Chapter 1431: Chapter 16: Subduing the Furious Spirit (End) (2)
Pierre thought for a mont and calmly replied, “They wouldn’t dare defy you, so they’ll pretend to obey. But as soon as they’re out of your sight, those little leaders will imdiately hatch rebellious thoughts.”
Winters approvingly pointed at Pierre’s forehead with his whip and concluded, “So we can’t give Newly Reclaid Outlands a suitable law because that would contradict the basic principles of the ‘Alliance Charter’; we also can’t implent the ‘Alliance Charter’ in Newly Reclaid Outlands because the charter doesn’t fit the actual situation there.”
After speaking, Winters laughed and teased, “Moreover, we haven’t even fulfilled the promises of the ‘Alliance Charter’ ourselves, so what qualifies us to brag to the Hurders?”
Though the topic was very serious, Winters’ tone was light-hearted and humorous, as if discussing a neighborhood amusing incident.
Nonetheless, it was precisely this open-minded and cheerful attitude that made Pierre, despite understanding the irreconcilable nature of the conflict, sohow remain confident in the resolution of the problem.
Thus, Pierre boldly asked, “So, are you collecting ‘hostages’ from the Hurders in Newly Reclaid Outlands to ensure their loyalty?”
“Hostages?” Winters raised an eyebrow in surprise, but he quickly understood what Pierre was referring to and laughed heartily, “You’re talking about the ‘Druluha’? ‘Druluha’ are not hostages, they’re vassals, attendants, servants, trusted aides, house slaves… Big White and Little White are ‘Druluha’, do you consider them hostages?”
After arriving in Newly Reclaid Outlands, Pierre sought a crash course from Bell on many Hurder customs.
However, at this mont, Mr. Michel’s brain, which was filled with various Hurder vocabulary, was once again disturbed by ‘Hestas’.
“Your Excellency, isn’t Big White and Little White ‘Huhar’?” Pierre tried not to show his confusion, “If they are ‘Druluha’… then what is ‘Huhar’?”
Winters was montarily speechless, as he too fell into the trap that Bell was ensnared in—unable to find words in Imperial language that accurately correspond to Hurder terms.
Yet the Blood Wolf ultimately outshone his dog cubs. Winters thought of an ingenious analogy.
“Do you know Houdel?” Winters first asked about a na seemingly unrelated.
Pierre was taken aback, “That lucky ‘monkey’ who serves as your trusted aide?”
“Yes, that’s him.” Winters laughed and tapped Pierre’s shoulder with his whip, “You are my ‘Huhar’, while Houdel is ‘Druluha’. Do you understand the subtle differences between the two?”
Pierre didn’t understand at all, yet he felt a sense of enlightennt. He still couldn’t explain ‘Huhar’ and ‘Druluha’ in rational terms, but he fully grasped the emotional difference between the two words.
“Also, it’s not I who demanded, but rather they who gifted them to .” Winters continued to explain, “An eight or nine-year-old Hurder child is already herding sheep. Fourteen or fifteen-year-old Hurder youth can already serve as adults. To every family on the prairie, capable labor is an invaluable asset.”
Winters gave Pierre a aningful look, “Don’t ntion Hurder herdsn, even for Paratu’s farrs, labor force is equally a precious asset. So, the givers aren’t , but them. The gratitude is not for them, but for .”
“Sorry, I misunderstood.” Pierre dared not et the Blood Wolf’s gaze.
“What’s right or wrong?” Winters smiled and enlightened Pierre, “Whether hostages or trusted aides, it only depends on how you perceive them.
Moreover, many tis, hostages and trusted aides are rely the opposite sides of the sa armor.
Those little leaders who surrender to us probably believe that they can only be safe if they send hostages, hence they compete to ‘tribute’ Druluha.”
Winters spoke earnestly to Pierre, “But they consider their own descendants as hostages offered up, but we cannot treat their descendants as hostages, understand?”
“I understand.” Pierre nodded vigorously.
“I plan to take these children to the Newly Reclaid Land, but the timing is not yet ripe—so temporarily, they will be taught in the old camp.”
Pierre felt a sense of ominous premonition.
anwhile, Winters’ smile grew wider, “I’ll send you teachers, but before I find suitable candidates… you will undertake the crucial task of educating them.”
Pierre’s worst expectations ca true.
“It’s your turn to experience the hardships I endured back then.” Winters tapped Pierre’s shoulder with his whip.
“I… I don’t understand the Hurder language, Your Excellency…” Pierre’s mouth was dry, “Bell… Yes! Bell is more appropriate…”
“Bell will certainly assist you,” Winters said, straitening his expression, “but if anything goes wrong, I’ll only look to you—I’ve entrusted them to you.”
Before Pierre could react, Winters clamped his knees, spurred his horse, and shot out like an arrow.
Pierre stood in place for a while, laughed and cried, then chased after him.
The two raced along the “road” pressed by wagon wheels.
Winters led with clear purpose; Pierre followed, bewildered.
The duo rode towards the northeast, continuing until sunset, reaching a hill, where a lake unfolded before them.
The twilight of the sunset turned into golden threads, stitching across the water’s surface.
Flocks of geese flew above the lake, gathering and dispersing, dancing an endless waltz.
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