"Well, the garrison?"

Heather put back the cane between his knees and pretended to be thoughtful: "It is an interesting choice to use killing and fear, blood and death to frighten opponents and discontents, and to break the people's dependence and habits on the old system." ”

Thelma on one side seemed to keep up with the rhythm, and she interjected with interest: "However, a long garrison in the north means high military expenses, exaggerated supplies, the cost of long-term mobilization, and the complaints of vassals, which no one Grand Duke can afford—Charles has told me that a month's absence from home for a man in the prime of life is enough to affect local output and bring dissatisfaction among the people. ”

Tails' heart brightened: "So, in the Year of Blood, although Exeter defeated the stars, he could not rule the northern territory normally, nor could he use the garrison to keep the opponent's land. ”

Heather smiled his ugly but kind smile again.

"Very interesting discussion, Sir and Madam," the new teacher said, "In that case, we have another problem: they cannot rule directly themselves, so why not support the local nobles who already exist in the north and rule the north in their place?"

Tails frowned.

Thelma, who was on the side, rolled her eyes: "After King Nunn broke through the Cold Castle, he hanged a number of lords from the Duke of the North to his subordinates who refused to give in, in an attempt to extinguish the resistance of the North. ”

Tails remembered Val Arrond, who was in prison, and remembered the accusations he had screamed hoarsely at the Revival Palace.

The Grand Duchess opened her mouth like an endorsement: "But he failed to destroy the other: the son of old Arend is still in the royal capital, and he has not been able to extinguish the blood ties that are connected to the lands of the north." ”

"Not only that, Exeter has not fought south of the Shepherd, the city of Eternal Star is still standing, and the robbed royal family has quickly regained its king," Selma added to her words: "To the north, to both the great families and the common people, their kings and dukes are still resisting in the war, the hope and beacon of their resistance are still there, the law and righteousness of the fight are still there, and Exeter is still an illegal and evil invader. ”

"Just as Longxiao City stood for a long time under the siege of the Nightwing King, despite its precariousness, this is an eternal battle flag. ”

Tails suddenly remembered the scene six years ago, when Miranda and Cohen were trapped in Dragon City.

I see.

Miranda Arende, the heir to the Arende family, was also a crucial pawn in Rumba's occupation of the North six years ago, whether it was to raise a puppet or ......

That's why she was targeted by the Black Sand Leader in the Dragon's Blood operation: from Nunn's death to the invasion of the North, this is a set of chess paths that echo back and forth.

"On the other hand," Thinking of this, Tails unconsciously spoke up and took over Selma's words: "Once Exeter broke Eternal Star City back then, the captives even severed the blood of the Arend family and even the Bright Star Royal Family......"

"Whether it is the northern border, or the cliffs and western wilderness that they have already touched, it may become easier to rule and occupy by raising puppets or garrisons. ”

Heather coughed.

The old man stretched out his hand and trembled as he grabbed an upside-down cup at his hand.

Tails quickly stood up and picked up the kettle on his desk to pour water for him.

"Well, it's an interesting argument—thank you, kind sir—as long as the family bloodline, which represents de jure rule, is still alive and not yielding," Sixer said, sipping water, not forgetting to slap his mouth behind his glass: "Far from conquering, the invaders can only occupy, and use time and violence to dispel grievances and maintain the status quo." ”

"Or support the local puppets and make them their vassals, and indirectly control the north," Sixer suddenly raised his gray gaze, radiating a strange look, and said with deep meaning: "It's like the Freedom Alliance, to the Kingdom of Exeter." ”

The prince and the grand duchess were stunned.

Hearing the familiar name of the place, they looked at each other in disbelief.

But the old crow did not continue the topic, but returned to the topic.

"So, dear Tails and Thelma, let us summarize what we have just discussed: do you agree that for the Born King, the people and vassals of the occupied north, have not become his allies, and the vassal of his own country who has sent troops with him has not received corresponding benefits, do you agree?"

Thelma looked stunned and nodded, "Yes." ”

The old man coughed again and sighed with emotion: "You know, at my age, if you want to eat something good, except for good teeth. ”

"You have to have a healthy stomach pouch. ”

Heather put down the water glass, kept looking at the two people who were sitting up unconsciously, and let out a long sigh: "So, in the overwhelming capture of the Northland, behind the seemingly dazzling victory, Exeter could not rule the Northland for a long time, and on the premise that the harm outweighed the good, he could only abandon the land that he could not keep and was forced to withdraw his troops and return home...... Isn't it that hard to understand?"

Tails took a deep breath and said, "Of course, it seems to be like this. ”

Heather looked at the cautious Tails, the corners of his wrinkled mouth curved slightly, and smiled softly: "Well, there is another point, I think it's a little strange. ”

Tails and Thelma hurriedly leaned forward, they had grown accustomed to the teacher's way of "chatting".

"I can't eat too hard meat, but it's okay to eat a little snack," Heather narrowed his eyes, and the old man at that moment reminded Tails of Gilbert inexplicably, and remembered the well-deserved cunning look of "Cunning Fox":

"Exeter gave up the North, but why did they even give up the Broken Dragon Fortress?"

"Abandon the North, and let the Stars reclaim such an important fortress?"

Tails and Thelma exchanged glances, both confused.

"Because, the Broken Dragon Fortress is only a defensive fortress," Thelma cautiously tried to reply, "and the guard post?, so it needs to be garrisoned for a long time, and the benefits of capturing it far outweigh the cost of maintaining it." ”

"Using the fortress to spy on and suppress the stars is a benefit in itself," but Tails shook his head, "but on the other hand, it hurts to abandon it - the stars can use it as a base to head north at any time, and this reason is not necessarily valid." ”

Heather looked at the two of them who were meditating and smiled slightly.

"Sounds like a dilemma," the old man changed his posture and gently pounded his right leg, as if sitting for a long time was not good for his health: "So, how did King Nunn consider it when he made his choice?"

King Nunn.

Tails's mind trembled again, and the image of a tough and imposing majestic old man appeared in front of him.

Right.

King Nunn!

Tails' gaze refocused, "Because King Nune won't allow it." ”

Thelma and Hipser's gaze turned to him again.

"If Exeter controls the fortress, no matter who garrisons it, it means that the status and role of the Black Sand Lords will be greatly increased - in the face of the stars, the Broken Dragon Fortress can only rely on the supply and support of Rumba, which will increase his leverage and weight. ”

"Second, with the fortress as a line of defense, the pressure on the Black Sand Leader against the stars will be drastically reduced, and Rumba will be able to free his hands, which will greatly enhance his threat. ”

Tersto held his chin and thought thoughtfully: "Therefore, if King Nun takes the fortress himself and sends his cronies and troops to garrison it, it is not only equivalent to blocking the threat from the south for the Black Sand Territory, but also relying further on the support of the Rumba, which is equivalent to handing over the chips to the Black Sand Leader." ”

"And if the fortress is given to the Black Sand Collar - it will be even more impossible. ”

"It's for Exeter to take the stars," Tails muttered, "but until then, he won't allow the northern realm or even the fortress to become the nourishment of any Grand Duke of Exeter outside of Longxiao City." ”

Thelma gave a "wow" look in the air.

From the opposite side came the weak but relieved laughter of the old crow.

"I think our discussion has gone from the state and the rule to the level of the lords' game, this is a good thing and a bad thing, the good thing is that you can see more, and the bad thing is ......" Heather winked playfully at the two of them, and his eyes behind the lenses became clear: "You will see less." ”

The two students were stunned for a moment, then lost in thought.

The old crow lifted his lens slightly, coughed, and pulled the cane from between his knees and placed it on his right hand.

"Very well, we talked for a while today," Heather looked up, still with the same kind but slightly weak smile, "May I say that we have come to a mutually agreed, interesting conclusion: that invading and occupying a land, and keeping and ruling a land, are completely different from the two?"

Tails and Thelma glanced at each other, and the latter nodded, "Of course." ”

Hipser's eyes widened slightly.

"You know, it reminds me of playing chess and maps," the thin old man tugged at his somewhat crooked scarf: "On the chessboard and the map, everything is very vivid, you move a chess piece, a wargame, and devour an enemy, then the chess grid it stands on will be planted with your banner and dyed with your color: this place is yours." ”

The prince and the archduchess listened attentively to the new teacher's words.

The old crow bowed his head slightly, his expression playful: "But in reality, Exeter's example tells us that everything is complicated, and everything needs more consideration: you have destroyed the enemy and won the victory, but it does not mean that you can keep the land. ”

"Just because you can command an army to invade and win, doesn't mean you can take the price that comes with it, even if it looks like a war gain. ”

Hikser raised his head, looked out the window at the sky, and sighed, "Perhaps, this is the limit of domination. ”

"When you are faced with war and peace, hostility and alliances, it may not hurt to first understand what the limits of rule are and where they are," he turned his head, and the look that flashed behind the lenses made Tails unconsciously straighten his chest, "Do you agree?"

The Star Prince took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "Yes, I very much agree. ”

Thelma nodded vigorously as well.

Heather turned his head sideways, and the wise eyes of that moment seemed to disappear without a trace, and he showed a relaxed and pleasant smile again, and said with a grin, "Well, we had a good conversation today, didn't we?"

As he spoke, the thin Sixer trembled and stood up on his crutches: "Perhaps...... Today...... That's it?"

Tails and Thelma hurriedly stood up and saluted him politely.

"Of course," said the prince earnestly, "thank you, Mr. Sixer, for being a good teacher. ”

Heather laughed.

"Oh, don't be too busy saying that, after all, I don't even have a bachelor's degree in the academy. ”

The old crow closed his eyes and shook his head: "By the way, everything we are talking about today, why did Exeter withdraw his troops back then, why did he give up the land, to the limit of domination...... Interesting, isn't it?"

The two students nodded respectfully.

Heather opened his eyes slightly, and his eyes behind the lenses flashed with cunning again, and his words changed: "In that case, then let's do it, when we meet next time......"

"I hope you will tell me again with good reason, as you do today......"

The two students hurriedly listened.

Hipser propped up his cane with both hands, squinted his eyes, and looked at the two solemn teenagers and girls with interest: "Why, everything we have discussed today, all the conclusions from beginning to end......"

The old crow whispered, "It's all wrong. ”

Time seemed to stand still for two seconds.

Two seconds later, both Tails and Selma, who reacted, were shocked!

Thelma couldn't help but lose her voice and said, "What?"

Tails stared blankly at their teacher, not responding for a long time.

Everything we've talked about today......

It's all ......

"Don't be nervous, Selma, like I said," Heather raised his left hand and waved it like a child who had succeeded in his prank, "We're just chatting, and that's what we're going to talk about in the next issue: why we're all wrong today." ”

The boy and the girl looked at the old crow in a daze, and looked at each other, unable to accept each other's words.

A governess who tells you at the end of the first lesson: What he just said is wrong?

At that moment, Tails suddenly felt that the nickname "Old Crow" was so apt.

"We had a great time chatting today, the weather is nice, why don't you go for a walk together?" Sixer took a pleasant breath of air, winked at the two special students, and then leaned on his crutches and turned to leave.

"Don't live up to your youth......" With the sound of crutches, the impressive new teacher pushed the door and left.

Leaving the two students dumbfounded.

"What do you mean?"

Thelma asked Tails suspiciously, "Is everything we say today false?"

At that moment, Tails let out a long breath.

Looking at the leather chair where Sexer had sit, he suddenly understood something.

"Nope. ”

"I think he means that the truth doesn't matter," Tails thoughtfully tried to understand what the other man meant: "What matters,"

"He wants us, in the face of an almost definite conclusion, to take the opposite side when there are so many arguments for it. ”

Tails narrowed his eyes: "Convince him again." ”

Wait a minute.

With a completely opposite position, justified and well-founded, to overturn a conclusion that has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people?

It's a familiar rhythm.

Thelma blinked, exhaled, collapsed in her chair, and pouted, "I don't understand." ”

Tails shrugged.

"It's okay if you don't understand. ”

"It's just that let's stay all night in the library," said the prince with a faint sense of familiarity, "I have a hunch that this topic is not so simple. ”

Thelma sighed, her mouth was cocked, and she collapsed on the desk without any image: "But tomorrow there is an etiquette class for the Jinx lady, and it will continue to ......"

Tails chuckled, slightly dismissive.

"Forget about etiquette lessons. ”

The prince turned and looked meaningfully at the unhappy Thelma, "Do you remember what I said?"

"All the education you received in the past was to train you to be a decent and elegant duchess," he said lightly, his eyes burning, "turn you into a ......"

Thelma interrupted him.

"'But'?"

The Grand Duchess raised an eyebrow: "You're going to say 'but' again, right?"

Tails was suffocated by the momentum that had finally been brewed.

"Well—but," Tails nodded helplessly, shook his head again, and pouted at the door where Heather had left, "I think, this one." ”

"This old crow...... The boundaries of domination?"

The prince glanced at Hisser's seat, looked seriously at the blonde girl in front of him, and looked at her aggrieved gaze: "He is teaching you how to become a qualified ...... in a real and serious way."

At this moment, the familiar sound of crutches suddenly sounded outside the door.

"Gurgle...... Gurgle...... Gurgle......"

Under the strange gaze of the two, Sexer reappeared in the door with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, people are old and forgetful," the old crow shook his head, "Although the time of our next lesson is uncertain because of my physical condition, I still think that I should tell you in advance about the things I hope you can do when we meet next time." ”

Tails and Selma nodded respectfully, "Of course." ”

Heather smiled slightly: "First of all, I hope you may wish to take some notes and think carefully about every word in our discussion......"

Thelma nodded, taking notes in her notebook in a graceful manner.

"Secondly, remember that we are chatting, and we are welcome to interrupt and ask each other questions whenever we want, and then we should all be organized and grasp the key points;"

Tails was slightly stunned.

Wait a minute.

These words......

Why......

I saw Hipcer cough and continued: "Also, we might as well be cautious and humble in the discussion, and before questioning something, it is best to ask our own position and opinion. ”

For a second, Tails was stunned.

These words......

No way.

————

I have put some of the following text in the writer's testimonial at the end of the chapter.

It's free.

Finally, questioning each other is also the advantage and privilege of classmates, so be prepared to ask each other questions and be prepared to ask each other's questions: truth is always born in collision and conflict. ”

The new teacher glanced at Tails with a strange look in his eyes, and frowned slightly: "Then, may you have a smooth day." ”

In Thelma's respectful and grateful farewell, the old crow walked out the door and slowly departed.

Only Tails stood still without saying a word.

He hesitantly pulled Selma's notebook, looked at the records on it, and then looked at the door where the old man had left, his chest undulating and uncontrollable.

Hipse...... You......

(End of chapter)