Chapter 710 Fertile Salt-Alkali Land

  Chapter 710 Fertile Salt-alkali Land

  The First Hospital of Dawn City.

  Duke Galawa, lying on the hospital bed, stared blankly at the first ray of light passing over the window in the morning. His pale face looked like he had just recovered from a serious illness.

  He had been suffering from insomnia for the past few days. He would be awakened by nightmares after a short while after closing his eyes, and then he would find himself in a cold sweat.

  He couldn’t figure it out.

  Why did the trump card created by the Weilants lose? He

  couldn’t figure out how they lost to just over 500 people.

  ”…Technology?”

  His heart was slightly throbbing, his lips trembled, and there seemed to be a hint of enlightenment in his cloudy pupils.

  Diseases that court doctors couldn’t cure can be cured here. He vaguely heard someone say that it was because of science and technology.

  And the most surprising thing is that here, not only princes and nobles like him can get help, but their medical resources are even rich enough to equip those poor people who look penniless with mechanical prostheses.

  Even Niyang said that they had set up a thing called the Refugee Home. Some survivors who lost their hands and feet could get an interest-free loan to replace their basic mechanical prostheses as long as they were willing to learn life skills and accept work arrangements.

  Duke Galawa, who had calmed down, felt his back soaked with cold sweat again.

  It was not until then that he gradually realized what kind of opponent they were provoking.

  However…

  this failed attempt was also a blessing.

  At least he found a good way to make the empire stronger.

  Relaxing his shoulders and neck and resting his head on the pillow, Duke Galawa comforted himself in his heart and felt a little better.

  ”…We have to find a way to get some technology.”

  Just as he was thinking, footsteps were heard outside the door.

  He was startled because he thought his voice was heard by someone, and sweat broke out on his back again. It was not until he saw that the person who appeared at the door was his confidant Niyang that he relaxed his tense shoulders a little.

  ”Sir, are you awake?!” Ni Yang stood at the door with a pile of papers in his hand, looking at the Duke of Galawa who had opened his eyes with surprise.

  Galawa looked at him with a gloomy face, and was about to call him in, but when he saw the pile of papers in his hand, his heart tightened.

  ”Take the newspaper away!”

  He didn’t want to see this thing now.

  Anyway, it was foreseeable that there would be no good news.

  ”This… is not a newspaper, sir, it is a ceasefire agreement drafted by the alliance.” Seeing the Duke’s reaction so excited, Ni Yang whispered honestly, “Do you need me to help you throw it away?”

  As soon as he finished speaking, the Duke of Galawa jumped up from the bed as if he had touched an electric switch.

  He looked so energetic that he didn’t look like a patient at all. His bloodshot eyes seemed to fall out of his eye sockets. He stretched out his hand with all his strength.

  ”Give it… to me!”

  ”As you wish, sir.”

  Ni Yang nodded respectfully, took the draft and walked forward, but a trace of imperceptible loss flashed across his face.

  What a pity.

  The fire he had created with all his might should have caused the crumbling building blocks to collapse, but it was held down by an invisible hand.

  If this war had been fought to the end, and the blood that smelled of corpses had been drained once and for all, and the insects that were sucking blood from the giants had been drowned, his hometown might still have a glimmer of hope for nirvana.

  But now, he could only sigh and lament his bad luck…

  …

  The war was over.

  At least for a while.

  In the ruins in front of the Governor’s Palace in Jingallon Harbor, the faint smell of blood could not be washed away even after several rains.

  A group of people in clothes knelt on the ground with their hands folded in prayer, thanking the guardian spirit for protecting them from death and disaster, while some ragged people carried baskets and searched around on the rubble, throwing everything valuable into the baskets.

  The corpses and the weapons lying next to the corpses had long been taken away by the militia in the settlement, but there were still some things worth recycling left.

  For example, some shells that fell on the ground, or bullets embedded in the wall.

  These orange-yellow metals are all good stuff. One pound can be exchanged for one or two beans. Some merchants near the port are buying them.

  At this time, someone suddenly picked up a leather belt with an ammunition bag hanging from a pile of broken bricks. He immediately raised it above his head in ecstasy and waved to the guard sitting not far away.

  The guard saw it, yawned, got up from the chair, walked up to take the belt and looked through it for a while, then counted out a few banknotes and threw them to the man.

  The scavenger bowed with a flattering smile.

  ”Thank you, sir!”

  The guard waved his hand, not even bothering to say a word, and turned around and sat back on the chair with the leather belt.

  Everyone cast envious eyes at the lucky man, and turned around to search more diligently in the ruins.

  It is said that there has been no barge docking at the inland port for a long time. His Majesty has ordered the inland port downstream to be blocked, and no more food will be transported from the west.

  Seeing the rising bean prices, many people have already smelled the smell of famine.

  They must make some preparations in advance…

  In the distance, some scavengers wanted to come in, but they were stopped by a group of strong young men.

  Those young men were wearing short shirts and holding sticks in their hands. They were thin but fierce, and their teeth were bared like hyenas on the grassland.

  ”Get out! This is our home!”

  ”You bunch of cockroaches!”

  ”Either give money! Or go somewhere else!”

  Those ragged scavengers were obviously no match for these guys. Some of them took out two Xilan coins and handed them to these young men. Some of them really couldn’t pay or felt it was not worth it, so they went to other places with curses.

  On the other side, the respectable people who finished praying got up from the ground one after another and said goodbye to the land where they had lived for many years for the last time.

  When leaving the ruins, people nodded to the young men holding sticks and guarding the ruins, thanking them for not charging them a penny for the sake of neighborhood friendship.

  When they looked at a certain rat tribe guy, all that was written in their eyes was respect and gratitude.

  They should have been the ones lying there picking up trash and begging for a living.

  If they had listened to the wolf villain named Vikram and asked the iron men for more, they would probably have nothing but a pile of broken bricks now, and they might even have to fight with a group of scavengers wandering from other blocks for a few pieces of garbage.

  Bathed in the admiring gazes, Asin nodded slightly at them, but did not show too much enthusiasm.

  He could probably feel that the gratitude behind the grateful eyes was not actually gratitude, but awe that they might not even realize, just like when they were facing gods.

  It is difficult to be a great person, but it is not difficult to imitate a great existence. He knows what these guys are like better than anyone.

  He only needs to maintain a proper distance and dignity, and occasionally give some small favors, and they will praise his kindness and generosity.

  This is too easy for him now, and it doesn’t even cost money.

  As a reward, when they return home, they will tell their children or younger brothers and sisters to be as cautious as mice at night, and to learn from the good boy named Asin and become a promising guy like him. After that, he does

  n’t even need to ask, their children will find him consciously, treat him like their own brother, and ask him for a job that can make a name for themselves.

  These people have become his most solid base.

  Maybe he should think of a name for his family.

  Watching the neighbors leave, Asin withdrew his eyes from their backs and looked at his most loyal servant and said.

  ”Kunar, we won this war.”

  Kunar was slightly stunned.

  ”We?”

  Isn’t this the war between the Iron Man and the Empire?

  He doesn’t remember when he joined the war.

  He stayed with his family for two days, and stayed in the warehouse he bought in the port area according to Asin’s request.

  Looking at Kunar who was puzzled, Asin nodded and spoke slowly.

  ”Yes, and not only did we win, but all the survivors of the entire Golden Gallon Port won.”

  Kunar looked at him in confusion, his eyes full of confusion.

  Knowing what he was confused about, Asin smiled faintly and said.

  ”Two weeks ago, could you believe that a rat tribe member owned a mansion of two or three hundred square meters on Tulip Street?”

  The high-spirited look between his eyebrows was somewhat consistent with his age, after all, he was only a 17-year-old boy.

  Kunar shook his head subconsciously, but soon came to his senses and realized that his boss was a rat tribe member, and hurriedly added carefully.

  ”I didn’t mean to offend you…”

  ”I know,” Asin didn’t care, just looked in the direction of the Governor’s Mansion and squinted his eyes, and continued, “Two weeks ago, a poor rat tribe member would never be able to be neighbors with the nobles there, and he didn’t even have the qualifications to pay money, but now at least he has money.”

  He didn’t feel sorry for the destroyed Golden Gallon Port at all. This place has never been his home, but that of his majesty.

  It would be better to smash this broken jar, so that they can build a new home on the ruins with their own hands.

  That would belong to them.

  As for those nobles who were high above, and those citizens who cried for their parents after eating a few meals of dirt, let them cry. Anyway, they never gave him a coin when he was hungry, and there was no reason for him to sympathize with them.

  But to be honest, when he saw the reactions of those people, he was actually a little surprised.

  Especially when he found that those who lost the most not only did not cry, but even changed their minds faster than he who had nothing, it almost overturned his original impression of those guys.

  He thought about it, and it seemed that the only difference between him and those people, except for identity, bloodline and pampered living habits, was education.

  Those guys who wore clothes and ate white bread were literate and read a few books. He had everything now, but he couldn’t catch up with them in this matter.

  And this also made him determined to hire a teacher for his younger brother and sister, or simply send them to Dawn City to study.

  And –

  we must find them an educated sister-in-law!

  However, Kunal did not fully understand what he said, or he only heard the word money.

  Money is indeed a good thing.

  In the past, when he was hanging out with Vikram, he was very prestigious, but at most he could only make those poor people bow their heads. The citizens in clothes would not even look at him twice because of his identity as a werewolf. They would only despise him for hanging out with a bunch of bad people, and even he would be looked down upon.

  But now everything has changed. Since he has money in his pocket, even those girls in skirts will look at him twice, and even hold his hand to talk about poetry and dreams. The girl promised him that she would do anything as long as he was willing to buy her a boat ticket to Silver Moon Bay.

  ”Boss, you’re right… We have to find a way to get more money,” Kunal said in a muffled voice, “It’s too slow to collect management fees from those scavengers. We can’t save enough for a boat in our lifetime if we save one coin at a time.”

  Asin was stunned for a moment, not knowing why this idiot wanted to buy a boat, but he still agreed with the first half of his words.

  They do need money.

  And a lot of it…

  ”Kunal, my friend, of course we can’t get rich by collecting money from scavengers, but don’t underestimate the business of these coins. The money we despise, naturally others will.”

  He pointed his chin at the young men holding sticks and continued.

  ”It’s not just us who need to stand out, they also need to be the pride of their families. We give them the power to collect management fees here, and they get dignity and money from us. When we need to get rid of those guys who are inconvenient for us to deal with, they will do it for us.”

  Kunal’s face was suddenly enlightened, and his mind was suddenly enlightened, but he quickly asked again.

  ”What about us?”

  ”We do bigger business,” Asin glanced at the ruins in front of him and narrowed his eyes slightly. “This is right next to the Governor’s Mansion. If we build a building here, how much do you think it will sell for?”

  Kunar was stunned for a moment, but he didn’t think about the money. Instead, he asked nervously.

  ”But what if the people from the Empire come back?”

  And this is the Iron Men’s shooting buffer zone. Those people paid to move away. How can they move back? !

  Asin curled his lips.

  ”You mean the Empire? Impossible, they have been scared. If they still plan to come back, they won’t retreat so far. And even if they come back, the battlefield will not be here, but in the trenches outside the settlement.”

  He had consulted the adult called “family” yesterday about this matter.

  Those iron men were not happy to see such a large piece of land abandoned, especially a piece of land so close to the port area.

  They were completely different from the governor. They seemed to hate to see people live too hard, which might be related to the big-horned deer god they believed in.

  But no matter what they wanted to do or what they wanted, he would cater to their needs and serve these masters well.

  Moreover, he was also optimistic about the potential of this land.

  During this period, both the poor and the rich wanted to live closer to the iron men. If a house was built on the ruins, it would definitely sell for a lot of money.

  It just so happened that he had some capital in hand.

  Therefore, when he proposed to contract this piece of land, the adult called “family” was only surprised for a moment, and then patted his shoulder with a playful smile and agreed, but only mentioned the land tax and transaction tax.

  However, these things don’t need to be worried about before the house is built, or even before the house is sold. Maybe things will change in the future, but at least now their most urgent hope is to build the building as soon as possible, not how much it can be sold for.

  Although the gentleman has a strange temperament, he is a good person.

  Asin can feel that he is different from a bad person like himself. He really wants to do something good, and even refused the kickbacks he gave him.

  It is for this reason that he swore to the “family member” that he would never let him down and do this thing beautifully.

  In order to ensure the smooth and safe construction of this land, it is necessary to first eliminate the troubles such as the duds or explosives that have not detonated.

  So he asked the young men who used to live on the same street to spread the news that there are many treasures here that the iron men despise.

  Not only that, he also deliberately arranged a few “stooges” to pick up some “treasures” pressed under the bricks every now and then, and show them in front of the scavengers, and exchange them for money from the guards.

  Those scavengers who were lured here by rumors really turned into red-eyed vultures, wishing to dig three feet deep here.

  These coolies who don’t pay and even have to pay him will lick this battlefield clean, leaving no residue.

  Then, he can recruit people to work here.

  ”… Kunar, I’ve thought about it. Unity is very important, and it may even be a little more important than the knowledge we don’t have. The reason why the lackeys of the empire are vulnerable is because they are not united enough. They have offended everyone who can be offended in this settlement, whether they are knowledgeable or not. We must not make the same mistake as them.”

  The slightly young face showed maturity that was inconsistent with his age. Kunar suddenly felt that he was a little strange for a moment.

  Looking at the servant who nodded blankly, Asin paused and continued.

  ”So I plan to let everyone live together.”

  Kunar asked puzzled.

  ”Live together?”

  Asin did not answer directly.

  ”For a long time to come, I’m afraid that only places close to those iron men will be safe, and a lot of dirty things will come out. Don’t think that the ruins in front of you are only of interest to scavengers. Once a large number of buildings are built there, the rich people in the city will rush here like them. I can bet with you that a brick here can buy all their clothes, even their brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren.”

  Kunal held his breath, as if he was shocked by this amazing fact. It took him a long time to say a word.

  ”But… the iron men prohibit the human trafficking.”

  ”Why are you as stupid as a pig? Did I say I wanted to do human trafficking?”

  Asin kicked him in frustration, but seeing the servant’s aggrieved look, he still hooked his shoulder and patted him.

  ”Listen, Kunar, you are the first person to stand by me. Although you are my servant to the outside world, I always treat you as a friend and a family member… I am not telling you so much to show off how rich I will be in the future, but to tell you that you will also have what is here, and a whole building!”

  ”A, a whole building?!” Kunar was stunned and stuttered for a while.

  ”Yes, they can only get one house, but you can get a whole building,” Asin pointed at the guys in the distance and patted Kunar’s shoulder, who was breathing rapidly, “So you have to listen to everything I say. From now on, as long as they are the guys on the same street, they are our family. No matter what they did to me, you or others in the past, don’t go to them to settle accounts. Be polite to them, but don’t be too nice. Only by winning over them and their relatives can we point our fists to the outside world and others will not dare to bully us.”

  Kunar swallowed his saliva hastily and nodded nervously. He wanted to shut up, but he couldn’t help asking one more question.

  ”Okay, boss… Can I ask you another question?”

  Asin let go of his shoulder and gave him a casual look.

  ”Ask it.”

  Kunal asked cautiously.

  ”What exactly do you want to do…”

  Hearing this, there was a rare moment of confusion in his fierce eyes, but it was only a moment.

  He quickly replied.

  ”I haven’t thought about it yet. Maybe I will think about it later. At least now I just want to make money and protect my family.”

  He didn’t have the ambition to become an emperor. It was a bit unrealistic for a rat tribe member to do this. Besides, he had obtained wealth that he could not imagine in his life. Both spiritual and material were satisfied.

  His only thought now was to keep it.

  But this was not easy.

  For this, he needed a force that matched it.

  He knew very well that the reason why those iron men cooperated with him was not because of how strong he was or how rich he was, but those things happened to be what he didn’t have. The

  real reason they chose him was because he could persuade some people to do things for them that they were not convenient to do themselves, or even to say.

  In order not to lose everything he has now, he must keep the snowball in his arms rolling, and it can only keep rolling.

  If he doesn’t want to be eaten as fat meat by other hyenas in the wasteland…

  …

  Asin is not the only one who is confused about the future. Lassi, who just won a battle, is also confused.

  Looking at the killing dagger that brought the ceasefire notice, he felt a breath stuck in his chest, blocking the fire in his belly.

  Unable to bear the fire of ambition that burned his soul, he shouted at the iron man in the exoskeleton in a loud tone for the first time.

  ”Why do we need a ceasefire? The emperor’s army is vulnerable! With your help, we can enter Tiandu! By then, the treasures, palaces, and everything there will be yours. We only want the blood of those people! Nothing else!”

  As long as he cleansed those bastards with the blood of the Sun Clan and the Ox Clan, he could rebuild the dynasty of the Moon Clan! He

  would become the new emperor and correct the mistakes of the past. When the liquidation is over, he will also inject some alliance things into the theory of the Thousand Clans and Thousand Gods, such as unity, equality, and abolition, just like what the desert kings are doing.

  The cycle that cursed this land will end completely in his hands!

  And the empire reborn from the ashes will be more stable and united than the one before!

  To be honest, Killing Dagger doesn’t particularly like this guy, although many people on the forum like this NPC.

  This is normal. Even if they are all fun people, not everyone has the same point of fun.

  For example, Brother Mosquito wants to see explosions, Ah Wei wants to give lovely girls a home, and the guy with big eyes in debt is the same, but the direction of force is different.

  But it is undeniable that compared to those slaves who only have a heart full of blood, he has something else in him.

  ”Calm down.”

  Looking at this guy with a red face and thick neck, Killing Dagger didn’t move his shoulders at all, but just said calmly.

  ”You should know with whose help you were able to defeat the Gray Wolf Army with such an overwhelming force. We don’t deny your contribution in the battle, but you have to recognize yourself. You and your men are no match for that Alayyang. It’s as easy for us to crush them as it is for them to crush you.”

  Laxi looked at him in astonishment.

  ”Aren’t we friends?”

  Knowing that the surprised expression was a fake cunning, Killing Dagger simply ignored it and continued to speak in a calm tone.

  ”Yes, but they also have their own friends, just a little further to the west… Those big-nosed guys are even closer to us by boat. Do you understand what I mean? If we continue to fight, it will be a full-scale war. Not only will we have to spend hundreds of millions of silver coins, but we may also give more dangerous enemies an opportunity to take advantage. Ask yourself, are you worth the money now?”

  It’s not just a matter of money.

  The attitude of the faction boss is more important than money. They must always consider whether their actions are in the overall interests of the alliance.

  But there is no need to tell this guy.

  Realizing his rudeness from the sharp tone, Laxi took a deep breath and tried to restrain his excitement.

  He didn’t know what the greater threat was, but he still wanted to try to make a final effort for the people of this land.

  Looking at the instructor, he said sincerely.

  ”Please let me meet Mr. Fang Chang!”

  Killing Dagger said seriously.

  ”This is Mr. Fang Chang’s idea, and of course it is the result of our discussion together.”

  Laxi was completely desperate.

  No –

  it can’t be considered despair.

  It was just possible that the flame of ambition burning in his heart was extinguished a little by a basin of cold water.

  He realized that it was unrealistic to rely on the power of outsiders to become the emperor. No one would be generous enough to do good for them at all costs.

  And his own power was too small to match his ambition.

  Perhaps –

  he should be more practical, such as starting from a warlord or something similar, and then he could slowly work his way to the throne.

  His Adam’s apple moved, and he continued.

  ”What about those gray wolves? Those who were captured, what do you plan to do with them?”

  Killing Dagger looked at him strangely, not knowing why he suddenly asked this.

  However, he was satisfied that this guy did not continue to dwell on the previous issue, so he spoke in a relaxed tone.

  ”We plan to let them build a prisoner-of-war camp outside the city. It is our usual practice to use labor to reform those who need to be reformed.”

  Laxi was stunned for a moment and asked subconsciously.

  ”Why not lock them up in Camp Lowell? We can go to that camp for them!”

  Killing Dagger stared blankly at this guy who suddenly went crazy, and for a moment he couldn’t figure out who was the killing dagger.

  ”That’s a prisoner-of-war camp, are you crazy?”

  Lacy spread his arms and took two steps back, then put his hands together and begged.

  ”Please, I promised my men that I would put those beasts in cages… At least let them feel what we have experienced and the anger of us slaves towards them!”

  He needed to improve his prestige among his men by humiliating those guys.

  His request was not high, at least let them stay there for a few days!

  Not knowing what this guy was thinking, Killing Dagger seriously considered his request for a while.

  Although he thought about telling these people that it was unreasonable to vent their anger on their compatriots who were also fooled, he soon thought of what Fang Chang had said to him before –

  some things were too advanced for them.

  Thinking of this, Killing Dagger spoke.

  ”This request is reasonable. I will ask for other people’s opinions, but it can only be delayed for a week at most. Our request for the captives is not just to punish them, but also to use their labor to rebuild the Golden Galleon Port. Construction is the top priority at the moment.”

  Laxi was overjoyed when he heard this and said quickly.

  ”Thank you! It won’t take that long, three days will be enough!”

  The Killing Dagger nodded.

  ”Wait for my news.”

  After saying that, he got on the armored off-road vehicle parked at the entrance of the camp under Laxi’s respectful gaze and drove towards the port…

  (End of this chapter)