Chapter 864: Wolf, Snake, and Dog (2/4)

Chapter 864: Wolf, Snake, and Dog (2/4)

Seeing the alliance’s representative leave, his face instantly resumed its usual expression, swaggering like a big shot.

Just then, a knock sounded from outside, and the subordinate who had left moments ago drew near again.

Abusek wore a look of impatience.

“Don’t bother me about the education commissioner’s affairs. The alliance’s representative just walked out the door—tell him to go ask the alliance.”

The subordinate said in a low voice.

“But… Mr. Kabaha is already at the door.”

Abusek waved a hand.

“Not seeing him.”

Seeing that the subordinate hadn’t left, he added irritably.

“What else?”

The young officer nodded at once.

“Also, the head of the Family Association requests an audience.”

The Family Association…

Abusek furrowed his brow, remembering that the man was called Zayid.

As luck would have it.

His old Heavenly Army unit had come out of West Sailport, and so had that Family Association—the two could be said to have “studied under the same master.”

But the Family Association’s fate wasn’t as fortunate as theirs; they’d kicked against an iron plate. Not only did their uprising fail, but the Legion’s regular forces bloodily purged them, reportedly executing over a thousand people.

Yet it was precisely because of this that the Golden Harbor *Survivor’s Daily* showed considerable sympathy for the Family Association’s plight, even devoting an entire feature to the association and its leader.

And in that article, that Zayid specifically declared himself to be his admirer, claiming that it was after witnessing the righteous deeds of the reformers that he decided to leave Dawn City and return home to do something for the suffering survivors.

Unfortunately, his talents were shallow, and he had let down those who followed him.

That hat was hardly low, yet it was humbly just right—lowering him by a head.

He handed the hat of success to the truly successful, willingly donning the one belonging to the “failure.”

And that was what made Abusek take a second look at him… This fellow was clever.

And perhaps even a clever man of the same stripe as himself.

To display his own open-mindedness and broad heart, and also to win the goodwill of Golden Harbor’s populace, Abusek had grudgingly adopted an attitude of acceptance. After meeting with Rasi of the Mammoth Kingdom, he also granted an audience to this “admirer of himself.”

That meeting was purely out of courtesy.

And after seeing that fellow, Abusek confirmed his suspicions—this man was indeed of the same kind as himself, both opportunists skilled at speculation.

Such people would never truly admire anyone, nor hold any faith; they wouldn’t even believe the words that came out of their own mouths, let alone be his admirer.

As for why he was so certain, it was because he himself was that kind of person, and his surroundings were filled with such types.

As for the so-called admiration of himself, it was nothing but sycophantic flattery.

And the ones he hated most were precisely these fellows.

After all, what people truly detest is not dissenters or opponents, but those who are “like but not.”

Just as humans are instinctively repulsed by their own clones.

Once he recognized this, Abusek immediately lost all interest in him. After using him, he cast him aside, merely instructing the internal affairs staff to keep an eye on the fellow, and that was the end of it.

He could let those who cursed him be.

After all, some people didn’t even hit the mark with their insults, only making themselves look foolish.

But he found it hard not to be wary of this fellow.

That didn’t contradict his disregard for the man.

For that fellow was too weak.

So weak that neither he nor his family could even be called a force.

He had no need to bother with such an ant; doing so would only give the cultured folk something to gossip about.

In contrast, those petty nobles who possessed knowledge were worth his serious attention.

“What does he want from me?” A trace of contempt involuntarily rose in Abusek’s eyes.

The subordinate answered truthfully.

“He wants to enlist.”

Abusek was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

“That fellow, who couldn’t muster two ounces of muscle on his whole body, wants to enlist? Tell him to go sign up at the recruitment point and pass the physical fitness test first!”

“Yes.”

The subordinate prepared to leave, but Abusek suddenly remembered that the education commissioner was at the door, so he called him back.

“Wait.”

The subordinate turned and said respectfully.

“Commander, do you have any further instructions?”

Abusek thought for a moment, then changed the subject.

“I’ve changed my mind. Let him in.”

Those cultured types—that is, those petty nobles with a bit of knowledge—had been getting too uppity lately.

Waving the banner of equality, they had discarded their already worthless baron and viscount titles, acting as if they were the alliance’s own sons.

One would think they had won the realm!

He needed to knock them down a peg, lest they forget their own names.

Especially that Kabaha, who had forgotten who gave him the title of education commissioner in the first place.

If he annoyed him enough, he’d just replace him with a centurion for that post.

Now he would rather see a tiny ant than him; if the man had any sense, he should understand what that meant.

The subordinate was startled but asked no further questions. He simply gave a respectful military salute and then turned and left.

Meanwhile, in another part of the commander’s mansion, in the reception room, an old man with a worried frown sat on the sofa, his beard trembling with anger.

This man was Kabaha, a former viscount of the West Sith Empire. Skilled in composing songs and painting, he had won the favor of Prince Dilip and thus became the director of the Royal Printing House.

Later, during the Heavenly King’s Rebellion, he was thrown into prison, and when the reformist officers seized power, they released him from jail.

During his time in prison, he came into contact with the alliance’s ideology and gradually understood the true reasons for the empire’s decline. So upon release, he immediately answered the call of the reformist officers, first serving as a propaganda manager for a time, and eventually rising to the position of education commissioner.

Unlike those who only sought to climb higher, this man in his fifties or sixties genuinely wanted to do something for the survivors of the Boro Province, so that his descendants would no longer suffer.

Establishing schools was a good path.

That Mr. Rat, who wrote the powerful essay “Red Earth,” had founded a university in Mammoth City, allowing the youth of the Boro Kingdom to learn real skills without having to go to Dawn City.

He also wanted to establish a university in Tian Du, and one larger than that of the Mammoth Kingdom. But those who had once supported him would suddenly look away when it came time to spend money.

"That Abusek is a real piece of work! He goes back on his word and reneges on promises!"

Sitting beside the old man, a young man with a warm smile placed his hand on the back of the old man's hand, soothing him in a sincere tone.

"Sir, that's not fair. Commander Abusek is a great hero now. I must speak up for him. You are a master of teaching, he is a master of war—each excels in his own field. You are both pillars of the Kingdom of Bolo. How can you attack each other?"

"Great hero! Ha! If that can be called a hero, then I suppose a bear could learn to speak human tongue." Kabaha continued grumbling, as if he wanted to spit on the ground. "Others dare not speak the truth, but I have one foot in the grave already—I won't indulge him!"

Zayed said with a smile.

"You know, when I was in the Alliance, I actually saw a bear that could talk."

"Good, you've been to the Alliance, you're a man of experience! Then you judge who is right!"

Hearing the young man say he had been to the Alliance, Kabaha perked up instead, turned sideways to look at him, and poured out all his pent-up grievances.

"He always says there's no money, no money, but I see plenty of tables and chairs in the Commander's Mansion! Did those cost nothing? And those officers—if they would cut back on extravagance and stop taking so many concubines, how could we be unable to afford even school desks for the children?"

"This... is indeed a problem." Zayed sighed, a trace of worry appearing on his brow. "We are too poor. We should live more frugally."

These words struck a chord with the old man.

Kabaha's face was full of agitation; he slapped his palm with the back of his hand, his beard trembling with impatience.

"Isn't that the problem! What use is it for him to hide and avoid me? Will avoiding me solve the problem?"

Zayed looked at him seriously, putting on a sincere expression.

"Then how much are you short of in your budget? I have some salary too—maybe I can save some to help you?"

Kabaha was speechless for a moment, then sighed and said.

"I appreciate your kindness, but as for your meager salary, keep it for yourself... It's not on the same scale."

Having said that, as if worried, he admonished earnestly.

"You young people should focus on your studies. Don't be as stingy as us old men, reluctant to spend here and there. Never skimp where you should spend! We old bones are different—we are atoning for our past mistakes. I must finish what I need to do before I can rest in peace. You are the future of Bolo."

Running a school is not a one-time deal but a continuous expense.

He actually knew that Abusek couldn't come up with the money, but he still had to keep pressing him for it.

After all, with him pressing, the officers had still managed to build such a grand Commander's Mansion. If he didn't even make a sound, wouldn't those fellows think they could get away with anything!

There was already a palace in Tian Du!

Thinking of this, Kabaha couldn't help but sigh—if only there were some silver coins left in the treasury of Wutuo.

Compared to Wutuo's lavish spending, the officers' "money for taking concubines" was indeed just a drop in the bucket.

Perhaps Zayed's advice was not wrong; maybe he himself was being too impatient.

At that moment, footsteps came from outside the rest room, and a young officer walked in.

Kabaha was about to stand up, but the officer did not look at him; instead, he looked at the young man beside him.

"Mr. Zayed, please come with me."