Mistakenly believing that Todd had agreed to his proposal, Rutledge was overjoyed: "Your Majesty, it's wonderful that you've come to your senses! If possible, I'd love to open a bottle of your prized wine and have everyone sit down together..."

Todd interrupted, "I'd like to know how you're going to handle things in the Silver Ring Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this question, Rutledge, who had been excited, immediately calmed down.

The issue of the Silver Ring Kingdom is, after all, the basis of the current cooperation between the two sides, so it is only natural that the other party has questions.

Rutledge nodded and said, "Although the Dawson family is a former member of the Silver Ring, they have lived in Twilight City for many years and have long understood the will of the people in this city. To ask the current citizens of Twilight to accept the rule of the Silver Ring Kingdom is nothing short of wishful thinking."

"Moreover, the current ruler of the Silver Ring Kingdom, that six-year-old boy, is merely a distant nephew of Guy VI, which makes the restoration of the Silver Ring Kingdom seem like a joke."

"Over the years, the Dawson family has, on the one hand, infiltrated and bribed others to obtain the complete list of former Silver Ring officials and all their assets; on the other hand, they have bound together the top conglomerates and powerful families in Twilight City through marriage and alliances."

Rutledge proudly stated, "It is no exaggeration to say that the Dawson family now directly or indirectly controls nearly one-third of the economic lifeline of the entire Muxi Kingdom."

"Outside of this city, the Dawson family not only signed a defensive alliance with the pirate king Barbarossa, but also had a secret arms trade with the Southern Empire, and even maintained good cooperative relations with those well-known mercenary armies."

"Therefore, as long as Your Majesty agrees to abdicate and resolve the issue of the Silver Ring remnants, it is nothing more than a trivial matter in the eyes of the Dawson family."

Rutledge pointed to his men behind him who were disposing of the bodies and said in a deep voice, "See these people? I have placed assassins next to every former Silver Ring official. They could be guards, cooks, gardeners, tailors, or even mistresses. With just one order from me, they can immediately dispose of their target."

Todd nodded and said, "It seems that the Dawson family has made thorough preparations for taking over."

Rutledge beamed: "So, Your Majesty, your worries are unnecessary. I can assure you that cooperating with the Dawson family will be the best decision you've ever made..."

"Rutledge, tell me, once the Dawson family owns Twilight City, how do you plan to manage this kingdom?"

Todd's unexpected question left Rutledge stunned.

Rutledge frowned and repeated, "Manage the kingdom?"

Todd rose from his throne, ignoring Mary's warning, and walked up to Rutledge. Looking at the intelligent and ambitious young man, he calmly asked, "If you were the king of the Kingdom of Muxi, how would you intend to govern this country?"

Rutledge was puzzled. Shouldn't most people be negotiating at this point? For example, how much wealth could they retain after abdication? How would their personal safety be guaranteed? Would they be allowed to retain some privileges?

But the sage king actually asked him how to govern the country?

Rutledge pondered for a moment before replying, "If I were king, I would exploit the internal discord within the Southern Empire, instigating infighting. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would conquer the various kingdoms of the dioceses in one fell swoop, strengthening their economic and military power through production, trade, and commerce..."

Todd waved his hand to interrupt Rutledge: "You misunderstood me. I wanted to ask how you intend to continue the prosperity of this kingdom?"

Rutledge looked completely bewildered.

Todd put it even more clearly: "While you are in power, your wisdom and strategy may bring prosperity to the Kingdom of Muxi. But you will die one day. How can you guarantee that your descendants will not destroy the empire you have painstakingly built?"

Rutledge was stunned. He said in disbelief, "That might be decades, or even a century from now! Is it meaningful to think about that? As the king, I have developed Muxi City into a great empire, and I have left my name in history for future generations to admire. That is enough! As for those things in the future, they are too far away. Who would care?"

Todd's eyes revealed endless disappointment: "For you, decades, a hundred years, may be a long time. But for humanity, for the race, this time is as insignificant as a drop of water in the ocean."

Todd turned around, his steps heavy, and slowly walked back to the throne: "Rutledge, you've always been thinking only of yourself, your vision limited to the size of a well... I thought you would be a smart man, but you've disappointed me..."

"Are you crazy?!" Rutledge shouted at Todd. "What king thinks about what's a hundred years from now! In this life, with wealth, power, women, and fame, isn't that enough? Only idiots care about the afterlife!"

Todd sat back on the throne, staring at Rutledge's arrogant face, and said quietly, "You are no different from those people. While you were alive, material possessions and satisfaction blinded you, preventing you from ever seeing the future, from everlasting eternity."

Losing his patience, Rutledge roared at Todd, "Stop wasting my time! Tell me, would you rather cooperate with the Dawson family or die?!"

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