Volume Two: The Iron-Blooded Baron Chapter 122: There Are Thieves Coming (8)
The group of people rode hard and drove for a day, finally entering the city of Amundine at noon the next day. After Sir Pippin asked Balian to change into a noble uniform in his carriage, he led him to the county
Guard the official residence.
After seeing Earl David and Viscount Merry, Balian saluted solemnly and asked people to present the gifts he had prepared. A statue of a pure gold knight, an exquisite silver vase, and a bearskin cloak produced in Orion.
A set of painted pottery wine sets and a wooden box containing a beautiful ruby looked very valuable.
Balian presented these gifts to Earl David in front of Viscount Merrin, mainly because he did not worry that Viscount Merrin would be jealous and dislike him for currying favor with his more senior superiors. Not to mention that Balian's relationship with Viscount Merrin was unusual. After Balian came back
At that time, he asked Gamgee to bring the gift he had prepared in Yang Weixiao to Viscount Merrill. It was more valuable than this gift. After all, he was his direct superior, so Balian should secretly respect him more.
Furthermore, Viscount Merritt is also very close to Earl David. The teacher and the student he trusts are both his own, so naturally he is not afraid that word will spread.
When Earl David saw these gifts, coupled with Balian's solemn salute, his favorability towards Balian increased a lot. Viscount Merry had already said a lot of good things about Balian in the past two days, and he had already called him.
Good foundation.
In the city of Wallombre, because of the presence of the Grand Knight Commander Earl Haou, he usually does not get enough respect from his subordinates as his deputy position. Even the ministers in the palace have different attitudes towards themselves and Earl Haou.
After serving as deputy for more than ten years, Earl David felt quite aggrieved, but today, here in Bellian, he gained great satisfaction.
"Oh, Sir Balian, you are also an old man in the palace guard, and you are also an old subordinate of mine. Why are you still so polite? If I accept such an expensive gift, how will others see me? You should take it away.
"Okay." Earl David was psychologically satisfied. Although he, a wealthy Earl, liked these gifts, what he cared more about was the attitude.
Upon hearing this, Balian quickly bent down and saluted again, and then said in a panic: "My respected Earl, my subordinates have not considered it well and have made it difficult for you. However, these things were carefully prepared by my subordinates.
I have been away from the Palace Guards for a year, and I miss my days in the Guards all the time, and miss the Earl. These small gifts represent my sincerity. If you don’t accept them,
I will be sad for a long time."
When Balian said this, he also specially emphasized the "little gift", hinting to Earl David that he was sincerely using generous gifts to gain the earl's approval.
"Yes, teacher, you cannot refuse Sir Balian's sincerity! Besides, it turns out that he is in the Guards and is your subordinate. With me, your student, he still has not left your protection.
Your subordinates are all our own people, and no one will say anything nonsense after accepting these gifts." Viscount Merry also helped.
Earl David nodded with a smile, "Okay! In that case, I will accept it for now, but I won't do it next time."
Upon hearing this, Balian said with a smile on his face: "In this way, I feel at ease. Thank you Lord Earl for your appreciation and care."
"You really need to thank the earl for his appreciation and care for you. Without the earl, your title of baronet would be gone." Viscount Merry told Balian with a serious look on his face.
After Viscount Merry finished speaking, Earl David waved his hand, indicating that he should stop talking, "Hey, Merry, there are some things, so don't talk about it."
"Hi!" Viscount Merrill sighed and continued: "Teacher, you won't let me tell you, but I still have to tell Sir Balian. Otherwise, who will know how wronged you are?"
Viscount Merry stood up, walked to Balian, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly: "After I reported your military exploits, I gave the teacher a private message and asked him to speak kindly to you in front of the monarch.
Make sure you get promoted.
To be honest, your military achievements may be big or small. If some big shot doesn't want to promote you, then your military achievements will mean nothing.
After your military merit report was reported, although the Minister of Military Affairs and the Minister of Public Security said a lot of good things about you, the young warrior they promoted, due to the strong opposition from the southern faction, the monarch did not plan to promote you, but planned to reward you.
Forget about some belongings.
Thanks to the teacher, after he met with the monarch, he argued hard, especially telling our monarch that people who come out of the Guards are the most loyal servants of the monarch. Can't they be promoted faster than local lord knights?
After hearing this, the monarch decided to promote you to a title. However, my teacher was also ostracized by the southern ministers because of this. No, he was rushed here on a cold day to preside over the title promotion ceremony for you.
Earl David actually doesn't want me to tell you these things, but after much thought, I still have to tell you. You need to know who helped you with your title promotion and who you have to thank. Although the teacher doesn't
You will be asked to do whatever you want, but you must never forget the people who helped you."
After Viscount Merry finished speaking this long and passionate speech, Bellian burst into tears. After Viscount Merry finished speaking, he cried and saluted Earl David. While crying, he said: "Dear Earl David.
My lord, Balion Tucker will never forget your great kindness, and I will always be your loyal subordinate."
Earl David saw Balian bursting with emotion, smiled and pulled him up, hugged him, patted his shoulder and said: "Good boy, don't cry. An outstanding talent like you is still my old subordinate. I am
I may suffer some grievances, but what can I do to help you? From now on, you just have to work with peace of mind."
Balian stopped crying and solemnly said to Earl David: "Thank you, Lord Count, for your cultivation. Balian will always be remembered in my heart."
"Hey, this is all the cultivation of the monarch and personal performance." Earl David corrected with a smile. (Anyone who has watched "Latent" knows this)
Balian nodded with a smile and responded: "I understand!"
"If you want to say thank you, you should also thank your Lord Sheriff. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have known how talented you are." Earl David reciprocated and told Balian to also remember Viscount Merrill's help.
"Thank you, Lord Sheriff..." Before Balian could finish his words of thanks, Viscount Merry stopped him from continuing.
I saw Viscount Merri saying: "You don't have to express yourself like this to me. From now on, just be a Earl and work for me. I still think highly of you."
"Yeah!" Balian nodded with tears in his eyes, expressing his understanding.
"Hahaha!" Viscount Merrin patted Balian on the shoulder, "Go have a drink."
This meal lasted from noon to the zenith of the moon. Thanks to Balian's rich drinking experience accumulated in his previous life, and the fact that the wine he drank was all red wine with low alcohol content, and it was all good wine, otherwise
Balian must be drunk to death.
After the drinking party, Bran and Harker helped Balian, who was completely drunk, into the carriage. After leaving the Sheriff's Mansion, Balian sat up as if he was a new person, sober, and Bran and Harker also
Not surprising, their master often pretends to be drunk like this.
Balian saw Bran and Harker staring at him with silly smiles. He raised his hand and patted them both. Then he laughed and cursed: "You two brats, sir, if I don't pretend to be drunk, I won't be really drunk by them."
The burden on my shoulders is too heavy now, and I can't do it if I drink too much."
"Hehe, sir, if you act in a play, you will definitely be very good. You are really a good actor." Bran joked with a smile.
Balian raised his hand to hit him again, but Bran snatched it away, but Balian did not spare him, "Actor? You are an actor, and your whole family is an actor!"
After the three masters and servants laughed and laughed in the carriage for a while, Huck asked: "Sir, why did you cry so hard today in front of Earl David and Viscount Merrie? I thought you were going to swear allegiance to them.
I remember that you told us that this title of baronet was the result of the struggle between the northern and southern factions and the monarch's desire to go to war with the Valenti people. It is impossible for Earl David to get it just by interceding for you."
Balian stretched out his hand and opened the window on the carriage to a gap, allowing the cool breeze to blow in, and fresh air entered. The closed carriage suddenly became much fresher. Balian took a big breath of fresh air and said, "Since you
If you ask, then tell me your guess."
Huck thought for a moment and responded: "Master, it's obvious that they took advantage of the fact that you have no palace channels to deceive you and want you to be grateful to them. In this way, if they find you with something in the future, you will do your best.
Did it.
As for why you put on such an exaggerated performance, it is just to avoid offending them, to establish a good relationship with them, and to gain more powerful allies for yourself."
Balian nodded. It seems that this little guy Huck is still very wise. "Yes, what you said is basically correct. The two of them thought that I didn't know the news in the palace, so they teamed up to deceive me and wanted me to know the news.
They were grateful, but I was just playing tricks on them. They were all just out to fool around. Can anyone really deceive anyone?
Earl David is the representative of our centrist nobles in Brick. Over the years, the northern and southern nobles have been fighting fiercely. They all want to gain the support of the centrists, but they don’t know that the centrists are trying to poach them and use their power to
Only by weakening the power of the local aristocratic lords of the Northern and Southern factions can they no longer be limited to the areas directly under the monarch, and can they have the opportunity to take meat from the mouths of local lords.
What's funny is that the northern and southern factions were quarreling fiercely in the palace and local areas, but they didn't know that someone was already emptying out their wealth bit by bit. It was like a mantis trying to catch a cicada, but the mantis didn't.
It occurred to me that there was a sparrow behind them that wanted to eat them both."
After hearing this, Bran and Huck nodded, as if they suddenly understood. Bran said: "Master, your metaphor of the mantis catching the cicada and the oriole catching them behind is really interesting. I was fascinated by it as soon as I heard it.
Understood."
Balian smiled and touched his little head and said, "I know a lot of metaphors like this. I'll tell you slowly when I get the chance."
"Master, I'm afraid you are crying like that just to deceive them." Huck continued to ask.
"Yeah, yes!" Balian replied, "You know, these centrist nobles, although the strength of their territories is not as strong as the local lords of the northern and southern factions, they are the most trusted team of the monarch, and the weapons and equipment they receive are
Best of all, they also occupy a large area of plains around Lake St. Martin, which is a major grain-producing area.
In addition, the population in their ruling area is also large, industry and commerce are developed, and life is relatively prosperous. Their potential strength cannot be underestimated. My friendship with them is a hedging bet. Once the northern nobles lose power, I will still
Something to rely on.
Furthermore, even if the Northern faction wins the struggle between the North and the South, with close ministers like Earl David and Viscount Merri who are trusted by the monarch, I will get more. You know, I am not a direct descendant of the Northern faction.
I am just a minor nobleman promoted by the northern faction.
On the other hand, the southern faction won, and with the monarch and his ministers protecting me, I could survive the brutal purge and keep the fiefdom of Fort Nolandenburg.
What I do may seem very small to you, but I have no choice but to do this for my family and for you. In this world, it is too difficult to survive with righteousness and live well.
Already."
After listening to Balian's words, Huck nodded thoughtfully. He sighed and said, "Sir, my master told me before that people who can really accomplish things often don't look like a person.
Good people, but because they understand the rules of how this society operates, they can overcome all difficulties, achieve success, and help many people. We cannot evaluate the quality of a person based only on personal feelings of love and hate."