Chapter 209: Our Cause is Righteous
If these beggars could be organized into a network, the efficiency of gathering intelligence would be several times higher than traditional methods.
Anyone who's read wuxia novels or watched wuxia dramas has surely thought of it.
Isn't this just the Beggars' Guild?
Indeed, in The Witcher 3, someone else, ahead of their time, thought of this and leveraged this advantage to become one of Novigrad's Four Bigwigs.
Although he was given the somewhat comical title of "King of Beggars," everyone in Novigrad treated him with respect.
Because the beggars under his command could always gather the latest rumors and most valuable information for him.
Of course, in this current timeline, that particular individual certainly wouldn't get the chance.
After hearing Lynn's question, everyone's gaze towards the witcher changed.
"It can be done like this?"
However, at this moment, Drake frowned.
"Sir, your brilliant idea is admirable, but I have a question."
"How can the loyalty of these beggars be guaranteed? Or, I should say, what if someone takes money from both sides, or turns against us? How would you deal with that?"
No sooner had Drake posed her question than she was met with the witcher's 'are you an idiot?' look.
"I just said it: these beggars are outer members of The Syndicate. So-called outer members mean that even if a few individuals betray us, it won't have a significant impact on the organization."
"Furthermore, the organization maintains only a single-line connection with outer members, and besides the liaison, these outer members are not to know of the existence of other outer members..."
"These are basic common sense for intelligence work. Did The Syndicate never teach you these basics?"
Drake immediately felt her face flush with embarrassment.
Of course, she knew all this.
But her mind was still influenced by an internal filter.
She hadn't truly equated beggars with other civilians recruited as outer members.
Subconsciously, she always felt that beggars simply couldn't be relied upon.
"Of course, what we just discussed is the worst-case scenario. But in reality, as long as they're not fools, it's highly unlikely they would betray us, because apart from us, no one treats them like people."
"If they betray us, can others make them rich and successful? Absolutely not. At best, they'll give them a little money, and then they'll just go back to living as the lowest of the low."
"I'm just giving you a general plan. You'll definitely need to optimize the specific details. You're all professionals at this; I trust your expertise."
"Take this."
Lynn pulled a head-sized leather pouch from his runic leather satchel and tossed it to Drake.
"This contains five thousand crowns, which will be your operating funds. I might not have time to provide you with funds monthly, so I'll give you a sum like this every once in a while."
"I prefer to be blunt:"
"I hope you don't have thoughts of 'taking this money and running.' If you did that, you would disappoint me greatly... I consider you all like-minded comrades, and we should strive together for a noble cause."
The witcher's words filled everyone present with fervent passion.
But they didn't immediately express their allegiance.
Instead, they all looked at Drake.
"Boss?"
Drake slapped her thigh hard.
"Damn it, let's do it. Anyway, there's nowhere else to go. Let's see what this witcher of yours can achieve."
The scarred woman stood up and performed a gesture of allegiance.
The others followed suit.
"Frances Drake, at your command, sir."
"The Syndicate is yours, sir."
....
Any power needs an intelligence organization.
Whether in ancient or modern times, domestically or abroad, war is about burning money and gathering intelligence.
Since Lynn didn't merely want to be a witcher who exchanges drowners' heads for a few crowns, he inevitably needed a spy network.
The sooner a spy network is established, the better.
If he waited until it was needed to establish one, it would be too late.
Lynn entrusted the task of recruiting beggars to The Syndicate and allowed them to grow and expand their influence.
But he wasn't worried that The Syndicate would slip from his control.
The reason was simple.
No intelligence organization of any power can exist independently of that power.
The operation of any intelligence organization requires funds.
And the feeder of The Syndicate was, and only would be, himself.
As long as he held the leash called "funding," he wouldn't have to worry about The Syndicate slipping from his control.
Some might ask, where would the funds to feed The Syndicate come from?
It's quite simple: from the intelligence gathered by the beggars The Syndicate recruits.
In a city like Novigrad, with a permanent population of tens of thousands, the profits that accurate intelligence can accrue are immeasurable.
This would be Lynn's key to becoming rich in Novigrad, and eventually, to controlling this free city in the future.
As long as The Syndicate's operations require him to provide funds, Lynn would be able to firmly hold The Syndicate in his grasp.
Of course, the above mentioned was just a precautionary measure for the witcher.
His experience from his previous life had made him accustomed to always having a backup plan, no matter what he did.
But in many cases, things wouldn't escalate to that point.
As long as Drake wasn't foolish, she wouldn't try to go solo with her team.
The reason was simple: not everyone is suited for entrepreneurship.
The most typical example is Lü Bu.
His well-known reputation today was earned while working for Dong Zhuo.
Later, he killed his boss and tried to start his own venture, but it only went from bad to worse.
Until he ultimately led himself to ruin.
Lynn believed Drake wasn't a fool, and if she was, Lynn wasn't worried.
Lynn had another safeguard:
Before today, he had secretly met with several of Drake's subordinates and successfully won them over.
Should Drake ever have a change of heart, these few subordinates, acting together, would be enough to put her to death.
...
A few days later, Geralt and his companions finally arrived in Caed Myrkvid, reuniting with Lynn.
Toussaint wasn't far from Caed Myrkvid, north of the Yaruga River Valley, but transportation in this era was not as developed as in modern times, and long journeys on horseback were certainly not comfortable.
The witchers and the higher vampire were fine, but the elven master blacksmith, Tenesyl, was utterly exhausted after traveling so many days from Beauclair.
So, everyone had to rest for two more days in Caed Myrkvid before setting off again.
They crossed the Yaruga River and then headed north.
....
For advanced chapters:
Get early access to 120 advanced chapters before anyone else!
👉 Join now: patreon.com/Chaos_God