Winterspring Castle is the central castle of the Grant Barony. It stands on the banks of the Winterspring River and is the southernmost point of Winterspring Town. It has a history of more than 100 years.
The castle is all made of limestone. The thick and solid walls are as high as 25 meters. The walls are smooth and there is no gap. The moat outside the city walls is connected to the Winter Spring River. The water surface is sparkling, and occasionally there are fish Shrimp jumped out.
The huge iron-clad oak suspension bridge spanned the ten-meter-wide river, and several strong soldiers stood by the winch. Once the guards on the watchtower gave the alarm, they could pull the suspension bridge up at any time.
In fact, the Granto family had once been brilliant. It is said that they were one of the most prominent earl families in Crimson Flame Land more than 500 years ago. Winter Springs at that time was not a slightly desolate town like it is today, but It is Winter Spring, where more than 300,000 people live together.
Unfortunately, when the army of the Second Orc Empire invaded the Crimson Flame Territory, Winterspring was unfortunately blocked in their marching route.
Then, the city was in ruins.
The Grant family also lost their title because of this. It was not until more than a hundred years ago that the descendants of this family finally rose again and regained the title. Although it was only a baron, it was still a beginning.
Both Winterspring Town and Winterspring Castle have been rebuilt, but they no longer have the prosperity they once had.
Therefore, when the St. Hilde family's luxury motorcade slowly drove into Winter Springs, the residents here looked at the team with curiosity and reverence.
Baron Granto had already personally arrived outside the town to welcome the Duke of St. Hilde and his party into the castle.
Although it was once glorious, this glory has long been wiped away in the long river of time. Today's Granto family is no different from ordinary rural nobles.
When Baron Grant's younger brother, Bachelor Sonny, took office as the Minister of Agriculture of the Empire, the baron thought that the opportunity for family revival had finally come, but unfortunately, his brother was soon suppressed and criticized by all parties because of an agricultural reform plan. Oppose, and eventually even lose your job.
After this blow, Baron Grant became more pragmatic and low-key. This time the Duke of St. Hilde made a sudden visit. Although he was full of doubts, he still put on the warmest welcome ceremony.
He specially ordered people to wash off the moss on the city wall, thoroughly cleaned the interior of the castle, laid a newly purchased red carpet, and summoned his personal guards to act as guards of honor, so that Duke St. Hilde could feel the sincerity of the Grant family.
It's a pity that the Grant family is just a baron after all. Although the study in Winterspring Castle is spacious, the low roof gives people a feeling of oppression, and the narrow windows can only let in a little sunlight. Candles must be used to keep the room clean. The room was brightly lit.
Only the thick mahogany long table exudes the smell of years, which can slightly reflect the heritage of the Granto family.
Baron Granto sat on the sofa with a cautious expression.
Although Colin and Vera behaved elegantly and had a modest attitude, the noble temperament exuded from their bodies still made Baron Grant a little ashamed.
What's more, there are Prince Harrison and Princess Judy on the side. Although they don't talk much, they are the heirs of the empire after all, and they put a lot of pressure on Baron Grant.
"My lord, my lord, please have a taste of fungus tea, which is a specialty of our Gran Turismo."
The silver cup on the long table was steaming, and the tea in it smelled like broth, and it didn't feel too greasy when you drank it, but it was fresh and delicious.
"Very unique taste." Vera praised politely.
Baron Grant's spirit was taken aback, and he quickly explained as if showing off: "Your Excellency, as long as you like it! This fungus tea is made from red fungus collected from the dark forest and mixed with spring water from the upper reaches of the Winter Spring River. It's a pity that it's not convenient to save, otherwise I'll give you some."
"Can't the red fungus be preserved after drying?" Ke Lin asked with a smile.
Baron Granto shook his head and said, "Master Viscount, red fungus is not enough. It must be made of spring water from the upper reaches of the Winter Spring River in order to have this unique delicious taste."
Colin snickered that the Baron Granto really had no business acumen and was too honest. No wonder life was so tight and the family couldn't regain the glory of the past.
However, he was not interested in pointing out the other party, and instead stated the purpose of the trip:
"Lord Baron, the main purpose of our visit to Winter Springs this time is to visit Bachelor Sonny. You must also know that there is currently a famine in the northern borders. We would like to ask Your Excellency Sonny to go to the northern borders to carry out agricultural reforms in order to alleviate the food crisis.
Therefore, I hope you can understand and give support. "
Hearing Colin bluntly say that he came to Winter Springs to visit his younger brother, Baron Granto inevitably felt a sense of disappointment in his heart, but he quickly adjusted his mood.
He also has self-knowledge, knowing that he is a little baron, and it is impossible for the Duke of the North to come to visit him.
Baron Granto was indeed an honest man. He never felt jealous of his younger brother. Instead, he was really happy for him, and felt that he finally had the opportunity to make use of what he had learned.
"Of course! It's an honor for Sonny to be considered by the St. Hilde family. As long as he has no objections, I will definitely not stop him."
Bachelor Sonny looked at his brother, and suddenly said: "My lord, may I take the liberty of making a condition?"
Vera smiled and nodded, "Please tell me."
"That's right, I will take a group of apprentices to the northern border as assistants, but after all, these people are the people of Grantland, and their departure will definitely cause a shortage of labor here, so I hope you can Give a batch of slaves to the Grant family as compensation."
"It should be!" Vera nodded immediately, and then looked at Colin.
Colin also nodded, this request is not too much, then asked: "How many slaves do you need?"
Bachelor Sonny considered it for a while, and said, "I will bring about a hundred or so apprentices to the north this time, so you can exchange them with the same number of slaves."
But Colin shook his head and said, "No, I will exchange three times as many slaves with the Granto family."
Since it is a gift, it should be delivered to the place, and the Grant family has left a good impression on Colin, and he is willing to make friends with such a family.
"Thank you for your generosity!" Bachelor Sonny saluted solemnly.
Baron Grant was also quite excited. Although three hundred slaves were not a big gift for a baron, what he really valued was the friendly gesture shown by Colin.
If they can pass through the bridge of Bachelor Sonny and join the St. Hilde family... Baron Granto felt that there was still hope for his family's revival.
"Your Excellency the Baron, can you borrow your study and write me a letter? I will let Ice Rock City send the slaves to Winter Spring as soon as possible."
"sure."
Baron Grant led Colin to the writing desk, and graciously helped him roll out a roll of parchment.
But Ke Lin stared at the stack of strange papers in the corner of the desk, and remained silent for a long time.
Baron Granto also noticed this, and explained with a smile: "Master Viscount, that is a gadget that my servant made up in his free time. It is also very convenient for writing, but it is not suitable for your honor. identity."
However, Colin didn't think it was a "little thing".
He knew that parchment was most commonly used by nobles in this world to write on. As for commoners, they definitely couldn't afford expensive parchment, but used a kind of papyrus instead.
Colin has also seen this kind of papyrus. It is rough and inconvenient to write on. It is completely incomparable to the paper he used in his previous life.
It's a pity that he doesn't remember how to make paper, otherwise he could make a fortune with this skill.
But now, in Baron Grant's study, Colin saw something similar to paper!
Although this kind of "paper" is still slightly yellowed and the surface is not smooth enough, it is very close to the paper of Ke Lin's previous life.
He immediately threw away the parchment in front of him, picked up a piece of yellowed "paper" with great interest, and started writing on it.
Upon seeing this, Baron Granto was puzzled, but he didn't say much.
After writing the letter, Colin nodded in satisfaction, and then said to Baron Grant, "Can I meet the craftsman who made this paper for you?"
(end of this chapter)