Great Again!

Distant Harbor City Hall, Justice Hall.

After a brief debate, the nobles quickly reached a consensus.

Faced with Kang De's increasingly demanding new requests, their answer was—to refuse.

This was expected and also reasonable.

The initial submission was due to Kang De's tyranny, the intimidation of the powerful ships and cannons anchored outside the harbor, and the shock of the three navies that had turned the Distant Harbor upside down the previous night.

After all, the former signifies strategic-level deterrence, while the latter represents a means of precision strikes, meaning that Kang De could not only smash Distant Harbor into ruins with stones, but also unleash a pack of mad dogs into the city to bite people.

Faced with such tactics, and the rampant counterattack launched by the evil Cathayan with the momentum of a great victory, the gentlemen of the Distant Harbor had no choice but to swallow their anger and follow their hearts for the sake of their wives, children, and ancestral property.

It's not shameful to do this for the sake of the family.

Therefore, faced with the list handed to them by Kang De, they reluctantly imposed the maximum penalties on those involved in the riot. Not only were the commoners dismembered, but even the nobles involved were all executed. The ringleaders were even subjected to the cruel honor hanging, which can be said to be extremely severe.

There had been no precedent for such a large-scale execution of nobles in the last two hundred years, according to Goth.

Ultimately, circumstances are beyond our control, so we had no choice but to accept it.

But when the nobles' concessions and overtures were delivered to Kang De, they were met with a ruthless rejection.

The Cathayan was still not satisfied and made it clear that the punishment was too lenient. He wanted to strip all the nobles involved of all their titles and honors and sentence them to death, the same punishment as commoners.

The powerful and influential people in the Distant Harbor finally erupted in anger.

Both proposals involved the death penalty, but Kang De's opinion differed fundamentally from the nobles' proposal.

While the execution of nobles by hanging and beheading was cruel and severe, it was still within the rules and legal. Kang De's reputation and prestige were at their zenith after defeating the three fleets and quelling the incident. Using this power to settle scores with traitors was also a political game, and it was within everyone's tolerance.

Since emperors and generals can play these games, so can Forbidden Spell. People might complain a bit, saying that His Highness Kang De is a little too lenient, but that's about it.

Kang De's opinion, however, was to strip the nobles of their status and punish them with the punishments of commoners.

This involves the issue of class interests.

Although it was only dealing with these rebellious nobles, it still provoked a fierce backlash from other powerful figures in Distant Harbor. These big shots were sometimes short-sighted, perhaps greedy and stupid, even lacking common sense, and sometimes even lacking intelligence—but in matters of "right and wrong," their sense of smell was extremely keen.

If we agree with Kang De this time, it would be tantamount to admitting that Kang De has the right to strip any member of the Distant Harbor Noble of his title, honor, and power, and to impose any terrible and evil punishment upon him at will.

This is a trampling of Goth's spirit, a provocation against the sacred and supreme aristocratic order, and an evil subversion of the existing national system. It is insane, arrogant, and incomprehensible.

Throughout history, any tyrant who has attempted to do this has been overthrown by the courageous people and brought to justice. All decent people with a conscience should oppose such a terrible atrocity!

"We disagree! We disagree!"

The cries and roars of justice echoed throughout the Justice Hall. The powerful and wealthy of the Distant Harbor raised their arms and shouted themselves hoarse. Everyone looked fanatical, but only they knew the fear and unease in their hearts. They tried to use the power of the group to cover up their unease. This was Kang De, who could even defeat a fairy.

The governor shouted louder than anyone else, and the city's and even the province's administrative officials were in unison. Because of their position, they represented the interests of the nobility and had an obligation to speak out, as countless eyes were fixed on them. The governor feared the thunderous wrath of the Dragon of Cathay, but he feared even more the entire aristocratic system's reckoning with the traitors—his family, his relatives, his estate...

Everyone else can give in, can back down, can turn to Kang De.

But he can't.

He dared not.

The only thing the governor could do was to tie more opportunists to the war machine.

If Kang De really went mad enough to order the army to massacre the Distant Harbor —then at least more people should die with me! I'm not the governor to fight for you!

He slammed his gavel down, the sound booming like thunder, and then shouted, "Attention! We are not against His Highness Kang De! We are grateful for everything he has done for Goth and for Distant Harbor!"

The nobles raised their fists and shouted, "Excellent! Excellent!"

"We are also willing, under His Highness Kang De's guidance, to restore this city from chaos and enable every hardworking and kind citizen to once again live a good life..."

"Yes!"

The governor, looking at the assembled crowd, shouted, "I believe His Highness Kang De meant no harm; he was merely punishing those shameful traitors! We can understand his sentiments!"

The crowd below roared in unison, "Absolutely!"

"But the circumstances in Cathay and Goth's countries are different. The nobility are the backbone and guardians of this nation! This glorious rule must be respected, upheld, and defended!" The governor waved his arms and shouted, "Tell me! What a terrible sight a country would be if it did not respect its nobility!"

"That's right!"

"Therefore! We must unite and clear up this small misunderstanding with His Highness Kang De! We must let him know that we respect him, and revere his power and virtue, but he must also show respect to the great and glorious collective of the nobility! We must let him hear the voice of the Goth People!"

The cheers seemed to subside slightly.

The governor, seizing the opportunity, shouted, "Signatures! Signatures! Signatures! A united protest! We cannot, nor do we wish, confront the military might of the Sword of Deterrence! But we can demonstrate our will and determination to His Highness Kang De through silent protest and a firm stance! Everyone must sign! Everyone must participate in this protest! For this is to defend the honor and dignity of all of us!"

How could I possibly let you watch me charge into battle!

He pointed to the gentlemen present. "Everyone must do this! Neutrality is not an option this time! There can be no standing by! There are only two paths! The honor of our ancestors, the pride of our family, the spirit of Goth! To not defend it is to betray it! That is to betray us!"

--The noise seemed to have subsided a little.

The governor ignored him, slamming his fist on the table. "We will stand firm in our position and sentence all those involved to a dignified death penalty with a fair and lenient approach! This is our final decision, and all those who agree must sign their names to clearly and unequivocally demonstrate their position!"

"If His Highness Kang De persists in his course of action, we will protest peacefully and in silence! We will not attend tomorrow's execution! If necessary, we will make our voices heard throughout the world!"

He surveyed his surroundings, looking at the dense crowd, and shouted, "Now, let me hear the voice of Distant Harbor! Tell us, are you defenders or traitors!"

Throughout history, the moral high ground has always been the most advantageous position.

Even though they felt uneasy and somewhat anxious, everyone could only raise their hands and shout at the top of their lungs—because there were people all around them.

"Defenders! Defenders! Defenders!"

The governor nodded in satisfaction. He struck his gavel, suppressing any impulsive or insincere cheers, and narrowed his eyes, his usually gentle and benevolent gaze turning sinister. "Now, clerk, please draft the final declaration for me. Calling officers, please prepare the paper; we need everyone's signatures..."

The auditorium was completely silent.

The governor carefully chose his words and began, "The Distant Harbor..."

Just then, the sound of the door being pushed open rang out.

The auditorium doors creaked open, breaking the silence that filled the hall.

The next moment, a terrified scream rang out from one of the seats, instantly sweeping across the entire area like a collective curse. Screams were incessant. Older nobles clutched their chests, while people scurried about like startled quails or tried to flee. Most people didn't know what had happened; they only knew that the door had opened! Someone had come in!

Who is that?

I can't see it!

But someone screamed!

--Kang De has arrived!

His henchmen have arrived!

He wants to kill us all!

Cries, pleas for mercy, and wails filled the air. In an instant, the noblest and bravest defenses of the Distant Harbor collapsed. The mob swarmed about like headless flies. Some collapsed to the ground, praying incessantly to the gods; others screamed in terror, begging for mercy and trying to pledge allegiance to their new masters. The noble figures jostled and pushed in the narrow hall, driven to madness by instinctive fear and a strange sense of conformity.

This is often a precursor to large-scale stampedes and collapses.

Fortunately, this is a world of swords and magic.

"Enforcer!"

The city hall's judges immediately activated their Magic Power, and a group mental spell to soothe the soul transformed into a gentle net of light that dispelled fear and brought peace to the mind... one spell after another.

To keep these manic, superficial, irritable, and impulsive creatures of humanity calm, the seekers of the Arcane Path have developed countless spell sets.

Finally, the bigwigs in the Distant Harbor broke free from the sudden and inexplicable atmosphere of collective fear. They crawled out from under the chairs, got up from the ground, and their faces still showed lingering fear.

But while magic is wondrous, it cannot alter reality.

The source of fear remains.

However, the return of reason at least gave them the courage to look at the door.

They saw an old man standing there.

His hair was gray, but his skin was strikingly yellow. His strikingly different facial features clearly indicated his non-human identity. He was undoubtedly of Cathay Descent, and many people recognized him.

Baron Han Zezheng is a shipping merchant in Distant Harbor. He also runs two furniture stores with Cathay style, selling mysterious and elegant oriental artifacts with an exotic flair.

It was a false alarm, followed by embarrassment and anger.

The crowd's gazes turned hostile. They all tacitly avoided talking about their previous blunders, but they needed to vent their shame and anger and regain the face they had lost.

The governor frowned. He had been terrified, fearing that the elven marines and Council mages would burst through the door. He hadn't even decided whether to fight to the end or beg for mercy.

The nominal supreme ruler of the Azure Waves Province emphasized, "Mr. Han, Baron, I remember you participated in the meeting. Where did you just go?"

At this point, his expression suddenly changed, as if he had thought of something.

Old Han stood at the entrance and took a deep breath.

Before that, he hesitated and lingered in front of the city hall for a while.

Even after arriving at the auditorium entrance, I hesitated for a while.

Because he knows what he's doing.

He threw all his ancestral wealth, his wife, children, and elderly parents, the continuation of his family line, and the hopes and dreams passed down through generations onto the gambling table, betting everything on a huge sum.

During their previous visit, His Highness Kang De did not grant their request; this great man did not accept their allegiance and reliance.

--Thinking about it, I guess I was too impatient.

They are unparalleled heroes who subdue elves and look down upon the world. What is the Old Han family? Their shipping business is being squeezed out and devoured by their peers, declining day by day. They have two shops that are still making a profit, thirty or fifty men in the clan, and five or seven small boats in the merchant guild, with a total of two or three hundred sailors. They are not even worth a fart.

With such meager possessions, and a mere advantage, they think they can cling to someone else's coattails, seize power, and live a life of wealth and luxury... There's no such thing as a free lunch.

As the book says, wealth and honor are often found in perilous situations.

Although His Highness refused his request, he pointed out a path for him.

Even now, that voice still echoes in my mind.

Recalling the earlier conversation, Han Zezheng still felt a chill run down his spine.

At that time, His Highness asked him a question, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it filled him with fear.

"Mr. Han, from now on, you must be honest when I ask you questions. If you promise me, we can continue talking, but once you promise, you must keep your word."

"So, the first question is—why did you come to seek refuge with me?"

To glorify our people, to dedicate ourselves to His Highness's cause, to establish the hegemony of Cathay in foreign lands, and to enable us, the people of the East, to live and work in peace and contentment here.

These words came to mind without hesitation.

But under that gaze, he told the truth.

"Preserve the family business, find a powerful patron, expand the business, secure a future for future generations, bring wealth and honor to the family, let our ancestors rest in peace, and ensure the Han Family continues to thrive. If we can return to our homeland in glory, that would be even better..."

Then he heard His Highness's cheerful laughter.

"Very good, a good start, Mr. Han. I won't talk to you about loyalty, nor do I trust you at all, because I know why you came. But I'm glad you told the truth, which means you respect me, so I respect you in return."

I appreciate your honesty. The simpler the relationship, the better, just like it is now.

"I like this approach... because I know that loyalty and trust are extremely rare qualities, and I won't demand them from everyone. I prefer cooperation and win-win situations."

"Shared interests, views, and actions maintained by force."

"You state your needs, I'll offer a price."

He saw the young man behind the desk, who looked about the same age as his son, or perhaps even younger, but already wielded unimaginable power, enough to decide the life and death of many people.

He could never forget that smile.

"I have everything here. If you want anything, just come and exchange it."

Therefore, Han Zezheng returned to the Justice Hall.

Throughout the journey, he was filled with dazed fear and hesitation. Listening to the nobles' stern shouts and united resolve outside the door, his unease intensified. He knew what Kang De was trying to challenge, what Kang De wanted to establish. All of this was arranged by His Highness Kang De, and everything was within his expectations.

He willingly became a pawn.

--And all that hesitation and unease vanished the moment the door was pushed open.

The vast network of interests in the Distant Harbor, the high-ranking figures, the unbreakable class groups—one second they were roaring with fervor, the next they were fleeing in disarray. When Han Zezheng saw that scene, he seemed to realize something. He understood the meaning behind the smile on Prince Kang De's lips when he talked about the nobility.

That was contempt.

Yes, what is there to be afraid of?

Han Zezheng strode inside.

He responded loudly to the governor's question.

"I went to the Sound of the Tide Manor!" he exclaimed. "I went to pay my respects to His Highness Kang De!"

A brief silence followed by panic and commotion, then a torrent of accusations and condemnations.

"Traitor!"

You have disgraced your ancestors!

You are not worthy of being a nobleman!

"Shame!"

A torrent of angry curses poured out from the mouths of the noble gentlemen.

A fierce storm raged, and hostility surrounded them.

This is the anger of an entire city. The powerful figures in this hall control 90% of the production, transportation, and sales of food, daily necessities, and luxury goods in the entire Distant Harbor. They also concentrate the power, public opinion, and social influence of the entire region. If a Distant Harbor is despised by everyone in this hall, he will face both physical and spiritual annihilation.

Han Zezheng could foresee his fate—to be humiliated by a series of scandals, stripped of his noble status by a vote of the noble assembly, his shipping business squeezed into bankruptcy by malicious competition, his son expelled from the noble school, his family members attacked, and even killed by unknown thieves and robbers. Then, amidst the continuous troubles, he would gradually lose all his property until he became a commoner.

If they lose, this will be the fate of the Han Family.

But...

Fortune favors the bold.

"I am Cathayan!" he shouted sternly. "What's wrong with paying homage to one's lord? Gentlemen, refrain from your vulgar language, for you are not merely addressing a Distant Harbor from a distant port, Baron Goth, but Cathayan brings greetings from His Highness Kang De!"

He strode to the center of the hall, and facing the gradually falling silent crowd, he announced loudly, "Forgive me for overhearing your protests and plans, but before you sign your names, please allow me to interrupt briefly. I have brought His Highness Kang De's ultimatum; please listen attentively!"

"The nobles involved shall all be stripped of their titles and executed with the same punishment as commoners. This resolution must be approved. I will draft a statement, and those who agree must sign it. His Highness Kang De hopes that all wise people who despise the traitors and support this decision will attend tomorrow to witness the execution and jointly condemn the pathetic end of the traitors!"

His words were met with a chorus of protests. "Dream on!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

"We will not yield!"

"A sharp blade cannot erase justice!"

"We will proudly uphold Truth and honor!"

Under the instigation and encouragement of hardliners, the nobles attempted to once again coerce the fence-sitters, blocking their path to compromise in advance, and preventing them from being swayed by Kang De's tyranny.

But Han Zezheng unmoved.

He glanced disdainfully at the red-faced opponents and shouted, "The day after the execution, His Highness will convene a meeting, inviting all the upright and respectable gentlemen of Distant Harbor who despise the traitors to discuss a very important topic! A great cause! And he invites them to participate and work together, for the glory of Distant Harbor must be forged by the Distant Harbor together!"

At this point, Han Zezheng's heart pounded wildly.

This was the key factor that made him decide to take the gamble.

Even a promise made in just one sentence sent shivers down his spine—he had thought he was past the age of being easily swayed by a single word from someone.

But he was wrong.

The Cathayan, with all their might, shouted, "His Highness Kang De wants to discuss a great cause with his supporters—to reclaim Distant Harbor's commercial status as a center of trade Endless Ocean, a transportation hub, and a shining pearl on the west coast of the continent from the Broken Isles! Let Distant Harbor— "

"--Again! Great!"

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PS1: Update... The chat room is back! Everyone, speak up!