The second stage of the plan was successfully completed.

The purpose of this stage was to incite the anger of North Carolina’s lower classes.

A long time ago, the Plague Doctor had told Zhou Chen that an indelible servility was etched into the very bones of North Carolina’s lower classes. He said they were selfish, narrow-minded, and cowardly—so timid they would endure watching their own wives and daughters be abused right in front of them. Trying to rally them to rebel against the government was a fool’s errand; it would be a blessing if they simply didn’t cause trouble for the Salvation Army.

But Zhou Chen didn’t see it that way.

’As long as they’re human, they have desires,’ he believed. ’Desire breeds emotion, and with emotion comes Anger. When that Anger reaches a certain point, they will do things even they couldn’t have imagined. It’s not impossible to rally the lower classes to rebel against the government.’

So, how could he make the people angry enough?

Give them money and food. Let them taste a moment of happiness, then let the government snatch it all away!

As the saying goes: I could have tolerated the Darkness, had I not seen the light.

A poor man who has touched money is no longer willing to be poor.

A slave who has tasted happiness will no longer willingly remain a slave.

Once they had a taste of happiness, people naturally wanted a better life.

But as long as they remained under the government’s rule, their lives could never improve.

And so, people couldn’t help but think of the Salvation Army and its enviable policies: low-cost food, eight-hour workdays, compulsory education, a fair legal system...

In comparison, the rule of the North Carolina Government was practically Hell, while the Salvation Army represented Heaven.

When they thought of these things, they would inevitably be more inclined toward the Salvation Army and yearn for its system. As a result, they would become more resistant, hostile, and disgusted with the government. Their hatred would reach an unprecedented level.

Next came the third stage of the plan.

Although the people’s hearts had begun to awaken, they still needed a catalyst to make them formally join the rebellion against the government.

「3:00 PM.」

On the outskirts of the city of Norwich, Zhou Chen met with the Plague Doctor and three hundred Salvation Army soldiers who had arrived in secret.

"Everything is arranged. The holographic projection equipment has been delivered to all the cities. We’re just waiting for you to give the order," the Plague Doctor said, nodding at him.

"What about the soldiers?"

"We’ve dispatched three hundred men to each of the twenty-one cities, plus two Ascenders. We made sure one of them is a Tier Three. If we can mobilize the populace to join the rebellion, taking the cities will be no problem. The local garrisons are small."

The Salvation Army’s high command had approved and supported "Siegfried’s" plan. It was audacious, but if successful, the Salvation Army would be able to seize all the cities in northern North Carolina, excluding the Capital and other major cities. This would undoubtedly be their most inspiring victory, one that could directly determine the outcome of the entire war.

So, the Salvation Army gritted its teeth, mobilized two full regiments, and sent them to secretly infiltrate the twenty-one northern cities to execute the plan with "Siegfried." If it worked, conquering the entire region would be within reach.

Zhou Chen gazed at the darkening sky and nodded slightly.

"Then... let’s wait for dark."

·

「9:00 PM, March 20th, Year 235 of the New Calendar.」

Without warning, several colossal holographic images rose from various points across the city. Pale blue, half-length figures were projected against the night sky, instantly drawing gasps of shock from the entire populace.

"I am Siegfried of the Salvation Army. And just like all of you, I come from the very bottom of North Carolina’s society."

"For countless years, we have suffered under the oppression of the North Carolina Government. They are like leeches latched onto the bodies of the common people, sucking our blood, draining our lives, and stealing the wealth we create. They have taken us, who deserve to be treated as equals, and debased us into something lower than pigs and dogs.

"Through relentless brainwashing and propaganda, they have drilled the class system into our very marrow. They do this to ensure their lofty positions are never threatened, so they can enslave us, enslave our children, and enslave the lower classes for generations to come.

"In such an environment, our rights and dignity as human beings have been mercilessly Deprived. We have slowly turned into decaying, walking corpses, reduced to mere tools and slaves under their control. Is this truly the life we were meant to live?

"The mines, the oil fields, the textile factories, the steel mills, the chemical plants... these pillar industries that support North Carolina’s economy are run on the lives of the common people! We are the ones who should be the masters of this country! And what do we get? Back-breaking labor, excessively long hours, meager wages, abusive treatment, and social security that is practically nonexistent... In their eyes, we are nothing but disposable commodities. They don’t even see us as human!"

"This war is the perfect example! The government forces conscription, sending the common people and their children to serve as cannon fodder, while the upper class and their children enjoy steak, fine dining, golf, and sunbathing... And you know what? Every cent they spend is the fruit of our labor, earned with our blood and sweat! That money should be ours!"

"Injustice and oppression are the two things every common person in North Carolina is born to endure. But from this day forward, we will no longer tolerate this life! We will fight for our rights and our dignity! We will unite and rise up against the oppression and exploitation of the North Carolina Government, and we will eliminate all injustice!