As the sun sets, Sean finally returns to Poitou.

He immediately rushed to visit him at a mansion of the Koval family, where His Royal Highness Philip was staying, and was accompanied by Adrian Major.

Sean knew that Major was now sensitive in the eyes of some people, especially when he became his protector, and people had to associate Major's relevant remarks with Sean.

To be fair, the formation of the Confederation was also an important move to build strength and unity, as Major ostensibly claimed. But in the eyes of conspiracy theorists, there is a clear tendency to part ways with the Holy City, and some proponents deliberately deepen it.

Whether it's the former or the latter, this idea has its fair share of adherents, depending on which side you're on. Sean is careful not to let the latter dominate the direction of public opinion.

Therefore, instead of deceiving himself and letting Major hide behind his back, it is better to let him appear publicly in front of the prince, which is still there for Sean.

In fact, Sean's move not only surprised the prince, but even Major himself was very surprised.

Philip appeared delighted, and he warmly invited Sean to have dinner with Major and to taste the wine he had brought from the Holy City.

"The best wines in the empire come from the Northern Frontier Province, where the soil and climate are conducive to the cultivation of grapes and the precipitation of sugars, thanks to the sterilization method you invented, the wines are better preserved and have a special flavor. It's a pity that the frontier province is now in the hands of the Assyrians, so there is one less bottle of this fine wine to drink. Philip sighed.

"Your Highness, it is rare for you to come to the south to taste the local fruit wine, and the flavor is also good. However, the hurt and suffering inflicted on the people of Europa by the aggressor will be repaid a hundredfold. Sean said, "The Genoese National Army is ready to go north. ”

Philip gave Sean a deep look:

"Sean, my friend. I trust your zeal and loyalty to the Empire, but after all, Genoa is a special province, and even adult men are not required to perform military service. This was one of the conditions that my great-grandfather promised to the southerners when he incorporated the South into the empire. ”

"Then why should we eat the ancients? Moreover, it is also the duty of the Genoese to defend their homeland and country, and just as I volunteered to join the army in those days, the Genoese should not have special treatment in this regard. "That's one of the reasons why I'm reporting to the Estates-General, and helping northerners is helping ourselves." ”

"Sean, you're saying a good thing. But conventional wisdom has always been ingrained, and it's hard to change it overnight. "For example, between the north and the south, there is a gap that we cannot see, and it exists in our ideas. ”

"yes. Sean picked up the topic, he pointed to Major and said to the prince, "Mr. Major advocated the formation of a union in the South, and his original intention was to unite the will of all Southerners, and a scattered South cannot contribute much to the country." However, Southerners have their own interests, and their performance is disturbing. In that case, I can only try to persuade the Genoese to ask the Estates-General to allow me to lead my troops north. ”

Sean's original intention was to show his loyalty, and by the way, he explained a few words to Major. Philip raised his glass to Major and said:

"Thank you, Mr. Major, for speaking out, the Empire needs a scholar like you with insight, especially the idea of 'active defense'. ”

"It is my pleasure, Your Highness. Major got up from his seat and bent down in greeting.

Major has no fault in his manners and respectful manners. This made Philip think that he was wrong to blame him, and that the Southern Alliance was formed to actively defend?

But in any case, Sean's request to lead his troops north is a conspiracy, and no one can morally accuse him.

The next day, Shawn, together with Governor Byrne, Mayor Welch, Count Koval and Siyes, accompanied the prince on a tour of the shipyard, the railway company, the University of Poitou, and the Chapel of Sawyer, and arrived in Vichy by train.

This section of the railway, which was built as part of the coastal railway and has now reached the capital of Javia, is not yet officially in operation, with only one train per day to Rhônburg.

"Railways and trains are a great invention, and I hope that the north of the empire will build railways as well. Philip, like all first-time trains, was excited, and from his point of view, it wasn't just about the ease of transportation, "If we had a well-developed rail network in the vast north, it would be a great help to move troops and supplies quickly, not just economic and personnel needs." ”

"I have a dream that one day the people will be able to reach any city in the empire by train. "From the point of view of national governance, this is also conducive to stimulating the economy, and from the experience of Genoa, all the cities that build railways have achieved a significant increase in tax revenue, and at the same time, this can also strengthen the cohesion of the entire empire, and the orders from the holy city will not be delayed for too long because of the backwardness of transportation." Therefore, the construction of railways is not only seen in terms of its convenience and economy. ”

"Sean, I have to say, your point of view is novel and thought-provoking, very high. I think you can be prime minister. Philip complimented, then said, "I'm not joking. ”

The people on the train listened attentively and had different expressions.

They had been accompanying the prince for most of the day and had visited many places, and although the prince was kind and pleasant to every Genoese leader, and did not hesitate to show kindness and courtship, it was clear that the prince had more respect for Sean, and when the phrase "you can be prime minister" popped out of the prince's mouth, they believed that it represented a royal gesture.

However, including Sean, they didn't know that Philip already had a deep idea about the throne, and that His Highness was already thinking about the future.

Apparently, Sean's ideas and visionaries tickled Philip the most, and like countless of his subjects, he was dissatisfied with the Prime Minister and the outdated bureaucrats in the cabinet.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your affirmation. But governing an empire is never easy, and I don't even have any experience governing a city. "In a sense, we should understand the difficulties of cabinet ministers, and feeding a family is not the same concept as feeding a thousand people, let alone tens of millions." ”

Philip nodded, "Sean, what do you suggest?"

"Why not take Genoa as a model and choose one or a few provinces to pilot and let these provinces take the lead and follow Genoa's policies and accumulate experience, even if it fails, it is a rare experience. "If Your Majesty and the Cabinet think that some of Genoa's policies are meritorious." ”

Philippe did not give a definite answer, because the train had arrived, after all, the town of Vichy was too close to Poitou.

"It's such a beautiful place, no wonder Elizabeth loves it. Philip looked at the view.

Spring comes early in the south, and it's already a world full of flowers.

Houses painted with white lime and red roofs are scattered and parked with greenery and flowers, and the residents here are well-dressed and well-off. As for the villas of the wealthy, they are close to the bottom of the Rocky Mountains to the north, with green tea plantations and rolling hills in the background.

Compared to those beautiful newly built villas, Sean's rose garden is a bit quaint.

Sean held a lavish banquet in the Rose Garden, and the list of invitations drawn up by Torres, Count of the Court, was approved by Philip, and basically included Genoese figures.

In order to organize such a banquet, Sean had to bring in Miller, the housekeeper of the Robinson family, along with the servants of Fort Ron, to organize it with Cleveland, and strive to ensure that the etiquette and specifications were suitable for the identity of the guest of honor.

This delicate work required a person familiar with the etiquette of the upper class of aristocracy to preside over behind the scenes, so Audrey quietly came to the rose garden.

In addition to investigating the people in the south, grasping the political dynamics in the south and winning the hearts of the people, Philip also has a secret mission, that is, to uphold his father's order, hoping to marry his widowed sister to Sean.

Although he was not optimistic about this mission, and even resisted, when his father clearly told him that he would be easy to save, Philip was moved.

Especially when he actually came to Genoa, what he saw and heard made him pay more attention to the power of the Genoese, a force that was ready to flourish and rise.

The more he valued this power, the more Philip became more cautious, and he wondered how much this lady had in Sean's mind.

Even at the grand ball in the middle of the banquet, Philip took the initiative to invite Audrey to dance the first dance music.

"Madame, my sister has lived here for a while, thank you for taking care of her. "This place has left her with fond memories." ”

"It's an honor for Rhônburg. Audrey said.

"I am also grateful to have such a grand and thoughtful banquet, which allowed me to feel the hospitality of Genoa and at the same time to meet many important people in Genoa. I heard that this is your behind-the-scenes work, ma'am?" said Philip.

"As you know, Sean isn't good at it. Audrey said frankly that as a woman, she was keenly aware of the prince's words, which seemed to have a deep meaning.

At the same time, Audrey's words also indicate to the prince her status in the rose garden.

"Haha, I can totally understand that. Philip laughed, but his heart was a little gloomy.

A few years ago, when his sister's marriage first entered the royal agenda, Philip had carefully considered the young nobleman he knew, and wanted to find the best family for his dear sister, and Sean was also on the list.

But Sean at that time really couldn't be compared to today's Count of Rocky Mountain.

It's a shame.