The First Step

Burial, speeches, moments of silence—people spent a full day at the newly built Valentan National Cemetery.

It wasn't until the sun set and a cool breeze blew that the lingering lingering effects gradually dissipated.

Logically, there should have been a grand banquet so that grieving people could gather together, support each other, and remember the victims and the brave.

Of course, the participants in this banquet are limited to important figures with status, power, influence, or wealth. However, some soldiers and civilians from poor backgrounds who fought bravely are also invited. The richly dressed gentlemen will smile and raise their glasses to the bewildered and shabby-looking people, perfectly concealing their contempt and disdain, praising and treating them as heroes, just for show.

It was for this reason that Kang De rejected the proposal to hold the banquet.

The reasons are also quite valid—the war is not yet over, countless lives have been lost, and the supplies in Valentan are still insufficient. Today is also a time to commemorate the heroes, and according to the tradition of Cathay, we should not hold a lavish banquet. So please forgive us.

Those who longed to get closer to Kang De naturally felt it was a pity, but on the surface they still had to praise His Highness Kang De's benevolence and compassion. In fact, who the hell cared what the tradition of Cathay was? The key was that it was Kang De who said it, so it must be good and it must be right.

Judging from their appearance, even if Kang De said that the tradition in Cathay is for everyone to dance together on the grave after burial, these old men would probably start wiggling their butts without hesitation.

"So tiring... even more tiring than fighting a war."

As the sunset painted the sky, the group returned to Valentan. City officials were naturally in charge of cleaning up the National Cemetery, and Kang De was happy to take a break, so no one said anything.

After the war, Kang De had practically become the de facto supreme ruler of Valentan, but he still lived in the Vidal Chamber of Commerce's residence, which seemed ambiguous and subtle, subtly hinting at something. As a result, the Vidal Family's reputation soared, no wonder Leona's older brother rushed over.

Upon entering, stewards and servants came forward to greet him. Kang De asked, "Has Leona not returned yet?"

When he left earlier, Kang De invited Leona to come with him amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the upper class and young ladies, but she refused, saying she had something to say to her older brother.

The silver-haired girl's expression was quite strange at the time. She said a few words casually, and then, in full view of everyone, she almost forcibly dragged her pretty-boy older brother in another direction, leaving the older brother to only smile apologetically at Kang De, his smile somewhat complicated, without even having time to say a word.

--What's going on? You haven't introduced me to your brother yet, making it seem like I'd do something to him. How strange.

Upon hearing this, the other person bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, the young lady has not yet returned."

Kang De raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

He returned with his mercenary group of two or three hundred cavalrymen, which was naturally slow. Along the way, many people caught up with him to say a few words, and sometimes there were shouts and praises from the public, so he often had to stop to talk. Despite all this delay and waste of time, he still returned earlier than Leona.

Even if you have something to say to your brother, you can say it when you get back.

The thought had barely crossed Kang De's mind when he felt someone poking him in the back.

He turned around and saw Hong San gesturing with his eyes.

Turning back, I saw that the manager... seemed somewhat apprehensive.

Kang De's mere "Eh?" filled him with fear and dread.

This person was bent over so deeply that his back was almost perpendicular to his thighs, to the point of groveling. Although they had been very polite and respectful to him before, they were not like this now. After a great battle, the person was still the same, but everything was different.

Kang De sighed, "You don't need to be like this. I wasn't capricious before, nor did I treat you like ants. I am no different from before, so what could I possibly do to you? If there has been any change, it is that I have grown and come to know compassion and justice. How could I possibly get angry with you so easily? How could a person change so quickly in just a few days? I haven't changed; it's you who have."

Upon hearing this, the stewards and servants were not moved to tears of gratitude; instead, their expressions changed drastically, and they even began to tremble. Kang De could see their legs shaking.

"M-Sir... I'm sorry... I... I..."

This steward wasn't Leona's long-time butler, but he was still a mid-level employee of the Vidal Family. He was efficient and capable, very generous in his dealings with people, and his words and actions were like a breath of fresh air. He was both confident and cultured, clearly having undergone a long period of learning and experience, which was why Leona valued him... But now, the man was stammering, his tone filled with fear and unease.

Kang De slowly exhaled and silently rolled his eyes.

If the other person hadn't bowed so deeply that Kang De's face wasn't obscured, seeing that disdainful look would probably have been terrifying...

Seeing this, Hong San said, "Don't be afraid, don't be reserved. His Highness doesn't mean to criticize you, much less get angry. His anger is only directed at evil and injustice, not at you who are working diligently. You have done every task perfectly and without fault..."

After offering such words of comfort, the other party left, moved to tears of gratitude.

After they had walked a distance, Kang De sighed, "It feels like everything I say now is wrong."

"The fault doesn't lie with you, it's with them; they still don't understand."

Hong San smiled slightly, "Your Highness, Hong San used to kneel, but these people have never truly stood up. They don't know the view from above, so sometimes we have to bend down to talk to them, teach and encourage them, until they stand up too."

"The road ahead is long, how distant, how arduous," Kang De said. "What I have seen, heard, thought, and said today comes from the heart. Seeing those thousands upon thousands of ignorant people, I realize how difficult this road is. And these are just the commoners and nobles of one city or one place; what about the entire country, and the whole world?"

Hong San laughed and said, "Yet you still delivered such a speech, absolutely stunning and deeply moving."

Kang De shrugged. "It was just a speech... Most of the people here today will forget most of what I said after a good night's sleep. After all, a speech is passionate and inspiring, but it only lasts for a short while, while daily life is dull and monotonous, one day after another, incredibly long."

Hong San shook his head and said, "No, Your Highness, there is no need to be so pessimistic. Today's speech is merely planting a seed. Of course, most people will not become self-reliant, courageous, and confident just because of today's speech. Just as a seed buried in the sand will not sprout and grow on its own, we can continuously water and fertilize it, carefully nurturing it. Even an insignificant seed will eventually grow into something useful."

Kang De's expression shifted slightly. "Specifically?"

"It's nothing more than urging, encouraging, rewarding, promoting, creating momentum, and building an atmosphere."

Hong San calmly replied, "Most of the world's most intractable problems boil down to a lack of money. But we only operate in Valentan, yet we have donations from nobles and wealthy merchants throughout the province, support from the Goth government, even backing from foreign powers, and even ransom from the Dusk Moon Dynasty... more than enough."

He counted on his fingers and said, "The war is over, but there's still so much work to be done: destroyed cities, damaged farmland, battlefield remains... we need people everywhere."

"We will use your fame and prestige to attract refugees, recruit them for work, and even select the strongest and bravest men to join the army. We will give them more pay, care, and attention, so that they will be grateful, proud, and happy. We will make them a community, sharing food, lodging, and entertainment."

"Constantly preach to them the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, let them listen to His Highness's speeches, teach them the principles of being a good person... and so on, the key points are nothing more than three."

"First, foster a sense of belonging; second, cultivate a positive overall atmosphere; and third, establish a sense of honor."

Kang De listened, completely bewildered.

Then, subconsciously, he asked, "Such a huge drain on resources, and the post-war cleanup work will eventually be finished. Money isn't inexhaustible, but the number of people will only increase. What will we do then?"

Hong San chuckled and said, "Your Highness is confused. The saying goes, 'Make the best use of everything' and 'Make the most of everyone's talents.' The small matters I mentioned are my duties, and the important matters Your Highness mentioned are, of course, Your Highness's tasks."

"..."

Kang De realized what was happening and chuckled as well.

Ever since I made those two lumps of peanut butter, I've been a bit of a lunatic.

Learn about industrialization.

Damn it, do you think a fledgling industrial society would complain about having too many people?

Hong San glanced at Kang De and exclaimed in surprise, "Judging from Your Highness's expression, do you already have a plan?"

Kang De nodded. "I have ideas, but we need to analyze the specific circumstances. Fortunately, everything is in need of rebuilding, so we can think about it step by step and proceed one step at a time."

Hong San asked curiously, "Has Your Highness decided on the first step?"

Kang De smiled and said, "Even an amateur like me, with high aspirations but low abilities, knows without a doubt that the first thing to do is to increase food production and promote education."

Improve breeding, expand arable land, improve tools, and innovate concepts.

At the same time, we promoted education, established schools, and shared knowledge.

In this way, when grain production increases dramatically and a large number of agricultural workers are freed up, and at the same time, the implementation of widespread education creates a group of skilled workers, then industrialization can take a healthy and stable first step... Of course, it is only the first step.

As for what happens in the future... let's talk about that later.

Kang De thought about it with a mixture of worry and optimism.

Even if Hong San was very clever, he couldn't figure out what Kang De was worried about. He trusted Kang De completely. Although the idea of "expanding grain production and establishing schools" sounded grand and empty, since Kang De said it, there must be a way to do it and it could be accomplished. That's what he thought.

He then bowed happily and said, "Then I will trouble you, Your Highness."

"No... it's you who's done the work," Kang De said. "You've worked so hard these past few days, running around coordinating and planning, meeting guests for me, and dealing with those boring fellows..."

"It wasn't hard work; on the contrary, I felt fulfilled, and I regretted the time I had wasted before... Putting aside those aimless days, if I had studied more and worked harder under my master, I could have been of greater help to Your Highness now. I'm truly ashamed," Hong San sighed. "I only regret not meeting you sooner."

What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.

Kang De's expression shifted slightly, and he said, "I asked you about your sect before... Now that you've turned over a new leaf and become a better person, your master must be pleased and happy. Don't you plan to return to your sect?"

Hong San pondered for a moment, then asked, "Does Your Highness wish to recruit members of my sect?"

"..."

Kang De rolled his eyes. "Don't make me sound so pragmatic, okay?"

Hong San chuckled twice. Compared to before, he had completely shed his sleazy, obsequious, and servile demeanor and behavior. He had become confident, composed, and generous, but he would occasionally act mischievously.

But when he thought of his master and his sect, a complex expression appeared on his face, a mixture of nostalgia, sighs, and a kind of trepidation akin to the feeling of being close to home.

"I need to send a letter to my master..."

He said slowly, "He needs to know about this, to know that I have learned my lesson. Besides, since I am loyal to His Highness, it is my duty to find and recruit talented people for him."

"But Your Highness is wise. Now that you are in the spotlight, I am also benefiting from your presence. My every word and action is being watched by many. If the message is not delivered discreetly and is discovered by those with ulterior motives, it may cause my master a lot of trouble... Therefore, we must plan carefully."

He sighed again, "I should have gone there myself, but Your Highness has important matters to attend to, and I cannot leave... In any case, we must wait until the war is over, or at least temporarily."

At this point, Kang De's smile also faded.

On the fifth day, the elf's messenger still hadn't appeared... nor even a middleman to deliver the message.

He said, "So what are the elves really thinking? Are they going to fight to the bitter end? Or is there some kind of conspiracy?"

Hong San said, "Perhaps a conclusion hasn't been reached yet. I asked several mayors today, and intelligence indicates that the offensives of the various elven tribes have slowed down in the past few days. The generals of the expeditionary force are also afraid that their troops will be wiped out in an instant by a meteor shower... They are all waiting for orders from the capital."

Kang De frowned and remained silent.

Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder.

Kang De looked up and found Hong San looking at him. He said earnestly, "Your Highness, do you remember what I said earlier? The funeral is over. You can improve and summarize your strategic deterrence capabilities a little, and then you can rest well. Don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. It's the elves who should be worried."

Kang De paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He was indeed quite tired.

Just as he was about to say something, he saw Hong San across from him reveal a subtle, wicked smile.

"After all, Your Highness, you can only take a few days to rest. In a few more days, you will have even more to worry about. Besides the war with the elves, we will probably also hear news about Princess Tina."

Kang De's expression slowly changed.

"Princess Tina, Miss Leona, and that Crimson Queen... Your Highness, please take good care of yourselves. This is the only matter I can't help you with at all."

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PS1: The vicious cycle has started again: writer's block, writing late, no inspiration, not sleeping well, no energy the next day, so I continue writing late... Damn it, I have to update early tomorrow! Two more updates! Just you wait!