The World Above and the World Below

To win people's hearts and minds and improve stability, one must distinguish between legitimate methods and underhanded tactics.

The mundane routine, which is exactly what Kang De did these past two days, is: shelter from the wind and rain, warm bedding, kind treatment, exquisite food, as well as acts of kindness and ideological and political education.

And, group activities.

--Those who have made punctuation errors or intentionally made them should voluntarily go to the NoFap forum to chant scriptures.

That morning, the speakers, who had been chatting casually around the room, gathered their "target audience" together with smiles and formally announced His Highness Kang De's appointment.

By order of His Highness Kang De, all the prisoners of the Azure Fleet, totaling more than 12,000, were organized into classes of forty people each.

Two speakers are assigned to each class to oversee them, serving as class leader and deputy class leader. These speakers act as kind older brothers, responsible for supervising and managing the prisoners and answering all questions the prisoners might have.

Oh right, from now on, they are no longer prisoners of war.

Instead, it's about "reforming trainees".

These "modification trainees" of the Azure Fleet were clearly informed of His Highness Kang De's intentions and plans.

Because they had futilely blocked His Highness Kang De's advance, the merciful prince, though he forgave them, was to thoroughly reform them, making them realize their mistakes and atone for them with labor and sweat. Only after undergoing ideological tempering and reformation, and after His Highness's examination and approval, could they regain their freedom.

Each class leader formally announced the rules to the trainees.

From this day forward, the prisoner-of-war camp will be renamed Los Santos Labor Reform University.

His Highness Kang De was appointed as the principal.

The university is divided into four colleges: Darth Vader, Riddle, Thanos, and Jack. Each college has its own color and representative animal.

The school will provide all reform students with basic living necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter, and will introduce relevant restrictions, regulations, and procedures, as well as provide students with a certain amount of labor and skills training.

Based on this, we will provide reward and punishment measures, strengthen education and supervision, adhere to the principle of combining punishment and prevention, manage people with law, persuade people with reason, and move people with emotion, base ourselves on reality, pay attention to characteristics, be pragmatic and enterprising, and achieve results.

Students should cooperate with the school's work, learn new skills, transform their thinking, improve their awareness and cognition, and solve outstanding problems. They should know that a misstep is not necessarily a lifelong regret. They can turn over a new leaf, awaken from their dreams, set their sights on a new chapter, strive to be good men in this Mortal World, raise the sails of life, and head towards a bright future.

The trainees were stunned, as such a thing was unprecedented and unheard of.

But that's okay, there's a first time for everything.

The class leaders first announced the dormitory rules, namely dormitory hygiene and the traditional skill of folding blankets.

Other disciplinary rules will be explained one by one during the subsequent reform process. After instructing the trainees on how to fold blankets and adhere to hygiene standards, the class leaders took the bewildered trainees to lunch.

After enjoying a lunch even more lavish than breakfast, the trainees' last bit of resistance and resentment vanished—damn, this food is better than that of royalty! I'd come even if it meant going to jail, let alone not going to jail.

That afternoon, at various camps and training grounds, the trainees began group activities, which were nothing more than military subjects such as walking, running, jumping, throwing, and marching in formation.

Although the other world also has its own training programs, Council, as a powerful nation, has achieved remarkable military development and has its own military manuals, the new training they receive is different—with the help of the Parrot, the Ministry of Peace has re-compiled the soldier training manual by incorporating modern military training subjects from Earth.

Because the army formed in another world is guided and trained based on magical warfare, its military formations are mostly based on the methods used in the era of cold weapons, with the addition of elements for fighting under the support, assistance, enhancement, and cover of its own magic... However, times have changed.

Kang De's new army adopts a next-generation warfare model centered on Superman command links, hyperspace jump maneuver support, and super-magical war machines. To gain a place in this new order of warfare, they must undergo unprecedented new training.

Therefore, the corresponding training programs are not only applied to the trainees' reformation plans, but have also been included in the training schedule of the Distant Harbor Reserve Force. This includes summer camps for children, military training for adults, and even training programs for new recruits. All of these programs are prepared to adopt this new type of training subject.

Regarding the issue of confidentiality...

What's the big deal about keeping it a secret? Anyone who wants to learn can learn it. It would be best if it were promoted worldwide!

The trainees were bewildered by this unfamiliar and inexplicable subject—it emphasized cooperation, but only in small teams; it emphasized team cooperation, but required trainees to spread out as much as possible; it emphasized spreading out, but required trainees to walk and run in unison... In addition, there were many other inexplicable routines that left them completely baffled.

But soon, none of these were problems anymore.

Each class was divided into several groups. The group with the best performance, the highest comprehension, and the strongest execution was rewarded with a chilled iced cola, a drink they had never tasted before. The black liquid entered their tongues, bursting into countless bubbles, and the icy sweetness went down their throats, making them feel incredibly refreshed.

The other groups could only watch helplessly as the best group held up the strange bottles and slurped them down, looking as excited as if they had just tasted holy water. It was like trying to quench thirst by looking at plums; only they themselves knew the bittersweet feeling of wanting something more.

Especially during breaks, listening to classmates vividly describe how delicious that stuff was, everyone wanted to lick the other's tongue and try it.

Training ended at 4:30 PM.

The trainees were organized and sat in a wide open space. In front of them stood a huge screen, next to which was a row of strange alchemical devices, almost as tall as a person, flashing bizarre images. They must be His Highness Kang De's creations, but I wondered what kind of novel things they were.

Next, they watched a game.

A King of Fighters Open Tournament...

A competition involving the navy and army of the Shogunate's Ministry of Peace.

When the trainees saw the dazzling and beautiful images flashing on the big screen, and witnessed warriors and mages with extraordinary skills and strange costumes moving up and down and unleashing dazzling combat techniques, everyone was shocked and amazed.

In particular, when they noticed the host's explanation and saw the officers from the Distant Harbor, dressed in crisp military uniforms, sitting in front of the alchemy machine, pressing levers and buttons with gritted teeth, the students, who were more receptive to new things, quickly connected the two.

These people operate alchemy machines, controlling powerful figures in battle on the screen...

Having figured this out, the trainees all thought of what their class monitor had mentioned that morning.

Game.

They were drawn to the dazzling lights and outstanding figures, and also focused on the magnificent battle, especially the figures' powerful, large, and white auras...

After the intense and exciting competition, the ten best performers from each class were taken by their class leaders to visit the island's arcade, an entertainment venue specifically for workers and soldiers, accessible only through work points and military merit points. As for what these country bumpkins actually saw?

Anyway, after I came back, I was like a lost soul.

Don't ask, the answer is always "Holy crap!" or "The principal is the god of alchemy!"

They wanted to see it a few more times—it was so big, so white, and so powerful...

During dinner, the trainees were still thinking about the game they had seen in the afternoon, unable to stop thinking about it, as if it were a demon in their hearts.

The squad leaders seized the opportunity and announced a reward system.

Over the next week, the students who demonstrate the most enthusiasm, the most progressive thinking, and the most decisive action will be allowed to enter the arcade during their break time...

--Go watch others play.

At the same time, all trainees' performance, including ideological and cultural classes, outdoor training classes, and labor classes, will be scored and graded. The scores will be converted into work points, which the trainees can use for purchases. At this point, the class monitor mysteriously took out a picture book, opened it, and showed it to the trainees.

In the picture book, the stunningly beautiful woman who appears in the game, with minimal clothing, is biting a Cathay fan, her eyes large and white, like water.

A devilish whisper came from the class monitor's mouth.

"This is also among the exchange items available to students..."

These poor prisoners of the Azure Fleet were completely caught in Kang De's many layers of traps.

It's not just about linguistic brainwashing; it's also about the pervasive sense of superiority, showing off, Versailles-like behavior, and ostentation.

Even when they went out for a meal, they would see officers chugging down a bottle of Coke, chewing up a bag of potato chips until crumbs were scattered everywhere, or walking around singing along with a radio playing music, or riding motorcycles at breakneck speed... The more the trainees saw, the more envious they became, and the more they longed for such things.

But they couldn't get it.

Even if you behave well and accept reform, you will earn very few work points, and some items are simply unavailable for redemption, because those good items are only open to His Highness Kang De's "own people".

The trainees are, of course, not included in this category.

Unless...

My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of it, my imagination was running wild, and even dinner tasted rather bland.

After dinner, they were taken to the main square to watch their first film.

Unfortunately, their very first film was extremely political, and these guys were completely unaware of it—it was called "The Great Evacuation of the Broken Isles," a mockumentary that described and recreated the catastrophe and great journey that took place in the Broken Isles.

Distant Harbor mobilized on a large scale, erecting Bridge of the Starry Sky. Steel wings soared into the sky, rescuing helpless refugees one after another. Warriors clad in power armor guarded the island, while refugees looked out of the plane windows, sadly yet relieved, at their departing homes. Meanwhile, in Distant Harbor, civilians were also mobilized, enthusiastically and generously preparing shelter, food, and the warmth of home for another group of complete strangers.

Anything new, however simple, can be captivating, and this film is anything but simple. With its grand soundtrack, breathtaking overhead shots, and meticulous editing, it tells the story of what happened on the Broken Isles to the officers and soldiers of the Azure Fleet —when they were being surrounded and beaten by sea monsters.

It was a wonderful experience... Through the big screen, I learned about the people and events in another place that wasn't far from me at the time.

The strength, advancement, and Civilization of Distant Harbor are deeply imprinted in their hearts.

That night, many people were lost in thought and found it difficult to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, at the Yilan-Tai'er settlement on another island, a film was also being played. Due to the language barrier, Kang De was unable to use many of his earthly methods, but that's alright, we'll take it slow.

The survivors don't understand the language of the modern world, nor do they understand the current situation. Of course, films like "The Great Evacuation from the Broken Isles" cannot be shown, or rather, anything involving language cannot be shown.

So, they were watching "Tom and Jerry".

No language is needed, just visuals, and the emotions of intelligent beings can resonate.

Unlike the reformed trainees, many of the survivors still dream of smiling.

Whether they were students tossing and turning at night or remnants of the fallen dynasty enjoying a life of joy and contentment, they were stranded on a deserted island overseas, living under Kang De's protection, unaware of the storms raging outside.

Unbeknownst to the trainees, the political situation on the mainland had undergone dramatic changes in a single day.

Faced with Kang De's accusations and condemnations, the Council distorted the facts, unleashed its propaganda machine, and smeared Kang De relentlessly, demanding that Kang De release the captured fleet, offer compensation and an apology, release the remnants of Yilan-Tai'er, and completely withdraw from the Broken Isles, returning power to its rightful owners.

The Distant Harbor Shogunate immediately held a press conference, refuting the Council's numerous accusations point by point, and announced that it had stronger evidence. If the Council continued to make unfounded accusations, it would expose their most despicable and hypocritical true colors to the world.

At the same time, the spokesperson also declared that Yilan-Tai'er had allied with His Highness Kang De according to his own will, and their future had no need for the meddling of malicious gangs.

Furthermore, the issue of the ownership of the Broken Isles has been settled and no further discussion or agreement is needed. The spokesperson announced His Highness Kang De's will— the Dragon of Cathay urges the so-called Broken Isles exile organization to immediately disband and its members to completely disappear, within forty-eight hours.

If they remain obstinate, His Highness Kang De's will will manifest as tangible fury, descending upon these futile bandits. The Ministry of Peace and the Traitor Suppression Society will take any means necessary to eliminate the bodies and souls of these troublemakers. As for who the Broken Isles belong to, the former Broken Isles refugees now living peacefully in Distant Harbor surely have their own answer.

In short, the Shogunate advises the Council not to cause trouble unnecessarily, and the Starry Sky Council to face its mistakes and take responsibility, instead of diverting public attention and absolving itself of guilt by frantically attacking other countries.

The Shogunate firmly opposes any retaliatory actions against Distant Harbor or even Goth. Prince Kang De's patience has its limits. If the Starry Sky Council goes too far and harms the interests of Distant Harbor and all the Goth People, then Prince Kang De will stand up to defend the lives, safety, and happiness of all the people.

At that time...

The possibility of using Forbidden Spell cannot be ruled out.

This response caused turmoil in the international situation.

Only the Broken Isles remained oblivious to this, their weather calm and still.

Another day passed, and Kang De's underworld methods came into play.

That was a funeral... or rather, a farewell.

A solemn burial, respectful treatment, and comforting rites for the deceased can also soothe the living.

Because they used to be together.

The victims of the Azure Fleet had their own homelands and were not suitable to be buried in the Broken Isles, but Kang De still held a farewell ceremony—according to the missing persons list, the scattered remains were retrieved, identified, and placed in coffins before being loaded onto cargo ships and sailed to the west coast.

The trainees were told that the coffins carrying the dead Council in a neutral city so that the soldiers who should not have died could Homecoming.

A monument has also been erected on the island.

"This is dedicated to the innocent officers and soldiers of the Azure Fleet who perished in the Ten-Nos War. They came with honor and fearlessness, but their burning loyalty was shamelessly squandered by despicable politicians. This dishonorable war had no victors, only lost souls helplessly howling and wandering on the gloomy sea. Thus, Kang De erects this monument, wishing that all soldiers may fight with honor, return in triumph like heroes, or perish like heroic spirits."

Every student saw the enormous statue.

The statue of a soldier in the uniform of the Azure Fleet gazes toward the territory of the Arcane Council, his head bowed slightly, as if sighing with regret and gazing with reluctance. He holds his saber in his hand and his cap in his left. The hem of his uniform is blurred into countless tombstones, representing the helpless loss of warriors. This enormous and impactful sculpture struck the hearts of almost every soldier.

Led by their squad leader, they walked past the monument, reading the inscription left by His Highness Kang De. Below the inscription were the names of all the ships that sank in the battle, followed by the list of all the fallen soldiers, which filled the entire base, the tombstones at the bottom, and even the entire sculpture.

Their friendly ships sank, and their comrades perished.

At this moment, unprecedented doubts, reflections, and regrets finally erupted, tormenting everyone's hearts—what exactly was this inexplicable and insane conflict? Who should be held responsible? Why did everyone abandon honor, risk their lives, and become prisoners?

That inscription has been repeatedly read and remembered by many people.

Especially... the shameless extravagance of despicable politicians.

"Seventy percent."

Kang De looked at Horus's analysis of everyone's micro-expressions and nodded. "The people's hearts are at stake. Tell the propaganda team to prepare for a reflection meeting and a criticism session tomorrow."

This was the first time the propaganda team had done this, and it was also the first time Kang De had attempted a large-scale transformation and reformation of prisoners. Every step of the progress, results, and feedback was recorded, optimized, and improved, in an effort to make this large-scale transformation a paradigm.

After all, there will certainly be many more similar opportunities in the future.

A Fu spoke with the propaganda team for a while, then asked, "Father, where is the initial boundary between the criticism meeting and the reflection meeting? That is, what kind of results should be achieved?"

Kang De thought for a moment and replied, "Use some materials to give the trainees a preliminary understanding of the role and intentions of the Council in the Yilan-Tai'er operation. The pace should be gradual, and the targets of criticism should not be the Starry Sky Council —those instigators who incited the fleet should be rescued and criticized."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Beyond criticism and struggle, there should also be reflection. We need to make them remember what they did back then—even if they were swept up in the collective, collective violence is a greater violence. I want them to remember what they did to Nixiyasi. This commander, who was always loyal, kind, and upright, deserves to have his reputation restored and to regain respect."

Kang De sighed at this point, "Although she may have completely given up on the Azure Fleet, or perhaps she no longer cares about such things... she deserves it."

"..."

A Fu remained silent.

Kang De asked curiously, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"

"... Dad, I want to ask you something."

"Ah?"

"Are you genuinely ignorant, pretending, or deliberately feigning ignorance?"

"Ah?"

In addition to the farewell ceremony for the Azure Fleet, Kang De also attended the funeral of the Yilan-Tai'er.

Unexpectedly, the ancient inhabitants chose cremation.

In the deep sea, fire is scarce and sacred. Only noble priests are entitled to the noble funeral of cremation, with their ashes placed in urns and enshrined in the shrine. As for the sinners...?

They directly exposed the body to the pressure of deep seawater, more than two thousand meters deep, and it turned into blood foam in an instant.

Kang De had other plans, but Tuosidiwa insisted that Aifu be cremated and buried with the other sinners, and that her tombstone be placed in the cemetery alongside the others.

Kang De still erected a monument in her honor, with an inscription written by Tuosidiwa.

"She reigned briefly, making the greatest sacrifices and contributions to Yilan-Tai'er in the shortest of her time. She did not leave; she simply became part of Civilization. Never forget Aifu."

Even though most of the sinners were still confused about Aifu's sacrifice, they would get used to looking up at the sculpture. When the monument was erected, some of the Yilan-Tai'er also came to see it. They saw the gods and high priests bowing their heads in silence before the statue, and so they also mourned for this unfamiliar deceased.

The entire crew of the Abyss Walker also came to pay their respects.

Out of respect for these people, Kang De did not capture them, but let them leave freely. The captain stood silently before the statue of Aifu for a long time, leaving behind his signet ring, sword, and a bunch of gladiolus flowers.