As the sun sets, in the camp of the Ninth Division of the Hongguwan Fortress Group, Miller and Epicurus sit side by side on the grass in front of the big tent, looking at the red glow that is getting lower and lower behind the distant mountains.

"Ibi, it's going to be dark soon." Miller's beard trembled slightly in the breeze.

"Yes, Priest Miller, another day is about to pass." Epicurus nodded.

"No, call me Miller, or Mayor Miller," Miller corrected.

"Why?" Epicurus was stunned.

"Because I'm no longer a priest." Miller smiled. "Ibi, I heard that you and Pompey had a quarrel a few days ago?"

"Not really, just a few complaints. What? Did he tell you?" Epicurus frowned.

Miller laughed: "He didn't say that. At least dozens of people saw and heard your argument. With so many people, it's not surprising that it reached my ears, right?"

"That's true." Epicurus nodded with a smile: "Then Mayor Miller must also know what Pompey asked me to ask you."

Miller nodded. "Yes, I can answer you now. The reason why Kati does not have a supreme military commander is because Lord Wulai did not plan Kati as a war zone. In other words, that is, it is the rear base and safe zone in his mind. This is also the reason why he built a group of fortresses in Honggu Bay. No matter how hard the war is, he will not allow the war to spread to Kati."

"Why?" Epicurus asked curiously.

"Because in addition to being indefensible, the Kati grassland is also a production area of ​​war horses, meat, and coal. If Kati is not lost, the military and people's livelihood will be greatly guaranteed." Miller replied.

"Then..." Epicurus was stunned. "Mayor Miller, since you knew all this, why did you ask us to..."

"Didn't I just say that there was no strategic location to defend? The reason we were able to stay safely in Qati until Lord Wulai came to recruit us was because the Tianjuan people were still in Assyria at that time, and we did not completely cut off Qati's contact with the outside world. Otherwise, the situation would be very different now." Miller said with a sigh.

Epicurus thought about it and understood: "I understand, but Mayor Miller, why are you the first mayor of Katti instead of an Assyrian? For example, Pompeii or his family head."

"No, Yibi, the fact that you can ask such a question shows that you are still focused on military and construction." Miller smiled and shook his head. "The people of Kati Grassland have always been simple and unorganized. Think about it, in such a large grassland with so many families, is there any one family that can get the support of all or most families? No, not even one. How can a family lack such leadership? Pompey is no match for him. Although he follows Lord Wulai, his contribution is small and others may not accept him."

"Then according to what you said, we are not convinced either. Why is it so..." Epicurus couldn't help but interrupt.

"That's because Lord Wu Lai wants to do this. He wants one of us to be the mayor. We are not convincing, and the family of Kati Grassland is not convincing. But does Lord Wu Lai lack convincing power?" Miller asked back.

Epicurus quickly shook his head. As far as the Assyrian territory was concerned, if even Wu Lai lacked persuasiveness, then no one else would be persuasive.

Miller went on to say, "Lord Wulai appointed me as the first mayor, and the newly promulgated laws and regulations are actually to tell the people of Assyria and even the entire continent his intention, that is, he wants to create a large territory, resolve hatred, tolerate the past, and be harmonious, free, wealthy, and stable. After the reconstruction of Seneca City is completed, it will become a place for him to test his will. He also wants to know whether his will can be transformed into reality. In fact, I am also looking forward to seeing it come true. Yibi, the war between the four territories has continued from ancient times to the present. It seems that it is time to decide the result. The Tianjuan Empire's approach is one, and Lord Wulai's approach is another. No matter which one succeeds, it will change the situation of generations of wars in one fell swoop. However, I only hope that Lord Wulai will win."

After carefully pondering Miller's words, Epicurus nodded heavily: "Mayor Miller, I understand what you mean."

"That's good." Miller patted Epicurus' left shoulder with a smile, "There is still a long way to go, but we must believe that one day, Hulett, Kimo and Tianjuan will all sing the praises of Lord Wulai."

"I believe it too, he is amazing." Epicurus said with a smile.

Miller smiled and nodded, and looked into the distance again...

…

"I don't accept it. You are so despicable." Hatra clenched his fists hard, shaking the chains so hard that they made a loud noise.

"You have to accept it even if you don't want to." Wu Lai smiled slightly, "Now you are my prisoner. Speaking of which, you should thank us, otherwise, you will die of madness. Oh, by the way, the doctor who took care of you..."

"Bah! Don't mention him to me! If it wasn't him..." Hatra suddenly shut up because he caught a hint of mockery in Wu Lai's eyes.

"So... it was you who arranged this." Hatra's eyes widened.

"No, you misunderstood." Wu Lai shrugged, "My soldiers always like to play freely. I told them that as long as they can win, it's fine."

"Hmph, you are the high priest, but you have no manners at all." Hatra's face was full of disdain. Now that things have come to this, he can only use this method to maintain his dignity. Of course, this is obviously useless because Wu Lai has never cared much about these things.

"Tell me, what are your plans?" Wu Lai sat down in front of Hatra's bed. This was the third day since Hatra came to Assyria and the second day since he fully recovered his consciousness. From the time he was escorted to now, the one who had "accompanied" him the most was the hateful "Master MacArthur". Fortunately, MacArthur disliked Hatra's age so he had no other interest except treating him. Otherwise, this period would definitely be the greatest humiliation of Hatra's life.

"Tell me, maybe I can help you." Wu Lai said again.

"Stop pretending. Just kill me. You know I'm a defector from Tianjuan. Come on, kill me. It would be best if you drag me to your central square and hang me in front of thousands of Assyrians. In that case, your reputation will shine like the sun and the moon." Hatra said with a sneer.

"That's obviously impossible. You're just a defector, not the Peerless King." Wu Lai also sneered, "So, don't think so highly of yourself. I'm just here to see you today because I'm free. I just asked you casually. Don't take it seriously."

Hatra frowned and said nothing, because he found that Wu Lai was much more mean than himself.

"Oh, right." Wu Lai seemed to suddenly remember something. "I forgot to tell you that I just thought of a way of execution a few days ago. That is to strip the person naked, and then hang him on a big rack. Next to him, boil a big pot of water. When the water boils, use a big copper ladle to scoop it and pour it on the poor guy. I guess, after a ladle of water, the person will scream in pain, and the place where he is splashed will definitely be covered with large blisters..."

Hatra clenched his fists, because Wu Lai was talking carelessly while glancing at him, which made him feel very uncomfortable, as if, as if his scalp was tingling...

Throw boiling water at it? Hatra frowned.

"Think about it, that big blister must be disgusting, so it can't be allowed to exist for too long. So, I plan to arrange another executioner, holding a horse brush made of copper wire, an extra-large horse brush, dip it in the salt water bucket, and brush it at the blisters. Dip it once, brush it once, and brush away the blisters and the scalded meat. Then, continue to splash water..." Wu Lai's eyes met Hatra's eyes, "Keep pouring, keep brushing, splashing, brushing, slowly, that person, only the skeleton is left, oh, no, his heart, liver, spleen, lungs and everything else are still there, and his face is still there..."

"Humph, you are trying to scare me, it's useless." Hatra's brows furrowed a little more, "I'll give you a suggestion, you can try it on me, I don't mind being the first person to use this method of execution."

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"Yes, I was just trying to scare you." Wu Lai admitted it openly and laughed, "But I guess you were frightened for at least a moment. Look, you have cold sweat on your forehead."

Hatra glared at Woolley.

Wu Lai's smile suddenly faded. "But what I'm going to tell you next is not a joke, Hatra, no, Your Highness Wushuang, do you want to return to Tianjuan alive and well to see your wife, Emperor Helen? Or do you want to be tortured by MacArthur until you are neither human nor ghost and then thrown in front of the gate of Menia for public display? Or, simply pickle your body with salt into a black mass and send it to the Tianjuan Palace?"

Hatra clenched his fists again.

"I'll give you three days to think about it." Wu Lai stood up slowly. "I promise that no matter what you choose, I will do as you wish. Goodbye, King Wushuang...Your Highness."

…

The moment the red satin was unveiled, Helen's body trembled involuntarily, her eyes filled with joy.

Seeing Helen so happy, Laurence's heart was filled with joy. The manufacture of the artillery was originally presided over by Ye Renwu, but after Ye Renwu left at the order, Laurence took over everything. Knowing that the earlier the goods were shipped, the greater the credit would be, Laurence naturally worked harder. With Helen's intention to do things for the best benefit, he put a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources into it, and managed to complete the trial production of the prototype artillery three months ahead of Helen's original plan.

"Your Majesty, these four sample guns have each fired three shells in a test, and the results are as expected." Laurence reported happily.

"Well done." Helen's mouth curled up. She led a large army to the expedition to Kayikede, but was beaten badly by Wu Lei and forced to sign a shameful agreement. After returning to Hulett Palace, she has been criticized. Although those civil and military officials did not say it to her face, Helen had heard about what they were talking about behind her back, but she just suppressed her anger. Today, she led a group of civil and military officials to inspect the artillery bureau, with the intention of shocking everyone.

"Your Majesty, do you want to test fire a few shots? The targets have been set up. There are four small targets and one large target. The small targets are suitable for single-gun demonstrations, while the large target is built like a tower, which is suitable for concentrated bombardment." Laurence asked.

"Then fire one shot each, and then another salvo." Helen nodded.

"As you wish." Laurence bowed and stood up. She glanced at the civil and military officials who were standing in three neat rows not far behind Helen, smiled slightly, turned around and ran over to give the order.

"Come here, all of you." Helen turned around and took a look. A group of civil and military officials hurriedly walked to the back of her chair and lined up five steps away. They had just entered the palace for an audience early in the morning and were taken to the artillery bureau outside the city. From the scene just now, how could they not know that the emperor was here to show off his military power?

However, none of the civil and military ministers were as happy as Helen. Helen was the emperor. Even if she lost the battle and lost face and territory, she was still the emperor. At least in terms of people's livelihood, she only needed to think and give orders. It was these people who needed to do the work. They were the typical ones who just talked but ran around.

Ever since Helen was defeated, the lives of these civil and military officials have become increasingly tormented.

Soldiers who died in battle should be compensated...

The wounded soldiers brought back need treatment, subsidies, and resettlement...

The empty warehouses and the deficits due to Helen's initial mobilization of the army all needed to be filled up one by one. Otherwise, let alone preparing for the next war, defense would be a problem. Moreover, Armenia and Titania would have to send supplies over from time to time for "help"...

What they can't stand the most is not the above, but the current public opinion polls in Hulett Province and Kimo Province - this is the key to their torment...