Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

Far Harbor City Hall, Justice Auditorium.

After a brief debate, the nobles quickly unified their positions.

In the face of Kant's new demands, their answer was - no edict.

Unexpected and reasonable.

The initial submission was forced by Kant's lewd power, frightened by the cannons of the strong ships parked outside the port, and even more frightened by the navy of the Three Kingdoms that turned the far port upside down last night.

After all, the former means a strategic level of deterrence, while the latter is a means of precise strikes, which means that Kant can not only smash the far port into ruins with stones, but also put a litter of mad dogs into the city to bite people.

In the face of this kind of means, in the face of the counter-offensive carried out by the rampant evil Aurora people with the momentum of victory, the gentlemen of Far Harbor can only swallow their voices and choose their hearts for the sake of their wives, children and ancestors.

It's no shame for the family.

Therefore, in the face of the list handed over by Kant, they pinched their noses and imposed the highest punishment on the people involved in the riots. Needless to say, the pariahs cut off a lot of money. Even the nobles involved were all put to death, and the main culprit even used the The cruel honor hanging, it can be said that it has been severe to the extreme.

Goethe has never had such a large-scale execution of aristocrats in the past two hundred years.

After all, the situation is stronger than people, so I can only recognize it by pinching my nose.

But the nobles' concessions and gestures were sent to Kant, but they were beaten back mercilessly.

That Aurora was still not satisfied, and made it clear that the punishment was too light, and that all the nobles involved would be stripped of all titles and honors, and sentenced to the same death penalty as the pariahs.

The dignitaries of Far Harbor are finally frying.

The same is the death penalty, but Kant's opinion is fundamentally different from the nobles' proposal.

The nobles were hanged and beheaded honorably. Although it was harsh and severe, it was still within the rules and was legal. Kant fought back the three major fleets and quelled the incident. His prestige and momentum were in full swing, and he used this power to liquidate the betrayers. It is also one of the ways to play political games, and it is within everyone's tolerance.

Since emperors and generals can play, so can Forbidden Magic Mage, everyone can complain a few words at most, saying that His Royal Highness Kant is not very lenient, but that's all.

But Kant's opinion is that deprivation of aristocracy and the punishment of pariah.

This involves the issue of class interests.

Although they only dealt with these rebellious nobles, they were still met with fierce backlash from other far-port dignitaries. These big men are sometimes short-sighted, maybe greedy and stupid, even have no common sense, and sometimes even have no IQ - but in this "right and wrong" aspect, they The sense of smell is extremely sensitive.

If you agree with Kant this time, it is equivalent to tacitly acknowledging that Kant has the right to deprive any Far Harbor noble of the title, honor and power, and to impose all terrible and evil punishments at will.

This is a trampling on the Goethe spirit, a provocation to the sacred and supreme aristocratic hierarchy, and an evil subversion of the existing state system. It is maddening, arrogant, and unreasonable.

In history, any tyrant who tries to do this will be overthrown by the brave people and punished with justice, and all decent people with conscience should oppose this terrible evil!

"We disagree! We disagree!"

The shouts and roars of justice resounded through the auditorium of justice, and the powerful and powerful people in the Far Harbor raised their arms and shouted, hoarse, everyone seemed to be fanatical, but only they knew the panic and anxiety in their hearts. Anxiety, that is Kant who can even defeat the elves.

The governor shouted louder than anyone else, and the administrative bureaucrats in this city and even the province agreed, because they are in this position, representing the interests of the nobles, and they have an obligation to speak up for this, because countless eyes are watching them. —The Governor is also afraid of the thunderous wrath of the Aurora Dragon, but he is even more afraid of the liquidation of the betrayers by the entire noble system, his family, his family, his estate...

Everyone else can give in, everyone can be cowardly, and everyone can defect to Kant.

But he can't.

He dare not.

The only thing the Governor-General can do is to put more straw bales on the chariot.

If Kant is really crazy enough to order the army to **** the far port - then at least let more people die with me! I'm not going to fight for you as Governor!

He slammed the gavel hard, and the thunderous sound of gold thundered, and then shouted loudly: "Please note! We are not against His Royal Highness Kant! We are grateful for everything he has done for Goethe and even Far Harbor!"

The nobles raised their fists and shouted: "Not bad! Not bad!"

"We are also willing to recover from the chaos in this city under the guidance of His Royal Highness Kant, so that every hard-working and kind citizen can live a good life again..."

"Yes!"

The Governor looked at the people in attendance and shouted: "I believe that His Royal Highness Kant has no malicious intentions, just to punish those shameful betrayers! We can understand this feeling!"

The people below screamed: "Surely!"

"But the national conditions of Aurora and Goethe are different. The nobility is the backbone and guardian of this country! This glorious rule must be respected, guarded and defended!" The governor waved his arms and said loudly, "Just ask! What a terrifying look it must be for a country that doesn't respect nobles!"

"Yes!"

"So! We have to unite to resolve this little misunderstanding with His Royal Highness Kant! We have to let him know that we respect him and fear his might and character, but he must also do something to the great and glorious collective of nobles. Respect! We want him to hear the Goethes!"

—The cheers seem to have subsided a little.

The Governor struck while the iron was hot and shouted: "Sign! Sign! Sign! Unite to protest! We cannot stand against the force of the Sword of Deterrence, nor do we want to! But we can show His Highness Kant our will and our will with our silent protest and firm stand. Resolve! EVERYONE'S SIGNATURE! EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROTEST! BECAUSE IT IS IN DEFENDING THE GLORY AND DIGHT OF ALL OF US!"

How could it be possible for you to watch me charge into battle!

He pointed to the gentlemen present: "Everyone has to do this! This time the position does not include neutrality! Can't stand by! There are only two ways to go! The honor of ancestors, the pride of the family, the spirit of Goethe! If you don't defend it , that is betraying it! That is betraying us!"

- The sound seems to be a little less.

The Governor turned a blind eye and slapped the table: "We will stand by our position and sentence all those involved to a decent death sentence with justice and mercy! This is our final decision, and all those who agree must sign their own. Name, show your stance clearly and unambiguously!"

"If His Royal Highness Kant goes his own way, we will protest peacefully and silently! We will not attend tomorrow's execution! If necessary, let the world see our voice!"

He looked around, looked at the dark crowd, and said loudly: "Now, let me hear the voice of Far Harbor! Tell us whether you are defenders or traitors!"

The moral high ground has always been the coolest upper hand.

Even if they feel uneasy, even if they are a little panicked, everyone can only raise their hands and shout loudly with all their strength-because there are people around.

"Defender! Defender! Defender!"

The Governor nodded in satisfaction, he struck the gavel, suppressed the hot-headed or inappropriate cheers, narrowed his eyes, and the gentle and loving eyes of the past became gloomy: "Now, clerk, please draft for me the final The manifesto, roll caller, please prepare paper, we need collective signatures…”

There was silence in the auditorium.

The Governor considered the words, opened his mouth and said, "All Far Harbor..."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

The door of the auditorium creaked, breaking the silence of the whole hall.

The next moment, a terrified scream sounded from one of the attendees, and in an instant, like a group curse, it swept through the whole area, screaming incessantly, the older nobles covered their hearts, and people were like frightened quails. Running away, most people don't know what happened, they only know that the door is ringing, the door is ringing, the door is ringing! Someone is in!

Who is that?

can not see!

But someone is screaming!

- Here comes Kant!

His minions are here!

He wants to kill us all!

Cries, beggings, and wailings, all of a sudden, the defense line of the noblest brave man in Far Harbor collapsed, and the rabble crowded like headless flies. Shouting loudly, begging for mercy, trying to offer allegiance to the new master, the noble people pushed and crowded in the narrow auditorium, and fell into madness due to instinctual panic and inexplicable conformity.

This is often a precursor to mass stampedes and crashes.

Fortunately, this is a world of swords and magic.

"Lawyer!"

The judiciaries of the city hall immediately used their magic power, and the group spiritual spells to soothe the mind turned into a gentle net of light, shaking off the fear, dispelling the fear, and calming the mind... one after another spell.

In order to keep the manic, superficial, irritable and impulsive creatures calm, the seekers of the arcane path have developed countless spell groups for this purpose.

Finally, the big men of Far Harbor broke free from the sudden and inexplicable atmosphere of group fear. They climbed out from under the chairs and got up from the ground, with lingering horror on their faces.

But magic, while magical, cannot alter reality.

The source of fear remains.

But the return of reason can at least allow them to have the courage to look at the door.

They saw an old man standing there.

His hair was gray, but his complexion was dazzlingly yellow, and his completely different facial features also clearly showed his identity as a different species. He was undoubtedly a Aurora, many people knew him.

Baron Han Zezheng, a shipping merchant in the far port, also runs two Aurora-style furniture stores, selling mysterious and elegant oriental utensils with exotic flavors.

A false alarm followed by embarrassment.

Everyone's eyes became unkind, and everyone tacitly did not talk about the previous gaffe, but the inner shame and anger had to be vented, and the lost face had to be recovered.

The Governor frowned. He was scared to death just now, for fear that the wolf-like elf marines and the council mages would come in. He didn't even think about whether to persevere or beg for mercy.

The nominal supreme ruler of Bibo Province increased his tone: "Mr. Han, Mr. Baron, I remember that you participated in the meeting. Where did you just go?"

Speaking of this, his eyes suddenly changed, as if thinking of something.

The old man Han stood at the entrance of the gate and took a deep breath.

Before that, he hesitated for a while in front of the city hall.

Even when he walked to the entrance of the auditorium, he suffered for a while.

Because he knows what he is doing.

The family property handed down from the ancestors, the wife and children in the family, the inheritance of incense, and the thoughts from generation to generation, everything was pushed to the gambling table by him, and it was a big deal.

In the previous meeting, His Royal Highness Kant did not agree to his request, and this able-bodied adult did not accept their allegiance and refuge.

- Think about it, too, anxious.

The family is a peerless man who subdues the elves and looks down on the world. What is the old Han family, who has been crowded out and eroded by his peers, and the shipping business is declining. Two profitable shops, thirty or fifty men in the clan, and five or seven boats in the chamber of commerce, in total. Two or three hundred sailors are not as good as a fart.

With just this little belonging, I have an opportunity, I want to hold someone's thigh and pull the banner of Wang Ming, so I won't worry about wealth and honor in the future... How can there be such a good thing.

Or as it is said in the book, wealth must be sought from risk.

Although His Highness refused his request, he pointed him a way.

Even now, that voice still lingers in his mind.

Recalling the previous conversation, Han Zezheng still had a kind of sweaty horror.

At that time, His Highness asked him, and the voice was like a spring breeze, soft, but it made him feel terrified.

"Mr. Han, from now on, if I ask you something, you have to be honest. If you promise me, we can continue to talk, but if you promise, you must keep your promise."

"Then the first question - why did you come to join me?"

Raise the prestige of our clan, make sacrifices for the cause of His Highness, and establish the hegemony of Aurora in a foreign land, so that the people of the East such as us can live and work in peace and contentment here.

The words popped into my head without a second thought.

But under that gaze, he told the truth.

"Keep the family business, look for backers, develop business, seek future for the children and grandchildren, gain wealth and honor for the family, let the ancestors close their eyes, and let the Han family spread their branches and leaves.

Then he heard His Highness's cheerful laughter.

"Very good, a good start, Mr. Han, I won't talk to you about loyalty, and I don't trust you at all, because I know why you came, but I'm also glad you told the truth, this It means you respect me, then I respect you too."

"I like your candor, the simpler the better, as it is now."

"I like it this way...because I know loyalty and trust are very rare qualities, I don't ask for this quality from everyone, I prefer cooperation and win-win than this."

"That is, common interests, opinions and behaviors maintained by force."

"You say demand, I bid."

He saw the young man behind the desk, who even seemed to be about the same age as his son, maybe even smaller, but he was already in charge of an unimaginable power that was enough to decide the life and death of many people.

He couldn't forget that smile.

"I have everything here. If you want, you can change it."

Therefore, Han Zezheng returned to the Justice Auditorium.

Along the way, he was in a trance and hesitant. He listened to the nobles' shouts and united will outside the door. He was even more uneasy. He knew what Kant was trying to challenge, and he knew what Kant wanted to establish. His Royal Highness Kant arranged everything as expected.

And he took the initiative to make a pawn.

- And all this hesitation and unease disappeared when the door was pushed open.

Yuangang's huge network of interests, high-ranking bigwigs, and unbreakable stratum groups, one second they were still roaring furiously, and the next moment they fled in embarrassment. When he saw that scene, Han Zezheng seemed to realize something. He understood His Royal Highness Kant. When talking about nobles, what does the smile on the corner of his mouth mean?

That is contempt.

Yeah, what's there to be afraid of.

Han Zezheng stepped in.

He responded loudly to the Governor's inquiry.

"I went to Chaosheng Manor!" he said loudly, "I went to see His Royal Highness Kant!"

A brief silence, then panic and commotion, followed by venting accusations and scolding.

"traitor!"

"You shame your ancestors!"

"You don't deserve to be a noble!"

"shame!"

Stormy curses spit out from the mouths of the noble gentlemen.

Stormy winds, and hostility surrounds.

This is the anger of an entire city. The powerful and powerful in this hall control all commercial activities such as the production, transportation, and sales of 90% of the food and other necessities, daily necessities, and luxury goods in the entire Far Harbor. The power, public opinion and communicative power of the entire region, if a Far Harbor man is cast aside by everyone in this auditorium, he will usher in a physical and spiritual demise.

Han Zezheng could have foreseen the result of his own - being embarrassed by dozens of scandals, being voted to strip him of his aristocratic status by the aristocratic assembly, the shipping business would be viciously competed and squeezed into bankruptcy, his son would be expelled from the aristocratic school, and his family members would be expelled from the aristocratic school. They will be attacked and even killed by unknown thieves and robbers, and then gradually lose all their possessions in the continuous trouble until they become untouchables.

If you lose, this is the result of the Han family.

but…

Wealth is in danger.

"I'm from Aurora!" he said sharply, "Why not pay my respects to my lord? Ladies and gentlemen, put away your vulgar words, because what you are dealing with is not just a respectable far-harbour merchant, Baron Goethe , and the person from Aurora who brought the greetings from His Royal Highness Kant!"

He strode towards the center of the auditorium, facing the gradually silent people, and said loudly: "Forgive me for accidentally hearing your protests and plans, but before you sign, please allow me to interrupt a little, I brought His Royal Highness Kant ultimatum, please listen carefully!"

"The nobles involved will be deprived of their titles and sentenced to death as pariahs. This resolution must be approved. I will draft a statement. Those who agree must sign. His Highness Kant hopes that all wise people who spurn those who betrayed and support this decision will attend tomorrow. Observe the execution, and jointly cast aside the sad end of the betrayal!"

When he said these words, one after another protests sounded: "Dream!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

"We will not give in!"

"A sharp blade will not obliterate justice!"

"We will stand proudly for truth and honor!"

Under the instigation and instigation of the tough men, the nobles tried to coerce the grassroots again, blocking their way of compromise in advance, so as not to be coerced by Kant's lewd power.

But Han Zezheng was unmoved.

He looked disdainfully at the red-faced opponents and shouted: "On the day after the execution, His Highness will convene a meeting to invite all the upright and decent gentlemen of the Far Harbor who have spurned the traitors to discuss a Very important topic! A great cause! And invite them to participate in it and work together, because the glory of Far Harbor is forged by the people of Far Harbor!"

Having said that, Han Zezheng's heart was beating wildly.

Because that was the key to making him decide to gamble.

Even the promise of just one sentence made him, a veteran of the commercial battlefield, tremble at it - he thought that he had passed the youthful era when he was agitated by other people's words.

But he was wrong.

The Aurora people used all their strength and shouted: "His Royal Highness Kant wants to discuss a great cause with his supporters - the commercial status of Far Harbor as an endless ocean trade center, a transportation hub, and a bright pearl on the west coast of the mainland. , take it back from the Broken Isles! Let the city of Far Harbor—"

"—Again! Again! Great! Great!"

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PS1: Update...the post is back! Talk to Grandpa!