Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Hope's right hand, holding the gun, trembled slightly. After struggling for a long time, he finally relaxed his shoulders and lowered the gun.

He walked forward and gently placed the pistol on the table.

Hope said dejectedly, "You're right, but I can no longer trust you."

"My entire fortune depends on the Church. Although I hate the Church, I don't want it to collapse or even be severely damaged."

"I have to admit that your Great Jing's weapons are indeed powerful. With such weapons, you should be able to have a chance to fight the Church to a draw... But no matter what, I'm definitely finished! You treat me as a tool, and the Church holds my lifeline..."

The more Hope spoke, the lower his voice became.

Lai Gou'er said calmly, "Brother Hope, if you think we can only fight the Church to a draw, then you're underestimating Great Jing. Furthermore, no matter what, you've contributed to Great Jing. I guarantee with my life that the imperial court will never mistreat you."

"You and I know each other quite well. You should know how I treat people. Great Jing possesses powerful weapons but has always been able to maintain restraint and humility, which also shows our country's attitude. Don't have too many worries. I'll take you to see something even newer later."

Hope raised his hand and smiled bitterly, "Don't say anymore, I'll draw it for you... You probably won't let me leave, right? I have no other thoughts now. I just hope you can let me go back after I finish drawing."

"I need to consider this matter. Draw it first."

Hearing this, Hope said no more. He stepped forward, picked up the paper and pen, and began to draw on the paper with a frown.

Halfway through the drawing, there was a knock on the door.

Duke Alvis, dressed in full attire, pushed the door open and said with a smile, "Lord Lai, I heard you have important matters to discuss with me?"

Lai Gou'er nodded and gestured, then turned his head to look at the two soldiers guarding the door and said, "You two come in too and close the door behind you."

The soldiers entered and closed the door.

Duke Alvis was a little confused. Seeing Hope lying on the table writing and drawing, he said, "Who is he? Your new guest?"

"Come on, tie up the Duke!"

Upon receiving the order, one of the soldiers quickly grabbed Duke Alvis's hands behind his back and pressed him to the ground.

The other soldier drew a rope from behind and quickly tied Duke Alvis to the ground.

Everything happened in a flash, and Duke Alvis's mind went blank.

His eyes were still fixed on Hope.

Hope looked back and shrugged, "Don't look at me, I'm also a hostage."

Duke Alvis's face suddenly turned pale, and he looked at Lai Gou'er in horror, "You're crazy! Why are you tying me up?"

Lai Gou'er tilted his head and smiled at him, then raised his pistol and fired a shot next to his ear.

The shot went straight through the wall panel behind Duke Alvis, leaving a deep hole.

The bullet grazed past the Duke's head, causing a buzzing in his eardrums.

Duke Alvis looked at the gun in Lai Gou'er's hand with a horrified expression, his pupils contracting sharply.

What is that thing!

Lai Gou'er smiled wickedly, "Duke, inviting you here today is really for important matters, but you have to listen quietly first."

"Then I won't waste any more words. The business conflicts between the Church and my Great Jing are already deep. We've already discussed in advance that our current business model is unsustainable."

"Furthermore, there are many rumors about Father Solje's independent development in Fika... You should know the Church's attitude towards this kind of thing better than I do."

"I'm looking for you today just to discuss one thing, which is that my Great Jing needs to station troops in Fika in advance to face possible conflicts with the Church, and even consider the possibility of taking the initiative to attack. What are your thoughts?"

What are my thoughts?

You tied me up and wanted to kill me with that strange thing, and now you're asking me what I think!

Duke Alvis's eyes turned red. Just as he was about to roar angrily, Hope said calmly.

"He definitely wants to say, you're crazy! Your country is crazy. Who gave you the guts to attack the Church? How many troops and supplies do you have?"

How did he know?

The words that were already on the tip of Duke Alvis's tongue were immediately swallowed back, and he roared, "I'm telling you, this is wishful thinking! You may have no opponents in the East, but this is the Church!"

Lai Gou'er exchanged a glance with Hope.

Hope shrugged and sighed, "Sorry, my expression might have been too ferocious before."

"It's okay, I can understand." Lai Gou'er said, then looked at Duke Alvis.

"Duke, there's also a great show to watch today. After you've watched the show, your thoughts will probably change."

"Right now, Brother Hope is helping me draw the internal map of the Holy Temple. Please wait a moment. After he finishes drawing, we'll go out and watch the show."

Internal map of the Holy Temple? What are they going to do?

Duke Alvis gritted his teeth and remained silent with his head lowered.

There was nothing he could do now. He could only obey orders here.

This damned Lai Gou'er is harboring evil intentions. He didn't even see it at all.

The upper echelons of Great Jing must already know about the situation here. If he had known, he should have informed the Church earlier.

Now he has earned a lot of money, but his life is about to be lost...

Just as he was racking his brains to think of a countermeasure, Hope's drawing was completed.

He picked it up, shook it, and showed it to Lai Gou'er, saying, "Brother Lai, I've finished drawing. I've marked everything that should be marked. You can ask me if you have any questions."

Lai Gou'er said, "Keep the drawing for now. I can't tell if it's right or wrong. Maybe you remembered some places wrong, and we'll need to modify it later."

"Now, please come with me to the port."

After Lai Gou'er finished speaking, he signaled his soldiers to untie Duke Alvis, but the gun in his hand was pointed at his body.

"Duke, you are free to move around, but you better stay with me."

Duke Alvis glared at the pistol.

That thing is definitely a weapon for killing people. He can't run yet.

"Let's go." Lai Gou'er shook the pistol and led the Duke out.

As for Hope, he was accompanied by two tall soldiers.

The Great Jing's garrison was not far from the Fika port. It didn't take long for the three of them to reach the port.

Today's port, apart from some ordinary fishermen, is almost entirely occupied by the Brotherhood's men and soldiers disguised as Great Jing merchants and sailors.

As soon as Lai Gou'er and the others arrived at the port, they were immediately noticed by the Great Jing people.

Lai Gou'er waved his hand, and one person took the initiative to greet him.

After whispering a few words and matching their pocket watches, that person quickly headed towards the 'merchant ship' on the shore.

The Duke and Hope were still watching quietly, each with their own thoughts.

Lai Gou'er's voice rang out, "Duke, to be ashamed, I haven't told you something for so long."

"Look at my Great Jing's fleet. Every person in the fleet is actually a sailor. There isn't a single pure merchant. And those ships you see are not simple escort ships, but Great Jing's real main battleships."

"Today, let me show you what the standards of Great Jing's main battleships are."

......