Tianjin people will never lose SAN

Chapter 492: The Real and the False, Preparing for War (4k+)

In the desert filled with yellow sand, several camels stood on a sand dune in the distance. The people on the camels had their heads wrapped in thick scarves, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed. The person in the lead was holding a monocular telescope and looking into the distance. In the telescope, a wisp of war dust was slowly rising.

At this time, two camels were running towards the sand dunes, and the riders on the camels were holding dark green flags to tell their companions that they were their own people and had come back to report the news.

The knight ran up, put the flag in his pocket and said excitedly:
"Mr. Marquette! Got it! Rashid's land is back!"

Rashid was a local merchant in Upper Kurt. Half a year ago, Grand Duke Zahir found an excuse to kill several of his brothers and seized his family's land.

"Mr. Farrell, it seems that you won't be needed today. Strangely, the response of the city of Tilmsi seems to be particularly slow recently. I can't see any of their people around."

Mr. Farrell, the most mysterious figure in the Special Event Investigation Department, usually hides in the second underground floor to guard the ancient relics. This time, he was brought out to explore the Lost Sea.

After all, before coming to Mosesad, Farrell claimed to be from the other side of the Lost Sea.

Captain Norman discussed with Sir Gregory and decided that bringing him along might have some miraculous effect, so he let him come with Marquette's ship.

After leaving the port, Marquette's ship, the Mediator, did not cross the Lost Sea, but instead sailed around the coastline of the southern continent. Its purpose was to scout supply points for other exploration ships and to find a springboard for subsequent ocean explorations.

The most important stop was naturally Kurt. On several freshwater supply islands outside the port of Oia, Marquette accidentally met several local ocean-going merchants in Kurt.

Marquette did not dare to say that he was the official exploration ship of Moses Sad, fearing that this would cause the other party to subconsciously feel disgust and resistance. He only said that he was an independent company in the Western Continent responsible for the safety of ocean trade to gain the trust of the locals.

It turned out that this judgment was basically correct. During the few days he stayed on the island, Marquette established a certain degree of trust with the local merchants in Kurt.

As soon as Marquette's ship entered the port of Oia, a messenger from the Merchants' Guild came to discuss with him. These people were prepared to pay Marquette to ensure their safety in Upper Kurt.

In this way, Marquette went straight to Kurt without stopping, and Carol and Liu Yonglu didn't see him when they came to Oiya again.

So, what do these Kurt businessmen want to do?

In fact, the original intention of these people was to protect themselves. Just as Carol and Liu Yonglu analyzed, these Kurt's ocean-going traders have been troubled by Prince Herama and other local religious groups in recent times.

Both sides regarded it as a fat sheep to be slaughtered, and local merchants were unwilling to sit and wait for death, so they began to think of various ways. By chance, they ran into Marquette.

Marquette is free anyway, so why not lend a hand?

Prince Herama has Prince Andrew to win him over, so there is no need for him to show up in person. These ocean-going merchants' business spans two continents and they have considerable power. If he can maintain good relations with them, it will be of great benefit to the future exploration of the Lost Sea.

Following these people, Marquette became a ranger in Upper Kurt. Although the Merchant Guild was quite wealthy, they were not good at fighting and were complete amateurs.

Marquette was not very good at forbidden spells, but he had a very good brain. He was considered a think tank in Shiweitian. The two sides hit it off immediately, and after just two months of fighting all over the country, Marquette had made a name for himself in Upper Kurt. All the merchants in Upper Kurt treated him with great courtesy.

"Luo Yabu, did the big shot reply to your letter?"

On the camel, Marquette asked the middle-aged strong man who had just brought back the news. The Merchant Guild told Marquette that there was a very key figure behind them in Oia, and as soon as the time was right, this big man would raise his arms and unite all the merchants and new nobles in Kurt to clear up the recent chaos in the country.

This was also what Marquette was mainly concerned about. If this big shot was a decent person, then he had found a reliable ally for Moses Sadd.

If this big shot is the heretic leader of a certain religious sect... that's perfect. I can go undercover for Kurt and Moses Sad and take the opportunity to find out the other party's identity and conspiracy.

"Not yet. According to the time, the letter should have just arrived in Oia. We need to wait a few more days."

After another great battle, the strong man named Luo Yabu was eager to try, feeling that it would not take long for his group to eradicate the tyranny of Grand Duke Zahir in Upper Kurt.

"Don't be so naive, Luo Yabu. There has been something wrong with Tilmsi recently. We should restrain ourselves recently."

The old man who came back with him to report the news whispered. According to his spies in Tilmsi City, Grand Duke Zahir suddenly appeared in Tilmsi City after disappearing for a few days.

He closed most of the city gates and began to enforce a curfew, and many people speculated that Miss Soraya's marriage might change.

"Yes, you are right. We are not able to fight against the army of Tilmsi City. Let's wait for the news from your side."

Marquette was too lazy to play along with these merchants, and when he turned around, he was inadvertently surrounded by Zahir's regular army.

"Okay, then we'll listen to you, Mr. Marquette. Let's wait for news from Oia first."

……

In the courtyard of the Emir's Palace in Oia, Prince Herama was pacing around a sand table in the center of the room, occasionally moving chess pieces on the sand table while thinking.

"Your Excellency, I have heard some gossip in the past two days."

At the critical moment, Balkan saw the door open and walked in directly. He waved to the maid in the room to go away and then reported in a low voice.

"Rumor? Has it been confirmed?"

Prince Herama's eyes never left the Upper Kurt sand table in front of him. Balkan knew that Herama was now fully prepared for battle and was no longer the lazy prince who only knew how to appreciate the beast fights.

"Not yet, but the news has spread all over Oia City. Even if it's fake news, I think it's necessary to let you know."

Herama nodded. The enemy's psychological warfare was indeed one of the factors affecting the battle situation.

"explain."

“It is said that Grand Duke Zahir returned to Tirmsi City after disappearing for a few days. After returning to the city, he blocked most of the gates and started a curfew.

Many merchants who came and went said they saw signs of a large army gathering, and they speculated that Zahir might have found important reinforcements. "

"Reinforcements?"

Helama didn't believe that Zahir could get any reinforcements. Upper Kurt was located deep inland. If the large army wanted to meet up with Zahir's men without anyone noticing, it would be impossible for him to not get any information at all.

Sun Chariot...

Herama guessed that Zahir's sudden move must be a breakthrough in the manufacture of the Sun Chariot.

"How's Mr. Rich going?"

Herama asked Balkan that he had been secretly mobilizing troops recently, and the only thing that worried him was that Zahir had already built the Sun Chariot.

Now that they have it, what’s the situation here?

"This... I don't know. You just asked Mr. Richie to take the gold two days ago. Even if you want to do it... Your Excellency, it won't be done so quickly."

"That's right, then I won't go today. I'll make arrangements tomorrow and go to the Flowing Water Garden to take a look.

By the way, has Sir Gregory of Mosesad arrived in Oia?"

Helama looked at the sand table on the table solemnly. It seemed necessary for him to strike first. At least the soldiers should be mobilized and stationed on the front line.

"Well, I came to you mainly to report this matter."

"Arrange a dinner, and I'll personally greet you at the door later."

……

The bars in Oia were filled with smoke. The Kurts loved the hustle and bustle, especially every morning. After breakfast, they would go to the bar with a few acquaintances to drink mint tea and smoke hookah. This was the favorite entertainment activity of the Kurt nobles. "Old man, don't blame me for being nosy. Didn't your wife go back to her parents' home in Upper Kurt? When will she be back?"

There was a row of soft couches against the wall of the bar, on which lay two middle-aged men, one fat and one thin. At this time, the fat man put down his water pipe, took a sip of mint tea, and asked the thin man.

"I won't be back until next month. Her brother is getting married and I've prepared a gift for him, so I won't be going there myself.

There will be a shipload of spices arriving at the end of the month, and I have my own business to attend to."

The thin man disagreed and waved his hand.

"Think of a way. Send someone to deliver a letter and ask your wife to come back quickly! The war is about to start!"

"War? No way, a war between Upper and Lower Kurt? Hehe, buddy, you think too much. I heard that Miss Soraya wanted to marry the Mosesad people a few days ago.

This marriage was arranged by Prince Herama himself!"

The thin guy looked as if there was nothing to worry about and that only fools were making trouble for themselves.

"How come you don't understand good or bad words!"

When the fat man heard that his companion didn't believe him, he lowered his voice and continued:

“Grand Duke Zahir did not agree to this marriage at all! He agreed to it reluctantly because he wanted to stabilize Prince Herama and let him return to Upper Kurt.

Now that he has arrived at his old lair, Grand Duke Zahir immediately summoned his troops, and it won’t take long to reach the city of Oia!
Think about it, what did Prince Herama say when he first took office! ? He wanted to go to war with the Western Continent! But what is he doing now? He wants to marry the Mosesad people!

Since he is so capricious, there is nothing wrong with what Grand Duke Zahir did. If he had known this, he would have supported Prince Herama’s brother…”

Although the fat man leaned sideways and spoke in a low voice, he was fat and had a lot of energy, so his tone rose unconsciously after he said a few words. The other customers in the bar were all listening, and after the fat man finished speaking, many unrelated merchants and mercenaries began to whisper to each other.

"Old man, I believe you! I'm going home now and have someone take a letter to my wife!"

The thin man no longer hesitated, slapped the silver coins on the table and left.

"Slow down, slow down, I'm leaving too. If you want to talk about being annoyed, I'm even more annoyed than you! There are two fur stores I opened in Upper Kurt, have you forgotten? I also have to make arrangements quickly!"

Following the thin man's footsteps, the fat man also left the bar, but when they reached the street, the two did not go their separate ways. Instead, they looked at each other, lowered their heads and walked into the alley next to the bar.

"Officiant, is this okay?"

The thin man asked in a low voice. They were both members of the Beast Brotherhood and had just arrived in Oia City in the past two days.

"That's what the high priest arranged. Let's do it this way."

The fat man had a solemn expression on his face. A few days ago, after the high priest came back, he thought for a while alone, and then called the high priests to arrange tasks.

The mission is simple. All members of the Beast Brotherhood must go to the city of Oia to spread the news that the Kurts are sharpening their knives and are about to attack.

Actually... this didn't happen at all. After Grand Duke Zahir returned to the city of Tirmusi, he simply closed the city gates and imposed a curfew.

"The high priest said that all of this is to cooperate with the Messenger. Since the high priest said so, let's do it."

"Should we hold a mass ceremony and summon the messenger to ask?"

"Oh, no need. The high priest said that he will be personally responsible for contacting the messenger from now on!"

……

In the flowing water courtyard, Liu Yonglu ate his breakfast slowly, while Millie Tang paced back and forth, looking towards Lin Brown's room from time to time.

At this time, the door of the room was wide open, and only Lin Blang, who was lying in bed, the old witch doctor in charge of treatment, and Hassan who acted as an assistant, were inside.

"Mi Li'er, don't go. I'm getting anxious if you go. Sit down and eat something."

Liu Yonglu really likes Kurt's breakfast. People here eat a lot of carbohydrates as soon as they get up in the morning. It is a bit similar to the style in Tianjin, and much more delicious than the one in Moses Sadd.

"You can still eat it!?"

Millie Tang was really impressed by Liu Yonglu. It wasn’t that she was more worried about getting wet than Liu Yonglu, but the witch doctor’s treatment method was too disgusting!

All kinds of small animals were slaughtered and skinned alive. The two people standing at the door could smell the blood coming from the house. Liu Yonglu was worried about leaving the witch doctor alone, so he could only watch with the door open.

"Hey, it's not clean, but you won't get sick if you eat it. There used to be a mutton soup vendor at our doorstep. Every morning, the freshly slaughtered sheep would be hung at the doorstep, and we ate it anyway!"

Liu Yonglu dipped the naan in his hand into the salty bean paste in the bowl and ate it.

While they were chatting, the old witch doctor came out with his bloody hands raised.

"How are you? Are you ready?" Liu Yonglu quickly stood up and asked.

“Well…” Amjar pondered for a few seconds and slowly said, “I saw a blood-red curtain in his soul. It was that curtain that obscured his vision.”

Liu Yonglu was so scared that the naan in his hand dropped.

"However, there is a solution. I will use the blood power of other creatures to dilute the curtain little by little. It may take one or two months to see the effect."

"Okay, sir! Next time, don't breathe so hard when you speak! I thought I was blind because I got wet in the quilt."

Liu Yonglu picked up the naan that fell on the ground and continued eating.

"You can't be impatient with this disease. I'll come back in a couple of days to use herbs to assist in the treatment. For today, let's leave it at that."

The old man turned around and wanted to leave.

"Wait a moment, I'll... take you there."

Liu Yonglu choked on the naan in his mouth, wiped his hands on his robe and prepared to go out.

"No, no, there are maids in the palace. Don't send them off. The room still needs to be cleaned up. You two can also ask Lin Blan if he feels better."

Liu Yonglu thought about it and realized that this was the case. He quickly called the maid to make arrangements, and he and Millie Tang went into Lin Brown's ward.

Amjar and her maid walked out while fiddling with a little straw man with her hands. In the maid's eyes, she had walked around to escort the old man and the young boy out of the palace, but in the eyes of others, the maid came out alone.

Amjar and Hassan hid behind a tree in the courtyard.

The old man took out a simple map from his pocket and walked forward carefully, vigilantly avoiding the patrolling guards and maids.

After crossing two courtyards, the old witch doctor knocked on the door of a room. When he entered the room, he saw a young man in his twenties standing at the window looking out.

"Prince Yusuf, this is Amjar, I have a letter from Upper Kurt!"

(End of this chapter)