This time last year, Isabel Walton had been serving as Privy Counsellor at the Duke's Court of Richmond for more than a month. During this time, she did only one thing, and that was to conduct a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the law and order situation in all of Richmond County.

In her view, Baron Haswell, the county magistrate, who has broad judicial, administrative, tax-levied, and commercial powers, and is directly under the strict direction and supervision of the Privy Council, can be said to be a combination of governors, mayors, district attorneys, criminal and civil justices of federal courts, state police chiefs, county sheriffs, city police chiefs, city fire chiefs, immigration officers, federal revenue service commissioners, FBI branch directors, homeland security department directors, federal prison wardens, National Guard, Major General of the Infantry Division, Division Commander and other local super-super dictators.

The Baron was not only a super-dictator, but also the owner of several private farms and ranches. If a man can hold more than a dozen federal, state, and local positions and managers of private property, then he will not have to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without vacation? If this development continues, the Baron is likely to become the next Superman, Iron Man, Batman, and the director of the Territorial Strategic Defense Attack and Logistics Support Agency (S.H.I.E.L.D.).

Isabel couldn't bear to see the Baron working 24 hours a day, without time or opportunity to take care of the Baroness, his heir to his title and domain, the few extra children, not for Christmas, and no time for a vacation to Hawaii or the Caribbean. So, she intended to share a small part of the work for the baron.

On Wednesday afternoon, the third day after Mass, Baron Haswell arrived in the drawing room of the main building of Nottingham Castle as the Duke had instructed him to do after Mass. As soon as he sat down, Henry ordered the servant to bring the baron a glass of fine wine from Burgundy, France.

The flattered baron looked at the Duke with admiration and said, "Your Highness, I thank you very much for your generosity. It's just that I don't understand the purpose of His Highness asking me to come today. ”

With a sunny smile on his face, Henry glanced out the window at the evocative spring landscape. Then he smiled and said, "Lord Haswell, how is the situation in the county lately?" I mean taxation, punishment of vagrants, placement of labor, etc. ”

Oliver, who was still very fat, subconsciously felt that fine beads of sweat were oozing from his forehead and face. He took out a piece of worsted linen and wiped the sweat from his face and said, "Your Highness, I have reported these situations directly to the Privy Councillors. If you're wondering, I have a copy there for you to look at. ”

"Oh, that's right. Well, let's talk about the security situation in the county first. ”

"County security? Your Highness, have wandering beggars invaded your territory or castle? You can tell me right now, and I'll fix this right away. ”

"No, no, no, Lord, I have something here that you can take a look at first. You'll reply to my question after reading it, okay? ”

Isabel, who had always stood on the side of the desk, took a few pieces of paper full of words, and when she came to Oliver and handed him the paper, she said solemnly: "My lord, these are some of the conclusions I have drawn from field research since I became the privy counsellor of His Highness. If you are interested, I will be happy to provide you with a satisfactory answer. ”

Oliver glanced at Isabel, who had been in office for more than a month, nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency." ”

In fact, the contents of the investigation report are nothing more than statistical analysis and post-mortem handling of various civil and violent cases that have occurred in the county recently, such as theft, robbery, forcible assault on women's bodies, homicide, drunken fights, and armed disputes. As for the aspect of judicial duels and honor duels, she seems to have deliberately ignored them.

When Oliver read the investigation report, he found that Henry had already sat on his throne. As he placed a few pages of paper on the small table on the side, he looked at Henry and said, "Your Highness, these are recent or past common civil and violent cases. As to the reasons why His Excellency the Privy Counsellor has recorded these cases, I would be glad to hear your opinion. ”

Henry laughed and said, "Well, you can just ask her." ”

Isabel, who was standing on Henry's side, walked up to Henry, nodded at him, and then came three or four paces away from Oliver and said, "Lord Haswell, may I sit down and talk to you?" ”

Oliver hurriedly smiled and said, "Of course, you are the privy counsellor of His Royal Highness the Duke, so you don't need to ask me about this kind of thing." ”

Isabel sat down in the Gothic chair opposite Oliver and said calmly, "Sir, how many civil and violent cases occur each week?" ”

Oliver thought about it and said, "It's going to happen at least three or four times a day. ”

"So, what do you think is the reason for these cases?"

"Your Excellency, I think the reason is mainly due to the way of life, religious beliefs, traditions of force, the penchant for violence, and hatred of outsiders."

"Sir, you are quite right. However, that's not what I want to know. ”

"Your Excellency, I don't understand what you mean."

Isabel naturally said what she wanted to say, looked at the baron, and said, "Sir, what I want to know is, how many of your guards do you have to patrol the land and population of the county?" ”

Oliver let out a long breath and said with a relaxed smile, "It turns out that Your Excellency is paying attention to this matter. Your Excellency, I have 140 guards dedicated to patrolling and arresting people. ”

"Well, 140 guards, how many patrols a day?"

"Twice a day. During Sunday Mass, patrols are only made once. Do you have any questions, Sir? ”

Isabel set her eyes on Henry, who was smiling and silent. Henry nodded hurriedly and said loudly, "Lord Haswell, my advisor has made some suggestions to me, do you want to know?" ”

Oliver hurriedly agreed, and Henry said: "The advisor suggests that the number of your guards be increased to 210, and the specific patrol time is three rounds per day, each round is divided into 7 squads, and each team has 10 guards. What do you think, Sir? ”

Oliver pondered Henry's words carefully and pondered the crucial question: "Your Highness, I have no objection to increasing the number of men. It's just that how to solve the increase in the honorarium, horses, armor and weapons of this part of the guards? ”

Isabel continued the conversation and said, "My lord, I will find a way to solve this problem. Now, I want to know if the various cases I have documented can be properly resolved before they happen with the increased manning and patrol time. ”

"Your Excellency, your solution is indeed very good. After increasing the manpower and patrol time, many cases can be solved, and by the way, many homeless beggars can be caught and punished. Oliver applauded Isabel's suggestion.

Then the baron asked, "Your Excellency, what about the patrol time on Sunday Mass?" ”

Isabel still said calmly: "The number and time of patrols on Sunday Mass remain the same. The Guards, who are in charge of the first round of patrols of the day, can attend the second Mass during the break. ”

Oliver asked incredulously, "Second Mass?" May I? ”

Isabel sneered: "Why not? A priest is nothing more than a profession that spreads doctrines, and his mission is to provide religious services to society and people. ”