Seeing Wu Lai frowning and putting the letter back into the envelope, Epicurus couldn't help but move closer: "Lord, what did Helen Petra say?"
"Tianjuan wants to sign a peace agreement with us and redeem the soldiers we captured." Wu Lai put the letter in his arms and waved his hand, "You two should sit down."
Vulture sat down as he was told, but Epicurus was anxious: "Lord, we can't be fooled by them. The Tianfu people are very cunning. They relied on conspiracy and tricks to annex Kimo and Hulete. Their request for peace now shows that they are short of troops. Lord, we should find a chance to attack them."
Wu Lai smiled slightly: "Sit down and talk first."
Epicurus was startled, shook his head, walked over to the vulture and sat down.
"Vulture, what do you think about this?" Wu Lai looked at Vulture.
"It doesn't matter what I think. I will do whatever the lord tells me to do." After the vulture answered, he glanced at Epicurus.
"Okay, it's my fault for being too impatient and not making it clear." Wu Lai paused and then continued, "Tianjuan's attitude this time was very clear. The Emperor Tianjuan's letter stated three things: one is to stop fighting, two is to get along as equals, and three is to trade. What do you two think about these three things? Tell me what you think."
"My Lord." Epicurus stood up and hit his left chest with his right fist. "I, Epicurus, firmly oppose peace with Tianjuan. There is no such thing in the world. If you can win, then invade. If you can't win, then make peace. Peace, peace. Why didn't you make peace with Kimo and Hulett in the first place?"
"Commander Yi Bi, please pay attention to your attitude. You are talking to the lord." Vulture frowned and suddenly stood up.
"Captain Vulture, I am telling the truth." Epicurus glared at the vulture, and happened to meet the murderous intent in the vulture's eyes. He felt a chill in his heart, and his momentum suddenly dropped.
Wu Lai's smile did not fade, and he waved his left sleeve gently: "Vulture, tell me what you think."
Vulture hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Lord, I think all three of these are problematic. The first one about not fighting again is not credible. Tianjuan is not fighting now because the conditions for fighting are gone. We are holding the canyon, and Menia has been recaptured by the Lord. It will be much more difficult for them to break in than before. After all, when the Hatra army occupied Menia before, they only needed to provide support. Lord, am I right?"
Wu Lai nodded: "Go on."
Seeing Wu Lai nod his head in affirmation, Vulture naturally became more courageous: "Lord, I think the so-called 'equal treatment' in the second clause is a joke. In the past, the four territories all treated each other equally, without any distinction between high and low. The third clause, trade, is even worse, Lord. You said that salt, ore, cloth, horses, paint, and food are all strategic materials. If we allow them to trade with us, Tianjuan will find loopholes everywhere if he wants to do something bad."
"Lord, my idea is the same as that of Commander Vulture." Epicurus quickly echoed.
Wu Lai pondered for a moment and nodded slightly: "Master Yibi."
"I am here." Epicurus took a step forward and bowed.
"You should immediately ride a fast horse to Kati City overnight to invite Mayor Xiler. I will wait for him here in the next few days. The sooner the better." Wu Lai said.
"As you wish, my lord. If you have no other instructions, I will do it right away." Epicurus nodded, but he was a little surprised. He thought that the lord had invited Silier to come. Could it be that he wanted to discuss something with him? "Nothing else. I am tired after riding for days. You two can leave." Wu Lai waved his hand and dismissed the two generals.
…
The breeze blew through the window lattice, causing the candlelight in front of Adolf to flicker.
Adolf seemed not to see it and continued to stare at the candlestick in a daze.
Gran glanced at Ivan quietly and gave him a look. Ivan understood and coughed lightly, paused, and coughed again.
Adolf frowned and said, "Seventh Brother, if you have something to say, just say it. If you are not feeling well, then go back and rest."
"Brother, you haven't said anything for a long time. I'm unsure." Ivan said quickly.
"No confidence? No confidence? Don't you feel uneasy even with your elder brother around?" Adolf raised his eyes slightly and fell on Ivan's face.
"Brother, I am naturally at ease, but you know, the people have already arrived, and why are you delaying... Alas... I am afraid that the night will be long and full of dreams." Ivan said.
"That's still not stable." Adolf narrowed his eyes. "Our Majesty said that he wants peace with Assyria, to get along with Assyria on an equal footing, and to trade with Assyria. Humph, how can I tell? It's full of conspiracy."
"Conspiracy?" Grand pondered for a moment, then asked carefully, "Brother, where does this conspiracy come from?"
"Peace and equality are just Helen Petra's expedient measures. As for trade, huh, it's her way of countering our Hitt family." Adolf said, "I'm too lazy to explain it to you two in detail. Just enjoy it slowly."
"Brother, do you want to change the plan?" Gran was stunned.
"Of course not. Everything will be done according to the original plan. As for the details, we will take it one step at a time, adapt to local conditions and act according to circumstances." Adolf replied.
"Brother, why are you still thinking about these things?" Ivan interrupted.
"What was I thinking about? I was just secretly sighing that Petra and Avram had gone to such a point that they were still thinking of plotting against our Teller family. Oh, it really frightens me." Adolf laughed and threw the candlestick aside with his sleeves. "Peace, hahahaha, they like peace, so I will give them peace! Let them have enough peace!"
…
Woolley waited at the Red Valley Bay Fort for eight days. During these eight days, he visited every fort and barracks in the fortress complex and spent a day in Seneca's reconstruction area. There were great changes there because all the layouts were new. The only thing rebuilt as it was was the White Stone Building - this was the advice given to Epicurus by Pompey and Vulture, and Epicurus did it.
At noon on the ninth day, Xiler arrived at the Red Valley Bay Fortress. Although he had known that Wu Lai was young, he was still shocked when he saw him.
"The lord's youth and success make me ashamed." Xiler said while bowing.
"Mayor Xi Lieer, you are too kind." Wu Lai smiled and stopped Xi Lieer from bowing. "Mayor Xi Lieer is so old, and he is doing such a great honor. How can I accept it?"
"Well-deserved, well-deserved. The lord is both the high priest and the speaker. The parliament sent a letter of inquiry a few days ago, saying that they plan to give the lord the title of 'Lifetime First Citizen'. I feel that this title of 'Lifetime First Citizen' is not enough to praise the lord's great achievements." Xiler said.
"It's just an empty reputation. In my opinion, it's better to do more practical things for the people if you have the time." Wu Lai laughed, "Mayor Xiler, the welcoming banquet is ready. Since we are meeting for the first time, let's have a few drinks. Let Epicurus and the vulture keep you company."
"Obedience is worse than respect." Xi Lier nodded quickly...
…
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After the third glass of wine, Wu Lai smiled slightly, put the glass back on the table, and then told him about Tianjuan's request for peace talks and the disarmament of the other divisions. After that, he asked, "I wonder what Mayor Xi Lier thinks about peace talks and disarmament?"
Xi Liel hesitated for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "I dare to guess that the lord is reducing his army because he is unwilling to fight Tianjuan again, or because the territory cannot support so many troops and is unable to fight Tianjuan again. In this case, my opinion is not important."
"Mayor Xi Lier, do you think that the Tianjuan peace talks are a foregone conclusion?" Wu Lai asked with a smile.
"To be honest with you, Lord, this is what I think. Otherwise, why would you reduce your army? You have led the army for many years, so you naturally know that reductions will undermine combat effectiveness and morale. Since you have no such concerns, I can't think of any other reason except the upcoming ceasefire." Xiler became more and more excited as he spoke. He even stood up and bowed, and his voice trembled. "I beg you to think twice. Our army has achieved a great victory in the complete recovery of Assyria, but if we stop here and watch the Tianjuan accumulate strength, the Tianjuan will attack us sooner or later."
"My idea is the same as Mayor Cyril. Please think twice, Lord." Epicurus also stood up. Vulture frowned and glanced at him, clenching his left fist lightly. In his vulture's mind, right or wrong in the world is not important. What is important is how Wu Lai arranges it. It is true that Cyril and Epicurus are the mayor and the division commander, but as long as Wu Lai gives the order, he, the vulture, doesn't mind chopping them into meat paste.
"Please sit down first." Wu Lai smiled and waved his hand. "It seems that you two still have some misunderstandings about the current situation in Assyria. My title of lord is just a respectful title. You should know that Assyria is now promoting democracy. The real management of the territory is the parliament and the government. Just like the Armenian War this time, I also got the authorization of the parliament to launch it. The same goes for disarmament. If the parliament disagrees, no one has the right to disarm."
After these words were spoken, not only did Cyril and Epicurus look at each other in bewilderment, but even the vulture was a little stunned.
"There's nothing strange about this. This is the fact." Wu Lai laughed. "Perhaps you think that I, as the Speaker, can influence the decision of the Parliament. If you really think that, you are totally wrong. My title of Speaker is just a respectful title."
"Lord, with your strength, wisdom, integrity and reputation, you don't need to be so cautious. Without you, Assyria would have fallen apart long ago. Besides, your wise guidance far surpasses that of the parliament. Why should you be so cautious?" Xiler said sincerely.
"No, the recovery of Assyrian territory is inseparable from the support of the people, in addition to choosing the right time and the soldiers' dedication. Without their assistance in many aspects, our army's progress would not have been so smooth. Take the battle of Menia for example. Two hundred thousand soldiers besieged Menia for so long. If the people in the rear had not tightened their belts and saved food for us, and if more than 30,000 people from all over the country had not transported food and grass to us day and night, our army would have run out of food before the city was taken. Mayor Xiler, think about it, without them, could we have won?"
Xi Liel shook his head.
"This victory was given by the people, so they all have a share of the fruits of victory. After Menia was recovered, I told several division and regiment commanders who participated in the war that victory is no longer a stepping stone for some people to be promoted, but the foundation for the people in all parts of the Assyrian territory to live and work in peace and contentment. Mayor Siler, what is the premise for living and working in peace and contentment? I think it is the absence of war and killing, but tranquility and peace. Therefore, whether it is this time or in the future, I firmly support the opinions of the people. The decision of the parliament is also based on obeying the will of the people. You should know this." Wu Lai smiled slightly, "Let's not discuss too much here. You are the mayor and Epicurus is the division commander. If you have any opinions or suggestions, you can put them forward to the parliament. Whether the Tianzhuan peace talks can be successful will be decided by the parliament, but..."
Woolley glanced at Epicurus and Vulture, and then said, "Your divisions must be disbanded and resettled within fifteen days. Seneca needs people, and Menia needs people. We will discuss the details later. Now, please allow me to toast you two. You have worked hard to guard the border of the territory. Thank you."
"Lord..." Vulture quickly stood up and saluted.
Epicurus was startled, then he bowed and said, "I am unworthy of this."
…
After another two days of lingering, Woolley helped Vulture and Epicurus to formulate a disarmament plan. Although Epicurus still didn't quite understand it, fortunately there was Cyril there, and the issue of whether to negotiate peace with Tianjuan had not yet been determined. In addition, Cyril and Epicurus both had the qualifications to make suggestions to the parliament, so the disarmament was relatively smooth.
On the day the disarmament began, Wu Lai and Shiler left the Red Valley Bay Fortress. He was going back to Assyria, and Shiler was also going to attend the ceremony, so Wu Lai suggested that they go together. Shiler was also happy to have a better friendship with Wu Lai, so he happily agreed.
When they arrived in Armenia, the two went into the city to rest for two days. Accompanied by Muti, they visited the reconstruction site. When they saw the devastation and the bustling work, Xiler shed tears with emotion.
"Mayor Xiler, do you miss your hometown?" Wu Lai asked while comforting him.
Xi Liel nodded: "My Lord, I am sorry to have laughed at you."
"Nostalgia for one's hometown is as understandable as people's desire for peace of mind." Wu Lai sighed softly...