After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

The square in Harbin was bustling with activity, and the spring day was warm and pleasant. However, due to lead singer Paul's long business trip, entertainment activities in Harbin on weekends were greatly reduced.

However, the Duke's little story and Jenny's explanation of the scriptures still attracted many residents to watch, and the giant python's skeleton and the flat ground below were filled with people.

Thorne covered his face, feeling nine-tenths of his regret.

Standing beside him at this moment were all the Central College students whom Jacob had lured to the Northern Territory under his name.

However, to his utter surprise, the first step for his classmates to get to know the Northern Territory would be through the Duke's various outrageous little stories.

And they... were listening intently?

On the high platform, there is a table covered with a cloth and a chair.

The Duke, wearing sunglasses and smoking a pipe, sat in a chair, took a sip of tea from a passing maid to moisten his throat, took a deep drag of his pipe, and continued telling stories to the crowd as if chatting casually.

"Even on his deathbed, the archbishop could never forget the paladin commander's melancholy eyes."

"Therefore, the sky of love is often also the sea of ​​hatred."

"If it weren't for that woman, they wouldn't have ended up like this. The initial amazement in youth often turns into mutual loathing in the end."

"The most precious thing in the world can be summed up in one sentence: 'If only life could be as beautiful as the first time we met.' When the archbishop chose to break with the paladin commander in order to protect the saintess, he probably already knew that the child who had worked hard to train and was determined to inherit his ideals would never return."

"But if he could do it all over again, would he still make the same choice? I think it's pointless to consider any choice at all. Because when we start fantasizing about the choices we didn't make, it all comes down to this: 'If only life were like our first meeting.'"

"Feelings are far more ruthless than interests. You can get the same benefits from anyone, but you can't get the same feelings from anyone else."

"Life can be restarted; a comeback is possible; but feelings, even if you can go back to the past, cannot be replicated. Whether it's a guarded change of heart, an approach driven by a strong purpose, or a deliberately created memory..."

In the end, all that remains is the amazement of first sight and the murky tears shed in old age.

Hearing sobbing below, Oswald looked up and glanced at the sun's position before quickly taking down his pipe.

"Alright, next time we'll tell you the little story of how the archbishop regained love in the goblin cave after losing the paladin commander."

As expected, Oswald received a disapproving glare from Jenny after hastily slipping off the stage.

Jenny's explanations were all very serious, but the key point is that after listening to the Duke's unserious little stories, who would still have the mind to clear their head and seek tranquility?

They've all gone off to reminisce about their passionate and tragic love stories!

Thorne was equally helpless. He knew that the Duke had held back, and the stories the Duke told in the military camp were even more explosive.

"The Northern Territory is quite interesting." A curly-haired noblewoman shook off her melancholy and turned to Thorne, asking earnestly.

"Thorne, you said you hoped we could come and work in the Northern Territory, and here we are. But we still need to meet with that Duke, don't we?"

Thorne: ...

First of all, I didn't invite you here; secondly, "the one who just told you the story was the Duke of Oswald."

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly turned their gaze towards the leisurely departing figure, then fell silent in shock. They knew the Northern Territory was strange, but they hadn't expected it to be this strange.

The curly-haired noblewoman smiled awkwardly. "The Duke... turns out he's a very easygoing person."

"Yes, easygoing."

An unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out beside them, and everyone quickly turned around to see a large group of strong soldiers who had appeared behind them at some point.

Oh no, we've fallen into a trap!

Jacob smiled politely, watching the youthful faces with a composed expression, but his expression gradually turned fearful and uneasy.

As for Thorne, he had already turned his back and covered his face tightly, pretending that he didn't exist.

The people who came to the Northern Territory can be roughly divided into three types.

One type came voluntarily or out of necessity; the other was plundered or bought. Both types of people received very good treatment in the North.

Only the last type, those who were deceived... well, they can only pray for good fortune and silently pray that wealth and status are preordained and life and death are left to fate.

One of the strange tales of the Northern Territory: Do not pry into the secrets of Charles's family and his cousin's disappearance.

"take away."

Jacob gave the order in a low voice as he stepped back.

These former high achievers from the Central Academy of Sciences wouldn't have given him a second glance. Now, however, things have improved for them, and recruiting graduates from the Central Academy of Sciences is like picking them up for free, without spending a single penny.

The soldiers were very polite. They simply lifted up these trembling, pale-faced, and weak-legged men without disturbing anyone, and left the square in a grand procession.

The residents along the way initially found it rather strange and came up to ask.

"Consul Jacob, where did you capture this nobleman from?"

"From out of town," Jacob replied with a smile, quickly adding to avoid any misunderstanding. "There are no executions to watch today. They weren't captured to be killed; they are outstanding young talents invited by the Duke, and they will all be part of our Northern Territory from now on."

He should have remained silent, but once he spoke, the residents who hadn't witnessed the execution stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with regret.

However, this scene was somewhat unsettling to the graduates of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Could it be that beheading nobles is a form of entertainment in the Northern Territory?!

These trembling fellows were thrown into the vacant houses that had been prepared in advance. There weren't many other things in the Northern Territory, but there were a lot of empty noble mansions.

This will also be Jacob's main office location in the future, so that he can use his spare time to provide further education to these young graduates.

"If you need anything, just tell the guards at the gate. The Northern Territory will not treat you unfairly."

Jacob clapped his hands, drawing their scattered attention back.

"I only have three sentences to say, so listen carefully."

"First, once you're here, don't even think about leaving. I don't care which marquis's daughter you are, or the commander's sister. If you're not afraid of death, you can try to leave the Northern Territory. But you know what kind of methods Duke Oswald has up his sleeve."

"Second, since you're here, make the best of it. We brought you here for normal government work, and your salary and benefits will be better than in other territories, provided that you can meet the standards of the Northern Territory."

"Thirdly, in the Northern Territory, I suggest you discard your so-called noble titles and truly regard yourselves as officials and servants. Learn from this experience: this area where you live is full of noble residences, and you will naturally know how deserted it is here at night."

Having said that, Jacob turned and left with his soldiers, slamming the door shut behind them. He knew he needed to give the young men some time to adjust and some space to be alone, and he also knew he needed to influence them subtly.

Sigh, without realizing it, I've become a caring superior?

This is so touching. If Miss Luna were here, she would be so moved.

After a brief moment of self-praise, Jacob stroked his beard and turned his attention back to how to fool the scholars.

There are plenty of brave warriors in the north, but practically no one who does academic research.

It's impossible to rely on certain oddball groups. Those alchemists in Ice City have recently gone mad, constantly peddling their fertility pills everywhere, calling them something like "Hero Brand"...

As a cultured man, Jacob couldn't allow alchemists to dominate and corrupt the social order. But young people are naive and easily deceived, while the scholars are as cunning as eels.

It seems that I have no choice but to resort to some drastic measures. In any case, the Duke has agreed that any means are acceptable.