The first half of the year 348 was as smooth for Francis as it was in 346 and 347, and all government work went smoothly. According to www.biquge.info the plan of the "June Edict", the manpower and funds that should be raised are also pooled in Caiunescu. The market for land bonds, which had just started to be issued in June, responded well; In the surrounding area of the royal capital, exemplary blacksmiths' unions also began to function normally. All in all, "the situation is very good".

On July 8th, it was still the same working day as usual.

"This is Baron Catherinck's report of June 18, please take a look at it."

"Oh, excuse me, Miss Rabelais." Sogrend stood up, took the report with both hands, and said. Then he sat back in his chair and quickly skimmed through the contents of the parchment.

This is a report of a geographical expedition, and Baron Catherinck, who was also a scholarly family of the nobles of Narcibes, was a naturalist in contrast to the philosophical and mathematical achievements of the Rabelais family. And especially important to Saugland, this gentleman's interest in geology was so great that it could be described as fanatical. The baron's biggest dream is to be able to sleep in the mountains and rivers for the rest of his life, but due to economic reasons, the baron's dream can only be a dream. Now that the dream has become a job, the baron naturally does not refuse, and devotes himself to the job with great enthusiasm.

The contents of the survey report are very informative, and the purpose of this survey is to select the route of the Alc-Farenas Canal, which is planned for the future. In the report, the baron has already singled out several routes, and later analyzes in detail the pros and cons of each route, as well as the geological difficulties that may be encountered. Finally, a rough sketch was drawn in the annex to the report, and Marc Siemens, another head of engineering and technology responsible for rear support, gave his opinion and estimated the cost of each option.

"Miss Rabelais, I would like to ask you to draw up a document to express my sincere respect to all of you in the expedition. Explain to them that Her Majesty is very pleased with their work and that their commendation will be announced at a later date. In addition, let them send a technical representative back to the royal capital, and we will have a formal hearing to discuss the final implementation plan of the canal project. After the drafting, let His Majesty look at it as soon as possible, and if there is no problem, please sign it and send it out. ”

"Okay, Lord Luce, do you have any other orders?" Miss Rabelais, Eletha, asked softly.

"No, I'm sorry for taking up your time researching."

"It's okay, it's what I'm supposed to do." Aresa curtsied her knees and exited the Prime Minister's office.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, she met the commander of the Praetorian Guard, General Ernest Sauer.

"Hello, Your Excellency Sauer."

"Good morning, you're delivering documents again?" Sauer politely owed, "Didn't you run into Larson?" ”

"yes." Ellesa blushed slightly, lowered her head and took a few steps forward, "I still have something to do, so I'll take my leave first." ”

"Oh, then you walk slowly."

Sauer saw the other party away, and immediately pushed the door into the prime minister's office.

"Lord Sauer, what wind blew you through my door?" Thorgrande was reviewing the papers, greeting the Praetorian Guard commander without looking up.

Sauer didn't speak immediately, but dragged a chair from the side and sat down opposite the Prime Minister.

"That's great, I want a nice secretary too."

"As long as the Praetorian Guard's budget is enough to spend, I have no objection to you going to find a secretary."

"It's a pity that the budget is not enough, our Praetorian Guard doesn't have that much charm to let a beautiful lady be a free secretary."

"What do you mean by that?" Although Sogrend looked up at Sauer, he did not pause in his hand, and signed neatly and filed the paper.

"Miss Rabelais has been running to you a little more quickly, beware, Lord Leus, you are married and have children."

Thorgrande narrowed his eyes at Sauer, which made the Praetorian Commander begin to regret his talking.

After about a minute, however, Thorgrande lowered his head and continued to review the next paper, and exhaled heavily, and said, "Your fears are indeed justified, and I will inform the Marquis de Rabelais that Miss Rabelais does not have to come to his father's aid in the future." Sauer, you help the ministry to make an announcement of the recruitment of a secretary, and I will find a way to get an acceptable salary. ”

"I see, I'm just joking, I can't think you're serious."

"Do you think you should indulge in this?" Sogrand immediately asked rhetorically.

Sauer was silent for a long time before he said, "I don't think so." Then, without a word, he left the office.

The civil service academy in Farency officially began enrollment in March 347 of the Gregorian calendar, and the first class was two short-term courses of six months, and the students were mainly selected from a group of civil servants recruited in early 346. In September 347, the three-year full-time class began to be recruited, with a total enrollment of 180 students. In order to manage and coordinate the national education system, which will be gradually expanded and improved in the future, the Ministry of Culture and Craftsmanship of Falunsi was officially established in September 347 of the continental Gregorian calendar. The first minister was the Marquis de Rabelais, who was also the dean of the Civil Service.

At that time, the Ministry of Culture and Skills still had a very wide scope of responsibilities, and it actually carried out the functions and powers of many departments such as the Ministry of Chinese, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Water Conservancy Engineering, and the Ministry of Science and Technology under the modern administrative system. From this point of view, although Sogrerd Leuss already has a certain concept of state support for management education and technology, his actual view is still very crude and naïve. Although this department seems to be able to manage many things, in reality it can only manage a few things that are directly related to the central government for various reasons. It was not until 355 in the Gregorian calendar that the Ministry of Culture and Technology was divided into two functional departments: the Ministry of Culture and Education and the Ministry of Engineering and Technology.

Miss Rabelais was a lecturer at the new college, where she lectured in mathematics and geometry, with occasional guest appearances in philosophy and rhetoric. The students had a good impression of the young teacher, apparently at first because of her delicate and beautiful appearance. However, as the course progresses, many students with some academic skills will be surprised by this young lady's profound knowledge and down-to-earth research attitude.

"Elessa, your students say that your classes are very simple and straightforward, and I have read your own textbooks, which are very easy to understand. I was afraid that you would bring your usual pedantic spirit into the classroom and education, and the students would not be able to adapt to it, but it seems that my worries are unnecessary. The Marquis de Rabelais smiled at his daughter.

"Father," said Ellesa, who was both happy and shy at the sound of her father's compliment, "I was given a lot of useful advice, so I was able to write the textbook in a way that was acceptable to everyone." ”

"Oh, it seems that your many suggestions came from someone in the palace?"

"Yes, I never thought that a soldier-born person could have such insight."

"Larson-sama is a very studious person......"

"He ......" Aretha realized that she and her father were talking about two people, so she was silent.

"Huh." The marquis thought it was his daughter's shyness, so he did not continue to ask.

"Father, I'll go to the academy first."

"Okay, you go get ready for the course first."

The July afternoon sun in Farensi was already irritating, and Sogrend drew up the light gauze curtains in his office after lunch. As he had just finished the move, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Officer Jayne Beta, who pushed the door in, said, "Is there something going on, Officer Beta?" ”

"Your Majesty, please come over."

"Is there something important going on?"

"You know it in the past, Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief has already gone first."

"Good!" Thorgrande approvingly, "Let's get over here." With that, Thorgrande and Jayne walked out of the office together.

Jayne didn't seem to think about why the Prime Minister said such a sentence with a smile, but Thorgrande had a deep meaning, in fact, seeing the head of the intelligence agency personally deliver the notice, he had already guessed the importance of the situation. To his delight, Jayne didn't tell him directly when he asked him about the details of the matter. It can be seen that the Ninth Army has established the concept of "Her Majesty the Queen is the only object of service" from top to bottom.

Came to the king's study, where Marshal Henry was already waiting.

"Lu Siqing, you're here." The queen smiled sweetly at her prime minister. Compared with 2 years ago, Margaret is 18 years old and a very big girl. At her age, the charm of youth still occupies most of the elements of a woman's appearance. However, for Her Majesty the Queen of Farensi, her circumstances and background meant that she would mature faster than her peers. Therefore, judging by the current situation, Margaret is undoubtedly in the first and most attractive period of women.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty. Good afternoon, Marshal Henry. Thorgrande bowed to the two.

"Good afternoon, Lord Luce." The old man nodded to him.

"Then it's up to Colonel Jayne Beta to give us a newfound piece of information." Margaret made a solemn gesture as a monarch should have, and reached out to Jayne to make a gesture of please.

"Then, the lower official will be presumptuous." Jayne gave a military salute and began to repeat the information, "According to the inquiries of our personnel in Shurasa, we have learned of such an information. Just received a message from the carrier pigeon this morning. Her Majesty Empress Sigrani has left Shurasa to recuperate in the south, and it is presumed that she is pregnant again......" Hearing this, Margaret deliberately observed Sogrede's expression, but unfortunately, even after 2 years, she still couldn't see her prime minister and teacher from their expressions.

"And Archduke Leon Fields did not go with him, so it is likely that the Grand Guild exercised imperial power in place of the empress for a while. However, we don't know how long this will be. ”

"Lu Siqing, your opinion?"

"This change of power, although temporary, comes at a very sensitive time, when the three-year contract between our country and Mastar is about to expire. Although His Majesty Higrani may not be at peace with us, Archduke Fields is even less aware of his thoughts, so it is likely that there will be great variables in this time. If I am not mistaken, Archduke Field, Leon, and Cizer Bertrand had a close personal relationship. And Cizer Bertrand's madness is still fresh in our minds, he is not such a calm character, and he also has a restless talent. After saying his opinion, Sogrend turned his attention to the other two decision-makers in the room.

"What about the opinion of Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief?" The Queen asked again.

"Order the army to be ready, we may have to face a new battle in 3 months." Marshal Henry said decisively.

"In addition, we should start ordering the reservists to do a good job of mobilization and training, we may still encounter an attack from two directions, and there will still be a shortage of troops at that time. Now all the energy and enthusiasm of our country is devoted to the construction of internal affairs, and to tell the truth, I do not have at my disposal the slightest budget and reserve that will allow the army to be dispatched in three months. In the event of a war situation, many construction plans would be put on hold, and the losses caused would not be clear on the books. ”

"Don't you want to fight back, and when the time comes, will we swallow our anger?" Old Henry asked with some annoyance.

"Please be patient with what the Prime Minister has to say, my dear Excellency the Commander-in-Chief." Margaret smiled to soothe the old man's temper as she turned her expectant gaze to Saulgrande.

"Your Excellency Henry, please don't be upset, I have only described the objective difficulties that may arise, and I have not yet expressed my personal opinion. My opinion is clear: if we can no longer strike hard at the enemy who invades us on the battlefield, then the best homes will be destroyed by the enemy, and no amount of wealth will be taken away by robbers. However, our country's military strength will probably be at a disadvantage compared to Mastar's at that time, so it is all the more important to see the difficulties clearly. ”

"I see what you mean, I was so excited just now."

"Two marshals, then I think the conclusion is obvious." The queen duly concluded, "The next two of you will work hard until the end of the year, and we must be ready for war." ”

"Your Majesty." The two marshals stood up and said to the queen.

That evening, Thorgrande returned to his lodgings early. Of course, his "early" return is different from the standard of others, and Gina waits for her husband in the living room and prepares dinner for him. The couple hugged and kissed each other and sat down at the dinner table.

"Is everything going well today, Thorge?"

"Everything is fine," Thorgrande took a sip of the soup, "but I received some new information. ”

"What is it?"

"For the time being, Mastar will be in power again with Archduke Field, and His Majesty Sigrani seems to have gone south for health reasons to recuperate." Thorgrande spoke succinctly.

"What kind of physical cause?" Chinna asked.

"Pregnant," Thorgrend took a bite of bread, "anyway, you are ready to return to the Legion immediately, I don't know how well Gribland and Biogel managed the Thirteenth Legion during the year you rested, but in three months I hope to see the same army that was in the exercise two years ago." ”

"If you were so worried that their combat effectiveness would not be maintained, why did you work so me at that time?" China said coquettishly to her husband in a narrow tone.

"Uh...... It was natural—it came naturally—well, I didn't mean it anyway......" Thorgrande explained with a blushing face.

"Thorge, you're such a fool~" China sat on her husband's lap, "Even a man of average caliber would at least say, 'Honey, that's because you're so attractive, I can't help but ...... something like that.'" ”

"I should have said that, I'll pay attention to ...... next time" For such a statement, Qinna could only roll her eyes.

Just as the couple was flirting, a young hand reached out and pulled Lachenna's skirt.

"Mommy, Mommy, my sister is awake." Cenna and Sogrend turned their heads to see little Eclair.

"Oh, is it? Al, come with me. China jumped off her husband's lap, took her adopted daughter's hand and ran. Thorge, you eat slowly, I have to take care of the Rhine. ”

Sogrande didn't answer, but it took him less than five minutes to settle his dinner, and then he rushed to his daughter's room. As soon as he walked into the room, China had just nursed the baby and put the little one back in the cradle.

"You're here?"

"I want to see the little guy too." Thorgrande put his arms around his wife from behind.

"She'll have to make a fuss for a while before she falls asleep." China leaned into her husband's arms and said with a smile.

"Her eyes are very similar to yours, really like purple crystals." China said happily.

"That hair is exactly like yours, like silver in its purest form." Thorgrande replied to his wife.

"She'll be beautiful in the future, but why did you name her Reinhardt?"

"Isn't it good? Doesn't it mean 'pure heart' in the Farencian language? ”

"However, it seems that boys use this name more."

"Anyway, there's already a precedent for Elclaire, Miss Lightning, hehe."

Elclair didn't notice that the adults were joking with her name, and she was focusing on her sister. Reinhardt in the cradle was trying to reach out and grab Elcle's fingers, but Elclere wouldn't let her do it easily. After some hard work, little Rhine finally grabbed his sister's finger, or rather, Elclaire deliberately let her sister succeed. Reinhardt giggled at his success.

"They both like each other very much, and they will get along well in the future, just like sisters." China said as she touched Ecclere's head.