People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The room was filled with fireworks and firecrackers of all sizes, lanterns and window decorations, which immediately caught Ernst's eye.

It must be said that, apart from the small stove, of the three things Ernst entrusted to Vina, the task of preparing festive supplies was indeed done quite well.

The carvings on the custom-made lanterns and the trimmed paper-cut window decorations looked exceptionally beautiful. Although the manufacturer did not know the language of Jeragund, they had clearly studied the Jeragund epic that Ernst had asked Vina to bring over. The stories on these lanterns and window decorations were not only lifelike, but each one also had a clear correspondence, closely integrated with the legends of Jeragund's embellishment of Jeragund. If the format were changed, some letters were added, and some "incomplete" stories were deleted, this could easily serve as a children's science book!

Ernst nodded in satisfaction:

"Thank you very much. Then please do me another favor and deliver the 'surprise fireworks' to the Holy Maiden of Manju Academy."

"Huh?" The employee of Kalan Trade was taken aback.

"Huh?" Ernst was also taken aback. "What are you 'huh' about?"

"What 'surprise fireworks'?" the employee asked, dumbfounded.

Ernst fell silent.

A guess popped into his mind: was it possible, perhaps, maybe, that Vina had forgotten to tell the employees of Kalan Trading that some of the fireworks actually contained "special surprises"?

If that's really the case...

Ernst glanced at the mountain of firecrackers and fireworks boxes, and asked with his last glimmer of hope:

"When you brought these fireworks up, did you sort them? For example, if they were originally in one pile, did you just pile them all together?"

"Uh...no." The employee shook his head readily, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.

Ernst covered his face and nodded gently: "Alright then. It's nothing."

That's bad now. The fireworks were set off in a mixed fashion. In other words, no one can find the fireworks that could send SilverAsh flying and exploding in the sky anymore.

The Werewolf game in Sherag is now starting.

Ernst can now only hope that no more unexpected events will occur, such as the fireworks that the employees of Kalan Trading received by themselves happen to include a model that allows Silver Grey to "fly and fly, my pride and indulgence."

otherwise.......

Ernst vowed that he would not help compensate them for their wages that month or for the following months.

Of course, if they were fired, Ernst could, in the spirit of humanitarianism, offer them a job and try to poach his brother's employees.

Yes, that's what you call the duality of things.

On the surface, Ernst's plan to give Enya a good time failed. But in reality, Enya might still get a share of the "surprise fireworks," and not only that, he also has the opportunity to recruit talent from his two brothers' side. And in the end, his goal of annoying SilverAsh has been achieved!

Win-win situation, Ernst wins twice!

P.S.: Here's something rather abstract. Today I went to the train station to catch my train home. Since my train left at 7:49, I decided to grab a bite at a noodle shop next to the station.

During that time, a German man came in. He didn't speak much Chinese, so he pointed to the Kung Pao Chicken rice bowl and said he wanted one of those.

The owner didn't speak any foreign languages, so we explained to him that the Kung Pao Chicken was sold out.

As the only customer in the store at the time, and being a college student, the owner came to me and asked me to translate.

I was brave; I didn't flinch, I just went straight up. My first words were, "Sold out!"

As it turned out, the German guy was unsportsmanlike; he launched into a string of connected English with a German accent, which completely stunned me.

In the end, I still pulled out a translation app.

I can hardly recall the complex feelings I had when I walked out the door.

Chapter 79 I am the coolest guy in Jeragand!

Without even a moment's mourning for the heroic sacrifice of the little stove, the one who rushed to the Holy Mountain Square was the Holy Son of Kalan—Ernst Shivaesh!

No matter how good or bad Ernst's mood was, the prayer ceremony in Jeragund could not be stopped. It wouldn't be right for him to take his frustrations out on his mother after failing to accomplish his own goals; that would be somewhat of a filial son.

Compared to Tukarim Railway Station, Holy Stone Square was clearly much more bustling. If the crowds at Tukarim Railway Station were like a high school opening in the morning, then Holy Stone Square was like the college entrance exam venue for the entire other world.

It is an undeniable fact that the people of Sherag prefer theology to science and magic to parameters. Therefore, to achieve a transformation in Sherag, it is essential to prioritize enlightening the people. Otherwise, no matter how much advanced technology is introduced or how many modern factories are established, it will only be a waste of money for foreign companies and employees, and a way to serve as lackeys for high-tech companies with technological monopolies.

This is the truth. If you don't believe it, you can refer to the Qing Dynasty's Self-Strengthening Movement. They taught you a profound lesson: a corrupt and decadent leadership class and an ignorant and backward social environment cannot be changed by one or two factories and pioneers.

This is why Ernst prioritized education.

This is also why Ernst wrote that speech.

If education is established but no one wants to attend, then it's as if it's not being done at all. Ernst didn't want the "Spark" night school he had painstakingly built in Tukarim to end up like that. Therefore, it was essential to be intense, or rather, to arouse people's interest in knowledge.

To pique people's interest, one must cater to their preferences.

"Sister, after the prayer is over, may I have a few minutes of your time?"

His gaze swept across the thousands upon thousands of people in Sacred Stone Square, kneeling and praying devoutly. Ernst whispered his request to Enya, who was leading the recitation of scriptures beside him.

Ernst had certainly read the Epic of Jeragund, and due to his family education, he was familiar with and could even recite some of the verses praising Jeragund. But that was nothing special; in such a grand occasion, Ernst, the Son of Kalan, did not want to embarrass himself by speaking.

Just as most Chinese people can recite a couple of lines of poetry, not everyone can go on the Chinese Poetry Competition to compete with those learned scholars in poetry relay and flying flower order.

So most of the time, he would pretend to open his mouth, using the fake reading technique he had cultivated through twelve years of exam-oriented education to repeat what Enya said in rhythm.

Enya herself didn't have any objections to the matter. But she was somewhat displeased that Ernst had spoken up during the prayer.

With a slight frown, Enya opened her eyes and glared angrily at Ernst, her eyes conveying the message, "Quiet down now, we'll talk later." At the same time, her recitation of scriptures flowed smoothly and without interruption.

Ernst could naturally see Enya's hint. He pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but finally nodded.

Unfortunately, Ernst couldn't expect everyone to share his attitude, not to see God as God, but as a partner, friend, or mother.

After the death of the Grand Elder, Ernst, the Holy Son, rarely interfered in religious affairs. The Manjusaka Academy was now the Holy Maiden's domain. In the stronghold of the conservatives, Ernst could not expect Enya to be completely unaffected by them.

However, being a little conservative in thought is not a problem. Ernst wasn't a leftist online; his first reaction to seeing right-wingers or conservatives was to go all out.

When the school is built, you should go in and experience science education. Even if it doesn't eradicate all superstitious ideas, there's always hope of transforming a traditionalist into a reformer. Ernst had great confidence in his sister.

Oh, the traditionalists and innovators don't mean whether to use traditional incense and candles or cyber offerings.

It's roughly similar to ordinary Christianity and liberation theology?

The great prayer lasted nearly two hours. During these two hours, Ernst and Enya, standing before the sacred stone with their heads bowed, were instructed not to raise their heads, open their eyes, or look directly at the stone, for the sacred stone, representing Jeragund, was observing them. To make an impolite eye contact with God was considered a great disrespect.

The believers gathered at Sacred Stone Square face an even tougher challenge; specifically, they have to kneel the entire time.

Kneeling, head bowed, head lowered to the ground, the posture neat and standard—this may not have been a rule established by Jeragund, but for thousands of years it has become a test of piety towards Jeragund.

Ultimately, it is humans themselves who know best how to tame and train them.

Those two hours were agonizing for Ernst, but for everyone else present, it felt like a fleeting moment. They were used to this ritual; human inertia is terrifying. Once a year, in just five or ten years, from the age of three when an infant can perform prayers and worship, until he is thirteen, his domestication will be complete.

It's not that you don't need to pray before the age of three. Every life "given" by Jeragund prays from birth to death, except that they are held in their parents' arms before the age of three.

Before the prayers officially began, Ernst even saw from the crowd that the babies had strips of cloth wrapped around their mouths to prevent them from crying during the two hours and disturbing the peace and holiness that Jeragund cherished.

It's fortunate that they didn't use the excuse that "children are the purest" to send two boys and girls to Jeragund every year.

No, it seems that a similar custom did indeed arise in Manjusaka, but it was abolished by a divine decree from Jeragand.

"Gangmen".

Ernst offered a heartfelt praise: the standards of piety are vastly different from those of believers, but the pious heart is no different.

"Praise be to Jeragund the Great God."

A long, solemn, and slow closing remark came rhythmically from Saint Enya's mouth, announcing the end of the two-hour Great Prayer.

Ernst eagerly turned his head from facing the sacred stone to facing the people.

Looking at the crowd, still devoutly burying their heads in the snow, their skin already turning bluish-purple from the cold, Ernst raised his hand and said loudly:

"Stand up, no need to kneel!"

The people of Shelag did not respond much to this. Many remained immersed in the atmosphere of pious silence, the spiritual satisfaction allowing them to temporarily forget the weariness and coldness of the material world.

Ernst pursed his lips and said again:

"The prayer is over, stand up!"

This time, finally someone answered Ernst's call. He hesitated for a moment, glancing around, but then slowly stood up.

Ernst recognized the faces; they were people who lived in Tukarim.

With a long sigh, Ernst had no choice but to say again:

“Stand up. Only sinners kneel! Do you want Jeragund to believe that all his people are sinners?”

The crowd immediately stirred, and people began to stand up at a speed that even Ernst found astonishing.

They stared at Ernst with a hint of reproach in their eyes, perhaps because Ernst's urgent tone lacked sincerity, or perhaps because he denigrated their own "guilt."

Having achieved his goal, Ernst, with a mixture of satisfaction and helplessness, took out his speech from his pocket and loudly addressed the Sherag people who were casting angry but silent glances:

"Admit it, the reason I am qualified to say such things without incurring Jeragund's wrath and punishment is because while you hesitate in prayer, I have already been learning to make Jeragund proud of me!"

Ernst stood tall and proud, meeting all the surprised or angry stares head-on without flinching, showing his best side.

That's exactly what he said.

"I'm the coolest guy in Jeragund!"

P.S.: Holy crap, I just watched the S13 second round draw. Eight teams, five internal matches! Seriously? What kind of genius is this guy who did the draw?

I'm really afraid that he'll be blocked at the entrance by T1 fans' trucks as soon as he leaves the stadium, hahaha.

Regardless of whether it's a favorable or unfavorable draw, the drama is full of intrigue. Will Xiaohu and Karsa avenge their loss to G2, will TheShy deliver another godlike performance, or will BLG and JDG pull off an incredible comeback, or will they face off again in their eight-game losing streak, with T1 and Gen.G replaying the Korean server finals?

LNG? They've secured a spot. I'll boldly predict that C9 will get this point in all predictions!

I started having diarrhea this afternoon and it lasted until evening, accompanied by cramps. Taking Enteritis Pills and Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid didn't help much, so I had to go to the hospital and now I need an IV drip.

I'll probably finish the IV drip around 1 or 2 AM, and I'm feeling really weak. I have no choice but to ask my buddies for leave.

Everyone, please take care of yourselves. The temperature drop is too drastic. It was still hot in Chongqing the day before yesterday, but it plummeted yesterday, and today it's down to single digits.

Brothers, off to get an IV drip.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Chapter Eighty: The Holy Stone Speech

“I also made this statement at the three-race conference that decided the fate of Shelag.”

“I believe that the problems in Shelag today are not simply ethnic, political, or religious issues.”

"Leaving aside the racial differences between Ursus, Zalak, or Filin, we are all children of Yeragand, united under the same banner, living on the same snowfield. This land is our paradise cultivated for thousands of years, a divinely granted land that no one may violate. Based on this principle, I can make the following statement."

"There is only one nation in Kjerag: the Kjerag people. There is only one principle in Kjerag politics: the continuation of the state. There is only one religion in Kjerag: the religion of Jeragand. Therefore, I can solemnly declare that, because of this principle, Kjerag will always be and can only be Kjerag. Anyone who conforms to the above principle, without violating, altering, or rejecting it, can gloriously declare themselves a Kjerag person! Any other ideologies or doctrines are by no means the determining factor for Kjerag!"

"This is my understanding of Sherag's 'Outline for the Founding of the Nation'."

With their backs to the Jeragund Stone, the towering Mount Kalan at their feet, the holy maidens serving the gods beside them, and the thousands of Sherag people gathered before them.

Ernst established the facts in the most solemn and resolute tone.

This includes advanced and even radical nationalism, such as a new interpretation of the ethnic composition and integration within Shelag, as well as compromises with certain relatively backward ideas, such as the establishment of Jeragund as the state religion.

Perhaps in some people's eyes, it is too early to talk about these things now. The Sherag people have not even completed the most basic enlightenment. Is it really meaningful to talk to them about ethnicity and the future?

The answer is yes.

Because the earlier this kind of consciousness is established, the better. Have you not seen the Ursus Empire, fueled by extreme nationalism and militarism, which launched a massive conquest that swept across Terra? Have you not seen the Victorian Empire, which, after less than fifty years in the core, saw its internal ethnic problems become glaringly apparent, to the point of national division?

Shelag is now gradually opening up to the outside world, and that trend of thought will inevitably spread into Shelag's land sooner or later as the number of caravans increases. Rather than waiting until then to forcibly mend the existing conflicts, it's better to take preventative measures from the beginning.

Moreover, Ernst's declaration was more about cultivating and utilizing this nascent nationalist sentiment in preparation for his upcoming speech.

"The great god Yeragand protected Kerrig and granted it a land untouched by natural disasters, but this land is subject to invasion. Within the belly of our distant northern neighbor, the Ursus Bear, lie countless Kerrig lands, destroyed and digested..."

Ernst, having delivered his prepared speech without hesitation, discarded the manuscript and spread his anxiety to the somewhat "too complacent" Sherag people.

This peaceful life has lasted for thousands of years; it's time for a change.

Beyond Shelag, the rise of mobile cities and the deployment of high-speed warships have changed the entire course of the war.