Chapter 18 Chapter Sixteen

The heat became unbearably hot.The work of men and animals slowed down, and everyone looked forward to the time of the flood: it was synonymous with long vacations for those who did not want to be forced to work in the fields of the pharaohs.After the harvest, the fields seemed dead, but the Nile changed color, its rendered maroon announcing the approach of the wellspring of happiness on which Egypt's wealth depended. In the city, people seek shelter in the shade; in the market, merchants hide under large parasols propped up by wooden stakes.The most dreadful time of the year is just beginning: the five days at the end of each year, which are not included in the average twelve thirty-day calendar.Every year, at the same time, Sekhmet sends his rabble of diseases and pestilences to raid the land and unleash upon the world all villains, cunning and conspirators.In the temple, prayers and chanting to appease Sekhmet continued day and night, and the pharaoh himself presided over a secret worship ceremony. If the king was upright, the country could be brought back to life again.

During these terrible five days, most economic activities were completely suspended, people's plans and travels were postponed, and all boats stopped?On the shore, large tracts of land are also fallow.A few builders rushed to work on the embankment, which needed final reinforcement, lest the furious storm symbolizing the Furies would strike.Without the pharaoh's mediation, what will happen to this country that has been completely ravaged by evil forces? The chief guard of the Memphis Palace also likes to hide in the office, looking forward to the arrival of the New Year festival, when all the hearts liberated from fear burst into endless joy.But just when he learned that Queen Duya was going to summon him, he repeatedly speculated about the reason for being summoned.Usually, he has no direct contact with the empress, and he completely obeys her servant's arrangements and instructions. Why does she have such an unusual move?

Like many ministers, he was afraid of Duya, who lived up to the exemplary behavior of the Egyptian royal family and could not stand mediocrity.It would be a terrible thing to dislike her. To this day, the career of the Chief of the Royal Guard has been smooth, receiving neither praise nor blame, and he steadily climbed up the official rank step by step.He knew how to use his knack for invisibility and staying put.Since he took office, there has not been any accident that disrupted the tranquility of the palace. There were no surprises, except for this admission order. One of his attendants coveted his position very much. Was this person falsely accusing him?Or what kind of mistake did he make?These questions bothered him and gave him a headache.

The captain's legs trembled, his muscles twitched and his eyelids twitched as he was allowed into the queen's drawing room.Although he was taller than her, she seemed enormous to him. He prostrated himself. "My lord queen." "Excuse me, sit down." The Grand Empress motioned for him to sit down in a comfortable chair, and the official didn't dare look up at her.How could such a petite woman have such a dignified appearance? "I thought, you know, there was a groom who wanted to kill Ramses." "Yes, Your Lady Queen." "You also know that we are tracking down the coachman who accompanied Ramses to hunt. He may be the main messenger of the case."

"Yes, Your Lady Queen." "You may know how the investigation is going." "I'm afraid it will take a long time, and it will be very difficult." "'I'm afraid...' What a frightening statement! Are you afraid of revealing the truth?" The head guard stood up abruptly, as if stung by a bee. "Of course not! I..." "Sit down and listen carefully. I think someone is trying to close this up and make it a purely reasonable defensive accident; Ramesses narrowly escaped death, his assassins are dead, and the mastermind is nowhere to be found ...why not continue the search? Despite my son's insistence, there are no new leads. Have we retreated into a barbaric country, or does the law mean nothing any more?"

"Your Excellency! The investigation is already underway..." "I don't think they're effective. I hope it's only a temporary phenomenon. If anyone dares to obstruct the investigation, I will find him. More specifically, I want you to find him." "Me? But..." "Your position is most suitable for some quick and confidential investigations, to find the coachman who let Ramses fall into the trap, and bring him to justice." "My lord queen, I..." "Are there any objections?" The captain of the guard was as frustrated as if he had been pierced by an arrow.How can the Queen's request be met safely without disturbing others?If the real person in charge of the assassination is high and powerful, his attitude may be more fierce than Duya...but the latter will never allow things to fail.

"No, of course not... But, this matter is not that simple." "You've already said that I've brought you here especially, not just for a routine matter. I have a second thing for you to do, which is much simpler." Duya mentioned the smuggled ink sticks and the mysterious factory that made those ink sticks. According to the clues provided by Ramses, she clearly explained where the factory was and asked to find out the name of the person in charge of the factory. "Are these two things related, Your Lady Queen?" "It may be a little bit, but God knows! Your diligence will solve the mystery for us."

"Do not worry." "You're such a comfort to me. Now, go." The captain of the guard was downcast and his headache was splitting. It seemed that the only way to be saved was a miracle. Shane circled the crowd. In a spacious palace hall, the eldest son of the Pharaoh was surrounded by dozens of merchants from all over the world, including Cypriots, Phoenicians, people from the Aegean Sea region, Syrians, Lebanese, Africans and yellow-skinned people. Easterners, and some pale northerners from the mist, answered his summons.The international prestige of Seti's Egypt, like the royal invitation that symbolized the honor, lacked representatives of the Hittites, who were increasingly hostile to the pharaoh's policies.

For Scherner, international trade is where the future of humanity depends.The ports of Phoenicia, Byblos, and Ugaritte are full of ships from Crete, Africa, and the Far East. Why is Egypt hesitant to develop such traffic under the pretext of maintaining its own status and traditions?Shane adores his father, but secretly blames him for not understanding diplomacy and trade.Seti will convert most of the delta area into cultivated land during the drought period, and establish many commercial ports in the Mediterranean region. Just like his ancestors, Seti is very concerned about the safety of these two areas.Instead of developing defense systems and stockpiling weapons for war, why not start with the Hittites and, if necessary, make peace with the most warlike peoples and help them develop?

When he is on the throne, he will abolish violence.He hates the army, generals, soldiers, militaristic ideas and rule by force. The king does not rely on this way to maintain his power for a long time.One day, the losing nation will overthrow the ruler and become the winner.Conversely, imprisoning them under economic sanctions that only a small group of people know how to control and resist quickly eliminates all attempts at resistance.Xena thanked fate for his status as the eldest son of the king and the heir to the throne, and it was absolutely impossible for the restless and incompetent Ramses to stop him from fulfilling his great dream.He will become the only master in the business circle of the civilized world, he will safeguard his own interests and form an alliance with other countries, and build the only country without localism and tradition...

In the past, foreign merchants were never invited to the palace, but now through his hospitality, Seti's heirs emphasized the benefits they had brought him.And he is planning a near-ideal future.It is not easy to persuade Seti to change his attitude, but besides observing the "mayat", shouldn't the king of a country act according to the current situation?Shane is quite eloquent. The reception was a great success.Foreign merchants promised him superb vases carved by artists in their own country, so that he might expand his collection, known throughout the Near East and even in Crete.Which one would he sacrifice in exchange for a perfect piece with curvaceous curves and captivating colors?His eyes are mixed with the joy of possession, and only when faced with his own treasures can Xie Na feel an irreplaceable satisfaction. One of Schena's heralds stepped up and interrupted a lively conversation he had with an Asian wholesaler. "There is trouble," the herald whispered. "What trouble?" "Your mother is not very satisfied with the results of the investigation." Shane grimaced. "Slightly angry?" "It's more serious than that." "She will investigate herself?" "She has appointed the Chief of the Royal Guard." "That's an incompetent man." "He can be a hindrance when cornered." "Let him investigate." "Suppose he finds out?" "Not too possible." "Do you monitor him?" "I'm afraid of unintended consequences. Those morons are completely irrational. Besides, he can't find any serious clues." "What do you think?" "Watch and keep me informed." The herald backed away quietly, and Shane turned to his guests, beaming despite his annoyance.