...... In an instant, William's vigilance was raised to the highest - only because of the last words he said, "army" - and he would not let anyone get their hands on military power no matter what. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

"Thank you. Looking at the middle-aged man, William immediately replied: "I can do the affairs of the army by myself." I don't need your help...... However, if it's an academy and an industrial thing, maybe we still have a chance to work together. ”

Hearing William say this, the middle-aged man smiled again: "Although it is not the best result. But at least, the bottom line has been reached. ”

"So, that's the last question. William asked:

"What do you want from me, from Mystia—not to speak some nonsense, or to say compassionately:

As long as the human world progresses. As long as we can explore the reality of the world, we are already satisfied - yes, I believe that there are pure scholars like that in this world. But I absolutely do not believe that the 'supreme representative of the alchemist in the Old World' would send a pure scholar to talk to me about such a thing. ”

"Yes, of course not. The middle-aged man said, "If I talk about theory, I'm similar to them." If I talk about ideals, I am the same as them. But if you talk about practicality...... Indeed, I know a little more than they do. When he had finished speaking, he said solemnly to William, "I want to spread the faith in your realm—a new faith." I mean, a modified faith. ”

"Reformers. I've heard of them. William nodded: "I can get the reformist clergy to spread the faith in my territory." But I'm not going to allow those people to do anything 'not very nice' - you should know what I'm talking about-"

- Yes, the Reformed clergy are part of the Alchemist Alliance. In addition to spreading their more enlightened beliefs. They also attacked the corruption and rigidity of the Holy See. Relations with the Holy See are very bad. Denounced as heretical. At the same time, they are under pressure from all sides - of course, because they are willing to die.

Some radical reformist clergy, in addition to spreading the faith, would instigate their followers to attack the local lords, coerce the local lords, force them to convert, and even seize the local administrative power. This made the noble lords very different from the opinion of the Reformed clergy.

The general view is that these guys don't produce and will bring about a "rustic atmosphere" in the region. It is a group of heretical devil believers who obey the call of the devil and wear the skin of a priest.

But of course, as an enlightened aristocrat. William naturally knew that this was just a propaganda ploy. Not really. Of course, this did not change his dislike for the Reformed clergy.

"I'll let my people keep an eye on them. Once there's something wrong with them. I'm going to deport all of them in the shortest possible time. William said.

"Of course. I assure you, they will never have a problem. In fact, the people we will send to Mystia to spread the faith are the more peaceful Lutherans who don't like to cause trouble, not the radical Calvinists. You can rest assured of that. ”

"I hope so. William did not take the assurances of the other side lightly. Now it seems that the Cheka has more work to do.

In the case of a further rise in the strength of the Hereford family. Charlumi is already a little ineffective in managing the Cheka. And more often than not, Charlumi prefers to stay by William's side rather than separate and deal with various matters.

So, after asking Charlumi for his opinion, William finally decided to take the command of the Cheka directly into his own hands. All personnel arrangements, transfers, and assignments. All major policies are up to oneself to make up their own minds. Shalumi acted as an advisor to the former Cheka's administrators.

In addition, William also inserted his henchman John Jr. into the Cheka system. At the same time, some of the candidates recommended by Xia Lumi were promoted. The Cheka was finely split into multiple departments such as intelligence, management, espionage, assassination, personnel, and covert operations. to ensure that you can control this vicious dog to the greatest extent.

Since then, the Cheka's operational efficiency and speed have really improved a lot. At the same time, William's workload has increased considerably - after all, in addition to the Cheka, he also cares about the efficiency of the implementation of the new policies in the Duchy of Mystia, as well as the newly established Hereford General Company. There is also the family's future development strategy, and next, negotiations with Victoria.

This was one of the reasons why William was jealous of Victoria - the woman seemed to be laid-back all along. It's as if you just have nothing to do every day, and money can fall from the sky. It's not like him, he has to be busy like a dead dog every day.

"That's it, we've all the terms agreed, right, Count. So, happy cooperation?" After this, the middle-aged man smiled and extended his hand to William.

But William didn't take it: "It's still worse." William shook his head, "Or rather, it's still a lot worse - do you really just want to get the missionary power in Mystia? Is that really it?" William looked the middle-aged man in the eyes. And at the same time ask this question - yes, yes, religion, faith, that is important. Or very important. But is that reason alone that he would be willing to make such a big bet? William didn't think those guys would do such a reckless thing so easily.

That said, there must be eccentricity. There must be something that the other party hasn't told him. These things that are concealed and not reported are the key.

“...... In fact, we have a few more things. However, this is not to be discussed with you as an Alchemist Alliance. Rather, it is a commercial, potential partner. The middle-aged man's look of "I really can't hide it from you" made William quite useful. And what the other party said also made William feel that "it was so".

Business, interests, and at the end of the day, "money". William felt that this thing was more like the goal pursued by the alliance of alchemists than faith.

"You see, your land is abundant. Whether it's grain, cooking oil, livestock, horses, or the future imaginable wool, machinery, and something else. Everything is in demand, and it can be sold at a good price...... However, no matter how sought-after goods are, they need a market, don't you? You can't go and sell all that flour and cooking oil and everything else pound by pound to the people they need, do you? You need someone to help you.

At the same time, your country is simply too desolate compared to the more developed countries of the West. It's too backward. You need more to modernize your country. Machines, steam engines, railways, steelmaking. Machinery & Equipment ...... It's all you need. And that's what we can offer you. We can form a very complementary -- "

After this, William interrupted: "-Please wait a minute. Later, under the puzzled gaze of the other party, William seemed to be sorry, but in fact said with some schadenfreude: "In fact, I have a solution to this problem, and I have found someone to cooperate with." ”

"Yes...... But Count William, you should know that those partners of yours are not worth mentioning at all compared to us. We're the best—"

"How does it compare to Briton?" William then interrupted the middle-aged man and asked.

This question made the middle-aged man stunned for a while, and he didn't know how to answer.

"Yes, although you are very good, you have to compare yourself with whom. If it's a Britton, then ......" William shook his head.

"I can't think of it...... No, I should have thought of it a long time ago. The middle-aged man shook his head a little helplessly: "Although...... But you don't think you've been in contact with them yet, do you?"

"Yes. William nodded, then pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Speaking of which, Your Excellency, I remember that you also said before that Briton can be said to be a model country for alchemists. In that country, the Protestant sect had replaced the traditionalist faith of the Holy See. And the natural sciences, machinery and industry, and commerce represented by the alchemist are also developing rapidly. So, the alchemist's power in Britton should be very great, right?"

In a sense, it is. ”

"That being the case. Why, both of you came to me...... And then they don't seem to know each other's existence......" William said as he spread his hands: "It feels like you're ...... It's not that intimate. ”

"Honestly, that's true. "The middle-aged man doesn't look like he wants to talk about it anymore. He seemed a little disheartened. For he knew that they could give William help, and so could the Bretons. To make matters worse, the Bretons were stronger than them. So for the same thing, the Bretons can give William a higher price.

In this case, the middle-aged man could not think of any reason to persuade William to continue working with him.

Although it was a pity, the middle-aged man felt that he, and the group behind him, had to give up the promising Duchy of Mystia - but after that, William's answer surprised him.

"Hmm...... In this way, maybe we can have more of a common language. William smiled and said, "I actually hate those Bretons too. ”

"-- the personal feelings of the nobles -- damn it, I forgot to calculate this!" the middle-aged man almost cheered in his heart -- the peaks and turns around! he and his forces still had a chance! and more importantly, the fact that "dissatisfaction with Britton" might lead them to a closer alliance with Mystia!