Volume Two: The Iron-Blooded Baron Chapter 121: There Are Thieves Coming from the Sea (7)
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Xiaosheng surnamed Guo from Xiangyi wishes my readers and their families: a happy life, good health, peace, and a happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Thank you!
"Master, don't be angry, I didn't mean it like this, I..." Mark saw Balian's mood swings, and he quickly explained, but Balian stopped him.
Balian stood up, patted Mark on the shoulder, and said to him: "You did the right thing today. If you didn't remind me, I wouldn't have known how it would affect production. After all, there are only so many resources.
If you take an extra portion here, you will lose a portion there. If one side takes more, the other side will definitely not have enough food.
You need two legs to walk stably. If one leg is disabled, it will be useless no matter how strong the other leg is. Thank you! Brother Mark, it is true that I did something wrong in this matter, and you reminded me very timely."
Seeing that Balian not only listened to his opinions, but also took the initiative to admit his mistakes, Mark was a little at a loss. The night before he came to Nolandenburg with Balian, his father told him: "The Lord is not wrong.
, you must remember this, even if he makes a mistake, you must take care of the master's face. You would rather take the blame yourself than embarrass the master."
Mark always took his father's advice to heart, but after thinking about it, he felt that although his father's words made sense, they were still too pedantic.
Are you laying a big hidden danger? This is definitely irresponsible and wrong.
After hesitating for a long time, Mark decided to use this private conversation to tell Balian that although it was very likely that Balian would not like him, Mark still wanted to say what he thought was right. After all, Nolan now
Deng Bao, he also put in a lot of effort.
Through this conversation with Mark, Balian was pleasantly surprised that his partner had the ability to think independently and no longer acted like he did before.
If you want to gain a foothold in these troubled times, it is useless just to occupy territory and save money and food. You must have a team that you can trust, that can handle military and political affairs independently, and that has a sufficient number of people. With such a team, not only can
If you manage the territory well, you can quickly digest the new territory when expanding your chassis.
In the final analysis, talent is fundamental. Without Mark, Bess, Hama, Riano, Rochiel, Gamlin, etc., what can we achieve by ourselves? However, these talents are basically self-taught, like
For them, they can only rely on introduction, but it is not easy to introduce. After all, Nolandenburg is only a small place, and they are just a small lord.
In the long run, talent training is very important. At the moment, Gray Eagle Castle has not yet been completed. After it is completed, a government affairs school will be established to help Mark cultivate a group of talents who can help him manage civil affairs and other affairs.
Of course, these things will have to wait until this group of invading Tuba pirates are defeated. What Mark said to Balian today will have a great impact on Balian's subsequent territory development strategy. In the future, economic construction will definitely be the
Lord, get on with it first, develop the economy, reserve soldiers, and train qualified military and political personnel. When the time comes, you can quickly expand the army and have a sufficient number of political personnel to take over after the military goals are achieved.
In order to thank Mark, Balian asked Bran to ask the kitchen to cook some good dishes, and he wanted to have a few drinks with Mark. Now that Huck's mother Jennifer is in charge of the kitchen, there are more delicious dishes on Balian's table, and Mark
I am also happy to come and eat together.
Mark put aside the difficulties he had felt before talking to Balian, and Balian was in a good mood because of Mark's wisdom. The two of them talked and laughed at the dining table and drank some wine, just like they did in Frondo Town.
While the two were drinking and joking, Bran came to report that it was a messenger from the city of Amondine, carrying a letter that he wanted to deliver to Balian in person. Moreover, the messenger was none other than Balian's old acquaintance.
Sir Pippin.
When Balian and Mark heard this, they quickly got up, wiped their mouths, and headed to the Lord's Hall. At this time, Jennifer had just prepared the red wine braised pheasant and was about to serve it out, but Bran asked her to wait for a while, because Balian would invite him later.
When Sir Pippin comes to dine, he must remove the food from the table and serve it again.
When Balian arrived at the Lord's Hall, Sir Pippin was looking around. It seemed that he was full of curiosity and shock about Balian's castle.
"Dear Ser Pippin, why are you here in person? By the way, have you recovered?" Balian greeted him warmly and gave him a hug.
After Sir Pippin hugged Balian warmly, he said with a smile: "My body is no longer seriously injured. It's just a minor injury. It's not a big deal."
As he spoke, Sir Pippin handed the letter into Balian's hand and said solemnly: "It's someone from Wallombre City, or your old boss, Earl David, deputy knight of the Palace Knights, who has come to help you.
Host the promotion ceremony.
You are about to be promoted to baronet because of your outstanding military exploits in the recent period. Therefore, the Lord Sheriff ordered me to come and inform you. After you see the letter, you can set off immediately and follow me to the city of Amundine, led by David.
The earl presided over your promotion ceremony, congratulations!"
"Really? I can't react. Is this true or false? I really don't believe it." Although Balian had known this news for a long time, Sir Pippin, who had been with him before,
In front of the big brother with the same title, Balian still pretended to be surprised, otherwise, Sir Pippin would be even more disappointed. Being surpassed by a backward young man would be enough to make him unhappy, and there was no need for Balian to let others
I hate myself even more.
"It's true!" Seeing that Balian's shocked look was within his expectations, Sir Pippin smiled and nodded. Although he was a little jealous of Balian, this man was capable and respectful to him.
And the young man who saved his life is worthy of being treated as a good friend.
Balian said excitedly: "What a majestic grace! I didn't expect that our Tucker family's dream of being promoted to a noble title would be realized by a second son like me!"
As he spoke, Balian called Mark over and ordered: "In my name, write a letter to my father and mother and tell them the news. They will definitely be very happy."
Mark also responded very cooperatively: "Yes, sir, I will go now."
Then, Balian pulled up Sir Pippin and said with a happy face: "Sir Pippin, I brought a cook back from Yangwei Shuocheng, and she is making lunch now. Come over and have a taste of her craftsmanship. At the same time, we will also
Have a nice drink. You came all the way here to tell me the good news. I must treat you to a meal to express my gratitude."
"Hahaha!" Sir Pippin laughed happily, "Okay, my good brother, I will accompany you to have a meal, but let's go on our way after eating. The Sheriff has said so, David
The count is very pressed for time, we cannot keep him waiting too long, we must seize the time."
"Okay! Okay! Okay! No matter how anxious you are, people still have to eat." Balian pushed him to the restaurant.
A lunch of pheasant braised in red wine, roast goose with honey, beef and radish soup, plus some pastries made by Jennifer, Sir Pippin was so satisfied with the meal. After he was full, he patted himself happily.
During the period of recuperation, he gained weight and said to Balian with a smile: "You are really a person who knows how to enjoy. I thought that people like us who come from low-level knight families are just bumpkins like me, but after seeing you
Castle, after having your private banquet, I realized that this person is different from others."
"Hahaha!" Balian said with a smile: "Brother Pippin, if you like it, you can come here to eat often. Come and stay for a few days every month and eat three meals a day."
Sir Pippin grinned and said, "I can't compare to you. Viscount Merry asked me to serve those useless county soldiers and train them with meritorious services. I am still very angry despite the hard work I have put in every day."
Seeing that he was about to complain about the errand assigned to him by the Sheriff, Viscount Merry, Balian quickly asked Bran to take out the gift to change the subject. After all, he heard his colleagues complain about his direct boss, and if it spread, it would be detrimental to him.
ah.
What Balian prepared for Sir Pippin was a set of exquisite painted pottery wine sets. Hama led the craftsmen to improve the production process. These painted pottery products are now becoming more and more exquisite, reaching the level of painted pottery crafts that Balian had seen in his previous life.
Take it and give it as a gift. In this time and space, there will definitely be no one who doesn’t like it.
Sure enough, Sir Pippin opened the box and was so surprised when he saw this exquisite set of painted pottery wine sets. He picked up a wine glass, looked at it with admiration, and exclaimed "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk".
"Brother Balian, I'm really flattered that you gave me such an expensive gift." Sir Pippin put the cup back into the box and said with a smile.
Balian motioned to Bran to put the set of drinking utensils on the table, and then said to Sir Pippin: "Brother Pippin, these are the painted pottery products made by our Norandenburg. At present, they have been sold to Yangwei Shuo City. Give them to
This one of yours is a batch with very good craftsmanship, so just keep it and use it. If you really think it’s good, just recommend it to your friends to buy it.”
Sir Pippin was even more surprised now. He was surprised for a while, and then he was relieved. He shook his head and said: "I mean, how come you built a castle in just one year? It turns out that this is how you make money."
What a sharp weapon."
Balian smiled and responded: "Currently, the sales of these things are entrusted to the Amundine Chamber of Commerce. We are only responsible for the production here, and most of the profits have been earned by these piggy businessmen.
The reason why I was able to build this castle, little brother, is mainly because I captured a lot of money when I wiped out the three major gangs. In addition, with the prisoners of war and the refugees I recruited, I was able to build such a small castle.
After all, I am also a lord, and other lords have castles, but I only have a wooden outpost, which is too unlikeable."
Sir Pippin nodded. He believed Balian's explanation. After all, he would not be able to make much money just by selling pottery. He should focus on seizing it.
"Although your castle is not big, it is enough and worthy of your status as a baronet. In a few years, when you have money, you can expand it." Sir Pippin said.
Balian nodded in response: "Yes, with this castle and the title of Baron, hahaha, finding a wife will be no problem."
"Hahaha!" Ser Pippin also laughed when he heard Balion's talk about finding a wife.
After the two of them finished eating and rested for a while, Balian took Bran, Harker, and Oromée with five cavalry to accompany them. Then, he and Sir Pippin headed for the city of Amundine.
The weather had turned cold at this time, so Balian had people bring a carriage and a thickened tent. He couldn't reach the city of Amundine in half a day, and he would definitely have to camp on the road. It was better to make adequate preparations. In addition, the carriage was also loaded with
Many gifts.
As the deputy head of the Palace Knights, Count David has been met by Balian many times before. Although there has been little communication, Balian still knows Earl David's behavior very well. After all, after working in the palace for so many years, everyone has a good understanding of these few people.
The character of the leader of the palace guards is still very familiar to me.
Although Earl David is not so greedy for money, because he has been in the deputy position for a long time, he is particularly concerned about the respect of his subordinates. This is the same as many deputy leaders that Balian met in his previous life. Although he is a deputy, if you really think about it
If he acts as a deputy receptionist, he will definitely not look good on you, and there is a high probability that he will stumble you secretly.
It is precisely for this reason that Balian personally took Mark and others to prepare gifts when Sir Pippin was resting. The purpose was to make the deputy knight commander feel unprecedented respect, so that he could get on his line and wear Dai.
Although close ministers of the monarch, such as Earl Wei, are not as powerful as ministers such as the Minister of Military Affairs and the Minister of Public Security, they can still play an important role at critical moments because they are more trusted by the monarch.
In particular, Earl David is also Viscount Merry's teacher. If he can deal with him, his good relationship with Viscount Merry himself can go further.
When I was young, I was most disgusted with these dirty transactions, but when I took on the responsibility of running a business, I had to learn to use these unattractive methods skillfully.