224 Rest
“This is the reason why I followed you.”
Hong San bowed deeply.
Previously, his life was muddle-headed. After experiencing a few twists and turns, he understood the meaning of life on the verge of life and death. It was like a phoenix undergoing nirvana. Now, he already had great love in his heart.
It was precisely because Hong San had already been reborn that he felt even more pity for those people who were as muddle-headed and pitiful as him in the past because he already understood that humans could have another way to live.
He slowly said, “I was originally living in a daze and did not know shame. I was willing to be a degenerate. Now that Your Highness has enlightened me, you taught me to follow my heart. The current Hong San has nothing else he wants. He’s only willing to follow Your Highness and reduce the number of pitiful people in this world.”
Kang De pondered.
Human growth was done step by step. It was clearly unrealistic to let him make a grand wish now. He wanted to fight for the welfare of all humankind and dedicate his life to this magnificent cause.
If there was really such a heart, why did he have to do this in the other world?
…Alright, it was dangerous to do this on Earth. It was very dangerous and might even cause the destruction of the world.
Kang De hesitated for a moment and said, “I…”
Hong San raised his head slightly with a questioning expression.
Kang De scratched his head in embarrassment, “I only feel that it’s a little exaggerated for the two of us to make a grand wish to save all of humanity here now, right?”
Hong San was stunned, then he laughed, “What’s Your Highness thinking? Do I look like such an ambitious person? I come from a lowly background and am not very promising. I don’t dare to have any grand ambitions. I can’t even change the people around me, so how can I change the world? I can just start from the smallest point. Even if I only save one person in the end, it’s a good result.”
Kang De returned to his senses and smiled in realization.
—D*mn, you were so serious just now. I almost wrote a capitalism theory with you.
He asked, “Then where should I start?”
“The human heart.”
Hong San said seriously, “To destroy five large legions in a battle is enough to be recorded in the history books. It’s like a miracle and the best moment to gather people.”
He dipped his finger in his tea and drew Valentine’s outline on the table.
“In the battle of Valentine, the elves broke their promise and slaughtered the soldiers and citizens. At the most desperate moment, Your Highness turned the situation around and won an epic victory. All of this happened not far from Valentine. Even if the commoners leave the city on foot, they can see the terrifying mark of the battlefield with their own eyes.”
“Therefore, they firmly believe in everything and will definitely revere Your Highness like a god. With a little integration, guidance, and some favors, from now on, they will be your most fanatical followers. Even Grand Duke Goethe can’t replace your status.”
Kang De frowned and said nothing.
Hong San drew a circle around Valentine again, “This range is the Red Creek, Tamin, and other cities. Riding fast horses around Valentine and in this province can reach them in at most two days. They’re also threatened by the elves and know the strength of the enemy and the price of war. They can also see your results with their own eyes, so they’re also in awe of you. This can be seen from the support that’s continuously sent over and the various young ladies.”
Kang De glared at him.
Hong San’s smile was very teasing.
Therefore, the topic changed, “Your Highness, are you really not considering accepting it? Since ancient times, be it things, marriage has been one of the most reliable benefits.”
“Everyone looks like a pile of peanut butter to me now. I’m not interested.”
At this point, Kang De said proudly, “Moreover, do I look like I lack women? There’s Tina, you’ve seen her before. Leona is also here. There’s also the gorilla. There are also good women in the gorilla’s mercenary group. Why should I accept those noble ladies who are not very good-looking and might have bad habits?”
Hong San nodded repeatedly in agreement. There was no change in his expression as he only said, “However, if Your Highness wants to borrow their strength, you still have to let them be at ease…”
Kang De nodded and said, “That’s true… Since you’re awake, I’ll entrust you to deal with it. You have to ask these speculative guys if they’re willing to send their nephews over.”
Hong San hissed and gasped.
Kang De was stunned for a moment, then he reacted and said angrily, “What are you thinking? Of course, I want men because they’re more useful and easier to brainwash.”
They were useful and could be brainwashed.
Hong San looked even more terrified.
Kang De was still explaining. When he saw the smile on Hong San’s lips, he kicked him. “You’re rebelling.”
Hong San was kicked and smiled, “I saw that Your Highness has been unhappy these past few days, so I joked. Don’t blame me.”
Kang De sat back in his seat and was silent for a moment before saying, “Actually, I had this thought before. I thought of Preston. He’s a young noble, the younger brother of the City Lord. He has a bright future and is living well. If there was no war, he might be a hedonistic son who preyed on the commoners and despised them. However, the war taught him many things and made him see something that was impossible to see previously. That’s why he said those words…”
In the last moment of his life, Preston realized that the reason why numb and cowardly civilians did not dare to get up and resist was not because they were born lowly, but because generations of nobles had put layers of heavy shackles on them, causing them to lose their courage and determination.
“If he’s not dead but has survived, he’ll definitely firm his will and be determined to do something for this country to wake up the numb people.”
Kang De slowly said, “Although I don’t have a good impression of these high and mighty privileged classes who rely on their bloodline and power to look down on commoners, I have to admit that the power they have because they monopolize knowledge and resources is much stronger than the commoners. For example, traditional nobles like Nick and Preston obtained a wider vision because of pain and despair when their country was in danger…”
He looked at Hong San. “They can also be changed and fought for, right?”
Hong San smiled and said, “Of course, even someone like me can do it, let alone them.”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
No one understood the process of Hong San’s transformation from stupidity better than Kang De.
“Leave this to me,” Hong San said. “However, don’t forget that other than the nobles, commoners who are a larger proportion of the population are more valuable to change and fight for…”
Kang De laughed, “I understand much better than you.”
Hong San only smiled.
He continued the previous topic. The circle on the table was not dry. He pointed at the part outside the circle.
“The news of the commoners is isolated and spreads extremely slowly. Moreover, the further away it is, the more distorted the news is. For example, the influence of Your Highness’s victory is the strongest in Valentine City because the people here can see it with their own eyes. It’s also very influential in the province because people can also see it.”
“But further away, from the other provinces of Goethe to the West Coast, so much so that the upper-level nobles and rulers in the Elven Kingdom and the Empire have special information channels, so they can naturally know clearly. However, it’s not necessarily the case for the commoners and small nobles. When they heard this news, their first reaction was that it was ridiculous, and their second reaction was that it was fake, because everyone is not stupid and is only willing to believe what they saw with their own eyes.”
“Moreover, the rulers will also choose to block the news. It’s fine if it’s Goethe, but how can the Elven Empress and the Emperor of the Empire be willing to let the subjects know that a peerless expert who can destroy an army with a wave of his hand has appeared in Goethe?”
When Kang De heard this, he was deep in thought. “So?”
“We have to put the elves and the Empire aside, but at the very least, we have to let the Goethe people know how good you are. At the very least…”
Hong San’s finger drew in the air and enveloped the circle around Valentine in his palm, “At least in the province around Valentine. All the soldiers and citizens here have directly received Her Highness’ favor and are more easily affected by the outcome of this battle. They’re even more respectful and submissive to Your Highness. This should become Your Highness’s foundation.”
“As for the other provinces of Goethe, we should also try our best to spread Your Highness’ influence.”
At this moment, Kang De looked up at Hong San and said indifferently, “I didn’t come to Goethe to divide their territory and seize Tedrell’s foundation.”
“I know, of course, I know.”
Hong San’s expression was as usual, “This is not to seize Goethe. It’s better to say that if you show your interest in this place, it’ll reassure Grand Duke Goethe even more. Otherwise, what can Tedrell use to thank you for your contributions to this battle? What can they offer in exchange for your help in maintaining strategic deterrence against the elves and even the Empire? A princess is far from enough. Otherwise, the Empire, the elves, and even other countries will send more princesses.”
These words were very convincing. Kang De could not help but be speechless.
“Moreover, if Your Highness wants to build a military headquarters, you have to have land and population. You have to have a foundation in entrepreneurship to show your skills. Moreover, if Your Highness wants to show your ambition and educate the world, you can start from Valentine. This place is destroyed and built after. The nobles are gone. The commoners respect you like a god and will definitely have no obstructions.”
When Kang De heard this, he curled his lips, “Respect me like a god… I don’t even want to appear in front of them now. Once I appear, I’m afraid some fool will jump out and say something like ‘Since you have this power, why didn’t you use it earlier? You caused so many people to die!’.”
“How can that be?” Hong San said calmly, “Most people in the world bully the weak and fear the strong, but they’re definitely not stupid. The corpses of 50,000 to 60,000 elves are spread out and haven’t cooled down. How can they have the guts?”
“…”
That seemed to be the case.
“Alright, alright.” Kang De sighed. “I have to go out and show my face, right? Put up a show, meet people from all walks of life, and make a powerful speech… Is that right?”
“Yes, you’ve already been behind closed doors for a few days. It’s time for you to appear in front of the various factions. Looking at the time, not long after, be it Goethe or the elves, even the Empire and the other continents will take action.”
At this point, Hong San clearly hesitated for a moment before saying seriously, “I have something to ask Your Highness… What’s your personal martial strength now?”
Kang De understood what the other party was saying and told him frankly, “There’s a small improvement, but there’s no substantial growth, including the high-altitude falling technique from the sky. There are also some things that can still be optimized…”
Hong San immediately raised his hand. “Alright, Your Highness can say this. I already know. In that case, that Crimson Queen must not leave your side for the next few days.”
Kang De nodded and said, “Yes.”
“Apart from making a speech and showing our attitude, we also have to tell these things to more Goethe people and even the people of the Empire. Although the people in the distance can’t see the destructive battlefield brand, humans are smart and stupid. When a person hears Your Highness’s battle results, he will definitely hesitate and doubt it because he didn’t see it with his own eyes. However, if the thousand people around him say that it’s true, this person will give up all his doubts and disbelief and become your loyal believer and fanatic.”
Hong San took out the camcorder that Kang De had given him and shook it. “Your Highness, do you have a way?”
“…Yes.”
Newspapers, radios, movies, and fake reviewers had been used by modern people for hundreds of years. They had technology and ideas.
Kang De suddenly sighed, feeling a little tired.
“I keep feeling that after winning this battle, there are more things to do. I have to scare the elves, end the war, wait for news from Goethe, deal with Valentine’s mess, and deal with the various people swarming around.”
“The gorilla’s mercenary group, Leona’s Chamber of Commerce, the green-skinned people in the north, and many more things have to be decided by me… Seriously.”
When Hong San heard this, he thought for a moment and smiled, “It’s not difficult.”
Kang De looked at him.
“There are priorities. I’m also willing to be Your Highness’s assistant. You can leave unimportant things to me and others. You don’t have to do everything yourself. You only need to focus on the matters bit by bit.”
“Therefore, why don’t we do this?”
Facing Kang De, Hong San raised two fingers and smiled.
“Two things. Please say the two things you want to do the most and do them.”
The Cathayan smiled and said, “Then, I’ll say the thing I want you to do the most. There are a total of three things. Finish the two things you want to do first before doing the thing I want you to do. Just three will do.”
Kang De thought for a moment.
What did he want to do the most?
He was silent for a moment before saying softly, “The first thing is what happened after Nick and the other sacrifices. I want to bury him properly, but I’m also thinking about how to make the Valentine citizens and the people of later generations remember him. The people of this city have also lost many relatives… Valentine needs a funeral.”
Hong San nodded and said, “Of course. Now that Valentine’s battle has come to an end, people need your guidance and speech to associate the living with the souls of the dead.”
Kang De said, “The second thing is that I want to properly summarize the attack method of my new ability and explore the possibilities of improvement and optimization…”
Hong San interrupted, “This is very necessary. It concerns the direction of the war and the foundation of everything. However, there’s no need to tell me the exact details. The fewer people who know, the better.”
Kang De looked at Hong San. “Just these two. What do you want me to do?”
“It’s simple.”
Hong San said softly, “After doing these two things, take a good rest.”
“I’ve already…”
Kang De was about to say that he had already rested, but before that, Hong San bowed and retreated.
Looking at the other party’s departing figure, Kang De’s heart shook and he looked stunned.
Hong San said ‘take a good rest’.
The place that could completely calm Kang De’s mind was not here.
…
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