Chapter 481

If they had to offend one, they could only choose to offend the Duke Wellington; Zhongli would never dare to do so.

The inside story of the Lucky Knight is known only to the high-ranking members of Rhodes Island and the Supervision Committee. Even if Duke Wellington discovers something is amiss afterward and sends intelligence agents to investigate secretly, he will definitely not find any useful information.

"How dare they take advantage of my old age?!"

The absence of the Twin Empresses and the Silver Spear Pegasus significantly reduced the fighting strength of the Multinational Allied Forces.

This infuriated the Duke Wellington, who stayed in the camp for the next few days without going out.

Five days later, the Messenger who had gone to the Yan returned.

Duke Wellington had assumed that Liyue City's location near the border of Yan would inevitably arouse the enemy's vigilance.

There's an old saying in the Yan: "How can one tolerate another's snoring beside one's bed?" This means that one should defend one's own interests.

To his utter astonishment, the reply the Messenger brought back was like a thunderclap in winter.

"The official response from the Yan states that it is a very friendly ally of Liyue City. The two sides have established trading cities, adhere to open regionalism, and are committed to sincere cooperation to build a stable and prosperous homeland. This marks a new step in open cooperation and promotes the common development of both countries."

I tried to persuade the Yan's high-ranking officials by pointing out the vulnerability of their border territories to invasion. However, they told me to report back to His Lord Duke and to refrain from interfering in the affairs of other countries. They also strongly condemned and protested your decision to form Multinational Allied Forces against Zhongli.

The Duke Wellington was dumbfounded by the reply from Yan, feeling as if he had wasted the last few decades of his life.

He had never heard of Zhongli before. He had only recently learned about the city of Liyue City.

It was as if they suddenly appeared out of the ground overnight. Moreover, every country was very friendly to Zhongli, while he himself was kept in the dark and completely unaware.

Currently, Sargon, Kazimierz, and Yan unwilling to join the Allied Forces. So who can they turn to? If Zhongli finds out about this, will he come looking for trouble later?

Oh dear, they really shot themselves in the foot!

The Duke Wellington's emotions had now shifted from anger to regret. He dismissed the Messenger sent to Yan and sat alone in his tent, lost in thought.

He's practically half-buried, so it doesn't matter if he dies. What I'm worried about is that this incident might cause His Highness Ablana to be targeted by Zhongli.

If a wrong judgment prevents King Gael's descendants from restoring their kingdom, then the Duke Wellington would truly become a sinner against Tara for all time.

A feeling of despair welled up inside me.

Just as the Duke Wellington was feeling dejected, an officer's voice suddenly came from outside the tent:

"Your Lord Duke, the Messenger has arrived."

The Duke Wellington is currently in a poor state and doesn't want outsiders to see him in such a dejected manner.

"I'm tired, don't let anyone in. Tell him the mission is over, and he can go back to what he was doing."

The Messenger outside was unaware of what had transpired during this period, but since the Duke Wellington had sent him on this mission, he needed to provide some explanation. So, urged on by his officers, he shouted loudly into the tent:

"Your Lord Duke, the Columbia Ministry of Defense has accepted the invitation and inquired about the specific time for troop deployment."

Sending troops? What a load of crap!

With none of the three major powers participating, the Multinational Allied Forces plan has become a laughing stock. Even with strong support from the Columbia Ministry of Defense, what's the point?

[Urge Update Sign-in]

Chapter 556 Doppelgangers and Doppelgangers (8K)

Over the course of a week, the industrial structures of Liyue City and Guili City underwent extensive adjustments.

Crops currently in the planting stage will be removed after the autumn harvest and replaced with other varieties.

According to climate classification, mountainous areas like Liyue City and Guili City are classified as subarctic regions. This climate is characterized by abundant sunshine in summer, but low temperatures in autumn and winter. Common crops are easily killed by frost, making it suitable for growing some cold-resistant fruits and crops.

As the capital of Liyue, Liyue City primarily focuses on the industrial development of refined processing and high-end fruits. There is little disagreement regarding this decision.

Given the conditions in the mountains, it's impossible to compete with the fertile land of Shangshu in terms of grain production. We must learn to leverage our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, making the most of the advantages of the mountainous terrain.

For example, expensive high-end fruits like blueberries and strawberries are the main focus of cultivation in Liyue City.

The biggest advantage of growing in high mountains compared to plains is the absence of pests. Fruits grown in the low-temperature climate don't require pesticides and receive abundant sunshine. Fruits grown in high-altitude environments tend to be more naturally plump and can be marketed as naturally pollution-free.

Apples and grapes were distributed to Guili City; these two are mid-range fruits and can bring in a decent income.

The local residents of Liyue City felt that this allocation was reasonable. The capital city should act like the capital city and needed differentiated planting to distinguish it from other cities.

The Sarkaz who settled in Guili City also had no objections. They were given cold-resistant fruits such as apples, grapes, and plums. Their annual income would be slightly lower than that of Liyue City, but not by much. As long as they were hardworking, they would reap what they sowed.

As the defeated side, they were already grateful to have returned alive from Londinium. Now they just wanted to live a peaceful and quiet life; a simple and ordinary life was the best. If they could save a little money through hard work and occasionally enrich their spiritual lives, that would be even better.

Liyue City took this as a starting point and created some tourist attractions and developed the service industry.

Besides fruits, crops were also roughly allocated, such as cold-resistant crops like Highland Bean, Highland Celery, Highland Carrot, and Highland Cabbage.

However, the produce isn't for sale; the two cities alone can consume it all, maintaining self-sufficiency.

A portion of the Sarkaz from the Qianyan Army were also sent to Guili City to maintain local order.

As promised, Shi Lei entrusted the internal affairs of Guili City to Theresia. Military affairs required a capable general to oversee the city, and everyone Broca.

He was originally a member of the Sarkaz, and Wendigo of the Ten Royal Courts, making it very convenient for him to manage the Sarkaz.

The position of deputy Commander of the Qianyan Army in Liyue City was given to Ines, who had performed exceptionally well.

Since arriving in Liyue City, W has often been lazy and unproductive, frequently missing patrol routes during patrols.

Even though he got promoted this time, he still slacked off every day.

Heredrey works under W, and together they are responsible for patrolling and maintaining security within the city.

Although it was called patrolling and maintaining order, the patrolling was actually done by other members of the Qianyan Army; they only needed to maintain order.

Each elevator post is guarded by soldiers of the Qianyan Army. They have a daily changing password, and if they spot an enemy, they will immediately set off fireworks as a warning.

W knew he had a bad temper, so he dumped the trivial neighborhood disputes on Istina, Winter, and other members of the Ursus Student Self-Government Association who had just come of age.

Istina was mainly in charge of paperwork, with Leto acting as her assistant. Gummy spent her days following the energetic Winter around, immersing herself in grassroots work.

Because of his Winter and efficient work style, and his tendency to swear when agitated, the people called him "The Temperamental Winter."

Overall, there aren't as many civil disputes in Liyue City as one might imagine. Most local residents will back down when disputes arise, trying their best not to escalate the conflict.

It's like someone falling into sewage; they'd want to climb out as quickly as possible, disgusted. But if they fell into clear water, they might even feel like swimming.

In the past, under harsh conditions, they would fight with outsiders for even the smallest amount of supplies. If they didn't fight, they might starve to death for a single meal.

But things are different now. Without the pressure of survival, there's no need to be so calculating. Sometimes, it's okay to suffer a little loss; we all work together to maintain our beautiful home.

In consideration of industrial optimization and upgrading, Shi Lei also built an additional refrigerated transit warehouse in Guili City.

Merchants from Shangshu are only here to buy fruit can purchase the goods available in Liyue City by walking only halfway. Similarly, if Liyue City needs to purchase anything, they can ask Guili City for help. Simply notify them, bring the money, and pick up the goods.

Unlike agricultural products, fruits do not have a long shelf life. Ice is plentiful in high mountains, and using it to fill cold storage to keep fruits fresh makes them easier to sell.

After successfully restructuring the industries of Liyue City and Guili City, Shi Lei left government affairs to his subordinates and set off alone to Northern Ursus to handle a personal matter.

When he sent Talulah back to Lungmen Prison, he heard that Duke Koschei had another incarnation in the world.

She provided a school address, hoping Shi Lei could take some time to visit it. If the Undying Black Serpent was found, it should be completely eradicated to prevent it from harming humanity again. This was Talulah's biggest worry since going to prison.

Shi Lei agreed to the request and went to investigate after finishing his business in Liyue City.

Considering Koschei's possession of bodies—a bizarre Originium Arts —he did not bring anyone with him.

Let's set off early and resolve this sooner. This is to eliminate Koschei, not a honeymoon. We don't need to bring three girlfriends; Shi Lei alone is enough.

However, when he arrived at the designated Ursus School, he found no trace of Koschei. He spent two more days there collecting clues, but still came up empty-handed. Only then did he return to Lungmen Prison and report the results of his investigation.

Upon hearing the news, Talulah did not insist, repeatedly expressed her gratitude to him, and returned to her cell after the prison visit ended.

Shi Lei had already taken in more than a thousand infected people, so she couldn't push her luck and make any more demands.

Next, I'll reform myself in prison and see if I can serve my full sentence and be released before I die.

After leaving Lungmen Prison, Shi Lei didn't rush back to Liyue City. Instead, he went to the headquarters of the Schwayer Group, signed a long-term grain purchase contract with them, and paid for it with high-purity Pure Gold.

You can't just pluck one sheep at a time.

With the grain purchased from Shangshu and Lungmen, tens of thousands of people should have no problem surviving until next spring.

Shi Lei walked out of the Swire Group building and looked westward, considering where to go next.

July 7, 1098, morning.

Schools were on summer vacation in July, so Surtr no longer had to pick up and drop off Lisa at school every day.

However, the early rising habit she developed over the past year made her wake up at six o'clock. She got up and went to the kitchen to heat up milk in the microwave, which she then ate with thick toast spread with jam.

Since Shi Lei and Texas have been away for a long time, Lisa moved to Warehouse No. 2 to take care of her. I suppose he wouldn't make things difficult for himself over something like this.

Seeing that Lisa was still sleeping in, Surtr didn't wake her up. After finishing his meal, he went for a walk in the street.

The streets in the early morning are bustling with busy office workers, with the rest being Old Man get up early to exercise.

Many people squander their lives when they are young. They are either forced to work overtime or deliberately waste their lives by staying up all night. Only when they have little time left do they think about pursuing their health.

A body weakened by overwork can never be restored to its youthful state, no matter how much money or medicine is spent. It can only temporarily alleviate the various symptoms and pains, as if prolonging the retribution for the extravagance of youth.

"Hey, Miss Surtr! What a coincidence! Want to go for a run together?"

Surtr looked in the direction of the sound and saw Waai Fu was jogging in the morning, waving to him.

She was wearing a thin white sleeveless sweatshirt, and her thick body hair and atavistic features were very eye-catching.

Nine out of ten passersby were looking at Waai Fu; her appearance was loved by the vast majority of Terra.

She's almost a senior in college, but she still hasn't found a job. She's still working part-time at the Koi-Style Detective Agency, occasionally doing odd jobs like handing out flyers.

During the time Shi Lei was away, the two women became friends because of their healthy lifestyles.

Besides Waai Fu, there's also Penguin Logistics' Croissant.

Surtr often saw her on the street, and they gradually became quite familiar with each other. Occasionally, she would stay and shop with him, listening to Croissant chat about interesting things.

"Hoo... Hah..."

The two jogged all the way to Central Park, where there were many Old Man doing their morning exercises.

Compared to his previous taciturn nature, Surtr is now much more proactive, asking:

Haven't you found a job yet?

"Hey, not yet."

Waai Fu scratched his ear, his smile slightly awkward.

"Actually, I wanted to ask Miss. Lin Yuxia for help; she's the president of the Youth Entrepreneurship Association. But I haven't figured out what to do with the loan after getting it from her."

Surtr nodded and continued, "..."

"I see you enjoy practicing martial arts. Have you ever considered opening a Martial Arts School?"

Waai Fu sighed, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sigh, Martial Arts School. I've thought about it, but now's not the right time. Maybe I'll be able to settle down and open Martial Arts School after I find that person and get some things cleared up."

Surtr knew that the person Waai Fu mentioned was her biological father Huai Tianpei.

I heard he was a martial arts fanatic who abandoned Waai Fu a few years ago and disappeared without a trace.

Mr. Lee had been inquiring, but he could not find any news about Huai Tianpei.

"Waai Fu, you don't have to wait until you find him to do what you want. Why not try it first? Some people will appear when they're meant to."

Surtr empathized with this sentiment.

She used to wander around, searching for the truth behind her amnesia based on fragmented memories.

Later, Surtr met Shi Lei, who enlightened him and made him realize the truth. After understanding that he was a clone, he resigned himself to staying there.

"Sigh, the weather's so nice today, let's not talk about those unhappy things."

Waai Fu forced a bitter smile, shook her head, and changed the subject. She didn't know what to say to Huai Tianpei, who had so heartlessly abandoned her.

Perhaps, as Surtr said, things will work themselves out. Waai Fu should focus on living his own life well, and his father might just suddenly appear before him one day.

Of course, it may never appear.

Given my father's obsessive nature, he's most likely gone to challenge a martial arts master. If the opponent accidentally kills him, then no one can be blamed. If that's not the case, why hasn't he returned all these years?

Waai Fu didn't want to talk about Huai Tianpei anymore and wanted to change the subject. But she knew that Surtr didn't have any memories of the past, and talking about it would easily lead to an awkward silence. After a moment's thought, she shifted the topic to Shi Lei:

Has Mister Zhongli still not returned?