Doctor, I'm really strong!

Even if half of my Soviet Union were bombed, it could still struggle to survive. But if half of your United States were bombed, it would be questionable whether it could even exist. Let alone half, you couldn't even handle a third. This is the deterrent power of a well-established authoritarian state against a hegemonic state without any foundation. You can't argue with that.

The Yan Kingdom could not afford the cost of national subjugation and annihilation, and Liu Jiuli could not afford the cost of the Red Guards being wiped out.

The former compromises because of reality, while the latter yields because of dreams. The side with a stronger bottom line will have an overwhelming advantage in this situation.

You lost reality, I lost my dreams, and my loss is temporary, but you can't make me lose everything.

Now, the game begins. Do you dare to gamble?

Liu Jiuli did not intend to destroy Yan Kingdom, but when the knife of destruction was really at his throat, did those who were qualified to pull the nuclear button have the awareness to fight to the death?

She took a step back, realizing what Liu Jiuli was planning to do.

"Jiuli, you...you don't really have that kind of power, do you?"

"Who knows? There might be various restrictions. If Yan Kingdom puts in some effort, they might be able to find a weakness."

The most intractable power in this world is the world-destroying force concentrated in one person. Liu Jiuli dares not say that he can launch an apocalypse, but it is no problem for him to bring about a local natural disaster. According to the system's assessment, the maximum affected area can reach more than five million square kilometers.

The territory of Yan is only over ten million square kilometers, while the truly valuable agricultural areas free from natural disasters are only over four million square kilometers, and eighty percent of them are concentrated in the Central Plains.

If this continues, the Yan Kingdom will truly be unable to bear any consequences.

Even if they manage to eliminate themselves, they will become helpless lambs facing other invaders marching south with their swords drawn. This is an absolutely unacceptable price for a once-powerful nation.

Especially those powerful families, everything they have depends on the prosperity and strength of the Yan Kingdom. They may indeed become termites that gnaw at the tree, but they cannot accept someone blowing up the whole tree.

Natural disasters have divided the continent of Terra, preventing the globalization of capital flows as it does on Earth. The powerful and wealthy in each country rely on the strength of their own nation, making them more loyal to their country compared to financial capital on Earth.

But this loyalty is relative; for the powerful and wealthy, compromise and taking sides are their specialties.

The Red Guards' greatest strength was not the collective, but Liu Jiuli himself. He could make Black Serpent submit, force Kosich to drink water, and instill in the Ursus royal family a simmering rage they dared not utter.

One man against an entire nation (physics).

Liu Jiuli's words only made Ling more worried: "If that happens, you will become the target of everyone's hatred throughout the entire Terra continent."

The powerful force to destroy a nation is in the hands of an individual. Compared to the self-preservation tendency of human groups, the uncertainty of the individual increases the sense of fear. Just like Luo Ji's deterrence of the Trisolarans, it relies on the possibility that "I might be unhappy today because of a toothache, so I decide to destroy the world."

But what's most terrifying isn't Liu Jiuli's personal strength, but the Red Guard's system. Once this system spreads, it will indiscriminately purge all demons and monsters. At that time, the Red Guard might face a situation even more terrifying than the continental siege that Kazdel faced. Even if they win, the Red Guard will become a group that controls everything through fear, and this fear will last for a long time, long enough to be engraved in their DNA.

"If that's the case, Terran history will become a game of who survives the longest."

Liu Jiuli was certainly aware of this worst-case scenario, and he couldn't guarantee that no one on this land would ever be able to challenge him. But if things really did develop to that point, he wouldn't be afraid. Smash an old world, and a new world will naturally take its place. It's easier to draw on a blank sheet of paper.

As for fear, let time resolve it. As long as I can reign supreme in Terra for ten thousand years, history will be completely buried in the dust, and the new generation will shout "Long live the God Emperor!"

Of course, that's the most extreme case. It's very difficult for humans to go to extremes in group decision-making unless they are simultaneously subjected to extreme pressure and have no other choice.

Even when there is no other choice, there are still people who kneel down and beg for mercy, hoping to survive.

When Liu Jiuli said those words, Ling suddenly retorted loudly, "No! You absolutely cannot do that!"

This time, Liu Jiuli was startled: "Sister Ling, what's wrong with you?"

Ling bit her lip hard and said firmly, "You can't choose that path. That's not the outcome you and Jie want to see! That's not the kind of dream you want to weave."

Liu Jiuli was stunned. Of course he understood what Ling was trying to say, and he certainly didn't want to go that far.

A moment later, he laughed.

"Sister Ling, don't worry, things won't get to that point at all, because this is just part of the plan."

Section 175: Soaking in a Hot Spring

(Summoning comments (～￣▽￣)～)

Hot springs, one of Kazdel's signature industries, have one significant benefit: the locals are generally a little cleaner than those in other slums.

Of course, don't expect slums to be clean. Urban villages are villages, but slums are just recycling centers that collect the lives of the poor, a fig leaf for big cities.

Fortunately, the sanitation in Kazdel wasn't as appalling as in medieval France, where it was a veritable mountain of excrement and a sea of ​​urine. Paris even had to worry about enemies treading on excrement as they stormed through the city. Just imagine the scale of that!

Nagle was overjoyed.

After the Red Guards and Future Technology moved in, their first task was to improve the local public health. Liu Jiuli simply couldn't accept the surreal scene of biological and chemical landmines scattered throughout the streets. His own home was in such a state; anyone who didn't know better would think Kazdel was an Indian branch.

Therefore, public health infrastructure construction was immediately put on the agenda. In any case, sewers and toilets were arranged first.

Don't underestimate these things; they represent a country's level of civilization and serve as a bulwark against plagues. Don't forget that mosquitoes and microorganisms thrive in humid, nutrient-rich environments. With garbage and stinking ditches everywhere, are you planning to use your body's nutrients to properly entertain these little cuties at night?

To transform the entire Kazdel, the infrastructure project mobilized almost all of the local young and able-bodied laborers. Even many children came to help in the construction site's canteen. In addition, these children were given more meat, eggs, and milk. Many Red Guard soldiers were also drawn to the construction site, and everyone worked together to dig away at the heavy machinery.

This is the fundamental reason why Yazaki doubted he had come to the right place after arriving in Kazdel; the changes were too drastic to describe in words.

After the issue of the lower body was resolved, personal hygiene was also put on the agenda, and many public bathhouses were built.

Those temporary settlements only had shower heads; if you wanted to take a bath, you had to go to these public bathhouses.

Because there are many hot springs in the area, many public bathhouses directly draw water from qualified hot springs, and adults and children can enjoy a good bath in the large bath. Since the bath itself has a filtration function, there is no need to worry about the bath becoming too dirty to wash in after a few groups of people come.

Some minor incidents occurred during the construction of the public bathhouse.

At that time, a Red Guard cadre was being assassinated by a rebel while taking a bath in a public bathhouse. Although the assassin failed, the cadre's personal safety was put on the agenda.

However, Liu Jiuli firmly opposed the construction of a special reception room for cadres, preferring that every cadre have a bathtub in their home rather than allow them to receive special treatment on this issue.

If you feel unsafe showering at home, why bother with a public bathhouse for government officials? Is the mud on your body more precious than anything else?

Don't think this is a small matter. It sounds like it's for the safety of the cadres, and this small request should be met. But can a public bathhouse for cadres be the same as other places? I'm afraid all kinds of corruption problems will follow. Today we add a massage bath, tomorrow we add bath girls, and the day after tomorrow we can enjoy a life of debauchery, right?

The existence of special reception centers at the societal level signifies that the government tacitly approves the existence of privileges and allows them to exist openly, which is the first step in challenging faith.

Liu Jiuli doesn't forbid cadres from enjoying themselves. The state will reimburse you for bathrooms installed in your own homes, and you can even get a swimming pool if you want. Of course, if it's too big, you'll have to pay for it yourself. But he absolutely forbids any privileges from being openly recognized. He wants to make such behavior a "shameful act that cannot be shown to others" both physically and culturally.

The special stores that Stalin set up back then were originally intended to serve the heroes who were wounded during the Great Patriotic War. What happened to them later serves as a stark reminder of what happened.

This incident itself is not a problem. As for the security issue in the bathhouse, it is a low-probability event. In fact, after the last assassination, the security of public bathhouses and other public places has been significantly improved. There have been no similar incidents since then. As long as the overall social order improves, similar situations will only become less and less frequent.

In comparison, the probability of committing a crime on the street is much higher.

In reality, thanks to the Red Guards' well-developed intelligence network, criminals who specialize in causing trouble have virtually no place to survive. On the contrary, the probability of criminals resorting to violence to resolve disputes is much higher.

Today is Saturday, a day off.

That being said, some people can't even get a break. For example, Liu Jiuli always needs someone to relay messages, and now that position is basically taken over by Ling, who has essentially become an office secretary.

However, today is an exception. Liu Jiuli has gone off to inspect local work, so Ling does not need to be on duty.

It's a rare moment of relaxation; it's time to unwind.

"You know that newly opened hot spring bathhouse? Let's go soak in the hot springs there."

"Okay, big sister, I'll be right there."

Hot springs are a service industry that allows private operation. The Red Guards will issue business licenses and supervise them. This supervision is carried out completely randomly. There may even be cases where police from other regions come to inspect from other areas without any prior notice. It is all set up randomly by the system to ensure that the inspection is carried out without warning.

Safety is paramount in the service industry, especially in places like Kazdel where high-density crowds are common. Any incident here would be a major disaster. The name "Peaceful Hot Spring" is quite simple. The owner, from the East, is a traveler who found his true love in Kazdel and then started this hot spring inn. It's quite a romantic story.

Hold on, that's the end of the story. The truth is, this high-end, nominally private hot spring hotel is actually run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It's an open intelligence agency, numbered 1472. Similar places exist in Kazdel and other countries, and it's an important network node in the Ministry of Internal Affairs' intelligence system.

As one of the people closest to Liu Jiuli, Ling naturally knew the special nature of this hot spring. However, Nian did not know, and due to the confidential nature of her work, Ling certainly wouldn't tell Nian. But that didn't stop her from bringing Nian here to soak in the hot spring.

Not only is it safe, but the food is also quite good, but don't expect to get reimbursed with public funds; you'll have to pay for it yourself.

There was once a stupid civil servant who came here to soak in the hot springs, but ended up paying the bill with public funds. Isn't that just giving the Ministry of Internal Affairs a performance bonus? Thanks for the free third-class merit, buddy, here you go.

Immersed in the hot spring, I stretched comfortably, swaying my graceful figure.

"Ah, that feels so good."

“Yes.” Nian also made the same gesture, then turned her head and asked, “Big sister, is little brother (Liu Jiuli) really going to Yan Kingdom?”

Ling nodded: "That's right, he is indeed going."

Year: "Alone?"

Command: "One person."

"It would be strange if Si Suitai didn't make things difficult for him. Are you sure you won't tear Si Suitai to pieces in a fit of anger?"

Nian was very clear about Liu Jiuli's strength; at least within her understanding, Si Suitai was definitely no match for Liu Jiuli.

Let alone Si Suitai, given the way Liu Jiuli treated him like a child when they fought, even if the entire Imperial Guard of the Great Yan were to attack, they would have a hard time winning, and might even be killed instead.

Ling smiled and said, "Don't worry, Jiuli knows what's important and won't do that on purpose."

Nian turned his head and asked, "Because he's like Jie?"

Ling sighed: "No, he is different from Jie. He can do things that Jie cannot do, and he can do them even better."

Year; "Are you sure what happened to Jie back then won't happen to him?"

Ling reached out and hooked the tray of drinks over, poured a glass for Nian and himself, drank it down, and said, "To be honest, I'm more worried that Yan Guo will not know when to advance or retreat, leading to an irreparable tragedy."

Now it was the older sister's turn to be stunned: "Big sister, you think even higher of my younger brother than I do!"

Ling said somewhat bewilderedly, "To be honest, I'm starting to wonder who the real Sui Beast clone is. We're all from the same family, yet the differences between us are so huge and exaggerated. Could it be that the Sui Beast has never split, and Jiuli is the true form?"

Nian chuckled: "In that case, is he our dad or our mom?"

Ling: "Compared to this, if Jiuli and Yan were to clash, what do you think his chances of winning are?"

After thinking for a moment, Nian said, "Let's make it fifty-fifty. What about the eldest sister?"

Ling: "I think it's 30/70."

Year: "Brother, only 30%?"

The order states: "Thirty percent belong to the Yan Kingdom, and seventy percent to the Jiuli Kingdom."

Nian: "No way."

The order states: "What determines victory or defeat is not only the strength of the forces, but also the accumulation of civilization."

Nian reached out to interrupt: "Wait, wait, big sister, why did you suddenly change the subject to such depths? What accumulation?"

Ling shook his head and said, "Nian, you don't know much about him (Liu Jiuli). In fact, he has many secrets."

Nian: "After hearing what you said, I'm really curious now. What's the secret?"

The commentary states: "His upbringing."

Nian: "What do you mean?"

Ling: "The environment in which a person grows up can have a decisive influence on him, causing his behavior to conform to that environment. By working backward from this conclusion, don't you see the problem?"