The "grain merchant" came to Nomonka for the grain transportation plan that failed to reach a final agreement last time. He said to Jedda who came to discuss: "According to what was agreed last time, we originally planned to transport grain to Via Weisha. Nojia, but now Weisha refuses to send troops to escort, and there is no big mercenary group willing to accept employment, so we have to recruit people from Shaonan, but Weisha said that there are too many of us, and we carry weapons, and they are afraid that we will If you are planning something evil, you are not allowed to enter the country. What should we do? We can't just send a few people with sticks to escort the grain truck across the entire border, right?"
Minte's eyebrows twitched but he said nothing.
Jada frowned. The relationship between Nuojia and Weisha is indeed a bit tense now, but it has not reached the point of prohibiting the transit of food, right? He said: "There are other grain merchants in Nomenka who purchase goods from foreign countries, but they haven't mentioned this kind of thing. Why are you in so much trouble?"
The businessman muttered: "Your Majesty the Duke, how do you compare us with those grain merchants? They can only transport a dozen carts at most, but we have 10,000 kilograms of grain and more than a hundred carts! With so much grain, it's us Half a year's production, if we encounter robbers or something along the way, who will compensate us for the loss? If we transport so much food to other places and slowly sell it, it will be sold out in a few months at most. I am willing to spend so much effort to deliver it. I came to Nomonka simply because I wanted to do business with your royal family. We are so sincere, can’t your Excellency, the Duke, do something to help?”
Jada lowered his head in thought. He knew very well that the amount of food was large and the price was not high. As long as it was shipped to Nomonka, he would no longer have to worry about domestic food shortages this year, and he would be able to occupy the area when facing Mario's army. Take the initiative, after all, the latter is also facing pressure from military rations. After pondering for a moment, he said: "If we can't go to Weisha, how about taking other roads?"
"It's too far to go through East, so you might as well buy it directly from them. But I don't know if they are willing to sell it. As for Vana, they are making noises about closing the border. I don't know if they will let us cross the border." The merchant said. He looked at Jada, rolled his eyes, and said, "How about... can you tell the boss? I heard that Vana wanted to close the border because the Nuojia and Weisha people were making too much noise in Mongli. This is too much, can you please ask the king to order those people to stop causing trouble?"
Minte smiled secretly, thinking that this is the purpose of the Security Agency, right
Jada also knows very well who did what happened in Mongli. Considering that Prince Mario also needs food, maybe... he can persuade the latter to temporarily stop his actions in Mongli and let the food truck come over first
Think about it. He said: "I will handle this matter, you just wait." After that, he turned and left. The businessman smiled and watched him go out. He pulled Minte to talk about some common gossip. After everyone around him had dispersed, he lowered his voice and said, "There are unusual troop movements in Nuojia, especially in the border areas. Are they ready to take action?"
Minte shook his head and briefly introduced the turmoil of the past few days in a low voice: "It is still unknown whether Noga will raise troops. Although the situation has calmed down for the time being, I have an intuition that it will not take long. It will happen. There is a bigger turmoil, and this time the winner will be decided. If King Noga wins, the possibility of starting a battle is very small, but if it is Prince Mario...then he will definitely raise an army!"
The businessman narrowed his eyes and slowly lowered his head: "In this case, you must always pay attention to the situation, collect as much information as possible, and report back to the country as soon as there is a sign of war! Mallory has arrived in Xi'ke to take charge. The king has also given an order The army is on alert and troops have been deployed in the border areas. Once a war breaks out, he will suffer a big loss!"
Minte nodded solemnly in agreement. The businessman paused. Take a look around. Then he stuffed something into his hand. Minte touched it. What was found was a key and a small note.
"Keep it. This is the key to a hut near the city gate. Horses, dry food, water, medicine and clothes are prepared there. There is also a full set of identity certificates and customs clearance vouchers. They are all reliable and genuine. There is a The mute goes once every evening to look after the horses. He doesn't know who we are."
Minte quietly put the things into the storage ring. Was about to say something. But I heard the other party suddenly smiled and said loudly: "Last time you asked me to bring back those linen gauze. Your mother liked it very much. She said it was the coolest time to make clothes in summer. You asked me to buy more. But those are only for the palace. It's a high-end product. Where can I buy it? I have to find some high-quality fine cloth instead."
Min Te smiled knowingly: "You told me earlier. I'll find a way to get two horses. There should be a lot of land left by the palace manager."
"What are you talking about? You seem very happy." Jada walked into the room. He asked calmly upon seeing this.
The "grain merchant" smiled and said: "It's just a casual chat. Don't laugh. Is that... okay?"
Jada hesitated: "I haven't found anyone yet, how many more days can you wait?"
The other party agreed: "Okay, I'll go see if there is any other business nearby. I just discovered that Nuojia's cloth is also very good."
Jada didn't have time to listen to what he said about business. After a quick chat, she called Mint: "Come back with me. I have something to tell you."
The "grain merchant" said hurriedly: "Then you go ahead, I'll take the first step." As he spoke, he glanced at Minte, who smiled and winked, but left.
Minte followed Jedda back to the palace, but was surprised to see him running out of the city on horseback, as if he wanted to go back to the castle. He frowned, whipped his horse, and urged his mount to speed up and follow.
Jada ran faster and faster, and Minte finally caught up with her. The two riders ran around the road near the mountain for more than half an hour before the former slowed down and slowly climbed up the hillside.
The weather has been getting hotter and hotter recently. When we go to the mountains and the wind blows, it is much cooler than in the city. Minter couldn't figure out what was going on with Jada, so he had to ride behind him and slowly climb the hillside.
A large undulating mountain range of varying heights is dotted with many black spots. When I got closer, I discovered that it was a short tree with dark brown leaves that were large and long. You can find a large bunch of fruits under the leaves, each one the size of a fist, and the golden surface looks particularly dazzling in the sun. This is Nuojia's noodle fruit. In two months, the shell will turn brown and it will be ready for picking.
Smelling the unique faint fragrance of the fruit trees, Minte looked at the scenery on the outskirts of Nomonka. He saw green mountains interspersed with brown land cut into different shapes by rocks. Huts with gray and white stone walls and black roofs are scattered around the fields at the foot of the mountain. They are surrounded by brightly colored wild flowers. Many women and children are working in the fields. The old man is driving the car and bringing various daily necessities from the city. The villagers immediately swarm them. . Share things with a smile.
This is probably the scene in the paintings that originally hung on the corridor of the king's palace, right? Minte took a deep breath and moved his eyes to the field. If he saw it correctly, it should be the round rice from Shaonan. But at this time of year, the round rice should be mature, but the rice plants here are not. It's still half green and half yellow in color, and a little bleak, maybe because it's not adapted to the northern climate, right? but. When did Nuojia start planting round rice
Seeing him staring at the rice seedlings, Jada said casually: "That is a trial planting land. Your Majesty hopes to find a second crop suitable for our land. Otherwise, we will starve to death sooner or later if we only rely on rice seedlings."
Minte noticed that he was a little depressed and asked, "What's wrong with you? Did you just get angry at Prince Mario?"
Jada shook his head: "I didn't see him. Just now, I..." After a pause, he stopped his horse, got off the ground and took a few steps forward, looking back at Minte. His expression seemed very sad: "I met the funeral procession at the old doctor's house..."
Minte also dismounted, walked to him, and listened to him talk about the past: "...the old doctor's family has been a palace physician for generations. He was already a physician's assistant when my father was born. My father My brothers, from childhood to adulthood, always looked for him when they were sick, because he was not fussy and often brought some interesting toys into the palace. When I was born, he was the one who provided postpartum care for my mother. Later, my mother died of illness. , he was also the attending physician... Almost all the children born in the palace were treated by him. He was obviously... such a kind and kind old man, he didn't even have time to scream, and he died just like that, Prince Mario Don’t you and Lawlor and his son feel sad? He has also treated their illnesses and given them toys!”
Minte saw a glint in the corner of his eye. I also feel sad. Silently handing over a handkerchief, Jada took it and wiped it. He continued: "Also, those dead attendants and guards... I recognized that one of them was the youngest son of Nurse Lawler, and the other was the female officer who had served Prince Mario in the palace for more than ten years... They wanted to achieve their goals. The purpose is to use such insidious means to forcefully attack the king's palace, without caring that there are his own brothers, uncles, and people as close as family members in that palace. How can they be so cold?!" He I couldn't help shouting loudly, and kicked the mound in front of me hard, splashing dust all over me.
Minte stepped forward and patted his back gently to soothe his emotions, but he shook him off: "I saw Lawler happily decorating the grand banquet hall this morning to prepare for the ball. He said that he would use the most gorgeous brocade for decoration, as well as gold candlesticks, crystal wine glasses, colorful wool tapestries... He even asked all the attendants and maids around His Majesty to wear the most beautiful clothes and practice how to smile brightly. Fortunately, there is no shame when receiving guests—why doesn’t he think about those people who just lost their relatives and companions?!”
Mint whispered: "The dance was your suggestion."
Jada was startled, then smiled self-deprecatingly: "Yeah, that's my proposal..." He covered his face with his hands: "Am I going too far? So many people died, but I proposed to hold a grand ceremony At the dance, just to... compete with others for power, have I... become so ugly? Just now... the old doctor's grandson, my friend who grew up with me... pointed at my nose and scolded... I feel very sad, very sad, I We're not celebrating their death..." He knelt down and couldn't tell if he was crying.
Minte was silent for a moment, and then said softly: "I know you are not celebrating their deaths. Mourning the dead does not necessarily have to be expressed with inherent rituals. You proposed to hold a dance so that their murderers should be punished. ?I believe your friends will understand you one day."
Jada squatted there motionless, and Minte waited impatiently, so he raised his voice: "When did you become such a mother-in-law?! It's not like you at all! If you feel guilty, I will risk your life, Revenge the dead people! All you have to do is hide here and cry, are you still not a man?!"
Jada suddenly raised her head and glared at him, but soon smiled again, stood up, and said seriously: "Thank you, I know what to do. It's just...sad." Wiping away the suspicious light in the corner of his eyes, he Walking to his horse, he suddenly looked back at Minte with a somewhat complicated look in his eyes: "At first, I really thought there were many things about you that were suspicious, but now. I know you are a trustworthy friend. Don't worry, Jada. -Novilla-Conkerson would never turn his back on a friend!”
Minte felt a little guilty and coughed lightly: "Why are you talking about this..."
"I'm going to meet those big lords and royal families. Whether I can suppress Prince Mario depends on the results of this time. No matter how difficult it is, I will fight hard." He solemnly said to Minte, "Your Majesty, Bian, I'll leave it to you. Please protect him." He stretched out his hand and looked at Minte with a smile: "You won't let me down, right?"
Minte's heart skipped a beat. An indescribable feeling suddenly surged into his heart. But he still remembered his responsibilities, so he managed to maintain a calm expression and stretched out his hand: "Take care of yourself all the way."
Jada shook his hand tightly, turned around, mounted her horse, and galloped away. Minte watched his back disappear, and suddenly felt a lot of pressure on his back, and the guilt in his heart made him almost breathless.
Thinking of the trusting eyes of Gale II and Jada, and then thinking of his mission... Minte gritted his teeth. In any case, he just concealed his origin and purpose and didn't hurt them, right
Perhaps out of guilt, since Jada left, he has been very concerned about Gale II's safety. Instead of going to the palace every day, he moved back to live in the palace. Not only did he personally supervise Gale II's drinking Take medicine and rest. Even what you eat is always taken care of to avoid anyone taking advantage of it.
The companions of the Security Agency understood his decision. After meeting twice, and considering the critical situation in Nomonka, the "grain merchant" used domestic emergencies as an excuse to retreat to the border. Before leaving, he placed the Security Agency at the border. Several secret strongholds in the mainland of Nuojia were told to Minte so that he could escape in the future.
There was no news after Jada left. Until the day before the dance. Only then did he rush back after a long journey. He reported back to the king that all but one of the lords was ill. The others had accepted the invitation and were about to arrive.
As for what he talked about privately with these lords, royal families, and nobles, only the king and him knew.
When Prince Lawler learned that his cousin was back, he came over to "welcome" him as soon as possible. Seeing his tired and gray face, he thought he had hit a wall, but he couldn't help but feel proud. Just say a few words of ridicule. Jada endured it one by one, but it made him even more arrogant, talking about how great his prom arrangements were.
Jada listened with a smile on her face, but a trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. Is such a stupid guy really the ruthless and decisive opponent he was a few days ago? Did he overestimate Lawler, or was the latter's disguise too clever
The grand ball held for the Queen Mother's birthday and the King's recovery began in a tense but calm atmosphere. According to tradition, the king opens the first bottle of wine and makes a toast to his guests. Due to the poor health of Gael II for many years, this responsibility has always been performed by Prince Mario. This year, he also planned to step onto the podium, but saw his brother smiling and taking the first step. He paused and felt that it was no big deal. , he smiled and stayed there to watch his brother's speech, but he didn't expect that this scene had already fallen into the eyes of others.
This banquet was attended by dozens of nobles and their families, including officials and attendants, totaling two to three hundred people. In the newly decorated grand banquet hall, people were drinking and drinking, wearing fragrant clothes. Everyone was admiring the gorgeous furnishings, expensive wines and delicious dishes, and congratulated the Queen Mother and the King on their health and longevity.
Prince Lawler walked proudly among the crowd, talking to the guests, showing off his magnanimity and talents as a crown prince. When he saw that his brothers would only hang around the young ladies, his cousin Jada was hiding in the corner. Talking to some old men there, he smiled contemptuously and loudly introduced his glorious deeds to several lords.
Minte was wearing a squire's dress and silently observed the people at the ball in the corner. After a while, he felt bored and went out for some air.
The air in the garden is fresh and it would be a good place to rest, but unfortunately...
Minte looked regretfully at the young man and woman occupying the pavilion. The man seemed to have started to tamper with them. He had no choice but to turn around and walk to the other side of the garden. He remembered that there was also a pavilion there... but it was also occupied? ! But...the two people seem familiar...
Junia, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, was holding a handkerchief and complaining to Shade, who was dressed in black (he didn't attend the banquet, this was his work attire): "The Queen Mother still doesn't like me! She just deliberately let me down in front of other people. I’m embarrassed! I know I’m not as powerful as other rich ladies, but I’m also a noble, why should she look down on me?!”
Xie De persuaded in a low voice: "The Queen Mother has always been like this. She just doesn't like people related to you, and she is not targeting you."
"That's not true!" Junia tugged on the handkerchief harder. "She just smiled at Jay. She just hates me! Damn it, Jay, he only talks to those old men. I have been wronged and he won't come." Comfort me...I will only ask you to come..."
Shade helplessly continued to persuade her, and Minte rolled his eyes secretly and left quietly, trying to find a quiet place.
He wandered around and accidentally came to the corridor behind the banquet hall. No one passed by here, and it was very quiet with the mountain breeze blowing. He looked around, then quietly hid in the curtains, sat on the window sill, crossed his legs, breathed a sigh of relief, and felt much more relaxed.
Loud footsteps came from the corridor. He frowned and completely hid his figure in the curtains. When he heard the footsteps of the people passing by, he realized that they were Gael II and Prince Mario.
What is King Noga thinking? How dare he be alone with Prince Mario? Why don't you even bring a follower? Even if he regains his health, he is still very weak compared to his brother.
Minte couldn't sit still anymore and quietly slid down the window sill and followed them. When he saw them turning into a room and closing the door, he quickly walked to the next room and approached the window of the room where they were from the balcony. Peep inside secretly.
The two brothers stood far away from the window and talked. At first, their attitude was relatively calm, but as they talked, they became more and more excited, and soon they started to quarrel. Minte couldn't hear what they were talking about, so he gently opened the window, and happened to hear Gale II saying: "...You are not revitalizing Noga, but taking Noga into the abyss of hell! I You will never be allowed to do this!"
Prince Mario suddenly overturned the table in front of him: "Asshole! Do you know what you are talking about?!"
Minte was startled by the loud noise. He pulled back and took a few careful breaths before he continued to listen. However, he saw a dark shadow flashing at the corner of his eye. He turned around and saw a pair of familiar faces. Eyes met. Namu? ! Why is she here? !
(It will be released at the end of the month, so the plot will be sped up a bit, right?)