Dawn City First Hospital.

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

   These days, he suffers from insomnia all night long, and every time he closes his eyes, he will be awakened by a nightmare, and then finds that he is covered in cold sweat.

  He couldn't figure it out.

  Why did the ace created by the Willant people for them lose.

   I can't even understand how they lost to more than 500 people.

   “…Technology?”

   His heart throbbed slightly, his lips moved tremblingly, and there seemed to be a hint of enlightenment in his cloudy pupils.

  Illnesses that cannot be cured by court physicians can be cured here. He vaguely heard someone say that it was because of technology and technology.

  And the most astonishing thing is that not only princes and nobles like him can be rescued here, their medical resources are even rich enough to equip mechanical prosthetic bodies for those seemingly poor ghosts.

I even heard from Ni Yang that they have also set up a thing called the home of refugees. Some survivors who have lost their limbs can get a free money to replace the basic mechanical prosthesis as long as they are willing to learn life skills and accept work arrangements. interest loan.

   After calming down, Duke Galava only felt his back drenched in cold sweat again.

  It wasn't until this time that he gradually realized what kind of opponent they were provoking.

but…

   This failed temptation is not a blessing.

   At least he has figured out how to make the Empire stronger.

  Relaxed his shoulders and neck and sank the back of his head on the pillow. Duke Galava comforted himself in his heart, feeling a little better.

   "...have to find a way to get some technology."

   Just as he was thinking, footsteps came from outside the door.

  Thinking that his heartfelt voice was heard, he was taken aback, sweat broke out from his back again, until he saw that the person who appeared at the door was his confidant Niyang, he relaxed his tense shoulders a little.

   "My lord, are you awake?!" Ni Yang stood at the door with a stack of papers in his hand, looking at Duke Galava who had opened his eyes in surprise.

  Jalawa looked at him with a sinking face, and was about to call him in, but when he saw the stack of papers in his hand, his heart tightened suddenly.

   "Take the newspaper away!"

  He doesn't want to see this right now.

   Anyway, there is definitely no good news that can be foreseen.

   "This...is not a newspaper, my lord, but a plan for a ceasefire agreement drafted by the Alliance." Seeing that the Duke reacted so excitedly, Niyang whispered honestly and honestly, "Do you need me to throw it away for you?"

   As soon as his voice fell, Duke Galava jumped up from the bed as if he had touched a switch.

  That mental appearance did not look like a patient at all, his bloodshot eyeballs seemed to fall out of their sockets, and he stretched out his hand with all the strength in his body.

"give it to me!"

   "Yes, my lord."

  Niyang nodded respectfully, and walked forward with the draft, but an imperceptible sense of disappointment flashed across his buried face.

Pity.

  He tried his best to push out the fire, which should have caused the crumbling building block to collapse to the bottom, but was held down by a hand he couldn't see.

  If this war is carried on to the end, and the bad blood that smells like corpses is shed all at once, and those insects that are lying on the giant's body and sucking blood are drowned, his hometown may still have a glimmer of hope for nirvana.

   But until now, he can only lament his bad luck...

  …

  The war is over.

   At least for a while.

  Golden Port, the ruins in front of the Governor's Mansion, the vague smell of blood can't be washed away even after several rains.

A group of people dressed in clothes knelt on the ground and prayed with their hands clasped together, thanking the guardian spirit for protecting them from death and disasters, and some ragged people searched around on the rubble with baskets, throwing all valuable things into the basket.

  The corpses and the weapons lying next to them have long been taken away by the militiamen in the settlement, but there are still some things worth recycling left.

  For example, some bullet casings that fell on the ground, or bullets embedded in the wall or something.

  These orange-yellow metals are good things, and a 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 under a pile of broken bricks, immediately lifted it over his head in ecstasy, and waved to the guard sitting not far away.

  The guard saw it, yawned and got up from the chair, went up to take the belt and looked it over 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, didn't even bother to reply, turned around and went back to the chair with the leather belt in his hand.

  Everyone cast envious glances at the lucky guy, turned their heads and searched harder on the ruins.

   Hearing that there have been no barges in the inland port for a long time, His Majesty ordered the blockade of the downstream inland port, and no more food will be brought from the west.

  Looking at the rising soybean prices, many people have already smelled the taste of famine.

  They have to prepare for a rainy day...

   There are still some scavengers in the distance who want to come in, but they are stopped by a group of strong young men.

  Those guys were wearing short shirts and carrying sticks in their hands. They were thin but fierce, baring their teeth like hyenas on the prairie.

   "Go away! This is our home!"

   "You cockroaches!"

   "Give me money! Or go somewhere else!"

Those scavengers in ragged clothes are obviously not the opponents of this group of guys. Some of them took out two Xilan coins and handed them to these boys, and some of them really couldn't afford the money or thought it was worthless, so they cursed went elsewhere.

  On the other side, decent people who finished their prayers got up from the ground one after another, and bid farewell to this land where they had lived for many years for the last time.

   When leaving the ruins, people nodded their thanks to the boys who were guarding the ruins with sticks, and thanked them for not charging them a penny for the sake of friendship among neighbors.

   And when he looked at a certain Ratman boy, what was written in those eyes was reverence and gratitude.

   They should have been the ones picking up garbage and begging for work.

If they had listened to that werewolf villain named Vikram and asked those iron men for more, they would probably have nothing but a pile of rotten bricks now, or they would have to pay for a few pieces of **** and a group of people from other blocks. The wandering scavengers fought.

   Bathed in those admiring gazes, Asin nodded slightly towards them, but he didn't show too much enthusiasm.

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

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

  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 simply too easy for him now, and it doesn't even cost money.

And as a reward, they will tell their children or young brothers and sisters when they go home, so that they should not only be as careful as mice in the night, but also learn from that good boy named Asin, like He's just as promising a guy as he is.

  Afterwards he doesn't even need to ask, their kids will automatically find him, treat him like their own brother, and ask him for a job that will get them ahead.

   These people have become his most solid base.

   Maybe he should think of a name for his family.

  Watching those neighbors leave, Asin looked away from their backs, looked at his most loyal servant and said.

   "Kunal, we won this war."

  Kunal was slightly taken aback.

"us?"

   Isn't this a war between Iron Man and the Empire?

  He can't remember when he went to war.

  In those two days, he stayed with his family members, and stayed in the warehouse he bought in the port area according to Asin's request.

  Looking at the puzzled Kunal, Asin nodded and spoke slowly.

   "Yes, and not only we won, but the survivors of the entire King Gallon Port won."

  Kunal looked at him incomprehensibly, his eyes filled with confusion.

  Knowing what he was confused about, Asin said with a faint smile.

   "Two weeks ago, would you dare to believe that a rat tribe owned a mansion of two to three hundred square meters on Tulip Street?"

  The trace of vigor floating between his brows is somewhat in line with his age, after all, he is only a seventeen-year-old boy.

  Kunal shook his head subconsciously, but soon came to his senses that his boss was a Ratman, and quickly and carefully added a sentence.

   "I didn't mean to offend you..."

"I know," Asin didn't care, just squinted his eyes in the direction of the Governor's Mansion, and continued, "Two weeks ago, a poor ghost of the Rat Race would never be a neighbor to the nobles there, even if he paid for it, I don’t even have the qualifications for money, but now at least I have money.”

  He didn't feel sorry for the smashed King Gallon Port at all. It was never his home, but that His Majesty's.

   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 is their own.

  As for those aristocratic nobles, and those citizens who cry after eating a few meals, let them cry. Anyway, when he was hungry, they never gave him a coin, and he had no reason to sympathize with them.

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

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

  He thought about it, and the difference between himself and those people seemed to be that he was educated, except for his identity, blood, and pampered living habits.

  The guys who are wearing clothes and eating white bread have all been literate and read a few books. He has everything now, but this matter cannot catch up with them.

   And this also made him make up his mind that he must hire a teacher for his young brother and sister, or simply send him to Dawn City to study.

besides-

   Be sure to find them a sister-in-law who has studied!

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

   Money is indeed a good thing.

He used to have a lot of face when he was with Vikram, but at most he could only make those poor people bow their heads. The townspeople in clothes would not look at him because of his status as a werewolf, but would only despise him for being a wolf. Hanging out with a bunch of rotten people, even myself would be stared at.

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

"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 the management fees from those scavengers, and we can't save them in our lifetime a ship."

  Ah Xin 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 sentence.

   They do need money.

   And there are many, many...

   "Kunal, my friend, of course we can't make a fortune with the money of the scavengers, but don't underestimate the sale of these few coins, the money that we despise, of course someone else will."

  He pointed to the boys with sticks with his chin, and continued.

"Not only do we need to stand out, they also need to be the pride of the family, we give them the power to charge management fees here, they get dignity and money from us. When we need to get rid of those who are not convenient for us to deal with , they’ll do it for us.”

  Kunal's face was full of surprise, and his mind suddenly opened up, but he quickly asked again.

   "What about us?"

   "We're doing bigger business." Asin glanced at the ruins in front of him, narrowing his eyes slightly, "This is right next to the Governor's Mansion. If a building is built here, how much do you think it will sell for?"

  Kunal was stunned for a moment, not thinking about money, but asked nervously.

   "But what if the people from the empire come back?"

   Moreover, this is the shooting buffer zone for the iron people. Those people paid them to move away. How could they be moved back? !

  Ah Xin pouted.

"You mean the empire? Impossible, they have been scared out of their wits, if they plan to come back, they won't retreat so far. And even if they come back, the battlefield will not be here, but those outside the settlement Trenches."

   Regarding this matter, he already consulted the adult called "Family" yesterday.

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

  They are completely different from the governor. They seem to dislike people living too hard. This may be related to the big horned deer **** they believe in.

  But no matter what they want to do, what they want, he will serve these masters well.

   What's more, he is also optimistic about the potential of this land.

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

   It just so happens that he also has some capital in his hands.

Therefore, when he proposed to contract the land, the adult named "Family" was just surprised, and then he patted him on the shoulder and agreed with a playful smile, only mentioning the land tax and transaction tax. .

   But none of these things to worry about until the house is built, or even until the house is sold. It may change in the future, but at least for now their most urgent hope is to build the building as soon as possible, not how much money to sell.

  Although the grown-up has a weird temperament, he is a good person.

  Ah Xin could feel that he was different from a rotten person like himself. He really wanted to do some good deeds, and he even declined the kickback for his filial piety.

   It is precisely because of this that he swears to that "family" that he will not disappoint his expectations and cultivation of himself, and handle this matter well.

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

  So, he asked those young men who used to live on a street to release news that there are many treasures that the iron people look down on.

   Not only that, he also deliberately arranged a few "children" to pick up some "treasures" under the bricks every now and then, and show them in front of the scavengers, and exchanged money from the guards.

  Those scavengers coaxed by rumors turned into red-eyed vultures one by one, eager to dig three feet into the ground.

   These coolies who don’t spend money or even give him money will lick this battlefield clean, the kind that won’t leave a single scum.

   Then, he can hire people to work here.

"...Kunal, I thought about it, unity is very important, maybe even 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. They have offended this settlement We must not make the same mistakes as anyone who can be offended, whether educated or uninformed."

  That slightly youthful face was written with maturity that did not match his age, and Kunal suddenly felt that he was a little strange for a moment.

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

   "So I'm going to let everyone live together."

  Kunal asked puzzled.

   "Do you live together?"

   Asin did not answer directly.

"For a long time to come, I'm afraid that only the place close to those iron men will be safe, and a lot of dirty things will come out. Don't look at the ruins in front of you, only the scavengers are interested, when there are piles of buildings built Buildings, the rich people in the whole city will rush here like them. I can bet you that in the future, a piece of brick here can buy all their outfits, and even their brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren."

  Kunal held his breath, as if shocked by this amazing fact, he held back for a long time before he could say a word.

   "But... the iron people prohibit human trafficking."

   "Why are you as stupid as a pig, did I say to do human trafficking?"

  Ah Xin kicked him resentfully, but seeing the servant's aggrieved face, he still hooked his shoulder and patted him.

"Listen Kunal, you are the first person to stand on my side, although you are my servant to the outside world, but I have always regarded you as a friend, as a family... I am not showing off to you by telling you so much How rich I will be in the future, but I am telling you that you will also have the things here, and it is a whole building!"

   "One, a whole building?!" Kunal was stunned, and his voice stuttered for a while.

"Yes, they can only be allocated one suite, but you can be allocated an entire building," Asin pointed to the boys in the distance, and then patted Kunal's shoulder, who was short of breath, "so I said You have to listen to any sentence. From now on, as long as it is everyone on the 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, It’s not too good to be polite to them, of course. Only by winning over them and their relatives can our fists be turned outward, and others will not dare to bully us.”

  Kunal swallowed hastily, nodded nervously, and wanted to shut up, but couldn't help asking one more question.

   "Okay boss... can I ask you one more question?"

   Ah Xin let go of his shoulders and gave him a casual look.

"go ahead."

  Kunal asked cautiously.

   "What the **** are you trying to do..."

  Hearing this sentence, there was a rare moment of confusion in those 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 for now I just want to make money and protect my family."

  He has no ambition to become an emperor. It is a bit unrealistic for a Ratman to do this. Besides, he has obtained unimaginable wealth in his life, and he has already satisfied both spiritually and materially.

  His only thought now is to hold on to it.

   But it's not easy.

   For this he needs power to match.

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

  The reason they really chose him was because he could persuade some people to do things for them that were inconvenient for them to do, or even to say.

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

   If you don't want to be eaten as fat by other hyenas in the wasteland...

  …

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

  Looking at the killing dagger that brought the cease-fire notice, he could only feel his breath being held in his chest, choking the flames in his stomach.

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

"Why stop fire? The emperor's army is absolutely vulnerable! With your help, we can completely break into Tiandu! At that time, the treasures, palaces, and everything there will be yours, and we only want the blood of those people! Nothing!"

   As long as the **** with the blood of the Japanese and the Niu clan are washed away, he can rebuild the dynasty belonging to the Moon clan!

  He will be the new emperor and correct past mistakes. When the liquidation is over, he will also inject a little bit of alliance into the theory of thousands of races and gods, such as unity, equality, and abolition of slavery, just like what the kings of the desert are doing.

   The reincarnation that cursed this land will come to an end in his hands!

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

   To be honest, Killer Dagger doesn't particularly like this guy, although there are quite a few people on the forum who like this NPC.

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

  For example, Brother Mosquito wants to watch explosions, Awei wants to give cute 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 hot blood, there is something about him.

   "Calm down."

  Looking at this blushing guy with a thick neck, the murderer's dagger didn't even move his shoulders, and just said calmly.

"You should be clear about whose help you were able to defeat the gray wolf army. We don't deny your contribution in the battle, but you have to recognize yourself, you and your men are not that Arayan at all. opponents, how easy it is for us to crush them, is as easy for them to crush you."

  Lacy looked at him in astonishment.

   "Aren't we friends?"

  Knowing that the stunned expression was an act of cunning, Killer Dagger simply ignored it, and continued speaking in a calm tone.

"Yes, but they have friends of their own, a little farther to the west... The big noses are even a little closer to here than we are by boat. Do you know what I mean? If you keep fighting, It’s an all-out war, not only do we have to spend hundreds of millions of silver coins, but we may also give opportunities to more dangerous enemies. Ask yourself, are you worth our money now?”

   It's not just about money.

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

   But there is no need to tell this guy about this.

  Aware of his impoliteness from the sharp tone, Lassi took a deep breath and tried hard to restrain his excitement.

  He doesn't know what the greater threat is, but he still wants to try to do a little last-ditch effort for the people on this land.

  Looking at the instructor, he said sincerely.

   "Please let me meet Mr. Fang Chang!"

  The Killing Dagger said seriously.

   "This is Fang Chang's idea, and of course it is also the result of our discussion."

   Lacy was completely desperate.

No-

   Nor can it be considered despair.

   It’s just a possibility, the flame of ambition burning in my heart was slightly extinguished by a basin of cold water.

  He realized that it was impractical to rely on the power of outsiders to become emperor, no one would be generous enough to do everything for their own good.

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

   Maybe—

  He should be more practical, for example, starting from a warlord or similar existence, the throne can be gradually established.

   His Adam's apple moved, and he continued.

   "What about the gray wolves? The captive ones. What are you going to do with them?"

  Killer Dagger gave him a strange look, not knowing why he suddenly asked this.

  However, he was satisfied that this guy didn't continue to entangle in the previous issue, so he said in a moderate tone.

   "We plan to let them build prisoner-of-war camps outside the city. It is our consistent practice to use labor to reform those who need to be reformed."

   Lassi was stunned for a moment, and asked subconsciously.

   "Why don't you lock them up in Camp Rowell? We can go to that camp for them!"

  Killer Dagger stared blankly at this guy who suddenly became nervous, and couldn't figure out who was Killer Dagger for a moment.

   "That's a POW camp, are you crazy?"

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

   "Please, I promised my subordinates that I would put those beasts in cages... At least let them experience what we have experienced, and the anger we slaves have towards them!"

  He needs to humiliate those guys to improve his prestige among his subordinates.

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

   Didn't know what this guy was holding in his belly, but the murderous dagger seriously considered his appeal for a while.

  Although he thought about telling these people that it was unreasonable to vent his anger on those compatriots who were also fooled and limped, he quickly thought of what Fang Chang said to him before—

  Something was too ahead of their time for them.

  Thinking of this, Killer Dagger said.

"This appeal is reasonable. I will ask other people for their opinions, but it can only delay for a week at most. Our appeal to those captives is not only punishment, but also hopes to use their labor to rebuild King Gallon Port. Construction is the current number one. First priority."

  Lacy was overjoyed when he heard the words, and said quickly.

   "Thank you! It doesn't take that long, three days is enough!"

  The Killing Dagger nodded.

   "Wait for my message."

   After finishing speaking, under the respectful watch of Lassi, he got into the armored off-road vehicle parked at the gate of the camp and drove towards the port...