The cooperation with the Capital Department of the Mage Tower was temporarily put on hold due to the opposition of several major councilors. Gastens understood the thoughts of his comrades, who believed that communism and capitalism were incompatible, and that the economic system now being developed within Elena, although not explicitly named, was also established with reference to the planned economic system on the planet, and that private ownership had nothing but the grain of the peasants and the wages of the workers. The income from factories and the sale of weapons is managed in a unified manner. Houses and land still continue to be substantially privately owned. For this reason, Gastens also gave lectures at the party council and the Elena council, explaining the necessity of implementing limited private ownership and limited public ownership of the means of production in special periods, which was also recognized by everyone. Against this background, it is indeed difficult to understand the sudden proposal to cooperate with the capitalists from the standpoint of communism. He is a man from the earth, and naturally knows that if it is used properly, capital can also become a tool of communist revolutionaries, but this truth cannot be explained clearly in one or two sentences. In addition, he didn't have anything special to get from the Mage Tower now, so he put the matter on hold. Miguel Martínez, who was waiting for news from Elena, was noncommittal, leaving some gifts and leaving. After sending him off, Gastens turned around and continued to devote himself to Elena's revolutionary cause.

At this point in time, as Elena begins to open up about her existence and confront the state head-on, she has more and more problems to deal with. Internally, the large number of peasants who had fled to the plains because of the war in Enspen Province brought more labor but also greater logistical pressure. Arranging for the cultivation of wasteland by manpower to prepare for the second round of potato planting, and the first round of rye and wheat harvesting, is now the main theme of Elena. And all this was pressed by Gastens on the head of Charlie Harry Warren. The serf, who was the first to come to Elena and ask Gastens to grant him the status of a freeman, is now the head of Elena's agriculture.

In addition to this, the situation in the province of Enspan is still not optimistic. Although the west was given some respite by Skye Hamm's temporary withdrawal, Gastens even sent a number of teams and troops to regain control of a part of the area. But on the east flank, Prince Eliot's counterattack was still fierce. Despite their superiority in weapons and guerrilla tactics, Berranch's guerrilla columns continued to inflict casualties on Eliot's troops. But as the two sides fought for more time, the enemy gradually found a way to deal with the Berranchier guerrillas. Sending particularly strong soldiers, draped in three layers of armor, can already withstand the bullets of the Valorant's rifle at medium distances. Although the chariots equipped with steel plates had many inconveniences, they were used to defend the grain transport team, and they also achieved certain results. Berranchil's partisans were also suffering casualties. If Elliot really plans to apply for reinforcements, as the intelligence suggests, then he is likely to be the most experienced person in the world to deal with Elena. At that time, the battle was still fought.

If Elliot's growth will take time, and the situation on Elena's east side can remain stable for the time being, then Elena's western front is a greater threat. The news of the loss of the Principality of Ryrin has reached the country, and people have begun to pay attention to the movements of the army of the Negru Republic. If they attack the province of Enspan, they will certainly not be able to hold it with the existing strength of the province of Enspan. When the time comes, Elena will face the forces of the Negru Republic. Whether to fight or to draw is also a tricky question. Fighting, the enemy's technological level is more advanced, and even the steam cannon is a weapon, and the number of people is also superior. No, as a member of Ankenrein, surrendering an invading force is not something that the Communist Party should consider to save Ankenrein because of its own responsibility.

Besides, although there are a lot of things to deal with, the companions who came with Gastens in the first place are also growing. Daisy, one of the few college students in this team, took on the housekeeping and financial management of Elena. Gurakos is in charge of production, and William Richardson is getting acquainted with the technical aspects. Zink-Warren's Intelligence Bureau has done a good job, and Bimpo Bobruf's Livelihood Bureau has also been regularized. And soldiers like Calaiber Warren and Bellanch Warren can already take charge on their own. It saved Gastens a lot of worry and gave him more time to tackle the really tricky stuff.

"You say you're Hutt Gurakos, Gurakos's brother?"

Gastens looked at the young man sitting in front of him, who was dressed in a short shirt and showed off his lean muscles, and was a little surprised. The relationship between Gurakos being a native of Tulukas and his brother representing the Negru Republic was a little delicate to him.

"You speak Neglo so well."

Gurakos was equally surprised. He wasn't very good at Rein, and what he learned on the flyout obviously couldn't be brought to the table. Just in case, he also invited Gurakos to participate in this meeting, hoping that he would be able to sit down and translate for both sides. Unexpectedly, the young leader of the revolutionary forces opposite him spoke fluent Neglu, and even the use of some words and accents still had a sense of vicissitudes.

"I learned when I was fine," Gastens smiled, wondering what the guest was here for, "I wonder what happened to Mr. Hurt this time?" ”

"It's actually very simple," Hurt looked at his brother beside him, feeling a little guilty in his heart. What he was going to say next, Gurakos didn't know beforehand. If Gurakos had known, he probably wouldn't have been able to meet this Gastens through him.

"I am here on behalf of the Negru Republic, and I ask you to work with us to establish a new Ankenrein with the Communists in power."

"Huh?"

Thomas Gurakos, who was quietly listening from the side, let out a small exclamation. Gastens moved his body, knowing that the other party appeared at this time, and he should have been. It's just that this initiative really surprised him a little.

"This Elena of ours is just a small mess of the place, and I don't know where your big men can afford to build a new Ankenrein?"

"Elena is not a place for small fights", after solving the language problem, Hurt, who had been fully prepared, entered a familiar state, "During this time, Elena and Prince Eliot, as well as the battle situation in the Western Military Region, we are also paying attention. You have been able to hold on to your own turf in a desperate situation, and even launched a highly effective counterattack, which you cannot deny. Moreover, the weapon technology in your hands, to put it mildly, the whole world wants. On the black market in the Third Republic of Fern, a broken Valorant rifle that once appeared was bought for a sky-high price of 120,000 verds. Although there is no big movement on the surface, we have intelligence that shows that we are not the only ones who are paying attention to Elena right now. ”

"You're wrong," Gastens smiled, "as I've always told my comrades, our success comes fundamentally from people, and then from technology and weapons." Only comrades who truly believe in communism can make this land and our weapons play their greatest role. ”

"You're right, this is where we want to learn," Hurt continued, following Gastens' words, "and I will tell you the truth, I am also a member of the Workers' Party of the Neglo Republic, and I also believe in communism and Capital. Unlike the decaying, backward Anken Rein, we share your belief in communism and hope to improve the lives of the working class. Merely in faith and theory, we should also be your allies, not your enemies. ”

"As long as your troops don't enter Ankenrein, we are friends," Gastens said with great clarity, "but if you enter Ankenrein, we will only be enemies between us." ”

Hearing that Gastens had so outright rejected Hurt's offer, Thomas sat on the sidelines with an anxious expression. However, due to his identity and occasion, he was not good at speaking directly, but kept glaring at Gastens. Gastens glanced sideways at him, and changed to a more conciliatory tone.

"Of course, nothing is impossible in this world. Now that you've found me, I'm curious about what you want and the price you can give me. ”

"What we can give you is a brand new Anken Rein," Hurt reiterated his initial proposal, "and you've seen and heard about the recent war between us and the Western Theater. The advantage of the weapon generation gap is irreparable. We have more advanced weapons, bigger factories, and more determined soldiers. Paul Chung can't stop us, and neither can Paul Gibson. Since he has chosen to go to war against us, he must bear the consequences of this decision. Our vengeance, until we see His blood, will not cease. ”

"So you're going to attack Anken Rein?"

"No, not just on offense, we're going to kill Paul Chung, to destroy the rotten, backward Anken Ruin now, and to build a new, positive, if you agree, even a communist Anken Rein. I know that your Elena is also working for communism, and we are working for communism, our goals are the same, our beliefs are the same. We also all have weapons that are ahead of this world. We're meant to be collaborators, not enemies, by nature, aren't we? ”

Hurt spoke with some excitement and at a very fast pace. But Gastens understood it from start to finish. He thought for a moment and made a brief summary of Hurt's speech.

"So, you want me to help you manage Ankenrein after the defeat and establish a new government with Elena's team?"

"It's not for us, it's for yourself. If we hadn't attacked the Duchy of Ryrin, your Elena would still be attacked on two fronts. If we don't attack, Paul Chung and Elliot may devote all their energy to attacking Elena, and at that time, with Elena's current ability, it will not be easy to defend. ”

"Objectively speaking, your offense has really relieved our pressure."

Gastens does not intend to deny this fact. He looked at Hurt and continued to ask.

"But relief is relief, and I won't be happy if it comes at the cost of the country's demise."

"Not perdition, but rebirth, rebirth under your leadership."

"This is not a small decision," Gastens said, trying to sort out his thoughts, "Mr. Hurt, are you formally proposing to me an alliance with your country?" ”

"No, but this is a very sincere upfront communication on our part. If you feel like you can talk, we'll arrange for a more central bigwig to come over and have a further in-depth discussion with you about it. ”

"And what do you want?" Gastens had already guessed the answer, but he still had to ask. In case the other party just wants one of his own signatures to get things done, then why wouldn't he do it?

"It's also very simple, and we want you to authorize us to produce the Valiant and Thunder One. In this way, when your new Ankenrein is pacified, we can join forces and use our powerful weapons and strength to spread communism to the world and liberate the workers of the world. Together with the brand-new Anken Rein, Negro is bringing communism to the world! ”

Gastens fell silent. At first, he thought that Negro was here to ask for technology or make a threat, but he didn't expect the other party to throw such a big pie. And all he needs to pay is the production technology of the two weapons. At first glance, it may seem like a bargain, and it's no wonder that Thomas Gurakos has been scratching his cheeks. He must have wished he had agreed to this kind of thing, right?

"Mr. Hurt," Gastens sat up straight, "your proposal, honestly, I'm interested. But from what I know of your country, if you can really win the battle against Anken Ruin, will you really give it to a communist? If I remember correctly, the Workers' Party is not the largest party in your country's parliament. ”

"We will certainly not talk to you privately about alliances and the distribution of benefits, and we will certainly not say it in Parliament. But we also consulted with a few key people, and they had no objection to that. ”

"Who are you talking about? I would like to know if you are representing the Negro Republic, or if you are negotiating with a part of the Republic, such as the Workers' Party. You know, giving up a piece of land as large as Ankenrein to someone like me is not a decision that most people would approve of. ”

"You're so sharp-eyed," Hurt continued, "and we really don't represent the whole country. To tell you the truth, the decision to form an alliance with you was an internal decision of the Workers' Party and was not submitted to the National Assembly for consideration. But rest assured, it is impossible for us in the Workers' Party to do what we have agreed to fail to pass through Congress. ”