Chapter 377 Wrong place

Author: Half-wounded but not broken

Chapter 377 Wrong place

To the northwest of the central part of the Orion Kingdom, there is a large undulating hillside, and Sword and Halberd City was built on this hillside.

The reason why it is called this is because when the Kingdom of Orion was first established hundreds of years ago, most of its land was still undeveloped, and a large number of wild animals and monsters lived here.

At that time, King Orion stationed troops here and personally led the army to clean up the monster population on a large scale. The family members who came with the army settled here and slowly formed a city.

It sounds like Sword and Halberd City produces weapons and equipment, or is an important fortress, but in fact this city does not have the above two functions.

There are no minerals, no special products, and no unique resources around it. It was originally just a place to station troops. Its geographical location is not important, and its status is very embarrassing.

The size is only about 50,000 to 60,000 people. It is still relatively small even as a city. It is the smallest city in the Kingdom of Orion.

The previous city lords had great talents and strategies. They found profit points on the useless land and encouraged farmers to plant apples. When the apple orchards grew in size, they could develop the winemaking industry and drive the city's economy.

But people obviously don't live as long as trees. By the time of the current city lord's generation, Hong Cai Da Lue no longer exists.

This city lord was very short-sighted. He only cared about quick money and imposed heavy taxes on apples, the only pillar industry. As a result, farmers were unwilling to continue planting, and all the arrangements of the previous city lords were completely defeated.

Therefore, Jianji City still looks like it is in poverty, and the only one who is fattening it up is the city owner.

It is very troublesome to convince him. The status of Juniper City is similar to that of Sword and Halberd City, but the city lord of Juniper City has development ambitions. As long as a reliable aid plan is given, the city lord will immediately support the first prince.

The city owner of Sword and Halberd City is short-sighted and greedy. If you talk to him about the development plan, he will transfer the funds to his own pocket.

If you want to convince him, you probably need to write a blank check for a high official and a generous salary, and you have to be careful about it. People won't believe a blank check that is too outrageous.

What's more, he was one of the first corrupt nobles to be dealt with after the First Prince succeeded to the throne, and they wanted to trick him into supporting the First Prince...

Anyway, Pei Renli thought it was unlikely.

After everyone entered the city, they first went to the market to buy weapons. Anna needed a bow, and Kemir also needed a new long sword.

However, the result was not ideal. Sword and Halberd City is not famous for selling weapons and equipment, and not many adventurers come, so the blacksmiths here mainly make agricultural tools or daily necessities.

Kemir found a long sword that had been stored for who knows how long. It was covered with spider webs and was a little rusty. It was just fine after being re-edged.

Anna's wish to buy a high-quality longbow was in vain. Making a bow was more troublesome than making a sword. The cycle was usually calculated on an annual basis, so she could only choose a hunting bow.

This place is really not good.

After that, the few people left the carriage in the stable of the hotel and then found a room to wash up. Regardless of the possibility, they had to give it a try.

Before dark, everyone appeared in front of the city lord's castle gate.

The situation was similar to the situation in Juniper City. Miaojie took out the token and guarded the soldiers as fast as if they were chased by a dog. She flew back to report.

But he left quickly and returned very slowly. Everyone waited at the door for more than ten minutes before the guards came back and led them into the castle.

Different from the spacious and bright style of Juniper City, the castle of Sword and Halberd City looks cold and dim. However, this is also the standard style of most castles, so it is not very strange.

However, Pei Renli was still keenly aware that something was wrong.

For example, they were led in by guards instead of servants. They didn't see any servants along the way. They were all guards with five steps and one post and ten steps.

This aroused Pei Renli's suspicion. You should know that ten minutes is enough time to arrange a lot of swordsmen and prepare to throw cups as a sign of victory.

So he deliberately slowed down a little and whispered:

"Please be careful. Don't eat or drink anything. There's something wrong with this place."

Then he specially told Miaojie:

"Don't leave my side later, make sure you are under my protection at all times."

Miaojie nodded covertly, she must have noticed something unusual.

The guard who led the way did not take them to the reception room, but immediately turned left after entering the castle and entered a side hall from the lobby.

This is a long space with a sofa and coffee table at one end, and a long table and chairs at the other end. It feels more like a restaurant.

As the saying goes, guests do as they please, maybe they just like to talk in the restaurant.

As before, only Pei Renli followed Miaojie inside, while the others waited outside.

After all, one bodyguard can be said to be used to support the scene. If a bunch of bodyguards are involved, the hostility will be too obvious.

After waiting on the sofa for about a minute, the door on the other side of the restaurant opened, and two guards came in surrounded by the city lord.

Speaking of which, the city lord of Sword and Halberd City really lived up to Pei Renli's expectations. He was very short and had pointy ears, monkey cheeks, and sly eyebrows. This honor alone was enough to put him on a wanted notice.

He glanced at Pei Renli who was standing behind the sofa arrogantly, and then without any etiquette, he did it directly opposite Miaojie.

"His Majesty the King has just passed away, and the ceremony should not have been completed. Your Royal Highness, Princess, is not in the capital. Why did you come to this remote place like me?"

As soon as she opened her mouth, she stabbed Miaojie casually.

Due to emotions and reasons, Miaojie, as a princess, should be in mourning in the capital during this period. However, all the city lords are aware of the overt and covert fighting between the two princes. Naturally, Miaojie is well aware of the purpose of coming. He must have said this on purpose.

.

Miaojie raised her eyebrows. Having been treated like a princess since she was a child, she had never been so angry. But when she thought about business, Miaojie decided to endure it.

"It is precisely because it concerns the king that I am running around."

"Huh, she's just a princess. What does national affairs have to do with you?"

Although this sentence sounded like a whisper, the volume was just high enough for Miaojie to hear.

Although she really wanted to pick up the black tea on the table and splash it on the city lord's face, she couldn't do it yet and had to endure it a little longer.

"Your Excellency, City Lord, let me tell you bluntly, you should have heard about the competition between the first prince and the second prince, and Sword and Halberd City has never expressed its attitude before this."

"Oh? Are you here to win my support? Well, tell me what conditions you can offer?"

Asking for bribes is very clear...

Most of the time, everyone will keep a line in their words, and there will be room for change in the future. After all, no one knows what will happen in the future.

And this city lord does not look like a qualified politician at all, but more like a greedy miser.

Miaojie endured her disgust, maintained her polite smile and said:

"The Chancellor of Finance is getting older, and I recently heard that he wants to go home to retire."

"What does that have to do with me?"

I don’t know if he is really confused or just pretending to be confused, but Miaojie has clearly made it clear.

She had no choice but to continue:

"I intend to recommend you to become the new Chancellor of the Exchequer."

"Your Highness, do you have this right?"

"Of course, I have reached an agreement with my brother to help him obtain the throne. As long as I ask for the position of finance minister, he will definitely agree."

The city lord picked up the teacup and said calmly:

"However, as the Minister of Finance, I will leave Sword and Halberd City and go to the capital. To be honest, I am very family-oriented and don't want to leave."

Miao Jie secretly cursed for being pretentious, but if she thought about it carefully, if he left Sword and Halberd City and went to the capital, he would be meat on the chopping board, and he could flatten or round it as much as he wanted.

Although short-sighted and greedy, this person was not easily fooled, so Miaojie had no choice but to make another offer.

"You are just a Viscount now, don't you want to raise your title to a higher level?"

Although the size of the title wheel is Gonghou Bozinan, there is actually no subordinate relationship between superiors and subordinates.

It is quite possible that the words of the powerful Earl made the Duke's heart tremble. The improvement of the title is only the improvement of social status, not the improvement of power.

But nobles all want to climb up the ladder. After all, so-and-so Grand Duke sounds more awesome than So-and-so Baron.

This is out of vanity.

Upon hearing Miaojie's words, the city lord's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, as if he was tempted.

All the city lords in Orion are Earls at the lowest level, and he is the only one who is a viscount. The city lords of Sword and Halberd City always have the desire to climb up the ranks.

Miaojie's words hit the opponent's sweet spot very accurately.

"Princess Miaojie, please explain in detail."

"It's very simple. Have you ever thought that if you, as an old minister who supports the new king's succession, won't you get a reward?"

"But only if the first prince needs to win the throne."

Miaojie was about to explain how much support she had received and boast that the throne was already certain, when she saw the city lord suddenly stood up.

"I have heard about the First Prince's situation. I need to think about it. Please wait here."

These words directly suppressed Miaojie's explanation, which was quite uncomfortable. Pei Renli, who was watching from behind, noticed that the princess had a strong desire to rant against the city lord.

After saying this, the city lord left with two guards without even saying hello. This was the first time I had seen such a rude city lord.

When the door closed again, Miaojie angrily picked up the tea cup and wanted to throw it on the door several times, preferably on the head of the Lord of Jianji City.

But in the end, reason prevailed, and he put down the tea cup with a bang, spilling all the black tea on the table.

Pei Renli ignored Miao Jie's temper, walked up and drew a few runes, and used Detect Poison.
To be continued...