"Head, you really don't have to fight those old guys."

Standing on the deck of the ship heading to the mouth of the Kumangu jungle, Trist tried N+1 to convince Rhodes to cancel the "stupid" trip.

"Trust me." Trist struggled to make himself look more believable, "Those old guys don't have Shurima in their eyes, and they can't have all of Valoran, they just know how to stick to the stupid, dog-like garbage tradition and go along with ......"

For Trist's exhortations and complaints, Rod lying on the deck chair was unheard.

Whatever you say, Rhodes won't change his mind anyway.

That's right, Rod can express deep sympathy for what happened to Trist, but wants to stop Rode's trip?

No way!

For Rhodes, the importance of the Kumang Ancient Forest is far greater than that of Kehalise - after bringing Jiela back to Fuguang Island, this pristine rainforest has long been part of Rhodes' construction plan, it is rich in natural resources, unique animal and plant resources, and most importantly, it is the lowest reaches of the Python River - if the waterway of the Python River basin can really be opened, then the fleet from Bilgewater will be able to enter the Shurima River from the Python River, all the way upstream, and directly threaten Shurima City!

For Rod, who lacked conventional siege means, the significance of this waterway was self-evident!

If you want to develop the Python River waterway, then Rhodes must have a good relationship and reach cooperation with the big river nomads living in the Python River, don't look at the big river waves, but there are no less underwater reefs and whirlpools, if you want to come and go freely in the Python River Basin, the knowledge and experience of the big river nomads are naturally extremely important.

“…… All in all, they hardly change traditions. Although Rhodes was obviously out of the world, Trist was still trying to persuade him to make a final struggle, "Really, you can completely bypass those stubborn guys and just hire them to do the work, it's all superfluous to have a good relationship or something!" ”

"Alright, alright, Trist." Plucking his ears, Rhodes sat up in the recliner helplessly, "I know you have a good opinion of them, but in fact, you should also know that some things can't be solved by simple hiring—besides, I'm sure not all of the Great River Wanderers are as stubborn as your elders, right?" ”

"I've also become a little more flexible." Trist pouted, "But that doesn't make sense, they just do the same." ”

"You see, we still have a foundation." A smile appeared on Rod's face, "Actually, I think you seem to be mistaken about one thing – cooperation is not necessarily a win-win situation. ”

“？？？”

Rod's statement made Trist's eyes widen in surprise, he had always thought that Rhodes wanted to change the lives of the river nomads and make them go further, as he had done in Zaun and Demacia before, but looking at the current meaning, Rhodes seemed to be ...... Plans for something else?

"Look at yourself." Rhodes spread his hands, "What does the Great River Nomad mean to you?" An unlucky origin? A memorable past? Or is it both? ”

And before Trist could speak, Rod continued to speak to himself.

"Actually, my core mission this time has never been to bring any civilization and happiness."

"What's that?" Trist was completely confused, "What do you mean by cooperation?" ”

"Cooperation means that I will bring them freedom."

At this moment, Rhodes laughed like a devil.

……………………

Specific situation, specific analysis.

Although there are some similarities between the river nomads and the weavers, Rhodes does not intend to deal with them in the same way.

The Weavers are also difficult to communicate with, but not entirely unreasonable - even though Taliyah is special, she ends up trying to find a way to control her power for fear of hurting her family.

But when it comes to the river nomads......

When Trist's family was bullied, he simply chose to fight back, and as a result, he was sentenced to banishment by the elders.

Although the weaver and the river nomad are very stubborn, the way and level of stubbornness are completely different, the former is more like a kind of persistence, and the latter is a special maintenance of their authority.

So, Rhodes is not joking when he says "bring them freedom".

In order to truly master the Python River Basin and the Shurima River Basin, Rhodes must have a sufficiently stable base, and the big river nomads who stubbornly stick to the ancient order are not on Rhodes' plan list, so in order to have this stable base, Rhodes must transform the big river nomads to a certain extent.

As for whether the result of this transformation is good or bad......

Then I'm afraid it will depend on the creation of these river nomads.

And Trist, after a moment of confusion, quickly realized the true meaning of what Rhodes meant by "bringing freedom", although he still couldn't get the stalk of the lighthouse country, but Hongguoguo's malice still made him feel a little uncomfortable.

After all...... That's where he used to be.

Shaking his head, Trist finally dispelled such an inexplicable melancholy in his heart - reason told him that maybe Rod's choice would be better for the Great River Wanderers, after leaving the Python River Valley, wandering around and wandering for many years, Trist's current vision has long been different, and he knows very well that if the Great River Wanderers still maintain their ancient and backward traditions and resolutely do not make any changes, the result will only be to lag behind the whole of Valoran.

If Trist had loved his people more, he might have chosen to return to the River Nomads and try to change their mindset.

But alas, Trist, who was exiled at a young age, did not have any good feelings for them, especially the elders who flaunted the banner of "tradition" but only knew that they suppressed their own people internally.

In this case, he silently chose to support Rhodes.

Well, although this head mind is sometimes wilted, he should be considered a good person in nature, right?

Maybe it's not necessarily a bad thing for those who rest on their laurels to endure a little hardship?

Why do you feel like a betrayer?

But...... Is this also a betrayal?

In the rest of the journey, Trist's whole person was no longer as active as before, and Rod could see that he seemed to be still immersed in a special kind of entanglement, unable to extricate himself.

Finally, when the boat came to the mouth of the Python River and saw the boats with colorful sails of the river nomads in the distance, Rod took the initiative to find Trist.

"What, it's hard to choose?"

"I ......"

"It seems that our cunning Mr. Trist may not be as ruthless as many of the Picheng resentful women say."

“……”

"Now tell me, are you interested in being the Lord of the River?"