The next day, accompanied by Ivo, Baron Carvalho Bacchus arrived at the Provisional Government in a carriage early in the morning. The Chinese were very quick to act, and yesterday afternoon a soldier had delivered the meeting notice to the Baron's residence.
However, the scene in front of the Provisional Government was very strange. There were many carriages parked in the open space outside the gate. Many people who were invited to attend the meeting arrived there early, but did not go inside. Instead, they gathered in twos and threes, each whispering something.
Compared to the restless nobles and merchants, Baron Carvalho seemed quite calm. As an old friend, Xiao Chen had visited him privately last night, and he knew exactly what would happen today and what he should do.
Baron Carvalho was familiar with many people at the door. When he got off the carriage, many people came over. Among them were a viscount, two barons, and four merchants, including the head of Ulian's family, Victorino. After Carvalho greeted them, he found that they did not leave, but looked at him eagerly.
Victorino, who has been doing business with the Bacchus family, said, "Baron Carvalho, today's hurdle is not easy for everyone. As an old friend, can you give us some advice? What exactly do they want us to do?"
"Yes. These people make me nervous." Viscount Yosa, who is nearly fifty years old, said, "Yesterday I tried to talk to the soldiers patrolling outside, hoping to use a golden axe to get some information out. But they threw the golden axe on the ground and said with contempt that I was a villain who oppressed the common people. They said I was a worm lying on the back of the farmer? This is really crazy. A civilian soldier doesn't care about money and dares to scold a noble. I think these people's heads have been cast a spell. I don't know what strange things they stuffed into them."
"Yes. We can feel these people's hatred towards us. Their superiors obviously deceived them with lies. We are all upright nobles and have never done anything excessive. They have no reason to hate us," said another baron.
Baron Carvalho said, "You and I have known each other for a long time. Since we have been neighbors in this city for so many years, I would like to kindly remind you that the Chinese are not coming for you, me or him. They are coming for the nobles and big businessmen. It's like the Temple of Nature wants to eliminate the believers of the false god. What should you do if you happen to be one of them? How can you survive? Think about it carefully, and I guess you will have the answer."
The people around were not stupid, but the meaning of Baron Carvalho's words made them feel unbelievable. Viscount Yosa's eyes widened, as if someone was strangling him, "Are you asking us to give up our noble status? This has been a tradition for many years. Otherwise, how can our bloodline be distinguished from those of the common people? Aren't we the same as those people who are like dust?"
"Is there really any difference? Many years ago, everyone's ancestors crawled out of the mud." Kava smiled slightly, and said nothing more to them, and walked towards the gate of the Provisional Government. Several people around were still discussing these things, only Victorino followed and asked, "Baron Carvalho, I am not a noble, and I am not worried about what they said. But what about our land and business?"
"Do you really believe me?" asked Baron Carvalho.
"certainly."
"Then I only have one thing to say: Be willing to give up what you should give up."
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At around nine o'clock, the meeting had already begun in the meeting hall of the City Lord's Mansion. The room was arranged like a typical lecture hall, with Wang Jiyuan, Xiao Chen, Qin Mu, Wu Jianshi, Zheng Rui and others sitting on the rostrum. The nobles and businessmen had already arrived and sat in rows opposite them.
The host Xiao Chen was speaking: "... All of you here are influential people in Suero. Since we, the China Tower, took over Suero two days ago, everyone has been waiting for us to come up with a plan for the resettlement of land, personnel, and property. After careful discussion, the Suero City Provisional Government has made a decision. Today is the time for us to resolve these issues openly and fairly."
Although Xiao Chen's words sounded high-sounding, the atmosphere suddenly became tense when the people below heard this. Everyone knew that the time to decide their fate had come.
Xiao Chen continued: "Some people may still think that the Tower of China is just a rising magic tower, and the conflict in Suero is just the magic tower occupying a new territory. No, we will be a country, and the name of this country is China. This is the name of our home country, and we are her successors in this foreign land."
Xiao Chen originally thought that the people below would have some reactions when he said this, but he didn't expect that everyone seemed very calm, or indifferent. Perhaps to them, it didn't matter whether China was a magic tower or a country. All their thoughts were on their own destiny.
"That's why we have been at war with the Iberian Kingdom since the royal family announced they were going to take our land away from us. Your identities will depend on your circumstances. Some of you will become our citizens, some will become our captives, and some will become our criminals!"
"Criminal?" A buzz of discussion suddenly arose in the originally silent room.
"We have to do enough research to recruit new citizens, but I found that some of you have committed crimes that are unbelievable. We will never let such people go if they fall into our hands."
As soon as Xiao Chen finished speaking, hundreds of soldiers rushed into the room in groups and surrounded all the participants in the center of the room.
Xiao Chen gave his seat to Wu Jianshi from the Intelligence Bureau, who took out a stack of files and a list from the top folder. He looked coldly at the people below and said, "The people whose names I report next will be arrested. Please don't try to resist, as that will only aggravate your crime. By the way, there is a master and two high-level mages in this room. I am also a mid-level mage. If you are not a master, don't think of resisting. By the way, don't try to take hostages, as the master's spells are definitely faster than your hands."
Many people below began to tremble or turn pale. Before Wu Jianshi began to read the list, an old man had already collapsed, holding his chest. Several soldiers immediately rushed out and carried him out.
Wu Jianshi sighed, "The Baron Avutor who just fell is not on the list. Of course, it is also possible that I did not check carefully enough and did not find out the Baron's big secret."