What does a survivor need?
To dismiss their doubts.
At this moment, what they value is not the truth presented before them, but simply a good wash.
That’s all.
Ignorant masses are the easiest to manage.
Currently, the cave dwellers lack information and are faced with the unknown. Although they may possess extensive knowledge and the ability to think independently,
they are, in essence, no different from the ignorant.
When a leader makes a promise, they will instinctively believe it.
Of course—
Chen Yu doesn't believe everyone will be like this.
But, as mentioned before, he doesn't need everyone to believe him, trust him, or obey his every word. If it reached that point, it would be no different from a cult.
As long as a majority believes him.
That’s enough.
As for those who are clear-headed while everyone else is drunk, they won't have much of an impact on Chen Yu.
“Please, everyone, quiet down a moment.”
In an instant, the scrolling regional channel fell silent.
“Regarding the purchase of invitation letters by the city-state, I noticed everyone’s discussion just now, and I feel I should provide some explanation.”
“It is true that I was not the one who purchased the invitation letters.”
“It’s simple.”
“I don’t have the capability.”
“Perhaps, in your eyes, I am indeed doing better than you cave dwellers. I don’t deny this; my luck has been quite good since arriving in the caves.”
“But—”
“I truly don’t have the ability to own a city-state. I hope those who have doubts about this can set aside this notion.”
“Think about it, we all entered these caves together.”
“No matter how lucky or capable I am, it’s impossible for me to own a city, isn’t it? Isn’t that a preposterous idea?”
Although it was a text message, one could sense Chen Yu’s relaxed tone from his words.
He had to make things clear.
The city is not his!
He was certain that among the cave dwellers, many must be suspecting if he owned the city-state. So, he would now provide a systematic explanation.
As for whether it would be effective—
“That’s right!”
“Hahaha, Elder Chen Yu is right. Even if he’s really amazing, he wouldn’t own a city. That’s too much.”
“If Elder owned a city, and we’re still eating scraps, we might as well die.”
“Hahaha…”
“Elder, that city-state isn’t yours. You must know the lord of that city-state, right? Is this invitation letter thing reliable?”
“Reliable!”
Without even half a second of hesitation, Chen Yu gave an absolutely certain and decisive answer.
“I know many of you have more invitation letters than you can use, and don’t want to waste resources for a bit of extra income, but you’re unsure about the safety of the city-state acquisition. Here, I can tell you with certainty that all of this is real, and—”
“In fact, this matter was also a suggestion I made to the city lord.”
…
“Huh?!”
“Elder, you suggested it?”
Everyone in the channel was shocked, and Chen Yu’s eyes twinkled with a smile.
“Yes.”
“It was me who suggested it.”
“As everyone knows, I’ve been recruiting cave dwellers for the city-state recently, to provide them with a relatively stable and safe living environment for us survivors.”
“But—”
“I also considered that if we went to the city-state, the invitation letters would be wasted. So, I thought, why not reuse the invitation letters, allowing our compatriots to gain extra income.”
“Considering this, I made a suggestion to the city lord.”
“Proposed acquisition.”
“It seems the city lord has accepted my suggestion.”
…
“Heavens, it was the Elder’s suggestion.”
“The Elder is always considering us. Truly, why am I a man? Where’s my knife? Is there a doctor from Savadika, I want to undergo a sex change to please the Elder.”
“???”
“Do you need to please the Elder? I’m here, ready and waiting. If the Elder needs me, I can go to the Elder tomorrow, to be plucked as you please~”
“Pfft, you? Would the Elder even look at you?”
“Is the Elder a saint? Whatever he does, he considers us survivors. If I ever dare to doubt the Elder for even a single strand of hair, I’m not human.”
Ah.
See? Gaining favor.
Building an image.
Deepening the impression in the minds of the masses.
It’s great.
In the current region, Chen Yu can be considered a saint in the hearts of at least sixty percent of the people. If this continues, they might all become devout followers of Chen Yu.
Then, if Chen Yu were to start a church, it probably wouldn’t be a problem.
It’s just—
Don’t just praise him.
He needs someone to follow up now.
“Ahem~”
“Chen Yu, aren’t you in the city-state?”
Just as Chen Yu was contemplating how to proceed, Jiang Yaqing’s message suddenly appeared in the regional channel. Seeing this content, Chen Yu’s eyes widened.
How did she know what he wanted?
They hadn’t communicated privately.
“Wow, Jiang Yaqing!”
“Another hidden elder, and a beautiful, fair-skinned older sister. Love it, love it! Sister, sister, do you need a little puppy?”
“No, get lost!”
“…”
How incredibly cruel.
Chen Yu looked at the screen full of ‘Hahaha’ and felt embarrassed for the little puppy just now.
“Stop with the useless talk. Pay more attention to what Chen Yu says, it’s very helpful for your survival. Also, Wang Kai, the one who just spoke, if I see you, you’re dead.”
The screen was filled with menace, and even Chen Yu felt a chill at his feet.
A full half a minute—
Not a single message appeared on the screen.
“Ah, this, Elder Jiang… uh, Elder Jiang also pays attention to Elder Chen Yu’s news? Is Elder’s news helpful to you too?”
Jiang Yaqing: “Mm~”
“Confirmed, Elder Chen Yu is truly the undisputed number one in the region. Even Elder Jiang needs Elder Chen Yu’s guides for survival. Shouldn’t we quickly take notes?”
“Listen carefully!”
Jiang Yaqing: “@Chen Yu, aren’t you in the city-state?”
After being @’d on the screen, Chen Yu saw that Jiang Yaqing had also sent him a message in his private message box.
“What are you dawdling for?”
“Hurry up and get to the main topic. I’m going mining soon, and I don’t have time to deal with you. Don’t waste my time.”
For some reason, even though Jiang Yaqing’s words were blunt, Chen Yu felt an inexplicable warmth surge in his heart. Moreover, he had a very peculiar feeling.
A sense of tacit understanding.
“Received, thanks.”
Chen Yu replied with a smile, and Jiang Yaqing sent an emoji.
“(︶︿︶)＝凸”
Tsk~
Such tsundere behavior.
Seeing this emoji, Chen Yu couldn’t help but shake his head and smile, then returned to the chat channel.
“Yes!”
“I am not in the city-state. I am currently outside the caves, which is why I did not participate in your discussion earlier.”
Jiang Yaqing: “Are you exploring the wilds?”
“Yes.”
“I am hunting monsters!”