Undying Life

Chapter 171: Chapter 171 The first plan, war crisis

"Crack!"

Princess Qian You slapped the tea table, knocking over the cups, her face filled with excitement. Then, she respectfully bowed to Zhongshan and said, "Thank you very much, sir."

"I dare not." Zhongshan immediately stood up to return the gesture.

"No, this matter concerning Wushuang City has been troubling Qian You for a long time. Unexpectedly, with just a few words from the sir, many things have become clear to Qian You. Regardless of what happens to Wushuang City later, the sir's help has been invaluable to Qian You," Princess Qian You said.

Zhongshan could only nod in response. Extending his hand, he said, "Please, have a seat, Princess. The implementation of all this still requires Mr. Shui to go."

"Alright." Princess Qian You sat down, feeling a sense of relief.

However, Ada, Er, and Water Tianya continued to stare at the Go pieces on Zhongshan's tea table, looking confused.

"Mr. Zhongshan, what do you mean by this?" Water Tianya asked Zhongshan.

"Mr. Shui, after you return, you'll need to reorganize the South City and put the entire area on high alert. Spread rumors privately that the Great Yu Empire is about to attack. Strengthen the city's defenses and conduct thorough checks on everyone entering or leaving the city," Zhongshan smiled.

"The Great Yu Empire is about to attack? We just signed a ceasefire agreement at the Fangshan Conference. Wouldn't it be unwise for me to do this? If someone accuses me of provoking conflict between the two empires, then my chances of winning this election will be even slimmer," Water Tianya frowned, puzzled.

"Accuse you? Accuse you of what? You're just taking precautions. You never said the Great Yu Empire was about to attack. You're just enhancing city defenses, maintaining public order in the South City, and building Wushuang City better. Who would blame you?" Zhongshan chuckled.

"Uh?" Water Tianya thought for a moment and nodded.

"But, what's the use of this?" Water Tianya furrowed his brow.

"Because when you send people to say that the Great Yu Empire is about to attack Wushuang City and advise tightening defenses, instilling fear in the populace, Mo Baili's faction will definitely not do the same. They want to promote peace and harmony between the two empires," Zhongshan looked at Water Tianya and said.

"Why?" Water Tianya asked in confusion.

"If they follow your lead, in the eyes of the people of Wushuang City, they will appear inferior, as if Mo Baili's vision is not as far-reaching or clear as yours. In the eyes of the people, Mo Baili will be slightly inferior to you. However, I think they definitely won't follow your lead because they don't want to appear inferior, and they're also constrained by the military and the major families that originally supported Mo Baili," Zhongshan explained.

"Huh?" Mo Baili looked at Zhongshan with slight confusion.

"Mr. Shui doesn't have deep roots in Wushuang City. It's obviously too late for him to gain the support of some major families. So, he should start by winning over the hearts of the most rootless and powerless grassroot commoners," Zhongshan smiled.

"But, will the commoners really support me just by saying that the Great Yu Empire is going to attack Wushuang City?" Water Tianya asked, puzzled.

Seeing Water Tianya's confusion, Zhongshan was speechless. With things having progressed to this point, why didn't he understand?

"Wushuang City is on the border between the two empires. It has been a battleground for years. The residents here are more sensitive to the possibility of war. They are very concerned about it. When you spread the news, emphasize the crisis of war. Once the city is breached, women will be taken away to become soldiers of the Great Yu Empire, practicing cultivation day and night, while men will be enslaved to build cities and develop the Great Yu Empire's glory. It's best to find some examples of people who were previously harmed by the Great Yu Empire, and keep repeating those stories," Zhongshan said.

"But, there has never been such a brutal army on the continent. Only in the West, it seems, there's such a force. Other wars have never been so cruel. The Great Yu Empire is known for its strict military laws and would never do such things. Will the residents believe it?" Water Tianya asked.

Zhongshan rolled his eyes at Water Tianya and said to Princess Qian You, "Princess, you explain it to Mr. Shui."

Princess Qian You had been squinting her eyes, smiling as she watched Zhongshan explain to Water Tianya. Seeing Zhongshan retreat in speechless defeat, she couldn't help but laugh. At the same time, she sighed inwardly at Water Tianya's lack of understanding. As long as one person believes, it's a step towards success. Even if they don't believe, it still leaves a shadow in their hearts.

"Just go if you're told to, why so much nonsense?" Princess Qian You said to Water Tianya.

"Yes." Water Tianya immediately fell silent.

After taking a sip of tea, Zhongshan looked at Princess Qian You and said, "Let's leave it at that for now. I've thought of as much as I can for the time being. If we can rally some people, then we'll rally some people. We'll figure out the rest later."

"Alright." Princess Qian You nodded. Apparently, Princess Qian You was satisfied with what had been thought of in these few days. At least, the previously deadlocked situation had loosened slightly. There was still nearly a year's time; let's take it slow—

Ten days later, on a huge floating island to the north of the city.

Inside a palace on the floating island, Gulin, Mr. Shuijing, and Mo Baili were all standing inside.

Mo Baili respectfully reported something to Gulin and Mr. Shuijing.

Gulin looked slightly puzzled, while Mr. Shuijing's brow furrowed tightly.

"Are you sure the people sent by Water Tianya are saying this?" Mr. Shuijing frowned.

"Yes, they're inviting people to eat and drink lavishly in various major commercial areas and restaurants, then babbling nonsense as if they're drunk. They're saying that the Great Yu Empire has already amassed a million troops at the Tearing Heart Mountains, ready to attack the city. Some even say there are tens of millions or even fifty million troops gathering. They're spouting nonsense about the city being breached and men being forced into slavery while women are taken to be soldiers of the Great Yu Empire. The South City and Water Tianya are fully prepared for war," Mo Baili laughed.

"Has Water Tianya gone mad? How could he say such things? Who would believe it?" Gulin laughed.

"Some people will believe it," Mr. Shuijing shook his head.

"Who? That's impossible. This is simply absurd," Gulin immediately retorted.

Looking at Gulin, Mr. Shuijing smiled wryly and said, "Young Master, Wushuang City has a population of tens of millions. Not everyone is as intelligent as you. Rumors stop at the wise, but once they reach you, it's like a wildfire spreading. With such a large city, it's normal to have a few fools."

"Just a few people. What's there to be afraid of?" Gulin said.

"There's a saying: one rat turd ruins the whole pot of soup. If one fool believes it, it will make the people around him foolish too, making them doubtful. In this way, Water Tianya's plan will succeed," Mr. Shuijing explained.

Upon hearing Mr. Shuijing's words, Mo Baili was taken aback. What should they do now?

"Mr. Shuijing, I just remembered. The atmosphere in the South City is very tense right now. The city management teams have all been mobilized, checking various major commercial areas, and security at the city gates has been tightened," Mo Baili immediately said.

Upon hearing Mo Baili's words, Mr. Shuijing waved his feather fan lightly, furrowing his brows and muttering to himself, "Princess Qian You is very clever. No, this doesn't seem like Princess Qian You's style, but, hmm, perhaps I'm mistaken."

"Shuijing, should we spread similar rumors?" Gulin immediately suggested.

"No, if we imitate Water Tianya, then in the eyes of the people, Water Tianya's influence will rapidly rise through Mo Baili. It will have a worse impact. Moreover, will the military believe it? Will the major families believe it? It will only backfire," Mr. Shuijing shook his head.

"What should we do then?" Gulin immediately asked with concern.

Looking at Gulin, Mr. Shuijing smiled and said, "Young Master, rest assured, this is just a minor disturbance. It won't amount to much. Given time, it will fade away, and no one will believe them anymore. We just need to stick to our convictions, and in this era of peace, keep telling the people of Wushuang City that there will be peace in the future, that there will be no more wars, and make the people believe that as long as Mo Baili becomes the city lord, there will never be war."

"Okay." Gulin nodded.

"Mr. Mo, do you know what to do?" Mr. Shuijing said.

"Rest assured, sir. I'll handle this matter myself," Mo Baili immediately smiled.

Another month passed.

In the backyard pond of Zhongshan's residence.

Zhongshan held a large knife and stood in the pond, slowly cutting through the water with the blade. One stroke after another. With each stroke, it seemed as if he were slicing tofu, as if the water automatically parted to let the blade pass.

Zhongshan wasn't using any energy; it was just an ordinary stroke, slowly cutting through the surface of the water.

The cuts were very slow but also very eerie, as if the water itself was parting in two.

This was Zhongshan's training regimen, wave-splitting. Of course, he hadn't reached the waves yet; he was just starting with still water. This was the third stage: slicing through the patterns of water. Water, flowing formlessly and shapelessly, how could it have patterns? But Zhongshan firmly believed it did.

And gradually, Zhongshan found a hint of a trick. With minimal force, he could split the water apart.

While Zhongshan was practicing, Princess Qian You arrived with Ada, A'er, and Water Tianya.

Seeing Princess Qian You, the servants were about to bow, but Princess Qian You waved her fan to stop them, allowing them to leave. She then led the three to a stone table on the side.

Princess Qian You sat down gently, while the three stood beside her, not daring to sit. They waited together for Zhongshan to finish his training.

Watching Zhongshan slowly immerse and withdraw the knife from the water, Water Tianya couldn't help but twitch involuntarily. He hadn't seen Zhongshan release any trace of energy. It was as if a child were playing with a radish.

Only Princess Qian You noticed. Seeing the subtle flow of water automatically parting at the blade's edge, her pupils contracted, a hint of astonishment flashing in her eyes.