Chapter 142
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The second floor was still decorated the same as yesterday, except for a plate of snacks and a few cups on the table.
The empty space was filled with a box of things that Lanna had sent someone to bring up.
The city lord was still sitting alone behind the table.
Seeing Lian Yun and the others appear, the city lord happily poured them warm water.
"It's going to rain today, do you have an umbrella?"
Lian Yun nodded, took out the umbrella behind him and leaned against the wall next to him.
"Yesterday... I really troubled you." Lian Yun still felt a little embarrassed.
The city lord waved his hand calmly: "What's the big deal? It's just a normal chat, isn't it?"
"Don't always carry so many things in your mind. Sometimes you have to empty them out and make room for other things."
As he said this, he winked at Lian Yun.
Lian Yun nodded in confusion.
"Can you show me what you've got?" the city lord pointed at the box. "I've already gone through it twice and I don't understand a single thing."
Lian Yun smiled and said, "Okay."
Next, she and Lanna introduced the flying stones and molten crystal ores to the city lord, and also explained in advance that the town would soon be able to produce materials such as "glass".
In addition, there is bread made in the town. Lian Yun took it out from the backpack that can freeze time, and it looked as if it had just been baked.
The city lord broke off a soft piece of bread and put it into his mouth, closing his eyes and savoring it carefully. Soon he nodded with satisfaction.
"Not bad! It tastes much better than parsnip bread!"
Lian Yun nodded proudly. "We also brought back some fruit trees and vegetables from the Elven Forest. Once we have enough food, we can make a variety of dishes."
"But I also saw a lot of plants in your city that are not found in other cities."
The city lord said: "This is not our private collection. Many city management officials have asked us for these trees and plants before, but they would not survive if we planted them there."
He was quite surprised when he said this: "Your town is okay? I remember it was in the desert, wasn't it?"
After he said this, Lian Yun also began to feel very strange.
But after thinking about it carefully, she realized that she was just like the city lord, as the land on her territory was not affected, so she had never noticed it.
But considering the current situation of Quoge City and Jiaota City, combined with what the Elf Queen once said, it seems that the barrenness of the land is not accidental.
...Everything seemed more premeditated.
The city lord pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard about what happened in Jiaota and Kuoge City. To be honest, I've been dreading this day since the news of the continent-wide decline spread."
However, the city of Buli Lake was not affected by the impoverishment of the land on the entire continent, and its output had never fallen below the standard. He was busy with the government affairs of his own city, and he was powerless to consider solutions for other cities.
"But since this matter has become a problem between our allies, we in Buli Lake City will certainly do our best to help you resolve it."
"It's up to you young people to find the root of the problem. But as for food and other supplies, feel free to ask for them if you need them. The demand within our city is not high."
Since the city lord said so, Lian Yun immediately asked him for a batch of food without hesitation and sent it to Kuoge City at noon today.
The most important issue was resolved. The city lord then looked at the ore he had just introduced. "Is the molten crystal production high? I'd like to buy a batch first."
Without needing Lian Yun to explain, he muttered to himself, "This thing is great. I'd better get me a copy of the forging blueprints for the street lamps. Then I can replace all the street lamps with these... That's really great."
Lian Yun: ...I knew it.
As a city lord who loves building cities, it is only natural that the first thing he thinks of is beautifying the streets and improving the living standards of the citizens!
Lian Yun showed a mysterious smile: "I am not short of money."
The city lord paused as he held the molten crystal.
Lian Yun met his gaze and smiled faintly: "Money is the thing I have the most. I will exchange as much supplies as you can. Of course, if we exchange goods at equal value, you won't lose out."
The city lord pursed his lips and smiled with interest: "Of course."
"Also, if there are any materials that can be exchanged in the third-level cities under your jurisdiction, we will purchase them at a price that satisfies you, or we can exchange them for what you want."
Fang Suo, who was listening in, sat in his seat. His body was tense at first, but his expression gradually relaxed. He then started to eat the snacks on the table to pass the time.
This negotiation was so successful that it even far exceeded her imagination. She had never found Lian Yun's negotiations to be so natural. Perhaps it was because the city lord looked like someone she knew?
Lian Yun swept away his shyness towards strangers.
Before setting off, Lian Yun was worried that he would be stage fright, so he practiced several times with Fang Suo and the others.
Perhaps they got along well, or perhaps the conditions offered by Lian Yun were very generous, and the city lord was also very cooperative in the negotiations.
Finally, Lian Yun raised the question he had received from the guards when he entered the city: "I heard that you voted a few days ago?"
The city lord nodded with a smile.
"Everyone has the answer in their hearts. I've listed the options, and I'm just listening to everyone's opinions on how to proceed."
"...That's not what you said when I left." Although Fang Suo was overjoyed at the result, he couldn't help but say, "You're very serious, it seems..."
The next second, Fang Suo, who provoked the war, will be driven out of Buli Lake City.
The city lord coughed lightly twice.
"Aren't you afraid you won't come?"
"Although we have made a decision, it would be safer to meet with the person in charge."
"Then... why did everyone choose us?" Lian Yun continued to ask.
It's not that she is belittling herself. The town's current development trend is very fast and good, but compared with the main city's power over the years, it is still hard to be optimistic.
"This question is too simple." The city lord straightened his expression and winked at her, "Because we are all smart people."
He never pretends to be peaceful for the main city. He never cares about how the main city treats Buli Lake City, and he lets them fend for themselves. He only appears occasionally to "collect rent."
He never hides these from his people.
"I listed the pros and cons, and my town never hinders people's freedom of speech. As soon as the notice was sent out, people started to talk about the pros and cons of both, and unsurprisingly, they all sided with the small town."
"It's the right stance, isn't it? And I believe they will like the new street lights." The city lord smiled.
Lian Yun smiled knowingly.
"By the way, do you have any plans?" The city lord paused. "Of course, you don't have to tell me. But if there are any unresolved issues, perhaps I can help think about them. But I'm old, and my mind isn't very sharp, so I might not be able to come up with anything."
"You are not old." Lian Yun retorted.
His reaction was even faster than hers during the negotiation just now.
She should be thankful that the other party did not set a trap for her, otherwise she might really step into it.
“But there is a problem.”
Lian Yun briefly described what happened in Honey's village, and the love-hate relationship between it and the main city, the scene he saw just after leaving the auction house, and finally focused on the conversation with Mogo and others.
The city lord clenched his fists, rested his chin on his hand, and looked serious.
Although he asked Lian Yun to ask questions not out of politeness, he did not expect the other party to drop several bombshells on him right from the start.
For a moment I didn't know where to begin.
Thousands of words, condensed into a "polite" word -
"...These rubbish are nothing!"
"You did a great job. If I were young, I would do the same." The city lord made a simple comment and cast an admiring look at Lian Yun.
This refers to the act of Lian Yun leaving the village.
"But that was a bit risky. Luckily, no one in the main city knew you, and you were smart enough to wear a cloak. But it was still too risky..."
This refers to Lian Yun's behavior of going to the auction house.
"But I did find some useful information... But what are you focusing on?"
Lian Yun regretted that she should have explained everything slowly and one by one.
But she could only bite the bullet and tentatively continue: "What do you mean...?"
"Alicia's daughter is in your town. This connection means you're almost certain to win. What about those puppets? What do you think?"
Lian Yun pursed his lips: "I have thought about it. If I take the main city, I will definitely release them."
The city lord raised his hand to interrupt her and shook his head slightly.
"Are you going to fight the main city and have the advantage in manpower?"
Lian Yun was stunned.
"Why do you want to build a good relationship with Mogo?"
Lian Yun hesitated and said, "...to persuade him to rebel? Because his family's status means they're not involved with either side. Perhaps they could be a great help to us, collaborating with us from both inside and outside?"
The city lord listened quietly and still shook his head.
"Is Mogo's family in the main city?"
Lian Yun was about to answer yes, but suddenly stopped.
Meeting the old man's serious gaze, she finally realized her one-sided view of the problem.
Not to mention that Mogo has no real power at all.
Even if there is, will he give up his family's current favorable conditions and status in the main city, turn against the nobles and the association, and open the city gates to welcome Lian Yun's team?
If it were so easy to be turned against, the Hewlett family would have been swallowed up by those two forces long ago.
"Even though Mogo doesn't have much real power," the city lord said solemnly, "since he was carefully chosen as the heir, even if he doesn't have any outstanding abilities, he must be loyal to the family."
Although he values family ties and would make a deal with the Sun and Moon Sect outside the city for his cousin, he would not necessarily betray his family.
What should I do then?
Lian Yun frowned.
Had her two weeks of preparation been in vain?
No……
Since the city lord could remind her like this, there must be room for turning around.
He just said...
"Those puppets?" Lian Yun paused, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
The huge quantity is exactly what Lian Yun urgently needs now, right?
Even though Lian Yun still has various questions in his mind, it is obvious that this will be a powerful tool to solve the dilemma.
Lian Yun's eyes sparkled: "According to Mogo, these puppets have been there for a long time, but we don't know who summoned them..."
She didn't need anyone else's advice, she had already thought of it herself: "No! If they appeared at the same time as Bernie, or even earlier, perhaps a large part of them have already developed independent consciousness!"
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