Mage Veigar

Chapter 730 "Heresy"

The night when we defeated the Imperial Army.

From Vega's observation, it was visible to the naked eye that the atmosphere in the entire city of war was beginning to become solemn.

This is also a matter of course.

Whether for the rebels or the civilians of the City of War, the Empire is undoubtedly a giant. Now that this giant has begun to exert its power, they have of course become nervous.

In the rebel camp.

Coverdale quickly convened a meeting to try to analyze the purpose of the Imperial Army's attack.

"In my opinion."

An officer said categorically: "In this exploratory battle, the Imperial Army just wants to test our morale and the overall state of the army. There is no special intention."

"I agree with that view."

The staff officer nodded to Coverdale and said, "This is just a test battle. I don't think there is any need to make a fuss. We just need to let the soldiers be vigilant and hold the defense line."

"Yes."

The last officer said: "Rather than worrying about this insignificant test by the Empire, we should pay more attention to the recruitment and training of new soldiers. This work has always been carried out by Commander Willinger, and now he is dead..."

"..."

The topic of the meeting gradually changed direction from the initial exploratory battle.

Vega and Hausman sat opposite each other in the compartment. "Mr. Hausman, in your opinion, is this exploratory battle of Foster really just to test the situation of the rebels?"

"Foster wouldn't do anything so boring."

Hausman shook his head and concluded, "This test war is not to test the rebels at all. He just wants to make the atmosphere in the city of war solemn and depressing. Once caught in a tense atmosphere, ignorant civilians are always easily influenced. He just wants to take the opportunity to regain public opinion in the city of war and put the rebels on the defensive. Your Majesty, why do you ask this question when you know it?"

"Do you think, then, that Foster can succeed?"

"Your Majesty, are you questioning your own strategy?"

Hausman didn't even open his squinting eyes: "In this world, when it comes to controlling the hearts of the people, I'm afraid no one can compare to you. If Foster knew that you were in the City of War, he would probably... no, he would definitely not do such a meaningless thing."

"Hahaha, your compliment is too much."

Veigar said this modestly, but in fact he was quite confident.

Because Vega has planted a "crisis concept" in the minds of all the civilians in the city. This concept makes them dare not believe any other truth or lies. Now even if the evidence and truth are placed in front of them, they will never waver.

And the facts are just as Hausman and Vega said.

After confirming that the test battle had made the atmosphere in the city of war tense, Foster signaled the intelligence officers to start their strategy of regaining public opinion. As long as the public opinion in the city was regained, it would be equivalent to strangling the lifeblood of the rebels. Combined with the frontal battle, the rebels could be defeated almost effortlessly.

That night.

A large number of spies have infiltrated the city.

Two-thirds of them were killed on the spot by the patrolling guards, but one-third successfully mixed in and eventually joined up with the surviving intelligence organizations in the city. With the help of the intelligence organizations, they began to spread rumors the next day.

No, it shouldn't be called making up rumors. Because everything the Imperial Army said was true. They not only brought the most direct evidence, but also brought back the original deserters from the War City as witnesses, allowing them to directly prove that the Empire did not lie, but really pardoned the traitors, and provided war subsidies to those in financial difficulties, and even provided employment opportunities.

"Uncle, please believe me!"

A young man excitedly said to his uncle who was about to join the rebel army: "The empire really didn't lie. They have fulfilled their promise. Not only did they pardon my crime, they also gave me financial assistance and provided me with a job in a military factory."

"Come on, you don't have to keep lying."

Uncle patted Lai Bo's shoulder and said, "This is the chief's territory. The power of the imperial army cannot reach here for the time being. Be brave and tell the truth. We won't blame you."

The relatives, led by his uncle, looked at Lai Bo with sympathy.

In their minds, Lai Bo must have been threatened or bewitched by the Imperial Army, which is why he said such things. As his relatives, they have the obligation to bring him back and not let him continue to sink.

"Please believe me, I didn't lie to you."

Lai Bo tried hard to explain: "I am not an exception. Everyone who surrendered has been pardoned by the empire..."

Snapped!
An old man couldn't stand it any longer, so he stepped forward and slapped him in the face: "Come on, how long are you going to be so confused? The Imperial Army is deceiving you, and then letting you back to influence us, and then let the whole city fall without a fight! We've been deceived once, and it almost caused a disaster. If you dare to say these things again, I'll kill you!"

"Grandpa..."

Lai Bo opened his eyes wide and looked at his relatives in disbelief.

When did these people, whom he had known since childhood, become so unfamiliar? Or was he really the one who was confused, and everything he saw was just an illusion created by the imperial army?

Lai Bo began to doubt himself.

Most of the 'witnesses' who returned to the city with Lai Bo suffered the same treatment.

Even if they put the evidence in front of their relatives, no one believed it. Instead, their relatives looked down on them as if they were experienced people, saying that the evidence was all false and that they had been bewitched by the Imperial Army and that the Imperial Army was just using them.

We have to mention that Vega's brainwashing was very thorough.

He knew very well that human beings were stubborn creatures. Even if the choices they made were wrong, if someone put evidence in front of them, they would naturally think the evidence was false.

Moreover, truth never follows 'objective facts'.

As long as millions of people agree with it, even the most absurd lie can become the "truth". As a history major, Vega will never forget the tragedy of Ceco da Scoli saying that the earth is spherical and Giordano Bruno saying that the earth is not the center of the universe, and they were eventually burned to death.

Although history will prove who is right.

But at this moment, the truth obviously cannot save those who defend the truth. The absurd words recognized by millions of people are the most correct and unquestionable truth at this time.

Therefore, Foster's strategy to recapture public opinion was doomed to fail.

The Empire's "witnesses" either began to doubt themselves, or were considered by their loved ones to be hopelessly brainwashed by the Empire, and were directly detained at home without freedom.

As for those spies who stepped forward to guide public opinion, they were not so lucky.

Countless "heretics" were reported, beaten to death, or burned to death.

(End of this chapter)