Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 454: The Great Shaman of the Imperial Court’s Deception_1
The Memory Body began to control public opinion, and real benefits started to be distributed. Subsequently, the development of the entire Northern Prairie proceeded smoothly and vigorously.
The number of refugees and displaced people migrating from Dajing was quite large, but once they were spread out, they didn’t seem so numerous.
Wang Linchi had also taken precautions to prevent issues such as acclimatization difficulties and epidemics. These still caused small-scale disturbances, but Wang Linchi stepped forward, made a public display of concern and leadership, and quickly quelled them.
Combined with the Memory Body’s dissemination of public opinion, Wang Linchi’s persona quickly spread among the refugees and displaced people.
As for the local Hu Lu, Wang Linchi did not treat them harshly. Instead, he re-educated them through a process of naturalization, proclaiming that any barbarian who assimilated into Jing society would be considered a Jing citizen, enjoying the same treatment as ordinary people.
This treatment wasn’t the standard within Dajing proper but one newly established by Wang Linchi himself. Some objected, arguing that giving such good treatment to a bunch of "country bumpkins" was a waste. Wang Linchi, however, justified it with the principle, "To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools." His unspoken message was clear: "This is how things are. If you don’t trust my judgment, you can get lost." Fortunately, no one was foolhardy enough to openly oppose Wang Linchi.
As a result, Wang Linchi’s prestige among the Hu Lu community immediately skyrocketed.
This treatment was far superior to their previous lives. They had initially expected to endure hardship, so this stark contrast naturally filled them with immense gratitude.
Things are progressing well. Next, it’s time to dismantle the faith in Sky Wolf, Wang Linchi thought, looking at the feedback survey. He now held the goodwill of seventy percent of the Hu Lu and ninety-nine percent of the Jing People.
This survey was no fabrication; it was collected by the Memory Body itself.
However, I still need to prepare enough rumors and slander, making Sky Wolf the scapegoat for everything. Otherwise, if I directly destroy its temples and shrines, I’ll inevitably face repercussions, Wang Linchi mused.
Wang Linchi was ruthless in his methods, aiming not only to eliminate the faith’s physical presence but also to uproot its very foundations.
This way, he could more effectively win over the Hu Lu.
He already had factions that supported him; however, this support had not yet transformed into true faith.
After all, he was still alive. How could a living person wield the power gained from posthumous deification?
"Sir, a group of wandering Hu Lu wish to see you," Li Zheng reported, first placing down the stack of documents he was carrying before speaking.
"Wandering Hu Lu?" Wang Linchi murmured, then thought for a moment. What could they want with me? He was inclined not to meet them.
Considering my current status, how can I meet just anyone who requests an audience? That would be too demeaning. It’s not as if I need to make public appearances to boost my reputation anymore, he considered.
"Well... they claim to have news of the Great Shaman of the Imperial Court," Li Zheng stated.
"The Great Shaman of the Imperial Court?" Wang Linchi’s expression tensed. This was indeed a thorn in his side.
The Great Shaman was the earthly representative of the Wolf God, Sky Wolf—a position akin to a Pope.
However, Wang Linchi had no intention of following the Shaman’s path in the future, as he considered it a dead end.
If power is concentrated in the hands of the Shamans, what about the common people at the bottom? Compared to the vast numbers of common folk, the elite are always a small minority. I need a massive base of genuine supporters, not a small clique of obsessive devotees. Therefore, what I want is for my name and ideals to be widely propagated. In the future, rebels should rally under my banner, officials should be morally bound by my standards, and even the dreams of ordinary people should be to emulate me. That is true faith, not these so-called sacrifices and rituals, which are all superficial.
"In that case, let’s meet them," Wang Linchi said.
If they had value, he would meet them. If not, then certainly not.
"However, this group seems somewhat suspicious. Should we separate them for questioning before you meet them, Sir?" Li Zheng suggested.
"There’s no need," Wang Linchi replied, unconcerned. "That would damage my image. Besides, if they truly intend to make a move, do they really think they can stir up any trouble on my territory?"
My own life or death is irrelevant. In this world, there are simply no means to prevent my resurrection, not even the Calamity of the Last Law. My reputation, however, is tied to my plans, so I need to be somewhat cautious about that.
"I’ll arrange it immediately then," Li Zheng said, turning to leave.
"No rush," Wang Linchi interjected. "Did they appear travel-worn and exhausted when they arrived?"
"Indeed, they looked quite disheveled," Li Zheng confirmed.
"In that case, arrange for them to have hot water to wash up and some clean clothes. Also, send them some food so they can fill their stomachs," Wang Linchi instructed.
If I want to cultivate my persona properly, I can’t show favoritism, he thought.
"Yes, Sir." Li Zheng naturally understood Wang Linchi intended to win their hearts, but he wouldn’t voice such things, merely carrying out the orders diligently.
It wasn’t his place to comment on Wang Linchi’s methods.
As for the expense, it was a drop in the bucket. Wang Linchi had already incurred far greater expenditures; this amount was negligible in comparison.
After Li Zheng departed, Wang Linchi quickly located this group of wandering Hu Lu through a Memory Body.
He had a feeling this was a gift delivered right to his doorstep.
Looking closer, a smile touched the corners of his lips. A delivery right to my door, eh? I just wonder what scheme you’re brewing.
It wasn’t that they *had* news of the Great Shaman of the Imperial Court; the one leading the group *was* the Great Shaman of the Imperial Court himself.
I don’t believe for a second they came all this way just to deliver a message. The most likely reason is to assassinate me, Wang Linchi thought. Are they preparing to summon the Wolf God to descend? Otherwise, they’d have no reason to seek me out. With their frail builds, they’re definitely no match for a Spirit Master. In that case, the most likely scenario is a ritual to be held at the Imperial Court. Should I cooperate with them? Wang Linchi mused, feeling this was a perfect opportunity to strike at the Wolf God, Sky Wolf.
But there’s a problem... What if they are genuinely surrendering? What then...? I can’t rule out the possibility that they’re truly here to pledge allegiance. In that case, for the sake of my persona, I really can’t act recklessly. That possibility exists too. I’ll just have to adapt to the circumstances as they unfold, he decided.
「Elsewhere」
The Great Shaman of the Imperial Court and his men watched the unfolding scene in utter confusion.
They had never imagined they would be given hot water for bathing, new clothes, and now, even food. It was simply too incredible.
In their original plans, they had prepared themselves for beatings, torture, and all sorts of abuse. They never expected not only to be spared such treatment but also to be offered good food and drink first.
"Great Shaman, what are they trying to do?" one of the Hu Lu asked in a low voice.
"I don’t know either," the Great Shaman replied, also in a hushed tone. "But one thing is certain: there’s definitely some devious plot afoot."
"Eat slowly, there’s more if you need it," a cook remarked, watching them wolf down their food. "I don’t know where you all popped up from. Ever since Sir Wang began the grand development of the prairie, how can there still be people living as wretchedly as you?"
"Can other Hu Lu also eat such things?" the Great Shaman asked, his eyes wide with astonishment upon hearing this.
"This?" the cook said, a bit dismissively.
This made the Great Shaman breathe a sigh of relief. How could defeated Hu Lu possibly get to eat even these good things?
"It’s only because you arrived outside of meal times and your bodies haven’t had any rich food for so long that you’re eating this," the cook continued. "The others eat much better, you know!"
"Besides," the cook added, "you’re discriminating against and demeaning yourselves. You are no longer Hu Lu; you are Jing People now." He had been about to ask what backwater place they’d crawled out of, but seeing their stunned expressions, he felt embarrassed to continue.
"Are you saying... we could eat even better?" one of the Hu Lu couldn’t help but ask.
"That’s right! Where on earth did you all come from?" the cook declared proudly. "Our development policies clearly stipulate—and the Imperial Guards rigorously patrol to ensure enforcement—that I can’t speak for everywhere, but here on our Northern Prairie, if a single person starves or freezes to death, then everyone responsible, from the top down, will be punished. Even the death penalty is possible!"
At these words, many of the Hu Lu exchanged glances, dumbfounded. How could life here be even better than before? In that case, should they still try to assassinate that high official, the Spirit Master from the Jing Dynasty?
Under the rule of the Khan in the Imperial Court, they not only couldn’t get enough food to eat or clothes to keep warm, but the men were also conscripted annually to raid the south. They even risked being chosen as sacrifices to the Wolf God. No matter how one looked at it, their lives had been unbearably miserable.
"The food is rather plain; after all, this isn’t a relief station. Please, eat up for now," Wang Linchi’s voice drifted over.
"Sir! You’ve come," the cook greeted him at once.
The Great Shaman of the Imperial Court sized Wang Linchi up from head to toe, and the murderous intent in his eyes quickly subsided.
"I hear you have something to discuss with me? Please be quick about it; I have other work to attend to," Wang Linchi said in a mild tone.
The Great Shaman put down his bowl, rose, and said, "Reporting to you, Sir, we discovered..."
At this moment, it was naturally up to him to step forward.
