Kingdom’s Bloodline Chapter 244: Jinkou Yuyan

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Perhaps the dozen or so imaginative interviews have finally had an effect, perhaps the arrears of salary have finally been paid, or perhaps His Highness Thales’s speech was so touching and sobering. After the afternoon, come The attitudes of officials from various ministries who report on their work, as well as the news they report, are all different.

"It's unbelievable, Your Highness," the port officials reported with joy, "but as you said, the situation in the port is getting better..."

"Led by the famous Sea Wolf Ship Group, many ship groups have reopened their businesses, even providing free escorts, and cracking down on pirates. They say they want to maintain professional ethics. Even if the Emerald City sinks, they must stand as the last guard..."

"Under their care, at least seven cargo ships will enter the port to unload their cargo today. The captains and cargo owners have issued statements. They believe that the waters around Jade are safe and suitable for doing business, and they will come again in the future, and not Do you dare to come... Well, I mean, I'm sorry not to come..."

"Speaking of this, the cases of robberies and extortion at sea that occurred some time ago on passing merchant ships, well, this city's security forces quickly intervened, and all have been investigated in time. It seems that they were all misunderstandings, and It’s not piracy..."

"Those **** ship groups that cooperate with the official... Oh, no, it should be just a single ship of a single ship group. The temporary sailors it recruited were not good at business, got the wrong charge rate, and overcharged a certain amount of money, so It looks like robbery and extortion, leaving a wrong impression and causing unnecessary misunderstandings... But please rest assured that the relevant departments acted quickly and have compensated the relevant damaged merchants with parking space coupons for next year..."

"The maritime administration department has ordered the erring ships to make vigorous rectifications. As for the 'South Coast Catfish' that is suspected of looting people's property, as long as this storm passes... Well, ahem, I mean, The official follow-up will promptly report the investigation results..."

"Of course, the public security department carefully investigated the temporary sailors who had neglected their duties on the ship and found that many of them had background experience of sailing overseas, living in foreign countries, and even accepting foreign currency. They felt that they were greedy... Well, yes, residence Gentiles, when announcing to the outside world, this point must be especially emphasized..."

"Bad things must be done by spies. If our people do bad things, then they must be spies... Especially we must explain this clearly to the simple people... Your Highness, do you understand what I mean..."

After the port came the commercial market, finance and taxation department, and even the civil affairs department and aristocratic affairs. All kinds of news came in like snow, and Thales didn't even have time to give an approval and response, involving all walks of life in the Emerald City that were once silent.

"Your Highness, I can see that market prices are returning to normal. Although it is very slow, they are indeed recovering. Businesses are starting to do business again. It is stable and improving..."

"Creditors of at least three debts have written letters claiming that for the sake of the overall situation, they want to extend the debt period or even partially waive interest..."

"There were even people who wanted to continue to lend us money to tide over the difficulties, but I sternly refused in public! Are you kidding me? It should be noted that Emerald City is a down payment for one party. It has a strong foundation and a large size, and has never had any difficulties. ..."

"Ahem, of course, if His Highness still wants to meet them and refute their fallacies about borrowing in person... Hey, I asked them to wait quietly at the back door. Don't worry, no one will see it, and it will be kept strictly confidential..."

“For several overseas debts with huge amounts, the creditors have not heard from them, but the strange thing is that their local agents seem to have made an appointment, and they no longer crowd the door of the Financial Secretary’s reception room to ask for payment... ”

"I received information that five local families led a gathering of minor nobles in the Emerald City. However, regarding the letter to His Majesty in support of the Iris family, there were considerable differences among the families at the meeting, and they eventually broke up. Let it go... In other words, Your Highness, no one is against you now... In other words, Your Highness, everyone is supporting you now..."

"Business groups from mining, metallurgy, textiles, grain and agriculture and other industries jointly expressed their full support for His Highness Thales' administration..."

As these news came, the staff in various departments became diligent, with good attitudes, enthusiasm and motivation, and high morale. There was a positive and prosperous atmosphere from top to bottom.

"After the financial situation improves, we can advance various affairs according to the annual budget again. In fact, the first tranche of funds for public security and urban construction have been issued, and we will actively make up for the public credit left by the previous demolition of the east to make up for the west. ..."

"After carrying out a profound ideological and moral education in all departments of the Emerald City, everyone is in high spirits, and most government affairs are returning to their previous operating efficiency..."

"The previous case of a fire caused by a fight in the downtown area has been revealed after the major police departments worked overtime. All the suspects have been arrested. It is said that many people came to their senses and voluntarily surrendered after hearing about your magnanimity..."

"The number of visitors to the celebration began to increase, and there were fewer local owners fleeing with their families..."

"Many shops in the handicraft industry have reopened their orders and are open for business..."

You know, Tails.

Tiles frowned and waited for the officials in front of him to report, nodding in response from time to time, but the voice in his heart was silently laughing.

You know why they do this, why they are arrogant at first and respectful at the end.

Because of you, you, who was originally blind, found a way out. Starting with Kevin Dill, you moved a few key points, and then the Emerald City ship started to move.

Politics is such an interesting thing.

Isn't it more interesting than "there are no shortcuts to governance" that you used to scare them?

Because politics and power are nothing more than the knowledge of how to take shortcuts.

If everyone is down-to-earth, follows the steps, performs his duties, and accepts his destiny, there will be no need to take shortcuts...

Then why is there a political struggle, why is there a struggle for power, and why is there any distinction between superior and inferior?

But also because of this...

Politics can accomplish great things that many people, many ordinary people, and many scattered and fractured individuals cannot accomplish.

As long as you take advantage of it.

Tales closed his eyes and drove out unnecessary thoughts from his mind.

But compared with these officials who adapt to the situation, businessmen who take advantage of every opportunity, dignitaries who have exhausted all their agencies, and trembling civilians from all walks of life, among the guests who visited today, there were only a few who left a deep impression on Thales. A barber shop owner with gray hair and rough clothes.

"This is the apology from the two bosses of the Blood Bottle Gang, Fogg and Nekra." In the study, this man tried his best to dress neatly and energetically, but compared with the interior of Kongming Palace, it was still shabby. The boss carefully but calmly handed over two gift orders, "This is the apology from the other side of the Blood Bottle Gang, Boss Kathleen, to you."

Fergie and Nekra, Kathleen...

Waiya took the gift list, but Thales, who knew the inside story, frowned.

"If I remember correctly, Kathleen and Nekra, they are fighting each other to the death, right?"

The owner of the barber shop looked honest and courteous, nodded as if nothing had happened, and took out another gift list:

"Exactly, you know everything clearly. And here, this is the North Gate Bridge, at the other end of the Black Street Brotherhood, the gift given to you by the boss Lazench Fisso."

Lazanky Fisso, the Black Street Brotherhood?

At this time, Thales' eyebrows moved and he couldn't help but look at the person in front of him with admiration.

"Why?"

"Oh, after..., they realized their fault and were afraid of your thunderous wrath, so they asked me..."

"No, what I'm asking is," Thales interrupted him, "Whether it's the hostile faction in the Blood Bottle Gang or the big drug dealer leader of the Brotherhood, when they want to show their sincerity to me , and unexpectedly found you."

Tiles looked at the ordinary and inconspicuous barber shop owner in front of him and narrowed his eyes:

"Who are you?"

"The old man's name is Balta, and he is a barber." Balta bowed in a calm and humble manner, "I moved to the Emerald City many years ago and opened a small barber shop. I was lucky enough to be trusted by several street people. The boss in front of me is tolerant and allows me to run the business till now..."

"Selling information by the way, acting as a middleman?" Thales said with evil intentions.

"Your Highness is aware of this."

Tales looked at Balta for a long time and found that no matter from which angle he looked, he was just a small business owner. His expression was dull, his eyes were numb, and there were a few yellow patches on his sleeves that couldn't be washed away. Oil stains.

Ordinary, ordinary, ordinary.

But Balta smiled and let Thales look up and down with peace of mind.

"Those who engage in intelligence business often also work as intermediaries," Thales thought of his experiences in Exeter and Xihuang, "It seems like this is the case everywhere?"

"If you want to be a good intermediary, you have to be well-informed," Balta replied calmly, as if the person sitting in front of him was not a powerful prince of the country, but a day laborer at the food stall next door, "And When a person is familiar with the information work and reaches a higher level, he no longer has to go to an agency in person - except for those particularly important businesses."

His words made Thales think deeply, but Balta immediately took out a dirty thick notebook, sheepishly wiped the stains on it with his sleeve, and handed it to Huaiya.

The prince's attendant opened the book and was startled while doing the safety check:

"What is this?"

"Oh, this..."

Balta showed an honest smile and saluted Thales:

"Whether it is His Royal Highness being publicly humiliated by Miss Hilley, or the inside story of Duke Jenn's imprisonment, or the truth behind several shocking serial murders...all the news and rumors in the Emerald City, whether outrageous or reliable, our shop I have carefully recorded and sorted it out, and tried my best to trace the source and cause. I asked a literate secretary to write it down for your convenience."

What?

Tales couldn't help but leave the back of the chair, leaned forward, and took the notebook from Huaiya's hand.

"In addition, we will continue to track the direction of public opinion in Emerald City and report the actual situation to you so that you can grasp the underlying trends."

Baltar kept smiling, while Thales frowned while flipping through his book.

Sure enough, the book is full of all kinds of news, from how people talk about the serial murders in the Emerald City, to how the conflict between the prince and the duke is rumored to be more and more outrageous, and what shocking events happened on the day of the election. The circulating version, and even the romance between Thales and the ladies of the Emerald City...

Of course, what is more useful is the different reactions shown by everyone in Emerald City before and after the coup in Emerald City:

Major businesses are experiencing blows and losing confidence. However, some of the clerks and employees of different business groups are panicking and rushing to buy boat tickets, while others are as orderly and steady as an old dog.

Most of the high-ranking officials are watching the news, but the gardeners and servants who look after their homes and homes also have subtly different reactions. Some are frugal and live in simplicity, or they are gambling more and more lavishly than in the past.

Before the celebration, both Beimen Bridge and the gangsters of the Blood Bottle Gang were spreading rumors that water ghouls were killing people everywhere. Some people cried out that their friends were missing because of this, but the news was suppressed by the bosses in various regions. Down.

In the inn a few days ago, a drunken sailor from a certain ship group revealed that their Tanganga captain had been tossing and turning at night, checking with his first mate over and over again whether the ship could sail at any time.

The servant who manages the garbage dump at the back door of Kongming Palace complained that the garbage in the palace recently lacked many old items that could be sold for money, but there were a huge amount of shredded papers, which seemed to be old and new contract documents that had been discarded. You can vaguely see a lot of numbers written on them.

The vendors in the square were chattering, saying that there was always a rich young man in the prince's guard who liked to come to buy food. On the way, they asked them about the goings-on in the Emerald City, especially what they thought of the old Duke. I am particularly interested in death.

Tiles looked at "On the eve of the general election, the coachman of the Terran State envoy showed off his power to his former employer, threatening that the Emerald City would be over sooner or later, but bragging that he was about to make a lot of money with the new owner and become rich and powerful." He removed the entries, handed the notebook to Huaiya, and sighed softly.

If only he had seen this earlier.

Maybe we won’t be so oblivious to many things and deal with them passively?

Barta continued:

"...Also, we will spare no effort to reverse public opinion, hedge against the rumors that are unfavorable to you these days, and reshape your image from the bottom up."

Tales was startled for a moment, and then he laughed:

"I came to the Emerald City to bring down a duke, dragged down a city, and ruined the livelihoods of countless people. How can I still have an image?"

"Of course, as long as the hairstyle is taken care of, a person's image can be changed - a criminal thief can become a knight-errant who enjoys revenge, and a respected knight can also be said to be a hypocritical and cunning landlord. Watch how people cut their hair, uh, listen to stories."

Balta’s eyes lit up, and he seemed to become confident when talking about his profession:

"Relax, Your Highness, we are professionals. We know well that blocking is worse than sparing. We also know that subtlety is better than deliberate publicity, and we understand that positive and negative factors can be combined to push and pull together..."

Listening to his words, Thales couldn't help but put down his notebook.

He suppressed his smile and became wary:

“Now I know where Zhan’s good reputation comes from.”

Baltar realized something and bowed humbly:

"But no matter how good the reputation is, it can't compare to a light finger from your high position."

Tales chuckled, not sure whether it was sarcasm or confirmation.

This guy is interesting, Thales.

The voice in Thales’ heart quietly spoke:

He can sense the most subtle emotions and situations and react accordingly, sometimes showing favor and weakness, sometimes flexing his muscles.

He can smell the heavy power lingering on you and act accordingly.

A born survivor.

Or, make good use of him...

Or, simply...

While Thales was thinking, Balta continued:

"I can also help you find Miss Hilley who kidnapped the murderer and escaped. As far as I know, she was sent to the Sunset Temple for further study when she was a child, and she had a very good relationship with a priest. And the priest was interested in blood bottles. Roger, who helped me, is kind. Although Roger is dead, his secret stronghold in the Emerald City is not without a trace..."

The prince frowned.

"No need," Thales refused flatly, "I have more important things to do, and I'm not interested in where Xi Lai is hiding."

Baltar frowned and raised his head.

Tales looked at him with sharp eyes:

"If I really want to find her, I can find my own way without help."

Balta was silent for a while, his brows furrowed.

"That's the case, I understand," after a moment, Balta relaxed his expression and smiled honestly, "His Highness is indeed a master of strategizing and is superior to others."

For some reason, Thales felt a little uncomfortable facing this little barber who seemed to be invisible to everyone, and he felt like he was being seen through.

What did he understand?

"Then what we can do is also increase people's confidence in the future of Emerald City to help you govern," Balta continued, "You have experience in governing Star Lake Castle. I heard that you will govern After that, there will be no one picking up lost things on the road, the house will not be closed at night, it will be full of vitality, and chickens and dogs will hear each other. These deeds can enhance your image..."

Huaiya on the side looked strange and hesitated to speak.

"But none of this is true."

Tales was a little irritable.

Nothing is picked up on the road...

Indeed, if you are so poor that you have nothing, what is there to lose?

Do not close the door at night...

The gate of Xinghu Fort has not been repaired, how can it be closed?

Full of life, chickens and dogs hear each other...

This is true, even all kinds of feces and urine can be heard.

"But what is the truth?"

Barta asked and answered himself, and said with a patient smile: "The truth is what people want to believe and what they expect."

Tiles’ eyes moved.

"If such conditions are not met," Balta's eyes flashed, "the truth is not enough to become the truth."

Tiles was silent for a while, then glanced at Huaiya, who was flipping through a small intelligence book next to him and looking increasingly shocked.

The attendant immediately understood and said coldly:

"Let's be honest, Baltar, you have promised His Highness so many benefits - what do you want? Surrender in return?"

"Nothing is required. It is a national obligation to be loyal to Your Highness..."

Tales snorted softly:

"Baltar."

The owner of the barber shop paused for a second, bowed deeply, and spoke in an orderly manner:

"If there is really a reason why I do this, then it should be said that it is for your magnanimity and not remembering the small faults of the common people..."

"What do you mean?"

I saw Balta raise his head, his honest and honest appearance was gone, and he became serious:

"This is an apology, Your Highness. For the injustice you and Miss Hilley suffered in my shop on the day I was away."

Tiles’ eyebrows jumped when he heard this!

He thought of the adventure he and Shilay had experienced on the street that day in order to track down the defense attorney Slimani, but then he thought of the glove that Shilay had dropped on the street.

Not good.

"What grievance?" Huaiya looked suspicious.

Balta looked at the attendant, then at the silent Prince, and smiled slightly:

"Nothing. Your Highness taught the guys in my shop a lesson that day, that's all."

Waiya couldn't help but be surprised. He turned to Thales, but still suppressed the doubts in his heart.

Tales subconsciously wanted to deny it, but looking at Balta's calm expression and the small book in Wya's hand, he finally just pursed his lips.

"You know it's us."

Baltar nodded.

"I wasn't in the shop that day. But because we lost a lot of sales and couldn't hide it, we could only tell me everything," his expression became serious, "excluding exaggeration. And the false part, I guessed the truth and the identity of the parties involved."

Tiles couldn't help but sneered when he thought of what he had experienced on the street that day, especially the good things done by the guys at the barber shop.

"Then I guess you want to say that it was your temporary workers who were careless and offended the noble man that day?"

Unexpectedly, Balta straightened his back and looked directly at Thales, his eyes firm and showing no intention of dodging.

"No, they are not temporary workers, but the clerks in my store. Each one of them was collected by me."

Tales couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"Secondly, they would do such a thing, not because of anything else, but because they have eyes." Balta sighed softly, feeling quite regretful. At first glance, he is flattering and flattering, but on the other hand, he looks down on others and bullies poorly dressed outsiders without any restraint."

Interesting.

Tales narrowed his eyes.

"That's why I was forced to bully you that day - no, it was a pair of foreign brothers and sisters who make a living by doing tricks." Balta said heartbrokenly, "So to sum up, the person who really made a mistake that day was actually me. ."

"You?" Thales was very interested.

This is quite novel.

"Yes. No matter what the appearance is, in the final analysis, it is me, as the boss, who has a problem with the management of the store." Balta replied in a deep voice, with a solemn expression and a stern tone.

"Oh?"

"Yes. The Emerald City has been comfortable for many years, and I can make money even while lying down. Therefore, I neglected to teach, and all my subordinates became mean and selfish losers, lazy and indifferent, asking for bribes in private, pretending to be powerful, and bullying others," Balta He bowed again and said, "I would also like to thank Your Highness for visiting your shop. This made me wake up in time and realize this potentially fatal flaw."

Tales was silent for a while.

Okay.

In this day and age where everyone in the Emerald City's bureaucracy shows loyalty and strives to advance, I unexpectedly encountered a boss who did not shirk his responsibilities and took the initiative to take responsibility.

It’s also a breath of fresh air.

Perhaps it is him, the well-informed survivor, who has thoroughly figured out 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' expression 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 an ordinary person who was unable to resist, he would still come to apologize so diligently...

"But fortunately they met His Highness."

Before Thales’ thoughts were over, Balta spoke again:

"If they offend an ordinary person who has no power and is 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 encouraging and encouraging them in disguise. Be arrogant and corrupt their character, causing them to 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's His 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 from being able to avoid disasters just by me coming to 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."

Perhaps you can also gain favor by admitting your mistakes and get in touch with you, the new "big shot" on the stage.

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 miserable a person comes from, the more self-esteem and self-love they must have, and You must not use your power to bully your former self, or kowtow to the powerful and wealthy."

The owner of the barber shop looked solemn:

"Treating others equally, clear transactions, no dirty work, no bloodshed, this should be the creed of my shop."

Tales did not speak.

"As for the matter between you and the 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 in the future If any 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 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 no more mistakes."

Tales frowned slightly and sneered:

"Oh? Are you sure?"

Baltar nodded respectfully.

"If I really have made 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, but His Highness insists on finding faults with me, To use the topic to get angry is because His Highness is unqualified and willful."

Before Thales could react, Huai Ya 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 ability and political integrity."

Huaiya snorted softly, his expression slightly brightened.

On the other hand, Thales was not angry 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, take the guy's head and put the blame on him, or, for example, put the blame on him. You boasted so much that you became a prosperous and wise king, and you used tears and generous gifts to make you let me go..."

Balta changed the topic:

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

Huaiya snorted coldly.

Tiles did not respond immediately. He looked at the barber for a long time, and countless countermeasures such as threats and intimidation, gentle solicitation, arrest and imprisonment, etc. went through his mind. 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 rent-seeking system of power and encouraging them to continue to plunder down the layers. Ordinary people pay tribute to the big shots as rent in exchange for the privilege of doing whatever they want," Thales said coldly, "You tell them that it is a sin to plunder the people, and they should stop at the right time and think about how to use it for the people. Don't wait until the day of disaster strikes."

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

Tier 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. 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 exceeds the limit, there will be strict punishment." The barber boss 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."

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

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

Tales raised his head and saw Balta sighing.

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

Tiles' 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, just right, My shop had just opened at that time, so in order to attract customers, I offered discounts."

"Living in poverty? If I remember correctly, Brennan was hired by the old Duke from all the way, so he should not 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.'"

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

"I know why the old Duke invited him here."

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."

Tiles’ eyes moved.

"He has a stubborn obsession. He always likes to compete with himself for a certain detail or even a certain idea, and 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 a distance and turned him away. Only when Brennan and his wife’s ashes were scattered into the sea did they understand..."

He looked at Thales and Wyatt and sighed.

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

Tales did not speak.

"I'm just a mortal who seeks good fortune and avoids misfortune, protects myself wisely, and has 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 Just tell yourself: Whenever you meet someone like him..."

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

"I will never be sarcastic again."

"Even, I am willing to help with all my strength."

Tales was silent for a long time.

Baltar also fell into deep thought.

Waiya reacted first and wanted to send the guest off politely, but Thales stopped him.

"The Emerald City is sinking."

The barber slowly raised his head, his eyes changing slightly.

The prince looked at him seriously:

"Balda the Barber, do you have any thoughts or suggestions on this?"

"I dare not..."

"Baltar, I wait for you equally," Thales stared intently, "clear transaction."

Balta paused for a moment.

He looked at Thales's eyes, then looked at the hat in his hand, and understood something.

The old barber smiled, then put away his smile.

"Let it go."

"What?" Thales was startled.

I saw Balta taking a deep breath and feeling filled with emotion.

"People in this city, especially those in high positions, fat-minded, and bossy people, have lived so well in the past few decades," he shook his head, "so good that they thought everything was as it should be. So, of course, so good that they thought that the wealth that fell from the sky in the Emerald City was really created by their hard work."

Tales was thoughtful.

Baltar spoke slowly and spoke with sincerity:

"It's so good that they don't want to open their eyes and see how much dirt and corruption is hidden under this overwhelming wealth, and how many wealthy bosses and high-ranking families there are getting richer and bigger...

“Look at how many bankrupt landowners and poor families there are in the corners of the border, and look at how much grain the farmers and hunters on the fields and farms have to sell in order to get a roof over their heads in the city...

“Look at the salaries of apprentices in the booming Metallurgical District workshops that have not increased in years, look at the finance and taxes in Emerald City that always grow faster than residents’ salaries, and the various facilities in major government agencies that are getting more and more impressive...

“Look at the eyes of foreign travelers in the Emerald City, look at the expressions of local workers after four seasons of hard work, and look at the vastly different hierarchical conflicts among the gangsters in different areas of the Blood Bottle Gang. , look at the different years of tranquility and sorrow and anxiety separated by a wall between the city and the outside...

“Look at the rumors of water ghouls and missing persons that circulate every year in the dock area, and look at the advanced rule of law and strict laws behind them. How many people can only stand at the door of the trial hall and look at the seemingly serious and fair laws. Poor people who suffer secret losses or even big losses...

“Look at the Beimen Bridge again, and look at the walking zombies inside who eat one meal at a time. Is it really just drugs that Lazench Fisso sells? No, what he really sells is numbness. and escape, carnival and excitement, this heart-wrenching poison that makes people flock to it even if they know they will eventually be poisoned to death..."

This long passage contained many things that only Balta, who had lived here for many years, could see. Thales and Huaiya listened with heavy hearts and looked at each other.

I saw Balta sighing:

"Your Highness, those people, their lives are so good that they are no longer willing, or in other words, unwilling and dare not admit a fact."

Tales looked back at him and listened carefully.

"Just like the wealth and development of Nan'an Territory are not accidental..."

Balta said seriously:

"The disasters in Emerald City today, whether internal or external, are all natural and will happen sooner or later."

The barber snorted softly, revealing a bit of disdain and contempt, which was not consistent with the caution and honesty he had just shown in front of the prince.

"So, markets, assets, debts, land, order, when they hold these in their hands and want to force you away, they will be so confident - it seems that there is no you, no Federico, no one who is jealous of their wealth. Bad people, without the adults in the center of the kingdom, these things just belong to them."

Balta looked at Thales with solemn eyes:

"But they may not realize that they are so lucky that things can happen in your hands, your highness, only in Kongming Palace, and can only be limited to the ridiculous infighting of the Iris family.

"Only when they realize this, wake up, have a correct understanding of the world, and make a truly appropriate response... instead of burying their heads in the quilt and tucking the corners tightly, as if this can protect themselves The pile of gold under the bed..."

He hummed:

"Otherwise, no matter how many methods you use to avoid disasters, they will only be temporary expediency. When the time comes, bad things will happen again and again."

Tales did not respond, but just thought deeply.

But the barber’s voice changed, solemn and heavy:

"But they can't learn anything from the existing abundance, just like the strong can't learn anything from the weak who don't resist."

"Because the strong don't have to 'retreat'." Thales muttered as he remembered something.

Baltar nodded gently:

"Therefore, we can only wait for the disaster to truly arrive, destroy, destroy, and reshape, forcing everyone on this land, especially those who benefit the most from the rise of Emerald City, to change and regain balance."

He said coldly:

"Until then, the problems in Emerald City can be truly solved."

There is a terrible fire in Baltar's eyes:

"Before that, all the rescue methods were just trying to put out the fire with salary, which was not only futile, but also self-righteous."

Fighting the fire with a salary...

It’s all in vain...

Self-righteous...

After the words fell, there was silence in the study for a long time

After finishing digestion, Thales exhaled and leaned back on the chair again.

"Sorry, I talked too much." Balta came back to his senses. He smiled slightly and instantly returned to the seemingly honest and honest but actually all-rounded barber. "Perhaps Your Highness, you do have a kind of Charming, people can’t help but say what’s on their mind.”

Huaiya has not yet recovered from what he just said. He just nodded silently.

"Baltar."

Tiles looked at the small book on the table~IndoMTL.com~ without raising his head:

"For a person like you to open a barber shop and work in a street gang to buy and sell information, it's really an understatement."

Baltar smiled.

"Your Majesty, you don't know. People like me who are better than others are the most suitable for this place." The barber chuckled and wiped his hands on his body subconsciously, as if he was wearing a work apron. " If I climb higher, with my abilities and means, I may encounter a stronger and smarter opponent and die with no body intact, or I will be hated by others, make countless enemies, and be beheaded."

Baltar narrowed his eyes:

"Sooner or later."

"But are you willing to do this? I'm in Star Lake Castle..."

But Balta smiled slightly and interrupted the prince gently but decisively:

"I am very content, Your Highness, and I don’t have any big pursuits, and I don’t want to play a risky game where the winner takes all and the loser loses all, no matter how high the benefits are. So when the Kingdom Secret Service came to me ..."

"The Secret Department has also come to see you?" Thales' expression changed, and Huaiya was also surprised.

Baltar shrugged:

"When they need me."

"Then how do you respond?"

"Of course I am polite, and I will fully cooperate with you if you have any needs." The barber smiled honestly, "As for their kindness in recruiting me officially, I can only accept it with heart."

Tales looked at this seemingly ordinary-looking master barber who rejected the kingdom’s secret science with a complicated expression, and said nothing for a long time.

"Baltar," Thales thought of something and murmured, "Maybe you will live a long life."

The old barber smiled, he was honest and honest.

"The old man will definitely work hard to survive and live longer."

I saw him bow deeply:

"To prove that His Highness's golden words are true." (End of this chapter)

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