It was another short summer, and it was not surprising that Lorraine's development was moving at full speed in the direction designed by Weiss. With a large number of new mines put into operation and new factories were put into operation, Lorraine gradually returned to its pre-war heyday, and in some areas even exceeded the prosperity of its heyday, the good business environment and the supply of cheap raw materials attracted more investors, and the second phase of the canal expansion plan further improved the inland waterway shipping conditions in Lorraine, shortening the route distance from Comomersen to Mason by nearly half, and gave birth to a second canal industrial area, the Victory Canal Industrial Zone in the middle of Lorraine, with a somewhat familiar nameThanks to the geogeology and economic development conditions there, the new industrial zone is larger in scale than the free Lorraine Canal Industrial Zone, and the industrial categories involved are more complete, so that the industrial system of Lorraine is more sound and complete.

Unexpectedly, this year is the last year of Leibold's presidency, and with his efforts and positive response from the outside world, the Ulster Free Confederation and the Norman Empire have finally signed a series of agreements aimed at restoring normal diplomatic relations and opening treaty ports, bringing the diplomatic relations between the two countries back on the normal track after nearly 30 years of interruption. Prior to this, the Confederation had sold most of its exports through northern Wessex and other neutral countries, but with the signing of this agreement, the proposal to establish a number of border airports was successfully passed, and Bellakaser became the new window to the outside world in Lorraine, and the local management and operation were in charge of the federal military and the Ministry of Security and Inspectorate of Security, which gave the local government a great deal of autonomy and security at the same time.

As Brooks said, it takes a place to operate and manage with a higher vision and better skills.

At the end of the summer, the newly built airport on the site of the battlefield of Belakaser reached the conditions for operation, and after the investigation and demonstration of several federal departments, it was officially opened. On the other side, the Kingdom of Basel also attached great importance to this treaty port, which was one of only two airports facing the Federation. Compared to the original Monason air port, Belakaser is closer to the heart of Basel, almost crossing the Monamolin Mountains to reach their main industrial area, and the closer distance means lower transport costs and faster efficiency.

The Belakaser Pass is located in the Commonwealth as a whole, and in addition to Basel, it is also licensed to import and export goods to the Norman Empire. Therefore, the opening of the airport of Belakaser meant that the Norman Empire's customs, tax and security officials were officially stationed, and it was the first time since the end of the war that Norman soldiers appeared in Lorraine.

As the de facto operator of the Belakaser airport, the Canton of Lorraine has done a lot of work to prepare for the opening of the airport. On the federal side, the Secretary of State and the Minister of Commerce were present at the opening ceremony, during which the Norman Empire sent a number of diplomatic and commercial officials, and the initial contacts between the two sides were cautious, and the Federal Inspectorate had a team of experienced inspectors specially assigned to the port. However, Brooks was not present, and this summer, he was transferred to the eastern federal states with some of his key personnel. If it weren't for the fact that he was too familiar with this guy, Weiss would have even thought that he was a very good prophet.

Before the official groundbreaking ceremony, the two sides exchanged names of the officials present, and on the list provided by the Normans Weiss saw a familiar surname, Sedlinz. He knew that it was a noble family in the north of the Norman Empire, that he had fought with the general Sedlinz several times during the war, and that he had a close relationship with Prince Baras. The Seidlinz was the Duke and Minister of Commerce of the Norman Empire, apparently the brother or cousin of the General Seidlinz. As for the other officials and staff on the list, he looked at it carefully, and judging from the names alone, there should be no old acquaintances of his own.

On the day of the celebration, the Norman transport ship flew in from the west and landed at the pass where it had landed. Weiss stood prominently, staring at the Normans, who were no longer in the role of invaders. The Duke of Sedlinz at the head looked very familiar, and in appearance and temperament he was somewhat similar to the general Sedlinz who had dealt with him during the war, but they belonged to two completely different styles. Perhaps because he had been with Prince Bath for a long time, the talented General Sedrinz gave people the impression that he lacked the willpower and decisiveness of the commander, and the Duke of Sedrinz in front of him had the arrogance of the superior.

The official languages of the Norman Empire, the Kingdom of Basel, and the Free Confederation of Ulster were not incomprehensible to each other, but they followed the procedure agreed upon in advance, and there was no omission, and everything went smoothly as if it had been repeated many times. This high-sounding ceremony, devoid of real emotion, was merely an official formality, and its real significance was that Lorraine's foreign trade opened a new chapter.

In the evening of the same day, the federal side held a banquet for the opening of the airport. Because of the special geographical location of Bellakaser, there were not many external guests to attend this banquet, and there were few ladies, and the banquet was only based on dinner and communication, and there was no dance party. Led by the Secretary of State and the Minister of Commerce and Commerce, Weiss was a green leaf, silently paying attention to all aspects of the scene, without any intention of going forward to have a deep conversation with the Duke of Sedlinz.

In the middle of the banquet, a familiar voice suddenly came from the side.

"Long time no see, Mr. Clumber-Haysen!"

Thinking of the owner of this voice, Weiss instantly felt a chill in his back, and felt that every pore on his body was opened. Although he was extremely surprised in his heart, he quickly forced himself to compose, put away the surprise he was exposed, and turned around unhurriedly. In front of him was a young man who looked like an ordinary officer, wearing the Norman army captain's uniform, but his face was somewhat similar to that of the Duke of Sedlinz......

That's right, this person is another Sedlinz who had crossed paths with Weiss before and during the war, and Sedlinz was a high-ranking general of the Norman army!

"You still like this set!" Weiss replied in Norman.

The Sedlinz general laughed unscrupulously: "What a surprise, Mr. Clumber-Haysen, it is incredible that you have left the army and become the magistrate of Lorraine!" ”

Weiss raised his glass slightly: "Anything is possible!" If someone had told me that the Norman Empire and the Ulster Confederation would have been able to achieve peace for a hundred years, I would have believed it. If someone told me that the two countries would be at war again in a few years, I would believe it...... That's where anything is possible. ”

"I'd rather be the former." General Sedlinz also raised his glass.

A man who aspires to military merit will hope for a lasting peace? Weiss snorted inwardly. With the vigilance of walking with wolves, he stared at the young Norman nobleman and army commander: "You're here to find excitement again?"

"I like different characters and see the world from different perspectives." General Sedrinz replied almost without thinking.

"Aren't you afraid of some accidents?" Weiss said meaningfully.

"What surprises will there be in peacetime?" General Sedrinz said disapprehantly, "If it were a time of war, I would not dare to go to the banquet of the other side in a grand manner." However, I have tried to inspect the front line in the attire of non-commissioned officers and junior officers...... There have been so many times! ”

"What did you find or what was out of the ordinary?" Weiss asked, following the other party's words.

The other party smiled slyly: "Well, I have gained a lot, and it is indeed very exciting!" ”

"That Duke of General Sedrinz is your brother?" Weiss glanced over at the other Sedlinz who was in the center of everyone's attention.

General Seidlinz was noncommittal, but only sneered.

"You look alike, I mean looks, but there is a clear difference in temperament." Weiss tried to provoke the other to speak with such words, but General Sedrinz seemed reluctant to say too much about the Duke. However, he did not hesitate to appear with him on an occasion, which shows that at least there is no contradiction between the two of them.

Weiss pondered that this General Sedrinz had obviously come here with some intentions. Judging from his identity and position, the main purpose should still be the military aspect. What is puzzling is that he can't spy on too much military information when he comes to Belakaser, is it just for his old friend, who is not an old friend, to sneak around? No, the Normans had a clear purpose in everything they did, and this was a pattern that Weiss had summed up in his dealings with them and the information he had obtained from his comrades. However, the Normans are not straight to the point, they will do enough foreshadowing and even make some deceptive moves to achieve a certain goal, but no matter how they go around, they will eventually return to their main line.

So, what exactly is the purpose of this General Sedrintz?

"I don't understand." General Sedrintz said unhurriedly, "Why did you give up your great career in politics after you had made great achievements in the Union Army, and you were one of the few representatives of guerrilla warfare, and you had the title of an outstanding graduate of the Gaston Military Academy, and you studied at the best High Staff College?" Do you think that the prospects for development in the army are not satisfactory? ”

Weiss snorted coldly: "I joined the army not because I like military affairs or am obsessed with war, but because I want to defend my family and country. I became governor of Lorraine not for the sake of glory and wealth, but to be able to make Lorraine as good as possible. In fact, between these two identities, I was an ordinary civilian for a few months, and it was my simplest and happiest time. Everyone's life goals and values are different. I crave peace of mind and body. What about you? Do you want to climb to the pinnacle of power or become the dominant player in the war? ”

General Seidlinz put away his smile and said thoughtfully: "I envy you, you know so clearly what you want, and I am still searching, looking for my own destiny." ”

"Today's meeting is strange, but I'm more happy to treat it as a chance encounter. Tomorrow, I hope you can return with your companions instead of doing something strange. The Free Confederation of Ulster is a non-enterable place, and its freedom is only for its citizens and all those who yearn for peace and freedom. In your current status, you are not welcome without official formalities. Don't think you're smart enough to do things irrationally, I hope we will never be on the opposite side, preferably always. Weiss made a reminder, but also a warning.

"Do you think I'm like that?" General Seidlintz's face resurfaced with the same smile as before, a smile that was strange in it, with that characteristic confidence of his.

"Your kindness reminds me that I hope the next time we meet again, it will be in this friendly atmosphere. However, I am only a military commander, just like you are a local administrator, and we cannot decide on higher affairs. If one day, we will be adversaries on the battlefield again. Don't hold grudges against each other, that's not necessarily what we intended. ”

After listening to General Sedlinz's words, Weiss had mixed feelings. However, he did not forget the vigilance in his heart, this talented Norman commander would not come here after saying only these few words, and if there was anything that could attract him in Lorraine recently, it must be the spring conference that has just ended. The Normans knew that the Confederation was unlikely to attack them under normal circumstances, so they did not need to worry about the military threat of the Confederation, but as long as they maintained that expansionist ambition, they would certainly pay attention to the Confederation's military movements. However, the exercise is over, and he is here now, it is impossible for him to look for traces left on the exercise ground, or to choose to connect with those intelligence agents who have crossed the border and lurked here, which is not in line with his identity.

After thinking about it, Weiss suddenly thought of a possibility that made him shudder: this guy might not have come here from the Norman Empire with the Duke of Sedrinz, but from the territory of the Commonwealth, so that he could follow the Duke of Sedrinz and his entourage back to the Romance.

In other words, this crazy guy was probably in the territory of the Federation during the Spring Parade of the Union Army, and spied on the latest tactics and strategies of the Union Army in a close-up manner. Thinking of this possibility, he wanted to immediately pull out the other party and send him to the security inspection department, but he had no evidence, although General Seidlinz was now wearing this military uniform that did not match his identity, but here and now, he did not have any transgressions. Even if a Norman general attended such a ceremony in the name of an ordinary officer, as long as there was no action against the Federation, it would be a minor diplomatic matter at best, and it would be easy to settle it. From this point of view, when he arrived at Bellakaser and Duke Seidlinz and his party also came here, he was already safe, so he took the initiative to appear in front of Weiss.

With a smug smile, General Sedlinz raised his glass and took a sip, then turned away, leaving a dazed and worried Weiss alone.