Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty-Three

Su Ti untied the belt, and then found a large flat stone to spread out the straw mat.He lay down exhausted and looked at the stars in the sky.Deserts, mountains, rocks, mine pits, and sultry tunnels that often make people climb bloody... This journey is not profitable but so tiring. Most people have already complained and even regretted it, but Su Ti was extremely satisfied.Sometimes, he was so moved by the scenery around him that even General Asher forgot about it.Although he loves the entertainment of the city, the harsh environment here is no stranger to him, as if he has been used to it since he was a child.

There was a distinctive hissing sound in the sand to his left.A horned snake slid past the straw mat, leaving some snaking trails behind it.From the first night, he had already figured out the tricks of the poisonous snake. He used to be afraid and cautious, but he gradually got used to it.He subconsciously felt that he would not be bitten, and he was not afraid of scorpions or poisonous snakes.When he entered their territory, he should respect their habits. In comparison, those sand ticks that were bloodthirsty in nature and specialized in attacking miners terrified him even more.Once bitten, not only is it painful, but the skin is also swollen and inflamed.Fortunately, the ticks were not interested in Suti, but Avery was busy spraying the potion made of marigolds.In case of being bitten.

Even though she was tired all day, Su Ti couldn't sleep.He stood up and walked slowly toward a dry riverbed bathed in moonlight.It is crazy to walk alone in the desert at night, because there are evil gods and weird beasts all around, and if you are not careful, you may be swallowed without bones.If someone wants to get rid of him, this is the perfect time and place. Suddenly, Suti heard a sound.In the depths of the depression, where water would come out after heavy rain, an antelope with horns like a harp kept digging, looking for water to drink.Soon, another one came. This one had straight and long horns, and it was all white.

These two antelopes are the embodiment of the god Seto, so they have inexhaustible energy.Sure enough, they found the right place, and soon they were licking the water that gushed out from between the two boulders.Then, a hare and an ostrich appeared.Su Ti sat down and was fascinated by the whole person.The scene of the happiness and contentment of these sacred animals will become an eternal secret in his heart. Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. It turned out to be Avery. "You like the desert very much, Xiao Yu, this is not a good thing. If you continue to be stubborn, one day you will meet a monster with the body of a griffin and the head of a griffin, which cannot be pierced by arrows or caught by ropes. It's too late, because it will grab you and lead you to the dark abyss."

"Why do you hate Egyptians?" "My origin is Hittite. I can never accept the fact that Egypt won. At least. On these paths, I am the boss." "How long have you been leading the miners?" "Five years." "Aren't you rich?" "You're so curious." "If even you fail, then my chances of success are slim." "Who said I failed?" "That puts my mind at ease." "Don't be too happy." "If you have money, why bother to work so hard?" Su Ti continued to talk to him. "I hate valleys and fields and rivers. Even if I become a millionaire, I will never leave my mines."

"Monopoly... I like this title. But until now, the mines you have led us to dig have always been empty." "Boy, you should be very good at observation. Do you think there is a better training method? When the real work begins, the most adaptable people are also qualified to go hunting for treasures." "I hope the sooner the better." "Are you in such a hurry?" "What are you waiting for?" "There are many whimsical people who have embarked on the gold-seeking route, but almost all of them have failed." "No one knows where the ore vein is?"

"The maps are stored in the temple, and no one can get them. Whoever tries to steal the gold will be immediately arrested by the desert police." "Can't you hide?" "Of course, there are police dogs everywhere." "And you, you've got the map in your head." The bearded man sat next to Su Ti.Seriously ask: "Who told you?" "No one told me, don't be nervous. There must be a record in the file for a person like you." Avery picked up a small rock and crushed it in his hands. "If you dare to lie to me, I will never forgive you."

"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe me? I just want to be rich. I want a lot of land, horses, carts, servants, a pine forest, . . . " "Pine forest? Where did Egypt get the pine forest?" "Did I say I was going to stay in Egypt? I can't stay in this damn place anymore. I want to move to Asia, to a country where Pharaoh's army can't reach." "I'm starting to take an interest in you, boy. You've committed a crime, haven't you?" Suti said nothing. The bearded man said again: "The police are looking for you, so you want to hide in a small country to avoid the limelight. They are all like hunting dogs, and they will try their best to catch you."

"I will never let them catch me alive this time." "Have you ever been in prison?" "I'm never going to jail again." "Which judge judged?" "Pazar, that gate hall elder." Avery whistled admiringly, and said, "You're a big man! There's going to be a lot of revelry from people like you when this judge dies." "He's really dead-headed." "But it's hard to say what the fate will be." "I don't have—no dime, so I'm in a hurry." "I like you very much, boy, but I can't take any chances. We'll play tomorrow, really, and I'll see what you can do."

* * * Avery divided the team into two groups. The first group has a large number of people and is responsible for collecting and manufacturing tools, especially chisels and copper necessary for stonemasons.After the copper has been forged and washed, it is immediately melted on the spot in a simple furnace, and then poured into the mold.The Sinai and desert areas are rich in copper mines, but due to the huge demand of the construction business community, it has to be imported from Syria and West Asia.In addition, the military also needed copper-tin alloys to make strong blades. The second group consisted of only a dozen people, and Su Ti was one of them.Each of them knew that a difficult task was about to begin.The entrance to the tunnel they faced was like the mouth of hell, and the treasure might be hidden in the dark depths.The miners all had that little leather pouch around their necks, waiting to be filled to the brim the moment the treasure was found.They all wore only a leather loincloth, and they had sand on their bodies.

Who will go in first?This is the best place, but also the most dangerous place.Someone gave Suti a push.He turned around immediately and hit the person who pushed him.Then everyone huddled together.After Avery intervened to stop it, he pulled the hair of a short brawler, causing him to yelp in pain.The captain ordered: "You go in first." Everyone automatically lined up in a row.The tunnel was so narrow that the miners bent over, looking for a place to lean on.All of them stared at the rock wall, searching back and forth for traces of some kind of precious metal. As for the metal, Avery did not say clearly.The person in the lead walked too fast, kicking up a lot of dust, and the people behind him pushed him because they had difficulty breathing.As a result, his foot became unsteady, so he rolled down the steep slope to a platform, where the miners could straighten up. "He passed out." A companion said with a glance. "That's the best," said another gleefully. Everyone took a break, and then continued to walk forward in this thin-air mine. "Look, gold!" The man who discovered it yelled, and was immediately knocked down by two greedy companions. The bearded man shouted angrily: "Idiot! That's just a shiny rock." Su Ti felt that every step he took was more of a threat.Everyone behind him wanted to get rid of him.Relying on the instinct of a beast, when his companion picked up a big stone to hit him on the head, he immediately bent down.The first person to attack jumped up on all fours, and Su Ti also took the opportunity to crush his ribs. "If there is another one, I will trample him to death," he said loudly. "Are you crazy? If we continue like this, no one will be able to get out. Either everyone will kill each other now, or the treasure will be shared equally." These able-bodied people all chose the second way.Then they climbed into another tunnel.Two people had to give up because of physical discomfort.Su Ti took the oilcloth torch soaked in sesame oil, and took the lead without hesitation. In the darkness, I went down for a while.Suddenly a light flashed in front of his eyes, Su Ti swallowed his saliva, quickened his pace, and finally touched the mine.But then he shouted angrily: "Copper mine, it's just copper mine!" * * * Suti made up his mind to beat Avery all over the place.But when he struggled to climb out of the tunnel, he found that the construction site was unusually quiet.All the miners lined up in two rows, watched by more than a dozen desert policemen and their police dogs.The leader of the team was none other than the big policeman who questioned Su Ti at the beginning. "The others came out," Avery told the police. So Suti and other companions were forced to join the ranks, even the wounded.The police dog let out a low growl, as if it might open its mouth to bite someone at any time.The policeman held a ring with nine belts tied in his hand, and the way he swung and beat people was naturally cruel and merciless. "We're after a fugitive," said the big cop. "He's sneaked off the labor force and is being prosecuted. I'm sure he's hiding among you guys. The rules of the game are simple. Whether he turns himself in or If you report him, the matter will be over immediately; but if you keep quiet, we will conduct interrogation with belt loops. No one can escape. And if necessary, the interrogation process will be repeated several times." Suti and Avery glanced at each other.This Hittite will not offend the desert police, and if Su is provided, the relationship between Avery and the police will be more stable. "Be brave," the bearded man said to the team. "The bets made by those who escaped are now lost. We miners are not a bunch of scumbags." No one came out. Avery walked toward the line of miners, and Suti had no chance of escaping, nor would the other workers help him.The police dogs started barking and tugging on their leashes, while the police waited quietly for their prey to emerge. Avery grabbed the short, aggressive worker by the hair again, threw him at the captain's feet, and said, "The fugitive is delivered to you." Suti felt the eyes of the big policeman staring at him.For a moment he thought the police would question the man Avery had reported.However, the suspect confessed under the threat of the dogs. * * * "I still like you very much, boy." "But you played tricks on me." "I'm just testing you. Those who can walk out of this abandoned mine alive will have no problem no matter which pit they enter in the future." "Can you at least speak to me first?" "This kind of experience is meaningless. Now, I already know your ability." "Those cops will be back for me soon." "I know. That's why we can't stay here. When Coptos Foreman has mined enough copper, I will order three-quarters of the team to send the metal back to the valley." "and then?" "Then, I will take the people I choose to carry out a survey mission that the temple did not order." "But if you didn't lead the team back, the police will definitely investigate." "If I succeed, it will be too late for them to pursue it. This will be the last time I go out." "Aren't there too many of us?" "Take the gold-seeking route, and there is a part of the journey that requires a porter. But usually, boy, I come back alone." * * * Prime Minister Bhaji received Pazar before going home for dinner.After dismissing his secretary, he soaked his swollen feet in warm salt water filled with stone tools.Although the treatment provided by Nefiri made the Prime Minister feel better temporarily, he still ate the greasy meals prepared by his wife every day, which continued to put a heavy load on his liver. Pazar was used to Budge's indifference.His shoulders are slightly hunched, his long and serious face is always unhappy, and his eyes are full of inquiries and doubts. He doesn't care whether others like him or not.On the wall of his office are maps of the provinces, some of which he drew when he was a land surveyor. "You are really worrying, Judge Pazar. Usually, the elders of the gate hall don't need to go to the scene to investigate in person as long as they do their job well." "The situation is serious and I have to do this." "I'd better remind you that the military zone is not under your jurisdiction." "The last hearing did not clear General Asher of suspicion, and I am responsible for continuing the investigation. I only took him personally." "Then why did you focus on his report on our military situation?" "Because, based on the evidence given by the Chief of Police and the High Priest of Karnak, he did lie. This report will aggravate his charges when the trial is re-opened. The General has been distorting the facts." "Reopening the court...do you want to do this?" "Asher is a murderer, Suti did not lie." "Your friend is in an embarrassing situation right now." Pazar was afraid that he would say that. Although Baji didn't raise his voice, he seemed a little annoyed. "Asher filed a complaint against him, and the charge is a bit serious: desertion." "The notice cannot be established." Pazar protested, "Before the general handed in the complaint, Suti had already been recruited into the police force. Kem has an official record. Therefore, Suti, who was originally a soldier, has been in the country's Served in the army without interruption or desertion." Budge took notes on a board. "I suppose your file should be spotless." "yes." "What exactly do you think of Asher's report?" "I think he's trying to make himself the savior of the country by creating chaos." "Suppose what he said was true?" "My first investigations have shown that this is not the case. Of course, the scope of these investigations is very limited, but as long as you are willing to come forward, you can make the general's argument completely untenable." The Prime Minister considered his words quietly. Pazar suddenly felt suspicious.Could Budge also be in collusion with the general?Is the Prime Minister's image of being upright, clean and uncompromising easily just a cover-up?In this way, Chi will soon end his position as the elder of the gate hall under the guise of a name at will.But at least there is no need to worry for too long, as soon as Baji has an answer, he will naturally know how to deal with it. "Well done," said the Prime Minister. "I am amazed at how you are proving yourself more and more. If I had used age as a factor in appointing the Lord Chancellor, I would have made a big mistake. Fortunately, I regarded you as Exceptional cases, which I myself take comfort in. Your analysis of Asher's report is truly disturbing. The testimony of the recently appointed Chief of Police and the High Priest of Karnak reinforces your statement. Credible. And you didn't back down from my questioning. Therefore, I have decided to challenge this report and order a complete inventory of all the military equipment currently in our possession." Pazar couldn't help crying with joy until he hugged Nefiri and told her the good news. * * * General Asher sat on the shaft of a chariot.The whole barracks fell asleep, and the sentry dozed off.Under the leadership of Pharaoh, Egypt is united, the country is prosperous and happy, and the traditional values ​​since the founding of the country are so stable that even strong winds cannot shake it. What is there to be afraid of in such a country? Asher did not lie, betray, or murder in order to become a powerful and prestigious man.He hoped to combine Hittite and Asian countries to establish a great empire that Ramses could not even imagine.But the dream was shattered, only because he took a wrong step.He has been under the control of others for several months.Xie Qi, the chemist who is so talkative, actually took advantage of him. Great Asher!This puppet, which was about to lose power soon, could no longer withstand Judge Pazar's fierce and continuous offensive.He couldn't even enjoy the thrill of sending Suti to a labor camp.Because the friend of the elder of the gate hall has already joined the police force.The report was not established, and the report was rejected by the Prime Minister!If he investigates this matter thoroughly, Asher will definitely be punished for disturbing the morale of the army.Once Baji intervenes, he will deal with it sternly and selflessly to the end, just like a dog that has bitten a bone will never let go. Why did Sech encourage himself to write this report?Asher was only thinking of becoming the savior of Egypt, of winning the honor of being a political leader, and of winning the hearts of the people. He had already deviated from reality.In order to deceive others, the result is to deceive yourself.He, like the little chemist, believed that the Ramses dynasty was about to perish, that the integration of nations, and that the traditions that had been handed down from the pyramid period to the present were about to be subverted.But he forgot that there are still people like Prime Minister Baji and Judge Pazar who are traditionally conservative, dedicated to the God of Matthias and love the truth. Asher, who had been seen as a soldier with limited prospects and no ambitions, suffered bitterly.But those instructors were wrong about him.He seemed to be confined to a dead end with nowhere to go, and he could no longer endure life in the army.If he can't control the army.will be destroyed.Later, after reconnaissance in Asia, he found that the monarchs of various countries were scheming and good at lying, and also found that there were constant battles among the various ethnic groups, so he conceived the idea of ​​conspiracy to treason and collusion with the rebel leader Edda Fei. His future glory is like a prop played by a magician in the palm of his hand, and it will be wiped out in a blink of an eye.However, those who pretend to call him brothers and sisters have overlooked one thing: a wounded beast will always burst out with unexpected potential.Asher, who even thought himself ridiculous, naturally had to pull a few of his followers to back him up in order not to make himself fall too badly. Why would he have such evil thoughts?Why couldn't he be loyal to Pharaoh, love his country, and follow in the footsteps of those great generals who did their duty?However, conspiracy and ambition erode him like a virus, and the desire to take what belongs to others will only make him worse. Asher had never tolerated someone as outstanding as Suti or Pazar, because they would compare him to him and prevent him from shining.In the world, there are always people who build and people who destroy. Now, unfortunately, he has been reduced to this second type of person. Aren't the gods the culprit?God insists on this, who can change it? It is so in life, and it is so in death.