Three Philosophical Questions for Travelers

Haiwen still has to keep a low profile at this stage. He doesn't want to blatantly form a new army, as Brian will definitely make some moves.But buying slaves is different. As a lord, what if I buy a few slaves?I want them to dig mines and farm for me, can you handle it?

In the future, these people will be arranged in the generation of Little Bear Mountain Ridge, which is the territory of the druid Xiao En, and Haven intends to let the druid take care of him.There was a cottage in Lavidia before, and there were many Vulcan believers there. Later, after Lavidia was defeated, his party members were also cleared, and the place was vacant, and it could accommodate 500 people. suitable.Haiwen intends to use it as a training ground and dormitory to hide a force.

On the other hand, Haven also needs to form an army in Mustang Town. This army is nominally the garrison of Mustang Land, and it also has about 1000 people.These armies will be managed by Ramon. If he is qualified for this job, Haven intends to make him the guardian of Mustang Land, replacing the previous position of Baron Mustang.

Of course, this Mustang garrison is also different from the traditional army. Haiwen requested that this army be able to garrison the fields during the non-war period. self-sufficient.Their weapons and equipment were in charge of the Little Hammer's trade union. With the support of Haiwen, Little Hammer had initially organized the craftsmen of Xiongshan Mountain and drafted a proposal for the craftsmen's association.When the trade union is established in the future, Haiwen will be able to command these craftsmen in a unified manner.

After that comes land reform, tax reform, and a series of drastic revolutions, all of which are necessary for Xiongshan to become stronger.However, these reforms will inevitably affect the interests of the old nobles and big families, and now those two big families are standing in front of Hai Wen.

One is the Sarris family, this family controls the lucrative industries, brothels, casinos, and taverns, and is also the biggest gangster in the city. The officials, guards, etc. in Bear Castle are all in collusion with him.

The other is the Sternier family, who control the largest farm in Bear Mountain and are still in the slave trade.This big landlord has a private army of 300 people, and he is the tyrant of Xiongshan.

Although the patriarchs of these two families do not have titles, they are very important figures in Xiongshan.From the aristocrats to the small merchants on Xiongshan Mountain, there is no one who is not afraid of them.

A few days ago, Haiwen planned to repair the sewers and recruit some craftsmen, but he couldn't find anyone for a long time. No matter how much he raised the price, no one came to apply for the job.Later, when Little Hammer inquired, he found out that the craftsmen were afraid to take up the job, because the master of the Sarris family did not speak.All projects in Bear Mountain City, as long as there is oil and water, must be arranged by Theon Sarris.If this master said: You do this job!You have to do it. After finishing the work and getting paid, you must send the money to Master Theon's housekeeper within three days, and then the housekeeper will take [-]% to [-]% depending on your mood, and you can take the rest.If you dare to pick up the work yourself, or if you are late in delivering the money, well, within three days, you will be buried alive outside the city wall, with only your feet exposed—the local residents call this "carrot insertion".

Little Hammer and Haven said: "It is said that this situation has been going on for a long time, no one asked and no one cared. In the past, the Earl of Old Bear Mountain owed the Sarris family debts, and often asked these families for money, so the Earl didn't care at all. .The police also often take bribes, so naturally they don’t care.”

The same goes for another Stirney family.There is a folk saying in Xiongshan, which is: the gold and silver in the city belong to Saris, and the wine and meat outside the city belong to Stenir.

As big landowners, the Stenier family oppressed the serfs, so it goes without saying.And when it comes to the autumn harvest season, he has to "beat the autumn wind" everywhere.How to fight the autumn wind?It was the young master of the Sternier family who took three hundred people to various villages to collect grain.These people are like locusts, where there is a good harvest, they will go to collect food.If you can’t pay, well, the strong man will be taken away to be a serf, the woman will be taken away to be a prostitute, and the child will be taken away and sold. If there are only old people, you will have to tear down your house beams.

No wonder Xiongshan has always been poor-it would be a ghost if it could be rich.

After Haiwen heard these things, he became very angry. He thought to himself: These evil forces must be banned, uprooted, and then burned to ashes, otherwise the reform will be difficult.

But how to ban it?

Direct order to arrest people?catch who?Where to catch it?In what name?Can you catch it?What should I do if I finish catching them, and execute them directly?If this matter were so simple, Earl Mani would have done it long ago.If violence is used directly, it will inevitably cause fierce backlash, and it is even said that Xiongshan will fall into riots.The autumn harvest was approaching, and Haiwen didn't want to think of such a thing.

Engage in assassination?This is fine, a glass of poisoned wine will do it.But such a result will inevitably cause great confusion, and the two families that have lost their backbone may not necessarily do anything radical.What's more, if it fails, the problem will be serious: Earl Xiongshan poisoned people, what is this?

Just when he was hesitating, a piece of good news flew to his ears.

The chairman of the White Clothes Club, Laya, is back.

Haven's Dilemma, [-]

Haven's Dilemma, [-]

It has been almost two months since Laya went to Fengleibao, this journey must be very hard.After Haiwen learned of her return, he immediately ordered the back kitchen to prepare meals, clean the room, and clean up the dust for her.

That night, he personally hosted a banquet for these returning envoys, accompanied by hyacinths.

Dinner was held in the small hall on the first floor of the castle. Haiwen asked the kitchen to prepare more light food. Laya didn't like meaty and greasy food, and he knew it.

Raya has lost a lot of weight since she left.The weather is hot these days, and her face is also tanned.The white nun's robe was replaced by an ordinary linen blouse, which at first glance was no different from that of a peasant woman.The soldiers from the White Clothes Society who were with her were also dusty, but they were all in good spirits.

Haiwen toasted them one by one, thanking them for their hard work.Laya and the others also returned the salute, congratulating him on becoming the Lord of Bear Mountain.After everyone talked about the situation, they began to eat, but Laya didn't seem to be in the mood to eat. She drank a little mushroom soup, and the meat didn't move, so she asked Hai Wen, "My lord, have you heard of the name Nemendus?" Surname?"

Haiwen recalled it for a while and said, "Never heard of it."

Laya nodded solemnly, her expression became more and more gloomy, "Maybe he used an alias, maybe..." she murmured.

Haiwen couldn't help asking: "Who is that? And what happened to you recently? Thanks to you, I am now the guardian of Bear Mountain, but what is going on?"

"Awen Nemendus, everything has something to do with this person." Laya paused and said, "Let me briefly tell you about the things I encountered these days."

So Laya told him all the things she had seen and heard in Wind Thunder Castle, starting from the hanging of heretics in Wind Thunder Castle, talking about the castle conscription, the marquis's banquet, and how weird and dangerous Awen Nemendus was.

"He is not only handsome and eloquent, but the most important thing is that he can use magic." When Laya said this, her expression was very serious, "My lord, the great magicians in history are either heroes or traitors , These people possess supernatural powers, so they will definitely not be stable ordinary people. Now that Arwen's status in Fengleibao is higher than that of me and the priests of the Sea God Sect, I am worried..." She sighed and did not continue.

"But he helped me." Haiwen murmured, "He helped me ascend to the position of lord. We don't know each other. Why did he help me?"

Laya shook her head and said, "I don't know, but he must have a conspiracy. He is not the same as me, Putin, or even the Marquis. I don't know what he is planning."

Haiwen couldn't think of anything for a while, so he could only say: "Let's put this matter aside for now, Laya, I encountered something and wanted to ask your opinion."

"You say."

So Haiwen told about the two big Xiongshan families, and then asked Laya, "I want to use these two families now, do you have any suggestions?"

Laya pondered a little, and said: "Sir, based on my experience in surgery, it is not difficult to operate, and it is not difficult to cut off the tumor. The rare thing is what to do after the cut. Whether it is stitches, medicine, or burning ? What to do about heavy bleeding? What to do about sores and ulcers? These are the most difficult problems.”

Haiwen nodded without saying a word, and Laya continued: "If the heads of the two major families fall, what should we do next? My lord, it will be the autumn harvest soon. If the people below take revenge, what will you do? The two major families You have to think about who will pick up the rest of the mess. It is easy to smash everything, but how to rebuild order is difficult. How many capable people do you have under your command now? Do you have a hundred?"

Not even ten, Haven thought to himself.

Laya said to him: "I think it's better to invite Tang De'en tomorrow, and let's discuss this matter together."

"Ok."

So the next morning, the two went to Tang De'en's residence.Master Tang De'en is ninety-one this year. Although he is still in good health, Haiwen doesn't want to bother a ninety-year-old birthday person running around, so he and Laya went to the door in person.

Tang Deen also has a house in Bear Mountain. Unlike most stone houses in the Bay Area, Master Tang Deen likes wooden houses.This custom of living in a wooden house is left over from the period of the Eastern Ke Empire, with carved beams and painted buildings, vaulted roofs flying into the sky, and private gardens inside the house.

It is said that across the Black Sea is the rich Eastern Continent, but the best navigator cannot cross the Black Sea.Haiwen really wants to go to the east to see, maybe he will see the ancient China in his dream.

When they came, Master Tang De'en was teaching the students.The servant said that he could notify Master Tang Deen immediately, but Haiwen said he was willing to wait outside for him to finish his get out of class.He and Laya were waiting in the courtyard, it wasn't too hot today,

After a while, the school closed.

Tang De'en's figure appeared in the corridor. The old man was still straight and his steps were breezy. The bachelor Myrick followed him, and the two came to the courtyard together.Hai Wen stood up and saluted, and said, "Master Tang De'en, please come and be safe."

"Yeah." The old man nodded, "What's the gentleman doing here today?"

Haiwen thought for a while and said, "Oh, I really want to ask your opinion on something."

"You say." Tang Deen sat at the stone table in the courtyard, and then the others followed suit, and then Myrick ordered someone to make some tea.

Haiwen didn't intend to tell Tang Deen directly "I'm going to kill someone", but wanted to test it first.Because Tang Deen's own position is also very vague. On the one hand, the old man supports Haiwen as the guardian of Xiongshan Mountain, but on the other hand, he is still too conservative in his thinking.Haven wondered about his attitude.

Therefore, Hai Wen said: "Master Tang De'en, I have encountered two problems. The first one is like this. The autumn harvest is approaching. This year's grain growth in Xiongshan seems to be good. It’s well-behaved, it’s collected just right, and I don’t want the poor to starve. Show me, what should I do?”

After hearing this, Tang De'en's expression immediately became serious.Merrick at the side also heard what Haiwen meant, and his eyes immediately changed, revealing a faint fanaticism.

"Continue," Tang De'en said.

Haiwen continued: "The second thing, there have been 36 unsolved cases in Xiongshan Mountain in the past few years, all of which were lawsuits about human life. The dead were all buried outside the city, and the folks called it 'inserting radish'. Now that I am the guardian of Xiongshan Mountain, I will not Allow such a thing to happen. Now I want to investigate the case, but I don’t know where to start, and I ask the master to show me a way.”

After pondering for a while, Tang De'en smiled and said, "It's not difficult, just leave it to me."

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Haven's Dilemma, VI

Haven's Dilemma, VI

Haiwen was very surprised by this, he just wanted to test Tang De'en, but he didn't expect the old man to take care of the matter with a pat on his chest.But what can he do?Haven didn't understand.Hai Wen asked him, "Master, what do you want to do?"

Tang Deen said with a smile: "Of course it's easy to handle. The lack of food during the autumn harvest in the past few years is due to statistical problems, and the corruption of officials in the countryside. Every village has a bully. I just need to send some students in your name." Inspections, this matter can be settled. As for the murder case? I will invite experts to track down the murderer! Whoever does it will be arrested, and if caught, he will be killed, and there will be no mercy."

Are you playing dumb with me?Haiwen didn't know what to say for a while.At this time Laya asked: "Then who is the master planning to send to do these things? If there is a shortage of people, I can come from the White Clothes Council..."

"No need!" the old man interrupted Laya, "my own students can handle this well,"

Haiwen asked, "What if it can't be done?"

The old man stretched his neck and said, "Then I am willing to be punished!"

Who dares to punish you in Xiongshan?Master Tang De'en's reputation in Xiongshan is far better than that of Haiwen, the picked Earl.What's more, he is a 90-year-old man, if he really sells his old age, what can you do to him?

At this time, Laya gently pulled Haiwen's sleeve from behind, and then said: "In this case, Baiyi will listen to Master Hou's orders at any time." Hearing what she said, Haiwen also said: "Then I will wait Good news."

Speaking of which, they left Master Tang De'en's mansion. The two walked back to the castle without speaking.However, it didn't take long before Myrick chased him out.The white-clothed bachelor took off his hat, held up his robe, his head flushed red as he ran. "My lords! I have something important to tell you." He said to Haiwen.

Hai Wen asked, "What's the matter?"

Merrick looked around and said, "This is not a place to talk."

So Haven took him to his own castle, and they climbed the winding stairs to the empty Bear Castle rooftop.The three of them stood by the guardrail of the roof, feeling refreshed by the cool breeze.

"It's fine here, please talk." Hai Wen said.

Myrick's face was very solemn, he hesitated for a few seconds, and said: "Master Haiwen, I am not a person who does not understand loyalty, I am loyal to my friends, loyal to my boss, and even more so to my teacher... But I care more about my country and every human life on this land."

He suddenly said something like this, which made Haiwen puzzled.However, what he said was indeed in line with Hai Wen's mind, and Hai Wen said: "Your thinking is admirable——then, what are you going to tell me?"

"I want to tell you that Tang De'en can't fulfill your expectations. If you really want to eradicate the two big families in Xiongshan, you can only use your own strength. Appointing Tang De'en will only backfire."

Haiwen didn't expect him to say this, "Why do you say that? I think Master Tang De'en is a bachelor with a heart of justice, and he should be willing to help me eradicate these evil forces."

Myrick shook his head and said, "My teacher, what he wants is not justice, what he wants is honor—to restore the honor of our ancestors."

Haven and Laya looked at each other silently.

"He is too old, I have followed him for ten years, and I have witnessed him go astray step by step. Now I don't know what is going on in his mind, but I know that he is not willing to end his life peacefully .He has close contacts with the two major families, and also has correspondence with the major priests of the Sea God Sect..."

"Do you have evidence?" Haven interrupted him.

Merrick froze for a moment, then said, "I...I have no physical evidence."

"Yeah." Hai Wen nodded and said nothing.

Myrick's face became very ugly, his throat twitched for a while, and he said in a pleading tone: "Master Haven, I don't know how to make you believe me, but I... I must tell you. Lord Haven, I believe you are a righteous man, you are different from Earl Mani, you can save this rotten place. My lord, outside of Bear Mountain is the Antler Pass, and the Antler Pass is the throat of the Bayland. Not far from death."

"I will consider this matter, but Tang De'en is kind to me, and he is the elder of Xiongshan. I can't do anything to him based on your one-sided words. Myrick, give me some time."

"I am willing to wait, but my lord, time is running out in the Baylands."

After saying this, Myrick bowed to Haven, turned and left.

Haiwen stood on the rooftop, looking at the distant scenery - Earl Mani was here a few months ago to point out the country to him, and the old earl told him that a storm was coming.

Now that Earl Mani has been buried in the ground, does this mean that the storm has come?

The center of the eye of the storm will be surprisingly quiet, and those who are here will not feel anything.

Haven is worried about the future, and he's confused.

At first, he thought that Tang Deen should be a person who hates evil.The old man was able to rebel for justice and lead people to capture Xiongshan.Haven still remembers his righteous cry, a 90-year-old man, a passionate warrior.

Logically speaking, such a person shouldn't join forces with the two big families.

But Tang Deen is obviously related to these two families, and Tang Deen is protecting them intentionally or unintentionally.At the time of the court trial, Tang Deen specifically said that he would set up the elders' seat, and invited the patriarchs of the two families to attend the seat, which fully shows that Tang Deen attaches great importance to them.

What is the reason for all this?

Could it be that Tang Deen is really plotting something?

At this time Laya said: "Master Haiwen, there is one thing I forgot to tell you."

"what's up?"

"When I was in Fengleibao, Putin, the priest of the Sea God Cult, was also talking to you—you don't know him, do you?"

"Of course I don't know."

"That's weird." After Laya finished speaking these four words, she fell silent.

Well, why does the priest of the Sea God Sect speak for me?Will I do him any good by being the Guardian of Bear Mountain?Haiwen's face became more and more solemn. The prerequisite for Tang De'en to help me was to open an altar to worship the ancestors, and to make him the sacrificial wine of the Sea God Sect. This is the only connection.

This sacrificial wine...does it have any special meaning?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong. Dreyer had reminded him before he left, asking him to be careful of Tang Deen—and Laya.

Thinking of this, Haven looked at Laya——Laya hinted at me that Tang Deen was unreliable at this time, what was she doing for it?Is there any conflict between her and Tang De'en?

No, I can't mess with myself.Raya has been following me since Mustang, and she can be absolutely trusted.

Then it's Tondon...

"Laya, I ask you one thing. Help me investigate the relationship between the two major families and Tang De'en. In addition, I also want to know the operation of the Sea God Cult in Bear Mountain. Can you do it?"

Laya pondered for a while and said, "I need money, and the Judgment Army also needs military pay."

"I will provide the funds, and I will support the people of the White Clothes Society, but they must also participate in labor during this time."

"Okay, my lord. I'll do it for you."

"Thank you very much." He nodded towards Laya, "Excuse me, can I be alone for a while now?"

"Yes, my lord." Laya bowed and said goodbye.

Haiwen stood alone on the roof, the breeze became hot, forcing people to sweat, and this hotness also upset him.He is not good at intrigue, especially not good at doubting others.

At this time, he suddenly thought: If Dreyer was here, what would he do?