Chapter 29 The overall situation of the royal capital
Under Reggie's repeated questioning, the Grand Bachelor finally told the truth.
Alice is his daughter.
"Your daughter?" Reggie said in surprise, "But as far as I know, you don't have a wife yet."
Reggie soon realized that this question was somewhat naive. There may be no inevitable connection between having children and having a wife.
"Everyone makes mistakes when they are young, my lord," Batchelor smiled slightly awkwardly, "I think you can understand my difficulty."
"When she was young..." Reggie looked at Barcello with disdain and asked, "How old is Alice?"
"I just turned sixteen this year," Batchelor said with a smile. "She is really a girl like a flower, right?"
Batchelor really wanted to improve Reggie's impression of Alice. Simply speaking of status, Alice still had the possibility of catching up with Reggie.
But that's not what Reggie cares about.
"You said you just turned seventy-nine this year," Reggie said. "Even if this is true, you were still sixty-two years old back then. Are you sure you were still very young at that time?"
Batchelor told the truth, and Reggie gave him due tolerance. Alice's topic ended here, but Batchelor talked about another important thing.
"Lord, in your financial list, I don't seem to see any offerings to the royal capital."
"Are you kidding me, Grand Master? Xuexicheng has just experienced a war. Isn't the capital exempt from this year's offerings?"
Batchelor frowned and said: "I'm sorry, Lord, in my memory, since King Ryan IX came to power, the royal capital has never exempted any place from worship. There was a serious famine in White Eagle City last year.
, appeared in the city
It was a tragedy of cannibalism, but the royal capital still had to collect offerings. The civilians of White Eagle City rioted, and the royal capital executed more than 400 civilians. The lord of White Eagle City accepted the interrogation of the royal capital and was almost charged with treason.
Sent to the gallows in the name of."
Reggie also has some impressions of this matter. The lords of White Eagle City have not been completely cleared of their crimes. The royal capital has issued documents many times to inform the lords of various places to draw a clear line with White Eagle City, and has repeatedly emphasized that a small number of people have ignored the
The overall approach will leave a stain on White Eagle City that can never be erased.
The Grand Master's reminder was very timely. Reggie focused all his attention on the enemies of Bayer Kingdom, but forgot that the capital was sometimes more ruthless than the enemies.
"Actually, I have no intention of defaulting on the debt," Reggie began to think up his own excuse, "I just thought... we have applied to the Royal Capital for assistance, and the Royal Capital will give us at least 5,000 gold coins. If we give the King back
One thousand, six hundred, isn’t it a bit too troublesome..."
Batchelor shook his head and said: "As far as I know, in the past fifty years, the king has not given any aid to any lord. Regardless of famine or disaster, the king has never given out a pound of grain or a coin.
gold."
"That's different," Reggie said. "Those places have not experienced wars and have not encountered foreign invasions. Shattering Snow City has a more important significance in the war. We are the gateway to the kingdom. We are fighting against the enemy. The king will not
Leave us alone."
Batchelor was not a person who liked to argue. He put a smile on his face again and said: "I believe that the Lord is right."
The two of them continued walking in the yard, the worries in their hearts making the atmosphere a little depressing.
"I remember we sent two letters to the capital, right?"
"Three letters, my lord," Bachelo remembered very clearly, and he remembered everything very clearly. "From the last time the royal capital responded to the letter to now, I have sent three couriers. In total, the first two
The messenger should be back."
"The first two messengers..." Reggie recalled that the first messenger was sent out on the day he was reborn. "I remember that the battle between the two armies was very fierce. The enemy's camp was at the foot of the mountain. Will your messenger
meeting……"
"Absolutely not, my lord," Bachelo said. "My messengers are not ordinary people. They are absolutely loyal and have extraordinary skills. Even if the enemy is right in front of them, they are sure to escape unscathed."
Reggie shivered, and the night wind seemed to get colder.
"The Royal Capital will always give us some help, right?" Reggie looked at Batchelor, hoping to get a positive answer.
But Batchelor didn't make any response. He looked at the cows in the cowshed with a smile, as if he didn't hear Reggie's words.
It seems that there is something wrong with his ears again.
Reggie wrapped his coat tightly, the night wind was really cold.
"Tell Calaf to have a good sleep. There will be a lot of things waiting for him to do tomorrow."
…
At dawn, the golden bell of Norburg rang.
Norburg is the inner city of the Golden Lion City, which is the royal capital of the Lion Kingdom.
Today is a special day. Several of the most important officials in the royal capital came to the king's meeting hall. They will hold the eighth emergency meeting on the northern border issue.
Foreign Minister Fulf was the first to speak: "We have sent three letters of representation to the Bayer State and have not yet received a reply from the Bayer State. After careful and careful analysis, we suspect that the Bayer State has not paid enough attention to the border issue.
I hope that starting from today, we can change the mailbox from gold to red to express our position and attitude."
"Change it to red?" Conrad, the chief academician of the kingdom, seemed to have a different view. He squeezed his dim eyes, raised his trembling arms, and said intermittently, "The red mailbox means a warning. I think it is better to use this kind of mailbox."
I’m afraid my attitude toward friendly countries is not very appropriate.”
Prime Minister Spindu agreed with the bachelor's statement: "I'm afraid it's not a good idea to negotiate blindly. We hope to resolve misunderstandings, not to intensify conflicts. We must find the root of the problem. Minister of Finance, after the last meeting, the king
I ask you to sort out the financial transactions with Bayer Country, and I think you should have already come to a conclusion."
The fat Minister of Finance Fred stood up and said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we purchased a large amount of wood from the Bayer Country as agreed. The quantity was twice that of last year, and the price was twice that of last year. In March of this year, the Bayer Country
They once gave us livestock worth 3,000 gold coins. In May and June, we gave food worth 8,000 gold coins as a return gift. In August, we gave another 20,000 gold coins to the Bayer Kingdom.
In our dealings, we have always maintained our inherent friendliness and generosity."
The Prime Minister couldn't help but shake his head. He was not satisfied with the Chancellor's explanation.
"We can't just look at the surface of things. Behind the border issue, there may be deeper cracks hidden. We need to find out where the cracks are and make repairs and make up for them as much as possible."
The Chancellor of Finance remained silent. The Prime Minister was very dissatisfied with him, but according to the tradition of the Lion Country, the Prime Minister would not tell him what to do or how to do it. He needed to take time to slowly figure out the Prime Minister's thoughts.
General Andrew stood up and said: "Your Majesty Prime Minister, Suixue City may be lost. Do we need to put some precautions in Zhilin City and Jinguang City?"
The Prime Minister frowned and said, "What do you mean by alert?"
"What I mean is to send some additional troops appropriately." The general was a little nervous. He knew that his words made the prime minister very disgusted, but if the northern border was completely lost, the army of Bayer Kingdom would probably go straight to the royal capital.
"Listen, listen," the Grand Maester stood up tremblingly, "Are we going to send out the army? Has this turned into a war?"
The Prime Minister stared hard at the General, his sharp eyes making the sturdy man break out in cold sweat.
"How many times do I have to say this, Andrew? We want to mend the rift with our allies. Why do you always want to widen the rift further! It is because of reckless men like you that we have an inappropriate relationship with our allies.
There is some misunderstanding!”
Andrew's face turned red, and he sat back in his seat, not daring to say another word.
The Prime Minister continued: "According to my speculation, Prince Sean's purpose of sending troops this time is more to intimidate, just like a childhood playmate who loses his temper and shakes his fist at us. If he really wants to fight, it will be broken."
Snow City has long been reduced to ruins. We cannot misunderstand the intentions of our allies and cannot make the situation worse."
Everyone fell into silence. The Prime Minister seemed dissatisfied with everyone. He looked at the young Home Secretary Edmund and asked: "Young Home Secretary, do you have any good suggestions?"
Edmund is the eldest son of the former Minister of the Interior, Marquis Osvid White. After Osvid's death, the 26-year-old Edmund inherited his title and position and became the youngest minister in the City of Golden Lions.
.
Being young is a good thing. At the age of twenty-six and in a high position, Edmund has capital that other men would envy.
In the Kingdom of Lane, elders often say to young people: "Come on, the future of the kingdom belongs to you."
Don't take this sentence seriously. People who say this usually have a knife hidden behind their backs.
They want to take advantage of the blood and courage of young people to achieve their ulterior motives.
Edmund is the one who believes this sentence to be true. He knows the situation of Broken Snow City, and he wants to get some support for Broken Snow City.
"Sir, I think we should give Shattering Snow City some help," Edmund opened the file he had prepared in advance. He had been preparing these words for a long time, but if the Prime Minister hadn't asked, he really wouldn't have spoken.
Courage, "Shattering Snow City does not have enough soldiers or weapons. I think they..."
"I don't think they need soldiers or weapons!" The Prime Minister immediately interrupted Edmund. He knew that this young man had some different ideas, but he didn't expect that his first sentence would be so offensive, "I
I have said many times that this is a misunderstanding, not a war!"
Edmund shuddered. He knew that he had said the wrong thing, but he still planned to persist.
"I know this isn't, it's not a war, but, at least we have to give Suixue City some food."
The Prime Minister sneered: "Young man, although you have not been in politics for a long time, I believe you should have the most basic understanding of the kingdom. Broken Snow City is the most food-producing place in the kingdom. Why should we provide them with food?"
"But all the food in Broken Snow City was taken away by the army of Bayer Kingdom."
"Where did you get this information?" The Prime Minister was irritated, "Our friendly countries will not do that kind of thing!"
"But, it's clearly written in Broken Snow City's letter..."
"Do you believe that is true? Prince Sean came to Shattered Snow City in person, just to rob food?" The Prime Minister looked at Edmund angrily, "Reggie Victor lied! It must be because of his poor management.
It caused a reduction in food production, and now he wants to put all the blame on Prince Xiaon. After this incident passes, the lord of Broken Snow City must pay the price for his mistakes. Lying to the royal capital is tantamount to rebellion, and he must be punished.
The punishment of the law!"
The Prime Minister's words made Edmond feel dizzy. He felt as if he had done a disservice.
"For whatever reason, Broken Snow City may really have no food. We need to give them some help. If there is no food, how can they defend the territory of the kingdom?"
The Prime Minister said: "I have issued an order. The kingdom's land cannot be lost. If the Victor family does not have the ability to defend the territory, then he has no qualifications to continue to be a lord."
"But, but, this is not a problem that can be solved by orders," Edmund really didn't know what to say, "Human, only when people survive can they have the possibility of fighting!"
The Prime Minister looked at Edmund in surprise and said helplessly: "It seems that I can't convince you, young Minister of the Interior. It seems that you think the kingdom owes Broken Snow City something. It seems that your Majesty needs to tell you personally.
The kingdom’s strategy and overall situation.”
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up.
Because the King of Lane Kingdom, Ronel Dellane is about to speak.
The king is seventy-one years old this year. He has been in power for forty years. He always has a friendly and kind smile on his face. Many people have said that the king's smile is like the spring breeze and rain, which can resolve all the pain in the world.
and sorrow.
"Minister of the Interior, I am touched by your kindness and sincerity. I believe that the residents of Broken Snow City will definitely feel your care and compassion for them."
Edmund responded excitedly: "Thank you for the honor, Your Majesty."
"Minister of Finance, I am gratified by your hard work over the past few days. I believe that through your unremitting efforts, the root cause of the problem will be found."
The fat Minister of Finance wiped his sweat and said: "This is my duty, Your Majesty."
"General, I am inspired by your bravery, but war is not the way to solve the problem, especially for our friends, we cannot easily raise our spears."
The general lowered his head and said with a blushing face: "I am very ashamed, my Majesty."
"Minister of Foreign Affairs, negotiations with friendly countries will continue. I hope you can continue to maintain a prudent attitude and win the understanding and trust of friendly countries as soon as possible."
"As you command, my lord."
The king stood up, raised his hands, and said to everyone: "The friendship of many years is hard-won and requires our two countries to spare no effort to manage and protect it. The dark clouds will eventually dissipate, and the sunshine will always shine on the great Kingdom of Lane."
Everyone said in unison: "Thank you for the honor, Your Majesty!"
At the king's signal, everyone took their seats, and the meeting came to an end.
"It's been forty years. I've been serving the Kingdom of Lane for forty years. I'm really tired." The king sighed deeply, his face showing deep fatigue.
"You must cherish your body more," the Prime Minister looked at the king with tears in his eyes, "Only you can guard the glory of the kingdom."
The king smiled slightly, patted the Prime Minister on the shoulder and said: "The rest is left to you, Grand Bachelor. The day of the celebration is coming soon."
The bachelor stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have roughly formulated a plan and I just want to tell you about it."
"Let's talk in my garden," the king affectionately took the grandmaester's arm, "We are no longer young, and the future of the kingdom will eventually belong to this group of more energetic young people."
The king left, and there was only one agenda left in the meeting, with the prime minister reading out the resolution.
The resolution had been drafted long ago and had little to do with the proceedings of the meeting.
First, on the basis of not hurting the feelings of friendly countries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will continue to make representations to the Bayer State.
Second, the Chancellor of Finance will continue to search for financial transactions in previous years and provide financial assistance and compensation to Bayer Country as much as possible within a reasonable range.
After the resolution was read out, the meeting ended.
A confused Edmund said to the Prime Minister: "Sir, what about Shattered Snow City?"
The Prime Minister said: "I think His Majesty has already given the answer. The residents of Broken Snow City have felt your care and compassion."
"But, how should I reply to the messenger from Broken Snow City? They have been waiting for several days."
The Prime Minister smiled and said: "Your Majesty did not say that he would make any reply to Suixue City. I think the messengers also suffered a lot during the long journey. Give them some fine wine and food and let them wait for a few more days."
…
In the house of the Secretary of the Interior, there is a small wooden house near the stables, where messenger Lance and messenger Bill live.
Bill was telling Lance about his escape from the enemy camp.
"You know, the enemy army was only forty feet away from me at that time. They had horses and bows and arrows. They asked me to stop and searched me. I had a letter from the Grand Master on me. Of course I couldn't let them
See, guess how I escaped?"
Lance shook his head and blocked his ears, indicating that he didn't want to hear Bill talk anymore.
Bill didn't mind. He pulled away Lance's hand covering his ears and continued: "I took off my clothes and let them search them. I said I was just a civilian who escaped from Broken Snow City. They
I searched all my clothes and found nothing in the end. Guess where I hid the letter?"
"That's enough!" Lance yelled, "You've said it dozens of times!"
Bill said with tears in his eyes: "Don't you want to hear it again?"
"I don't want to! I don't want to say a word!" Lance yelled hysterically, "What's the use of saying this! You have stayed here for three days! One day longer than me! The Grand Maester will not forgive us! We may
You will be punished by castration!"
"It's not our fault." Bill cried loudly.
"So what! Will the Grand Maester listen to our explanation?"
They had followed the Grand Bachelor for many years and were well aware of the Grand Bachelor's ruthless tactics. The two of them held their heads and cried desperately in the cabin. Bill stood up suddenly and shouted: "I've had enough, I can't stay here."
, I want to go back!”
"How can we go back empty-handed? How can we explain this to the Grand Maester?"
"I don't care! I want to go back and see my wife and children!"
Bill rushed out the door. This was his fourth attempt to escape today. Lance didn't even bother to stop him. He would be back soon anyway.
As soon as Bill opened the door, he saw another familiar face.
"Simon, is that you? Are you here to deliver the letter too?"
Messenger Simon nodded and said: "Guys, it turns out you are all enjoying yourself here. The Grand Master has been waiting for news from you."
When he heard about the Grand Maester, Bill's face turned pale. Lance was quite tolerant and sneered: "What news did you bring? If you are also asking for food and reinforcements, just wait here with us."
Bar."
"That's not all!" Simon laughed, "We won the battle, we defeated the enemy and captured their prince. I have handed the letter to the Minister of the Interior. Guys, wait for the celebration dinner!