Atonement 02

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "That's enough. Save some ammunition."

"Yes, sir!" The man gave a crooked salute, then looked at Fang Zhiyi with a fawning expression. "Brigadier, shall we head back to Songhe Restaurant to celebrate?"

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him. According to the original owner's memories, this guy was named Huang Dali, a textbook lackey.

"Celebrate my ass. There were only a handful of them, and you still let them get away. Aren't you embarrassed? Everyone, back to camp!"

Huang Dali was a bit puzzled. The Brigadier had never acted like this before. Could it be that higher-ups were coming down for an inspection? Eventually, he nodded. "Orders received!"

Upon returning to his camp, Fang Zhiyi sat on a high platform, looking down at his "troops." They were all lazy and undisciplined; their uniforms were unbuttoned, and their hats sat askew on their heads. It gave him a headache.

For an army like this to survive until the late stages of the war, they must have had incredibly good luck.

Then again, if he were the commander of the Yue forces, he wouldn't send these guys to the frontlines either. Not dragging everyone else down would be a blessing in itself.

"What exactly are you planning to do?" Little Hei scratched its head anxiously.

Fang Zhiyi sighed, listening to the clamor below. "I might need you to do me a favor."

"Hmm?"

"We've known each other for so long. You wouldn't refuse me a favor, would you?"

Little Hei grew wary. Fang Zhiyi actively asking for help was never a good sign. But seeing Fang Zhiyi's pitiful expression, it gritted its teeth. "Alright, alright, I owe you. Tell me what it is. But don't expect me to give you some point-based store or anything like that. I really don't have one."

"I won't need that... You just need to make them dream."

"Dream?" Little Hei looked bewildered.

"Yes, dream." Fang Zhiyi glanced down. "There isn't a single innocent person here... myself included."

The high-ranking Yue officer stationed at Linlang was named Tian Yue. He actually looked down on Fang Zhiyi and his ragtag army. If it weren't for the tight situation on the frontlines, he would have sent all these idiots to do hard labor long ago.

The only good thing was that these fools were somewhat obedient. They were naturals at bullying the commoners, which allowed him to conveniently step in at the right moment to uphold justice for the people.

Thinking about how that small guerrilla squad managed to retreat safely after attacking Linlang today made him irritated.

Just then, a guard announced Fang Zhiyi's arrival.

Tian Yue waved his hand, allowing Fang Zhiyi to enter.

"General Tian Yue." Fang Zhiyi was as respectful as always, but Tian Yue couldn't shake the feeling that something about him was different.

"What is it?"

"Regarding the Han forces that attacked us today... I have some clues."

"Oh?" Tian Yue didn't believe a word of it. What clues could these useless sacks of wine and rice possibly have? But for the sake of superficial harmony, he patiently asked, "What clues?"

"I can find their hideout."

Tian Yue cast a suspicious glance at Fang Zhiyi, but instantly dismissed his doubts. Fang Zhiyi's past behavior had already proven that he was a man who would do anything for power.

"So, what do you need?"

"I need some equipment. Not the broken guns we currently use, but some of the Yue State's advanced gear... Otherwise, as you know, those old rifles my brothers use might..."

Just as he thought, asking for things again. Tian Yue felt disdain in his heart but maintained a calm demeanor. "Weapons and ammunition are limited right now. Fang Zhiyi, you should know that capturing and striking down those Han rats has always been the responsibility of our regular Yue army. You just need to do your own job well."

Fang Zhiyi nodded repeatedly, smiling and rubbing his hands together. "Oh, I just want to put in a little more effort for you, General. Think about it: my men will be the ones risking their lives, and if we achieve anything, the credit will go to you, General. Those guys are hard to manage anyway... Just give us some decommissioned weapons and equipment as a token gesture. I'll take them out for a spin, and then..."

Tian Yue pondered for a moment and finally nodded. "Fine. I'll have someone send some things over to you shortly."

"Oh my, I wouldn't dare. How could I trouble you to do it yourselves? We can handle the heavy lifting," Fang Zhiyi said, his face still full of flattery. "If you're worried, just send a few men to keep an eye on them!"

Tian Yue inexplicably found Fang Zhiyi somewhat amusing. Did this guy actually think they were on the same side?

Although he looked down on him, realizing he still had to rely on this trash, Tian Yue ultimately agreed.

Fang Zhiyi successfully collected a batch of decommissioned military equipment, his face beaming with smiles. Tian Yue paid no mind to his earlier claim about finding the Han guerrilla hideout; after all, it was too absurd.

"The original owner really was a piece of trash," Fang Zhiyi said, his expression changing the moment he returned to his own territory.

"How so?"

"He acted as a lackey for so long, yet he couldn't even figure out the layout of the armory..." Fang Zhiyi muttered. "The ones guarding the armory must be Tian Yue's direct troops. Their firepower is eight hundred times stronger than my ragtag brigade."

"So your next step is..."

"My next step is to love what I do. Even playing a traitor has its merits." As Fang Zhiyi spoke, he slowly unrolled a map. "Remember to help me locate the nearby Han guerrilla hideouts, and... make them dream."

Little Hei didn't understand, but out of trust for Fang Zhiyi, it nodded.

That night, Fang Zhiyi's camp was far from peaceful. Many people suffered from nightmares. From time to time, someone would wake up screaming, drenched in sweat, as they exchanged terrified glances with one another.

The next day, some people squatted in the corners of the camp, burning joss paper and muttering under their breath.

"Don't come looking for me. I didn't do it on purpose. Who told you not to cooperate?"

"Dad... please just rest in peace. Don't come looking for me anymore. I'm the only heir of Old Li's family for three generations. You wouldn't want our family's bloodline to end like this, would you..."

Fang Zhiyi ignored this spectacle.

However, their prayers seemed useless. The nightmares continued to descend upon them as soon as they fell asleep. Everyone dreamed of the scenes they least wanted to see: the bitter scolding of their loved ones, the deaths of their partners, the ordinary civilians who had died by their hands...

An ominous atmosphere permeated Fang Zhiyi's camp, forming a stark contrast to the previous clamor.

Many walked around with dark circles under their eyes. Some officers even clamored to find a Feng Shui master to take a look, but it was all in vain.

When Tian Yue learned that Fang Zhiyi had collected the weapons but hadn't mobilized, he merely chuckled. He had long known this man to be as timid as a mouse and full of lies, so it was hardly surprising. He would just hold him accountable later.

As expected, this kind of thing still required the Yue army to handle.