Under the sky

Chapter 282 Disaster on Xiao Qiang

The most difficult thing to deal with with Hillidg is his insect noise.As long as he is willing to pay a lot of money, any rash move in Arien Palace will be noticed, so Gao Le Wizard would use such a tortuous way to invite Meng De.

The best way to deal with the sound of insects is to find Meng De, who knows the sound of insects best.

"Is Sardin okay?" Meng De asked his old friend first.

"He's very good." Yang Yan motioned for Meng De to take a seat. "We didn't hurt him. We just asked him to sign the envelope, put his seal on it, and gave him a generous thank you gift."

Meng De nodded first, then shook his head: "You want me to help you deal with Hillidger?"

"He made the people of Batu starve." Yang Yan said, "Father God will definitely punish him."

Priest Meng De said: "Excuse me for being rude, I can't help you, I don't have any power now."

"Not even for the people of Batu?" Yang Yan said, "They are starving and suffering, and you are the priest who should think about the people."

Mengde said: "Son of God, the matter is easy to solve."

"I will not go to the Priesthood." Yang Yan said categorically, "because Gulthas allowed Hilidegg to make the people of Batu suffer."

Mengde fell into deep thought: "Going against Hilidegg is equivalent to going against the House of Priests. You also said that Gulthas let Hilidegg go. Maybe this is his will." He said, "I can't Against Gul'thas."

"If you didn't agree, why did you come?" Yang Yan asked.

"I want to advise the Son of God."

"Then I also want to advise the chief priest." Yang Yan said, "Xilidege will not let you go after he becomes Sasi."

Meng De's pupils shrank, looking a little uncomfortable: "Why?"

"Gao Leqi, you answer."

Gao Leqi stepped forward and saluted respectfully, and said: "I had an appointment with Prince Hu Gen a few days ago, and he was still sad about the death of Lu Si. It suddenly reminded me of this old case. Why did the slaves rebel, and why did the refugees If you want to ambush the team of the Prison Division, why not kill Lu Si and just cut off one of his arms? There is also the one-armed man who comes from who knows where."

"Although the details are unclear, I guess someone might want to frame Hillidger, who was still a minor priest at the time."

"He was just a small priest at the time." Meng De said, "Why did you frame him?"

"Perhaps someone has seen that he will hinder his future." Gao Leqi said, "This is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that I would think so, wouldn't the priest Hillidegg?"

"That was more than ten years ago."

"We all know that Hilidegg has many good qualities," Gollach said, "but forgiveness is obviously not one of them."

Mengde fell into deep thought again, and Yang Yan thought again. For Mengde, the suffering of the people was not as majestic as Gulthas. Only when it endangered himself would he consider counterattacking Hilidegg. The so-called nobles and priests It's really ridiculous to love the people like your own children.

"Then, let's talk about the terms." Meng De looked up at Yang Yan, "What can I get?"

"You can protect yourself and become the heir of Gulthas. Isn't that enough?" Yang Yan was surprised.Just now, Meng De was unwilling to take the risk of offending Gulthas, but now he's talking about terms again?
However, Gao Leqi thought that he was worthy of being Gultha's former successor. He assessed the situation and made rapid changes. Once he made up his mind, he would strive for the greatest benefit.

"After Hillidege's death, you will be the only successor. Is there anyone else who can replace you?" Yang Yan asked.

"How do you know that I am the only successor?" Mengde asked, "Everyone knows that Gulthas is unfathomable."

"Who else is there?" Gao Leqi interjected, "Kong Xiao, Potu? If you win, Gulthas will choose you."

"Just think of it as me, then I and Arien Palace..." Meng De asked, "How will the power be distributed?"

Even if Yang Yan is not good at power struggles, he can still hear the intention of taking advantage of the situation.

"The prison department can be handed over to the Arien Palace." Mengde said, "The priestly guard must be retained. From now on, the Arien Palace does not need to report state affairs to the Priesthood, but the Priesthood has the power to impeach all officials."

"Also, the chief consul must be appointed by the House of Priests." Mengde continued.

"You are taking advantage of the situation!" Tucker shouted.

"This situation is much better than before," Meng De said, "and it cannot be worse than now."

But it's not much better, Gao Leqi thought.But he must accept the conditions no matter what. God knows when those hungry people outside Arien Palace will turn into a mob.It is not unprecedented in history for mobs to attack Arien Palace. Not to mention, it happened during the Sarhakin period. Otherwise, how could the traitor Muen succeed so easily?
Mengde went back under the cover of night, and Gao Leqi asked him to find out where Hillidege had stored his food as soon as possible. It wouldn't take a few days, it really wouldn't take a few days. Within ten days, Nabu Badu would be out of food. Within days the hungry people will storm Arien Palace.Gao Leqi has even thought about Hilidegg's next step. When the mob riot comes to an end, Hilidegg will use the sacrificial army to suppress the mob, capture Tucker, and then send food - what a big credit. Save the people from famine.Then he will take Yang Yan away, impeach the nobles who monopolize food, exile Tucker, and tattoo his face with snowflake marks.Yes, Hillidegg would rather torture himself than kill himself, and then he and Tucker would lead an army to wander around. Do you want to join that Wang Qile team then?
In addition, Tucker also hopes that Mengde can find out the real traitor. Bailey, the fool, is just a scapegoat. There must be someone else who replaces Tucker.

Forbidding gatherings, searching for food, and distributing it uniformly can delay time. Gao Leqi is not unaware of this method, but it will not only cause public resentment, but also cause panic. Even if the food is successfully retrieved later, Arien Palace's Prestige will also be greatly reduced.If it weren't for the support of those nobles in fighting against the Priesthood, Gao Leqi would have really wanted to listen to Yang Yan and kill them all. If this crisis could be overcome safely, Batu's food policy must be readjusted.

Mengde once managed Insects, although that was a long time ago, but he must still have his own spies, and maybe these spies are still useful, so even if he opens his mouth, there is no room for bargaining in Arien Palace.

From the beginning, Arien Palace’s chips were too low.Yang Yan's arrival was so unexpected that Tucker started hastily before he was fully prepared, like charging into battle without wearing armor. It was not that he would definitely die, but when the opponent's spear came, it was not only embarrassing, but also fatal.

However, the current compromise does not mean that there will be no future struggle, as long as the Son of God is still in hand...

Gao Leqi has been unable to sleep well for several nights in a row. He can't relax even in his favorite bath. Various situations are constantly churning in his mind.Just when he felt that the water was a little cold, Zhao Ying took a bucket of hot water and poured it into the bath.

"Your Excellency seems very troubled?" Zhao Ying asked, "Would you like me to rub your back?"

Gao Leqi shook his head, nodded again, and beckoned. Zhao Ying took off her coat, stepped in with one foot first, and then swam towards Gao Leqi after her whole body was submerged in the water.

"Do you know? I'm about to be killed by Hillidegg." Gao Leqi said, "I'm almost at my wits' end. I feel like his hands are strangling my throat."

"My lord has always been the smartest person." Zhao Ying said, "Have you ever thought about asking someone from the Priesthood for help? Or... sue for peace?"

"Forgiveness is not one of Hillidegg's virtues." Gao Leqi said, "As long as I lose, I will be dead. Hillidegg will exile me, and I will have snowflake tattoos on my eyes. Zhao Ying , I have never been so scared..."

Zhao Ying felt Gao Leqi's back trembling.The ferocity of the power struggle is no more gentle than the fighting on the battlefield. The winner lives and the loser dies.She put her chest against Gao Leqi's back and whispered, "I believe you can come up with a solution, and I am also thinking of a solution for you."

"What can you do?" Gao Leqi asked.

Zhao Ying shook her head and asked again: "Didn't your Excellency invite a distinguished guest today? I heard the sound of the carriage stopping at the back door."

She was sent to serve Nadia's family, who lived in a room near the back door. It was said to be a service, but it was also a surveillance. Galloqi could not let down his guard against Nadia.

In other words, he couldn't let down his guard against the Son of God, especially after the Son of God began to get involved in political affairs.He felt that the Son of God would become more and more powerful.Although Yang Yan always said that he only wanted revenge,... power and wealth, only those who have had them will know how much they can change a person.

"It's Kong Xiao, the chief priest." Gao Leqi said softly.Zhao Ying was surprised. She was rubbing Gao Leqi's back, and Gao Leqi couldn't see her wide eyes.

"Why is Kong Xiao the chief priest?" Zhao Ying asked, "I thought it would be the Potu Festival. He must also be worried about Nabu Batu's food problem."

"The Priesthood has the power to supervise the price of food. Kong Xiao is in charge of the Discipline Department and can impeach those princes. With him coming forward, Arien Palace can still maintain friendship with the princes. One of those people must know where the food is hidden. Let Kong Xiao check for clues."

"Is it too slow?" Zhao Ying asked, "We don't have much time left."

What a smart girl, Gao Leqi sighed in his heart.He repeated again: "You know what? If it fails again this time, I'm really going to die."

"I believe you can get through this difficulty." Zhao Ying said, "I have confidence in you."

Gao Leqi said nothing more and could only hope that Meng De could find out where the grain was hidden as soon as possible.

■

The statue of the Son of God was completed a month ago. It is one foot and five feet high and seven feet wide. It holds a book in the left hand and a knife in the right hand. The knife is the style of Guan Nei. The Son of God drew the style himself, and it is called Wild Fire.

The carver Zingla and his disciples still live in Arien Palace, waiting for the day when the statue of the Son of God will be unveiled.This statue should have been erected in the square in front of Arien Palace two months ago, but now it is just lying quietly on the grass in the garden of Arien Palace. No one wants to erect the statue of the Son of God at such an embarrassing time. It's not prestige, but it seems like ridicule.

A large number of people gathered outside Arien Palace, shouting for food and hunger, and among them was a name: Nadia.

I don’t know since when, the name Nadia has been widely circulated among the people.She is a witch who blinded the Son of God, and relied on her close relationship with the Son of God to hinder His wisdom. This drought and food shortage were God Sa's good intentions to the Son of God, telling him to stay away from evil.

The entire Arien Palace was trembling.Tucker kept drinking in the room, as if returning to the time when he was drinking a few years ago, pacing back and forth from time to time, unable to stop.Gao Leqi appears to be calm, and he must be calm. If even he is in chaos, no one will be able to deal with these things.Yang Yan came to Mira's room to visit Monduke.Even if he was hiding in the palace, he could hear the shouts of the crowd. Munduk looked pale, whether because of his injury or because he was worried about his daughter.Mira hugged Wang Hong, just like when she was caught by the refugees. Wang Hong suppressed herself from shaking or covering her ears. Instead, she comforted her mother: "It's okay. They will find food in a few days." It will disperse.”

"I will protect you." Yang Yan said, "I will use all methods to protect you."

Wang Hong stood up from her mother's arms and pulled Yang Yan out.

"Do you know why they blame me?" Wang Hong said, "It's to protect you."

Yang Yan understood that the majesty of the Son of God should not be offended. This was the bottom line of Gulthas. Hillidegg cleverly stepped on this line. All the sins were attributed to Wang Hong. He was just the Son of God who was kidnapped and deceived by Arien Palace. , as long as the Son of God returns to the Priesthood, all problems will be solved.

It will be solved easily, because Hilidegg has food in hand.

"I want to see Gulthas." Yang Yan said, "I want to make a deal with him."

Wang Hong shook his head: "If you go to the Priest's Court now, they will arrest you immediately. This is different from before. The people's hearts are now in the Priest's Court, and you are the son of God who has been deceived."

"Then they only have one dead Son of God." Yang Yan said.

Wang Hong felt at ease, knowing that Yang Yan would do what he said. Even if she died, Yang Yan would do his best to protect her family.

Until now, Wang Hong didn't really know how to get along with Yang Yan, and she was afraid that there wasn't much time left to get along with him.

Regardless of whether Gao Leqi was willing or not, letting Yang Yan negotiate with Gulthas was indeed one of the few options available. However, when the Son of God's oral message arrived at the Priesthood, he was rejected.

"They said Gulthas was ill," Gao Leqi said, "and declined to see guests."

The news of Gulthas' illness spread, which made the people's hearts fluctuate even more. The spiritual leader of Nabu Batu has fallen ill. Who will lead Batu out of famine, Arien Palace?
Tucker ordered the palace guards to be on alert, and even dispatched soldiers from the Prison Department to guard the Arien Palace. The entire Arien Palace was filled with an atmosphere of chilling, and no one knew when the mob would rush in.

When will there be news about Meng De?
"It's not good!" Zhao Ying rushed into Mira's room and saw Wang Hong and Yang Yan also there, but she hesitated to speak.

"What's the matter?" Mira asked.

"Outside..." Zhao Ying said with difficulty, "Go and see for yourself."

Yang Yan grabbed Wang Hong's hand: "Let's go and have a look."

The square in front of the Arien Palace burned with terrifying flames. A naked man slowly erected the torture frame. The crowd cheered loudly and shouted around the torture frame: "Burn the witch! Burn Nadia." !”

Perhaps it was not the crowd, but the sound of insects, the sounds of insects shouting, and the people echoing the sounds of insects.

"Hand over the witch! Don't let the witch blind the Son of God!"

"Burn the witch to death and it will rain!"

With a bang, another fire was lit.The masses fell into a madness that burned both their hunger and their sanity.

Just looking from a distance, Wang Hong could feel the boiling public opinion coming towards her face and couldn't help but take two steps back.She thought of the scene when Yang Yan went on patrol. If the crowd supported a person, it would bring him supreme glory. If they wanted to kill someone, they could kill him with just their thoughts. Wang Hong saw the torture rack from a distance. At this moment, she was more powerful than being killed. The refugees were even more helpless and frightened when caught.

"Send Nadia away!" Yang Yan approached Tucker again. He was drunk. Yang Yan grabbed his collar and asked him to stand up, "I will advance and retreat with you!"

Tucker refused angrily: "She can't leave!"

"Why?" Yang Yan asked.

"Because we are in the same boat!" Tucker, who had been suppressed for a long time, jumped up and roared loudly, "No one can get off the boat first, or we will die together! Including you!"

He talked nonsense and drunkenly: "If the mob comes in, I will kill you first, kill you! With Gulthas...how do you say that? We will break up in one shot! Yes, or we will die together!" He He murmured, "No one has a son of God. I don't have one, and Gulthas can't even hope to have one!"

"He's drunk." Gao Leqi's voice came from behind.He has been quite haggard these past two days and has not eaten well.

"Is he speaking from his heart?" Yang Yan said, "He wants to kill me?"

"Tucker can't do such a thing." Gao Leqi said, "And when the time comes, we will need to negotiate terms and pray that Gulthas can treat us leniently."

"Send Nadia and her family away." Yang Yan said, "I will stay and deal with the mob with you."

"That's too stupid. There are insects outside now, and Nadia will definitely be noticed. Hillidegg needs her to take the blame for you. She will be caught if she can't escape far, and then you can be in Arien." You can enjoy roasting human meat from high in the palace." Gao Le said curiously.

This reason was not sufficient. Yang Yan suddenly realized that he could not help but get angry and shouted loudly: "They are all excuses! You plan to hand over Nadia when public resentment breaks out!" He finally understood Gao Leqi's plan, "You plan to Is it right to betray her?!"

Gao Leqi didn't reply, which was regarded as acquiescence.Yang Yan roared: "She is innocent!"

"With all due respect, Son of God, Nadia is not innocent. She was involved in the whole incident." Gao Leqi replied.

"I'll fuck you bastards to death!" Yang Yan grabbed Gao Leqi's shirt and punched him on the left side of his face.Gao Leqi didn't fight back and called the guard: "Come here!"

Six guards arrived and captured Yang Yan. It was obvious that they had already made arrangements. "Send the Son of God back to the room and protect him well." Gao Leqi instructed, "Don't let the Son of God touch any sharp objects."

"Gao Leqi! I'll fuck your mother!" Yang Yan yelled and kicked him angrily.But he knew it wouldn't help, he'd experienced too many moments of helplessness.He understood that he did not have any substantial power in his hands, and his only reliance was the identity of the Son of God. When the crowd did not stand by the Son of God, he had nothing.

Yang Yan roared: "Let me go! If you dare to do this, I have plenty of ways to kill myself!"

From the exterminator to the Son of God, Yang Yan knows best how to use his inviolable identity. The tragedy in the first half of his life has become his life-saving talisman.

"Son of God, we have no other choice but to hand over Nadia to quell the people's complaints." Gao Leqi said, "This can at least delay it for a few days, and maybe we can find food."

Tucker is not bad, and neither is Gao Leqi, but they are powerful people. They don't even dare to touch the group of nobles who are hoarding food, but they are ready to sacrifice Wang Hong at any time.

"Listen to what I have to say, and I will cooperate with you. We are still partners!" Yang Yan said angrily, "If you push me too hard, you will lose no matter what!"

Gao Leqi knew that Yang Yan was right. Imprisoning the Son of God was not a good way to use the Son of God. If Yang Yan did not cooperate, Arien Palace had no leverage.He waved the guard to let go and asked, "What does the Son of God plan to do?"

Yang Yan shook off the guard who was grabbing his hands and feet and said loudly: "Send someone to find the refugees, Wang Qile! The refugees may have clues!"

"Refugees?" Gao Leqi shook his head, "They don't know how to deal with the palace guards."

"But he will deal with me!" Yang Yan said, "Wang Qile is my friend! He knows Monduke, he is trustworthy, and asked Nadia to go find the refugees with Monduke and his wife!"

Gao Leqi was still noncommittal, and Yang Yan said angrily: "Why don't you give it a try? The refugees' informants are more useful than Nadia!"

"That's just your guess." Gao Leqi said, "They may not be willing to help."

"I'll just stay and let my parents go. Then when the crisis comes, you can still hand me over to quell the people's anger." It was Wang Hong's voice.Yang Yan and Gao Leqi turned around to see Wang Hong arriving outside Tucker's room at some unknown time.

Yang Yan shouted loudly: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"If that's the case, you can try it." Gao Leqi nodded.The lives of Monduk and Mila were of little use, and there was only one more chance.

Yang Yan wanted to speak, but Wang Hong held his hand tightly and shook her head, her palms covered with cold sweat.Yang Yan stopped talking.

The Mondukes were unwilling to leave their daughter, but Yang Yan and Wang Hong insisted.Wang Hong said to her father, "This is the only way to save us." He added, "If you can't find food, don't come back."

Monduk was worried about his daughter and asked, "What about you?"

"I can't leave." Wang Hong shook her head, "The Son of God needs my company. Don't worry, the Son of God will protect me."

"I will protect Nadia with my life." Yang Yan said firmly, "Meng Duke, you can rest assured."

With the assurance of the Son of God, although Munduke was worried about his daughter, he felt a little relieved.He also knew that this trip was important and no one could convince Wang Qile except himself.

He and his wife left Arien Palace with a team of a hundred people.

(End of this chapter)