Effective social governance must acknowledge the selfish aspects of human nature, sometimes even leveraging human weaknesses to guide collective behavior. Exploiting human flaws is merely a tactic; however, leaders must never allow their own flaws to dictate their course. Methods must be grounded in reality to genuinely propel society toward long-term objectives.

  Yun Chenhe stood atop a makeshift wooden platform, his face adorned with a warm smile, yet his voice pierced the hearts of every commoner like icy shards: "My fellow countrymen, there is no need for panic. Our army is one of righteousness and compassion; we would never harm innocent civilians." He surveyed the tens of thousands of trembling commoners below and continued, "Simply point out the noblemen's lackeys who have infiltrated your ranks, and I pledge your safety in the name of the Red Flag Army. Should we be compelled to search ourselves..." He deliberately drew out the last syllable, "...it might lead to some... unnecessary misunderstandings."

  Renyu watched the scene unfold, overcome by a strange sense of disorientation. The civilians divided into over twenty formations on the plain, surrounded by soldiers with loaded rifles—the scene felt eerily familiar. It was like the historical accounts of "Japanese invaders conducting sweeps," where villagers were herded onto threshing floors to identify "those sympathetic to the Communists."He shook his head violently, banishing the absurd association from his mind: "I've been too tense lately. My mind's running wild."

  Yet the unfolding events only deepened Renyu's frown. A group of aristocratic prisoners, dressed in fine garments yet bound and gagged, were escorted to the front. Ragged cloth stuffed in their mouths, terror filled their eyes. Yun Chenhe's smile vanished as he raised a hand in command. Conscripts swung their blades, ears severing cleanly from the captives' heads. Blood instantly stained the ground crimson.

  "This is the fate of those who oppose the Red Flag Army!" Yun Chenhe's voice boomed like thunder.

  "This is the consequence!" hundreds of conscripts roared in unison, their collective shout shaking leaves from the trees. Tens of thousands of civilians instantly fell silent, breathing cautiously.

  Renyu watched it all unfold, his heart churning with complex emotions. He understood Yun Chenhe's intent—in this world of survival of the fittest, establishing authority swiftly sometimes demanded the most brutal and direct methods.

  The order of rule established by nobles through force was now being dismantled by the same means.

  "Such is human nature..." Renyu murmured. He saw a noble servant attempt to blend into the crowd, only to be shoved back by the surrounding commoners. The servant's pleading, kneeling posture stood in stark contrast to the arrogant face he'd worn just hours earlier when bullying the very same people.

  Yun Chenhe wore a satisfied smile as his gaze swept over the trembling crowd. "Excellent. Everyone seems quite cooperative." With a sharp wave of his hand, soldiers surged into the crowd like ravenous wolves. They forced identified nobles and servants to kneel, heads bowed, at gunpoint. Any resistance was instantly met with multiple bayonets piercing flesh, blood spurting forth. The open space soon filled with the pungent stench of blood, mingled with the foul odor of urine from those who had wet themselves in terror.

  "Your performance just now has disappointed me," Yun Chenhe's voice suddenly turned cold. "Not a single one of you voluntarily identified the enemy. Such concealment is unforgivable. However, our army has always been magnanimous and is willing to grant you all one more chance."

  The conscription captains began selecting able-bodied men from the crowd, each squad choosing ten to bring before the clearing. Gleaming cleavers were tossed at their feet, their blades glinting coldly in the sunlight.

  "Prove your loyalty," Yun Chenhe commanded, his voice as icy as the snow, pointing at the bound nobles. "One man, one blade. Draw blood."

  Most cowered in fear, unable to step forward. Only one lean youth in his early twenties, eyes bloodshot, snatched a machete and roared, "Give me back my father's life!" The blade swung viciously toward a noble's head but missed, scraping against bone with a sickeningly sharp scrape. The rag gagging the noble's mouth fell away as he let out a bloodcurdling scream.

  Blood splattered across the youth's face, churning his stomach. In that split second of shock, the noble rolled toward him, lunging to bite. Yun Chenhe kicked the noble aside in a single, swift motion, watching the youth's trembling hands. "Well done, daring to avenge your family. Though it came too late... You pass. Leave the opportunity for others."

  Tears streaming down his face, the youth knelt: "Sir, let me avenge my family. I'll serve you as your servant."

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  "Smack!" A resounding slap cut him off. Yun Chenhe's voice was cold. "Courage isn't for chasing regrets, but for guarding the future. Remember today's lesson. Think about who else is worth you picking up a weapon to protect."

  The weeping youth froze, then was immediately dragged aside by the recruiters. Yun Chenhe turned to the remaining nine men, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "No one else?"

  The nine burly men instinctively took a step back, terror filling their eyes. Yun Chenhe waved casually, and the recruiters immediately released the nobleman who had been slashed. Collapsing to the ground, his legs trembling uncontrollably, the nobleman stammered incoherently: I am the first in line to inherit the Golden Silk Grass family! I demand treatment befitting my status!" Tears and snot streamed down his face, clearly terrified by the bloody scene before him. It was clear Yun Chenhe wasn't here for money or revenge—he was here purely to kill.

  Yun Chenhe crouched down and spoke gently, "Stab them once, and you may leave." With that, he flicked a dagger from his hand. The sharp blade whistled through the air and plunged into the grass beside the nobleman's left leg.

  The noble trembled as he lifted his head, meeting Yun Chenhe's devilish smile. Yun Chenhe added slowly, "Stab any one of them, and you regain your freedom." The noble's gaze darted between Yun Chenhe and the surrounding commoners, fear mingling with deep suspicion.

  Renyu observed silently from the sidelines, recognizing similarities between this tactic and public denunciation sessions. Yet while denunciations might involve kicking someone, Yun Chenhe was forcing civilians and nobles to harm each other. Watching the two classes forced into fratricidal conflict stirred unease within Renyu. Yet he reflected that these nobles routinely treated commoners like livestock—capturing, herding, slaughtering them before selling them into slavery. Though extreme, Yun Chenhe's method could be seen as giving them a taste of their own medicine.

  As Renyu pondered, a conscript soldier approached him quietly: "Officer Renyu, the commander requests you prepare for cleanup operations." Renyu immediately understood, nodded, and dispatched four conscripts to walk away.

  At the center of the field, the nobleman suddenly went berserk, snatching a dagger and lunging at the nine farmers wielding machetes. Six of the burly men instantly dropped their weapons and scattered in flight, their cowardice laid bare. The remaining three, though trembling at the knees, clenched their machetes and advanced.

  Yet commoners were no match for nobility. With a swift dodge, the nobleman's dagger pierced one peasant's chest, blood spurting forth. The remaining two, terrified out of their wits, turned and fled. As the nobleman lunged to pursue, Yun Chenhe kicked him aside.

  "Get lost," Yun Chenhe said coldly.

  The nobleman froze for a moment before scrambling away, rolling and crawling as he fled, glancing back in terror over his shoulder. Only after running a hundred meters did the fear in his eyes gradually give way to venomous hatred. This look did not escape Renyu's notice; he shook his head slightly. Four crossbowmen, already lying in ambush, simultaneously pulled their triggers. Steel bolts tore through the air, piercing the nobleman's back with deadly precision.

  Yun Chenhe frowned at the commoner with the dagger in his chest. Blood gushed from the wound, and it was clear the man would not survive. Suddenly, a woman's wail pierced the crowd. Yun Chenhe glanced over, and the cry abruptly ceased, as if an invisible hand had clamped down on her throat.

  Yun Chenhe's gaze returned to the eight peasants who had been driven back. His voice was cold as iron: "The enemy who seeks your lives and will sell your wives and sons into slavery stands before you, yet you lack even the courage to raise your weapons. Do you even deserve to be called men? Are you just going to wait to be stabbed to death, leaving your women and children to lament that no god came to save you?" His voice rose sharply. "No savior from on high delivers! If you want to live under the sun and enjoy the right to freedom, you must defend it with your own hands!"

  As Yun Chenhe clapped his hands, two more burly men were pushed forward, completing the ten. Simultaneously, the conscripts dragged another figure from the bound nobles.

  This brutal "turn-based killing game" continued. There was no fairness to speak of—ten armed commoners faced off against a single bound noble or servant, who could only dodge.

  Yun Chenhe's stance was clear: the commoners and nobles present today must become mortal enemies, with only one side surviving. Of course, the nobles were doomed—in Yun Chenhe's eyes, they were already enemies who must be eradicated. Toward enemies, any sympathy was superfluous; only complete annihilation could eliminate future threats. Combat Evolution Officers needed no servants, only comrades-in-arms willing to fight side by side.

  Forced by life-or-death choices, commoners trembled as they raised blades to stab nobles. Some froze, paralyzed by the nobles' venomous stares; those who completed their "tasks" were led aside by conscripts to vent their grievances, spilling hatred upon the nobility.

  The nobles had their own logic: these lowly commoners dared to trample noble bloodlines and defy imperial order—all deserved hell.

  The commoners had their own logic: their once peaceful lives shattered by the nobles, children separated, loved ones brutally murdered—these perpetrators deserved death. Combat Evolution Officer Yun Chenhe, however, viewed it from a colder perspective: he would align with whoever best served his mission.

  Most Combat Evolution Officers entering this magical realm hailed from the age of cold steel, naturally aligning with local elites. But Yun Chenhe and Renyu were reservists who survived the Major Battlefield. They understood clearly: the Industrial Age required vast populations as its foundation and demanded modern state structures. The old order was nothing but shackles to them. Thus, Yun Chenhe chose to stand with the common people—a decision dictated by where his interests lay.

  The crimson banner already fluttered fiercely in the wind. For the class represented by Renyu and Yun Chenhe to unleash its true power, it must be watered with blood. This bloody baptism had only just begun.