"Buy something?"
Rose continued to stare at him, retreating cautiously.
"What do you want to buy?"
"Your troupe, and... those little items that trouble you," Li Andy replied calmly. "Of course, if possible, I also hope you can stay and work for me."
Rose paused slightly, frowning as she asked,
"What do you want us to do?"
"The same as before, perform plays and sing songs. But occasionally, there will be some special content that you'll need to help promote. In addition..."
Li Andy paused.
"I also need you to help me collect some special intelligence during your future tours."
"Is the power behind you the Governor of Nine District?" Rose pondered for half a second before asking again.
"No, behind me, there is only me."
Li Andy's lips curved into a smile as he spread his hands, replying,
"The Governor of Nine District is just one of my clients. If you accept, then in the future, you will only need to work for me, and for yourselves."
By now, he actually no longer intended to hand the troupe over to the Governing Madam.
He wanted to incorporate the troupe himself!
The world's information was changing too rapidly; he needed his own special intelligence organization.
The Unicorn Troupe, with its touring experience, was an excellent choice.
Besides, didn't the clothing industry and an opera troupe go well together?
If Sophia wanted to experience being a star in the future, it wouldn't be impossible to arrange.
Rose frowned in thought, seemingly not quite believing Li Andy had such capability, so she continued to ask,
"Then, is the content you want us to promote related to independence?"
"Hmm, you're very smart, it is indeed related to independence."
"Why?"
"Why?" Li Andy paused. "Because I personally favor independence."
"You favor independence? Heh heh..."
Rose couldn't help but sneer. She could now conclude that the person in front of her had no capability to stand on equal footing with the Governors of the various districts!
"Independence is a dead end! You simply don't understand the Empire's might! I've traveled so many places; I know far more than you!"
Li Andy was not annoyed; he slowly replied,
"You have traveled to many places, but the territories you've touched have always been under the Empire's jurisdiction. Even if you walk ten thousand miles, you're still looking at the sky from the bottom of a well!"
"You say I'm looking at the sky from the bottom of a well?!"
Rose's eyebrows shot up. Having frequently read various classics for opera, she naturally knew the meaning of that idiom.
"Yes, you are looking at the sky from the bottom of a well."
Li Andy struck her down mercilessly. "You only see the Empire's prosperity, but you don't see the Empire's festering sores!"
Rose also became agitated: "Festering sores? Now the Empire's fleet covers the oceans, major ports are packed, and even those farming in the wilderness can drink imported premium black tea! Tell me then, where are these festering sores!"
Compared to Rose's agitation, Li Andy appeared unhurried:
"You say those who farm can drink premium black tea; has that been investigated? The Empire's fleet covers the oceans, but how much of it is actually controlled by the Queen?"
Rose froze, unable to answer.
Her troupe was the center of attention wherever they went, and she could indeed gather all sorts of news, but most of it she had never carefully verified. She simply ranked it based on the perceived importance of her guests' identities.
Li Andy shook his head helplessly.
It seemed that even if he acquired the troupe, he would have to specifically train them. Their current ability to collect and organize information was truly dismal.
Li Andy answered for her:
"That farmers can buy cheap goods is limited to within the Empire, and only in developed regions. These are just tiny 'favors' radiated downwards by the Empire's plundering across the world.
"The Empire's fleet is vast, but funds can no longer cover everything. Plus, with various lords wanting their cut, many fleets have already achieved 'autonomous independence.' Once the civilized Empire's flag is lowered, they become notorious pirates on the sea.
"Have you seen natives chained and crammed into ship cabins? Have you seen royal fleets robbing fishermen of their nets? Do you know why there are garrisons? Do you know why the populace hates garrisons?"
One question after another, like heavy hammers, struck Rose's heart repeatedly.
She... couldn't answer. She... began to doubt herself.
Seeing that the time was right, Li Andy nodded slightly and slowly said,
"It's okay that you don't know these things. But you should be very clear about the troupe's financial difficulties. Besides the growing impact of the side effects on a few of you, do you know how much more is due to the Empire's constantly increasing taxes?"
Rose stood stunned. Of course, she knew this.
And she clearly knew that this figure accounted for nearly half, and it was still growing!
She knew, but she subconsciously ignored it, just thinking that it had always been like this...
Li Andy saw the confusion and helplessness in her eyes and sighed.
"Don't assume that just because something has always been this way, it's correct."
"But... if a conflict truly breaks out, can the various districts of New Continent really withstand it?" Rose looked at him confusedly.
Li Andy pondered for half a second and replied,
"Right now, they probably can't. But... I'm saying, what if, in the future, Luo Ou goes to war with other empires? What do you think would happen then?"
Rose's eyes widened involuntarily.
She now completely understood how vast the gap was between her perspective and that of the person before her. Perhaps... he really could help them resolve that cursed item, and bring Charles back!
Rose lowered her head in thought for a long moment, then looked up, her gaze unyielding as she stared at him:
"The price... Tell me the true price!"
Li Andy's lips slowly curved into a smile as he frankly replied,
"If the contract is set, betrayal means death."
Rose froze for half a second, then gave a desolate smile:
"As expected, it's also selling our lives."
"So, what's your answer?"
Rose gritted her teeth:
"If you can save Charles and resolve the curse on us... I'll sell!"
Li Andy nodded gently and replied calmly,
"Deal."
.....
.....
Dim, dark.
Only a faint glimmer of light fell from a crack in the ceiling.
Charles shook his head, feeling groggy, the lingering alcohol still swirling in his brain.
He didn't know where he was, nor how much time had passed.
He only remembered the major's exasperated and terrified expression before he blacked out:
"Oh, holy shit! My God, this damn thing has a dick!"
"Heh... heh heh heh...."
Charles couldn't help but laugh. The faint light fell on his face, which had transformed into Rose's, making him look insane and eerie.
So this broken mask couldn't transform the entire body.
"Interesting! Hahahaha...."
Perhaps feeling that he wouldn't live, he wasn't afraid at all at this moment.
Putting on the mask, he felt like he had shed all pretense.
Just then, "Clang!" The large door opened from both sides.
The sudden light was so blinding it made it hard to open his eyes.
Charles squinted, and surprisingly, the figure before him felt strangely familiar.
Once his eyes adjusted to the light and he could see clearly, his eyes immediately widened!
"It's you!!"
The person before him was actually the one who had sold them the cursed item back then!
Aside from the absence of that strange music box, all other features were identical!
"Long time no see, my customer."
The strange merchant adjusted his hat with a mechanical hand, revealing a face entirely constructed of machinery.