Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

Chapter 561: 561
You Are My Country

Han Zezheng of Aurora viewed Kant’s question as a test.

However, with his experience and vision as a businessman, he could not come up with any unconventional plan.

“Sir, all your methods are mysterious and wonderful. Ordinary people like us can’t fathom them.”

The way this Chinese person used his words was very classical. Anyway, modern people on Earth would not speak like this. Kant found it interesting.

As usual, Han Zezheng flattered him first and decided to answer with all his might.

“Allow me to be bold. Before I give my advice, I will first talk about the situation. Your Highness is a divine dragon like figure. There is no need to pay attention to the snake under the clouds. However, although the snake is small, I am afraid it is poisonous…”

He told them about the situation of the interest groups in the distant port.

Faraway Harbor used to be the largest commercial hub on the West Coast. It was a place where the good and the bad were mixed together, and the interests were intertwined. After the decline, the tide receded, the cake became smaller, and the people with established interests became even uglier. This meant that they had stronger control and infiltration abilities.

Nobles, merchants, officials, and even generals and famous spellcasters could overlap with each other. The governor and his family group controlled the dock business, and the rich man who controlled most of the livelihood businesses in Far Harbor, such as bakeries, grocery stores, and wineries, was also a respected count. They tied their interests together and even set up a fair hall to mediate internal disputes. When necessary, they could also unite against the outside world and show the fierce claws of the entire Far Harbor.

Such a huge union controlled most of the wealth in Distant Harbor. Hundreds of thousands of people and even millions of people in the surrounding towns and villages served them directly or indirectly. Their business relationships spread all over the world, and their trading partners were endless. There were countless connections that they could make.

This meant that they had too many ways to call the shots in the small Far Harbor.

For example, if they wanted to prevent a single grain of wheat from being transported into the distant port, they could do it.

“And you won’t be able to find any fault with it.”

Han Zezheng explained,” If they deliberately ordered the food supply to stop, causing a famine in the distant port, or even the people to starve to death, then they would be putting their necks on your sword. They would also incur the disdain of the entire country. However, the beauty of power is that it can often bypass the ambiguous parts of the law and easily achieve its goal. Moreover, it can make itself absolutely innocent in terms of morality and the law.”

He organized his words.”For them, there are too many ways. The food consumption of hundreds of thousands of people in Distant Harbor City depends on external transportation. As long as there is a problem in one of the small links, it will cause the food transportation today to be reduced by 30%. Tomorrow, it may be even more…”

“And I will definitely give you a reasonable explanation.”

” For example, because of Your Highness ‘arrest warrant and execution two days ago, the operation of several major families and chambers of commerce in the city that were dealt with collapsed, which affected their respective business routes and farms under their names, causing problems in the grain transportation link. Therefore, the problem of the grain shortage can be perfectly pushed to you. If civilians starve to death, it will be your responsibility.”

Kant nodded and clapped.” Not bad, Mr. Han. You did a good job.”

Han Zezheng stood up and bowed to thank him for his praise. He smiled honestly.” He’s just a businessman. If he can’t even see through these tricks, his entire family would have long been homeless on the streets begging for food.”

Kant gestured for him to sit down.” Aren’t they afraid that I’ll kill them if they jump like this?” he asked.

Han Zezheng smiled and habitually flattered him.” His Highness dispatched troops to sweep through the distant port the night before. He was swift and decisive, punishing the villains with the wrath of justice. Many nobles were beheaded. Which one of them wasn’t afraid? Of course they were afraid, but they were also betting that His Highness wouldn’t take action directly.”

” Why?” Kant raised his eyebrows and even laughed.

“Because the nobles all over the world are watching,” the Aurora man replied.

“Hmm?”

” Yesterday’s execution could not be hidden. Even the nobles in the distant port would take the initiative to speed up the spread of the news, because your actions shook the entire aristocratic system and the rules of the game.”

Han Zezheng analyzed.” You’ve dealt with the rioters in the distant port. You stripped them of their noble titles and sentenced them to death. This is undoubtedly an act that breaks the rules. However, the biggest rule in this world is that the winner and the powerful always have special privileges. The common problem of those who have already gained benefits is that they have the tendency to compromise.”

” The nobles in other regions of Goethe and even the entire continent heard of your actions. Although they were indignant, they were afraid of the power of the forbidden spell and the terror of the warship. They would subconsciously compromise because of fear, and they would comfort themselves and hypnotize themselves to justify your actions. After all, your actions were essentially to settle the traitors. Such things are too common in history.”

“To defend you in my heart is to give myself a reason not to participate.”

“They are blindfolded.”

Kant nodded slowly. This old man, who had been in business for a long time, had sharp eyes.

Han Zezheng continued,” However, there is a limit to self-deception and blindfolding. If you still choose to raise your butcher’s knife and use your power to force the nobles in the distant port to submit when they run out of food, you will be known as bullying the nobles and robbing them by trickery. In that case, even if the nobles in the entire continent are blindfolded, they will have to face the reality right in front of them.”

” That is, in their minds, you are a tyrant who does not respect the nobles and does not abide by the rules.

” Of course!” The old man stood up again and said fearfully,” Of course, these are all my thoughts based on the opinions of these nobles. It’s not my own opinion of you…”

Kant smiled.” Don’t be afraid. I’m actually that kind of person. I don’t respect them, and I don’t intend to abide by the rules they set for themselves. I have my own rules.”

Han Zezheng forced a smile, not knowing how to answer.

Of course, he couldn’t nod his head and agree. After all, it was one thing for a superior to self-deprecate. If you took it seriously, it was another matter. For example, he sometimes called himself an old man in front of his son, and even mocked himself for being old and muddle-headed. However, his son still had to respectfully call him father when he saw him. If he dared to call him old and unmoving, he would be dragged into the ancestral hall and beaten to death.

Kant was intrigued.” You have a clear understanding of the nobles ‘nature. You can even recognize their willingness to compromise. You can also guess their thoughts.”

Han Zezheng smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“I’m ashamed…It’s just that the family business is declining and the wolves are surrounding us. We have no choice.”

He sighed.” I once told you that during the period when Goethe was trading with Aurora, our ancestors crossed the sea and took root in Distant Harbor. They worked hard and earned their foundation.”

” According to the records of our ancestors, Goethe was a noble with an elegant demeanor. He was honest and trustworthy. He was full of respect for him. His character was impeccable. There was nothing bad about him.”

” When it came to the notes of the next generation of ancestors, they had some complaints about the Aurora nobles.”

” When I was young, I heard my father often call the nobles of Distant Harbor greedy hyenas, saying that they were animals in human skin and had no credibility. At that time, I often wondered why the Goethe nobles of today were so different from the Goethe nobles of my ancestors in terms of morality and honesty. Why did their moral standards decline to this extent in a hundred years?”

” When I took over the family business, the business was not as good as before. The years were not good. I left my father’s shadow and dealt with the local greedy nobles. I called them greedy hyenas more than once, but I still had to do business and protect the family business. I began to observe their words and deeds, ponder their way of thinking, and try to understand them.”

” They are very stubborn in some aspects and care about their so-called dignity. But sometimes, they bully the weak and fear the strong, easily succumbing to stronger violence. Although they are nobles, their nature is no different from that of commoners. I realized this and understood them. The decline of business slowly stopped because I could do business and deal with them according to their weaknesses and temperaments.”

” But recently, about a month ago, I discovered a very strange thing. Those greedy hyenas, those bastards who bullied the weak and feared the strong, suddenly turned into gentle, polite, honest, generous, and perfect nobles overnight.

“-in front of me.”

Han Zezheng’s voice trembled as he said this.

“Then, I suddenly realized something.”

He looked at Kant and said slowly,” Actually, it’s not that Goethe’s nobles experienced a moral decline. They were also a bunch of greedy and despicable hyenas who bullied the weak and feared the strong hundreds of years ago. The ancestors thought that they were polite, honest, trustworthy, and generous because at that time-”

“Aurora is still powerful.”

Kant’s expression changed slightly.

” Because the Aurora Empire at that time could still send powerful fleets to sail here. The marvelous mechanisms, powerful warriors, profound talisman skills, abundant resources, and endless wealth meant that a powerful and proud superpower would automatically appear behind you even if it did nothing. When you walked on the streets, the outlanders would also be able to see the enormous shadow behind you.

” Then, they will involuntarily develop some kind of emotion. Be it respect, fear, or even hate, it will all mean a silent and powerful intimidation.”

” When the sea route is cut off, when bad news comes, when time gradually passes, the forgetful people will forget their past emotions. Thus, contempt, rejection, and hostility will appear, and the once polite and respectable people will become liars who go back on their words…That’s all.”

At this point, Han Ze looked at Kant with a complicated gaze.

” And more than a month ago, when Your Highness won a great victory in Valentan, I was able to see another face of the people from afar. I saw the scenery that my ancestors once saw. It was the era when the might of Aurora was reflected across the sea and protected its citizens. It was the era when the Deviant Corpses could be respected when they walked in other places…”

He lowered his head slowly. Since Kant did not like kneeling, he could only use it to show his respect.

” I can swear on my soul, my ancestors, and my descendants. When I realized this, I already had the thought of loyalty more than a month ago. When I walked in a foreign land, I could clearly and clearly feel the silent and powerful presence and protection. This is the reason for loyalty.”

” Aurora has passed away, and the wanderers have struggled in a foreign land for a hundred years. Now, you are our country.”

He pressed his forehead against the table and choked.

” The Han family of Fengzhou is a branch of the distant Hong Kong. From the ancestor’s son, Duke Chang, down to eight generations, there have been no law-breaking men and no remarried women. The Han family is a merchant. There are no traitors or businessmen. Although they pursue profits and do not go against reason, their business is like war. However, they do not kill women and children. In terms of their actions and hearts, they are all innocent. Every word is true. If there is any deception, they will abandon the gods and sincerely seek refuge. I hope that you will accept them. I am willing to be a soldier and serve my dogs and horses without regret!”

Han Ze was using his forehead to touch the surface of the table repeatedly, and small puddles had already gathered on the smooth surface of the table.

Kant rubbed his chin.

One day and two nights was enough to investigate the Han family’s reputation.

This matter was investigated separately by the ” special talents ” of the three navies. Due to the special nature of the navy and the fact that psychology in the other world was still in its infancy, these soldiers who floated in confined spaces all year round more or less had some mental problems. Therefore, it was easy to discover a group of good seedlings who were very talented in interrogation and investigation. They easily investigated the Han family’s matter.

Basically, it was just as Han Zezheng had described himself. Although they were businessmen, they had their bottom line. Their family’s heritage and cultural heritage indeed allowed them to maintain a cultural cohesion and idealistic spirit. Moreover, their upbringing was very strict. The next generation of the family had more or less minor problems, but they never caused trouble.

In the words of the investigation team,” by the standard of the continent’s aristocrats, this Aurora merchant and his family had an astonishing amount of moral integrity.”

Perhaps this was because, although they had been away from their homeland for hundreds of years, they still spoke the Aurora language and passed down the books, knowledge, history, wisdom, and civilization they had brought with them from generation to generation.

Now, he was once again offering his loyalty to Kant.

Hong San said to be careful when taking in dogs.

Kant felt that he had been cautious enough.

“Mr. Han Zezheng.”

The people of Aurora trembled and raised their heads, tears streaming down their faces.

Kant smiled at him.” I will let you feel the dignity, safety, and satisfaction of being by Chang Ban’s side. I also hope that you will always be wise, clear-headed, and loyal.”

“Thank you, praise you, and serve you.”

Han Zezheng pushed his chair away, took two steps back, and bowed deeply.

“My lord.”

The ceremony of loyalty and acceptance was completed in a short period of inquiry and response.

“Alright, let’s get down to business, cunning old man.”

Kant grabbed two strips of tissue from the table and threw them over.” Wipe your face. Continue. Where were we?” Oh, the rebels in Distant Harbor want to manipulate the food shortage to mess with me, but they’re betting that I won’t dare to flip the table because the nobles all over the world are watching me. I can’t let them think that I’m a threat?”

Han Ze was holding a soft tissue and feeling its touch. He realized its material and understood its use. He was even more shocked.

He wiped his face and nodded.

Kant rolled his eyes.” In other words, I bought people’s hearts, and they wanted to slap me in the face. They even bet that I wouldn’t dare to kill them directly because I have to care about the international impact. So, they think that I have to be beaten up by them obediently. Is that the truth?”

Han Zezheng was relieved that he had successfully pledged his loyalty. However, in front of his new lord, he did not dare to relax for even a moment. He had to prove his worth and perform well.

“Yes and no.”

The Aurora merchant explained,” They are also afraid of Your Highness’s power. They are not stupid. They know your power and know what you mean to Goethe. This time, they are doing this because they have no choice but to retaliate. They want Your Highness to understand their power and confidence. They want to regain their face and dignity, and then…”

” You’re right.” Han Zezheng glanced at Kant.” I’ll reach a compromise and understanding with you.”

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

Kant commented,”” It sounds like I bullied them brutally, and they had to punch me back carefully to prove that they were not easy to bully. But they were afraid that I would be hurt and angry, so they had to beat them up regardless of the consequences and affect their follow-up plan. Their follow-up plan was to punch me and then come to me for peace with tears in their eyes. They hit me to show their strength so that I wouldn’t bully them more fiercely. Is that right?”

Han Zezheng was a little embarrassed. He didn’t know whether to nod or shake his head.

It seemed that the lord knew his role and position very well.

Moreover, it seemed like…

These nobles ‘plans would not work.

As expected, Kant shook his head and said,” During the riot in Distant Harbor, if any of them had stepped forward and done something to quell the riot or defended my reputation, I would not have forced them to take a side before, and none of this would have happened later. However, they did not help me at Distant Harbor, and they did not stand on my side when I told them to make a choice. Then…”

“Then they are potential enemies,” he said flatly.

Compromise and understanding?

Dream on.

They had already made two choices.

That meant that they would make the same choice again at some point in the future.

Han Zezheng’s heart skipped a beat.

Kant waved his hand viciously.” Set up a trap. Aren’t they trying to create a food shortage and push the price of grain up to the sky? Then take the opportunity to make them fall and set a trap to kill them all!”

He calculated for a while and said,” That’s right. Let’s do it this way. We still have to take the opportunity to catch another wave. The more we catch, the better. Han Zezheng!” Give me a plan.”

He gave his first order to his retainer.” They are betting that I won’t flip the table, but they also think that if I don’t flip the table and play according to the rules, I will definitely not be their match. Since that’s the case, I will play with them and crush them in the field where they think they have the greatest advantage. The pleasure will be multiplied. Then, as a business war expert, give me accurate advice.”

“Food!” Han Zezheng stood up and replied.

He said,” Whether it’s stabilizing the grain price or setting up a trap for the enemy, we all need a lot of food. The enemy’s interest groups control the agricultural products around Distant Port and even the Blue Wave Province. Then, we can mobilize food from Goethe or even other countries. For this, our lord will have to step in.”

” You can win just because you have food?” Kant smiled.

“With only food, we might not win.” The other party answered without hesitation,” Not only is there food, Your Highness also has a knife. If the food is fast enough, you will definitely win.”

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” P.S. 1: This month is really the highlight of Baidu. Also, Harvard is just so-so. The new crown this time is really a demon-revealing mirror.”