CHAPTER 839: CHAPTER 839: THE ALLIANCE’S "AFTER-SALES SERVICE

The impact of the death of the Heavenly King is still fermenting, and the "Survivor’s Daily" in Jinjaron Harbor is following up on this event.

The survivors in Jinjaron Harbor are surprised at Anush’s tragic end, while also worrying about whether this will bring uncontrollable influence to the situation in Poluo Province.

To be fair.

What Anush did was indeed extreme, his murderous aura is even heavier than that of Laxi, and he doesn’t restrain himself from wine and women.

Leaving public morality aside, his private virtues were truly lacking, although the Alliance also has people of poor private virtues, at least they don’t force buy and sell, it’s always mutual consent.

However, objectively speaking, Anush indeed kicked down this rotten empire house.

Just like Laxi copied the Alliance’s work, he also learned the ferocity of the old employer’s army thoroughly, and even performed beyond expectations, almost blowing away the "foundation".

Yet now he just died so haphazardly, leaving this mess and dilapidated house for others to clean up.

For those who haven’t yet built new houses, this is definitely not a good thing.

Even though the Xilan Empire has ten thousand shortcomings, that shabby house could at least let people take shelter from the rain.

But these are all matters for the future...

In the noodle shop near the port area, early in the morning, it’s bustling, and a group of diners are chatting idly.

"I knew he couldn’t end well!" The dock worker slapped his thigh, looking regretful, with his thick eyebrows bearing a sense of inevitability.

"This person was too murderous, hurting both others and himself!"

The small merchant doing business nearby also nodded, expressing regret over the newspaper headlines.

"Governing a big country is like cooking a small fresh fish, not like flipping pancakes, how could he flip it back and forth like that."

"It’s a matter of fate, his face lacks a bit of majesty, couldn’t suppress that throne, was restrained to death by himself."

"What is majesty."

"...Indeed, I think he looks suitable for a general, but unfortunately he touched things he shouldn’t have, only to pay with his life."

Due to the Everflow River Beach occasionally dredging up corpses, superstition is gradually becoming popular in the middle and lower society of Jinjaron Harbor.

It’s hard to say there’s no "ripple effect" from players behind this, after all, what locals are best at is mimicking, and they’re yet to reach the stage of taking what’s good and discarding the bad.

But as a topic for idle conversation, this is nothing but a trivial matter.

The followers of the Great Antler God can learn physics, so the more flexible residents of Poluo Province naturally don’t mind adding "Ghost God" and "Science God" to the thousand gods.

The crowd was discussing animatedly, and a school teacher who couldn’t stand it anymore rolled his eyes, intending to argue with this group of rough men.

But before the guy could interject, his colleague sitting opposite stretched out a hand to stop him.

"Enough, enough, you know it all, hurry up and eat noodles, we have class soon!"

Continuing this topic would lead to endless debates, which would yield no real conclusions.

The teacher realized this, and just rolled his eyes again, silently bowed his head and continued eating.

Just hoping his students don’t end up like this.

Blaming principles on fate.

A man sitting in the corner of the noodle shop was also silent, quietly reading the newspaper while waiting for his noodles.

Only when the noodles arrived did he place the newspaper aside, and while pulling chopsticks from the container, he sighed to Kunal sitting opposite.

"The charcoal is burnt, easy to turn to ash... Kunal, we have to take this as a warning."

Kunal was stunned, seeing the boss talk about things he didn’t understand again, after pondering for a while, he asked.

"Are you... feeling sorry for Anush?"

He remembered the boss saying it would be good if someone could kick down this rotten empire house.

But sometimes flowers don’t bloom when planted with intent, and willows grow unintentionally, Laxi over there hasn’t made any progress yet, West Sail Port’s powder keg exploded first, and it burned half of Poluo Province.

Ah Xin shook his head.

"No, his death is a good thing, it’s good for everyone, not dying would be a big trouble."

But judging by this, his real cause of death might not be simple, it might be the power of the army or the alliance operating behind the scenes.

As for what kind of operation is behind this, it’s not something a little person like him can know.

Ah Xin knew very well.

Although he holds the cotton business of two states in his hands, even a Centurion from the Black Panther Army respectfully calls him grandpa, and military faction leaders have to look at him twice, in front of those real big figures, he still counts as a little person.

But little people also have their way of survival.

Which is to borrow power.

After a pause, he added.

"Now the Poluo Country is established, Absek is the leader, advocating constitutional governance. Externally, the alliance is mediating among various military factions to ceasefire, setting aside disputes, and aiming guns at the army planning invasion... If the provinces of Poluo can truly achieve unification, even if diluted, it would be a good thing for us."

Kunal respectfully replied.

"Do you have any instructions, boss?"

Ah Xin said in a leisurely tone.

"I hope you make some preparations, pick a few clever brothers, go to West Sail Port and Tiandu to expand some members for our Asa Sin gang... Remember, before expanding the business from Leopard State and Tiger State, keep an eye over there to avoid becoming someone else’s cannon fodder."

"Yes."

Kunal seriously nodded and memorized every word the boss said.

Although he doesn’t understand the intricacies, from his past experience, following the boss’s instructions is surely right.

Ah Xin also nodded.

At this moment, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of the newspaper he had placed on the table.

Or more precisely, it fell on a line he hadn’t had time to read.

Mr. Mouse went to Mammoth State.

And he’s planning to run a newspaper and establish a university.

This matter is quiet in Jinjaron Harbor, completely overshadowed by the heat of Anush’s death.

But upon seeing this, Ah Xin couldn’t help but smile.

He knew he’s just a mouse in the sewer, even if he knew a few words, what he could do is merely digging a hole and scrapping some soil in the corner.

Though he wasn’t cultured, he knew very well how important that thing is.

Now the light of ideals finally shines in.

Compared to the death of a hero, his arrival makes him truly feel that perhaps this land really has hope...

...

"Hahahahaha! Well done, dead!!"

On the tidal Everflow River, the north wind rippled with cheers of relief.

Looking at the throne covered in blood on the pasted newspaper, Witch Camel laughed heartily, bringing with it an improved appetite that had lost interest in tea and food.

"A thousand cuts to the damn thing! How dare you worms sit on my throne! I want to see who still dares to sit there! Whoever sits, dies there for me!"

The eunuch standing by had a fawning smile on his face, giving a thumbs up in praise.

"Your Majesty is wise! The power of the Heavenly Pillar connects the earth veins to the palace of Tiandu. Such power can only be withstood by a mighty body like Your Majesty’s!"

Witch Camel smiled, very satisfied with the praise, but then seemed to remember something, shook his head, clicking his tongue in regret.

"... Pity the people of Tiandu, unaware of what’s good, falling with the traitors and suffering in vain."

If only they had had a bit more backbone and loyalty, fought alongside his Imperial Guard against those bandits, they wouldn’t have ended up as rebel subjects.

He had already called for aid from the Army.

And his allies had agreed to his request, reinforcing West Sail Port, ready to slaughter those rebels.

The Army would not spare them.

Those Vellante people are fierce killers! Beheading as if killing chickens!

Even if they change their name, it’s useless. Who doesn’t know they are the old part of the "Sky Bandits"?

Once the Army completes its deployment in West Sail Port, these bandits will all die!

Thinking of this, Witch Camel finally felt some relief, but also a pang of heartache, knowing that in the end, it was still his own people dying.

But he quickly shook his head, dispelling that slight displeasure from his mind.

As an emperor, he must not act with the benevolence of a woman, caring about the gain or loss of one city and one person.

Now the spoiled pus has infiltrated the veins of the Empire.

Only by letting the blood flow like a river, draining the pus completely, can Xilan be saved!

And just as Witch Camel was fantasizing about the so-called "Poluo Country" collapsing under the army’s artillery, Olet the Ten Thousand Leader, receiving a telegram from the "Poluo Country," was completely bewildered.

[Please be advised, Army, we are a United Federation formed by the reformers of the old Gray Wolf Army, and detest the brutal actions of Anush and his followers, thus we have risen to fight against them!

Anush and his associates have been executed, Tiandu is now under our control, and we are willing to engage in diplomacy with you, under the identity of "Poluo Country," to discuss various issues including West Sail Port...

]

The telegram arrived at the Governor’s Mansion in the morning and was sent to the military base by noon, with its content filling three full pages.

However, after reading just the first two lines, Olet couldn’t hold back his laughter.

"Interesting... Hahahaha! Truly interesting!" As he spoke, he grinned, running his right hand over the back of his head.

As a Ten Thousand Leader stationed at Evernight Harbor and a key member of the Southern Legion, he had heard about the Southern Legion’s internal plans for eastern expansion.

Though not directly involved in the conspiracy at West Sail Port, with his insight it wasn’t hard to discern what had happened and to comprehend it.

The territories of the Southern Legion haven’t expanded for over a hundred years, which is unbelievable for an organization that practices militarism.

Especially since the development of both the homeland of the Southern Legion and the coastal colonies of the Great Desert has hit a bottleneck, and the fatty piece of the Poluo Province is dangling right in front of them, making it hard not to covet it.

If the Civil Official Group can feast on it, why shouldn’t they? In fact, letting those feeble and incompetent civil officials chew on this fatty piece is a waste!

If this plan for eastern expansion succeeds, it could not only bring the Army a wealth of diligent livestock but also push the Army’s territory to the west side of Silver Moon Bay.

For him personally, this is also a rare opportunity to earn merit!

Always fighting mutants and natives, he could never become a two-star Ten Thousand Leader. But if he could expand the Army’s territories, even without gaining an inch of land, he could be promoted through the merits of war!

However, the development of the matter at hand exceeded his expectations.

A fire that should have swept through the entire Poluo Province was suddenly halted by a gunshot.

And not just the fire was stopped.

Their relations with Absek and other old parts of the Gray Wolf Army were severed.

Though the lines of this telegram were written respectfully, inside and out, it carried a tone of neither servility nor arrogance, as if speaking as equals.

The fact is clear.

These ungrateful white-eyed wolves have found a new backer!

And it’s highly likely the Alliance!

Otherwise, with just what they have, how dare they posture before the Army?

Olet could guess with his toes that this matter is definitely not just about a gunshot.

At least ninety-nine percent!

"... Whether this Poluo Country counts or not, and whether it’s established or not, when did it become these slaves’ turn to decide? We haven’t recognized it yet."

Speaking, Olet the Ten Thousand Leader laughed and tossed the unfinished telegram onto the table.

Standing next to him, his advisor spoke softly.

"I heard that the Alliance’s delegation is in Tiandu, this might be the Alliance’s doing."

"Is that even a question?"

Olet curled his lips, took a sip of red wine from a goblet, and then after a short sneer, continued leisurely.

"And I suspect it’s not just the Alliance, our own delegation might have had some effect as well."

The advisor lightly frowned.

"You mean... the pangolin sent by Bennott the Ten Thousand Leader?"

Olet nodded slightly, his expression indifferent.

"I’ve thought about it for a long time, and if it was just the Alliance’s delegation, it would not have been enough to make Absek suddenly rebel and launch a coup against Anush early."

"Even if he was tempted by the conditions offered by the Alliance, he should have waited for the seven armies in exile to achieve a result, and act when those people return home and receive their rewards, rather than halting a fire halfway through."

The advisor nodded thoughtfully.

"Indeed... This play should have been acted with tacit understanding, but their sudden awareness is truly abnormal."

The equipment in the hands of the Heavenly Army isn’t just from the port’s warehouse, they also took quite a bit of ’investment’ from the Southern Legion."

Logically speaking, the current period should still be the honeymoon phase for both sides. Even if they have other intentions, they should consider the meat they haven’t yet gotten their hands on.

Once the Anush Dynasty completely replaces the Xilan Dynasty and clashes with the military factions near Mammoth State and Jinjaron Harbor, the Southern Legion can gradually tighten their secret support for the Anush Dynasty and then take advantage of the situation to carve away their share.

However, now they suddenly rebel, preferring to abandon the remaining investment rather than continue the show.

In this case, there is only one possibility left.

A voice from within the legion revealed the Southern Legion’s true intentions to them!

The only ones who could have done this were probably the civil officials from Triumph City.

That group of cowards is the least willing to fight.

"These damn laggards..." The advisor couldn’t help but curse under his breath, clenching his fist involuntarily.

That was a chance bought with three thousand lives!

These self-serving wastes don’t even consider the fallen Weilante people!

"Ha, let them cling to our legs then."

Olet’s eyes narrowed slightly, the meaningful smile on his face growing colder.

"...These people are still too naive. No matter how they cut ties, deciding the recognition is still up to us."

"Not to mention the Heavenly King’s seven armies still in the field; our targets for settlement remain, and besides, our military action is not just for revenge for our brethren in West Sail Port; we’re also there to assist our allies and help them quell the rebellion."

"If we ignore them, wouldn’t it show we are untrustworthy?"

As for what happens after the rebellion is quelled, that’s a matter for the future.

He paused, then got up from his seat, looking sharply at the messenger standing to the side.

"Send a copy of the telegram to the legion leader over there... just send the original."

"Also, notify all combat units of the entire army to be ready to head to the front at any time!"

"For the glory, dignity, and land of the Weilante people!"

"The time for revenge is coming!"

The Weilante people, advancing with bayonets unsheathed, once again faced a threat to their survival.

This time the "threat" came from the east of the Great Desert, the Poluo Province—the most "gentle and peaceable" honest people living on red soil.

The telegram from Poluo Province crossed over Evernight Harbor, heading for the war department of the Southern Legion’s homeland, while Evernight Harbor itself began the intense mobilization for war.

All of this happened under the watchful eye of a nuclear-powered submarine.

Residents from Shelter No. 70 munched on chips while tapping a holographic screen, inserting drone-captured photos into newly edited documents.

...

On the other side, the alliance delegation, visiting faraway Tiandu, finally received the reform proposal provided by the Absek authorities.

In the meeting hall of the Tiandu Palace, the Eagle carefully read through the document in his hand.

To be honest, the reform proposal was actually written quite well, probably copied from previous political sections of Jinjaron Harbor’s "Survivor’s Daily".

For example, public education.

For example, a joint-stock bank reform.

Then, encouraging women’s participation in labor production and so on.

But when he saw the abolishment of the agricultural tax, the Far-sighted Eagle couldn’t hold back.

Abolishing the agricultural tax, what will the hundreds of thousands of troops inside and outside the city eat?

Cannibalism?

"You folks really... have a preference for extremities!" The Far-sighted Eagle shook his head, sighing, "We did hope you’d make some changes worthy of our recognition, but didn’t expect you to gobble everything up in one bite. Can you make it a bit more practical, like breaking this plan down over three to five years?"

The Alliance, after all, had a group of Blue Jackets with core technology assisting them, yet even then, they endured a period of "stuffing money into sacks to wear as clothing".

Poluo Province’s population is hundreds of times that of the Alliance. Once the death rate is suppressed and the average life expectancy is raised, even if the birth rate remains unchanged, their population will shoot up like a released spring.

Behaving like Anush with not a dime to spare or even regressive antics is certainly no good, but this reckless approach of theirs is surely leading nowhere.

Not to mention, the Alliance can’t help.

Even if they handed over Ideal City for distribution, they’d end up stripped bare.

Sitting opposite the Eagle, Absek, showing no signs of realizing the foolishness, instead laughed it off indifferently.

"How can this be considered extreme? Some things are never too late to start doing! We’re willing to begin now and truly bring equality to the survivors of Poluo Country!"

Having said that, he looked eagerly at the Eagle, smiling apologetically.

"But... you can see our difficulties. The foundation left by the Xilan Empire is only so much; we do hope you can lend us a hand."

The Eagle stared blankly at the guy, suddenly feeling that his posture in asking for money looked oddly familiar?

Goodness.

I’m genuinely trying to help you out, but you’re always eyeing to grab my gold coins!

Is this really appropriate?

"...It’s not that we don’t help you, but you’ve drawn us an endless black hole."

Steadying himself, the Eagle sighed, tossing the proposal onto the table.

"If you’re really serious about getting things done, take it step by step... I’ll provide you with moderate assistance, but don’t pin all your hopes on us."

He was a watered-down diplomat, not a real diplomatic officer, and naturally, the Manager hadn’t given him any budget. All he could offer were ideas and experience.

Even a real diplomat could likely provide only those things.

The Alliance has never thrown a penny at its smaller allies in the form of financial grants.

Low-interest loans were the support ceiling, and even those weren’t easily accessible, as they related to the social security and pensions of the Alliance residents, where safety was prioritized over returns.

For example, the Mammoth State Authority has never managed to get one.

No matter how persuasive Laxi’s sales agents were, they could at most borrow from banks in Silver Moon Bay or Jinjaron Harbor, or rely on investors like List who came with their own provisions.

However, Absek was unaware of this and was still hoping the rookie before him could pull out some funding, listening intently.

"Please advise, sir!"

The Eagle patiently said.

"Abolishing slavery and encouraging women’s participation in production... these policies are good, and since you don’t have unemployment benefits, it won’t cost you much, at most cohesion... ahem, I mean, spending more on publicity and the like."

MMP!

Unintentionally, it strayed into a theatrical performance.

However, Absek didn’t notice any issue and still spoke with sincerity.

"It’s okay, just say it, I can understand!"

You better understand!

The Eagle glanced at this "fake Backseat Driver" a few times to ensure he wasn’t just brushing things off, then slowly continued.

"The agriculture tax is not urgent, it’s not like you don’t know whose hands most of the fields in Poluo Province are in."

Absek suddenly nodded, and then asked.

"How about a progressive tax? Everyone gets three mu of land, no tax below three mu, above three mu and below five mu, one tier, below ten mu another tier."

The Eagle glanced at this guy in surprise, unexpectedly he was able to extrapolate.

This guy has some skills?

Though a tad of a straw bag, he’s not a complete one.

"Progressive tax is a nice concept, but you must consider your actual situation, like the issue of proxy landholdings. Suppose I lend you money, and you buy my land, how would you deal with it?"

Absek froze for a moment and after a while, squeezed out a sentence.

"Is that even possible?!"

The Eagle rolled his eyes, unable to resist a retort.

"Don’t think of it as a good thing, if you take that land to farm, I bet the money you make from selling the produce would not even cover the loan interest! All of you are farmers, they have nothing else to do but farm, any cuts you make on the land will ultimately hurt them because they have no other choice."

One is a phenomenon, the other is the essence.

If people’s dependency on land doesn’t change, no matter how you collect this money, the result will be the same.

The difference is just between long pain and short pain.

Looking at the stunned Absek, the Eagle patiently imparted relatively mature experiences to him.

"...The correct approach is to tax the circulation link, like first increasing the export tariffs on grains, then collecting grain—or bean consumption taxes internally, directly from the grain merchants. Although costs will still shift to the producers, the increased cost won’t concentrate pressure on a specific group but will be spread among all consumers in society."

Absek nodded, half-understanding, seemingly understanding it yet not.

However, whether he fully understood or not, he ultimately remembered what to do.

"Fine, let’s do as you said!"

The Eagle nodded and said.

"Yes, at this stage, it’s the only way. Once you’re industrialized, adjustments can be made... As for this money, it should be quite a substantial income, at least the tariff part should be enough for you to develop some light industries. Cutting down is just a stop-gap, opening up financial resources is the long-term solution."

Actually, the reason he dared to suggest this mainly is because of the large-scale promotion of cash crops in the coastal states of Tiger State and Leopard State, replacing beans with cotton.

As a result, the food needed by Tiger State and Leopard State can only be imported via Everflow River’s ports from inland areas where grain prices are cheaper.

After the Alliance-dominated production system was established, Jin Galun Port took over some of the older industrial devices eliminated by the Alliance, while Tiger State and Leopard State took in portions phased out by Jin Galun Port.

For example, spinning machines or sugar machines, etc.

Once Poluo Country gradually gets on track, it too can naturally take in some of the industrial equipment phased out by Tiger State and Leopard State, at least buying up those worn sewing machines and tractors.

This way, a virtuous cycle can be formed instead of relying on unilateral support from the Alliance or Jin Galun Port.

Of course, the premise is that this saved money is used correctly.

The Eagle wasn’t worried about Absek and these military factions embezzling the money, these guys are almost certain to take concubines, without a doubt. But if it’s merely a bit of extravagant living, it wouldn’t amount to much money embezzled.

Just like in the game "Tropico," siphoning money into overseas banks, the amount pocketed by the President himself is way less concerning compared to the overall profit (or loss) of the island.

On the Wasteland, even less said, given the development level of Poluo Province, these people can’t truly be extravagant. At most, they could splurge a bit in Jin Galun Port and return after that.

As long as these guys don’t do anything outrageous, like building wonders by the Everflow River or saddling donkeys, this money would absolutely suffice.

As for public education, it may start with literacy night schools.

Once the earliest literate workers gain benefits and land better jobs, public enthusiasm will naturally be mobilized, and the final expenditure might not be as much as imagined.

If the local survivors still live off farming with no need for improving education, even if a school building is erected locally, and textbooks shoved in their faces, it would be futile.

The Eagle spoke until his mouth was dry, during which he drank two large pots of tea, marking and revising every unreliable part in the draft.

He felt he, a fake diplomat, was obliging enough, not only playing the drama with them but also providing after-sales service.

If there were a few undecided parts, he’d excuse himself to the toilet a few times to consult those bigwigs on the forum, only returning to continue the conversations after they finished their talk.

That notorious Absek was as obedient as a student before him, attentively listening, while also having someone take notes.

Although he was illiterate, he could always have someone read to him.

Seeing this guy having so many ideas in mind, he inwardly resolved to seriously learn some cultural knowledge once he had the time.

Finally running out of words, the Eagle suddenly remembered someone and hurriedly spoke again.

"By the way, Anvo... when are you planning to release him? Hasn’t Anush already been purged by you all? Shouldn’t he be exonerated?"

Absek paused for a moment, then sheepishly slapped his head and said with a grin.

"See how forgetful I am... Lately, with so many things going on, I didn’t even notice and forgot about this matter."

The Eagle: "..."

How on earth is that forgettable!?

Absek seemed to realize this excuse was flimsy, coughed, and continued.

"Actually, I kept him confined to protect him. While we reformists are in the ascendancy, not everyone in the United Federation supports us, and I worry that remnants of Anush’s faction might seize an opportunity for revenge."

He straightened his look and said.

"Rest assured! I will have him released right away!"

The Eagle nodded.

"Okay, we also want to talk to him, if it’s convenient, I’ll go with your people."

"No problem!" Absek said with a smile on his face but with doubts in his heart.

Why is the Alliance so interested in Anvo, a nobody?

But he wasn’t too worried in his heart.

After all, no matter what, they’re on the same boat, it’s impossible for Anvo to betray him.

With over two hundred lives on his hands, that guy has no route of retreat.

Later he planned to promote that guy a bit.

After submitting so many pledges, it’s time he shared in the good fortunes with him...