In addition to the fireplace, Barov also placed a mahogany lampstand on the table. The top of the lampstand was divided into four branches. The middle branch was the highest, and the other three branches formed a triangle around it. There was a candle burning on each branch, and the quiet blooming light was like a resplendent mountain peak.
The room was filled with the fragrance of pine oil, like the sweet and damp smell of rotten wood, making people sleepy. But in Border Town, he could not ask for more. Elegance and elegance had nothing to do with this poor place. Having a house that could shelter him from the wind and rain was already very good, not to mention that he now had a large number of houses.
His office was located in a courtyard not far from the castle. It was also the location of the former Lord's City Hall. Of course, when the Lord left, he took all his men with him. Now, this place had become the assistant minister's domain.
The rustling sound of writing and the whistling cold wind outside the window from time to time formed two different worlds. In front of a wooden table full of books and old scrolls, Barov was writing at a very fast speed. On both sides of him, there was also a low log table, usually no one used it, only used to place manuscripts. When needed, he would summon his disciples to the low table, to sort out information or write the first draft of a document.
The candles on the lampstand had been changed three times. In addition to getting up to change them, Barov never stopped writing. Time was an extremely precious thing for him. There was still a stack of documents waiting for him to deal with, and the financial expenditure proposed by His Highness also needed to be carefully reviewed.
Now Barov worked for an average of ten hours a day, but he did not feel tired at all. On the contrary, here, he could freely display his skills, and his body had endless energy. This is the taste of power, he thought, he no longer had to follow behind his mentor, all the apprentices listened to him, and no one dared to hinder him. As long as he completed His Highness' orders, he could control the specific process.
It would be perfect if the prince's orders could be a little more normal, Barov slightly regretfully smacked his lips. For example, in front of him was a document stamped with Roland's personal seal. It was written that he needed to send people to Willow Town to recruit management staff and buy a two-masted sailboat. The second one was followed by a special note: Considering the price, we don't need a captain, helmsman, and sailors.
After reading it, he did not know whether to laugh or cry. Without these people, who would drive the boat back? Do you want them to walk back on their own? Moreover, what was the point of buying a ship? This was the most crucial point. The trade between Border Town and Willow Town was very stable. Even if they wanted to expand the ore trade after the end of the winter, they only needed to inform the other side to increase the number of ships. It was not worth it to buy his own ship, not to mention that the town's pier could only be used for docking. There was no dock to maintain it, and no sailors to take care of it. It would not be long before it was abandoned. It was probably His Highness's whimsical thoughts acting up again.
As for the first condition, he could understand it.
Currently, no one in the City hall was free. The dozen or so people that Barov had brought with him were in charge of supervising the trade, making statistical reports, and settling the accounts. On the other hand, he took care of administrative and legal work — which was obviously unreasonable. If His Royal Highness wants to separate these departments, he must expand the number of people in City hall. It was a very normal reason, but the assistant minister did not want to let go so quickly.The satisfaction of having all the power in one person's hands was too great. He thought that even his teacher, the Treasurer of the Kingdom, was only in charge of Graycastle's purse, while he was the Hand of the King.
Ahem, well, it is only effective in Border Town, he added in his heart. Although His Royal Highness Roland had made such a promise, if he wanted to ascend to the throne, there was still a long way to go.Barov didn't know when, but he had unexpectedly put the 4th Prince back into the ranks of the contenders for the throne. If it was before, he would never have thought that this bad character, ignorant and incompetent playboy could be crowned king.
Since he came to Border Town, he had never stopped being surprised. So far, under the protection of the militia, Border Town was still standing in the Western Region. Moreover, it seemed that it would be able to hold on for a long time. This alone was worthy of praise. Not to mention the strange things he was playing with, even his grasp of people's hearts was completely different from the 4th Prince in Graycastle, but more like the devil who understood everything.
At this time, there was a knock on the door. Barov reluctantly stopped what he was doing and shouted, "Come in."
The one who pushed the door open was one of his proud disciples, "Pen Holder" Yarrow.
"Teacher, another" mouse "has been caught."
"Oh? What did you get from him? "
"He said that he was sent by the 2nd Prince, and that he was found wrapped cement powder, some coins and a letter."Yarrow stepped forward and handed Barov an envelope wrapped in cowhide. "We're still interrogating him for other information.Teacher, how to deal with him … "
"As before, after the interrogation, all the information will be organized into a book.Then, he will be convicted and hanged, "Barov said lightly.
"Yes," Yarrow bowed and said, "Then this disciple will leave."
The door was closed again, but Barov didn't immediately continue his work. Instead, he returned to the table, cut open the envelope with a letter opener, and took out the letter.
The fourth one … he thought.
As early as before the arrival of the Months of the Demons, Roland Wimbledon had summoned him to discuss this issue.
His Royal Highness believed that when the cement, the new snow powder, and the witches were exposed one by one, the brother and sister's spies would certainly not be able to hold back and would come out of hiding. This would be the best time to sweep away the mice. Barov agreed with the first half of the prince's sentence, but did not agree with the second half. In his opinion, there were more than two thousand people in Border Town, so it was impossible to keep an eye on all of them.They didn't have the manpower, and they also didn't have the time to guard against these sneaky people.
But His Royal Highness didn't care and said, "How could there be no one? Every citizen of Border Town is our eyes. "
At that time, Barov felt that the other side was completely whimsical. Let these ignorant and stupid civilians monitor the possible appearance of the mice? This was simply impossible!
But the fact was, he was wrong.
After the beginning of the winter, when the first census was conducted, Roland specifically explained to all the natives who had stayed here for more than five years: Although Longsong Stronghold's plot to burn the food had failed, they still hadn't given up, and had sent their enemies to lurk around everyone. Most of them disguised themselves as relatives of the townspeople or merchants who were too late to evacuate, looking for opportunities to harm everyone. If anyone saw any suspicious person, they were to immediately report it to the City hall. Once it was verified, they would receive a reward of twenty-five silver royals.
As a result, this trick turned out to be surprisingly effective.
Although there were some false positives at first, it didn't take long for the first mouse to be caught.
At that time, Barov still remembered that Roland had proudly said something that sounded very awkward.
What was it? He thought about it, that's right … [Let the enemy fall into the sea of people's war. ]
What a strange word-formation and syntax. The assistant minister shook his head and opened the letter in his hand.
In the letter, the guy who was called the "Groundhog" repeatedly emphasized that various phenomena showed that the 4th Prince, Roland Wimbledon, had been replaced by the devil. Barov could even read his fear between the lines. Thinking of His Royal Highness's use of people's hearts, the assistant minister couldn't help but have a sense of approval. He took a deep breath and moved the letter to the candle flame. Soon the paper was engulfed by the flame and turned into flying ash.