"Little bastard, are you kidding me——"

Faced with the treacherous Thales, Count Achison Lacia couldn't bear it anymore and stood up uncontrollably.

"Father, sit down!"

The count's eldest son grabbed his rude father at the last moment. With his eyes and tone, he pushed the latter back to his seat without any doubt:

"You are a count. If you are rude, let me handle it."

Earl Aitchison's nose was flaring and his breathing was rapid.

He stared at his eldest son in disbelief, then looked at Thales angrily, groaned, threw off his sleeves, and turned his head to the side.

Eddie looked stern and nodded to his father.

In this case, the younger son was filial and kind to his father, the eldest son gave good advice, and the earl did good deeds.

Thales looked very envious.

This should be vigorously publicized and promoted nationwide as a father-son model.

However, a small voice sounded in his heart again:

Don't be fooled, Thales.

First of all, maybe, they do this in front of you?

The prince's expression changed.

Secondly, if they are not in a remote swampland, they do not belong to the poor and weak Lassia family.

Is it another family or group that is richer and more powerful and has the right to leave more for future generations without having to worry about self-preservation and survival?

For example...the Bright Star Family?

While thinking about it, the eldest son of the earl looked at him with sharp eyes and asked softly:

"Why, Your Highness?"

Why?

"Because you are used to indirectly provoking and playing hard to get."

Thales came back to his senses:

"On the contrary, you can't do such a crude and low-level act of directly assassinating the old Duke - this is not in line with the four-winged giant lizard's philosophy of life, and will have endless consequences."

But Eddie still stared at him and shook his head expressionlessly:

"You misunderstood, Your Highness, what I'm asking is: No matter in the past or now, what reason do we have to go against the Kevin Deere family and be detrimental to the Emerald City?"

Thales frowned slightly.

The eldest son of the earl said seriously:

"Lasiya is also on the South Bank. It has been farming and weaving for generations. Its livelihood depends on the local area. Thanks to the blessing of Kevin Deer, it has prospered and suffered losses along with the Emerald City. Why should we shit on our own dinner plates and get stuck in the South Bank?

confusion?

"Besides, you and I both know very well that in this era, with His Majesty's temperament, even if Kevin Dill loses power, the Laciya family who lives in the swamps will not be able to get involved in the Kongming Palace, let alone the Emerald City and the South Bank Territory.

"No matter then or now, what the four-winged giant lizard wants to avoid the most is to fight for power and gain beyond its capabilities, get involved in dangerous political struggles, and end up in a miserable end - far away is Cold Castle Arend, and nearby is the Seven Acolytes of the Brilliant Star.

This is a lesson learned from the past.”

Thales looked back at Eddie seriously and was silent for a long time.

"I have had the same confusion," the prince said. "No offense, but with the size and ambition of the Lassia family, they should be satisfied with just a little peace. Why bother to do more and bring trouble on yourself?"

Earl Acheson snorted in displeasure.

Eddie remained silent, waiting for Thales' next words.

"So I thought at first that you were doing this because of old debts from the original meeting of the State: the Lacia family participated in the 'New Star', and they were also part of the group that knelt down in the Hall of Stars to force the king to choose the heir apparent."

Thales changed the topic and observed the expressions of father and son:

"Perhaps my father is blackmailing you with this matter, threatening you to be an internal agent and overthrow Zhan to seize power in the Emerald City for him?"

Earl Aitchison was anxious when he heard this and wanted to speak again, but Eddie was faster than him.

"Then maybe you should ask His Majesty."

The eldest son of the earl said coldly.

"After all, apart from the stars in the sky, not everyone wants to dance with dragons at the top of the world," although Eddie is usually taciturn, but at this moment his words are sharp, "let alone compete with the gods."

Thales frowned upon hearing this.

He observed the other person for a while and shook his head.

"No, I have met many dignitaries from all over the kingdom. They all have their own agendas and are difficult to deal with. Even if they are forced by the rulers to use power and become pawns, it is at most a false story and a false promise."

In that second, many people flashed through his mind.

"But you, Lacia, in this struggle, your methods are so beautiful and ingenious: the original intention and stance of every move seems to be loyal to the Duke, but in terms of the results, they are not detrimental to Zhan... If it weren't for Brun

There are no traces of Judge Nan’s notes that others can follow, and there is no evidence to point to..."

"Your Highness has no evidence, and it is chilling to make subjective assumptions based on a few private notes about old cases." Eddie said softly.

Earl Acheson supported unhappily:

"that is!"

"But maybe there is another explanation for this," But Thales thought clearly and without any interruption, "In this political storm aimed at overthrowing Zhan, the energy and cost you invested in it are far greater than those who were

My father forced me unwillingly, and the people who obeyed and disobeyed were more, bigger, and more complete."

Eddie's eyes moved.

"You are not forced, but are spontaneous, active, active, deliberate and go all out. That's why you can do it so flawlessly. Even a cunning person like Zhan En can't find the clues. Even if I try my best to trace it, I can't catch it.

handle."

Thales was categorical.

Earl Acheson was previously very angry, but upon hearing this, his expression changed. He picked up the tea and buried his expression in the cup. Even Thales didn't have time to remind him not to forget to add sugar.

Eddie snorted disdainfully:

"Since His Highness has determined that we are the masterminds behind this, he has no need to worry about excuses."

Thales fell silent and looked at the count's eldest son quietly with dangerous eyes.

It wasn't until Earl Aitchison finished drinking the tea in his cup that he remembered that he forgot to add sugar. Thales smiled slightly.

He took out a few pages of documents from the drawer and pushed them in front of the two distinguished guests:

"This is a land survey certificate, issued by the Notary Office of Emerald City."

Lacia and his son were suddenly startled and both leaned forward.

The moment they saw the words on the paper clearly, their expressions changed slightly.

Thales tapped his fingers and clicked on this certificate, as well as on the land that was almost sold off for money due to the financial crisis in Emerald City.

"This wasteland in Nan'an Territory is located southwest of Shuori Town. Its former lord's investment failed, he was heavily in debt, and he unfortunately went bankrupt. Fortunately, the Star Kingdom's laws are generous and civilized, and they did not force his family to sell themselves according to the cruel and backward ancient laws of the empire.

Be a slave and pay back for generations.”

Nor did he return to the barbaric and ancient primitive practice of asking him to chop off his hands and feet to pay off his debts.

Speaking of this, Thales couldn't help but think of the time when he was still in the Northland and almost had to "pay off the debt in installments".

"The advanced Emerald City City Law goes a step further: the relevant departments receive the application and provide services to help the lord sell the land to pay off the debt. Of course, it will be sold to the big business group with the most fair bid, the rich man, maybe even

There are great nobles."

Thales' words were sarcastic, while Lacia and his son had playful expressions.

The privilege is to pay off debts, write off arrears, and ignore the remainder, and perfectly deal with bad debt problems, which is both humane and advanced.

As for how to distribute the income...

"But if my people are not mistaken, this wasteland was once - when it was not a wasteland - it was a fiefdom under your Zeland." Thales tilted his head, "As for the bankrupt little lord, maybe

How many generations later are we still related to you?"

Both Lacia and his son were stunned.

Thales raised his tea cup unhurriedly and observed them calmly.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Finally, the count himself was the first to be unable to restrain himself, and why:

"Actually, this land was..."

But Thales put down the teacup with a bang and interrupted him:

"The Queen's Day and Emerald Celebration is a grand occasion of the year in the South Coast. All dignitaries attach great importance to it. They socialize during the celebration and it's very enjoyable - except for the Lacia family."

Lacia and his son said nothing, but their expressions were stiff.
To be continued...