Border Town ushered in a long-lost rainy day. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the rain fell from the sky, hitting the windowsill and glass, making a crackling sound. .
It stands to reason that spring should be a rainy season, warm and humid. But in Border Town, since the end of the Devil's Month, the number of rains has been few and far between. Fortunately, the farmland is right by the river, and it is very convenient to water it. Now, a heavy rain has dispelled the dullness in the air, and Nightingale opened the window to let the earthy scent fill the room.
Looking from a distance, you can see that the crops on the other side of the Chishui River have sprouts, and the green wheat seedlings are endless, extending to the end of the field of vision. Under the wash of the rain, the crops appeared extremely bright, in stark contrast to the gray river water.
Roland stretched and threw the quill in his hand into the pen holder.
"Done?" Nightingale asked.
"Well, a brand-new weapon can increase the rate of fire of a musket several times," Roland stacked a dozen design drawings on top of each other. "I named it a revolving rifle. Want to see it?"
"No," she pouted, "I don't understand anyway."
"This is just the basic model. If the barrel is shortened, it is a revolver and can be carried around. But to make it useful, there is another key technology that needs to be solved. When the time comes, I will give each of you one, and then There is no need to fear the church's army of judgment."
"You mean, it can make an ordinary woman knock down a heavily armed man?"
"It's not one, it's several." Roland smiled proudly. "If you're lucky, five big guys won't be a problem."
Nightingale showed disbelief, and just as she was about to say something, there was a knock on the door outside the office.
"His Royal Highness, Barov's apprentice has returned from the capital. He also brought a saltpeter merchant and is now waiting for your reception outside the castle."
The apprentice of the Assistant Minister? Roland thought for a while before remembering it. When he attacked Changge Fortress, there was not much gunpowder left in the town, so he sent his personal guards to Falling Dragon Ridge and Chishui City, hoping to obtain a new source of saltpeter. And Barov's apprentice was the last one sent, and the destination was the capital. After all, there are all kinds of commodities there, and with the coming of summer, the production of saltpeter will definitely increase greatly.
Unexpectedly, the last person sent out was the first to bring back the good news.
"Take them to the living room, I'll be there right away." Roland glanced at the sky, "Let's have another dessert in the kitchen."
When he turned around again, Nightingale was nowhere to be seen.
But he knew that she was by his side.
…
When Roland walked into the living room, the saltpeter merchant was just led into the hall by the guards. She took off her wet cloak and straw hat, and bowed to the prince, "I am Margaret Farman from the capital, greeting you, Your Highness Wimbledon.
Seeing that the person who came was actually a woman, Roland was slightly startled. The business environment in this era is far less safe than in later generations. When running around, not only may you encounter bandits and refugees, but there are also local snakes and underground forces in towns, so there are not many female businessmen.
Like Lightning, she has brilliant blond hair, only thicker and longer. She is about thirty years old, perhaps because of ordinary people, her eyes and forehead are wrinkled. The skin is dark and rough at first glance. But from the face, it is not Mojin, but the people of the fjord.
"Sit down," the prince made a gesture of invitation, then sat down in the main seat, "You are not from Greycastle, right?"
"Why do you say that?" Margery smiled.
"Your hair color is very rare in mainland kingdoms. As far as I know, most of the people on the other side of the strait have beautiful blond hair, and I also know a... explorer from the other side of the sea."
"You are very knowledgeable. My hometown is indeed in the fjord, but I have been from there for more than ten years. Now I live in the capital, and I am half a person from Greycastle." She paused, " Not long after you left the capital, we may have met somewhere. I am honored to live in the same city as Your Highness.”
Sure enough, a successful businessman is very good at talking, and Roland still finds it very useful in his heart, knowing that the other party is flattering and approaching. At this moment, he felt a strong pinching on the right side... Uh, there is no need to judge the authenticity at this time, Comrade Nightingale, who is enthusiastic and conscientious.
"But when it comes to explorers, this is an amazing name in the fjord." Margery continued, "You may not understand that the land where the people of the fjord can live and live is very scarce, where the sea rises and falls, Some islands are swallowed into the sea at high tide, while others erupt with flames and smoke all day long. Stones melt in the heat and merge into dark red rivers. Only those who open new waterways or find new habitable places Only people from the island are eligible for this title. Most people would not call themselves explorers."
"Haha, she not only calls herself an explorer, but also calls her father the greatest explorer," Roland smiled and shook his head, "As a child, he likes to imagine himself as a great person."
"In the fjords, even children don't say this name easily," Margery frowned. "Did she mention her father's name?"
Seeing the other party's expression, Roland also realized that something was wrong. Could it be that the word explorer is the spiritual belief of the sea people and shouldn't be called randomly? "Her father's name is Thunder."
Unexpectedly, as soon as the name was uttered, the other party's eyes immediately widened, "Do you know Lord Lei Ting?"
"No, I know his daughter, what, you've heard of this name?"
"Who has never heard of this name in the fjords! Lord Thunder discovered Shuangfeng Island and Hailong Bay, which almost expanded the area where everyone lived. He also drew a detailed map of the east coast and the endless cape. Eighty percent of the routes were created by him. Every child is familiar with the deeds of Lord Thunder, and he is one of the greatest explorers of the fjords!"
"But I heard that Thunder seems to be buried at the bottom of the sea because of a storm..."
"No, Your Highness, a true explorer does not fall because of a storm. He has encountered countless dangers and finally survived. At this moment, Lord Thunder must be calling up a new expedition somewhere, just like he did before. It's the same thing he did." Margery leaned forward slightly, "Your Highness, do you know the whereabouts of his daughter?"
Roland was also slightly surprised. He didn't expect Lightning's father to be so famous. Are all those adventure stories that sound like Arabian Nights true? "She lives in my castle. After the shipwreck, she drifted westward to Border Town, and I happened to take her in."
"In your castle?" she looked expectantly. "Can you… let me meet his daughter?"
"Well, maybe not now," Lightning should be cruising around the Hidden Forest at the moment, looking for the ruins marked on the treasure map, "She is currently practicing... jungle exploration skills, if you plan to stay here for one night, you should be able to wait until She's back."
"Then I'll bother you," Margaery nodded without hesitation.
"Can we talk about business next?"
"Of course, Your Highness," she laughed, "please feel free to speak."
...