CHAPTER 98: CHAPTER 97 FAIRNESS

But Bai Yulan’s analysis was not wrong.

From the start, Jing Zhengwei had the idea of "the mantis stalking the cicada".

Neither refusing, nor taking initiative, nor admitting, Jing Zhengwei wanted to gain all the benefits while maintaining a facade of virtue; one could say he was an old capitalist. He was like a group leader who didn’t do his homework, waiting for his deskmate to finish copying, and then reported to the teacher to seize the deskmate’s notebook to copy for himself.

From the beginning, when Jing Zhengwei realized Bai Yulan was colluding with the fleet, he had already sentenced Bai Yulan to death, with no intention of sparing him. But as the saying goes, use everything to its fullest, don’t relieve oneself unless absolutely necessary; in any case, whether Bai Yulan the pig is killed early or late, it’s going to be killed, so why not fatten it up before slaughtering?

Jing Zhengwei’s original plan was to catch Bai Yulan’s group all at once after they conducted two more trades, as his judgment of them was accurate—when they were ready to enjoy wealth and wash their hands clean, Jing Zhengwei would take their washbasin and send them to turn themselves in.

This is the boss’s earnest concern for his employees.

Of course, on the surface, he wouldn’t use the excuse of "slave trade" because it wasn’t illegal and several trade associations were making a fortune from it. Jing Zhengwei planned to use the charge of "colluding to defraud capitalists" to hand them over to the Silver Blood Association. How the Silver Blood Association would use them would no longer concern Jing Zhengwei, the impeccable and law-abiding entrepreneur.

Le Yuxin sighed softly.

"Even if you praise me like that, it won’t make me happy. Besides, your words haven’t moved me."

Bai Yulan immediately knelt and said, "I am willing to be your pawn in gaining all benefits without damaging your wings."

Hearing this, Black Flag also knelt down, and Old Master Wu paused before slowly kneeling as well. Only Baolong, whose head was still bleeding, shouted angrily, "All the money’s been taken, and you still want to be his dog!? Are you all mad!?"

Le Yuxin was also a bit curious: "Don’t you guys think that sooner or later, I’ll throw you under the bus as scapegoats? So why are you still willing to work for me?"

"Things change with times, and preparations change with changes," Bai Yulan calmly said. "Don’t you covet the profits from the slave trade? Your position is awkward in the Jing Family, and only with a lot of money can you have more leverage in the fight for the patriarch."

"Since you chose to lay it out with us now, it shows that you are no longer satisfied with a one-time harvest but need a safe, reliable, and continuous gold mine. As long as we continue ’behind your back’ with the slave trade, I will prepare a dual set of accounts to clear your name, so you can gain massive profits without losing reputation."

Baolong shook his head, looking at Bai Yulan and the others, and scolded, "You guys are crazy. How is this different from kneeling for alms? At least kneeling can let you live, but doing this means all the money is his, and all the blame is ours. This is kneeling to eat shit! Eat shit!"

Le Yuxin said nothing, but his expression clearly showed he agreed with Baolong’s opinion.

Bai Yulan shook his head: "The Skyrim civil war will continue for at least two or three years, and during that time, no one knows what might happen. But as long as the Skyrim civil war isn’t finished, you can keep using us. The most important thing is, even if you only get the soup and meat, the drippings from your fingers are wealth we couldn’t earn in decades."

Le Yuxin asked, "But in the end, these are just illusions. Once Skyrim shows signs of unification, your end will be miserable."

"Not necessarily," Bai Yulan seemed unperturbed, "Even if Skyrim’s civil war subsides, the unified power might be a warlord friendly with the Silver Blood Association. For rulers, we slave traders are a luxury, not a necessity in the harsh times; the Silver Blood Association might not need us ’gifts’.

"Moreover, as Scandinavia’s Resplendent People’s numbers grow, we might find a foothold in Scandinavia. Have you ever considered that those most unruly Skyrim People, now forced to submit to Scandinavic natives for survival, might have rebellious thoughts once they settle?"

Le Yuxin was startled, it was an angle even Jing Zhengwei hadn’t considered.

Indeed, Scandinavia is vast and sparsely populated; this large-scale slave trade is almost equivalent to migrating Skyrim People. When the Skyrim People reach a certain number, it will be the time for Scandinavic landlords to face backlash.

"But what does this have to do with you? You’re just a slave trader, the ’gratitude’ those Skyrim People have for you might not be less than that for the Scandinavic landlords."

"Hatred is not eternal, only interest is," Bai Yulan smiled. "You see, when the Skyrim civil war ends, migrating warlords are bound to emerge, am I right?"

Upon hearing this, many people were stunned, and Le Yuxin blinked: "Are you planning to..."

"Yes, just as you thought. If I could assist the exiled warlords to Scandinavia, liberate the Skyrim slaves, and even establish a Resplendent Skyrim sovereignty within Scandinavia..."

Bai Yulan’s eyes were filled with madness: "By then, I will become an honored guest amidst Skyrim and the Silver Blood Association, and my past deeds in slave trading would be recorded by historians as those of a ’conscientious businessman assisting Skyrim’s escape’. Black will turn to white, and the merchant will become an official, and history will be written by those who survive the end."

First, by transporting population via the slave trade, then transporting an army to liberate slaves and start an uprising war, and from the war accrue position and benefits... Such a whimsical idea left Le Yuxin dumbfounded.

Zhengwei Jing initially only saw the first level, thinking Bai Yulan was on the second level, but unexpectedly, Bai Yulan was actually on the fifth level!

Bai Yulan turned to the crew and loudly said, "You bunch of sea mongrels, are you content to live like neither humans nor ghosts? Don’t you want to live like the nobility, dressed in finery, marrying seven or eight wives, raising a bunch of sons, and being respected by others instead of living like this... Do you think those bosses, employees, and girls smiling at you actually respect you? No! They know you’re a bunch of doomed dead men with no future; they only smile for your money, and they’ll mock you once you’re dead!"

The crew was roused by Bai Yulan’s words, even Baolong did not refute, and the old master Wu smiled bitterly.

"There’s no space for us to survive in Xuanzhu County unless you are willing to live like ants. If you want to be a great lord, waited on hand and foot, then you must fight! Gamble with your life!"

"Everyone can gamble with their lives, but many don’t even have the chance, and this is the chance I found for you—to swear allegiance to the Young Master unto death, wealth belongs to the Young Master, lives by us!"

Bai Yulan looked at Le Yuxin: "Young Master, if we lose the gamble, you have no loss, enjoying all the benefits; if we win, you will also gain a loyal overseas ally. Of course, no matter what I say about repayment, you will probably dismiss it, Young Master. But Scandinavia and Dongyang are separated by the sea, with frequent trades. If one day, I, Yulan, govern Scandinavia, and you assume the position of Patriarch of the Jing Family, we would naturally be business allies, and interests are more stable than any agreement."

"So, please believe in my determination—"

"For the Young Master’s interests and for our future, I’m willing to be the Young Master’s pawn!"

The other crew members knelt down one after another, even Baolong no longer arrogant, everyone loudly said in unison: "I’m willing to be the Young Master’s pawn!"

The sound echoed in the storeroom, the guards looked at each other, the tense atmosphere eased considerably, many quietly put down their firearms, even Mi Die and Lisan lowered their gun muzzles.

They originally thought tonight might be a bloody night, but did not expect it to be a happy ending.

Le Yuxin looked at each crew member, not seeing hatred from their eyes, only seeing unyielding ambition.

Even Baolong’s eyes were fervent, though his contempt for Le Yuxin was undisguised, his desire was even more sincere.

"Your plan relies too much on luck," he said quietly, "Let’s not mention my actions... what if the Skyrim area achieves peaceful reunification without exiled warlords? What if the exiles are weak? What if the Skyrim People hate you? What if Scandinavia’s suppression is extremely harsh? What if everything turns for the worst?"

"Then that’s my fate." Bai Yulan clasped his hands and said, "Of course, the actual plan will be more detailed, and I will also seek out my ’partners’ early. But as the Young Master said, only three parts of the entire plan are up to our efforts, the other seven parts are left to fate."

"But I have no choice, besides betting my life, I have no other chips."

Le Yuxin: "From the beginning, you were aiming for Scandinavia?"

Bai Yulan nodded: "Yes. Even if you didn’t find out, Young Master, I would have confessed my thoughts to them. This money is not enough for us to buy status in Xuanzhu County. To make a mark, only Scandinavia is our way out."

Le Yuxin fell silent for a moment, then asked: "But if from the beginning, you didn’t collude with the fleet to conduct slave trade, but stayed peacefully in Weiling as a manager, you could have lived a peaceful life without gambling your life."

Bai Yulan stared at Le Yuxin blankly, suddenly smiled broadly: "Young Master, you probably haven’t investigated my past, right?"

"I was once an orphan, but luckily was adopted by a granny and lived a few peaceful years. Among the children adopted with me, one was Black Flag, older than me."

Everyone looked at the silent Black Flag; only then did they understand why Black Flag would unconditionally support Bai Yulan’s decision, even at the risk of offending Baolong.

"Later, the granny’s son owed gambling debts, the house was confiscated, the granny was beaten to death, and we children were homeless, seeking our own way. I was actually alright, because I had some looks and became a concubine in a rich family, receiving even some decent education."

"Later, as I got older, the young master I served took a wife, she disliked me, and out of past affection, the young master let me leave freely. I drifted muddle-headedly for a few years, almost developing an opium habit, until I encountered Black Flag and decided to work in Weiling."

"As the Young Master said, my days were relatively peaceful, and my life’s encounters were not bad, Black Flag has had it much worse than me all these years." Bai Yulan shrugged: "But this peace is the calm under a bright sky."

"We are like grass; the wind sways us; the fire ravages us; the rain drowns us; the snow buries us. In good weather, we live peacefully, but in bad weather, we vanish without anyone remembering us... because there will always be new grass springing up next year."

"In this world, most are grass, few are the ones eating grass, and you, Young Master... you are a meat eater."

Le Yuxin shook his head: "Even meat eaters live in constant fear, look at the Jing Family now, it’s a lair of wolves and tigers."

Bai Yulan exhaled gently: "Young Master, being a meat eater certainly comes with many risks, but it’s far better than being grass accidentally trampled to death by a beast."

"Young master, I just hope that one day I can be like you all, living... like a person."

Immediately, the storeroom fell into silence.

Even the sailor with the pierced hand said nothing, tending to his wound on the side, watching expectantly towards Bai Yulan and Le Yuxin.

Is this what they mean by birds of a feather flock together... Yin Minghong thought.

Under a person like Zhengwei, even a random subordinate turns out to be an ambitious schemer. Even Yin Minghong had to admit that although Bai Yulan’s plan was outrageous, it had a chance of success, and the returns would be a thousandfold.

Zhengwei had no reason to refuse; he would get the money he wanted and not lose face, even investing in a future Scandinavian warlord—though the odds were slim, if successful, Zhengwei might even leave behind a legendary tale of official and businessman in the history books... Haha!

Moreover, Bai Yulan was not simply begging; as he spoke, he rallied the crew, binding everyone to himself. Furthermore, he intentionally revealed his special relationship with the ship’s captain, Black Flag, making it even less likely for Zhengwei to deal with him.

Otherwise, if things got ugly, Zhengwei would lose the entire fleet, an incalculable loss. Even with the danger, Zhengwei would inevitably choose to cooperate with them, not to mention Bai Yulan offered so many exits for Zhengwei to gracefully step down, resulting in a win-win situation for both sides.

Yin Minghong thought Zhengwei would face a setback tonight, but little did he expect Zhengwei to actually become stronger!

How frustrating, why do we in White Night face hardships at every turn, while a treacherous merchant like Zhengwei seems to be favored by fate?

Is this world truly one where criminals get rewarded while bridge builders get forgotten?

Can slave traders really live in luxury and hold positions of power?

Unsure how much time had passed, they heard Youyou say:

"Rise. If you wish to live like a person, then don’t kneel so easily."

The crew’s faces lit up with joy as they quickly stood up, with some even picking up bottles and laughing loudly. The guards relaxed, sincerely happy for their young master.

"Thank you, young master!" Bai Yulan stood up, clasping his fist in gratitude, followed by Black Flag and the venerable Master Wu, even Baolong awkwardly attempted a salute.

Le Yuxin walked over to Bai Yulan, patted him on the shoulder, and suddenly shouted, "Second Master, come over here!"

Yin Minghong, surprised, pointed at himself and walked over cluelessly.

Could it be that Zhengwei wants me to join the fleet?

Or does he hope I will recruit troops in Skyrim?

Or perhaps directly send me to Scandinavia to bide time and assist Bai Yulan in their uprising?

Countless thoughts raced through Yin Minghong’s mind, but his face remained expressionless, as he approached Le Yuxin and asked, "What are your orders, young master?"

"This is the second boss of the Red Moon, Yin Minghong. These are Bai Yulan, Black Flag, venerable Master Wu, and Baolong." Le Yuxin introduced them before saying to Yin Minghong, "Second Master, I have a favor to ask."

Yin Minghong adopted a respectful attitude: "I dare not defy."

"It’s like this."

Le Yuxin placed his left hand on Yin Minghong’s shoulder and drew the long knife from Yin Minghong’s waist with his right hand.

Shing—

As the blade cut across the neck, Bai Yulan was still immersed in an enthusiastic excitement. Though many challenges lay ahead and the risks of this gamble were immense, he finally had the chance to become a player instead of a pawn.

He believed in his abilities; even if he couldn’t make a lasting name, at least he could achieve a glorious ending!

Thus, no one expected it.

No one reacted in time.

When they came to their senses, Bai Yulan’s beautiful head was already in the air, still graced with a hopeful smile.

"Kill these main culprits." Le Yuxin tossed the knife back to Yin Minghong, who caught it instinctively.

The raucous laughter abruptly ceased.

The guards raised their firearms once more, aiming at the crew.

Mi Die and Lisang quickly moved to Le Yuxin’s sides.

"Why?" Black Flag caught Bai Yulan’s body, his eyes staring intently at Le Yuxin’s back, expressing the question on everyone’s mind in a somber tone.

It seemed as though agreeing would let Zhengwei reap all the benefits without any risk, even investing in a bright future. Yet killing them could only lead to an expensive loss.

Zhengwei had no reason to refuse; why did this happen?

"Why?" Le Yuxin stopped.

Because Zhengwei’s memories remind me that Bai Yulan was disloyal and must not be kept; otherwise, retribution would be inevitable;

Because Black Flag’s prestige was too high, keeping him would only incite unrest among the fleet, making control difficult;

Because...

Because even if you want to live like a person, you can’t treat others as non-humans.

The land soaked in silver and blood will only give rise to flowers of wickedness.

Zhengwei is one.

Bai Yulan is another.

Feng Zhen is yet another.

Just like Feng Zhen of the human trafficking ring, Bai Yulan chose this path—not because there were no other options, but because there were. Just as Feng Zhen could have chosen to escape with the others, Bai Yulan could have chosen to settle in the calm of Viking Sea Trade.

But they perceived the world as devoid of enough kindness to allow them the peaceful, harmless path.

After years of grappling with this world, their valuable experience told them:

They must harm others to survive.

Le Yuxin wasn’t arrogantly judging them; he wasn’t qualified to.

He only wished to find justice for those who were hurt.

Le Yuxin turned his head, glanced at them, and said nonchalantly:

"Why should I justify my actions to anyone as Zhengwei?"