Iron Power And Sorcerer

Iron Power And Sorcerer Chapter 384

2021-12-30

Chapter 384 vortex (10)

[Guten Village outside Steel Castle]
[Legion Barracks, Colonel Bern's office]
Three knocks on the door sounded, and a loud and powerful baritone entered the room: "Report!"

"Come in."

The lieutenant on duty entered the Colonel's office with a guard with permission. Colonel Bern's gaze shifted from the scroll on the desk to the lieutenant, a little nodded.

"Sir." The lieutenant touched the heel of his boot and reported: "There is a young gentleman outside the camp who is asking to meet you, claiming to be your friend."

Colonel Berne flipped through the calendar. , confirming that there are no guests today, frowning and asking: "What's it called?"

"He refused to say. He just said that the last time I drank with you was at the reception at Esther's mansion."

p>

"Oh...where is the man?"

"Waiting at the guard booth."

"Please come in."

" Yes."

A short while later, the lieutenant on duty led the visitor into the Colonel's office, and immediately retired, closing the door by the way. Only the colonel and visitors remained in the office.

"Your stables are really luxurious." Winters saluted meticulously, breaking the silence with a smile: "There's even a heater, which is more comfortable than where I live."

Colonel Berne took off his glasses and sleeves, raised his hand and invited Winters to take a seat: "Unlike your Plato, Monta is too cold, and there is no cavalry, only officers ride. Officers' mounts are precious, of course. Take good care of it."

Winters sat at the desk dragging his sore left leg: "When I get back, I'll pick some good horses for you."

"Forget it. I can't afford it anymore." Colonel Berne looked at Winters and asked curiously, "Why is the forehead so purple?"

Winters face doesn't change: "I accidentally hit it while riding."

"Put some ice on it, the bruises will go away faster." Colonel Bern was still casually saying something of concern a moment ago, next moment suddenly narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "How did you find it? From here?"

Winters placed the black wooden box under his arm on the Colonel's desk with both hands: "Who doesn't know your name in Steelcastle? Why bother to look for it?"

p>

"What is this?" Colonel Bern raised his eyebrows, looking towards the wooden box.

Winters jokingly said: "Bribery."

Colonel Bern, laughed heartily, reached out to open the wooden box.

In the center of the wooden box, a reed-wheel pistol of exquisite beauty is surrounded by black velvet, which is pleasing to the eye.

The colonel took out the short gun, played with it, and happily asked Winters: "Fuller's?"

"Of course!" Winters replied confidently: "The best gun in Fuller's workshop. , of course to match the best person."

"Not bad." The colonel reluctantly put the short gun back in the wooden box, and pushed the wooden box back to Winters: "But go into the camp with a gun, how dare you It's too big!"

Winters spread his hands: "Your subordinates have checked several times, but the gun is not loaded. I was also searched inside and out, even my cane. They've all been taken away."

"Really?" Colonel Berne didn't answer, he leaned back in his chair and stared grimly at the youngster in front of him: "So, you came to me , for what purpose?"

The office fell into a brief silence.

Instead of answering the question directly, Winters mentioned another irrelevant person: "Colonel, I served under another lieutenant colonel."

Although Winters was not very Sure, but his tone seemed to be saying a confirmed fact: "Lieutenant Colonel Jessica, John Jessica."

Colonel Berne suddenly sat up straight, then slowly backed away. Yang, lightly snorted, asked, "Is he still alive?"

Sure enough. Winters Meditation: Overseas officers also have their own coterie.

"Alive, even back to Palau. It's just..." Winters was silent for a moment: "It's just that Lieutenant Colonel Jesska lost the other eye."

Colonel Bern was also silent, and after a while he said, "The Lord has a plan for each of us, at least he's going home alive."

Winters didn't believe in fate, but he It is difficult to tell Lieutenant Colonel Jesska's experience to Colonel Berne in detail, so he can only silently nodded.

After a while, Colonel Berne waved his hand wearily: "Okay, boy, just say anything if you have anything! But I tell you in advance, I won't just because you were one-eyed. His subordinates are bent on favoritism and undermined principles. So before you speak... think carefully."

Hearing Colonel Bern's words, Winters was completely relieved.

"Legion" is the direct martial power installed by the Monta Republic in each autonomous state, and it is also the main executor of inspecting smuggling, clearing bandits and suppressing rebellion.

If even Legion were willing to help "without going against the grain" -- even if it's just turning a blind eye -- Winters' next move would be a lot easier.

“You met with Mayor Wupper in the hope that the city government will provide funds to recruit unemployed workers for training?”

“yes and how?”

"Did Mayor Wupper agree?"

"I haven't got an answer yet."

"You can rest assured that he won't agree." Winters said surprisingly .

Colonel Bernie looked as usual: "Why?"

"The most feared thing by the 'respectable' members of the Steelcastle is that the mule workers in their mouths take up arms and launch Riots. You suggest that they allow the unemployed to undergo military training? It's asking them to put a noose around their necks. If it were you, would you agree?"

Colonel Berne frowned, Silent.

Winters changed the subject: "But I can help you convince Mayor Wupper, or Mayor Servette."

"oh?" Colonel Bern sneered.

“Not only can I help you convince the Steelcastle Council, I have a better proposal.” Winters offered to help without asking first: “You want to recruit unemployed people into training because you want to Give them food and clothing so that they don't take risks. Am I right?"

Colonel Bernie indifferent expression, motioning Winters to continue.

Winters asked at a moderate pace, "Why stick to military training if it's just to give the unemployed a loaf of bread?"

Winters Montagne was not a seasoned administrator, But he did do a little bit of work in Iron Peak County, accumulating the next valuable experience of success.

"Dredging canals, leveling roads, repairing city defenses... If Legion is willing to maintain discipline, there are many things that the unemployed can do. Military training is enough as a title." Winters finally added: " Of course, when there is nothing to do, it is understandable to accept several deeds of transportation."

Colonel Bern, sighed, got up and walked to the closet, returning with a bottle of Distilled Liquor and two square cups. The Colonel poured Winters a glass of 1/4/2022 and half a glass for himself, and asked, "What do you want?"

"I hope to ship a shipment to Lucerne, in the name of Legion ." Winters' face didn't show any smugness, instead, his attitude became more humble.

Lucerne is the border city of the Republic of Monta, across the river from Palatu.

"Lucerne?" Colonel Bern picked up the square cup, sniffed the scorched aroma of the spirits, and asked suspiciously, "The only way to get to Lucerne from Steel Castle is by land, which is very troublesome."

"The outlet of iron products always goes through the Wupper Canal, so the House of Lords of Monta will definitely guard the Wupper Canal and the downstream waterways." Winters answered honestly: "In this case, it is better to 'seek distance' and go around. Road to Lucerne."

Of course, Winters left a half-hearted word—Lucerne also has waterways, and it goes straight to Mirror Lake and the New Land provinces.

"It's a good one," he said." Colonel Berne took a sip of his strong wine. "But Lucerne also has to obey the orders of the horn fort, send the ordnance to Lucerne, and you can transport it out of the country?"

"You don't have to worry about that, General Arpad has his own way." Winters toasted.

"At first I thought you were just a minor character, but now, it seems that I have misunderstood - you are the great character of the deal."

"Colonel , I'm not an important role." Winters responded humbly: "But in this 'purchase', I can make full decisions." Winters, asked calmly: "Help you, what can I get?"

"Money." Winters without the slightest hesitation: "If you want."

Colonel Bern laughs After a moment, "I don't need the money."

Winters smiled, and his expression gradually became solemn and formal. He stood up, bowed and saluted: "Then you can get my gratitude, from now on I owe you a favor."

"There is an old saying among the Helvetians: a hero's promise is better than a hero's promise. An atta of gold is heavier." Colonel Bern also stood up, handed the wine glass to Winters, clinked with Winters, and toasted: "Youngster, may your eyes always be bright, and your sword may always be sharp."

The colonel returned the black wooden box to Winters: "Leave this gun, you'll need it more than I."

...

Winters visits Colonel Bern At the time, Anna was checking the "books" of the Schmid family.

The account books of the Schmid family were kept by the old Schmid in a pure iron cabinet, which also contained important documents such as the title deed, house deed, and all certificates of the forge.

There are five large locks hanging outside the iron cabinet, and the key is carried by the old Schmidt. The iron cabinet itself was placed beside the old Schmidt's bed, and the old man had to check it every night to make sure that everything was lying where it should be before he would sleep.

Rao is Mr. Carlo Eide with all his hands and eyes, and he can't get old Schmidt's account books.

So he directly bought the person who kept the old Schmidt account.

 …

On the side of the small table, Anna, who was wearing a veil, kept asking questions and writing down. beauty.

On the other side of the small table, the low-ranking clerk of the Schmid family sat hurriedly in the chair, swallowing constantly - anyone who was surrounded by four fierce Dussacs would be equally embarrassed .

The four guards held their sabres and stared at the poor clerk, so that the latter did not dare to show any disrespect or frivolity. To be precise, he was trembling even when he spoke.

Anna was secretly sighed, she originally felt that she didn't need to mobilize people like this, but the guards firmly did not agree to let strange men and "Mrs." interview alone.

"Would you like some water?" Anna asked pleasantly, trying to ease the pressure: "Mr. Schweidnitz?"

Schweide, a small clerk Nitz saw the eyes of the four men with swords trying to kill, and shook his head desperately: "no no no."

"It's okay." Anna looked towards the guard, didn't know whether to cry or laugh: "Let Mr. Schweidnitz drink some water."

Schweidnitz wanted to say "No", but the swordsman pressed the water glass in front of him: "Hah!"

Schweidnitz picked up the water glass and drank all the water with "gudong" and "gudong".

"It's useless to drink water." Kaman commented with a blank expression: "He needs to drink some wine."

Anna wanted to laugh but couldn't, so she had no choice but to watch A look at Kaman.

"I'm used to it." Kaman bowed his head apologetically. He thought for a while, walked to the panicked clerk, held the latter's shoulder, and said softly, "Don't worry, you are safe here."

I don't know if it was the priest's words. In any case, Schweidnitz really calmed down and answered more fluently.

From business to debt, Anna's prepared questions were quickly asked. She asked some more newfound things, and nodded signaled the end of the conversation.

Clerk Schweidnitz got the final payment and fled, such as the amnesty.

The guards returned to their posts, leaving only Kaman and Anna who was writing in the small living room.

Kaman put away the water glass and asked casually, "I don't seem to hear anything special."

"Yes, it's very interesting." Anna put down her quill and smiled sweetly. : "It seems that there seems to be a widespread ... network of debt relationships in the workshops of Steel Castle. However, this is only my speculation, and more books need to be seen."

"Then What?"

"And then?" Anna replied brightly, "Then I'll ask Mr. Carlo Ed to find more 'books'."

"I'm not Say this and then." Kaman sat down opposite Anna, opened his arms and made a circular motion: "I mean everything and everything."

Ana still didn't understand what Kaman meant. , she explained patiently: "I don't know how solidarity the forge masters of Steel Castle are, but they are like a chain. As long as you find the weakest link in the chain and break it, the chain itself will lose its meaning. It will also be self-defeating. At that time, they will rush to sell, and Winters can buy the goods at the lowest price."

Kaman looked a little unbearable, and he hesitated: "Nava Ms. Ray, do you realize that what you are doing...may cause some honest, respectable people to go bankrupt?"

Anna was also briefly lost, but she quickly concentrated one's mind, Considering the words: "But Father Kaman, even if Winters and I do nothing, they will go bankrupt."

Kaman was speechless, and it took a long time before he lifted the head again. , looking at Anna with complex eyes: "Everything you are doing is completely contrary to the teaching I received since childhood. [You must remember your God, because the power to obtain wealth is given to you by him], [ Don't seek earthly riches, but heavenly blessings].

Winters is already rich, and he has been able to command wealth beyond the imagination of an ordinary person. But why should he insist on earning every Gold coin? Even at the expense of hurting and destroying others? I don't understand, I can't understand. But there is a part of me that feels that what he did is actually not wrong.

The scriptures teach people not to You should be obsessed with the material enjoyment of the world, and you should not corrupt morals because of money. [How difficult it is for those who rely on money to enter the kingdom of heaven! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven]. But I can’t think that You and Winters are vile and vile people. I even think you are more noble than my same sect brother."

The fire was beeping and the candles were flickering, just as Kaman thought. indecisive.

"I don't know how to make things work, Father Kaman," Anna said softly. "In some cases, it's hard to use ethics as a rule of thumb. My mother always said, 'A People can act according to their own conscience, but if you let a group of people make decisions, you will always choose interests'."

"Just like now." Anna's voice gradually became confused, hearing Kaman's entanglement, She is also self-reflecting: "Because I am representing Winters' interests, every gold coin I save will become Winters' profit, so I am at ease and not ashamed of my cruelty...I don't know why. ...I don't even know if this is the right thing to do... Perhaps when the wealth accumulates to a certain level, it is no longer we own the wealth, but the wealth owns us. "

Kaman listened silently and smiled sadly: "There is another possibility - perhaps the Catholic ethics of the old era are no longer suitable for this new era of gold flowing. "

...

Winters is saying goodbye to Colonel Berne as Catholic morals and profit-seeking business principles collide.

"OK I won't send you too far. Be careful on the road. Colonel Berne glanced at the spotted horse under Winters' crotch, and said with a smile, "But I don't think your old horse can run fast either. "

Spotted horses didn't respond to the attack, craning their necks to eat the dry grass below the road.

Winters saluted and hit the road. Ciel and Berrian He also quickly saluted and chased after him.

Colonel Bern watched for a moment, then turned around and walked back in disappointment.

However, the sound of horse hooves came back, and the silhouette of Winters reappeared in Colonel Bern. in front of him. He rolled over and dismounted and trotted toward the Colonel.

“The Colonel. Winters looked serious and made up his mind. "There's one thing I can't ask anyone in Steelcastle, but it's a big deal." You are my most respected Monta soldier, I trust you, and I can only turn to you for help. "

Colonel Bern couldn't help but become serious, but he was still puzzled: "What's the matter?" "

"The next question, I am not asking you as a Palatine officer or otherwise, but as a Union citizen, a soldier who swore an oath to defend the Union at the tombstone of the old marshal. propose. "

"You said. "

"Did the Monta Republic directly or indirectly provide cannons, guns, and armor to the Herds?" Is it possible that Bolso da Este was secretly serving the oathbreakers? Tears of grief and indignation flashed in Winters' eyes. He looked at Colonel Bern and asked word by word, "Are the provinces joining hands with the Empire... let's bleed?" "

[Although the Catholic Church itself is lavish and sucks the people's blood, sweat and tears, the Catholic Church's code of ethics promotes poverty, purity, and kindness. Greed is one of the seven sins, and the Catholic Church Internal corruption is morally untenable, and the reform force within the church is the main force to restrain the corruption of the church]
[That is, the pursuit of wealth is an objective phenomenon in society, but on the moral level, the pursuit of human wealth and enjoyment It's a shameful act]
[This is a bit like Su L, although the corruption was rampant in the later period of Su L, the theoretical moral standard of Su L is still relatively high, and KGB is also the main force in anti-corruption. On the contrary, it is more serious]
[The root of Kaman's inner contradiction lies in the fact that the old ethical norms of the church are no longer sufficient to guide the actions of the 'emerging bourgeoisie']
[Although it is difficult to call Winters a bourgeoisie (strictly In a sense, he is a working class), but the Nawa Lei Family is the emerging bourgeoisie of the genuine - it's just that the magnitude of wealth accumulated by the bourgeoisie in this era is not as exaggerated as that of later generations]
[Since the pursuit of profit, The 1st Step is to decriminalize 'greed' and 'self-interest'. No longer blindly thinking about exchanging human merits for tickets to the kingdom of heaven, but accumulating wealth endlessly]
[At this point, 'pre-selection' The conclusion is obviously more suitable for the tastes of the bourgeoisie. Since it has been determined in advance who can be rescued, there is no need to waste money on meritorious deeds, but can accumulate wealth and live hard with peace of mind to prove whether or not one is the chosen one (这里不特指新教，因为新教内部还有很多类别）]