Kingdom’s Bloodline Chapter 215: Purpose

Chapter 711 will

"1.17 million?"

The Duke of Xinghu, and—although it must not be said in public—the current regent of Emerald City, Thales Canxing was shocked. He turned up the volume uncontrollably, scaring everyone in the study. Qi shook.

The Duke's voice fell, and the study was silent and the atmosphere was oppressive.

After a while, Thales finally recovered from the blankness. He closed his mouth, put down the ledger with difficulty, and looked at the two rows of people in front of the desk in disbelief:

On the left are the three high-ranking personal guards, Mallos, Shi Tuo and Hugo. They have calm expressions and serious eyes.

On the right stood six current officials of the Finance and Taxation Department of Emerald City. They lowered their heads deeply, nervously, from time to time they secretly raised their eyes to glance at the Duke, and then quickly lowered their heads to look at the ground.

"His Royal Highness Thales, to be exact," said Lord Melahovich, who was standing in the front row as the chief financial officer from Ligur State, who had settled in the Emerald City for many years, but whose Eastland accent was still hard to change. He sniffed, looking like he was about to be executed, "It's one hundred and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and fifty-three Tormund gold coins."

Thales' expression remained unchanged, dull and numb.

"And it's only a part, Your Highness," a financial officer couldn't help reminding, "it's the biggest one."

"Also, this is an early repayment," another humble assistant financial officer added in a low voice, "it is an initial amount with a guarantee nature."

"Yes, if you count the total, it's almost..." A younger examiner was held down by his colleagues before he finished speaking, begging him to shut up with his eyes.

Thales was stunned for a few seconds, then silently let go of the ledger in his hand.

If, just if...

If he sells the entire Xinghu Castle, all the fields and property, including the pile of cats and dogs, can he get 1.17 million gold coins?

"Tell me, my lords," Thales said with blank eyes and a hollow voice, "How did you manage to make the prosperous and thriving Queen's City owe so much debt and turn it into a pile of bad debts? , a bottomless black hole full of debt?"

Compared to this, Anke Bailar, the Western Wilderness Assassin, the tens of thousands of foreign debts his father owes the Doyle family is nothing, what is it! Just sprinkle water, okay? Why is it necessary for tm to go to the royal banquet to find Thales to kill and kill and shout loudly like the sky is falling!

You know, a certain guardian duke of the South Bank who owes millions or even tens of millions of gold coins to different creditors and business groups tm runs around outside every day, spends extravagantly, spends money like water, and pays nm, making everyone in the kingdom think that He has oil and mines in his family, and the disaster will never end for a lifetime! Hey!

The officials looked at each other anxiously.

Under the prince's questioning and Mallos' aggressive eyes, the officials present trembled and dared not speak.

After a long while, under the eyes of Manager Melahovic, an old accountant of some age stood up, trembling and heartbroken, and told Duke Thales:

Originally, Queen City is one of the few kingdoms that does not owe foreign debts, is a model of healthy financial governance, balances income and expenditure, and is a wealthy party.

Until the **** year, the situation in the kingdom changed suddenly, and the situation took a turn for the worse. The rebel army was like wildfire, and the foreign enemies were also eyeing.

In order to support the kingdom's war and for the safety of the territory itself, the old Duke Leinster Cavendir urgently needed a lot of funds to prepare his army for war. For this reason, he raised funds from various sources, borrowed foreign debts, and even re-established the Emerald City. Even the overall budget of the surrounding directly subordinate fiefdoms.

"But that happened more than twenty years ago," Shi Tuo's logistics officer couldn't believe it, "don't tell me, you borrowed debts for twenty years?"

"Of course not," said Myrahovich rightly, "Since the crowning of His Majesty Kessel, the kingdom has enjoyed peace and prosperity, and we have quickly paid off our debts until—the Desert War. "

Another financial officer who was in his prime took over the conversation and talked eloquently, saying that His Majesty Kessel asked the vassals across the country to contribute to the war on the western front, but the old duke was kind and kind. He didn't want to levy taxes, so he had to re-borrow money, most of which was invested in the form of military funds to support the kingdom's war, and the rest was used for the construction of facilities and order maintenance in Emerald City and South Coast Territory.

"But even the desert war happened more than ten years ago." The flag officer Hugo pointed out with a frown.

"Yes, the debt of the Desert War will be almost paid off," Melahovich rubbed his forehead, "If there is no unexpected situation..."

Financial and taxation officials burst into tears immediately, and you said something to each other. First, the old duke was assassinated, the iris flowers fought among themselves, the south bank led the world to collapse, and everyone in Emerald City was panicked. The revived towns on the south coast are also becoming more and more depressed.

Therefore, after the Duke of Jain succeeded to suppress the rebellion, he had to borrow money again to reorganize the market, maintain order, and win back confidence and business for the Emerald City.

However, the good times didn't last long. Master Zhan En had not ruled for a long time, and all kinds of measures showed a slight improvement. The industrious and hospitable citizens of Emerald City waited for a new round of thunderbolts——the Kingdom of Stars, which has changed people's faces. The general edict came from the capital in a hurry, and the horn of war was sounded again:

The Exeter mission was killed on the way, the army of the Northern Lands Chen Bing border, the Broken Dragon Fortress is in dire straits day and night, and the state of Xingchen is crumbling.

Seeing that the war between the two countries is about to break out, the tragic year of blood is about to repeat itself, and the leaders of the South Bank are panic-stricken. To serve His Majesty, as for the method of raising funds, the benevolent Duke thinks of his father and is unwilling to raise taxes on the people, so naturally it is just borrowing——

"As far as I know," Thales interrupted him, "that battle didn't start."

"Yes, it's thanks to His Highness..." Myrahovic smiled, "But the budget has been made, and the loan contract and IOU have been signed, and the subsequent financial and economic crisis has proved that the Duke Foresight..."

"Crisis?"

Financial and tax officials speak out again:

Not long after Exeter retired, in order to celebrate the establishment of an heir to the kingdom, Duke Jann donated a large area of ​​mineral deposits, fields and corresponding industries to the royal family, which was not a small source of income and seriously affected the financial health of the South Coast Territory. The time to donate is about—

"After I went to Exeter," said the prince, his face was ugly, "Believe me, Jann's gift of land to the royal family is not just for congratulations."

Milahovitch told him with a look of embarrassment, so they had to borrow again to fill the shortfall. In the past thirty years, after experiencing the above-mentioned countless crises and disasters, the debts of Emerald City have been constantly updated and increased day by day. , until today, with interest...

Thales glanced at the number and felt dizzy for a while.

"So everyone, what is the schedule and arrangement for repaying the debt?" Mallos asked softly.

The officials looked at each other in blank dismay.

"Such a large debt," Mallos said with unquestionable firmness, "you must have arranged a repayment plan early, instead of waiting until the last day to rush to raise money to repay? "

Thales reacted and his eyes lit up.

"Of course, of course, thing, in fact, Duke Jann was busy with this matter before the celebration, planning to settle it one by one..." Lord Melahovich hurriedly said, "And now, Your Highness, you Sitting in the center and seeing things wisely, how about paying off the debt, we will naturally have more confidence!"

Thales took a deep breath, reminding himself that life is still beautiful, and he cannot be defeated by reality.

"Then, my lords," Thales raised his head, crossed his hands, and calmed down his voice, looking very professional and knowledgeable, with a strategy worth ten thousand gold, "At present, the wealth of the Emerald City Treasury reserves, how much money can be used to repay debts?"

"Not a lot, Your Highness, not a lot," an inspector raised his chest and raised his head, "You must know that Emerald City is the capital of one side, with a solid family background and a lot of income..."

Thales nodded in satisfaction.

"Compared with the debt?" Shi Tuo said sadly.

The chief financial officer retracted his head instantly.

"Not enough, Your Highness, not enough," said the old-eyed accountant tremblingly, "You must know that Emerald City is the capital of a party, and the expenses are complicated and the expenditure is very high..."

Thales' smile froze slightly.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Manager Melahović quickly spoke up:

"In fact, we still have a variety of means to raise sufficient funds, such as flexibly changing the budget, advancing or even embezzling other less urgent accounts, such as urban construction, disaster construction and relief funds reserves, or delaying the release of certain funds. The salary subsidy for the temporary non-official staff, after the event, when the turnover is sufficient, we will find an opportunity to make up for it..."

"Let's downsize some redundant and unnecessary urban posts," the assistant financial officer quickly answered, "Of course, posts above a certain level, such as finance and tax collection staff posts, are related to the operation of the city. Can't move lightly."

"We can find a reason - such as celebrating the prince's visit - to collect transaction tax and property tax in advance for this quarter." A tax official also joined.

"Just take the income record of each businessman in the previous year as the standard, and increase the tax by 10 to 20% on this basis, and collect taxes in advance?" Another tax official whispered, "After all, people's lives are getting more and more expensive. Well, prices are rising steadily."

"A few days ago, a disaster relief fund was allocated. We can suspend the implementation and let the farmers wait..."

"Save the expenses of various public banquets during the Emerald Festival..."

"There is also an equipment order plan for the Emerald Legion, which can be postponed until next year, although I think the guys copied by the green hats can still be used for a few more years, wrap up the rusty place..."

"Of course, we can still discuss with the creditors and reach an agreement on the extension of certain debts, but we must pay more interest."

"In the northeast of Shimmering Sun Town, there is a piece of wasteland that has just been taken back from a bankrupt lord. There are already buyers asking for it. We might as well urge you to speed up the process..."

"Including the sale of concessions in certain industries, as well as the prospecting and mining rights of newly discovered asphalt deposits, and the fishing rights of eternal whales in the ocean. Go out..."

Financial and tax officials chattered about ways to raise money to repay debts, and Thales' head was as big as a fight, and the three of Mallos frowned.

But Thales quickly thought of something.

"Okay, everyone, let me put it this way," the prince interrupted them, and asked tentatively, "Well, using all the methods you mentioned - no matter how many bad ideas there are in it - big Raise funds by displaying supernatural powers, and after repaying the 1.17 million yuan..."

"One hundred and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and fifty-three, Your Highness."

Thales frowned and changed his words:

"Very well, after we pay off this total debt of 1,178,653..."

"Part of the debt, Your Highness," reminded a treasurer, "this is only the biggest one."

Thales took a deep breath and spoke again:

"So, after we repay this part, the total debt is 1,178,653..."

"And it's just a pre-debt..."

"If you count the total..."

"Boom!"

The unbearable Thales slapped the table hard, startling everyone.

"That's enough," His Royal Highness gritted his teeth, and the officials all bowed their heads, "Just tell me, after that, how much money is left in Emerald City?"

The officials exchanged glances with each other, looking left and right, seeming suspicious.

Mallos and Shi Tuo also looked at each other.

Until an old accountant trembled:

"Actually, Your Highness, we don't have any—"

Milahovich observed his words and quickly stopped his subordinates: "I don't know how much you want left, Your Highness?"

Thales let out a breath.

Well, there are still people who know how to do it.

He scratched his chin and sniffed his nose like a cat smelling fish:

"If, just say if, if the kingdom is about to go to war, and Emerald City wants to show the heart of serving the country, for example, update the fury guards of the kingdom's wrath, repair equipment, change horses, and then give him Buy a pair of height-enhancing boots, or equip Broken Dragon Fortress with twenty magic energy guns, strengthen the city walls, and import tobacco for Fortress Flower..."

Or help a king who loves his people like his son and his country like his family, to gather a new standing army capable of conscripting and fighting?

Including Melahovich, the expressions of the finance and taxation officials changed, and they flinched, not daring to raise their heads or answer.

Thales looked expectant at first, but gradually, his smile became more stiff and awkward.

Isn't it?

"Your Highness," Myrahovich said cautiously in the end, "I don't know what kind of tobacco does Lady Sonia like in Dragon Fortress?"

Looking at his appearance, Thales understood.

"I see..."

Thales took a deep breath and stared at the account report on the table with a grim expression.

So, the Emerald City can barely function, and it's pretty good to support yourself...

If the debt still needs to be repaid, then the Kongming Palace will not be able to dig out extra money to give to a certain talented supreme king.

Unfortunately, one of the conditions he used to persuade King Kessel V to let himself go to participate in the chess game was...

Thales swallowed.

Not good.

Pretty bad.

Unless...

Thales quietly said:

"You said, the royal family shouldn't have the saying that 'the Canxing family must pay their debts'?"

Mallos frowned:

"What?"

Thales reacted and smiled again:

"It's nothing, don't care, it's just rural slang in the Northland."

He quickly cheered up and said tentatively:

"So, if, my lords, what if, if we don't pay back the 1.17 million due to various irresistible reasons, what will happen?"

As soon as the words came out, the officials all froze and looked at each other.

Director Melahovic coughed:

"Your Highness, the creditors of most of the debts are big figures in and out of the Nan'an Territory who can influence Emerald City: property owners of several major guilds, big merchants, several long-established vassal families, foreign big Funder, oh, yes, even Royal Bank..."

"Of course, of course, they are all big men, rich men, but," Thales waved his hand, "but what if I tell them 'more grace'? They can't force me to repay the debt, right? Like pulling an army Hit me, 'The creditor doesn't die from Lao Lai'?"

The finance officials were speechless, and they looked at each other again, as if they had encountered such a ruler for the first time.

"They, they...but our credit..." Manager Melahovic was a little overwhelmed.

Seeing the other party's reaction, Thales rolled his eyes.

"They can't force you, Your Highness," Mallos coughed and interrupted the conversation, "after all, they have no army, no authority, and they have nothing to do with your breach of contract, and I remember the history of the kingdom, It is not without such precedent..."

Thales' momentum changed, and he nodded solemnly: "Then we might as well study—"

Hugo Fubi, the flag officer, interrupted coldly:

"The last one to do this was Red King John."

Thales' expression froze on his face.

"Yes, he borrowed money to raise an army to launch a coup d'état, and after he succeeded in assuming power, he sent all creditors to prison as a king, threatening them to postpone, reduce or even cancel their debts," Mallos added softly, "If you don't want to People, let Mi Keluo be accused of being a traitor, ransack his home and behead him, and in this way, the debt of the Red King will naturally be written off.”

The expressions of the finance and taxation officials tightened, and they hesitated to speak.

Thales frowned tightly.

Mallos picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea calmly.

"Why don't you continue to ask?"

Mallos turned his head in surprise: "Your Highness?"

"Continue, according to your usual habit, you should ask me back," Thales said with a displeased face, "'Guess, Your Highness Thales, what happened to the Red King after that'?"

Mallos froze.

A few seconds later, he lightly raised his teacup to the prince and smiled apologetically.

"Okay, I understand what you mean," Thales didn't wait for him to answer, he covered his face with his hands, raised his head and sighed, "Iron Bank cannot be in arrears."

Everyone present looked at each other in blank dismay.

"It's nothing, it's just the mantra of the people in the West Wilderness... Now, yes, pay back the money..." Thales came back to his senses, looked at the numbers on the account, and felt uncomfortable all over.

"Actually, Your Highness," Director Melahovich reminded worriedly, "If our overdue breach of the contract becomes a reality, then don't worry, we still have other solutions, and we don't have to go to the step of the Red King."

"Oh?" Thales became energetic when he heard it.

The manager nodded:

"According to the loan contract and the old rules left by the Xianjun era, when we borrow money, we mortgage the future taxes of the Emerald City and even the South Bank..."

"Future taxes?"

Thales was taken aback: "What are there?"

"There are many kinds, Your Highness," another tax official said thoughtfully, "In addition to the traditional land rent of the fiefs directly under the Emerald City, as well as the land tax paid by the vassals, the agricultural and forestry land mu tax, and the labor tax. In addition, what we collect also includes transaction tax, real estate tax, property tax, security tax, water and land toll tax, customs duty, franchise tax, deed tax, notary fee, recognition fee...a total of thirteen major taxes throughout the South Bank. Forty-four different sub-tax items are divided, and detailed categories are divided under each tax item..."

"Enough is enough!" Thales' ears hurt from hearing this, "God, I'll never understand finances."

But when he reacted, his expression changed again!

"Wait, are you saying that if we breach the contract, we will have to hand over the income of Nan'an Territory for the next few quarters or even years in the future?"

"Not all of them, Your Highness, no," said the old accountant tremblingly, "according to the amount of principal owed, the degree of overdue payment for breach of contract, and the level of fines for each debt contract, mortgage taxes also vary. An approximate ratio..."

"Approximate ratio? How much?"

"Not much, Your Highness, after all, the Emerald City is the capital of one side..." The chief financial officer waved his hand in a heroic manner.

Thales moved his mind again: "Then if, or if, if the western front needs money to go—"

"Not enough, Your Highness," the tax official replied quickly, cutting off Thales' last chance, "After all, Emerald City is the capital of one side."

Thales' smile disappeared, and the study became quiet.

"Well, to put it simply, it's because of the **** part of the pre-debt," Thales tried not to think about it, "Emerald City is currently in debt and cash-strapped, and cannot draw a large amount in a short period of time. Funds to support the great cause of national construction and rejuvenation?"

The officials quickly turned their heads and looked away.

"And if I can't pay off the debt, it will be even worse," Thales said, his face becoming more and more ugly, "Because the income of the South'an leader will not be stable for several years in a row in the future, let alone free up in the future To serve the kingdom?"

After the voice fell, the officials bowed their heads deeply, not daring to speak out.

Thales stared at the tops or hats of each of them, and waited for several seconds without waiting for an answer.

Thales pressed his heart, took a deep breath, and then let it out forcefully.

"Then I—"

Thales tried hard to suppress his irritability, and also suppressed what he was about to say:

Then what am I doing sitting here?

"Hold on, I'm sorry, the Department of Finance and Taxation is not capable enough, and your Highness has been disappointed." Manager Myrahovic was ashamed.

"Disappointed?"

Thales suppressed his temper and squeezed out the arc of the corner of his mouth:

"No, no, no, how can I be disappointed, the disappointment should be someone else..."

The prince's smile faded away, and he stared numbly at the account report in front of him:

"Haha, haha, as for me..."

I'm screwed.

Seeing the Duke sitting on the seat with an ugly expression and saying nothing, the atmosphere in the study became more gloomy and oppressive.

Until——

"Wait," Thales remembered something and came to his senses, "These debts are all borrowed in the name of the Kevin Dill family with the signature and approval of Jann, right?"

The officials were all startled.

Lord Melahovich rolled his eyes:

"Well, Duke Jann himself did guarantee the repayment of the debt when it is due..."

"Thank God!" Thales waved his fist vigorously, and then realized that he was a little too much, and quickly sat upright, "I mean, even if you default on the debt, it's Calvin Dill's credit damage, right? ?'Kevin Dill will be in debt'?"

Everyone was stunned again.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Thales put away his embarrassing smile and coughed.

"Don't be nervous, just kidding, the debt still has to be repaid, it's just... how much money does Kevin Dill have?"

"Your Highness, Your Highness?" Myrahovich thought of something, with a frightened expression on his face.

Mallos also turned cold.

"If, I mean if," Thales scratched his chin, "From the inventory of Kongming Palace, to the property under the name of Iris, or Xiaohuahua's private money, all these various things are worth a lot. How much?"

The expression of the old accountant changed greatly: "Your Highness, you want to confiscate the Kevin Dill family..."

The officials all changed face!

Thales shrugged:

"Why, the mess he left behind, the debt he signed, I used his money to pay back, and I also helped him stabilize the financial situation of Emerald City. Isn't this justified, thank God?"

The treasurer trembled and said:

"But Lord Zhan..."

Thales waved his hand:

"I believe that he is loyal to the country and considers the overall situation, so he will definitely not object."

Right?

After the voice fell, the entire study room was suddenly silent.

Both officials from the Finance and Tax Department and Mallos looked at him with strange expressions.

Thales' smile froze on his face.

"Okay, I'm just kidding, I didn't intend to steal Kong Minggong's house," the prince coughed and waved his hands again and again, as if to drag time back in time, "I've written a letter to your Majesty, don't worry, Fuxing Palace will soon I will reply and decide on related matters..."

At that time, whether it is to sell the ancestral property or repay the mortgage, it will not be up to Zhan En or himself to decide.

Thinking of this, Thales' expression darkened.

At that time, it was time for him to turn around and face King Kessel.

He rolled his eyes:

"But, of course, whether it is for arbitration or finance, it is necessary to find out how much money is in the private account of the Kevin Dill family, right?"

The study was quiet, and no one dared to answer him.

Thales had no choice but to put away his smile and wave his hands:

"Go ahead, take care of your business, daily affairs, raise money to pay off debts, and..."

Looking at the submissive finance and tax officials in front of him, Thales sighed:

"That's it."

At the urging of the prince, Shi Tuo and Hugo sent all the officials back to work as soon as possible.

After all, there are still many things to worry about.

As soon as the door was closed, Thales collapsed on the chair:

"What a mess this tm is."

Mallos, who stayed behind, was thoughtful, and he paced slowly with his arms still wrapped in bandages.

"With one order, one of the border dukes will be deprived of his title and his home will be confiscated," the watchman said quietly, "Do you know who was the last person to do this?"

"Ha, let me guess," Thales picked up the teacup and sarcastically listlessly, "Is it a king? The one who died a miserable death? Can you compare it to me?"

"No, not the king."

"Thank God, there's nothing like that."

"It's an emperor," Mallos said softly, "the last emperor in the world."

Thales' hand holding the teacup froze.

"Hey, Thor, how's your injury?"

A second later, Thales smiled, and changed the subject in time before the other party told him about the tragic end of the 'Last Emperor' Sebastian IX.

Mallos looked at the bandages on his body.

"It's okay, thank you for your concern, Your Highness. By the way, congratulations, you have successfully taken charge of Kongming Palace without a single soldier."

"It's nothing, it's not my credit anyway," Thales closed the account report on the table with a headache, "and I just made the best of the situation, made a temporary transition, and guarded the Kongming Palace."

Fucking impromptu.

He remembered something, raised his head and said:

"By the way, thank you Thor, if you hadn't arrived at the arena in time, Jen would have..."

"He won't."

Thales looked up in doubt.

I saw Mallos with firm eyes:

"Even if I don't carry that flag to the scene, Duke Zhann will still back down, at most the process will be more difficult and the way will be more embarrassing, but you will still sit in this position safely and smoothly, and take charge of Kongming Palace. "

Thales' expression froze.

"How do you know?"

Mallos glanced at the ledger on the table.

Thales frowned and fell silent.

"If, I mean if," Thales snorted after a long while, "If I hang those financial officers who have no use for food..."

He looked up:

"Then you say, the rest of the Financial Secretary will do their best to help me solve my debts and bring in income?"

Mallos frowned slightly.

"Guess, Your Highness," he said quietly after a few seconds, "How did the Red King do after that?"

Thales stared at him for several seconds and snorted coldly.

"Okay!"

Thales no longer struggled with this topic, he opened his hands:

"You know, compared to this, what surprises me more is the Emerald City Finance and Taxation Department. Their scale and manpower are more than three times that of the Kingdom's Finance and Taxation Department."

He pondered.

Look at that Melahovich and his men, no wonder Chief Joke and his accountants and tax collectors can't handle them.

"Not only this, but also the mayor, trade officer, judge, police officer..." Thales murmured ecstatically.

"Indeed," Mallos looked at the account report on the table, "it's amazing."

"Tell you, Thor, from administration to law and order to market to finance, I held four meetings in one morning alone." Thales came back to his senses, looking bored, "Most of the time I can only smile and nod, watching officials come in and out respectfully, talking nonsense that is correct but useless..."

"Thanks for your trouble," Mallos replied respectfully, "I don't know how many meetings Duke Jann had in a day before."

Thales was speechless for a moment.

After a few seconds, he sighed deeply.

"Waya will come over later, Thor, I will write another letter to the Fuxing Palace to remind you."

"You mean to write a letter asking for money to pay off a debt?"

Thales' fingers stiffened.

How is it possible.

Even if you want money, you have to ask for it in the next letter.

Mallos narrowed his eyes:

"Your Majesty may not be too satisfied."

Thales turned to Mallos and sighed helplessly.

"Yes. But he will not be satisfied in any way, Thor, at least not with this ledger," the prince patted the table, and explained to the watchman himself, "but if he thinks there is something wrong here It’s the same as in the Northern Territory, if only a team of inspectors and royal envoys can easily take over and take the money happily, then he is wrong, big mistake, outrageously wrong..."

"Hmm."

"What's worse, he's not a person who can face his mistakes calmly and tolerantly," Thales said to himself in a daze, "On the contrary, as a ruler, he will only be stubborn and persistent, Until I turn my fault into the whole world's."

As for the price, everyone has to bear it with him.

"Because then it won't show that he is wrong?"

Thales raised his head and glanced at Mallos unexpectedly.

He really didn't expect that the other party would answer, and it was so... lacking in decent words.

"Yes, if the cow doesn't drink water, he won't force his head," Thales chuckled, "but dig the dam until the flood is overwhelming, and then point to the sunken cow, 'Look, It’s just drinking water.”

"And I'm full." Mallos said softly.

Thales looked at him and smiled softly.

"Exactly."

"Then, Your Highness," Mallos changed his tone, "Have you thought about how to mediate for the two "home away from home" Kevin Dill?"

Thales' complexion sank.

"No."

"But the matter has come to this point, I'm afraid it's beyond my decision," Thales pointed to the top of his head, "at least until the Fuxing Palace replies, there is nothing we can do."

At that time, his battle really began.

"But they have," Mallos said, "so I suggest you better get ready and do something first."

Thales frowned.

"You mean..."

"Finding out the truth about the assassination of the Duke of Leinster," Mallos said, "This is the key to arbitrating the case."

Mallos looked at the account report on the table:

"Maybe, it's not just this case."

Thales' expression darkened when he heard the words, and he remained silent for a long time.

"Thor, do you really think that Zhan En killed his father and seized the throne, blaming his uncle?"

"I'm not sure, Your Highness."

"So Federico framed him to avenge his father?"

"I'm not sure either."

"Then you would rather the truth be the former or the latter?" Thales asked softly.

Mallos noticed something different: "Your Highness?"

"Anyway, we checked and checked, nothing more than these two results," Thales said in a daze, "Federico wants the former, and Jann wants the latter."

Mallos frowned:

"They all only want the results that are beneficial to themselves, Your Highness, this is human nature."

Thales sneered.

"In that case, what's the point of finding out the truth? It's true or false. What's the point? You just need to know that many years ago, Zhan En came to power because of this incident. After many years, Federico used this incident to overthrow him again, isn’t that enough?”

Prince thinks of all the things these days, from the silence case to the changes in the arena, and he feels extremely bored and nauseated:

"The truth, Thor, to some the truth is nothing."

It was quiet in the study.

"But you are not 'someone', Your Highness," Mallos said softly, "to you, the truth means everything."

Thales was slightly moved.

"No matter what the outcome will be, only those who know the truth can truly take the initiative."

This time, Thales was silent for a long time.

"Okay, Thor, send someone to investigate the old case back then and find out the truth," Thales sighed, "especially the grievances between the old Duke of Leinster and his brother, the Viscount Sona, Although I highly doubt that after so many years, how many clues and evidence will Jen leave for us."

"Yes, Your Highness," Mallos bowed slightly, "In fact, I have already sent someone to handle this matter."

Thales was taken aback for a moment, and immediately said unhappily:

"Hmph, I know."

Mallos turned and left with a blank expression on his face.

"But, Thor," Thales said suddenly before Mallos walked out of the study, "You and I both know what kind of result the one in the Fuxing Palace wants."

Mallos had a serious look on his face.

"You know, even if we find out the truth, it will not be worth a letter from Fuxing Palace, or a decree."

Thales is in awe:

"That's us, no, the hardest battle I've ever had to fight."

Mallos was silent for a while:

"You really think so? Should we worry about the Fuxing Palace?"

Thales laughed when he heard this:

"What else?"

Mallos turned around and said solemnly, "Where are you, Your Highness?"

Thales was taken aback, he looked around:

"Uh, VIP study? The study used by Xian Jun more than a hundred years ago?"

"No," Mallos shook his head and paused every word, "What I'm asking is: where are you, right now?"

Thales was stunned.

"Kongming Palace," he pondered for a long time, and finally understood: "I am in Kongming Palace——the residence palace of 'Iris' Kevin Dill's family."

Mallos nodded:

"It's better to die because of friends than to die because of enemies."

Seeing his expression, Thales unconsciously became nervous.

"Which one?"

The prince solemnly said:

"In this palace, Thor, which Kevin Dill are you really worried about?"

Mallos didn't answer, he just asked rhetorically:

"Which one is not Kevin Dill?"

Telton was stunned for a while~IndoMTL.com~ But they were quickly interrupted, Wyatt and several guards came to the study, and excitedly and respectfully told the Duke of Xinghu:

From yesterday evening to now, after several of the fastest military crows flew around the clock without sleep, the reply letter from the Fuxing Palace to His Highness Thales finally arrived.

With a heavy heart and the mood to welcome the battle, Thales took over the letter box that Huayer protected his life, pulled out the letter scroll with the will of the Supreme King, and slowly unfolded it.

But this time, the king did not write him a long and complicated guide to seizing power, nor did he send him a long list of officials who took over the Emerald City, nor did he even have any opinions on Zhan En himself and the old case back then. Neither did harsh (as Thales is used to) rebukes and lessons.

Under the full expectation of the Star Lake guards and Thales' wide-eyed gaze, only a few words were written in this surprisingly short letter from the king—not even the nine-pointed star wax paint printed on the outside Wide - word:

[You can figure it out. 】