Moses and the others could not pass through the city of Malduk, which was controlled by Yusir, and they had been wandering the mountains for months, looking out over the fertile plains, moving from place to place, searching for water and food in the mountains.

A road had already appeared between the crossing of the Eudes River and the city of Malduk, which was controlled by the city-state of Kish in the Kingdom of Barron. Many expectant explorers continue to arrive in this new city-state, looking for wealth and dreams. There are also many merchants who organize convoys to send supplies and bring back the specialties of the Duk Plain, although the journey is difficult but very profitable.

Like a new and unknown world given by the gods, the Duc Plains is full of challenges and opportunities, and people come here in search of hope. At some point, there was a legend that a wanderer who had nothing might even own a city-state in the Duc Plains, and that he could gain wealth comparable to that of a king, and that he might be blessed by the gods of the gods in the future. Immigrants from the kingdom of Barron of course chose the city-state of Malduk, while caravans traveled further, traversing the streets of the wasteland trodden by cars and pedestrians, and doing business with the city of Salem.

The city of Salem entered into trade with the kingdom of Baron through the city of Malduk, which was the result of Medanzo's deliberate approach to Yusir for negotiations, which was beneficial to the development of both city-states. At present, the biggest enemy of Salem is the Assyrians in the north, and if the Assyrians advance from north to south and occupy the entire plain of Duk, it will be difficult for the city of Malduk to gain a foothold.

Yusir also did not want to be an enemy of the city of Salem, and he was happy to see a barrier in the middle of the plain of Durk to keep the strong enemy from the north, so that he could have more time to stabilize the city of Marduk.

The refined iron and leather goods produced in Salem City are also the materials needed by the Barron Kingdom, not to mention the Divine Stone. Amun taught the miners of Duk to Link, who in turn passed on to the troglodytes of the tribe, and now there are a number of skilled craftsmen in the city of Salem, who can not only smelt ore but also craft all kinds of exquisite utensils.

However, there were restrictions on trade between the Kingdom of Barron and the city of Salem, for example, products such as fine iron could only be transported out of the plain of Duk, and were not allowed to be transported in, and important strategic materials such as weapons, armor, and war horses were not allowed to be sold to the city of Salem.

If the city of Salem needed these things, it would either build them itself or obtain them from other sources, and Amun opened another trade route in the Black Fire Swamp, of course, to solve this problem. But even if that long trade route was opened, it would not be enough to meet the urgent needs, and the city of Salem was understaffed and there were still many things to do, and it was impossible to build all the supplies for war.

Before the road to the Black Fire Swamp was opened, Medanzo came up with another idea, a trade similar to smuggling. Medanzo was originally a smuggler of horse leather billets, and he was familiar with instructing people to do this business.

Entering the wasteland to explore and hunt is full of dangers, and it is natural to carry weapons, armor, and horses, and the equipment of those expedition teams and wandering hunters who go deep into the wasteland is not within the limits of trade. But a complete set of fine weapons, armor, and horses are by no means affordable for ordinary people, and many expedition teams carry rudimentary weapons and walk into the wasteland in groups to try their luck.

A merchant house in the city of Maldok lent money to these people, and the money borrowed was used to buy horses and weapons designated by the comptoir. Who will borrow this money, and how will they return it in the future? There is no need to worry about this, after entering the wasteland, someone will buy their weapons and war horses, and the price will be very high, and after repaying the loan from the merchant house, they can still make a profit, and there is no need to venture deep into the wilderness.

It is not uncommon for explorers to lose their weapons and horses in the wilderness and jungle, sometimes because of difficult roads, sometimes because of encounters with fierce beasts, and sometimes even their own lives. The expedition failed and escaped "by luck", and went to the merchant house to return the loan and make a profit, and then continued to borrow money to buy equipment before setting off. It was in this way that Medanzo allowed the city of Salem to obtain a steady stream of strategic materials.

The interest on borrowing money in the merchant houses is calculated according to the time, and the wandering explorers who smuggle goods in this way will not make money if they delay too long, so they must try to go and go back as quickly as possible, and walk a few times in the shortest possible time in order to make more profits.

The owner of the merchant house in Maldok City, who was also an old friend, was Nescot Lee, a wealthy merchant in the city-state of Uruk. Not only did he make a profit by borrowing, but he also made money by selling various strategic materials, and organized caravans to be transported to Maldok City from all over the kingdom of Barron, and he cooperated happily with Medanzo.

Due to the excellent operation of Nescott Lee's trading house, the goods brought in, the customers it attracted, and the taxes paid were numerous, which promoted the prosperity and development of the city of Malduk, and was praised many times by the lord of the city, Yusir. When Nescot Lee came to Maldok City to inspect his trading house, the lord of Yusil gave the rich merchant a banquet and said that he would report to the kingdom about Nescott Lee's exploits, and that he might be able to earn the title of a nobleman, as long as he continued to contribute to Malduk.

On the high slopes of the mountains, caravans and explorers could be seen passing through the city of Mardok and the city of Salem, but Moses and the others could not advance, and they were bound by an oracle: they were not allowed to build statues of any god but Marduk.

However, they believed in their only god and accepted the guidance of Aroha in order to reach this place through all kinds of difficulties and dangers, and Moses and his people were naturally unwilling to accept this condition.

At first they prayed to the gods all night, and then they heard the voice of the oracle. Medanzo told them that this was a test for the gods, the last obstacle they had to overcome before returning home. The gods had given them faith and courage, and now it was up to them to solve it with their own wisdom and strength. The implication is that Arohe will not bring them over directly, and this time the clansmen will need to find a way to tide over the difficulties themselves.

From the top of the hill, you can see the endless plain of Duk, but the city of Maldok is in the way, and the retreat is the Syrian Desert. The food carried by Moses' space artifacts had been exhausted, and Aroha no longer performed miracles, so they could only pick wild fruits in the mountains and catch prey.

The miners of Duk chased prey and water migration in the mountains, and when spring came, they finally stopped their weary steps and found a valley to stop at the edge of the mountain. There is a thin spring on the hillside, forming a winding mountain stream through a valley sheltered from the wind and sun. Moses took out the grain seeds he had with him, and ordered his people to cultivate the land by the mountain stream, plant crops, and build simple huts to live at the foot of the mountain.

The tribesmen guarded the field from being trampled by wild beasts and took turns hunting in the nearby mountains. The seeds had just broken through the ground and germinated, and there was still a long time before the harvest, and it was very difficult to go to the mountain streams every day to fetch water for irrigation and hunt in the mountains to get food. Suffering is secondary, and the most torturous thing is the feeling of not seeing hope.

One of the people said to Moses, "You have made us clear the fields and build huts, do you want to settle here? Look all around, there are barren mountains without people, and not far from the mountains is the vast desert, and we only guard a small mountain stream, and we can only build the most humble huts in this barren valley." If so, it is better to stay in Amun's territory, why did we have to leave in the first place?

Moses replied, "This is only a place for us to stop, spring is coming, we must sow the autumn to harvest, and we have food to survive the next winter and go further." ”

One of the people asked, "For the time being, but how long are we going to linger here, and where is the God who guides us?"

Moses advised: "This is God's test for us, and we are to get through it ourselves." Sowing seeds here is for the future harvest, building houses is so that everyone can have a better rest, and when the day comes to embark on the journey again, we will have a better hope and future. ”

Everyone asked, "Can you tell us how long we want to stay here?"

Moses did not answer this question, for he did not know the answer himself, but said, "Look at the ground under your feet, the broken malt is full of life, and the clouds in the sky are always so beautiful and magical." If your heart is full of hope, even the sun on the desert will always be so bright. ”

In fact, Moses himself could have quietly bypassed the city of Maldok and entered the plain of Duk, and after crossing the Red Sea, he already had the seventh-level achievement of two powers. Although Amon had not yet given him guidance on the power of the Origin, Moses was already a great magician and a great warrior, and he could go wherever he wanted. But Moses did not abandon his people, he was their leader, and he wanted to fulfill his promise.

Then Yusir sent for them, and Yusir's messenger told Moses: "The great god Marduk has sent down an oracle, and you are all the best craftsmen in the land, and if you will live in the city of Malduk, and swear to believe in the great god Marduk forever, you will have a happy and prosperous life." The city of Maldok has cozy houses and beautiful girls, and there are craftsmen's workshops for you, and there are fine wines at the workbenches. ”

Moses refused the request, but some people were already tempted to live comfortably in the city of Maldok rather than wait aimlessly here. It's just that it's so difficult to face Aroha's guidance, but the gods have already said that they need to find a way to get through it themselves, so can they accept Yusir's conditions?

If they give up and persevere, the benefits are in front of them, and they have suffered enough for a long time. Moses sensed the thoughts of many of his tribesmen and was trying to get out of the predicament, so he sent twelve judges up the high slopes near the Duc Plain to observe the terrain and see if there were any secret passages that could be passed, and then returned to the garrison to discuss countermeasures.

After the Twelve Judges left, Moses climbed alone to the highest mountain near the station, which was called Mount Sinai. Moses prayed on the top of Mount Sinai for three days and three nights, and he cried out in his heart: "Aroha, my only God, please give us true guidance, I do not ask you to move mountains and reclaim the sea so that we can go directly to our homeland, but only ask you to give us the right faith in how we can not get lost in the journey." ”

Three days passed, and there was silence on Mount Sinai, and Moses, worried about the condition of his people, was finally ready to go back, and stood up with a long sigh. He was about to descend the mountain with the iron staff, when he suddenly heard Aroha's voice again: "Moses, you have already passed through the city of Marduk, why are you still staying here?"

Moses turned sharply, knelt down, and saluted to the gods he could not see in the void, "My God, you have spoken at last!" Marduk sent down an oracle to make us swear not to build idols for gods other than him, and this oath hindered the steps of the people. ”

Aroha asked rhetorically, "Have I ever asked you to build an idol for me, and if you really want to build an idol for me, what will it look like?"

Moses was stunned, and after a long time, he suddenly realized: "I understand what you mean, not building a god idol will not shake our faith." ”

Aroha then asked, "Then why haven't you led your people into the Duk Plain until now? The city of Marduk is not an obstacle. ”

Moses sighed, "But the people don't know about it, and even I don't know for sure." Agreeing to such conditions is disrespectful to you, and the people fear losing God's guidance or even being retaliated against by you. O my God, do you really not want to show your face to your people, and don't want us to build you an idol?"

Aroha replied, "Yes, I have only given you a promise to strengthen your inner convictions, and you do not need and will not allow you to build an idol for me. If you see me one day, it's a secret you must keep closely. Because from the very beginning, I made such an agreement with my people. Make these preaches clear today, and you will bring them back and announce them. ”

Moses nodded hurriedly and said, "Okay, please make a covenant with me and my people." ”

Aroha solemnly said, "You must have no other gods besides me, or you will lose my guidance, and this is the first agreement." Do not build a physical idol for God, if that is the case, the people of the Hereafter may forget the guidance of faith and simply pray for idols on the altar, which is the second decree. These two agreements are enough to get you out of your current predicament, and this is my request and my promise. ”

Moses kissed the clay and said, "Thank you, my God!"

Aroha also said: "Do not act in my name, everyone must be responsible for his own choices, this is the third law. The tribesmen are very hard, and after six days of work they should rest in peace, and they should not be driven to work any longer, which is the fourth rule. Honor your parents and never forget who brought you into this world and gave you life, this is the fifth rule. ”

Moses fell prostrate on the ground and replied, "I have written them down." ”

Arohe continued, "I have given you the guidance of strength, but at the same time you must understand the trials of this world, the examination of fate throughout, and the five admonitions after returning home. Thou shalt not kill innocent people, deprive others of their lives for money or lust, destroy money, steal, commit perjury, and take what is not theirs. You must remember these covenants, that the city-state of Salem has reserved for you the land and mines of your ancestors, and that you shall live in peace with the people there, and do not take for granted everything there because of my promises. ”

Moses kept in mind the words of Aroha as the Ten Commandments that God made with him and his people, which came to be known as the Ten Commandments. After saying this, Aroha commanded, "Tell your people what I have promised, and if they are willing to keep it, then I will fulfill my promise and continue to guide them." When you have done all this, you come up to me on Mount Sinai. ”

Moses walked down Mount Sinai with his promise to Aroh, and on the mountainside, he passed the spring where the stream originated, and galloped along the mountain stream with brisk steps. He couldn't wait to tell the people the good news, and when he got to the place where they lived, it was already dark, but he was shocked by what he saw.

Several large fires were lit in the middle of the hut, which had been used as a wheat field after the autumn harvest, but now a glittering golden bull was placed in the middle of the clearing. Some people were dancing around the golden bull, and others were prostrate and praying in a circle.

Moses asked, "What are you doing? Where did this golden calf come from?"

This drink has a divine skill, and it has the power to shock the soul and make people wake up from their stupor. The dancers stopped, and the praying people stood up, looking confused, panicked, and unwilling. Joshua came out of the shadow of the hut, grabbed Moses by the sleeve, and said, "You have finally returned! He whispered what had happened—the twelve judges who had protected the tribe had left the camp, and the leader Moses had ascended Mount Sinai, and the tribesmen had lost their hearts, and even the sound of the wind blowing through the treetops at night became so terrible that they spent the first night in fear. In fact, most of them were strong, comparable to the warriors of any regular legion on the main road, but for the first time in a long time, they had lost the protection of a more powerful force, and they were a little panicked for a while.

On the first day after Moses' departure, a disturbing situation arose. The prey in the nearby mountains and wilderness disappeared, and the tribesmen who went into the mountains to hunt did not even catch a single rabbit, but all returned empty-handed, and everyone went to bed hungry for the first time. The grain they were carrying had been eaten, and the last batch had been sown as seeds.

The people fell asleep in hunger and anxiety, and that very night, both awake and asleep, heard a voice from nowhere, as if it sounded directly in their heads: "Do you want to save yourself from the misfortune of the miners of Duktown? ”

**

(To be continued)