"The new steamship has completed its maiden voyage!"

"Andrew Johnson's new ship, named 'Princess Elizabeth', the royal family has not made a statement on whether the name is encroached!"

"Anonymous sources claim that Princess Elizabeth was involved in the inaugural voyage of the ship!"

"The new vessel uses a new type of propulsion unit and has been patented, which could change the future of shipbuilding, the details of which are not yet known. ”

"Andrew Johnson said the new steamship was strongly supported by the newest member of the Royal Society of Science, Mr Sean Connery, the inventor of the famous 'Conn sterilization method', and Kang provided a key suggestion......

"Sean Connery, whose name has become synonymous with genius, who invented the Connell sterilization method and changed the future of the food and beverage industry, is also the inventor of the latest bass rifle, which is said to be so good that some observers believe it will greatly strengthen the Imperial Army.

Now, Mr. Connery has invented a new marine propulsion device and is one of the patent holders, and it remains to be seen whether this will change the future of shipbuilding.

At the same time, this genius is also a retired second lieutenant of the former 21st Infantry Division, he is a recipient of the Golden Grand Dragon Medal, which is impressive, and he is only 19 years old......"

"Wizard Shaun, that's the nickname given to a young genius. This is by no means derogatory and slanderous, but rather an appreciation, and his membership in the Royal Society of Science is an affirmation of his genius contributions.

Quds scholars are currently conducting a major research competition, and Professor Victor Bernal is currently on the top spot.

This research, which in the past might have been considered evil heresy and therefore banned, was directly inspired by him, hence his nickname......"

By the time he learned the above news, Sean had already embarked on his journey home.

The Holy City is bordered to the north by the Otera River, which leads directly to the Eastern Ocean, and then follows the eastern coastline south to the south of the Empire, which is the fastest route.

It's also an extremely busy route.

The day after meeting Frank, Sean immediately boarded a passenger and cargo merchant ship named the "Swan" from the Ossela River ferry north of the city.

It was a medium-sized three-masted ship with a large capacity, with cargo, horses, and vehicles piled up at the bottom of the cabin, and the rooms of the sailors and guards were also in the bilge, with no windows.

The cabins have two levels, but both are below deck and are the rooms where the guests live, the difference is in the size of the room.

The best room, which was an ensuite, belonged to a countess.

When he boarded the ship, Sean only glanced at the veiled lady, who looked young and had a little boy in her hand.

She also had a middle-aged man who looked like a butler and a maid, and four strong men with rifles and straight swords, who stood guard at the top of the stairs day and night, staring unkindly at every passing guest and sailor.

The family had an entire floor, and Sean guessed they would rather be empty than let outsiders in.

The remaining second floor, except for the captain, one of which belonged to Sean, one to a tax collector who had gone to the South, and a dozen or so people who lived there were merchants or employees of private companies.

Meals are served to guests on board, which can be delivered to their respective rooms, and are of average quality, but fairly clean and fresh, especially if you are not averse to fish and shellfish.

Heading south from the Holy City, if you are not particularly nervous about money, most people will choose such a merchant ship, which is much more comfortable than riding in a carriage or riding a horse, but the cost is not small, and Sean paid 8 louis for himself and his horse - the price of the horse is more expensive than his own fare.

The countess did not show her face, much to the curiosity of the ship's guests, for the young lady in the black dress was clearly a woman who had just lost her husband. Her children, under the watchful eye of the servants, often went up to the deck to play.

The journey was boring, with passengers stepping out of their rooms and standing on the deck to breathe or smoke. Only Sean is curious about the scenery and all the things he sees along the way.

"Sir, this is the first time you're out of the house?" said the tax collector, who identified himself as Jim Baker, familiarly approached.

"Well, not really, probably this is my first time on the Ocella River. Sean replied.

Baker is a middle-aged man with a short, neatly trimmed beard between his nose and lips.

He glanced at the cigar in Sean's hand, on which he could see the mark of this expensive cigar.

"Oh, listen to your accent, it seems to be a southerner. Baker said in a deliberately Holy City accent.

The holy city and Gyeonggi province are the most important places in the world, not only as the center of politics and power, but also as the center of industry, economy, entertainment and culture.

Therefore, all other people are called "provincials" in the population of the Holy City, which is a kind of regional discrimination. The people of the Holy City have an inexplicable sense of superiority.

"That's right, I'm from the province of Genoa. Sean secretly glanced at the other party, "Mr. Baker, where is this going?"

"Coincidentally, it's also the province of Genoa. However, this is not a high achievement, as everyone knows, the economy in the south is not doing well, there was a drought last year, there were floods in the first half of this year, and the newspapers said that last month the province of Genoa was hit by a major typhoon and suffered heavy losses. ”

Baker said.

"Oh, what a tragedy. Sean said nonchalantly.

He was alone, had no property in Genoa, and had no shilling to do with natural and man-made disasters. Man always has roots, he just follows his instinct to see the place where he grew up, and at this time, he does not regard himself as an indigenous person somewhere.

Inside, he is alone. This was something he had never experienced in his previous life, and it made him sad, so he refused Principal Palmer's invitation and insisted on going to Genoa.

"I noticed that you had a rifle with you, even though you had a cloth cover. Baker asked.

"Do you need to check my gun license?" Sean asked rhetorically.

"No, no, please don't get me wrong. Baker hurriedly waved his hand, "It's all a habit brought about by the profession, sorry." ”

Baker didn't know where Sean came from.

Because according to the laws of the Europa Empire, unless specifically forbidden by the law, everyone can carry guns, and civilians can only own pistols, and they will have to pay a tax equal to one-fifth of the price of the pistol every year, otherwise it will be severely punished, and this tax will stump most civilians.

Rifles, on the other hand, were only in the possession of nobles, certain privileged persons (e.g., administrative officials, judges, tax collectors, large merchants, bourgeoisie), and retired military officers, and were restricted to their own possession and required registration, but not tax.

Sean looked young, dressed plainly but with good material and didn't behave much like an aristocracy, but he could afford to smoke expensive cigars, which made Baker guess.

"As you know, the position of tax collector represents the will of the imperial court, and everyone knows that the salary is good, but they don't know that our business is not very easy to do. It's okay in Gyeonggi, but in other provinces, tax resistance is not uncommon, and civilians don't dare to resist, but those gentlemen who are obviously rich but cry poor will find all kinds of excuses to evade taxes, so you have to have a pair of eyes that can see through other people's wallets, and you also have to understand mathematics and accounting and investment knowledge, otherwise you can only be deceived by him. In short, it is an enviable and at the same time hated profession. ”

Baker is half explaining, half self-deprecating.

"Then don't worry, I'm just a retired officer. There is nothing to evade taxes. Sean said.

"As a northerner, I am a little afraid of the south, and I have heard that there are two different worlds from the north. It's also a pleasure to be on board with you, and you're probably the only southerner I've ever met. I used to work in the Northeast, where there were hunters in the forest except for snow and coniferous forests. ”

"Yes, the South is no different than it was a hundred years ago. Conservative, traditional, they don't care about external things, they don't like new things, and at the same time they are submissive and resigned to fate. Sean agreed.

"Obedient?" Baker looked a little surprised, "but I've heard that the people there are very grouped, and collective tax resistance is a regular thing, and they don't like outsiders, especially us northerners. They call us 'Yankees'!"

"But you also call us 'Southerners!'" Sean said.

Baker smiled embarrassedly: "Haha, the scenery along the coast is good. ”

"Pretty good!"

Sean looked at the scenery on the shore, beside the green green gauze tent, a woman in a red cloak, immediately on the shore, particularly conspicuous.

She looked at Sean on the boat and waved at him.

Although far away, Sean seemed to be able to see the eerie and proud smile on her face, as if everything was under control.

Damn it!

The hostess who claimed to be a bloodthirsty person in Als City.