"That's not necessarily true," Heeley curled his lips, "I only know one who holds scissors and razors like he's holding a magic gun."

Thales shook his head:

"There is only one explanation: in this shop, they are not in the business of shaving hair, but selling other things."

"for example?"

"I don't know, but I think they should be members of the Blood Bottle Gang, or a small gang affiliated with the Blood Bottle Gang."

Hillage said: "How do you know?"

"Because they're not like a fraternity."

"What?"

"The members of the Blood Bottle Gang and the Black Street Brotherhood come from different sources. The difference is obvious. It can be seen in their demeanor, movements, habits, and the level of their dealings. And those guys are obviously..." Thales subconsciously

Authentic, but he immediately noticed the suspicious look cast by Shee Lai, "Oh, I, I heard what Wyatt said, he, um, is well-informed."

Hilley glanced at him and rearranged the order of the flowers in his hand.

"Waia again?"

"Uh, yes, it's Huaiya again."

"Which Wya?"

"Just, a certain Wyatt."

Hilley, who was full of contempt, and Thales, who was smiling awkwardly, looked at each other for a second.

"Well, I have to say that your 'certain Huai Ya' is quite knowledgeable." Facing the crowded street, Hilley curled his lips, "He was at least half right."

"half?"

"The Brotherhood only entered the Emerald City more than ten years ago, and its influence is only in the Beimen Bridge area in the new suburbs. But the Blood Bottle Gang, as I said, they are local snakes and are familiar with the rules of the streets of Emerald City," Hilley

Said, "In their place, you rarely see public security crimes like other places: theft, extortion, kidnapping, robbery, murder, all the bad things that keep businessmen away."

"how do you know?"

"Please, Your Highness, I grew up here."

"No, what I'm asking is, how do you know what 'other places' are like?"

Hilley glanced at him.

"Oh, this is what I heard from 'Huaiya'."

Thales shrugged helplessly and bit "Which Huaiya" to death in his mouth.

Really vindictive.

Thales changed the subject:

"Then I guess, here, taking the Blood Bottle Gang as an example, the way they go to the streets to make a living is also different?"

"Yes, they are integrated into the normal economy and production to a large extent. At most, they are a little out of the ordinary."

"For example?"

Hilley thought for a while:

"Rather than being gangsters, they are more like guilds, where people from the same profession, the same situation, and the same region gather together: barbers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, printers, coachmen, porters..."

"Then how do they get the money to operate?"

"Protection fees, tax collection, transportation fees, intermediary fees, cooperation with large chambers of commerce, industry joint monopoly, and operating gray businesses in the cracks of the law... They use legal and illegal methods to get a share of the prosperous Emerald City trade.

Geng, I heard that some of them are even directly involved in the business, almost like businessmen. And as long as they stay within the bottom line and don't go too far, the Police Department will even cooperate with them."

Thales frowned: "It sounds like an informal street city management."

"Who says it isn't?"

"And this is the result of generations of connivance and abetment by Kevin Deere?"

"It's 'co-opting' and 'exploiting,'" Healy corrected. "My great-grandfather, the Duke of Cork, believed that there are always things in this world that cannot be completely controlled, and that 'there are always gaps in good bread.'

"

"Your great-grandfather...the one who had the menstrual maid entertain the vampire guests?"

"What?"

"fine."

While chatting, Thales was paying attention to the movements in the barber shop.

"I really didn't expect that the Duke of South Bank is quite knowledgeable," a card player chatted. "When I came to the store today, I even asked where our razors and ointments are purchased from, what prices they are, and the market fluctuations.

Ask, unlike those knights in my country who only know how to show off."

Srimani, who was sitting on the chair absentmindedly, was shocked when he heard this.

"Hey, what's that?"

The waiter who was shaving Slimani's head held a cigarette in his mouth and did not bother to answer:

"I heard from the boss that Kevin Deere's family has invested in a lot of business. Of course, they have mines at home. The lime business in the territory alone is enough for him to make money. In short, if the Duke wants to pretend to be knowledgeable, he can't

It couldn't be easier! Besides, how do you know it wasn't a cheat sheet of the manuscript that his people prepared for him in advance?"

"what are you saying?"

Slimani reacted and turned pale:

"You mean, Duke Zhan has been here today?"

"Isn't that true?" the clerk continued without noticing Slimani's expression. "Your Majesty is on a parade. The Duke's team passed through this street in the morning, and our shop was very lucky. The Duke was chosen to go deep into the people, and he must

The model store we visited, haha, can you believe it? We? Model? Hahaha!"

"Compared with Roger and Gutierrez's business, of course we are a model! Craftsmen! Why isn't it worthy of the Duke to go to the people for a tour?" The card player had a good face.

"Going deep into the people? Bah! Just like those knights in your countryside, just for show!"

The guy who shaved his head changed his hand to flick the cigarette ashes, and seemed to be suffering from great hatred:

"It is said that they are imitating the kings and queens who paraded among the people hundreds of years ago, but in fact it is the same every year. However, there are a few fixed routes around the Emerald City, and a large number of servants and servants are waiting on them. No matter how shiny the little Duke is,

They walked down in crowds, smiling and shaking hands with ordinary people like us, asking questions like, 'How old are you this year, how many people in your family are eating well, whether they are dressed warmly, and take care of yourself' and so on..."

Another guy who was playing cards turned around and laughed: "I know that it is very safe and very hypocritical to give another long and smelly nonsense speech of 'I and you are all good, and I and you will be better'.

…”

The shaved guy shook his head and pinched his throat:

"Of course. Basically, everyone smiled and nodded in agreement, excitedly saying, 'We're having a great time.'"

Slimani stared blankly at himself in the broken mirror, swallowed his throat, and joined in the chat:

"Then, they, I mean, when you face Duke Zhan and 'smile and nod', are you sincere?"

The guy who was shaving his head raised his eyebrows and shook the razor: "Yes, of course!"

He smiled sarcastically:

"Do you know how you feel when the majestic Grand Duke stands in front of you? Especially when you know that he can crush you to death with just a move of his fingers... Ha, when he blinks his eyelids, your heart trembles

It's going to scare you, but he's grinning and your legs are trembling!"

After hearing this, Slimani shook his head and gritted his teeth.

"Sorry, I shaved it crookedly in excitement just now. I'll fix it for you."

The guy who was shaving his head lit another cigarette, changed a pair of scissors, and shook his head disdainfully.

Slimani stared blankly in the mirror. He was always strict about hairstyles, but he ignored this mistake that would have driven him crazy in the past.

Across the street, Thales was also fascinated by what he heard and unconsciously rubbed the flowers in his hands.

A guy playing cards lost a hand. He threw down his cards in displeasure and took out a few coins:

"I know, especially when there are officials, big and small, standing behind the Duke. They are shouting in front of and behind, frightened, smiling, and dozens of pairs of eyes staring at you, waiting for your answer!"

The guy who won the round laughed loudly and happily gathered the money:

"And at the end of the line, the little official who is directly in charge of your livelihood and can make you miserable just by looking for excuses to check taxes is still looking at you with a smile and encouragement on his face, 'Come on, say whatever you want.

, don’t be afraid, tell the truth to the Duke’!”

"Truthfully, he's paralyzed!"

"The truth? Like, 'Hey, Lord Duke, can you melt down the gold urinal in the palace and give us a little more salary'?"

"Dare you say that to your face? If you want to become an official, you will have to find Qingpi who is in charge of this area. Then Qingpi will find the boss. When the boss comes back, he will melt you down first!"

"Hahahahaha..."

"There's nothing I can do about it. They are adults, lords, and nobles with good fortunes. What will happen to you if they melt? Brother, sit tight and don't move around. If I get shaved, it's your fault!"

Slimani reluctantly nodded and suppressed his trembling body.
To be continued...