Doctor, I'm really strong!

As a confidant of Theresis, Manfred frequently traveled between Kazdel and Lentinium, and was very clear about the actual situation in Kazdel. To put it bluntly, if Kazdel didn't have the three old things, HDD, it would have collapsed long ago. Let alone 500,000 people, it wouldn't be able to support even 100,000 people. There wasn't even any decent agriculture there.

Therese calmly replied, "That's the crux of the matter. If he's not a madman, then he's a great man who wants to turn Kazdel into a normal city. But more than that, I'm curious about how he managed to do all that in such a short time."

Manfred was a general, and Therese was a regent; their different positions determined their different perspectives on things.

For example, Theresis is now particularly eager to know how the Red Guards managed to make Kazdel's HDD disappear in such a short time without even triggering a large-scale rebellion. Even if they used the crudest method of using money to buy people's hearts, it still required execution. Otherwise, the money sent from above would be highly likely to be intercepted midway. Only an administrative system that reaches directly to the grassroots and has efficient execution can do this.

If this system could also be used on our side, it would greatly enhance the combat power of the entire Sarkaz.

Manfred said apologetically, "I'm very sorry, I didn't notice those things."

Theresis waved her hand: "It's not your fault. Discovering a Demon King who isn't actually a Demon King and bringing back this information immediately is enough to prove your loyalty and wisdom. You are a sword of the Sarkaz. Observation is the job of the eyes. You have done everything within your power. Very good, my general."

Manfred knelt on one knee gratefully: "It is my honor to receive your praise, Your Highness."

Just then, a pool of blood suddenly gushed from the ground. Seeing this, Therese gestured for Manfred to step back.

“You’ve lost this time, Theresis.”

A voice came from the pool of blood. Theresis, with his elbows on the table and his fingers interlaced, said with a formulaic smile, "It seems you are very curious about this, Blood Lord."

The blood began to surge and gradually congealed into a human shape, a handsome man with a pale face.

He is an ancient race among the Sarkaz, the ruler of the Blood Demons, known as the Blood Demon Lord, and theoretically on par with Theresis.

Because Theresis is the regent, not the demon king; the one who truly holds the title of demon king is Theresia.

However, Theresis is also the recognized Demon King. The Sarkaz's recognition and the Demon King's throne are two different things. The former is more important and has more influence than the latter. From this point of view, the Blood Demon Lord must obey Theresis.

After revealing himself, the Blood Demon Lord said, "I heard that the person was the Doctor who fought you before. Isn't that very interesting, Your Highness the Regent?"

Theresis nodded: "That's what I'm most curious about. How did he do that? Or has he been hiding himself all along? Is he actually a special Sarkaz?"

The Blood Demon Lord pinched his chin: "Based on my life experience, this is impossible. He is not a Sarkaz."

Therese shrugged: "But his acceptance by the Sarkaz is also real, so which one is real?"

The Blood Demon Lord chuckled wickedly, “You and I both know very well that it’s impossible to gain the genuine approval of the Sarkaz through bribery and slogans alone. Sincere interaction is possible, but how can we establish connections with so many Sarkaz? If this isn’t some kind of Originium Arts that we don’t know about, then it can only mean that the Demon Lord’s bloodline has shifted.”

Therese raised an eyebrow: "Oh (second tone), why does it have to be a matter of blood? Can't it be a matter of pure ideology? Like genuinely liking him."

The Blood Demon Lord said frankly, "I have thought about that, but the problem is, you know better than I how difficult it is."

Theresis fell silent. As the inheritor of the Demon King's bloodline, he was certain that Liu Jiuli had absolutely no connection to the Demon King's bloodline. The connection was with Amiya, the girl from Katus chosen by his sister, and Amiya's figure had appeared in the collective consciousness of the Sarkaz since the day the bloodline was transferred.

The problem is that, in the current collective consciousness, Amiya's image is still weak and immature, while Liu Jiuli, who suddenly appeared, is concrete and bright, perfectly stealing the show. The unknown events that happened before have directly turned this connection into an almost tangible, solidified whole. Theresis has never seen such a united will in her life.

What a unity of purpose, what a strong will! Theresis even wondered if this spirit could transcend death.

This speculation was based entirely on intuition without any evidence, but Therese firmly believed that her intuition was trustworthy and that she had to investigate along this line.

The Blood Demon Lord continued, "Regardless of what happened, if you don't work harder, a foreign Demon Lord will appear in Sarkaz. This is definitely a problem. Moreover, our recruitment plan is to continue from Kazdel. Now everything is disrupted. Don't tell me there's no backup plan."

Therese smiled wryly and said, "That's true, there isn't one."

Blood Demon Lord: "This isn't like you."

Theresis asked helplessly, "Under normal circumstances, do I need to register when I recruit soldiers from Kazdel?"

Blood Demon Lord: "That's true, but the situation is different now. How do you plan to handle it?"

Theresis: "In any case, I cannot possibly go to Kazdel to fight another Demon Lord at this critical moment, even if he is not a Demon Lord."

The Sarkaz's recognition has a very strong appeal to other neutral Sarkaz. Liu Jiuli's image in the collective consciousness of the Sarkaz has been materialized. Even if a Sarkaz has never known who Liu Jiuli is, they will feel a sense of familiarity when they see him. Such a boost, placed in a place like Kazdel, is like Swire rushing into Eyjafjalla's circle and grabbing the pot to eat when it's time to eat.

Moreover, the situation in Kazdel is very uncertain. He is far away in Lentinium laying out his grand plan. Looking at the distance between Kazdel and Lentinium on the map, it is the distance from Berlin to Moscow. Even the Iron Torrent would take two years to build. There is no way he can bring thousands of troops back.

Blood Demon Lord: "What should we do then? Should I convert a few of my servants?"

Theresis: "Let's start by recruiting from the Sarkaz mercenaries in the surrounding countries."

Blood Lord: "So, Kazdel is just going to abandon this?"

Therese laughed and said, "Taking Kazdel is one thing, but managing Kazdel is another. Moreover, Kazdel has not only internal problems, but also external problems. Given Liu Jiuli's behavior, Syracuse will definitely take action."

The Blood Lord clapped his hands: "Understood. If he can't handle the interference from Syracuse, Kazdel will revert to its original form, and we'll win without a fight."

Therese: "That's true, but if possible, I hope he (Liu Jiuli) can win."

Blood Demon Lord: "Why?"

Therese smiled forlornly: "The Sarkaz have been adrift for too long."

Blood Demon Lord: "This doesn't sound like you at all."

Therese said firmly, "I oppose Theresa's actions, but I do not oppose her dreams."

Blood Demon Lord: "Alright, I hope he (Liu Jiuli) can win. After all, he's someone who can go toe-to-toe with you, and he can at least make Syracuse suffer a great loss. But that's an entire country pressing in, compared to a mere company..."

Therese laughed, a very happy laugh.

Blood Demon Lord: "Hey, you don't actually think he can win, do you? Or have you gotten some information?"

Therese: "I have no intelligence, but I have confidence in my old rival. I think he will win, and he will win big."

Section 148: Your performance is their life.

(Update delivered, (～￣▽￣)～)

"A bunch of gangsters actually want to negotiate with us about HDDs? What the hell are they talking about?!"

Liu Jiuli was amused by the protest from Syracuse. Moreover, this was not an official protest, but a protest from several gangs within Syracuse. It was not a protest from the entire Syracuse criminal underworld, but a protest from those Syracuse gangs that mainly traded along the Kazdel trade route. The truly influential Syracuse gangs had both black and white elements, and the Red Guards did legitimate business.

But if you insist on bringing me certain risqué, addictive, and life-threatening things, then we'll have to have a good fatherly interaction. I personally think the Gulag is more suitable for you.

This is Liu Jiuli's attitude towards the Syracuse underworld.

Not to mention that these protesting gangs are all low-class, he still ignores those who are respectable.

“This is the list you requested.” W handed a piece of paper to Liu Jiuli: “As per your request, all those who mentioned at the cadre meeting about engaging in gang trade with Syracuse are listed here.”

Liu Jiuli glanced at the list casually, then handed it to Felix, the head of the internal affairs department, who was standing next to him.

This head of the Internal Affairs Department, who came from a minor noble family in Ursus, was handpicked by Liu Jiuli. Previously, the Internal Affairs Department had always been directly managed by him.

After reviewing the list, Felix said, "I will carefully examine each and every one of them to make sure they have not betrayed the great cause."

Liu Jiuli nodded: "It's up to you. Those who can still be saved can stay. Our goal is to heal the sick and save lives, unless that person is completely beyond saving."

"Yes, leader."

W watched Felix leave and asked curiously, "Why didn't you just drag him out to decorate the streetlights this time?"

Liu Jiuli stated frankly: "The previous harsh laws and punishments were due to the chaos in the early stages of the integration movement. Now that we have embarked on the path of order, we should naturally pursue a more peaceful order. The Red Guards must never become a one-man show."

W: "Why? Isn't it better to have absolute power?"

Liu Jiuli: "Then everyone around will become nodding machines, and eventually the people will die and the government will cease to exist."

W: "Why are you talking like an old man who's about to prepare for his successor and then abdicate?"

Liu Jiuli sighed: "There's nothing we can do. Life is short, yet we often worry about things that will last a thousand years."

W: "Is this a proverb from the Yan Kingdom? What does it mean?"

Liu Jiuli: "It means that people who may not live to be a hundred years old are always thinking about things more than a thousand years from now."

W blinked, then asked out of curiosity, "If you founded a country, how long could that country last?"

Liu Jiuli looked at W and said very seriously, "I care more about how long she can uphold her original aspirations than how long she can exist."

W was stunned and asked, "Are we talking about the same thing?"

Liu Jiuli: "In my opinion, staying true to our original aspirations is more important than the survival of the nation."

W: "What's the use of our original aspirations if the country is gone?"

Liu Jiuli replied with a smile, "If we don't forget our original aspirations, the country will never perish."

Kazdale People's Theatre

This place was originally a place for nobles to indulge in their refined pursuits. Now, after renovations, the Red Guards' art troupe performs here every week. Everyone can go inside to watch, it's free, unless the seats are full. For security reasons, those at the back can only watch the live broadcast on a large screen outside.

Even so, this place has become the most popular spot in Kazdel. As long as the day permits, many people will walk 20 kilometers to come and see it. After all, cultural life in Kazdel is still relatively monotonous. Being able to see stage performances that were once only seen by nobles is such a blessing that they have to join in the fun.

As a result, the businesses of small vendors around the theater began to flourish. Those small stalls selling melon seeds and sodas from a cart appeared, and their source of goods was the wholesale market set up by the Red Guards. They could register as individual vendors and then get their goods from the wholesale market. These legal individual businesses quickly made Kazdel's economy vibrant.

Liu Jiuli is extremely wary of commercial monopolies. Facts tell us that, forget about the efficiency of monopolies. As long as a commercial enterprise monopolizes a certain industry, it will inevitably profit from the monopoly. The law can't control it. They can even hire professionals from the anti-monopoly department to solve their legal problems. They play the revolving door game very skillfully.

Western politicians are more than two thousand years behind our great nation. We had this concept as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, called collusion between officials.

This is an absolute red line; whoever crosses it dies. Felix would personally lead a Cheka official from the NKVD to deliver a helping hand.

So let businesses compete fully in the market. If they reach a certain size, they can be jointly owned by the public and private sectors. If anyone has objections, just shut them down. If you don't want to be an obedient capitalist, there are plenty of others who do. Do you really think you're irreplaceable?

It was precisely because Liu Jiuli exploited capitalists to the point of exhaustion that the commercial system under the Red Guards was mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises. The fact that the development time was relatively short was one aspect, but more importantly, the top leadership strictly controlled the business and often used the "harvesting the leeks" tactic against capitalists, suppressing their greedy desires with strong execution.

The most dangerous enemy always comes from one's own people who have been corrupted.

The People's Theater was very lively today, as it is every time there is a performance. I heard that the actors in this performance are from the First Art Troupe of Longmen, so everyone is very much looking forward to it.

In the backstage dressing room, Kong was making final preparations with the help of a makeup artist; there was still an hour before the show started.

Looking at myself in the mirror, dressed as a poor girl, I felt as if I were in another world.

In the past, she would never have imagined that performances could be conducted in this way, that idols would dress up like beggars, and that the effect of the performance was to resonate with the audience.

"Children of Poor Families," "Sisters," and "The Life of a Cripple"—all these stage plays reflect the suffering of the lower classes. There are no heroic figures of kings and generals, no dashing young talents; all that is present is the suffering that this land inflicts on the vast majority of people.

Compared to the glamorous idol performances, this kind of performance requires more acting skills and experience. Even though Kong considers himself to be a somewhat talented actor, he still practiced very hard when participating in these stage plays, and even went to the grassroots level to experience it firsthand.

At first, I wasn't used to it and didn't understand it, but now, I really like my job.

"Kong, are you ready?"

The speaker was Zilan, a propaganda cadre of the Red Guards, who was also the one who poached Kong from Penguin Logistics.

Anyway, Penguin Logistics is now part of Future Technology Company, so this is just a normal internal personnel transfer. It's just that the money isn't being returned, which is a minor issue.

"Yes, I'm ready, anytime."

Kong nodded with a resolute look in her eyes; she was confident in her abilities.

Compared to before, the changes in the empty space are significant.

There's no way to deny that Zilan offers high benefits, which can be considered the ceiling of the idol industry. There are no deductions or unspoken rules, and the contracts are based on mutual consent without any unfair terms. The only problem is that the actors need to undergo three months of closed training, followed by a month of military training every year, and serve as staff members to assist in publicity work.