[When will you understand that the level of your father's skill has nothing to do with the results he is bent on? 】
A familiar high-pitched voice sounded in my memory.
[And it’s not just him, there are countless people. Whether they are on the side of the king like the royalists, or on the opposite side of him like Costus, their intensifying conflicts will bring unforeseen consequences.
】
Thales sat quietly on his seat, staring at the map in front of him seriously, trying his best to drive out what Falkenhauser said on the Ghost Prince Tower.
Is this the kingdom he faces?
At this moment, all the princes in front of the emperor were cautious.
"You know, Thordo, don't talk about execution."
Next to the discussion table, Prime Minister Cullen looked like an old man who had suffered a serious illness, his voice was weak:
"Just because your words are leaked today, will it cause big waves in the kingdom?"
The military advisor sneered slightly and shook his head.
He was about to speak, but was interrupted by the Foreign Secretary on the side.
"It's one thing for us to be frugal and self-financing to support the royal standing army," Gilbert remained gentle, but his warning was clear: "As for issuing a nationwide order to reduce the lords' power to recruit armed forces?"
"Sodor, this is another story."
Soduo frowned, as if he didn't agree.
But out of his long-standing respect and admiration for Xingchen Cunning Fox, he did not immediately refute.
Seeing someone helping, Prime Minister Cullen happily gave the Foreign Secretary a grateful look.
"Take Yongxing City as an example: the Royal Standing Army and the Bright Star Private Army, one takes this as their duty, and the other is drafted during the service period."
The Prime Minister nodded and smiled towards the backlit shadow on the throne:
"Although they come from different sources, they are both powerful weapons in His Majesty's hands."
The Lord of Huigang City, who came from a well-known family and was nicknamed "The Sword of the Bay", turned back to look at Soduo. His eyes were no longer full of the greasy look of a good old man, but more serious than those of a businessman in negotiation:
"It's the same everywhere in the stars: the lord usually has a few but professional elite bodyguards. If necessary, he will recruit the vast number of people in the territory to serve as the main force on the battlefield."
"One wonder and one righteousness, cooperate in combat. One recruits and one recruits, two tracks run in parallel."
"This is the kingdom's established practice and has been a tradition for many years."
The Financial Controller, Juke Mann, snorted, Viscount Conney narrowed his eyes, and Lord Clapham simply continued to be distracted.
"But it is this dual-track recruitment system that seriously drags down our army!"
Soduo, who had thinning hair but still looked hale and hearty, didn't care about other people's eyes and retorted loudly:
"Reality has proven that the private levies of the lords, even the private soldiers of the Bright Star family - no offense, Your Majesty - are poorly organized and uneven, let alone comparable to the elite royal standing army."
King Kessel changed his sitting position in the shadows, his face blurred as before.
Thales' eyes moved slightly, remembering that those who guarded the long-closed Mindis Hall many years ago were the Bright Star private soldiers recruited from his family's territory.
"So he has never been able to be knighted..."
Opposite him, Juke Man shook his head in disdain at Soduo, while raising his hand and complaining to the Prime Minister:
"Every time when the atmosphere is good, these damn soldiers will cause something to happen, ruin the scenery and mess up everything."
Advisor Sodol turned back sharply, his eyes sharp.
"And every time when the critical moment comes, you are always arrogant and sarcastic, holding your purse tighter than your own."
He was like a general on the battlefield, fighting back coldly:
"This is probably why you haven't been able to get a knighthood, money bag."
Juke Man's face turned red.
But a few seconds later, facing Soduo with a knife-like gaze, the financial manager still lowered his head with a look of resentment.
He muttered inaudible words.
Thales heard in the hell sense that what Qiu Ke was saying might be "Say it like you don't have to take a shit."
After a small victory in Ci Feng, Soduo no longer looked at Qiu Ke, but turned to everyone:
"Since its establishment in the 'Shaking' era, the Royal Standing Army has gone through decades of development and testing, and has proven to be a stable and reliable professional army. From recruitment to training, from maintenance to combat, its significance and status are far beyond ordinary
The lord’s bodyguard.”
He spoke generously:
"Take the Three Guards as an example: Baron Mu's Fury Guard is a powerful force that is good at fighting tough battles. They are fearless and not inferior to Exeter's heavily armed elite;"
"Lady Sutherre's Star Guards shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding Broken Dragon Fortress. They have rich experience and are especially good at defending, attrition and blocking in the face of strong pressure;"
"Baron Williams's Stardust Guards are the sharp knives and sharp arrows on the western front. Their cavalry is as light as lightning and they can fly thousands of miles. They are very prestigious."
Thales thought thoughtfully as he recalled the three commanders of the stars and their elite soldiers and generals.
Sodor turned to Duke Cullen with a hint of challenge:
"Can the private soldiers of Bright Star, who are conscripts, do all of this?"
"Even the professional soldiers of a few lords - the Black Lion Infantry Regiment of the Western Wilderness, the White Eagle Scouts of Arend, and the Mountain Walkers of the Giant-horned Deer Family, can they do it?"
The king's figure moved slightly, revealing the sunlight behind him, which happened to shine on Thordo.
It seems that the military advisor at this moment is upright and impressive.
Duke Cullen was silent for a while.
After a while, the Prime Minister picked up the teacup at hand and took a sip:
"When it comes to fighting, Soduo, I'm not as good as you."
"But armed self-defense is the natural right of the lords, and it is also their traditional obligation to assist the lord in fighting. It is the norm that everyone has been exposed to since birth."
"The levies under the thousands of lords from the center to the Blade Territory account for 90% of the kingdom's total military strength. And the command and commander-in-chief responsibilities of their children are also related to the promotion and promotion of countless people's titles and local legal systems."
Cullen looked at Thordo seriously:
"The territory's population, fiscal and taxation output, and local governance are all included."
"It cannot be ignored."
However, he didn't get the response he wanted.
"Ninety percent of the kingdom's total military strength?"
Soduo hummed softly:
"The few hundred people you and the loyal lords worked hard to gather together at the national meeting six years ago?"
Facing Soduo's cold gaze, Prime Minister Cullen paused slightly with his hand holding the teacup.
"Sodor, we are at the imperial meeting," Gilbert spoke promptly, with a warning, calming down the bad atmosphere:
"Be careful."
Facing the Foreign Minister, Soduo restrained his fighting spirit and said slowly:
"Sorry, Count Castle."
The military advisor turned to the others with a firm expression:
"Your Majesty, gentlemen!"
"His Royal Highness Thales has returned to the country, the "Fortress Peace Treaty" exists in name only, and there is no longer any room for political buffer between us and Exeter!"
Thales frowned.
Gilbert gave him a comforting look in time, indicating that there was no need to be nervous.
"The embarrassing situation in the Hall of Stars six years ago when the princes discussed the number of troops to send is still vivid in my mind."
Thordo did not look at the Prime Minister, but he could not help but glance at Duke Cullen as others glanced at him.
The latter just shook the teacup gently, seemingly unaware.
"That's why I took the trouble to move detailed battle reports to the Ballard Room."
The military adviser looked sad:
"The Kingdom of Stars cannot withstand the next bloody year."
Suddenly, it seemed as if someone suddenly turned off the sound in the Ballard Room.
Not even the sound of breathing was heard.
The tabletop, palms, documents, teacups - all the officials seemed to have found something more interesting, but no one dared to look at the throne at the end of the long table.
Thales took a deep breath and caught a glimpse of:
King Kessel remained as calm and calm as ever, as if he was just a bystander to the meeting in front of him.
I was just a bystander to the disaster more than ten years ago.
"That's enough, stop being alarmist!"
A few seconds later, the financial controller, Juke Man, who had already expressed his opinion, finally couldn't help but speak out:
"Count Castle has just made it very clear: Exeter is in constant internal strife and is declining!"
Soduo's face turned cold, and he quickly responded and counterattacked:
"So the balance is no longer there, and the situation is turbulent!"
"We need a strong army more than ever!"
Qiu Ke showed disdain and was about to retort, but his expression changed before the words came out.
"Ah, Sodol, I understand."
The Financial Controller said playfully:
"You are so keen on this, could it be because you are about to retire..."
"So you want to help your own people in the end, so that your big-footed soldiers in the standing army, including the little vampires in the Military Affairs Department, can move their butts again, make an exception, be promoted to a knighthood, and occupy high positions?"
Juke Man narrowed his eyes and said:
"Like you are now?"
Soduo's expression changed.
"In the eyes of a businessman who means everything is profitable," he groaned and turned his head, very angry, but not as grand and generous as before:
"Even the sunshine smells like copper."
Juke Man sneered:
"Copper smell?"
"After talking so much nonsense," the Financial Controller slapped the table, gritted his teeth and pointed directly at Thordo, with no less momentum:
"Don't you just want to get money from the treasury?"
"The sunset is above. Ever since Williams caused the mess in Xihuang, I still hope that your Military Affairs Department can calm down!"
Sodo took a deep breath, as if he was about to have an attack, but in the end he held it back under Gilbert's eyes.
Thales watched the quarrel between the two and the attitudes of several people towards each other, and slowly realized the rhythm of the Royal Council's proceedings.
"It was what happened in Xihuang that strengthened my determination."
The military adviser's voice trembled slightly, obviously holding back his anger with great perseverance:
"Needless to say, most of the conscripted militiamen who serve in voluntary service are faced with the embarrassment of lax discipline, inefficient organization, and embarrassing status on the battlefield."
"Although the standing professional soldiers are small in number and good at fighting, if they only obey the orders of an unruly individual lord, it is very easy to create hidden dangers of internal command when cooperating in operations, and the harm will be even worse than recruiting soldiers."
"Similar to the chaos in the Blade Tooth Camp and Exeter's defeat."
Soduo said seriously:
"We thought that by running the two recruitment systems in parallel, we would get the benefits of both, but in fact we suffered the disadvantages of both!"
"Whether it's for war or politics, whether it's a standing army or a conscripted army, reform is urgent."
His words were well-founded and lacked the previous anger and criticism. Even Qiu Ke, who disliked Soduo, was unable to refute him for the moment.
But surprisingly, it was Gilbert who spoke this time.
"There is no need to expand the royal standing army around Yongxing City," the Foreign Minister said earnestly:
"But Lord Soduo, in the eyes of more people, interfering with the independent rights of local vassals, especially restricting armed recruitment, will be understood as the persecution of freedom by royal power."
Perhaps because he didn't expect that his old friend would never support him, Soduo snorted angrily this time and didn't give Gilbert any face:
"Don't they understand if we just give in silently?"
Gilbert's expression darkened.
"Look at last night," the military adviser said coldly:
"An accident at a royal banquet."
"Whoever dares to reach out to the heir to the kingdom, we must respond!"
Thales remained expressionless, pretending not to see everyone's looks.
But in his mind, the words of Duke Xihuang became louder and louder:
[But haven’t you noticed? Compared to six years ago...both my father and the current princes, the actions of both sides are too violent...]
[The irony is, do they really think that through such a so-called victory, they can erase the ambition and hostility of their opponents? 】
Sodol's words echoed in reality, and they were in perfect harmony with Falkenholz's words:
"Even for the sake of our descendants, sooner or later we have to disband those so-called local levies who appear to be large and impressive, but are actually dead bodies and can even kill people at critical moments!"
Thales closed his eyes gently.
[No, they will only push each other to get worse and worse, until the final step...either now or in the future.]
Soduo looked around the audience and gritted his teeth and said:
"Those antiques that are destined to be eliminated."
On the other side, Qiu Ke finally got tired of arguing with him and looked impatient:
"Then go tell them!"
The Financial Controller slapped the table with no grace, causing Gilbert and others to frown:
"Lord Cullen is sitting here. Tell him face to face. Tell the seven servants of the Bright Star, the six wealthy families, the thirteen noble families, and countless lords. Tell them that the kingdom will abolish their conscription system and lift their conscription power.
!”
"My nephews and nephews no longer need to take martial arts classes or train knights according to tradition. We all focus on farming and no longer have to serve as soldiers. All the money and taxes originally used for military recruitment will be handed over to the Department of Finance and Taxation to support our royal family."
standing army?"
Soduo seems to have long been accustomed to the quarrels with Qiu Ke in imperial meetings:
"I don't think you understand basic cause and effect, money bag."
The military adviser replied coldly:
"It's not because they pay enough taxes that we can afford a standing army."
"And it is precisely because we have raised a standing army that they will pay enough taxes!"
As soon as this statement came out, maybe it exposed something, and many people looked strange.
This is especially true for Duke Cullen, who was used as an example by Qiu Ke.
"Hahaha!"
The Financial Controller laughed three times sarcastically and said in a gloomy tone:
"You know, thanks to you, soldier, when people outside are filled with indignation, 'Oh, the traitors of the royal party are deceiving the king in the dark room again and persecuting loyal people,' I will think: maybe we are not so innocent after all.
.”
"Then maybe you, who are innocent, and the accountants under you should join the 'loyal' camp." The military chief retorted.
Thales scratched his head:
He suddenly discovered that the small and powerful Xingchen Imperial Council was not necessarily clearer and simpler than the large-scale State Council or the rough and bold political hearings in Longxiao City.
"Be careful, Thordor."
Prime Minister Cullen sighed, and before Qiu Ke could find a new word to fight back, he reluctantly interrupted the quarrel between the two:
"Something to say..."
"There is a price."
Sodo turned his murderous eyes away from Qiu Ke and responded to Cullen:
"Then are you saying this as the Prime Minister or as the Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea Territory?"
After the words fell, Prime Minister Cullen looked ugly.
"Thordor!"
Gilbert interrupted his aggressive old friend sternly:
"enough!"
The Foreign Secretary obviously has great authority in the imperial court, and his words promptly prevented the quarrel among his colleagues from turning into a public quarrel.
The conference room was quiet for a while.
After a few seconds, Cullen let out a sigh of relief.
"I never thought I would say this here, but please understand, Mr. Advisor..."
The potbellied Lord of Huigang City leaned on the table with a sincere expression:
"At the imperial meeting, I am the prime minister and the guardian duke of the kingdom..."
"At this moment, the significance of this to the Kingdom of Stars is far more important than me being one of them."
These words made the ministers present, including Soduo, all startled.
Even Thales couldn't help but raise his head and look at the Duke, who was usually very experienced.
"Although you come from a humble background, you are now in an important position, Lord Thordor Red," the Kingdom's Prime Minister, Bob Cullen, looked directly at Thordor:
"I should understand this better than anyone else."
Soduo was silent for a long time.
A few seconds later, he unexpectedly bowed to Duke Cullen:
"My fault, Prime Minister."
"I understand your difficulty."
This actually made Thales feel a lot better about him.
Finally, a serious voice sounded in the Ballard room.
"What Bob said makes sense."
Everyone looked solemnly and looked towards the end of the long table.
King Kessel raised his head and revealed his profile in the light, which looked quite fierce:
"It is not wise to rashly interfere with the armed rights of vassals."
"Rumba is a lesson learned from the past."
As soon as these words came out, it seemed to set the tone for the quarrel just now.
Prime Minister Cullen exhaled with relief:
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As if there was a tacit understanding, the subjects were relieved.
"All right."
"Since you said so," Soduo looked hesitant and looked reluctant, but he still said softly:
"I withdraw my proposal to reduce the national draft."
Prime Minister Cullen curled his lips and turned back into the Duke of East China Sea who smiled blindly:
"Thank you for your understanding."
The Financial Controller also leaned back in his chair, looking as if he was in dire straits:
"Thank God."
Gilbert pursed his lips and smiled at his colleagues.
At that moment, Thales looked at the king at the end of the long table and suddenly realized:
The Imperial Council is still different.
At least, at the national meeting, King Kessel could not defeat the six powerful families and the thirteen famous families with just one word.
During the days of listening to the government, the Grand Duchess must be cautious even when facing her own vassals.
Only here, in the Ballard Room, no matter how noisy the ministers...
The iron-fisted king always sits at the end of the long table.
"But Your Majesty," Thordo's words interrupted Thales' thoughts:
"You can pilot it in Yongxing City first, lead by example, and reduce the number of Bright Star private soldiers who serve on a regular basis. You can still do it, right?"
Everyone was stunned.
However, Kessel thought seriously for a few seconds and said slowly:
"If other areas are not involved..."
"Maybe there won't be much opposition."
The military adviser’s eyes lit up:
"very good."
"And we can select the best among the disbanded Bright Star private soldiers to expand the royal standing army..."
The king pondered for a while.
A few seconds later, King Kessel spoke again, with an unquestionable tone:
"Okay, Thordo, Juke, and Clapham, you can agree on the details."
"Start with the Bright Star private army, reduce the period of conscription, and carefully replenish the royal standing army."
"Look at the effect."
Except for Qiu Ke's complexion, others here hesitated for a moment, but did not interrupt in the end.
The military adviser looked happy:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The next second, Qiu Keman hurriedly spoke out!
"Wait-just wait a moment!"
The Financial Controller, who had a look of relief on his face, jumped forward from the back of his chair and pointed at Thordo in disbelief:
"Expansion - why did it come back again?"
The military adviser's eyebrows moved slightly but he said nothing.
The treasurer looked at the king and then at Thordo, his expression changing.
"I understand, soldier, you did it on purpose!"
He was shocked:
"Any reduction in the strength of the princes' troops is just a pretense - you made up your mind from the beginning, asking for high prices, and paying back the money when you get there!"
Qiu Ke pointed at Soduo in disbelief, his fingers trembling:
"It's basically just to make money and expand the army!"
Soduo got his wish and looked calm:
"I have already given in, His Majesty has approved it, and no one else has any objections,"
Qiu Ke looked around and was surprised to find that Cullen's expression was silent and Gilbert remained silent - no one objected like before:
"You have figured out that I am easy to bully, right?"
Soduo snorted softly:
"After the expansion is completed, the Military Affairs Department will give you a new list of personnel salaries and material procurement."
"Money bag."
This time it was Jukeman's turn to fry the pot.
"What a stupid 'soldier'!"
The Financial Controller put on a fierce expression like a dog protecting his food, and spoke every word:
"I'll tell you again with great mercy - just like I said it countless times on countless occasions last year - the cost of maintaining the royal family's standing army has been seriously exceeded!"
"I strongly recommend that you take a good look at last year's financial statements. If your brain is short, at least take a look at last quarter!"
"If you still insist on expanding the standing army after that, then I suggest you find your own financial resources - by the way, it is popular to do business with rich ladies in Hongfang Street, and those strong soldiers with six-pack abs under your command
They are all hot commodities!”
Solon frowned slightly:
"How did you know?"
Mr. Juke Man's face turned red and he coughed:
"Managing finance, coordinating taxation, formulating economic policies, naturally you have to be proficient in that, that... all walks of life."
In the embarrassment, a trembling voice sounded:
"Can I interject?"
Everyone turned their eyes and saw Lord Clapham, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, smiling carefully:
"My lords, last year I read Lord Sodo's request for military expansion. Although our food supplies are increasing, but..."
"Across the country, the farmland, pasture land, minerals, forests, and towns that have been cultivated in the past ten years are far behind the pace of military expansion and ennoblement..."
He smiled flatteringly and tentatively said:
"Everyone, do you know what this means?"
Juke Man seemed to be encouraged. He shook his shoulders and raised his arms:
"Look! Soldier!"
But the person who replied immediately was not Sodor.
"This means that we can't just reduce expenditures, but also need to increase revenue."
Qiu Ke turned his head and saw clearly the speaker:
"Viscount Connie?"
Viscount Coney, the well-educated Minister of Commerce and Trade, gave him a slight salute:
"Exter's internal strife and decline will inevitably lead to turmoil in the surrounding areas. However, their territory is vast. Nearly one-third of the trade routes in the entire Western Continent will be blocked. Merchants and money will have to find another way out, and even affect the Eastern and Western Continents.
of transoceanic trade.”
The newly promoted imperial minister observed the expressions around him and tried to seize the hard-won opportunity to speak:
"If we can seize the opportunity and take advantage of the Yankees being too busy to take care of themselves, we can deploy our troops to actively attack, such as seizing the three major trade routes in the desert, retaking the Lost Sea Corridor, and even further affecting the countries in the Dragon's Kiss and the Corridor Sea Channel...
Strive for more benefits from outside?"
Gilbert frowned, and Prime Minister Cullen bared his teeth.
Even the king's eyes moved.
"Did I hear you right, pointy-faced Connie," Juke Man said in disbelief: "Sodo can just ask for money to expand his army..."
"You still want to go abroad and fight?"
Viscount Connie showed a friendly smile, but it was a pity that the effect was not effective on his pointed face:
"Manager Qiu Ke, what we are talking about is the absolute control of key trade routes, strategic points, resource-rich areas and huge transoceanic trade. That is a 'big' sum of money - if it succeeds, I guarantee you will never have to worry about it again."
financial resources."
But the Financial Controller only heard one key word, and his face was full of doubts:
"if?"
Viscount Connie’s smile continued:
"To do this, maybe, and I mean maybe, the number and armaments of the standing army can indeed be temporarily increased..."
Qiu Ke gritted his teeth:
"Maybe?"
Connie coughed:
"Yes, but there is no doubt that the kingdom is gradually recovering and returning to prosperous commercial trade requires trade routes, markets, gold and silver, exchanges, and more opportunities, which in turn provide considerable tax revenue for the country. This
It will be a continuous virtuous cycle..."
Qiu Ke's face was distorted, and his expression became worse and worse:
"continued?"
Viscount Conney shrugged:
"Anyway, Advisor Soduo and Manager Qiu Ke, would you like to think about it next time you go on an expedition?"
Juke Man understood what the other party meant, and his eyes kept going back and forth between the Minister of Commerce and Trade and the military adviser.
Soduo pondered for a moment:
"It's not impossible. Then we should find time to look at the map and look for possible targets. The royal standing army needs to train..."
At this moment.
"Go and go yourselves!"
The ministers were startled and turned their heads.
I saw Qiu Ke standing up at some point, trembling his lips and furious:
"You guys are a bunch of losers, you lose money!"
The stingy steward showed no scruple in his stinginess:
"You can't even get a penny out of me anyway!"
"One! One! One! One!"
In front of everyone's surprised eyes, Master Qianbao spat angrily:
"It's easy for you. Why don't you go to Wang's Bank yourself and invite all the rich men to Hongfang Street in a flattering and humble manner, and give them all the good wine and food they want? Then you talk down to them like prostitutes, toast them and make fun of them, and you are shameless and soft.
Just to give them some more grace to repay the debt, and then lend us more money to make up for the financial deficit?"
Gilbert coughed slightly, trying to remind Qiu Ke to pay attention to his words.
But Qiu Ke didn't seem to pay attention at all and continued to grin:
"Then go back to the official office and wait for vampires like you and Ding Bing to chase after you like naughty kids who don't have enough milk. They will burst into tears and cry, asking for money, so that you can finally become beautiful.
financial statements once again turned into a dark bottomless pit?”
Qiu Ke kept chattering, and the more he talked, the angrier he became, which sounded like a broken jar:
"Treasurer of the kingdom? Bah!"
Perhaps because he was talking about sadness, Qiu Ke slapped the table:
"I'm just a fucking shy-faced male whore! I lie on the bed and force myself to smile while being fucked by the customer. Before I can warm up the money in my butt, I have to get up and give it to the madam with both hands! The money for lubricant
You have to do it yourself!”
Juke Man closed his eyes, wildly waved his fists in front of his chest, and said word by word:
"It happens every damn year!"
"every year!"
"every year!"
Thales was shocked and inexplicable.
Even the king looked strange.
A few seconds later, Gilbert coughed heavily:
"Qiu Ke, occasion!"
The financial controller took a few breaths, then came back to his senses, and was suddenly shocked.
"Ahem, that," he bowed to the king, feeling embarrassed:
"I, I just used an analogy, rhetoric, rhetoric..."
The Imperial Council was silent for a moment.
"I know this is difficult, Qiu Ke," finally, the king rarely comforted him with words:
"That's why I need you in this seat, more than anyone else."
King Kessel stared at Qiu Ke from a distance:
"This is a job that even a noble man cannot do."
The Financial Controller trembled slightly, and his expression suddenly became inexplicably moved.
"Of course, Your Majesty, of course."
After receiving the king's encouragement and recognition, Juke Man looked grateful:
"It is my honor to serve you..."
"Here we go again," military advisor Soduo said angrily:
"How many budget bills have been rejected by him like this..."
But Qiu Ke just looked at the king loyally, as if he didn't know anything.
King Kessel raised his hand and rubbed his forehead:
"That's enough, let's rest."
"The meeting will be held in the afternoon to discuss how to help Qiu Ke solve the budget problem."
As soon as these words came out, it was as if the bell rang for the end of get out of class, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Soduo and Qiu Ke, who were at the center of the topic, glanced at each other and turned their heads in disdain.
Cullen, Clapham, Stylianides, the scar-faced man from the secret department... everyone bowed respectfully, stood up and left their seats.
Thales also let out a sigh of relief, stood up with Gilbert, and helped him pack up his notes.
until--
"You stay."
Thales' movements froze.
The king didn't even open his eyes.
But everyone knew who he was talking about.
The prince sighed in his heart and sat down again.
All right.
What is supposed to come will still come.
The ministers looked at him one after another with different expressions.
"Relax," Gilbert patted his shoulder and said softly:
"Just answer truthfully."
Soduo specially passed by Thales and saluted the Duke of Star Lake:
"I hope I didn't scare you, Your Highness."
"It's a pity. If the war in the Western Wilderness can continue," the military adviser sighed: "It will further prove that the private soldiers of the lords are useless and have deep hidden dangers."
"The proposal to gradually reform the conscripted army into a standing army is more convincing."
He glanced at Thales regretfully:
"Your Highness, it would be better if you stayed in the desert longer..."
A little longer.
Thales froze for several seconds.
Why does this sound so weird?
A few minutes later, as the stone gate closed, only he and the king were left in the royal council.
The narrow Ballard Room was much emptier.
However, the atmosphere became tense.
Thales sat in his original position, trying hard to suppress the anxiety in his heart, and watched King Kessel rubbing his forehead.
suddenly.
"Do you love her?"
Thales was confused for a moment:
"What? Love what?"
But the king had no intention of asking him.
"Whenever I mention that girl."
King Kessel put down his hand and revealed a pair of cold eyes from the darkness:
"You are like an old hen guarding her young."
Thales was shocked inside and tried his best to keep his expression as normal.
After experiencing last night's accident, he imagined the reasons why King Kessel came to him: assassination, duel, bet, making his own decisions...
But this...
"I have a good relationship with her."
Thales frowned and said:
"but not."
Duke Xinghu sneered and shook his head:
"She is the Grand Duke of Longxiao City."
"I don't love her."
"It's impossible to love her either."
After saying this, King Kessel looked at him for a long time.
Seeing this made Thales feel cold in his heart.
"Then why, at last night's banquet."
The king spoke softly, each word with great force:
"Gilbert, East Sea Territory, Cliff Territory, Elk City, Rebuilding Tower, cry for help and beg for mercy from everyone you can find..."
"Just to help her?"
What?
At that moment, Thales' heart skipped a beat.
How did he...
No.
Thales frowned hard and tried to defend:
"I don't understand, I saw a lot of people last night, but..."
But the king used an affirmative sentence and did not allow him to argue.
"You were terrible last night."
The Iron Fist King leaned back and completely sank into the darkness of the Ballard Room. There was a touch of contempt in his tone:
"Lord Star."
Polaris.
For some reason, the name this Northlander gave to Thales actually made his heart feel cold at this moment.
"So, the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Stars fell in love with a Northland girl from the Walton family."
At that moment, his father, his supreme king, spoke coldly: