......

"Your Majesty, this is the financial situation of the week," Barov put away the report in his hand and said excitedly, "Overall, the upward trend of various data is better than expected, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a sharp increase, if it was placed in the past, this is definitely a miracle!"

"Well, good job," Roland leaned back in his chair, looking much calmer than the other man's expression. Naturally, he knew what the old minister meant by the miracle - ignoring the effects of the Demon Moon, the population and economy increased more than the summer and autumn seasons, which were supposed to be the peak season, as if the heavy snow outside the window did not exist. For people of this era, this report can be called a complete subversion of common sense.

After all, when the cold winter comes, people's activities turn from accumulation to consumption, just like hibernation, and economic performance is common. The former border towns were directly abandoned, and even the people were gone, so how could we talk about trade and production?

But he knows that the essence of hibernation is nothing more than a compromise with the environment, and that human beings can stand out from thousands of creatures by their ability to transform the environment - the cement boats that ignore the direction of the wind and never tire break the barrier of heavy snow, the heating system and medical hospitals solve people's worries, and the work in the factory is not afraid of wind and snow - when the limits of the environment are broadened little by little, this day will come sooner or later.

In addition, the enthronement ceremony and the establishment of a new royal capital are also a key factor in the upward trend of the data: people always like to run to lively places, and this has not changed for thousands of years.

Nowadays, the wide Chishui River has become a little crowded - the cement ship made by Neverwinter broke through the 500 mark as early as a year ago, and its template has also developed a variety of modifications from the original flatbed carrier, which can be quickly installed by reserving slots and other upper hulls for passenger and commercial use, which is favored by many chambers of commerce. Coupled with the business opportunities of large-scale population migration, cement ships have appeared in the docks of other cities.

Since the news of his ascension to the throne spread, five or six hundred people have arrived in Neverwinter every day through the river, and a year ago Barov thought 100,000 was an unattainable goal, but now the total population of the Western Frontier is close to 200,000, of which ninety percent are in Neverwinter.

As a result, Xinwangdu is very different from other traditional cities - it has no majestic walls, nor does it divide the inner and outer cities, but is divided by a circle of streets, which are constantly expanding outward, like a forest of houses.

Due to the similarity of the style of the houses and the lack of elaborate ornate architecture, Neverwinter has also been criticized by many people.

But these words fell into Roland's ears, and they became another kind of boasting.

If this were not the case, how could Wudong withstand the rapid growth of the population? Knowing that 200,000 means the total number of permanent residents of the rest of the city, if it had to be enclosed by a city wall, and a few more elaborate buildings such as cathedrals, bell towers, and royal palaces, it would have taken several decades.

Population is the basis of industrialization, the guarantee of opening more factories, and the prerequisite for economic prosperity. As for aesthetics or something, it was not in his consideration at all.

Or in his eyes, the rows of steaming chimneys are much more beautiful than the palatial palaces.

And given the lag in the spread of news, next year's growth should be even more staggering.

"Keep it up and you'll get the reward you deserve. ”

"Being your Hand of the King is the best reward - and these changes are the result of your wise decisions, and I just did what you asked," Barov said triumphantly, rubbing his beard.

Roland couldn't help but shake his head amusedly, "Do you have anything else to report?"

"Ah...... Yes, Your Majesty," the old steward hurriedly took out two letters from his bosom, "although both letters were addressed to the Executive Office, I think only you can make a decision. ”

"Oh?" Roland took the letter, the name of the first sender was familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere, "Cajun Fez?"

"Mr. Cakin, the master of drama in the old royal capital, came to Neverwinter with his troupe to present a new play to your ceremony, but you didn't agree at the time. Barov reminded.

Roland suddenly remembered that the first time he heard the name was in the mouth of the businesswoman Margaery, when asked who was the most familiar person in the royal capital, he blurted out the name of the magic hand, and the result was not embarrassing. Before the enthronement ceremony, the officials of the Administration Department did report the matter to him, and brought the script like a treasure, but he rejected the other party's request after a few glances. Not to mention that the magic shadow starring Luo Jia is the highlight of his long-prepared preparations, this boring palace love story alone is enough to make people doze off.

"He left such a letter before he left, though I don't think I need to bother you with such a trifle...... But he is a famous person after all, do you see if it is ......" Speaking of the back, the old manager's voice became lower and lower, as if he wanted to say something.

Roland also heard the sound outside the strings.

The date on the letter has been almost a week away, and it has not been handed over to him until now, which shows that the other party has good intentions - the fourth prince has no appreciation for traditional drama, and the previous quick refusal has deepened this impression, and Barov probably delayed it until this time for fear of boredoming him, just to let him glance at the letter written by the drama master.

It can be seen that the old manager has a lot of respect for Cajun Fez.

Or not only him, whether it was Margaery, the chief knight, and everyone from the old king's capital, seemed to have a good impression of this master of drama.

In that case, let's take a look.

Roland shrugged and quickly scanned the letter.

The content is actually an inquiry about the method of making the Shadow of the Shadow.

In the letter, Cajun writes that he first asked the Starflower Theatre Company for answers, but was told by May that the troupe was only responsible for the performance, and that it was the Witch League who really transformed it into a fantasy, and that she could not answer the exact method due to the possibility of being confidential. He wrote another letter of inquiry to the League of Witches, which was quickly returned on the grounds that direct letters were not accepted in the castle district. In the end, he had to go to the administrative office again, hoping to ask questions on his behalf.

Roland was a little surprised by the other party's perseverance - generally speaking, the more a leader in an industry, the greater the blow when he was subverted, but Cakin's words were full of longing for the Shadow of the Shadow, and there was no trace of frustration at all.

"I see," said Roland, after a moment of silence, "I'll let me reply to him in this letter." ”

It's just that whether it's a drama or a shadow, it's a propaganda tool for Neverwinter, and he doesn't have the time or energy to shoot an old-fashioned palace love story, so it's better to explain it directly and completely dispel the other party's thoughts.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Barov let out a sigh of relief.

"What about the other one?" asked Roland as he uncovered the envelope, since it was sent to the Administration Department, the old manager should have screened it in advance.

"It was sent by a merchant who called himself Victor Lothar. ”

"It's finally not a trade request for bags and popcorn?" Roland chuckled.

"Yes, what he wants to buy is cotton. Barov nodded.

"Cotton?" Roland's hand stopped involuntarily, "Neverwinter doesn't produce such things. ”

"So what he wants is customization," Barov replied, "to Miss Leaf of the League of Witches." ”