Underground Prison.
As a large city, the underground prison was much better maintained than those in other towns. It wasn't overly damp or muddy, nor did it exude an overwhelming stench of decay.
The vast prison housed thousands of inmates.
Due to the sheer number of prisoners, each cell held more people than before.
"Uncle Ali, it's almost time for you to leave." Lauren, the deputy commander of the cavalry legion, stepped forward. Ali chuckled and said, "Let me just say a few more words."
"Then please be quick."
Frowning, Lauren sighed, gestured to his subordinates, and retreated.
Ordinarily, no one could enter a prison without the City Lord's warrant, especially not in the peculiar circumstances of Fengqi City, let alone to negotiate with an already incarcerated prisoner.
Lauren was granting Ali this favor considering his contributions during his time in the city.
"I can give you another fifteen minutes at most, please don't make it too difficult for me, alright?" Lauren said with a troubled expression as he left. Ali pursed his lips and smiled, watching Lauren lead his men away from the dungeon.
"Why are you staying?"
After Lauren and his men had departed, Yabo, sitting on the straw mat in his solitary cell, grunted without even lifting his head.
"Yabo, what are you thinking?"
Ali was there for Yabo.
When he had put his arm around Yabo's shoulder, he had wanted Yabo to distance himself from the separatist faction. Especially when Alvin had threatened Chen Yu with Ali as a hostage, Yabo had intervened and dealt with Alvin. At that moment, if Yabo had just used his head a little, his followers wouldn't have been labeled as separatists.
Yet, this stubborn fool Yabo had actually pleaded guilty.
"Why did you kneel and confess when you could have been cleared of all charges?" Ali asked, gripping the iron bars of the cell, his brow furrowed. "Do you want to die that badly?"
"Some things, once done, are done."
Yabo, looking down and fiddling with a dry blade of grass, spoke with an air of arrogance, his gaze still fixed on his hands.
"If I had truly remained silent about my past actions, what difference would there be between me and those scoundrels in the city? If the city splits, I am a part of it. Regardless of my initial intentions, some things must be owned up to. Even if I had pretended to be a good citizen, do you really think the new City Lord would be so foolish as to believe me? A little inquiry would reveal the truth, wouldn't it?"
"Even if they found out, I would have spoken up for you."
"You?!"
Yabo, who had been looking down all this time, slowly raised his head. His messy hair partially obscured his eyes, which held an undisguised smile.
"Old hunter, on what grounds would you speak for me? You might have some acquaintance with the new City Lord, but do you truly believe your words would be taken seriously by the ruler of a city? He's the City Lord, old friend. As long as he's not a simpleton, he should possess the ability to make his own judgments on any matter. Honestly, if he had completely believed you, I would have felt my confession was unjust."
"Insightful, well said!"
Suddenly, hearty laughter echoed from the prison entrance. Ali, standing by the cell door, turned to see Chen Yu clapping his hands with a smile, accompanied by the little demon and Nuo Yi, as they slowly walked in.
Upon seeing Chen Yu, Ali's expression turned somewhat flustered.
Noticing this, Yabo shook his head slightly.
Intercede?
Seeing the City Lord's expression, how could he possibly intercede?
"City Lord, why… why have you come?" Ali asked, forcing a stiff smile. Chen Yu patted his shoulder, noticing his demeanor. "Don't be so nervous. I'm here to have a word with the person behind you. From the sound of your conversation, you know each other?"
"Hmph, does the dignified City Lord also enjoy eavesdropping on private conversations?" Yabo scoffed.
"Yabo, be quiet."
Ali, agitated, glared and rebuked him, a wry smile soon following.
"To the City Lord, Ali and Yabo are old neighbors. I've practically watched him grow up. I understand his character well; he..."
Seeing Ali about to plead for Yabo, Chen Yu gently raised a hand to interrupt him.
"The prepared provisions are still with you, aren't they? Clay is waiting for you to deliver them. Hand over the food as soon as possible. Regarding your neighbor, I will handle the matter impartially, please rest assured."
"I trust the City Lord."
At the cell door, Ali bowed deeply to Chen Yu and walked out of the prison, looking back repeatedly. Chen Yu then casually took a rattan chair from his spatial bracelet, sat down, and crossed his legs, looking at Yabo, who was still seated on the straw mat.
"Yabo?"
Yabo kept his head down and remained silent. Chen Yu, unfazed, smiled and continued speaking as if Yabo's attitude was of no consequence.
"Clay mentioned you are a native of this city, and that you previously served in the City Lord's mansion as the Deputy Commander of the Hurricane City Guard. Why did you suddenly quit? The position of Deputy Commander is quite significant; it's not small at all, essentially making you a nobleman within the city."
"I didn't want to do it, so I didn't," Yabo replied.
"You seem to strongly dislike the nobles in the city. During your tenure, you often clashed with the city's aristocrats. With your capabilities, you could have long ago become the Grand Commander. It was your temper that kept you in the position of Deputy Commander, is that right?"
"If you already know, why ask?"
"What do you dislike about the city's nobles, or do you have any grievances with this city?"
For some reason, Yabo lowered his head again and fell silent.
"I actually have some regard for you." Seeing Yabo's silence, Chen Yu continued speaking. "Among the many separatists in the city, yours was the only initial intention that was for the sake of this city and its people. It's just that your methods were rather extreme; you strongly opposed the influx of refugees and displaced persons."
"You're mistaken on that point. I'm not xenophobic."
Yabo, still looking down, said expressionlessly, "I am willing to accept refugees and displaced persons, but I cannot tolerate the City Lord's Mansion abandoning the original residents of the city just to gain favor with them. I don't understand why this is being done. Does the City Lord's Mansion intend to abandon us original inhabitants?"
"Of course not," Chen Yu replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Then why is the distributed food not for us original residents?"
"Are you lacking food?"
"No!"
"Since you're not lacking food, why do you care about that grain?" Chen Yu asked, raising his eyebrows. "The food distributed by the City Lord's Mansion is to ensure that all citizens in the city have something to eat and a way to survive. Clay, as the acting City Lord, is merely carrying out my orders. The specific reforms will be implemented after I enter the city."
"What reforms are you going to implement?"
"A complete overhaul from the ground up," Chen Yu said with a smile. "Right now, I'm short on manpower. Are you willing to work with me? I won't disappoint you."
"To follow you and continue to exploit the city's populace."
"No!"
"I don't believe you." Yabo looked up, his eyes filled with mockery beneath his unruly hair. "I am willing to work with you, but you must at least show me hope for this city. If you are truly a person of action, then I, Yabo, am willing to dedicate my soul to following you. However, if you continue to exploit the city's people like others, you can just kill me. I know I'm no match for you, so I beg you to grant me a swift death."
"Remember what you've said."
Almost the moment Yabo finished speaking, Chen Yu rose from the rattan chair.
"Fengqi City will announce a new taxation policy tomorrow. I await you to come and pledge your loyalty. Lauren, open Yabo's cell and let him out!"