Crossing ships bound for Olin often have several high-class cabins that are always empty. The captains of the traversal ships that sailed to and from Olin knew this - it was reserved for the real gentlemen with heads and faces.

As high-ranking officials and nobles in the colonies, these truly decent and high-ranking gentlemen occasionally had urgent business or private travel needs that could not be booked for their status. And as the captain of a crossing ship, it is also an obligation to set aside at least two rooms for these gentlemen so that the passengers can travel in a decent and comfortable manner.

However, today the number of passengers with noble status who came up from Newsal was somewhat large. On board the Samir Beauty, the two rooms were divided between the two Counts, who had boarded the ship early. This made the captain of the Samir Beauty a little frustrated - a minute before he was ready to leave, two amazing bigwigs boarded the ship.

The arrival of Mr. Neussar's Heraldic Administration and the Marquis de Lafayette was a big deal. But there really aren't any extra cabins on the ship - many of the wealthy people in Newsal seem to have learned through various sources that the League is eyeing Newsall. Almost every day, the shuttles departing from Newsal to other regions are full.

Fortunately, the very noble Mr. Marquis and the director did not care very much about the environment, and they very happily agreed to the proposal of "using the captain's room as a rest room", and then let the escorts go to the second class.

"Hopefully it will only happen once." In the captain's room, Marquis Lafayette joked to Director Bourne, "I don't think there is a marquis in history who has ever been as required to meet His Majesty the Emperor three times in just twenty years, as I have done. ”

"This is the first time that the Zealists have fought with the Secret Guards, and the second time since the execution of the Duke of Thrall." Bourne counted with his fingers very seriously, and then nodded vigorously, "In this way, you are indeed the only high-ranking nobleman in the last three hundred years. ”

"You see, the only one who has seen His Majesty more than I have seen is Salvado." "The only difference is that I really won't pull up a fleet to attack Orin. If I had made such a request, Colonel Duchamp would have bound me up and escorted me directly to you. ”

Bourne picked up a cup of black tea from the coffee table next to him and took a sip, "I've always been curious, how did you and Mr. Baron meet?" The relationship between the middle and high nobles is rarely like yours - it seems to me that you are more of a friend than a subordinate relationship. ”

"Of course it's not an affiliate, I don't think of someone like Duchamp as a subordinate." In response to Bourne's question, the Marquis de Lafayette was a little "proud", he smiled and took out a paper cigarette and lit it to his mouth, and then said to Bourne, "You probably haven't seen Duchamp in his teens, this kid was not an ordinary bastard at that time. ”

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In those "nostalgic old days", Lafayette, who had not yet inherited his father's title, and Duchamp, who had become a baron, were definitely not good friends, in fact, these two were "sworn enemies" who did not like each other during their studies.

The only university that Newsal attended was responsible for the education of almost all the children of the nobles, as well as the nobles themselves. The University of Saint Sal itself is not bad, but since the university only admits students over the age of 16, it ...... Those aristocrats and children of the nobility who have never experienced "collective life" can always do some "flower work".

Lafayette, for example, founded a "Life Poetry Society" at the University of Saint-Saar.

The so-called "Poetry Society" is just a name, and it is easier for such an organization to be recognized by professors. Their actual "business" is mainly partying, drinking, dancing and hunting.

The activities of the Life Poetry Society were welcomed by a large number of nobles, after all, this organization was the creation of the future Marquis. If you can get on good terms with Monsieur Marquis here, it will of course be extremely beneficial for your future social and other work.

Aristocrats willing to take a literary or political line racked their brains to try to join the Life Poetry Society, and the long-established "Society of Reserve Officers of Saint-Saar", to which Duchamp belonged, was greatly threatened. Of course, this kind of old association will not face the fate of "insufficient number of members and on the verge of abandonment", but the reserve officers do feel that the Life Poetry Society is very in the way.

Everyone is running to some kind of ball, and there will be a shortage of visitors for the armed parades and combat exercises of the reserve officers. This is very detrimental to the recruitment of reserve officers, and if the handsome and playful side is not shown to the aristocracy, the army may still be able to maintain its command structure by training junior officers, but the challenge for the navy is outrageous.

As the president of the association, Duchamp has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Life Poetry Society in public more than once. Lafayette, who was criticized by name, was equally unhappy - it is normal for a baron and a reserve naval officer not to understand his ideals, but it is very infuriating to criticize him even though he does not understand it.

The Life Poetry Society is a place for aristocrats to connect with each other in advance, but it is also a tool for Lafayette to realize his "long-cherished wishes". The Marquis had a close relationship with the Forestry Department in Olin, and Lafayette himself had a former tutor from the Forestry Department. Influenced by his own teacher, Lafayette's "political thought" was very close to that of the Shaharat school.

This school of thought believes that there are levels of social functioning just like natural operation. His Majesty the Emperor is naturally the predator of the highest rank, and all the participants in the entire society are the source of His Majesty's "nutrients". And the meaning of the operation of the whole society is to support His Majesty the Emperor.

With this in mind, the Shaharat school advocated greater freedom for the poor and freed, and actively limited the expansion of the aristocracy.

Only by allowing more poor and freedmen to become "higher" participants in this society will they be able to more easily become a source of nourishment for His Majesty the Emperor.

"Fat" hamsters, such as sturdy hyenas, are more suitable as rations for lions.

As a follower of the Shaharat school, Lafayette was extremely keen on aristocratic drinking parties, meaningless poetry salons, and extravagant consumption. Not because he liked it himself, but because such an act could gradually change the "goals" of the nobles.

By indulging them in such costly and pointless actions, the consumption and luxury of the aristocracy can eventually be fed back to the poor. After all, there must be a place for that money, and as the lowest level of workers, the poor and the free always get a share.

It is precisely because of this political ideal that Lafayette himself is very disdainful of aristocrats like Duchamp who are ready to take a military direction - is this still a hyena trying to strengthen himself and become a thief who intercepts the poor to support His Majesty the Emperor?

The two men and the guild they represented were in a semi-open confrontation, and it was only after a snowstorm that Lafayette began to realize that his ideas were a little too simplistic.

In the midst of the blizzard, the sixty-two members of the Life Poetry Society together put together two thousand gold pounds as funds for the relief of the poor and the freed. Duchamp's Association of Reserve Officers, on the other hand, took out four steam knights, twelve steam horses, and a large number of tools, and dug out more than two hundred poor people from the collapsed village.

The 2,000 gold pounds of the Life Poetry Society provided temporary shelter for 60 poor people. Duchamp's association rescued more than 800 people.

"Your idea is great, but it's not practical enough." After the rescue, Duchamp took Andronie and Lafayette for a private meeting. As Duchamp's spokesman, Androni unceremoniously criticized Lafayette, "The work of the aristocracy must not be just paying, you have more knowledge than the poor, and you have a stronger ability to act than the poor." What's the use of giving money at times like these? Haven't they all been embezzled and earned?! ”

"The responsibility of a nobleman should be proportional to his ability, you are the future marquis, but when disaster strikes, you are not as capable as a bad horse!" Androni looked down on Lafayette's so-called Shaharat political theory, "His Majesty the Emperor is the greatest predator? Then his people should be hostile to him instead of honoring him! When have you ever seen a hamster get close to a lion? ”

"The paupers are the bricks of the entire empire, and without His Majesty the Emperor, they will only collide with each other and end up as sand." "The nobility should be the glue between the bricks, and the nobles should work together with the poor and the freedmen to make the empire what His Majesty the Emperor wants!" ”

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"I still don't get it." After listening to this story, Byrne's expression was still a little confused, "So, you have become 'friends'?" ”

"Of course not." Lafayette shook his head, "Our relationship is closer to that of allies. I share the same goal as Duchamp and Androni, and we both believe that the treatment of the poor should be improved. But we have different philosophies, they can't convince me, and I can't convince them. ”

"Allies." Byrne nodded, "No wonder your relationship has always been a bit confusing. ”

There have been many speculations about the relationship between the Duchamps and the Marquis de Lafayette. But there is not enough evidence for these speculations. After all, this kind of "allies with the same purpose, but different philosophies" is indeed relatively rare.

"Caused a lot of trouble for your work, didn't you?" Marquis Lafayette smiled, "Actually, you can come and ask me directly. ”

"Maybe we'll do that in the future." Byrne laughed as he untied his strap, "Looks like we've arrived." ”

Outside the Olin Interstellar Landing, there were people standing who had come to greet their friends and family. An unmarked steam carriage suddenly appeared beneath the Samir Beauty. A red-clad postman stood by the carriage, staring at the disembarking passengers.

"Looks like we've got someone to receive this time." Byrne was a little surprised by his treatment, "This is new. ”

"Your Excellency Viscount Bourne." The red-clad postman was overjoyed when he saw Byrne's face, "This is Lafayette, isn't it?" ”

Lafayette nodded, "It's me." ”

"On the orders of the Director, I will take the two of them to the General Bureau." The red-clad postman opened the door and said to the two of them, "Mr. Director, there are some things that I need to communicate with you in advance. ”

"For the sake of us not having to go out and wait in line for the steam wagon, all right." Byrne smiled and took the initiative to step up to the carriage door.

The cargo compartment of the Sabir Beauty slowly opened, and a black "car" drove out of it. Lafayettehou boarded the carriage and saw the tail mark, "It's beautiful, this is the car Dussand, right?" ”

"In a few years, maybe we'll be in this kind of car instead of climbing into a carriage." Lafayette showed a somewhat yearning expression, "Before, Dusand said that he wanted to send me such a car, but I refused. ”

"Because you can't accept sitting in the same cabin with the driver?" Byrne smiled and asked, "You're not going to be like the other stupid aristocrats who have to stick to a hierarchy in a place like this, are you?" ”

"Not really." Lafayette shook his head, "I'm just worried that the mining complex will put a bomb in the gas canister of my vehicle. ”

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The steam horse with a golden hue strode forward, dragging the wagon forward. The landing site was some distance from the Olympian City, and although the surrounding scenery was first-class, the fatigue of the journey still made the two passengers fall asleep quickly.

After about two quarters of an hour, Bourne opened his eyes. He looked out the window at the scenery and suddenly frowned.

The scenery outside is getting more and more desolate, and this is clearly not the road to the imperial city.

Pulling out a pistol from his arms, Bourne knocked on the window quietly, "Stop a little on the side of the road ahead, I'm going to go to the bathroom." ”

The carriage came to a slow halt, and Bourne got out of the carriage and took two steps forward, then slammed down on the red-clad postman. He pointed a pistol at the other's head, "Who are you?" ”

"Smack!" A gunshot rang out, and Byrne looked at his chest in disbelief.

A patch of red is pouring out fast.

Bourne shook slightly, then fell to the ground like a bag of potatoes.

The sound of jingling wrenches and keys sounded, and Schultz opened the door of the steam carriage.

"Long time no see, Monsieur Marquis." He took off his hat and saluted the terrified Lafayette Hou, "For the sake of your life, please don't ask any questions about what I have to say—we don't have much time, and the real red-clad postman is already on his way." ”

Schultz moved out of the way, then said to the red-clad postman who had been pressed to the ground by Bourne, "Deal with it quickly, and leave no traces." ”

"Got it, sir." The red-clad postman got up from the ground and dragged Byrne by the legs towards the nearby forest. A few minutes later, a somewhat abrupt fire broke out.

"The warhead has been recovered." The red-clothed postman stretched out his blood-stained hand, and in the palm of his hand lay a somewhat distorted brass bullet.

"You can handle the rest yourself, and I'll send the people away first." Schultz took Lafayette in his arms, turned and continued down the road, and in the distance, a gas truck was parked on the side of the road, waiting for them.

"What's going on?" After getting into the car, Lafayette finally couldn't help but ask, "Why...... Why? ”

"It's the Empire's decision." Schultz, who was driving, sighed, "Mr. Marquis, I have done everything in my power to save your life - please trust me." ”

After a moment of silence, he sighed, "Everyone has their place, and in this drama, your place can only be the audience. That's not a bad thing, it's really not. ”