimated the people of this world.
After entering the city, Wang Wei’s group met with Generals 1-5, who had a head start from the group. There, Wang Wei received a map of the city and the general distribution of power.
The entire city was divided into four districts: the noble district, the merchant district, the common district, and the military district.
The noble district is where the nobles and city lord live; it is the political center of this city. The merchant district is where the majority of trades take place.
As a border city--despite the constant war--trades between other countries often take place. Of course, the majority of these trades are technically illegal. However, merchants are people who pursue profit. As long as they can make money, there is nothing that they will not do.
The military district is where the border army is located. It is led by General Dong Wu, a peak Divine Sea cultivator. He basically controls all the arm forces of this city.
The common district is the largest area with the highest population, but also the one with least amount of wealth. Due to the fact that this city is constantly at war, the life of the majority people is used only as cannon fodder through constant recruitment into the army.
However, they are willing because it is the only way for them to receive a little bit of food. Furthermore, as long as the population decreased to a certain number, a large number of new blood will be brought over from the hinterland of the kingdom.
Another source of population was the refugees from other kingdoms that have lost their homes during the many wars.
After reviewing the information, Wang Wei started his plan into motion. Soon, a rumor of someone handing food and clothes five days later spread throughout the common district. Many people became excited at the prospect of finally having something to eat.
On the day publicized by the rumors, Wang Wei stood in front of a stall with countless food. He hired a few people to hand out the food and a few people to pose as an army to make sure that the people did not fight over the food.
This altruistic act of Wang Wei continued for half a year. During this time, he will go distribute food to the poor almost every week.
On top of that, Wang Wei opened up schools to teach people how to write and read. Throughout this time, he preached to the people the concept of benevolence and self-worth. He told them that they have the right to pursue their goals and dreams, and that they are not the so-called "untouchables" that the nobles called them.
With his actions and constant preaching of a positive message, Wang Wei’s popularity among the common people rose like a comet. The people gave him the title of the "Wise Sage".
Of course, during the process, there were some minor problems. When the nobles heard what he was doing, they sent someone to warn him. Education was the main way that these nobles kept their power over the common people, how could they allow someone else to make it universal?
After Wang Wei ignored their warning, they sent all kinds of assassins to eliminate him. Unfortunately for them, none of these assassins came back alive.
Military District, General Mansion.
A burly man with a scar on his face sat in an office reviewing a bunch of papers. The man exuded a stench of blood, a powerful fiend qi was coming out of his body. This was General Dong Wu, commander of the Iron Wall City.
After reviewing the information that his advisor handed to him, one piece of information caught his attention.
"Who is this Wise Sage? Do we have any information on him?"
"Sir, the only thing we know is the fact that this person is also a very powerful cultivator, but he has been doing good deeds in the common district," answered the advisor, who resembled a weak scholar. However, he had a shrewd look deep in his eyes.
"This person’s prestige is too high and it is very easy for him to incite a rebellion among the people. Why didn’t I hear about this sooner?"
"Sir, as soon as I noticed this person, I sent the information to you. However, you were busy fighting the Iron Fist Kingdom at the Fortress, so I never received any news back. I did not dare to make any decision on my own."
"The people of the Iron Fist Kingdom were crazy again, so I was a little occupied. However, now that I know about this, it’s time to put an end to this so-called ’Wise Sage". Send the Blood Wolf Army to surround him and execute him in the spot."
"There is no need for that, I’m already here." Both general Dong Wu and his advisor were shocked by the sudden voice that intruded into the room without them even realizing it.
"Who dares to trespass in this general’s resting place?" roared General Dong Wu with all his strength.
Soon, he saw a handsome grey hair and grey eyes teenager slowly walking towards them. His heart suddenly skipped a beat as he had a feeling that something terrible was about to happen to him and this city.
General Dong Wu trusted his instinct very well as it saved him from countless life and death situations during his expeditions.
Wang Wei looked at the general and said, "You are quite flexible in your thinking. Using this roar to alert your subordinates that something has gone wrong. Unfortunately, it is of no use."
After saying this, Wang Wei released a powerful aura that forced both General Dong Wu and his advisor to kneel, then he sat in a chair waiting.
After half an hour, he felt that someone had intruded in the isolation formation that he placed on this room. When he looked up, he saw Li Jun and 5 other people walking inside the room with blood all over their armors.
"Is everything done?" asked Wang Wei.
"Yes, big brother. With General 1-5 infiltrating the army, we were able to easily control more than 90% of the army. And like you ordered, we tried to minimize the casualties to the lowest number possible."
"What about the remaining 10%?"
"They are all people who are deadly loyal to General Dong Wu. As such, we have arrested them, waiting for you to decide what to do with them."
Wang Wei nodded and looked at the 5 Generals beside Li Jun and said, "You guys did a good job this time. Keep it up and soon you will be rewarded."
General 1 smiled and answered, "We are only doing our job, young master. Furthermore, this task was easier than it seemed. With advanced military training methods and sufficient rewards, it was quite easy to have the majority of men be only loyal to us. Additionally, Advisor Zhao Feng made the process a lot more smooth."
Wang Wei nodded in agreement, then looked at the advisor next to General Dong Wu and praised:
"You hold up the end of your bargain, now, it is my turn."
After saying this, he removed the pressure on Zhao Feng and took out a book and a space ring and handed it to him.
Meanwhile, General Dong Wu was both shocked and furious.
"You...you...you betrayed me. After everything I’ve done for you and all the things we have gone together, you betrayed me for a book and a ring?"
However, Zhao Feng just looked at Dong Wu and sneered at him. Then, he started to read the book like it was the most precious jade in existence. No, maybe even the purest of jades could not compare with this book.
Meanwhile, Wang Wei completely ignored the brother-betrayal drama that these two were putting on. He asked Li Jun:
"Is there anything else that we need to take care of?"
"Yes, big brother. Although we have taken control over the military of this city, there is still another army positioned at a fortress a few hundred meters from this city. They are the main force fighting against the Iron Will Kingdom and we need to take control of them as soon as possible."
After hearing this, Wang Wei nodded and looked at General Dong Wu.
"Do you want to live or die a very miserable death?"
The general answered with a very calm look on his face, "You can kill me if you want, but I will never succumb to anyone. You people just wait, the royal family will never tolerate rebellious officials."
After seeing the firm determination in this man’s eyes, Wang Wei knew that this person would never betray his kingdom for his life. So, he changed tactics.
"General 2, bring him to Wang Ju and tell her to use hypnosis and have him write an edict that transfers the military power of the Fortress to General 1. Also tell her to keep him alive, we may need him in the future."
Of course Wang Wei could have done it himself with his powerful soul, however what is the point of having subordinates if he has to do everything by himself. With Wang Ju’s Divine Body cultivation, she is more than capable of doing this. Although her cultivation is sealed, she still has a powerful soul because of her realm.
Over the years, after starting to cultivate, Wang Wei has discovered that he has a natural talent when it comes to controlling the soul. This was shown when he used his powerful soul to easily intimidate the princess during their conversation.
He guessed that it has to do with the fact that he spent countless years floating in the void in the form of a soul when he was swallowed by the space cracks back on earth.
After giving his order to General 2, Wang Wei looked at General 1 and asked, "Do you know what to do?"
"No problem, young master. Give me three months, no, two months and I will have the entire fortress under my command."
"Very good. All of you can go rest now. Tomorrow, we can finish discussing our future plans."