"What? They actually said they wouldn't do it. Are these guys looking for death?"
The angry voice echoed on the city wall, causing the soldiers around me to be stunned. Countless eyes looked towards where I was standing.
"Yes, sir, all four of them refused." Carlos touched his nose: "I talked to them for a long time, but these people's beliefs are really firm."
"My staff officer, have you stayed on the second line for so long that you have forgotten the meaning of the word firm." I stared at Carlos: "For these gentlemen, firm belief - that is worthless.
"
"Sir, it seems that faith is not directly related to money, right?"
"In the eyes of these delicate idlers, everything is related to money, it just has a different price." I spat on the ground: "Didn't you tell them that the dean of Shengdu College is here with me?
?”
Carlos answered me helplessly: "As I said, it is precisely because of this that while rejecting us, they also asked to see Dean Lorenzo as soon as possible."
"Did I hear you correctly? They didn't agree to my request, but instead asked me to do this or that for them?"
"I'm afraid that's the case, sir." Carlos shrugged: "It can be seen that they reject you. This is not an isolated phenomenon. Civilians and soldiers always reject each other."
"I don't agree with your point of view. Can these people who deal with paint and mud all day long also be called literati..."
"I'm sorry, sir, I think that should be called paint. Besides, sculptors only get closer to the clay when making blanks..."
"It doesn't matter what you call it." I interrupted him: "After all, you are a brigadier general. You should show your military courage for such a small matter. You should review your weakness in this matter."
"Sir, you are wrongly blaming me. In fact, this was specially arranged by me." Carlos looked around and leaned over enthusiastically: "They are all disciples of Dean Lorenzo, and they have a close personal relationship with this old bastard.
Well, I leave it to you, sir, to have fun..."
"Save it! You graduated from the Royal Academy. It's true that you are too embarrassed to do anything, so you left this trouble to me." I glared at him angrily: "Okay! The staff officer has a lot of tricks up his sleeve!"
Carlos had a bored look on his face and muttered: "You still reveal it after you know it. Sir, you are so inconsiderate of your subordinates..."
"Okay, okay." I really couldn't stand this person's nagging: "You tell them to come see me right away—come running!"
"Okay, I'll do it right away."
Carlos answered me with a smile, and ran over and called a herald to whisper for a while. He seemed to have known that I would handle this matter. I even suspected that his "conspiracy" went beyond this.
I turned my head and stared at the vast grassland outside the city, adjusting my emotions.
This is the southern wall of Lisang City. This section was damaged in several places during the battles in the past few days. I originally came to inspect the repair status today, but I didn’t expect to encounter this... In a letter to other governors
When I received no reply, these people's refusal to serve me angered me.
Speaking of which, the status of these four people is somewhat special. They are tutors of the Royal Academy. They receive a salary at the level of major general, and their treatment is the same as that of a brigadier general.
In the past, in the Holy Capital, military attachés had to salute first when meeting them! But I personally have never had a good impression of these guys. I just don't want to talk to them when I see them... Their attitude towards me is the same.
I am fighting bloody battles to regain the Sbia Empire, and all my soldiers are killed. But these idiots who only talk empty words and play in the mud, why do they dare to reject me? If it weren’t for the skills of these people, I would even Won't even glance at them.
"Sir, maybe we should really think about how to deal with these people." Carlos walked to my side and said softly: "As the battle unfolds, we will encounter more people like this. They seem to be interested in the situation in front of us. It won't help much in the war situation, but it will help us in other ways."
"I understand this too." I nodded and said, "But as a human being, you have to understand the situation clearly. What's the situation now? My young master can decide their life or death with just one sentence, and they actually dare to fight me."
"As your staff officer, I can only say that their thinking is different from that of soldiers." Carlos patted a newly placed stone next to him: "We are soldiers, and understanding the environment we are in is the first priority. , because we have to make life-and-death decisions in the blink of an eye. And what about them! They think that their thinking is far ahead of ordinary people, and they are standing at the forefront of history looking down at the world..."
I laughed, my shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
"Sir." Carlos asked in surprise, "What are you laughing at?"
"Standing at the forefront of history? Then I have to ask, where were they standing during Luman's rebellion? Were they just standing in the toilet?" I continued to sneer: "In my opinion, they are not even comparable to The tribal leaders who asked me for credit and rewards also knew that they should calculate in their minds how much effort they had made before planning for a position."
"They believe that war is a matter for soldiers, and the duty of soldiers is to protect them from harm."
"Protection, just because we are soldiers?" I snorted coldly: "It's okay to protect them, but they have to pay a price for it. After all, they are part of the Sibia Empire. The royal family has raised them for so many years. At present, It's time for them to repay me. Now don't say I want them to do something, even if I want to enslave them, they have nothing to complain about."
"Isn't this the world? There are all kinds of people. Maybe they just want to get better treatment for themselves..." Carlos sighed: "Sir, what do you want to do?"
"Anyway, in their eyes, I'm not a good person, so I'll just handle it in my usual way."
"But, boss, you still need them to work for you for a long time."
"Look at the present first." I thought for a while: "As for the future, other people will naturally handle it."
"Sir, they are already here."
I turned around and saw four middle-aged men with embarrassed expressions being escorted up by soldiers. When they climbed up the city wall, they were all sweating profusely and panting like cows. They couldn't really have come here, right? I was just a little angry at the time. Just saying it, luckily I didn't tell them to "get out" all the way...
You can't talk to your subordinates so casually in the future, these guys will take it seriously.
"Ah... Four gentlemen are here, are you tired? Take a rest first." Carlos, the bastard, looked like a good old man. He rushed up to ask questions and dismissed a few soldiers who were following him: "It's none of your business. , go down.”
Although my eyes were not directly on the four of them, I could feel their resentful eyes piercing my chest.
I heard a panting voice asking Carlos: "You...you...what do you want?"
"I didn't think anything of it!" Carlos replied in a gentle tone: "Our commander just wants to meet with you, so he invites you to come and talk."
"Please?" Another angry, almost dying voice shouted loudly: "We were escorted for five streets, this is also called please!"
With a numb face, Rock walked with heavy steps to where a few people were, and said coldly: "No noise in front of the officer!"
Then he heard a soft "ding" sound. Yan Yan used his left thumb to push out the knife a little. He held the handle of the knife with his right hand and looked at the necks of these people one by one with focused eyes.
The atmosphere was a little frozen for a moment. Any ordinary person would temporarily lose the ability to think if they were stared at by a vicious-looking rock, let alone one like this...
"Major Rock, don't be nervous!" Carlos persuaded Rock to take two steps away and began to use his eloquence: "Gentlemen, this is a war, which is different from the academy. I hope you respect military regulations. Wartime
Military law is very strict, and with the signature of the military judge, the soldiers of the law enforcement regiment can execute the criminal."
"Military judge?" A guy saw the rock retreating and began to mutter again: "The military judge hasn't signed yet..."
Rock puffed up his chest and walked straight over, leaving Carlos dumbfounded.
"What are you talking about?" Carlos stopped the rock and turned around and said, "This is the captain of the Governor's Guards personally designated by His Majesty. You don't even need to sign to chop off someone's head..."
The performances of both people were very realistic, and it was my turn to take the stage.
I spat out the grass root I was biting, walked to Carlos and stood next to him with consistent steps. I first stretched out my hand to wave away the rock, and then looked at the four people expressionlessly.
It wasn't until the rock retreated to the side that the four people's fearful expressions began to ease... With the rock standing next to them with a fierce aura, not many people could stand it.
"You..." I asked slowly: "Which empire are you from?"
"Well, it goes without saying that of course we are from the Sibia Empire."
"You claim to be from the Sibia Empire." Staring at the person who answered me with cold eyes, I said, "Then do you know who the king of Sibia is?"
"It's His Majesty Creamer Charmer...ah! That was the late king, and now it should be His Majesty Fichet Charmer."
I dragged this man over in one fell swoop.
"It turns out you are not ignorant. You know who is the king of Sbia!" I grabbed his collar with one hand and shook it violently: "Why do you refuse to be loyal to the royal family? Do you want to rebel?"
As soon as his hand was released, his thin body swayed several times in the strong wind on the city wall like a piece of rag, and then fell limply to the ground. The hapless guy's originally pale face had turned ashen.
"General! I ask you to give us the most basic respect." One of the four people hurriedly came over to help the man who fell to the ground: "We are scholars of the Royal Academy, and we are people who must be respected by the entire empire!"
"Salute?" The muscles on my face trembled: "Why should I salute you? Do you think you can get a salute by pretending to wave a paintbrush? Or is your head filled with water?"
"That's not pretentious, that's painting. It's art that we devote our whole body and mind to. It's the most noble thing in the world for which we have devoted our whole life! Art gives people a huge shock,
Art can cleanse the soul—you don’t even know!”
"Let's act!" I gave him a sneer full of contempt: "Using disgusting colors to win the praise of ignorant people is just the behavior of a clown."
"General, tell me the truth! I understand what you want us to do, but we are not painters, and drawing maps is not our business." Another person's voice intervened: "You are soldiers, and war is your business. It has nothing to do with us.
What’s the relationship? It’s your destiny to sacrifice one’s life on the battlefield, and it’s our consciousness to sacrifice one’s life for art. We don’t have to get involved!”
"Dedicate yourself to art? Okay! Then jump off this city wall!" I gestured to the rock to catch him: "In my view, as a soldier, someone falling from a thirty-arm-high city wall with blood splattering - this behavior
That’s art.”
"Presumptuous... too presumptuous!" Blue veins burst out on his forehead, and the captured painter roared: "I want to sue you!"
"You can sue as you like, I don't care." I turned to look at the other people: "It's up to you now. If you agree to draw a map for me, he won't have to devote himself to art... If you continue to say no, you will be ready.
Let’s all devote ourselves to art.”
"General, I hope you are aware of your own threatening behavior!" The sculptor among the four said in a deep voice: "Even if we have no choice but to agree to you now, we will not be convinced."
"Does it have anything to do with me whether you are convinced or not? What I want is a result, yes or no, this is very simple." I asked Rock to press the painter in his hand against the city wall: "Stop talking nonsense! You guys
Do you agree or not?"
"We..." Several people looked at each other and finally nodded: "We agreed."
Looking at the expressions on their faces, they are actually mixed with fear, anger, regret, and contempt... They are indeed people who are willing to devote themselves to art.
"Wouldn't it be better to agree earlier? You force me to be angry." I didn't ask the rock to release them immediately, but walked up to them and said, "Tell me, are you being stupid?"
"you……"
"When you come to my place, young master, you must abide by my rules." I lifted the sculptor's chin: "Be obedient and don't make me angry."
"Aren't you afraid that we are on the map..." Before he could finish his sentence, I told him to shut up.
"Whatever! You can try it, I don't care anyway." I smiled, let the rock let them go, and then said to Carlos: "Go and get some sets of military uniforms for them to change into."
Carlos agreed and immediately sent someone to pick it up. Of course he understood my intention.
"Why do we wear military uniforms!" The painter who almost dedicated his life to "art" became excited again: "Isn't it enough to promise to draw a map for you?"
The corners of my mouth curled up slightly: "Either you are naked, or you are wearing a military uniform... you can choose for yourself."
"you……"
"Are you going to say something about disrespect? Then I'll tell you clearly, I don't respect you." I approached his body and pointed at the soldiers busy on the wall: "See? These are just ordinary soldiers.
, they don’t have a noble background, they don’t have any special strengths, but I respect them... because they are devoting all their strength to the Sbia Empire and to His Majesty Fichet!"
He was breathing heavily and staring at me with unconvincing eyes.
"And what about you! What were you doing when the rebels were raging? Why do you ask for my respect? Is it easy to get the respect of a soldier?" I arranged his messy hair: "Face is given by others, face You lost it yourself - if you want me to respect you, and if you want these soldiers who rushed over in the sea of fire and blood to respect you, you have to come up with something."
"What can we do when the rebels are in rebellion?" He said angrily: "Get something? We only know how to draw. Are we still required to fight the rebels with paintbrushes?"
"As long as you have the idea of serving His Majesty." I patted his shoulder: "Whether you believe it or not, real soldiers are the most emotional people. Your accurate and detailed map can avoid many command problems. Mistakes can also avoid the unnecessary sacrifices of countless soldiers. So - when you successfully draw a new map of the entire Sbia, you will win my respect and the respect of all soldiers and officers."
"Hmph, a map of the entire Sibia area..." He snorted coldly, and the other three were silent.
"I don't force you to believe what I say. Many things take time to prove." I led the people towards the city wall: "But I hope you can complete the surrounding provinces as soon as possible. Twenty days will be enough."
"Twenty days...wait a minute, this time is not enough!" When I walked under the city wall, I heard such a shout, which must have been shouted at me. It was really rude! What are you, your, yours?
I was too lazy to pay any attention to him and kept walking on my own.
"Sir." Carlos glanced at the city wall: "Is twenty days really enough?"
"They should be familiar with the surrounding provinces, and there are old maps as reference, so it shouldn't be difficult for them. This person - only when he is under pressure can he be motivated. Besides, I didn't say that he can't finish the job. How are they?" I chuckled: "Please take more care of these four people, take care of them as much as possible in their lives, give them the rank of major, and manage them according to military law."
"yes."
"Now..." Regardless of the fact that this was a busy street, I stretched my body and said, "I am just waiting for the governors to reply."
Dozens of black military flags with gold rims were neatly arranged at the top of the city, fluttering in unison and making bursts of sound when blown by the strong wind.
Up and down the city wall, the soldiers of the Third Legion who were responsible for guarding were fully armed and patrolling back and forth in high spirits. Among them, the group of soldiers standing under the city gate was the most majestic. Not only did they have sophisticated weapons, they were tall and tall. They are all very similar in body shape - specially selected from a Guards regiment, they are all guys with long experience and calm mind.
A group of knights slowly rode into the city gate. They were wearing different styles of armor and equipped with various weapons. The knights on the horse looked around with vigilant eyes, closely guarding several people in the team in formation - -These are the representatives sent by several governors to negotiate.
The knight who entered the city gate had just dismounted. Standing not far from the city gate, Carlos, who was the general staff officer of the Dark Province, had already strode forward to greet him. This guy had dressed himself up well today, which actually showed his appearance. A bit of "elegant temperament".
Watching Carlos greet several well-dressed people one by one, and hearing the faint words coming from him, I smiled slightly, moved the glass full of red wine to my lips, and took a sip of the fragrant liquid in the glass.
"What a greedy person!" Haiert complained next to him: "We are all legion commanders, why can that guy Moya look like a dog and wear beautiful divine armor to meet people, but I have to stay in this little
Peeping from the attic of the tavern?”
I didn't turn my head, I still stared at the city gate through a small window, and whispered to Helter: "You mean, you are not happy to stay with your boss?"
"I don't mean that. It's good to follow the boss, but you can't let others take the limelight." Haiert quickly explained: "Boss, I understand your intention. You want these bastards to see the strength of our army!
This is of course what I, Helter, can best express. None of my soldiers is a coward..."
"I know, that's why I hid you. Haven't you had enough limelight?" I glanced at Haiert and said, "You don't look very friendly. It's better not to get nervous when you meet someone for the first time.
good."
"Facial physiognomy was given to me by my parents, and it was before I was born. Do you think I have a chance to make suggestions? Boss, your words are really hurtful."
"I just said that your face is not kind, and I didn't say that your face is not good." I almost laughed: "Why should I care too much about this? How about my face, am I still with you?"
"That's pretty much it." Helter approached the small window and said, "These people are either the son of a certain governor or the younger brother of a certain governor. I'm really worried about whether I can talk to them."
"Politics is just like a business. On the one hand, we have goods in hand, and on the other hand, we have money in our pockets. We don't want to be empty handed. What are you worried about?" I said calmly: "Since they are here, it means they are here."
If you have the intention to do this business, all we need to do is offer a suitable price."
"Then what?" Haiert was also observing the slowly approaching crowd.
"Then, just like the vegetable buyers and sellers in the market - start bargaining."
They walked across the street in front of me, and Carlos found an excuse to deliberately stop in front of the pub so that I could observe these people more clearly.
I noticed that the people who came to negotiate were all elderly guys. The youngest one was in his early forties. There was no young guy at all. To Carlos, these people responded politely and showed no signs of violence.
A bit impatient.
They gradually went away, and I fell into deep thought.
These experienced opponents are not as easy to bluff as young people. They cannot be bought with the conditions we have offered before... Can we increase the number? Forget it! If we make concessions to them, Fichet will have to go.
For farming in the countryside, the conditions originally planned to be offered have absolutely no room for further concessions.
Since that's the case...
"Haert." I asked, "Will your troops have training tomorrow?"
"Yes! I'm training every day."
"Do you want to wear your divine armor?"
"Of course I have!" Haiert's eyes lit up: "Can I wear it?"
"I will hand over your set of Protoss armor to you in a while. You can lead a few regiments to practice for them tomorrow." My fingers tapped on the window frame unconsciously: "Tell the soldiers to be more energetic, dress neatly, and take them."
When you show off your momentum, it’s like fighting!”
"Yes, boss." Haiert rubbed his hands together excitedly and chuckled, "I've been waiting for this for a long time."
"That's it! I should go back and meet them later." I turned around and walked towards the stairs: "You also have to go back and prepare. Time waits for no one. The sooner this negotiation ends, the better."