Fuxing Palace, Ballard Room.

The setting sun shines through the stone window, casting a long shadow of light on the table, like a golden and black sword blade.

"And such a good thing?"

The Minister of Commerce and Trade of the Kingdom of Stars, Viscount Connie put down the "Emerald City Substitute Petition" that had just been sent to the conference room, with a skeptical expression.

"The owner of the irises. ”

Connie looked at his peers at the Imperial Council:

"Duke Cavendier actually took the initiative to ask for tax substitution, reduce the number of conscripts in Emerald City, and even support the royal family to expand the standing army to fill the national defense priorities left by the conscripts?"

The ministers of the Imperial Council looked at each other.

Only the scarred man who went and returned and brought back the "Petition" stood silently aside, silent.

"Stance aside, doesn't he know the risks of doing so?"

Viscount Connie squinted his eyes with a subtle expression:

"If Emerald City really lives up to what the letter says, challenges tradition and shakes interests...... Ha, when every conscripted person in each fief refuses to work for the feudal lord on this ground, Cavendill will become a subordinate vassal, no, the target of the entire kingdom's aristocratic system. ”

"Not the whole system," said military adviser Sodor Rader, excited by the arrival of the letter:

"Only those noble lords who are old-fashioned, old-fashioned and backward, who cling to the conscription of the militia, and who are unwilling to accept taxes in lieu of servitude. ”

Viscount Connie put down the letter and said slyly:

"That's pretty much the other than the pro-royal party...... Everyone?"

As soon as these words came out, there was a burst of laughter from the imperial meeting.

"This letter came just in time, speaking for us and deflecting the pressure," said Sodot with a smile on his face:

"Whether it is the reduction of the Bright Star Private Army, or the expansion of the standing army, we have strong political solidarity and the support of foreign ministers, as well as the replacement tax paid by the Emerald City, Qiu Ke, the budget problem you said ......"

But the treasurer rolled his eyes and was noncommittal.

On the other hand, Gilbert took the letter with iris paint from Connie's hand and studied it carefully, refusing to let go of a word.

Even if it's the third time.

Eventually, it became clear that the Foreign Secretary's face was extremely ugly, and that it was out of step with the relaxed atmosphere of the meeting.

"The letter ......"

Gilbert muttered, "What the hell is ......?"

"Old friend," said Sordow, noticing Gilbert's state of affairs, with a worried look on his face:

"Any questions?"

The silence of the few people in the meeting affected the atmosphere just now, and the Ballard room gradually fell silent.

Gilbert didn't answer, he just took a deep breath and slowly looked up at the end of the long table.

It's like asking for some answer.

On the other side, however, the king's figure disappeared in the darkness, untouched for a long time.

Until another chubby hand came to him.

"What a coincidence, when we are thinking about how to reduce the conscription so as not to provoke the public's anger, and how to find a budget to expand the standing army......

The presiding officer of the Imperial Council, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Duke Bob Cullen of the East China Sea, took the "Petition" with a rare composure on his face.

"When we were still trembling on thin ice, for fear that this incident would shake the country's foundation and cause a civil war, this letter came?

Prime Minister Cullen's words left everyone at the Imperial Council in deep thought.

Cullen's gaze turned away from the beautiful, unhurried handwriting on the paper, and glanced suspiciously to the other side, the scar-faced spy from the secret department.

But the scar-faced man was still quiet and respectful, deaf to him, and didn't say a word.

The duke moved his fat belly, shook the letter in his hand, and snorted softly:

"What about Jenn himself?"

The scar-faced man seemed to have just come back to his senses, and replied respectfully: "It is reported that the Duke of the South Shore himself has left the royal capital and returned to the Emerald City to deal with urgent matters. ”

"Urgent?"

Cullen looked at Jenn's handwriting again, and from time to time he looked at the end of the long table, and burst out into an uneasy laugh:

"Indeed, it's too urgent, it's too urgent......"

It was obviously good news, but the unusual attitude of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary made the elites of the Imperial Council suspicious, and they all looked at the master here.

King Kessel, however, sat still.

Only the setting sun behind him, through the window, hung countless golden pillars of light, enveloping him, looking from afar, like the blade of a sword defending the throne.

Or a prison pen.

"Prime Minister, my lord?" asked Viscount Connie tentatively

However, Cullen only raised his finger slightly, and his expression was amused.

"Soduo, I thought it was ...... at first"

Prime Minister Cullen's words are like the evening bell of a monastery, with a deep tone and meaning:

"You reported the battle situation in the north in great detail today, and talked about Exeter's lesson, just to show favor to Prince Tails, and praise him as the little lover of Longxiao City by the way......"

Military advisor, Thodor Rader, was stunned.

"And you exaggerate the accident of the Blade Tooth camp, blindly depreciate the conscripts, and advocate the expansion of the standing army, but you are just pretending to be a gesture, at most asking for a sky-high price, and paying back the money on the ground......"

Treasurer, Jocko Man cocked his mouth.

"But now, look at this letter......"

Prime Minister Cullen glanced at the iris coat of arms on the letterhead, but turned in the direction of the king and shook his head:

"Today's meeting, Your Majesty, you are prepared. ”

Kessel V's brow moved slightly.

The Prime Minister put the "Petition" together and smiled slowly:

"Just like before, the royal standing army went to the Western Wilderness, cleaned up the Great Desert, and greeted His Royal Highness the Prince, and was also prepared?"

This remark means something, and the ministers in front of the emperor frowned,

In the midst of the crowd, Gilbert shuddered slightly.

He looked at the king from afar, his eyes bitter.

However, the Prime Minister's next sentence was inexplicable:

"Is it the 'Sand King' or the 'Whisper'?"

Sand King?

Whisper?

At that moment, the ministers of the Imperial Council looked at each other, not knowing why.

Outside the long table, the sleeves of the scar-faced man moved invisibly.

But the ministers soon noticed that at the end of the long table, the king's eyes were nailed to the Duke of Cullen, and he did not care about anything else.

"Don't be surprised, Your Majesty, Midil consulted me in the first place. ”

Prime Minister Cullen didn't seem to care if anyone answered, he just sighed and muttered to himself.

"At that time, although I was already rich, at least I was still a fat man in the prime of life. ”

The old duke's words were both emotional and lonely.

"Now, when I look down again, I can't see my toes. ”

Duke Cullen raised his head:

"What about you?"

In a state of confusion, everyone subconsciously looked at the end of the long table, at the majestic figure that was as immobile and silent as a stone statue.

"Bob. ”

After a few seconds of silence, the Iron Fist King spoke, expressionless.

"You're not just fat. ”

At that moment, the light of the setting sun converged into countless golden blades, spanning between the two of them.

The Prime Minister, however, seemed to be unaware of it, and remained calm.

"It's old. ”

The voice of the Iron Fist King changed from the previous thick and majestic, and there was a sharp sense of sharpness like a sharp blade:

"I'm still tired. ”

The gazes of King Kessel and Duke Cullen crossed the long table and met in the air.

The ministers frowned in unison.

"yes, I'm tired. ”

After a few seconds, Cullen avoided King Kessel's gaze and said slowly:

"No more than the kingdom is thriving, and the wheels are rolling forward. ”

The Duke of Donghai slowly lowered his head and snorted indifferently, looking like an ordinary old man who was old and relieved.

"It's not this horse, it's that horse, anyway, you have to pick a horse-drawn cart, right?"

King Kessel's eyes were cold, and he did not answer.

"But you're not him. After Cullen finished the last sentence, he closed his eyes tiredly:

"It's not him. ”

King Kessel remained silent.

At that moment, the atmosphere in Ballard's room was no longer relaxed, and in the face of the vague confrontation between the king and the duke, everyone was very puzzled, but they did not dare to say more.

Except for unique persons.

"Your Majesty. ”

Gilbert looked up with a complicated gaze and became the next to break the silence:

"I beg your pardon for trespassing. ”

He held up Jenn's handwritten book steadily, revealing the iris coat of arms on it:

"But when was this petition written?"

"Last night?"

Gilbert's eyes went straight to the throne.

At that moment, the always gentle Xingchen Cunning Fox had sharp eyes, and even a little aggressive.

Prime Minister Cullen snorted lightly and added, intentionally or unintentionally:

"Or just now?"

A low whisper rang out among the courtiers.

After a few seconds, the king turned his head slowly, and his gaze shifted to his once most trusted foreign secretary.

His gaze pierced the setting sun, like a solid ice covering the top, instantly dispelling the warmth.

King Kessel stared at Gilbert closely, but remained silent.

The atmosphere of the Imperial Council became more and more solemn and suffocating, until someone could not bear it anymore and interrupted it.

"Isn't it, because of the royal banquet?"

On the other side, the treasurer of the kingdom, Joke Man, swallowed his spit and asked cautiously.

He knew that the stakes were high, and he would no longer be a scoundrel before:

"I left early at the banquet, but I later heard that the Duke of Star Lake and the Duke of the South Shore had a little trouble during the banquet...... Unpleasant?"

Duke of Star Lake, Duke of South Shore, royal banquet.

As soon as these words came out, there was a whisper around the table again.

Disagreeable.

Yes, if you go to the meeting with a sword, assist the assassins, kidnap the guests, and threaten the prince, it can be considered a "small unpleasantness".

The king snorted coldly, interrupting the whispering of the royal front.

"A little misunderstanding. ”

King Kessel's words were as eloquent as a hammer.

"It's been resolved. ”

Solved.

Gilbert's heart sank when he heard this.

At the table, no one is stupid enough to ask "how to solve it".

Viscount Coney and Lord Clappen, Minister of Agriculture and Agriculture, glanced at each other and interrupted the current embarrassment: "Very good, then the Duke of the South Shore still wants to mend relations with us, unlike the one-eyed dragon ...... in the clifflands"

"That's it?"

But Gilbert's voice rang out again, breaking their efforts.

"Just because he was behind the scenes against Prince Tails, you took the chips?"

Gilbert was uncharacteristically unrelenting, and his tone was stern and hurried:

"That's why you have this letter?"

Everyone felt that the tension between the King and the Foreign Secretary could not be ignored, even more so than between the former and the Prime Minister.

Gilbert has always been very popular, the military adviser Sodor quietly gave him a look, the vicar of Stylianides tapped the table quietly, and even the treasurer Jocko pretended to cough and soothe his cheeks.

"Jenn is a clever boy," Finally, the Iron Fist King spoke slowly, calmly, "One point will make sense." ”

"Whenever he does something wrong, he knows how to make up for it. ”

Many people looked at the paper "Petition" in Gilbert's hand and thought for thought.

"Make amends?"

At that moment, Gilbert looked at the king faintly, and the feeling was indescribable.

"Yes," Xingchen Cunning's tone was tired:

"Six years ago, after His Highness Tails' mission to the north was attacked by vampires in the birch forest, you and he did the same 'settled' and 'made amends'. ”

The vassals who didn't know this story were shocked.

Six years ago.

Bloodsucker.

"Even if you know that Duke Cavendier has something to do with the attackers?" Gilbert's tone was almost forced.

No one dared to speak.

This time, the Star King at the end of the long table was silent for a long time.

"The essence of politics, my friend," said King Kessel slowly:

"It's a bundle of interests. ”

Hearing the name, Duke Cullen frowned slightly.

Gilbert's expression became more and more bitter:

"Yes, I remember, these are the exact words of His Highness Midir. ”

Hearing this name, everyone was stunned.

"So, Gilbert, my friend, if you want to be happy with your vengeance, you can retrigate your grievances directly......"

The Iron Fist King snorted coldly, and his tone changed sharply.

"You might as well read more knights. ”

Faced with the king's merciless words, Gilbert's expression darkened.

"Very well, very right, Your Majesty. ”

The Foreign Secretary lowered the letter in his hand and closed his eyes.

"But. ”

Gilbert's voice was as weak as a mosquito:

"His Highness Tails, does he know?"

Many people's eyes moved.

King Kessel was silent for a moment.

His gaze glanced over the Scarface Spy of the Mystical Branch, intentionally or unintentionally:

"He knows now. ”

Gilbert fell back and said no more.

Dusk has arrived, and the color of the sun has gradually increased, turning from golden yellow to dark red.

At that moment, the Supreme King, bathed in the setting sun, even looked a little crimson.

Only his face was still obscured in the backlight.

There was silence in the Imperial Council.

"That's enough, guys. ”

Just when the participants were at a loss, another voice sounded at the right time, it was resolute and decisive, breaking the dullness:

"Whatever the source of this letter, since it's already here, we can't let it go to waste. ”

Military advisor, Sodor Rader glared angrily:

"Whether it is voluntary or involuntary, whether it is a compensation or a transaction, since the Duke of Cavendier is 'kind' to sacrifice his own fame and interests, and does not hesitate to be pointed out by thousands of people, he must also write to His Majesty, pay taxes and substitute servitude, share the political pressure for us, and shout for the Fuxing Palace......"

"He didn't. ”

Thodor Rader turned his head in shock, but Gilbert still had his eyes closed, rubbing his forehead.

"Excuse me?"

Gilbert took a deep breath.

"As far as I know, at the end of the reign of the former King Eddie, under the rule of the former Duke of the South Bank, known as Leinster Cavendil, the regular military service system in the Emerald City had been broken and so loose that it had existed in name only. ”

At the imperial meeting, the ministers who didn't know about the Nan'an Territory were all stunned.

But Prime Minister Cullen frowned.

"I see, the afterlife is terrifying. ”

"The South Coast, after all, is not the Western Wilderness. The Prime Minister of the Kingdom laughed dumbly.

The others remained puzzled until Gilbert sighed.

"After the year of blood, due to the depression of the territory and in order to repair the wounds, the old Duke of Leinster granted that some of his vassals should not respond to the compulsory conscription, and did not contribute to the prime of life, but paid a substitute fee, so that he could hire professional mercenaries to deal with large-scale wars such as banditry. ”

Gilbert patiently explained, slowly returning to his role as a counsellor for the king:

"To this day, the military service system under the jurisdiction of the Emerald City is no longer complete and sound - special cases have gradually become a common practice, and even when the conscription order comes, each family can be exempted from military service as long as they bribe a full amount, and the conscription system has instead become a legal void for conscription officers to rely on the conscription book to loot the people and enrich their own pockets. ”

Military adviser Sordor Rader was thoughtful.

The expressions of everyone present slowly changed.

King Kessel listened quietly to the Foreign Secretary's explanation, not knowing what to think.

"I remember, six years ago, when everyone was sending troops together......"

Prime Minister Cullen shook his head and seemed to have gained a little:

"It seems that Jenn wasn't exactly lying at the time. ”

Kilbert nodded, preoccupied.

In other words, this seemingly costly petition is nothing more than a favor. ”

"The Duke of Southbank encapsulated the established state of affairs in the Emerald City as his own sacrifice and loyalty, and brought the tacit custom to the table into a decree written in black and white, claiming that it was the need of the king and the standing army. ”

"He doesn't have to give anything. ”

Gilbert pushed the "Substitute Petition" to the center of the table:

"Even if this decree is approved by His Majesty, Cavendier has no real loss, and perhaps by the way, he can also eliminate the corrupt and inefficient rule of officials, regulate the chaos of paying taxes and substitute servitude, and make the people who have been serving hard for a long time applaud and praise Duke Iris, who is dedicated to serving the people. ”

On the other side, "Money Bag" Qiu Ke snorted lightly and added:

"And swallow all the dirty money looted by the people below when they were recruiting for military enrichment—in the name of His Majesty Kessel and the royal standing army, of course. ”

The treasurer rubbed his hands red:

"Kevin Dill has been rich for many years, and he really has a set. ”

Gilbert had a cold face:

"And, as Lord Cullen said, the next time there is a war, the Southern Shore Lords will be able to argue with great reason at the Council of Nations: they have received the king's permission, and they are required to pay taxes and serve in lieu of service, and do not need to send troops. ”

The fat prime minister nodded kindly.

Gilbert turned to the surprised Shuttle advisor:

"As for what you said, Sodot, Iris is in line for the Revival Palace, political support and solidarity ......"

Gilbert paused.

"Don't forget, Jenn presented the Petition to His Majesty at a banquet after he was publicly accused by His Highness Tails of being behind the scenes. ”

Prime Minister Cullen took Gilbert's words, shook his head, and seemed to be in a good mood:

"If the news comes out, as long as it works properly, this will not be a symbol of the fleur-de-lis siding with the royal family, but just a helpless move by Cavendier under the pressure of the Fuxing Palace. Far from being blamed, Emerald City can receive sympathy from his vassals and even the majority of lords in the country - 'the king must have forced him to do it'. ”

The Prime Minister winked intriguingly:

"Really?"

No one answered him.

"Instead, it's the Fuxing Palace. ”

Gilbert's voice rang out, unhurried again, gentle and long:

"This matter is already sensitive, and if we are infamous as 'persecuting vassals', whether it is to reduce the conscription or expand the standing army, we will only face greater pressure......

He didn't say any more, but the atmosphere at the Imperial Council was a little heavier.

"It's a pity. ”

The treasurer, Qiu Ke, slapped his thigh in annoyance:

"If only His Highness Tails, after finding out the truth, did not howl at Cavendier, but suppressed his temper and quietly came to report to His Majesty. ”

"So," said Cullen, looking at the end of the long table, consciously or unconsciously:

"Young people, you can't be too hasty. ”

Gilbert's analysis swept away the excitement of the Imperial Council from this letter, leaving no point in it.

Everyone was already tired, and they were even more disappointed.

"But, ladies and gentlemen. ”

The military advisor took a deep breath, regained his strength, and raised his hand to attract the attention of the Imperial Council:

"Maybe Iris has its own abacus, but that doesn't affect our choice. ”

Sodot tried his best to convince everyone:

"The most important thing is that, if what this letter says, we will have the levies that Cavendier will pay and expand the standing army......"

But he was interrupted.

"I'm not pouring cold water, GI. ”

The familiar mocking tone of the treasurer came again, causing Sodot to frown fiercely:

"However, it sounds very good to exempt each level of lord from the obligation of conscription to help in the war, replace it with a special tax item, use the money collected to expand the standing army, and then in turn fill the defense of the disbandment of the conscription and maintain law and order......"

Manager Qiu Ke crooked his cheeks without smiling, and said:

"However, I have to deal with that group of profiteers in the Emerald City every quarter, and believe me, they can't do anything else, every time they collect taxes......"

Sodot snorted angrily:

"How dare they evade taxes?"

"It's worse. ”

Qiu Ke squinted:

"They'll do the accounting. ”

Soudor was stunned:

"What?"

Many frowned, and Prime Minister Cullen glanced at Gilbert with a look of "so it was."

Qiu Ke shook his head disdainfully:

"I said that the ability of their accountants is no less than that of the Comas, and the tax accounts can be described as clear, and there is no concealment, but no matter the calculation of the tax rate, the selection of tax items, and the flow of tax money are extremely complicated......

"Can you believe it, it's clear that Emerald City is very rich, the business of sea and land trade is growing year after year, and the total amount of money in circulation is enough to buy several small principalities, ......but their book numbers are still at a loss!

The treasurer opened the "Petition", stared at it with disgust, and threw it down:

"As for what is said here, paying taxes and servitudes, tell me, Soduo, do you think they will find out of conscience this time and send you a large sum of money out of thin air?"

Sordow's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe that there was such a thing in the world.

Joke turned to the king, his tone becoming much more respectful.

"If this is the 'budget' you are waiting for, Your Majesty, Sord. ”

"IMHO, it didn't work out. ”

"Let's talk about the expansion of the standing army and look at the income of the next quarter. ”

The king did not speak.

Sodot clenched his fists fiercely.

The words of the treasurer made the entire imperial council sober up and fall into a disappointed silence.

"So, Emerald City's letter is just empty words? I mean, if we do pass it, then they have nothing to lose, and they seem to be reasonable, and they make a lot of money. ”

Lord Clapen, Minister of Agriculture and Agriculture, spoke tremblingly:

"On the contrary, we seem to have gained a bargain, but we have become wicked people, and our underwear is gone?"

"Cunning Southerners. Viscount Coney threw down the "Petition" on the table and cursed unhappily:

"Do you say, is the iris going to see the trick at the end, or is it ready for this hand a long time ago and waiting for this opportunity?"

The ministers looked at each other, without answers.

Until the king's voice sounded,

"This is certainly not the optimal solution. ”

King Kessel's tone was calm, bringing the topic back to the direction he wanted: "But it's already the biggest concession that the Emerald City can give. ”

The Iron Fist King looked at the letter faintly.

"The sword at the banquet alone is not enough. ”

Gilbert had to sigh inwardly.

"Damn, why did that boy of the Western Wilderness at the banquet just kidnap the guests?"

The military adviser pounded the table hard:

"It would be nice if he committed a greater crime, such as assassinating the prince......"

Gilbert reacted and rebuked:

"Sordow!"

Cosoldot just waved his hand indifferently:

"It's okay, you know I didn't mean that......"

Sodot turned his head, looked at the letter on the table, and sighed:

"Gilbert, if you think about it again, is there really no way? This letter, it finally solves our political and budgetary problems at the same time......"

Without waiting for the Foreign Secretary to speak, Qiu Ke stabbed him coldly next to him:

"Didn't you listen to the class, GI? it won't solve anything. ”

Gilbert nodded tiredly.

"If Your Majesty approves the proposal of this petition and begins to reform the military system in the Emerald City, it will be the first step in this controversial ......"

He glanced in the direction of the king with mixed emotions:

"Then the Fuxing Palace will have to swallow all the bitter fruits of the above, and the benefits are really limited except for the hypocritical solidarity of the Duke of the South Coast, and the fact that he does not know whether there is a tax or not. ”

"It's not even our turn to allow it," said Duke Cullen, who seemed to be in a good mood:

"Unlike the small fights such as the adaptation of the Bright Star Private Army, as long as this petition is made public in the form of official documents or warrants, the military reform will inevitably cause an uproar in the kingdom from top to bottom, and we will stand on the cusp of the storm and have no way to retreat. ”

In the darkness of the long table, the king's pupils gradually constricted.

"After all, asking for a lot of money is just a means," Cullen snorted as he looked at the dejected Sordow:

"Just pay back the money on the ground, but you can't really expect to sell it for a sky-high price. ”

This made the military adviser even more depressed.

Manager Joke yawned in a low-key manner, looked left and right, and said tentatively in a tone that ended the meeting:

"What ...... this letter?"

"Ignore it," Gilbert's tone was both helpless and decisive:

"Bury it in the countless official letters of the Fuxing Palace every day, and it will not make waves, and it will be drowned. ”

At the Imperial Council, he was answered by an embarrassing silence.

Until the king's voice rang out again.

"So," said King Kessel, who chuckled and laughed, but did not smile, "we have been sitting here for a day......

"And my son was confronted by an assassin at a banquet and almost died in a duel......"

At that moment, the face of the Iron Fist King emerged from the setting sun, and there was an inexplicable weirdness:

"In exchange for it...... These?"

All the ministers in front of the emperor bowed their heads in unison, and no one dared to answer this question.

Only Cullen took a sip of tea with a calm demeanor and looked at the end of the table:

"It's a pity, Your Majesty, but this letter doesn't give you what you want. ”

"That's right, the wheels roll forward. ”

The Duke of Donghai put down the teacup, straightened his crooked belt, and was satisfied:

"But it's not pushed by brute force. ”

At the end of the long table, King Kessel was silent at sunset.

There was only a pair of eyes, flickering in the darkness.