Iron Powder and Spellcaster

Kai Moreland's straightforward "confession" was very surprising, but Winters is no longer the ivory tower officer who can be easily intimidated.

"Mr. Kai." Winters politely and forcefully took off Kai Moreland's hands from his forearms: "'Save the Country of Galloping Horses' and 'Save Your Life' are not the same thing. It’s best not to confuse two things.”

"Montagne, please understand that my life is insignificant and I am not here to save my own life. I am asking you to protect my 'political life', so I am here."

Kai Morland's Adam's apple twitched, he gritted his teeth and spoke in the most determined tone: "Although what I am about to say below will sound very shameless and arrogant, I must tell you that at this moment, the political struggle to save me Life and saving the country of galloping horses have actually become one and the same thing.”

Winters was unmoved and half-smiled: "This is something worth discussing."

Kai Morland's heart sank, and he realized that the young captain in front of him was more mature and calm than he expected and what others told him.

When they met for the first time, I failed to tell everything truthfully and missed the best opportunity to build trust. Now it will be an extremely difficult challenge to win the trust of the "Blood Wolf".

For a moment, he didn't know how to continue the conversation.

"I'm going to prepare snacks and drinks for you two." Anna interrupted the conversation at the right time, easing the atmosphere of the confrontation between the two men. She asked with a smile: "Grapes? Cereals? Or honey? Which one do you like?"

"Everything is fine." Kai Morland cast a grateful look at Mrs. Montagne: "Thank you."

Anna curtsied slightly, turned around gracefully and walked towards the inner room.

Winters understood another meaning of Anna's words - looking at the guest's straight-to-the-point attitude, there is no need to eat dinner, and the dishes are prepared in vain. I will clean up the kitchen, and you can take them to the living room.

As a result, the confrontation in the corridor came to an end, and Winters raised his hand to invite Kai Moreland to sit in the living room.

Anna immediately brought a bottle of wine and some nuts in silver cups, and then left the living room to the host and distinguished guests.

After drinking more than half a glass of wine, Kai Morland adjusted his mood and spoke again.

He looked at the Xuelang steadily and said: "I heard about your vote - the vote on 'the country's army' or 'the country's army'."

"Your information is really good."

Winters' left hand was placed on the back of the bench, and his right hand was resting on his knee. He kept a certain distance from Kai Moreland, which was completely opposite to the latter who unconsciously leaned forward and pressed his two elbows on his thighs. .

"It was President Mikesh who told me." Kai Morland admitted openly, and then changed the topic: "You should also pay attention, for them, there are no secrets in Maplestone City."

"Who do you mean by 'them'?"

"Wealthy merchants, large manor owners, and heads of handicraft guilds are people who should have both money and power, but only have money." Kai Morland put his hands on his knees and replied seriously: "In other words, it's you 'Free men' being summoned."

"Why did you remind me to pay attention to them?" Winters observed the change in Kai Morland's expression and asked with a smile: "It's not like they sheltered you and helped you. It seems that they trust you very much. There’s also a lot of influence among them.”

Upon hearing this, Kai Moran picked up the cup and drank the remaining half cup of red liquid in one gulp.

After putting down the cup, a helpless smile appeared on his face: "I would rather call it a 'deal with the devil.'"

Winters' back left the bench for the first time. He held the wine container with a slender neck, poured another half of the glass of wine for Kai Morland, and motioned for the latter to continue speaking.

"Mikaysh Kelemin, Besse Gyurgi, Gvadani Yuzhov..." Kai Moran named them one by one with his fingers: "These names may not sound special to you. It feels like it, but for the people living in Maple Stone City, these names also represent unattainable big figures, even grabbing their flour pockets more directly than the New Reclamation Army."

Winters tilted his head slightly and listened carefully.

Kai Morlan spoke quickly, fearing that the blood wolf would lose patience: "Now, these 'big men' under the legions and above all the people realize that they can no longer protect themselves in this war - because of you Their actions were so big that they couldn't even stay out of it. Rebuilding a republic? Then this war would no longer be a dispute between the local government and the capital, or a fight between rebels and government troops, but a battle between one regime and another. A life-and-death struggle between regimes.”

Winters smiled but made no comment.

"But they don't want to choose a clear-cut side." Kai Morland licked his lips and said without hesitation: "They are afraid that once you are defeated and collapsed, the government troops from the King's Castle will fight back to the new land. , they will be liquidated; they are also afraid that if they do not express their position, they are afraid that they will be buried in the ground before the government troops come back; they are even more afraid that if they do not bet on your horse, they will be buried in the ground in the future. I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

He spread his hands, snorted softly, and said: "What a coincidence, I escaped from the King's Castle and returned to the new land. They then started to use me to participate in the New Republic through an agent. They can exert their influence and make cuts when the situation is unfavorable. Kill two birds with one stone, why not?"

Winters' reaction to Kai Moreland's words was unusually dull: "What you said is a very common concept. I understand and sympathize with anyone who holds such a concept."

After a pause, Winters stared into Kai Morland's eyes: "It's you, why do you carry so much resentment?"

Winters asked sharply: "Aren't you taking advantage of them too?"

Kai Moran was stunned.

His upper body leaned back, leaning on the back of the chair, and sighed: "Yes, I am also using them. If it weren't for the gentlemen of Maplestone City, I would have been captured by Colonel Geza as soon as I returned to the new land. In prison; if it weren't for the gentlemen of Maplestone City, I wouldn't be qualified to sit here and talk to you. They took advantage of us, and I also used them as bargaining chips. So this is a 'deal with the devil', you love me willing."

Immediately afterwards, Kai Moreland's body suddenly leaned forward again, until he was close to Winters: "But I am still full of anger towards them."

Winters remained motionless: "I would like to hear the details."

"I must confess to you first." Kai Morlan made up his mind and said frankly: "The reason why I did not tell you in advance about the feud between me and Colonel Geisa is because I originally wanted to provoke a conflict between you and Colonel Geisa. Relations. Once you have a conflict with Colonel Geza, you will be isolated in the 'Committee of Four', and I can lend a helping hand to you and turn you into my ally."

"But the 'Committee of Four' is far more united than I imagined. Even if there are differences on 'command power', they can still communicate with the outside world. Your relationship with Colonel Geisa is also far closer than I expected - Geisa Colonel Sa really admires you, so much so that my actions turned into a circus.”

Kai Moran nodded and apologized: "I'm sorry for plotting against you behind your back."

"I forgive you." Winters said calmly, "This matter has been revealed."

Kai Morland nodded again and said a wisecrack: "I heard that people in Veneta are very small-minded, but your Excellency is unexpectedly generous."

"I heard that the Platoans are very bold." Winters smiled back and said, "You are indeed very bold to tell such a joke in front of me."

"It's an honor to meet you, Monsignor Montagne."

"It's an honor to meet you too, Mr. Kai."

"From now on, I promise that everything I say is true, and there is absolutely no lie or deliberate concealment. After listening to my explanation, you will understand why I came to ask you to save Plato." Kai ·Morland’s eyes became firmer: “You already know that Colonel Geza Adonis has a grudge against me, but do you know why Colonel Geza considers him a thorn in my side and a thorn in my flesh?”

"Someone told me why." Winters raised his chin: "But I want to hear what you say more."

"Thank you." Kai Moran took a deep breath: "It's easy to say, because I am the only one who dares to stop Colonel Gesa from making money from Baishan County."

Winters did not smile: "Colonel Gesar likes money, I have heard a little bit about it."

"But it's not just Colonel Gesa who makes money." Kai Morland apologized: "Even if I insist on Baishan County's accounts, it's not because Colonel Gesa makes the most money, but because Our two families have a close personal relationship, and he is the least likely to kill me, so Baishan County’s accounts are most likely to be thoroughly investigated.”

Winters' eyebrows raised slightly.

Kai Morland gritted his teeth and clenched his fists: "In fact, not only Baishan County, but the entire New Reclamation Province is regarded as private property by the Plato Army. All the misfortunes and oppression that happened in the New Reclamation Land , and it all comes from this!”

Upon hearing this, Winters stretched out his right hand and refilled Kai Morland's glass of wine.

"I want to ask you." Kai Morland picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp, then wiped his mouth vigorously: "Looking all over the Senas Alliance, have you ever seen any place like the newly cultivated land? There are so many A 'semi-serf' who is not even a tenant farmer?"

Winters thought for a moment: "Perhaps there will be one in the federal provinces, but..."

"But how big is the United Provinces, and how many people are there?" Kai Morland interrupted, his cheeks flushed slightly with excitement: "How many people are there in the newly cultivated land, and how vast it is!"

Winters nodded slightly.

"Your Excellency, you have also studied in the United Provinces, and you should also understand. Compared with the less densely populated United Provinces, the newly cultivated land is simply a paradise. But this land that could have been a paradise has become a paradise. A cauldron for countless landless peasants.”

Kai Morland punched his thigh hard:

"There is no shortage of cultivated land in the newly reclaimed land. It is the newly reclaimed land army that artificially created the shortage of cultivated land, turning the vast majority of the bottom farmers into their slaves in disguise.

And people like Mikaysh Kelemin, Besse Gyurgi, Gvadani Yuzhov, these wealthy businessmen, these manor owners are the accomplices of the New Land Reclamation Corps.

They help the legion to extract oil and water from the people, not only through land, but also minerals, timber, fishing, food, clothing, housing, transportation, and all aspects.

They ate the legion's scraps contentedly, resigning themselves to a second-class status. Once, when I challenged the New Reclamation Corps, they remained silent. And now, they have taken a fancy to you as a racehorse, and they actually want to bet on you and become a first-class person..."

Kai Morlan stared: "That's why I'm full of anger towards them! That's why I'm full of anger against the New Reclamation Corps!"

Winters listened to Kai Moreland's words, scrutinizing every subtle gesture of the latter's body language, assessing whether Kai Moreland was improvising or speaking his mind.

Winters was not in a hurry to make a judgment. He calmly told Kai Morland: "But the New Reclamation Corps no longer exists in fact."

"But the army that treats the country as private property has not disappeared! In fact, because of your victory, the New Reclamation Land has been held more firmly in the hands of the army. The root of the problem has never been the New Reclamation Land Army."

Kai Morland's chest heaved violently: "I once thought that the source of all kinds of misfortunes was the greed and low morals of individual officers. But after I was forced to go to the Castle of Kings, I realized that the real problem The root cause is that the Plato Republic is half a 'military-controlled country', and the Alliance Charter gave the Plato Army too many, too many powers. It allowed the Plato Army to turn newly cultivated land provinces into private property, allowing the Plato Army to turn the newly cultivated land provinces into private property. The Army of Plato has in fact become a state within a state."

"But the Platuan Army defeated the Hedians," Winters said.

"Yes, that's right, I'm very grateful that they defeated the Hurds." Kai Morland became more and more excited as he spoke: "But they will never completely eliminate the Hurds, because the Army is no longer waging a war for the Republic. , but to launch a war for the army. Trade embargo? However, the generals' caravans can travel unhindered and make a fortune.

The war with the Huds is the source of wealth and the ladder of promotion for the Army! As long as the situation of 'Army fighting for Army' is not ended, the 'Hurd War' will never end. Even if all the Hurds are killed one day, the Army will find the next target and continue their never-ending war. "

Winters poured Kai Moreland another glass of wine.

"The deformed system in which the army commands the country must end. The military must be subordinated to politics, and war cannot be the purpose, otherwise Plato will step into another abyss."

Kai Morland gasped violently and stared at the cup: "I know that you all regard me as Grove Magnus's lackey, because I am a die-hard parliamentarian, because during the first coup After it happened, I took the lead in swearing allegiance to the Second Republic."

He picked up the wine glass and poured the red liquid down his throat again: "But as long as Grove Magnus can end the history of the military taking power, even if he launches a despicable coup, I will still support him."

Kai Moran hid his face: "I just didn't expect that he would betray the promise he made personally, that he would betray the country to the people of the United Provinces, and that after driving away one army, he would usher in another. …”

Winters silently took out the handkerchief and pushed it in front of Kai Moreland.

"But." Winters reminded calmly: "I am also a soldier."

"But you are different from them!" Kai Morlan said decisively.

"You have only seen me three times." Winters asked, "How dare you say that I am different from them?"

"The first time I met you, I didn't know you. At that time, all I knew was you in the eyes of Mikesh and others - heroic, proud, and full of vigor." Kai Morland bit his lip: " Now, I have read all your articles in "Communication", checked every government decree you have issued, found all the people I can find who have really contacted you, and learned everything I can about you. everything."

Kai Morland looked directly at Winters and gave an unquestionable conclusion: "I am sure that you and Gesa Adonis, Skull Meklen, and Matthias Ko Erwin is different! You definitely don’t want to build a country with an army, and you definitely don’t want to be a tyrant. I’m sure you believe in the ideals of Marshal Ned Smith from the bottom of your heart. I’m sure you are the only one who is truly fighting for Fight for the Republic of Plato.”

Winters was silent for a moment and said without mercy: "I don't even dare to assert what I really want; I don't even dare to assert what I really am; I don't even dare to assert that I will give Palla What does the plan bring? Why do you swear so confidently?"

"Kay Morland." Winters put his hand on the other person's shoulder with some pity: "You are just gambling."

"Yes! I'm just gambling!" Kai Morland grabbed Winters' hand, still looking directly at the latter: "I've seen Plato all over, and there's no one better than you. Horse! I lost my bet once, but I will never lose a second time! Let me help you, Winters Montagne!"

Kai Moreland didn't give Winters a chance to speak at all, and said quickly: "I know that you voted to overpower Matthias Corwin and added amendments to the new charter. But. That's not enough! Far from enough!

Only if there is enough power to defend it, the amendment is the charter; if there is not enough power to defend it, the charter is just a piece of waste paper! "

"Don't you understand yet? Winters Montagne!" Kai Morland held Winters's wrist tightly, clutching the latter's skin until it turned white: "The country you are building, More terrifying than the First Republic. The military will have greater power in your republic than the First Republic. No one can check it, no one can influence it. By then, the amendments you worked so hard to formulate will It’s just a piece of waste paper!

Isn’t that what you said when the wrong saplings can’t grow the desired fruits? But the sapling you are planting is wrong. You need my presence! You need me to balance the military's influence, and there's no one better suited to do it than me. "

"I beg you, Winters Montagne, I beg you to be the person I want!" Kai Morland had tears in his eyes and trembling all over, as if he was praying sincerely: "Let me help you! "

Winters was not impressed by Kai Moreland. He just asked calmly: "How can you help me?"

"Let me." Kai Moreland looked Winters directly in the eyes: "Participate in the meeting of all free people in the new land."

[Additional explanation]

[The content of this chapter contains absolutely no political ideas nor any metaphors. What Kai Moreland said is limited to Kai Moreland’s perspective and knowledge, and is not the absolutely correct truth]

[The description here may be a spoiler, but I think it’s better to explain it]

[In fact, the emergence of new land reclamation legions is an inevitable phenomenon. Because small farming families simply cannot afford the cost of establishing new land, they need the protection of the new land corps and external resources to provide the seeds, farm tools and livestock needed for land reclamation]

[This leads to a paradox: farmers will lose more rights on the reclaimed land]

[For example, the Franks’ reclamation in Western Europe created a literal manor economy]

[The Russians’ reclamation in Eastern Europe also produced a huge serf class]

[In Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries, people began to ask for farmland from wetlands and swamps. However, because the cost was too high, land reclamation activities could only be hosted by big nobles and big lords. Eventually, the nobles had greater rights in the new lands than in the old lands]

[So the small farmers and few people imagined by Kai Morland, who freely cultivated land one by one, could not exist at all during the period when the new reclamation province was first established. But some of the problems he mentioned about the new land reclamation army are also real. So whether what he said is right or wrong, everyone has to judge for themselves]

[Ultimately, character lines are the words of the characters, not the author. The characters will say what they want to say, and the author cannot disobey them, otherwise there will be a strong sense of disobedience]

【thank you all】