Why Help Me?

Suddenly, with several trusted aides now lying dead, Wang Shuang's eyes widened in sheer terror, completely unable to comprehend what had just occurred.

In stark contrast, a few of Zhang Gui's subordinates emerged from the side compartments, each brandishing a blade, their faces illuminated by the flickering candlelight, appearing particularly ferocious.

To everyone's surprise, Zhang Gui, who had just moments ago been bound, managed to free himself and stood up, sneering:

"Wang Shuang, your doom has come."

He had never been restrained at all; the knot on the chair had been a slipknot!

"What is happening?!"

A panicked Wang Shuang turned to Luo Yu, who calmly wriggled free of his bonds, laughing softly:

"You took us all for fools, but it seems you were the biggest fool after all! I knew all along that the letter was not written by Zhang Gui; it was all part of your conspiracy!"

"How could that be! I executed everything flawlessly; how could you possibly discover my plan?"

"Very simply."

Luo Yu kindly explained: "Because Zhang Gui told me he could not read, so how could he possibly write a lengthy letter to the enemy? You revealed your hand from the very beginning!"

Wang Shuang stood there, dumbfounded. He had never anticipated that such a small detail could expose him.

Luo Yu casually continued:

"When I first saw the letter, I realized you were trying to use me, but I couldn't pin down your true intentions. Was it to eliminate rivals or something more sinister? I felt there was a deeper plan.

So, I collaborated with Deputy Leader Zhang to stage this little drama and lure you into revealing your truth. Who would have thought you would truly turn against us?"

"And the wound on Zhang Gui? He was clearly stabbed!"

"Ha, it was just a light scratch; it wouldn't convince you otherwise!"

Luo Yu's explanations sent Wang Shuang into despair, an overwhelming sense of fear rushing over him. Behind that seemingly young face lay a sharp and meticulous mind, someone who adeptly toyed with his schemes.

"Stop wasting time with him!"

Zhang Gui grinned as he seized a curved blade: "Treason warrants death! Let's kill him!"

Wang Shuang turned pale with fear, running out of the room, yelling:

"Help! Help! Zhang Gui and Luo Yu have turned traitor! They are plotting against us!"

"Kill them!"

Jiming Fort wasn't large, and Wang Shuang's terrified shouts quickly stirred the soldiers. As they crowded around, the sight of the four corpses left them bewildered, exchanging confused glances without understanding the situation.

"Company Leader, what has happened? What are these corpses?"

The first to speak was Dong Chuan, the oldest section leader in Jiming Fort, about thirty years old.

"Zhang Gui is in league with Luo Yu; they are plotting treason! Kill him! Hurry!"

Seeing the number of soldiers gathering, Wang Shuang finally felt bolstered. After all, he was the company leader. Did Zhang Gui dare to kill him openly?

In reality, both he and Zhang Gui each had only a few loyal subordinates; most soldiers merely took orders.

"Don't listen to his lies!"

Zhang Gui pointed his knife at Wang Shuang: "He just confessed to collusion with the Qiang, agreeing to open the gates tomorrow night and help the Qiang army overrun Jiming Fort!

I have not only his handwritten letter but also witnesses who heard him speak it!"

"Right! It's Wang Shuang who seeks to betray us! He wants to sell us out!"

Zhang Gui's aides shouted angrily, but others remained skeptical. After all, everyone knew the two leaders had their conflicts—who could they trust?

Dong Chuan frowned, looking toward Luo Yu:

"Luo Yu, what is truly going on?"

Despite being a new recruit, Luo Yu carried significant weight in the fort since his actions at the gate had bolstered morale and enhanced his influence.

"Deputy Leader Zhang speaks the truth; it is indeed Wang Shuang who is colluding with the enemy."

Luo Yu sneered: "Not only has he been contacting the Qiang, but he also intended to use my hand to kill Deputy Leader Zhang. If we hadn't been prepared, I fear I would already be a corpse."

Silence fell over the fort as all the soldiers absorbed Luo Yu's words. He and Zhang Gui had an apparent grudge, and if even Luo Yu backed this claim, it would imply that Wang Shuang was truly a traitor!

They had fought to repel the Qiang for the past seven or eight days and lost many brothers, yet their commanders were embroiled in betrayal. How ridiculous!

"I—what have I done wrong?"

With things spiraling out of control, Wang Shuang screamed:

"The fort is besieged, we have no reinforcements or supplies! I just wanted to find a way for the brothers to survive—what's wrong with that? Brothers, if you want to live, we must surrender; following me is the right choice!"

"Company Leader,"

Dong Chuan replied, grief and rage on his face: "The people of Longxi have a blood feud with the Qiang. How can we betray them? The common folk will curse us behind our backs!"

"I don't care! I just want to live! Don't you all want to survive?"

"Listen, everyone, hear this!"

Zhang Gui mocked:

"This is our Company Leader, a thorough coward! Can you honor the trust the brothers have placed in you?"

"Are you any better?"

In desperation, Wang Shuang pointed aggressively at him, breathlessly cursing: "In the past year, how much credit have you stolen from the brothers? When the military pay arrived three months ago, you made me withhold half of it for yourself, lying to the brothers that the government didn't send enough!

And last year, when a dozen brothers fell in battle, all the meager compensation sent by the government ended up lining your pockets!

Look into your conscience—can you truly face the brothers?"

Expressions among the soldiers shifted again, some boiling with rage. They had come to the frontlines, hoping for a few taels of silver and enough food, but Zhang Gui had been profiting off their labor!

Stealing military credit, withholding pay, hoarding compensation—was Zhang Gui treating them as fools? They risked their lives while he took all the rewards!

The atmosphere became tense; it seemed both the Company Leader and Deputy Leader were in the wrong.

"Shut up!"

Zhang Gui was genuinely flustered; inciting the soldiers' anger was disastrous. With a swift leap, he plunged his knife into Wang Shuang's chest.

"Thud!"

The body fell slowly, causing everyone to gasp. Zhang Gui had truly killed Wang Shuang openly!

Zhang Gui shouted:

"Wang Shuang has betrayed the fort and deserves death! I have executed him! Whatever he said earlier was mere nonsense! It was he who withheld military funds and pocketed compensation!

He is the one attempting to sow discord! Don't believe him!"

The fort was dead silent; all eyes were filled with rage and mockery aimed at Zhang Gui. If he was telling the truth, why was he hastily silencing Wang Shuang?

"From now on, all of Jiming Fort will listen to my orders!"

Zhang Gui stated grimly, clutching his blade:

"Anyone who dares to oppose me, stand forth!"

Several of his trusted aides stepped forward, looking menacing.

Having clashed with Wang Shuang for so long, Zhang Gui had his ways. These seasoned veterans were his greatest reliance. He knew that as long as Wang Shuang was dead, no one would challenge his authority.

True enough, no one dared to move in the face of Zhang Gui's intimidation, despite their anger. Dong Chuan, the section leader, flushed with rage, grinding his teeth several times.

Content with the situation, Zhang Gui nodded and exchanged glances with his accomplices. He then turned to Luo Yu:

"Ha, thanks to you, my young friend, or I would have faced a great downfall today!"

Despite Zhang Gui's cheerful demeanor, his aides subtly shifted position, creating a circle around Luo Yu.

Luo Yu smiled slightly:

"Deputy Leader, you're too polite. I exposed his plot for the safety of the brothers; I can't just watch Jiming Fort fall, can I?"

"I have a question."

Zhang Gui's hand, hidden behind him, gripped the hilt of his knife, though his expression remained unchanged:

"We have had conflicts, so why are you helping me?"

"Pfft!"

A flash of steel gleamed as a dagger suddenly plunged into Zhang Gui's throat, blood gushing forth.

Luo Yu leaned close to Zhang Gui's ear, whispering:

"Who says I was trying to help you?"