Kingdom’s Bloodline Chapter 20: The limits of rule (below)

"Huh, garrison?"

Hickser re-strokes the crutches between his knees and pretends to think carefully: "Use killing and fear, blood and death to deter opponents and dissatisfied people, and break the people’s dependence and habits on the old system. An interesting Choose...lwxiaoshuo."

Selma on one side seemed to have kept up with the rhythm, she interjected with interest: "However, long-term garrisoning to the north means high military expenses, exaggerated supplies, and long-term mobilization costs. Complaints, none of these can be afforded by any grand prince—Charles told me that a month away from home for a mature man is enough to affect local output and bring dissatisfaction from the people."

Thyls's heart is clear: "So, even though Exter defeated the stars in the Scarlet Years, he could not rule the northern territory normally, nor could he use the garrison to keep the opponent's land."

Hickser showed his ugly but kind smile again.

"Interesting discussion, sir and madam," the new teacher's words changed again: "In that case, we have another problem: they can't directly rule themselves, so why don't they support the existing ones in the north Local nobles, do they rule the North?"

Thyls frowned.

Selma on the side rolled her eyes: "After King Nunn broke the cold fort, he hanged several lords from the Duke of the North to his subordinates who refused to give in, trying to extinguish the resistance in the North. "

Thyls thought of Val Allende who was in prison and of his hoarse allegations in the Palace of Revival.

The grand duke opened her mouth like an endorsement: "But he failed to destroy the absolute: The old Aaronde's son is still in the royal capital, so he failed to exterminate the blood ties with the northern land." /

"More than that, Exeter has not hit the south of the Muhe River, and the city of Wing Star is still standing. The robbed royal family quickly re-established the king," Selma added her words: "To the north, For both the big families and the common people, their kings and dukes still resisted in the war, their hope and beacon of resistance are still there, the jurisprudence and righteousness to fight for are still there, and Exter is still illegal. Evil intruder."

"Like Longxiao City, under the siege of the Nightwing King, it stands firm for a long time despite its precariousness. This is an eternal battle flag."

Thyls suddenly remembered the scene where Miranda and Cohen were trapped in Dragon City six years ago.

That's it.

Miranda Allende, as the heir of the Allende family, six years ago, she was also a crucial piece of the Rumba's occupation of the northern territory, whether it was to support puppets or...

That's why she was targeted by the Black Sand leader in the action of Dragon Blood: From Nunn's death to the invasion of the North, this is a set of chess moves that echo back and forth.

"Conversely speaking," Thinking of this, Thales unconsciously spoke out, and took over Selma's words: "Once Exter broke the Star City, the captives even cut off the Allende family Even the blood of the Canstar royal family..."

"Whether it is in the Northern Territory, or the cliffs and western wilderness they have already encroached on, by supporting puppets or garrisons, it may become easier to rule and occupy."

Hickser coughed.

The old man reached out his hand and tremblingly grabbed an inverted cup beside him.

Thyls got up quickly, picked up the kettle on the desk and poured water for him.

"Well, this is an interesting argument—thank you, kind sir—as long as the family bloodline representing the legal rule is still there and has not succumbed," Hexer drank the water, not forgetting Smashed his mouth behind the cup: "The invaders are far from conquering, they can only occupy, and use time and violence to eliminate dissatisfaction and maintain the status quo."

"Or support the local puppets, make them a vassal, and indirectly control the north," Hexer suddenly raised his gray eyes, radiating a strange look, and said deeply: "Like the Freedom League, to the Kingdom of Exeter."

The prince and the grand prince were all startled.

When they heard the familiar place name, they looked at each other suspiciously.

But the old crow did not continue this topic, but returned to the topic.

"So, dear Thales and Selma, let us summarize the discussion just now: For the born king, the people and vassals in the occupied area—the northern territory—have not become his allies. The vassals of his country who sent troops together did not get corresponding benefits, do you agree?"

Selma looked terrified and nodded: "Yes."

The old man coughed again and said with emotion: "You know, at my age, if you want to eat something good, in addition to good teeth."

"You have to have a healthy stomach pouch."

Hickser put down his water glass, constantly looking at the two sitting up unconsciously, and sighed for a long time: "So, after taking the Northland like a broken bamboo, behind the seemingly dazzling victory, Ax Te was unable to rule the northern territory for a long time. Under the premise that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, he could only leave the land he could not keep and was forced to withdraw his troops back to the country... Isn’t it that difficult to understand?"

Tyles took a deep breath and nodded: "Of course, it seems like this."

Hikeser looked at Thales who was cautious in his words, his wrinkled mouth curled slightly, and he smiled softly, "Then, there is one more thing, I think it's a bit strange."

Thyls and Selma leaned forward quickly. They have gradually become accustomed to the teacher's "chat" method.

"I can't eat meat that is too hard, but it's okay to have some small snacks," Hexer squinted, and the old man at that moment reminded Thales of Gilbert inexplicably, thinking of "Sly Fox "The well-known cunning eyes:

"Exter gave up the North, but why did they give up even Broken Dragon Fortress?"

"Like abandoning the northern border, let the stars take back such an important fortress?"

Tyles and Selma exchanged glances, and both fell into confusion.

"Because Broken Dragon Fortress is only a defensive fortress," Selma carefully tried to answer: "And the guard post? So it takes a long time to garrison troops. The benefits of occupying it are far less than the cost of maintaining it."

"Using a fortress to monitor and suppress the stars is a benefit in itself," but Thales shook his head: "But on the other hand, giving up on it is also harmful-the stars can use it as a base at any time Going north, this reason may not be true."

Hickser smiled slightly as he looked at the two who were thinking hard.

"It sounds like a dilemma." The old man changed his position and beat his right leg lightly. It seemed that sitting for a long time was not good for his health: "So, the King Nunn made a choice back then. Time, how is it considered?"

King Nunn.

Tyles' thoughts trembled again, and a tough and compelling image of an old man appeared in front of him.

Yes.

King Nunn!

Tyles' eyes refocused: "Because King Nunn doesn't allow it."

The gazes of Selma and Hexer turned to him again.

"If Exter controls the fortress, no matter who is stationed here, it means that the status and role of the black sand collar is greatly increased. In the face of the stars, the Dragon Broken Fortress can only rely on Rumba's supplies And support, which will increase his chips and weight."

"Secondly, with the fortress as a line of defense, the pressure on the black sand leader to face the stars will be sharply reduced, and Rumba will be able to free his hands, which will greatly increase his threat."

Telsto held his chin, thoughtfully: "Therefore, if King Nunn took the fortress himself and sent his cronies and troops to garrison, it was not only equivalent to blocking the threat from the south for the black sand collar, but also more Relying further on Rumba’s support is tantamount to handing over the chips to the black sand collar."

"And if the fortress is handed over to the black sand collar-it is even more impossible."

"The stars were taken for Exter," Thales groaned: "But before that, he didn't allow the Northern Territory or even the fortress to become any Grand Duke of Exter outside of Dragon City. Nourishment."

Selma showed a "wow" expression in the air.

The old crow laughed weakly but comfortedly from the other side.

"I think our discussion has gone from the country and rule to the level of the lords' game. This is a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that you can see more, the bad thing is..." Hexer playfully Blinking at the two, the eyes behind the lenses became clear: "You will see less."

The two students froze for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

The old crow held his lens slightly, coughed and coughed, then pulled the crutches from between his knees and placed them on his right hand.

"Very well, we talked for a long time today," Hickser raised his head, still with that kind but weak smile: "May I say: We have come to a consensus, interesting Conclusion: Invading and occupying a place, keeping and ruling a place, are the two completely different?"

Thyls and Selma looked at each other, and the latter nodded, "Of course."

Hickser's eye sockets slightly widened.

"You know, it reminds me of chess and maps," the skinny old man pulled at his somewhat crooked scarf: "On the chessboard and the map, everything is very vivid. You move one chess piece, one War chess, if you swallow an enemy, then the chessboard it sets up will be inserted with your flag and dyed with your color: this place is yours."

The prince and the grand prince are all looking together, listening attentively to the new teacher.

The old crow bowed his head slightly, with a playful expression: "But in reality, Exter’s example tells us that everything is complicated, and everything needs more consideration: you have eliminated the enemy and won victory, but it is not It means you can keep that piece of land."

"You can instruct an army to attack and win, but it doesn't mean you can accept the price that comes with it-even if it looks like a profit."

Hickser raised his head, looked at the sky outside the window, and sighed: "Maybe, this is the limit of rule."

"When you face war and peace, hostilities and alliances, you may first understand what and where the limits of rule are. There is no harm in the end." He turned his head, his eyes flashed behind the lens, making Thales He straightened his chest unconsciously: "Do you agree?"

The Star Prince took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "Yes, I agree very much."

Selma nodded vigorously.

Hickser turned his head, the wise eyes of that moment seemed to disappear without a trace, he reappeared with a relaxed and happy smile, jokingly and authentically: "Then, we had a good chat today, didn't we?"

While speaking, the skinny Hickser tremblingly supported the crutches and stood up: "Maybe...today...that's the end?"

Tyles and Selma quickly stood up and saluted him politely.

"Of course," the prince said earnestly: "Thank you, Mr. Hexer, you are a good teacher."

Hikesar laughed.

"Oh, don't be too busy to say that. After all, I don't even have a bachelor's qualification in the college."

The old crow closed his eyes and shook his head: "By the way, everything we said today, why did Exeter withdraw his troops, why he gave up the land, and reached the limit of rule... It's interesting, isn't it?"

The two students nodded respectfully.

Hickser opened his eyes slightly, the eyes behind the lenses flashed sly again, and the conversation turned: "If this is the case, then so be it, the next time we meet..."

"I hope you will be like today, and tell me with justification..."

The two students hurriedly listened.

Hickser supported the cane with both hands, squinted his eyes, and looked at the two solemn young girls with interest: "Why, everything we discussed today, all the conclusions from beginning to end..."

The old crow said softly: "It's all wrong."

Time seemed to stand still for two seconds.

Two seconds later, Thales and Selma both shook as they reacted!

Selma couldn't help but lose her voice: "What?"

Thyls stared at their teacher blankly, and didn't react for a long time.

Everything we discussed today...

It's all...

"Don't be nervous, Selma, just like I said." Seeing the two dumbfounded, Hexer raised his left hand and waved, laughing like a kid who succeeded in a prank: "We Just chat, this is our next chat topic: Why are we all wrong today."

The boy and girl looked at the old crow blankly, looked at each other, and couldn't accept each other's words.

A tutor, at the end of the first class, tells you: What he just said is wrong?

At that moment, Thales suddenly felt that the nickname "Old Crow" was so appropriate.

"We had a great chat today. The weather is good. Why don't you go for a walk together?" Hickser took a breath of air comfortably, blinked at the two students with special status, and leaned on the crutches. , Turned and left.

"Don't live up to your youth..." With the chuckle of crutches, the impressive new teacher pushed the door away.

Leave two students dumbfounded.

"What do you mean?"

Selma asked Thales suspiciously: "Is everything we said today fake?"

At that moment, Thales let out a long breath.

Looking at the leather chair Hexer had sat on, he suddenly understood something.

"No."

"I think, what he meant is that the truth is not important," Thales thoughtfully, trying to understand the other party's intentions: "The important thing is,"

"He wants us to face an almost firm conclusion and stand on the completely opposite position in the unfavorable situation where there are so many arguments."

Tyles squinted his eyes: "Persuade him again."

Wait.

Using a completely opposite standpoint, to overthrow a conclusion that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people?

What a familiar rhythm.

Selma blinked, let out a sigh, fell on her chair and pouted: "I don't understand."

Thyls shrugged.

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand."

"Just, prepare to spend the night in the library," with a faint sense of familiarity, the prince smiled, "I have a hunch, this topic is not that simple."

Selma sighed. She cocked her mouth, and lay down on the desk without an image: "But tomorrow there will be etiquette class for the Jinx female officer. It will continue..."

Thyls chuckled, slightly disdainful.

"Forget the etiquette lesson."

The prince turned around and looked deeply at the unhappy Selma: "Do you remember what I said?"

"The education you received in the past was all to train you to be a decent and elegant grand duchess," he said with scorching eyes, "turn you into..."

Selma interrupted him.

"'But'?"

The Grand Duke raised her eyebrows: "You have to say'but' again, right?"

Thyls finally suffocated his momentum.

"Okay--but," Thales nodded helplessly, shook his head again, and screamed at the door where Hexer was leaving: "I think, this man."

"This old crow...the limits of rule?"

The prince glanced at Hexer’s seat, looked at the blond girl in front of him seriously, and looked at her aggrieved gaze: "He is actually teaching you how to become a qualified person. Of..."

At this moment, the familiar sound of walking sticks suddenly rang outside the door.

"Hum... Hum... Hum..."

Under the strange gazes of the two, Hickser reappeared at the door with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, people are getting old and forgetting more," the old crow shook his head: "Although the time of our next lesson is uncertain due to my physical condition, I still feel that I should tell you in advance , What I hope you can do when we meet next time."

Thyls and Selma nodded respectfully: "Of course."

Hickser smiled slightly: "First of all, I hope you might as well take some notes and think about every sentence in our discussion..."

Selma nodded her head, and graciously wrote notes on her notebook.

"Secondly~IndoMTL.com~Remember that we are chatting, please feel free to speak anytime and anywhere to interrupt and ask each other; then, we should all be organized and grasp the key points to express;"

Thyls was taken aback for a moment.

Wait.

These words...

Why...

I saw Hexer cough and continued: "Also, we might as well be cautious and humble in the discussion. Before questioning something, it is best to ask our own position and opinions."

For that second, Thales was stunned firmly.

These words...

Not possible.

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