The team that greeted Maximian was not too big, but it was not without pomp. Forty or fifty people stood in a row on the pier, most of them were officials from various departments of Oerengrad, then the knights, and finally the
Officials and attendants of knights. The flag of Kislev flutters in the sea breeze, declaring the ownership of this territory.
Maximian did not let the servants support him, but jumped off the ship and came to the front of the team.
"Welcome, Lord."
Although he is already the spiritual leader of Mrs. Kislev and holds various titles, Rhodes still remains as humble and low-key as possible in diplomacy.
Maximian was a little surprised. He originally thought that Rhodes, who was praised as a god by Mrs. Kisli, would look like a king. But at this moment, what appeared in front of him was just an ordinary middle-aged tough guy.
Of course, Maximian, who was familiar with the process of the Kislev Civil War, knew that the man in front of him was by no means an ordinary middle-aged tough guy. His strength surpassed that of the Snow Queen and most of the empire's electors. If he had been alive
In the empire, there might be an opportunity to compete for the emperor's throne. For such a legendary figure, Maximian naturally did not dare to slack off.
He came over, extended his right hand in a friendly manner, and shook hands with Rhodes. This was the first heavyweight visitor welcomed by Kislev after the civil war. Osterland borders Kislev, and in the past, the border issue was an unresolved issue.
The problems between the two have not been resolved for a long time. Various trade disputes have occurred from time to time. Now, as the actual leader of the Oster Territory comes to Kislev in person, it is very likely that the two sides will resolve their conflicts and enhance friendship.
Good time.
"If I guess correctly, you are Lord Rhodes, the King of the North of Kislev."
"The King of the North no longer exists, and the Tsar of Kislev is now Emperor Pavel."
Rhodes returned with a smile.
"I'm sorry, my news is wrong. It seems that Kislev has been in turmoil during this period, and the situation has changed really fast..."
Maximian immediately changed his mind. Of course, it was not that he really didn't know, he was just testing it deliberately.
Rhodes smiled and then led this distinguished guest to the rest area.
"I'm tired from the journey. I've arranged a room. You and your subordinates can rest in the city today. We can talk about those things tomorrow. Now that we're here, it's not a day or two away, is it?"
As he walked, Rhodes introduced the distinguished guest from afar to Erengrad and the North. Of course, it is not too far away. Setting sail from Baker Port in Osterland, if there is a favorable wind, you can reach Erengrad in three days.
Port Glade. Sea navigation does not need to pass through forests and mountains. As long as there are no storms, the speed is basically several times that of land. Judging from the mental outlook of Maximian and his party, Rhodes guessed that they were bumpy on the sea.
The time shall not exceed five days at most.
…
At night, Erengrad fell into a dream early. Tranquility and serenity accompanies this seaport city. Unlike Altdorf, the capital of the empire, the lights are still bright after dark and people come and go. Here, people’s entertainment at night is not
The business in the tavern is not as booming as it was ten years ago. There are more tired travelers and businessmen taking a temporary break.
Maximian took his son Oswald to the rooftop. From here, he could overlook the entire Erengrad. Since the city was built on a plain with no rolling hills to block it, the five-story-high
The top floor of the luxury hotel overlooks the entire city. It is next to the Erengrad City Hall. This hotel is even one floor higher than the city hall. It is a place specially used to receive official guests.
"See? My son."
Under the night sky, Maximian asked while stroking his son's head.
The young children just stood on tiptoes and stared at the night outside the railing, with a blank look on their faces.
"Well...I saw it...I saw the quiet city and streets, there were ships in the distance, and...the port, the dock...father."
The boy paused and answered.
Maximian just smiled and lifted his son on his shoulders——
"What you see is what most people see. However, as a leader and heir, you should not only see these, you should see something deeper through these phenomena. You saw a quiet house
The city, indeed, is very quiet, so quiet that you can almost hear your own heartbeat, what does this prove?”
"Prove what?"
Oswald asked curiously.
"It proves that there isn't much nighttime entertainment in this city, and who needs nighttime entertainment?"
Maximian asked questions step by step. He wanted his son to know how to think for himself.
However, it can be seen from Oswald's confused face that this boy seems to have not yet reached the age to think about the nature of things.
"Businessmen, nobles, rich people... these people need entertainment at night. Common people are already exhausted from their work during the day. They have no intention of spending and enjoying themselves at night, and they cannot afford to spend the money. Only rich businessmen and nobles can have night entertainment.
The act of entertainment. This city lacks these, which proves that there are not many people with assets. Its business has been hit hard and is in urgent need of development. In the evening we passed a few blocks and the entrances to the brothels were deserted, which means that the overall economy is not good.
.It desperately needs to recover from the trauma of war."
Maximian continued—
"Also, those ships you just mentioned. You saw it, and I saw it too. However, have you noticed where most of these merchant ships come from?"
The old lord's question once again stumped his son. Oswald was even more confused. He felt that he had lost face in front of his father. But, it was his father, so what did it matter? It was better to lose face in front of his father than to face others in the future.
Embarrassed in front of others.
"I did not notice……"
The boy hesitated and returned.
"Some of the flags of those merchant ships are still hanging on them, and some have taken off their flags, but judging from their appearance, you can still tell where they come from. Most of them come from Baker Port, and the neighboring Nordland, and very few of them come from
The ships come from Bretonnia, and there are even less merchant ships from Arabi or farther away. This proves that Elengrad’s main trading partner is still the empire, and besides us, it is the Nordland."
Maximian analyzed.
"Do you know the purpose of our visit to Erengrad this time?"
He continued to ask.
"Talk about cooperation, talk about trade agreements!"
This time, his son Oswald blurted out the answer.
"Yes." Maximian smiled, "We don't know the opponent's trump card. So, from these details, we can see that this information may seem insignificant, but it is helpful to the negotiation. At least,
It gives you an idea.”
"My son, I brought you out to see the outside world, not to let you play, but to let you see more, listen more, and learn more. In the future, you will inherit my position, my name, and my
Army. You have to grow up quickly."
Maximian looked at his son and said meaningfully.
"I really wish Carl could come with me..."
Oswald sighed, thinking of his good partner.
"Karl Franz? Huh, you mean that trash?"
Maximian's face suddenly turned livid. How could he not know that his son was a good friend. The current emperor Louis Bird was his best brother, and the children of the two families naturally played well. When he was a child, Ossie
Wald played with Louis Bode's son Karl Franz, and they were as close as brothers. Maximian's love for Karl would not be less than for his own son. However, he grew up in Altdorf's luxurious palace.
Karl Franz can be said to have inherited the "elegant quality" of the imperial aristocrats, and he has worked hard on women. At only thirteen years old, he often fools around with girls and does not do his job... Even his father, Louis Bo,
Even Germany can't control it.
"He...he's not useless...he just hasn't grown up yet..."
Oswald said hesitantly. He wanted to defend his good partner, but seeing his furious father, he couldn't say much...