It’s also a breath of fresh air.

Or maybe it's actually him, this well-informed survivor who has a thorough understanding of your temperament.

The voice in Thales' heart didn't bother to speak:

So he knows that taking the initiative to take responsibility in front of you is the best way to shirk responsibility?

Thinking of this, Thales' face tightened.

What you should be curious about is - but the voice in his heart is still reminding him quietly - if it was not you he offended, but just a commoner who couldn't resist, he would still come to apologize so diligently...

"But luckily they met His Highness."

Before Thales had finished thinking, Balta spoke again:

"If they offend an ordinary person who is powerless and allowed to be bullied, there will naturally be few consequences and no punishment. Then I have no way of knowing, let alone correcting them. This is tantamount to encouragement in disguise and fueling their arrogance.

Destroy their character and make them do the same or even worse bad things next time.”

He looked at Thales, who was slightly surprised, and nodded slowly:

"It's even more fortunate that it is Your Highness. Otherwise, one day in the future, if they encounter a severe and cruel big shot who is unwilling to forgive, or a highly skilled thief and ranger who is willing to take revenge, then disaster will be imminent, far away.

It’s not like I can avoid disaster by just visiting Kongming Palace.”

Faced with such an attitude, Telscua neither scolded nor scolded him, so he could only continue:

"So you came to Kongming Palace to solve this matter."

Maybe you can also gain favor by admitting your mistake and get in touch with you, the new "big shot" who has come to power.

The voice in his heart coldly reminded Thales:

In this way, no matter who is in power or in power, he will be able to enjoy it.

"I promise, Your Highness, I will strictly discipline the people in the shop," Balta said seriously, causing Huaiya beside him to nod. "The more bitter a person comes from, the more they must have self-respect and self-love instead of relying on power.

Bully your former self, or kowtow to the powerful and wealthy."

The barber shop owner solemnly said:

"Treat everyone equally, make clear transactions, don't do dirty work, and don't get stained with blood. This should be the creed of my shop."

Thales said nothing.

"As for the matter between you and the young lady, please rest assured, Your Highness, no one will remember what happened in the shop or on the street that day, including me." Balta said firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

If rumors leak out, please come to me at any time, and I will stop the source for you - whether it is with means or with my head."

After listening to his words, Thales was silent for a long time.

What a great barber shop owner.

"You are really impeccable and well-rounded, Balta," he said quietly, "After talking like this, even if I want to find fault with you to get angry, I can't find a way to do it."

"That's because I have nothing more to do wrong."

Thales frowned slightly and sneered:

"Oh? Are you sure?"

Balta nodded respectfully.

"If I really have some mistakes, but His Highness is unable to do anything about it, then it means His Highness lacks talent and is not able to govern effectively," the owner of the barber shop said calmly, "If I have no mistakes, Your Highness insists on finding my faults and uses the topic to get angry.

, that means His Highness is unworthy of his position and acts willfully."

Before Thales could react, Huaiya beside him became furious:

"What did you say?"

But before Thales could respond, Balta quickly bowed, first to the prince and then to the attendant:

"Obviously, His Highness has both political integrity and talent."

Huaiya snorted softly, his face slightly brightened.

However, Thales was not sullen and found it quite interesting:

"Interesting, if you dare to talk to me like this, you are not afraid of my anger..."

Baltar smiled.

"If His Highness is the kind of person who is 'in a fit of anger', then I will change my words. For example, I will take the guy's head and put all the blame on him, or I will praise you so much.

The sky is full of flowers, and I become a prosperous and wise king. I use tears and generous gifts to make you let me go..."

Balta changed the subject:

"Fortunately, His Highness is not that kind of person."

Huaiya snorted coldly.

Thales did not respond immediately. He looked at the barber for a long time, and his mind went through countless countermeasures such as threats and intimidation, gentle wooing, arrest and imprisonment, etc. Finally, he nodded with a subtle and complicated mood.

"I will not accept the property of the Blood Bottle Gang and the Brotherhood. I know how the money comes from. If I accept it, it will be equivalent to acknowledging this system of rent-seeking power and encouraging them to continue to plunder ordinary people layer by layer.

Use it as rent and pay tribute to the big shots in exchange for the privilege of doing whatever you want," Thales said coldly, "You tell them that it is a sin to rob the people, and it is time to stop and think about how to use it for the people -

Don’t wait until the day of disaster strikes.”

"I will definitely convey His Highness's will."

Taylor paused.

"As for you, I will accept this book. I don't want to hide it, because it is indeed useful," Thales narrowed his eyes, "As for your apology... Since it didn't happen, how can you apologize?"

Balta smiled, and he took back the two gift lists from Huaiya with peace of mind and stuffed them into his pockets.

"If there is no prohibition under the law, there will be no punishment. If the power is exceeded, then there will be strict punishment." The owner of the barber smiled and nodded, "This is the wisdom of His Highness."

After he finished speaking, he sighed again:

"This is also the reason why this city prospered in the past and what it should have been like."

Thales listened thoughtfully, but Balta said goodbye and prepared to leave.

"Actually, Your Highness, I have another reason for coming here."

Thales raised his head and saw Balta let out a long sigh.

"Brennan is an old customer of my shop, well, he can be considered an old friend," the barber said softly, his eyes full of nostalgia, "I have personally taken care of his hair and beard for many years.

"

Thales' eyes moved.

"Brennan, the late Grand Inquisitor," he looked at Baltar in front of him, "so you knew him."

The barber nodded:

"When he first arrived in the Emerald City, his life was poor and he was shabby everywhere. He only had to look neat and dignified when going to court, but his wife was well-educated but not good at housework, let alone... Haha, it just so happened that at that time I

The shop has only been open for a short time, so in order to attract customers, the prices are favorable."

"Living in a pinch? If I remember correctly, Brennan was hired by the old Duke from all the way, so he shouldn't be treated poorly."

"That's true, but Your Highness, do you know what that guy said when he returned the large monthly 'living gift' given to him by the Duke of Leinster?"

I saw Balta exhaling a breath, his eyes misty:

"'I have traveled thousands of miles to come here, let alone treat the Emerald City poorly.'"

Huaiya was stunned for a moment, but Thales figured something out and couldn't help but feel moved.

"I know why the old Duke invited him."

Balta nodded, there was no sadness in his eyes, only a touch of nostalgia.

"After the old Duke was assassinated, Brennan asked me to find a lot of the information behind the case."

Thales' eyes moved.

"He has a stubborn obsession. He always likes to compete with himself for a certain detail or even a certain idea. He refuses to give up after so many years," the barber said with emotion.

"When I was young, I would laugh at him. When I am more mature, I would advise him. When I am old, I will look at him with cold eyes." Balta gradually became lost in thought, "But that day, I watched his children from afar, bringing Brennan to him.

Only when his and his wife's ashes were scattered into the sea did we understand..."

He looked at Thales and Huaiya and sighed.

"The prosperity of the Emerald City depends on people like him," Balta said quietly, "not people like me."

Thales said nothing.

"I'm just a mortal who seeks good fortune and avoids misfortune. I protect myself wisely and have no ambitions. Maybe I will never be able to be like him," Balta chuckled, a little sarcastic but also sad. "But from that day on, I told myself

:Whenever I meet someone like him..."

The old barber looked at Thales, lowered his head and took off his hat, with complicated eyes:

"I will never be sarcastic again."

"I'm even willing to help with all my strength."

Thales was silent for a long time.

Balta also fell into deep thought.

Huaiya was the first to react and wanted to see the guest off politely, but Thales stopped him.

"The Emerald City is sinking."

The barber slowly raised his head, his eyes changing slightly.
To be continued...