Chapter 370: A Year of Abundant Harvest (End)
The battle between the strong men started and ended very quickly, but the people on earth had no time to pay attention to the lightning and thunder in the sky.
The Fourth Order had fallen into a veritable frenzy. The widespread psychological suggestion had been dispelled by the White Lotus, and the broadcast from the Sacred Tree had instilled unheard truths into everyone's minds. Doubt, panic, confusion, anger—the chaotic emotions rose like steam, and the demons within the resistance trembled.
There were simply too many people. This wasn't just a commotion of hundreds or thousands, but a conflict of ideas involving over a hundred million people. The combined mental energy of so many could even harm a high-quality individual. The Ascenders, who instinctively maintained their composure, gradually lost their independent thinking in the midst of this collective conflict and merged with the chaotic tide.
"It was Fifid who deceived us!"
"What the opposition says is not necessarily right."
"You betrayed the Allies just to save your own lives!"
"A traitor who disregards the sacred tree when his interests are compromised!"
"They're all liars!" an old farmer shouted hysterically. "They're all telling us nonsense for their own purposes! I don't trust anyone. I don't trust anyone anymore!"
He swung his pitchfork at the rat-cage chariot beside him, breaking the wheels and freeing the imprisoned smaller citizens. The freed Grubbs and hamsters erupted in rage, leaping to their feet and indiscriminately pulling at the hair of those around them. A simple reaction to the attack was interpreted as a deliberate attack, and the farmers immediately launched a counterattack.
Pushing and kneading, fists and kicks, and then weapons were used. The leaders' words were now meaningless, and a frenzy of emotion dominated the entire Fourth Meridian Order. An unstoppable large-scale bloodshed was about to occur.
At this time, the fourth captain finally appeared in everyone's sight.
"Currently, ideological conflicts have occurred throughout the Fourth Vein Order, threatening the lives and safety of citizens. In the name of Ling Feng, Captain of the Jingsha Fourth Divine Guard, I request that collective emotional calming be carried out."
【license】
No longer the cold declaration of the false sacred tree, an old yet gentle voice reached the hearts of the people. A pale green beam of light descended, enveloping Ling Feng like a verdant veil. With the support of the Thorny Sacred Tree, her power extended to the entire Fourth Vein, allowing the people to see a warm light.
The power of the elements is the power of emotion, and the glimmer of light represents the purest form of positive emotion, a symbol of protection and healing. Once, the mages of the Spiral Tower used this light to quell disputes and repeatedly thwart the attempts of outsiders to sow discord. Now, divine power spreads with this light, like a gentle hand caressing the confused hearts of the people, calming them down...
This allows them to temporarily look at everything in front of them from an objective perspective.
The democratic politics of the city-state encourages everyone to speak freely... but all disputes must be limited to words. All conflicts should be between words and thoughts. We will never harm others because of political differences... because the system and laws are supported by trust and love.
In a rare instance, the Thorn Tree spoke personally to its people. After these few words, it fell silent, as if drained of all its strength. The people were deeply moved, and many devout believers even shed tears.
And before their rational minds could react, a few seconds later, another loud noise grabbed everyone's attention.
It was the banner of the resistance, a giant, invulnerable hardwood vanguard. It used its massive vines to lift up the surrounding crowd, regardless of friend or foe, creating a large clearing. Seeing its side's situation so favorable, the giant lay down as if in deep sleep, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, the Hardwood Vanguard's cockpit popped open. Gulibo jumped out, holding a small white flag, and excitedly exclaimed, "We're all clearly thinking about the city-state, so why keep fighting? The enemy hasn't even invaded yet, and yet we're turning on each other?!"
"I don't want to fight with my own people!"
It ran out holding a white flag, abandoning the war plants and completely ignoring them. The rest of the rebels dropped their equipment and raised flowers, fruits, and the white flags they had prepared long ago.
For a moment, the Fourth Pulse was a blanket of white. Separatists and apolitical citizens were struck by the pure white. The plethora of events unfolding at such a rapid pace left the citizens with mixed emotions. Many laid down their weapons, and someone let out a bewildered sigh.
"What on earth are we doing..."
Who are these people who claim to be righteous but repeatedly commit atrocities?
People helped their companions up, filled with guilt and regret. Apologies, excuses, and arguments all turned into long sighs... and deep sobs.
·
Hardwood Pioneer interior, inside the cab.
Velvet was playing with a specially made millennium bug. It was jumping around like a toad, repeating, "What the hell are we doing? What the hell are we doing?"
She smiled with satisfaction and put the Y2K away.
The stone seed lying on the ground said, "Little girl, this is not very fair."
"Unfortunately, it's difficult to win public support simply by expressing genuine feelings."
"Gulibo and the others probably still think this is a resonance of the soul..."
“That’s the most important driving force, isn’t it?” Velvet said. “So there’s no need to let them know about these minor tricks. Let the reconciliation in the fields be a miracle of goodwill.”
After getting rid of the influence of the mind controller, everyone saw the truth of what Shizhong said. Under the advice of the sacred tree, they turned hostility into friendship and finally succeeded in reconciliation.
Of course, things won’t go that smoothly.
Most things depend on preconceived notions, and political stances are extremely difficult to change. Even with the combined influence of Shizhong and Jingsha, the stubborn people are not easily changed.
Therefore, Shi Zhong's telepathic broadcast also planted a subtle psychological suggestion. It was a purely verbal guidance, similar to "You'll have good luck this afternoon." The white flags prepared in advance by Gulibo and the others, and the hardwood pioneer's dramatic fall, all significantly deepened this impression.
Afterward, Ling Feng used a shimmer of light to provide widespread emotional soothing, creating the ideal conditions for the outburst of the hint. Jing Sha's voice transmission provided a powerful impetus. With their leader defeated, the Fourth Squad, without their leader, became no different from ordinary citizens in the chaos of the entire Pulse Sequence. With the help of the pre-arranged voice transmission system Y2K and the infiltration of spies among the independence faction, reconciliation between the two sides was a natural outcome.
Behind the great reconciliation of the fourth lineage is actually a carefully planned political show.
"The original plan wasn't going to go this smoothly, but the Thorn Tree chose the perfect timing to transmit its message," Velvet commented. "I think the God of Unity understands the city-state's current situation better than anyone else."
"Can't love and kindness alone save Jingsha..." Shizhong sighed. "The citizens are so innocent, while we 'upstanding people' resort to shameful means. It's really sad to think about it."
"You didn't hesitate when you dropped the hint."
"Leaders can't be as naive as ordinary people."
The screen in the cab displayed the outside world. A pre-prepared banner, "Re-Vote for the Bill," fluttered in the sunlight. Peasants, led by the resistance group, lined up to sign the petition. Some peasants, previously apolitical, joined the petitioners, as a blond knight shouted a call from the crowd.
"The allied forces are well aware of Jingsha's difficulties. Let everyone know that Master Canxin is deeply concerned about the city-state, and his direct disciples are fighting within the city right now. From this incident, it's clear that Master Canxin's attitude has been made abundantly clear!
Until the main reinforcements from the various major factions arrive at the city-state, the current Shura Island forces will not easily leave the front lines. In a few days, the first batch of warriors will arrive at the front lines."
"Everyone must believe in the Allies, and even more so, in their own country. Jingsha will never fight alone. Let us protect the glory of the sacred tree together!"
This publicity was a shot in the arm for the anti-bill faction. The fourth captain Ling Feng later appeared and confirmed that their remarks were true, which greatly encouraged people.
For a moment, the Fourth Pulse Order was abuzz with activity, and unity and hard work once again dominated public opinion. After completing his mission, Ji Huaisu slipped back into the cab, where he found a bottle of juice and drank it with relish.
Velvet smiled faintly, "I didn't even know the Zanxin Master had sent disciples to act."
"That's right, Akong, 100% personally taught me! Not a single word of it is false!"
“So, Akong has such an adventure.” Velvet nodded. “Then how did you know that I contacted reinforcements from other Dust Islands?”
Ji Huaisu blinked: "I don't know, I guessed it."
Velvet laughed out loud: "Oh!"
"After being here for so long, I've pretty much figured out what city-state politics is all about," Ji Huaisu said confidently. "City-state politics is all about making big promises first and then making them come true. If you can pull it off, you're a wise ruler; if you can't, you're a mediocre ruler."
"You are very good at getting to the heart of the matter. I think you have the potential to be a politician."
"Then I have to be a great politician and do what I say." Ji Huaisu took a sip of juice. "I'll go to Xiaoye this afternoon to build connections. This city-state problem needs to be addressed both internally and externally. No matter what, we have to send reinforcements here."
"I think she's become smarter after her transformation," said Shizhong.
Velvet commented, "Perhaps sealing off some of my power would help me think better."
She put on a suit jacket, controlled the information projection and walked through the crowd, and found the down-and-out Fifede under a big tree. The farmer and council member was now being treated coldly, his supporters had abandoned him one after another, and many people denounced him as a big capitalist who deceived the public.
"I know," it said dejectedly to Velvet, "after independence is achieved, my farm will be the first to go bankrupt. I knew this when the plan began... But I'm not afraid of poverty. For the city-state of Jingsha, I can give up all these possessions! I've starved for ten years, I'm not afraid of another ten, or even another twenty!"
"They keep saying they love the city-state, but why aren't they willing to sacrifice their own interests for it?"
Velvet felt like she was talking to a child. She thought this was probably the current situation of a considerable number of citizens in Jingsha. They had morals and a sense of responsibility, but they looked at some things too naively.
"Loving the thorny robe and loving oneself are never contradictory," she said. "Everyone has selfish desires. The prosperity of the city-state in the past was due to the combination of selfishness and justice. A united collective makes the divine power strong, and production and trade themselves are meaning."
"The devastating blow suffered twenty years ago was the direct cause of Jingsha's decline, but the depression that persists to this day is the core of its decline. Your willingness to forsake wealth and happiness to stay away from the battlefield doesn't simply demonstrate that you, deep down, no longer trust this sacred tree you love and respect?"
Fifeide was startled by what she said. Velvet's projection had already left. Her words of encouragement could be heard from the crowd.
"Before you blame others, think about it yourself. What does the sacred tree want to see? The happiness of all the people in the city-state, or a future where the citizens starve to death and their only child will die."
·
Just like that, the chaos of the fourth lineage came to an end.
Compulsory labor laws were no longer enforced after this day, and Velvet took full control of the base beneath Fifede Farm. The once rampant "false sacred tree" unknowingly ceased to exert its control over the fields.
In just one week, members of the underground resistance and wavering centrists contributed 18 million votes to the bill's re-election. This number continued to rise over time, making people see the possibility of a re-vote.
The change in the situation was manifested in the most intuitive way in Mansa Star Castle.
"oh oh……"
Amidst the swaying grass, Old Jingsha let out a muffled sigh. His frail frame now seemed to regain some strength. He moved his shoulders very slowly, smiling and muttering to himself, "It seems... we still have hope!"
The face behind him spoke: "No need to struggle, the outcome is settled."
"Hey." Old Jingsha laughed, "Old friend, we'll see!"
(End of this chapter)
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