This is a huge, ugly, strange carriage with a rough appearance and a flashy interior. The noisy crankshaft creaks and rotates continuously. The four chimneys spit out white smoke. The iron-clad wheels run over the ground, splashing out a stream of sparks to passersby. They all ducked aside and watched in awe as this behemoth with the royal camel eagle coat of arms of the Tocharian Empire passed by with a long whistle. No one in the entire southern continent did not know its name... It was made by the Flores people. , the steam carriage "Midnight Star" that represents the highest achievement of steam puppet technology in the entire world.
Jonah didn't expect to have the chance to see this carriage again. At this moment, sitting with him in the spacious living room, besides Asai, there were two unsmiling low-level officers and a sullen fat man. The two were named Zha. Lieutenant officers Lincubu and Zalinkut belong to the Royal Flame Cavalry Regiment. They were ordered to follow Jonah to Ecbatana as his followers. The two are brothers. Or cousins. Or sworn brothers... Or maybe there is no relationship at all. In fact, the astrologer did not understand the long self-introduction in the common language of the Southern Continent at all. He could only guess from the same skin color and similar names of the two people. And the unhappy fat man was exactly The mayor of Marakanda, Du Ibn Shakal, was the incompetent biological son of the old prince.
Why was this man sitting on the carriage heading to the southeastern border? Jonah also felt a little confused. But there was a bigger crisis in front of him. Behind the thin wooden wall, there was another adjacent room. There were several unsmiling men sitting in the room. Jonah could feel the cold gazes of those men through the wall. These three or four people were all old acquaintances who participated in the selection of royal warriors. The most familiar one among them was, of course, the one who obtained In the end, the white-robed priest Mias won the Royal Order of the Eagle.
"Asai, do you feel a little cold on your back?" The astrologer poked the Oriental next to him.
"Okay." Asai raised his head and drank a glass of sparkling wine. "That little devil won't do anything to you. If he breaks his face in front of so many witnesses, his evil father will not be able to step down. "
Jonah rubbed his temples in distress: "Asai, I don't understand it more and more. What is going on? The more I think about it, the more I don't understand it..."
"I've said it before. Political struggle is too laborious. Let's save our energy. Those who understand understand naturally. Those who don't understand will never learn in their lifetime. Right. Mr. Mayor." The Oriental raised his glass. He signaled to Mayor Du opposite, with a malicious smile on his face.
"Cheers, cheers..." Du Chakar raised his head and drank the seventeenth glass of cactus wine today. He let out a miserable and miserable burp.
Everything will start with the farewell reception held at three o'clock in the afternoon. Emperor Isaibaink is a man who does what he says. He just sent out the transfer order in the morning. In the afternoon, he delivered the "Midnight Star" that was parked in the Golden City for repairs. Harimaya Manor. He himself also attended the farewell reception hosted by Prince Harimaya.
Although there has been no war in Tochara for a hundred years, the last time it sent troops can be traced back to the "Ten Years War" with the natives of the Endless Sand Sea in 2107. However, the royal family who founded the country with bravery has always inherited the military spirit. Isaiah Emperor Inke once again appeared in front of everyone wearing a majestic golden armor. Arriving at the manor with the emperor, there was also a middle-aged man wearing a blue brocade robe. This man had an upright face with the Chinese character for Chinese characters. He has a mustache, strong muscles, and an outstanding temperament. He is a figure not to be underestimated. When the old prince saw this man, he was so shocked that his gold-rimmed glasses fell from the bridge of his nose to his feet. "Governor Herhemias, you... Why did you come to my humble residence without informing me in advance? It is most likely to catch a cold in spring and summer. You must take care of yourself and serve His Majesty the Emperor with a good spirit." After all, you are an old fox. After greeting Isaibaink, the prince immediately He stood up to greet her. There was no hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"The main god Luta will protect the true emperor." The governor responded calmly. "I am here to send my son to the front line. As a young man, you should watch more and learn more."
At this time, Jonah and Asai were hiding behind the dining table to secretly watch these big shots bickering and commenting on the hairstyle and gait of the legendary Governor Herhemias. At this time, a figure in a white robe appeared from behind the Governor. The astrologer was immediately shocked. He almost choked to death on an olive in his mouth... Wasn't that the member of the Red Owl Brotherhood who had just attacked him yesterday, and was the white-robed priest Mi who was severely humiliated by "Ugly Face" Liqie? Yas?
Mias looked calm at this time. He was holding a short staff and the concentric circle badge of the main god Luta on his chest was shining brightly. "This is the dog. I sent him to the Anglican Church to serve the main god since he was a child. The outside world doesn't know much about him. Exist. Now the war is about to start. The Anglican Church evacuates Bactria. This kid Mias wants to use his little ability to contribute to the country. His abilities are limited and his intentions are good. Your Majesty the Emperor." The governor put his hand on the young priest's. The voice on his shoulder said loudly. "He also wants to go to the southern border and take a look. Confirm whether the Vedic people are as barbaric and unreasonable as the rumors. I hope you can agree... After all, this child is now a member of the Fire Blade Cavalry Regiment." I am a Royal Hump Eagle Knight. As a father, I cannot make the decision. I need your personal consent."
Governor Herhemias looked directly into the eyes of Emperor Isaibaink. There was no due respect in his tone.
"How can His Majesty the Emperor tolerate the existence of such a guy?" Jonah clenched his fists angrily.
Asai suddenly slapped the table: "Bah, bah, bah. I said it sounds so familiar. Who else could Mias be if he wasn't the son of Herhemias? Herge is an inherited surname prefix. Wait until little Mias grows up to him When my father was old enough to inherit the family business, he naturally became Herhemias. Instead of participating in the Guards fighting competition held by his father, he went to the enemy to show off. It is sinister and sinister..."
The Emperor of the Tocharian Empire took a step forward and got a little closer to the opponent. This distance multiplied the advantage of his height. He stared condescendingly at the Governor of the Guards: "Of course. No matter what era, young people who are determined to serve the country People are the most precious treasure. There are still many vacancies on the Midnight Star. Even his servants and bodyguards can get independent rooms."
A few wrinkles appeared in the corners of Herhemias's eyes, a bit like a smile, a bit like a murderous intention. "A sixteen-year-old child can already stand alone. The blood of forty-four generations of ancestors flows in his body. Many promotions have been made." Jue's defeated generals can testify for him."
"Oh." Isaibaink responded lightly. "I didn't see the green wheat ears on your coat of arms. My dear distant cousin."
"That's because the Grand Duke of Ishmael hasn't given it to me yet. It's said that he doesn't like thieves who steal green wheat ears. When the time is right, he will find a way to find the lost thing." Hege Mias showed a real smile this time.
Jonah was not interested in this kind of tit-for-tat but non-expletive dialogue. He stopped Asai from continuing to translate. In the blink of an eye, he was sitting on the rumbling wheel, following the "Golden Road" to the far southeastern border. The "Midnight Star" has four large living rooms in total. The first one is the one where the astrologer is. The second one is occupied by the white-robed priest Mias and four others who also won the selection. A strong man serving in the Blade Cavalry Regiment; in the third room sat two senior officers of the Guards. One of them was the new combat instructor who won the Guards Fighting Competition; in the fourth room, the door was closed tightly from the moment he got on the bus. .It is said that an important traveler is resting inside. No one knows who it is.
If we make a simple analysis, it is not clear whether they are brothers, Jonah and Asai, or just second lieutenants Zarincub and Zarinkut with similar names. Mias, four cavalry regiment officers belong to His Majesty the Emperor’s camp. Two close The officers of the Guard were subordinates of Governor Herhemias.
But a little more in-depth analysis revealed that Mias was the biological son of the governor. The four officers of the cavalry regiment seemed to be devoted to him. I don’t know if it was the spy planted by the governor or simply bribed by the white-robed priest. So the first living room was isolated. The second and third living rooms form a virtual union.
But if we analyze it more deeply, Mayor Du was originally a supporter of Governor Herhemias. But before leaving, he was forcibly escorted into the car by Prince Harimaya. He was responsible for the astrologer's food and daily life along the way. So did he succumb? A paternal double agent. Or the biggest variable in his willingness to surrender.
If we analyze it a little more in-depth, Mias is a member of the Red Owl Brotherhood. Tuva Tugen, the fireman of the Brotherhood, holds a high position in the Guards. Is it possible that the Governor of the Guards himself is a believer of the Brotherhood? .The other people on this steam carriage are all lurking nearby because of their identity as traitors. They are always ready to launch an attack.
However, if we analyze it a little more deeply...
"Ahhh..." Yona, who had a splitting headache, collapsed. "Asai, help me. The more I think about it, the more complicated it becomes. The more complicated it is, the more headache I get. Now my head seems to be about to explode..."
The Oriental patted his shoulder comfortingly: "Stop thinking nonsense. Brother Jonah, let me ask you a question. Are you happy climbing the mountain? Or are you happy descending the mountain?"
The astrologer was stunned: "What is the problem? It should be said that it is fun to go down the mountain. Climbing a mountain is very tiring. Going down the mountain is easy...but my home is on a hillside. I can only go home by climbing up the hillside. So. It should be fun to go up the mountain." His eyes flashed before his eyes at the hut on the green hillside. It was his home in St. Bollen. It was so far away now that he couldn't tell whether it was a real or illusory home.
Asai grinned and said: "I'll tell you the answer: It's fun to go up the mountain. You can climb high and see the distance; it's also fun to go down the mountain. You can lean on the tree and look at the clouds. Eastern philosophy tells us to be happy with fate and enjoy the present. The more we think, the more we will abandon our hearts. The farther away the true Buddha is. If you think too much, you won't be able to change your current situation. Doing something meaningful while remaining alert is much better than being frightened."
Jonah stared blankly at his companion beside him for a long time and murmured: "What you said is so good. Thank you... I won't think about it anymore. What is the meaningful thing you said? .”
"Of course it's time to eat and sleep." The Orientalist threw up a peanut and swallowed it in one gulp, then narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.