Nipoli did not recommend Reggie to develop business in Broken Snow City, which made Reggie very puzzled.
Broken Snow City is the foundation of Reggie. It has given Reggie everything. Reggie dreams of making Broken Snow City the most prosperous city on the continent, but a city without business seems to be insulated from prosperity, at least in this way.
It is impossible for a city to become very wealthy.
But Nipoli gave his explanation. There were three reasons why he did not want Broken Snow City to develop business.
First, there are too many secrets in Broken Snow City.
"Sir, your urine wax comes from Sui Xuecheng, the black powder comes from Sui Xuecheng, and the purple elixir comes from Sui Xuecheng. Although you once told me that you found the crystals of Dragon Palace, I am sure that those crystals definitely did not come from Sui Xuecheng.
Dragon Palace, you have the secret method of making crystals. If I guessed correctly, your crystals also come from Shattered Snow City." Nipoli made a list of all the technological products owned by Reggie, all of which were produced
In Broken Snow City.
Nipoli continued: "Snowflake City is the source of your wealth and weapons, and these two things are the basis for your hegemony. Do you want Broken Snow City to be filled with merchants from all over the world? Do you want them to steal it?"
The secret of Shattered Snow City?"
What Nipoli said made sense, but this reason was not enough to convince Reggie.
"I can prevent merchants from coming to the city. I can let merchants do business outside the city. I can make the territory outside the city as prosperous as the city."
"But it will take time, my lord. It will take several years to turn the countryside outside the city into a prosperous city."
Reggie disagreed: "You underestimate me. I think one year is enough."
Nipoli shook his head and said: "Even if you can succeed, the current situation in Broken Snow City will not attract too many businessmen."
Reggie frowned and said, "Is the situation in Shattering Snow City very bad?"
Nipoli explained on the map that although there was a Cold Maple Fortress, to the north of Shattering Snow City was the Bayer Country. This country was notorious for looting and was disgusting to all merchants. Nipoli initially chose
When I collaborated with Reggie, I also hesitated for a long time because of Bayer Country.
This reason makes Reggie unable to argue. Her old lover is indeed greedy. Once Sophia starts the war again, Shattering Snow City will be forced to interrupt all trade.
The third reason is that it is a more suitable choice than Shattered Snow City.
Nipoli chose Zhilin City.
Zhilin City also has a port. As the Holy Land of Fengyue, it has a good reputation in the minds of merchants.
"Do business during the day, have fun at night, and then do business after you have had enough fun," Nipoli showed an evil smile, "We can make every businessman who comes to Zhilin City willingly take out every gold coin."
Reggie was completely conquered by Nipoli. This is what a business officer should look like.
"How did you come up with this?" Reggie sighed, "As far as I know, no one in your family has ever served as an official."
Nipoli said: "This is the dream of the Sloan family. Businessmen are the lowest nobles. Even if we have enviable wealth, we can only live by looking at the faces of officials. I once dreamed of owning my own
Kingdom, sir, I am willing to place my dreams on you."
Nipoli's understanding of business has gone beyond the scope of commerce. Judging from Reggie's judgment, some of his theories have already taken the form of economics. If this trend develops, by the time Nipoli's hair and beard are all white,
You can almost write the world's first economics masterpiece.
But Reggie didn't want to wait that long. He wanted to test Nipoli's theory now. Since Nipoli believed that Zhilin City would become the best commercial center, the first thing Reggie had to do was to restore Zhilin City first.
order.
Postwar reconstruction is a very difficult process, including not only material reconstruction, but also spiritual reconstruction. Wanting people who have suffered from fear and pain to accept a new ruler is by no means as simple as standing in the square and issuing a few declarations.
Reggie had read a lot of history books, and history recorded many ways to conquer people spiritually. Brutal rulers would solve problems through killing, and would even use extreme methods like massacre to carry out a shuffling reconstruction.
.
Of course, there are also some moderate monarchs who will solve problems through moderate means such as tax exemptions, distribution of grain, and provision of shelter. These means can be collectively called "benevolent government."
Regardless of killing or benevolent government, it may take several years or even longer for the residents of Zhilin City to accept Reji's rule from their hearts, because people's impression of Reji is too far from a real king.
People hate Charlemagne's tyranny, but they still firmly believe that they are citizens of the Kingdom of Lane. Following a stateless lord will neither be honorable nor happy, even though Reggie has won countless victories on the battlefield, and even though the civilians of Shattering Snow City are more
Ordinary nobles are even richer, but this is still difficult to change people's inherent thinking patterns.
Therefore, Reggie had to adopt a gentler and more effective method. He no longer changed the way of thinking of his people, but let the original owner of Zhilin City complete the spiritual reconstruction in the way that his people were most accustomed to.
This method cannot be used in every situation. First, you must ensure that the original lord is loyal enough to you.
Reggie is still very confident about this: "I know the depth of Edwina, I mean... spiritually."
Reggie thought that Edwina would cry with joy, and she would celebrate with Reggie in various ways, from day to night, and from night to dawn.
But Wenna acted very calmly, and what Reggie couldn't understand was that she didn't even want to return to Zhilin City.
"I like Suixue City very much. Let me stay by your side and do something for you," Wenna smiled. "If you don't need me anymore, I will go outside the city and continue to manage my grocery store."
Reggie stared at Wen Na for a long time. He suspected that Wen Na had used some kind of pun tone, or was deliberately saying something ironic.
"Are you doubting my sincerity?"
"I have never doubted you," Wen Na looked at Reggie tenderly, "I belong to you, my soul, my body, everything about me belongs to you. I will not have any doubts about you, let alone
I don’t dare to go against your wishes, but...please let me do whatever I want in this matter, just once, I really don’t want to go back to Zhilin City..."
"Why?" Reggie was completely confused, "Isn't it your wish to take back Zhilin City?"
"It was my wish before," Wen Na bit her lip and said, "But it's different now."
"What's the difference?"
Wen Na didn't want to explain more. She was trying her best to restrain her tears: "It's my fault, it's my willfulness. I'm going to get the whip. You beat me hard. Please, don't let me go back..."
…”
Wen Na bit her lip hard, but tears still fell down. Reggie asked with a puzzled look: "Tell me, what happened?"
"I, I, betrayed them," Wenna buried her head in Reggie's chest and sobbed, "I betrayed my people, I can no longer be their lord..."
I thought it was a big deal, but it turned out to be just guilt in my heart. Reggie gently stroked Wen Na's hair, and was about to give Wen Na some comfort when he heard the guard's untimely knock on the door.
"My lord, Financial Officer Finans wishes to see you."
Reggie frowned and said, "How did he find this place?"
"Finans said he had been waiting for you for too long and that he couldn't wait any longer."
"This bastard, Wen Na, go get the whip and let me beat him first!"
…
Reggie knew Finans' purpose. What happened last time frightened him and his spirit completely collapsed. He submitted his resignation to Reggie, but Reggie didn't agree.
"My financial officer, how many times have I told you that I will not approve your resignation, no matter how much you beg me, it will be useless!"
Finans cried bitterly and said: "Sir, I really can't stand this torture anymore. Please give me a relief. If I have the courage to die, I really can't wait to give myself a relief right away."
"You actually want to die?" Reggie smiled bitterly, "I admit that I have given you some mental torture, but it hasn't gone to such a cruel level, right?"
"It's not your fault, you deserved to hang me," Finans cried. "That torture didn't come from you, it came from here!"
He pointed at his chest and cried loudly: "The torture comes from my heart. I betrayed Suixue City. In order to survive, I and the former administrative officer did many shady things. I should pay for these crimes."
cost!"
Reggie smiled. He had waited for a whole year and finally got Finans' confession, although he didn't know whether the confession was sincere or false.
In order to survive, people are sometimes forced to sell their souls. Reggie asked Bachelo that Finans did not get much benefit from colluding with Sarn. Most of the time he was forced. Although this
It does not mean that he is not guilty, but Reggie has not yet come to this world at that time, and this world does not have the laws of broken snow he formulated, so Reggie wants to use this time gap to give Finans a way to survive.
Chance.
"I hope you will always remember what happened before. As long as you can maintain your loyalty and responsibility in the future, I promise that I will not pursue your past mistakes again." Reggie was almost moved by his tolerance, but Finans was not.
Forgiving himself so easily, he suddenly snatched the musket from the guard's hand, pointed at his neck and said: "Goodbye, Lord."
Looking at Finans' clumsy appearance, Reggie sighed and said, "Put down the gun first. Everyone makes mistakes. No matter how serious those mistakes are, I have promised not to pursue them again."
"I told you, this has nothing to do with you." Finans put his finger on the trigger.
"Why can't you forgive yourself?" Reggie looked at Finans helplessly.
"Why do you want to forgive me?" Finans also looked at Reggie in confusion.
"Everyone has the right to survive. During the most difficult time in Broken Snow City, many nobles left here and betrayed Broken Snow City. But if they choose to come back now, I can still forgive them."
"Will you return their land and mansions to them and let them continue to be nobles?"
"Uh...this, this, is impossible."
"Then why do you still retain my official position? Am I different from them?"
Damn it, Finans found the key to the problem. These nobles who betrayed Shattered Snow City can come back to live, but Reggie will deprive them of everything they have. This is the price they must pay.
But Reggie did not deprive Finans of his identity and status. As a person with a conscience, this made Finans feel tortured.
Edwina is also facing the same situation. She once escaped from Zhilin City. Regardless of the reason, this is considered a kind of betrayal.
Now asking Wen Na to return to Zhilin City as a lord is just like a noble who escaped and returned to continue to be a noble. It is really difficult for her people to accept.
Reggie understood Wenna's difficulties. Although in this era, most lords never considered the feelings of their people, Wenna, like Finans, was a person with a conscience. She had more conscience than Finans.
, and endured more torture.
While Reggie was in a daze, Finans was about to pull the trigger.
"Lord, we grew up together, but I feel like I have just met you. It would be great if I had known you earlier!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Reggie kicked Finans in the face and snatched away his musket.
Finans looked at Reggie in shock. Reggie, who had been on the battlefield for a year, was far more skilled than him.
But Reggie didn't look at Finans, he was still thinking about Wenna.
Reggie asked Finans to stay in the room and reflect. If he dared to think of committing suicide again, Reggie would strip him of his clothes and take him to the streets.
After careful consideration, Reggie entered Wen Na's room and said with a smile: "I will go to Zhilin City with you."