When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 688: Xia Pipe's Wail

Standing in front of the expensive silver mirror produced in the White Sand Land, Sharpee trimmed his mustache with a pair of small scissors while silently listening to the servants reading the letters sent from the Lilac Corridor.

"…So, the governor hopes to end the war as soon as possible, but Duke Portosa is opposed to it."

After reading the letter, the young servant with a bowl-cut haircut stood nervously by the side, waiting for the response from the Minister of the Navy.

But Sharpee just trimmed his beard quietly without saying a word, until he put down his small scissors and came to the table, then he asked calmly: "What did Yuni (Ulery Larkin) say?"

"Lord Uleli said that it was acceptable, but the share was too small, and asked if he could have a larger share."

"Of course he can accept it." Sharpee snorted disdainfully and threw the armistice agreement and the cardboard on the table with a crisp sound. "How could Lord Conrad give birth to such a stupid son who is content with the status quo? Doesn't he know who is making the money from the spice trade?"

After Conrad Larkin, the leader of the Old Party, failed in the political struggle, the Old Party did not completely disappear from the court, but instead persisted tenaciously.

The fundamental reason is that this group of land nobles in the upper echelons of the old party also followed the example of the new nobles and engaged in industry and commerce. Of course, they still advocated agrarianism.

The new and old parties in the Frankish court were more like loose political alliances than parties with strict programs, and it was normal for a court official to jump back and forth.

Their political views cannot be traced back to their origins. Often, those political views are just gimmicks for power struggles, i.e., "I must oppose whatever you support."

A major source of income for the old party was the spice and sugar trade in the Lilac Corridor and Red Leaf Hill. Although the textile industry and other large and small industries and businesses were taken away by the new party, these two items were still firmly in the hands of the old party.

Otherwise, how could these two places monopolize spices and sugar? Do they really think they have the ability to fight against the king?

As a wealthy noble in the Lilac Corridor, Sharpeipe is even less likely to give up this interest. He can cede the Fran colonies to the Kingdom of Norn at will, but he really has the Spice Chamber of Commerce!

"Then I shall write to the Duke of Portosa and ask him to continue recruiting soldiers?"

"He suffered such a defeat, with nearly 20,000 men being slaughtered like dogs by 8,000 men, and he still wants to continue recruiting soldiers?" The veins on Xia Pipe's forehead kept throbbing when he thought of this.

It was his idea to send troops this time. His original intention was to give the new king a warning and let him see what would happen if he interfered with sugar and spice.

As a result, now he has become the means of intimidation itself.

Where did this Saint Sun Horn get so many elite infantrymen? They are almost catching up with the King's Guards. Could it be that the two and a half years of Thousand Valley War trained so many elite soldiers?
Could it be that this group of short-haired thieves are really an elite force that has been lurking in the Thousand River Valley for decades as Barnifoss said?

No wonder Prince Conde, who once defeated the Frankish Knights, suffered here.

Thinking about the incident in Black Snake Bay, Xia Pipe felt it was difficult, especially since the other party was on the side of the royal family.

"What should we do?" The servant scratched his head. "How about we call Valenstin back from the Zealand Islands? He is the best at the Dunjar Phalanx."

"What big square formation? Didn't you see the war report saying there were magic catapults? Tsk, I'll go meet His Majesty the King first and help them clean up their mess." With the help of the maid, Xia Pipe adjusted her collar and moved her neck. "In the evening, please help me contact Yuleli and the other adults. We need to reach a consensus on this matter and don't let that little brat take advantage of it."

"Yes, my lord."

Leaving the government residence, passing through the narrow alley, Xia Pipe walked into the Fran Palace through the gloomy doorway.

He asked the boy servant to take the horse away with ease, then, with his head slightly lowered, he walked through the gallery of portraits of successive French kings, which he had passed countless times. Behind the mahogany door at the end of the gallery was the supreme ruler of the Kingdom of France - Charles VIII.

After the ceremonial officer announced the name, Charles VIII's enthusiastic voice came: "It turns out to be Monsieur Sharpee. Please come in."

After entering the study, Charles VIII picked up the bone china and poured a cup of fine black tea for Chapepe, and handed it to him enthusiastically: "I heard that Mr. Chapepe has recently built a new garden?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I built a retirement mansion in Golden Fleece Beach. It can't be called a garden, but it can only be considered a yard." Xia Pipe took the bone china cup with a smile.

"Have you heard about the clearing wars in Lilac Corridor and Black Snake Bay?" Charles VIII always attached great importance to efficiency. After a brief greeting, he spoke directly.

Xia Pipe naturally understood the character of His Majesty the King very well: "The nobles of the Lilac Corridor witnessed Black Snake Bay helping the Thousand River Valley rebels to expel the church. They were very angry and started the cleanup war ahead of time."

"I heard that the army of Thousand River Valley used a special catapult that could launch iron balls five miles away?" "Hahaha, your majesty, these soldiers just like to exaggerate. In my opinion, it would be good at most to shoot seven or eight hundred steps." Xia Pipe naturally laughed to cover up.

Holding the bone china teacup, Charles VIII nodded thoughtfully and drank the tea unconsciously as if he was distracted.

After more than three minutes, when Sharpeipe was a little distracted, the king spoke again calmly: "How many rune craftsmen are there in the Lilac Corridor?"

The so-called Rune Craftsmen are actually alchemists in disguise, and their essence is to cover up the fact that the nobles are secretly controlling the local secret parties and wizards.

The nobles said that they were sworn enemies of wizards, but in reality, those who understood understood.

Barnett even knew how to secretly raise monsters for huge profits. Don’t these more outrageous Fran nobles know this?
Similar to spices, it does not have such high value in itself. Its real value lies in the open blockade and suppression, so it can obtain such high profits in secret.

There was even a time when some southern nobles tried to draw a line between themselves and the alchemists by using the disguise of Rune Craftsmen, as if to sound out the situation.

It’s a pity that as soon as there was any sign of it, it was strangled by the then Pope John VIII.

Coincidentally, among the young priests who advocated the legalization of rune craftsmen at that time was the fifteen-year-old Prime Minister Lorenzo.

"What are you standing there for? Speak." Charles VIII's originally friendly tone revealed a hint of impatience.

Although he didn't understand why His Majesty asked this question, Xia Pipe still said incoherently: "There are probably about 1000 more, probably."

"Send it." Charles VIII said decisively, scratching his acne. "I will not pursue the matter of you starting the war without my consent and causing my knights to suffer."

"Send? Your Highness, are you saying that we should send all those alchemists to Huaqiu City?"

"What else?" Charles VIII said coldly, as if he was talking about someone else. "Your family has been controlling the spice trade for so many years. You don't think I don't know? Or do you think everyone has no objection?"

Xia Pipe instantly felt countless thorns rising from the velvet cushion, making him feel uneasy: "This war... ours... is... a clearing war..."

"Who said it was a war of suppression?" Charles VIII said with a mocking arc, "Grandivar has not received any notification from you."

Xia Pipe's hair stood on end. He wanted to explain himself, but he could only force a smile and said, "We must not miss this opportunity. Our messenger may not have arrived yet. Maybe we will receive a notification in the next two days..."

"How is the garden at home?" Charles VIII interrupted him again and asked about the previous topic.

Chapepe, who was originally wondering what Charles VIII meant by his question, finally reacted. He kept opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish, and stammered for a long time: "No, Your Highness, you can't do this... I have shed blood for the royal family, I have made contributions to the empire..."

"You can choose, either I make the announcement or you make the announcement." Charles VIII no longer had the warmth and enthusiasm he had when Chapepe first entered the door, and looked at him coldly.

As a thorn in the side of the Lilac Corridor in the palace and a capable figure of the Old Party in the court, it was impossible not to take advantage of the turmoil of the Spice War to drive him out of power.

As long as this nail is removed, the Lilac Corridor will not be completely in the dark about the palace, but it will not be as well-informed as before.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Xiapipe speechless.

You must know that at least half of the troops of the Lilac Corridor are in Black Snake Bay. If Charles VIII really makes up his mind to take action at this time, the Lilac Corridor will really have no ability to resist.

Although he disliked the New Party as his political enemy, Xia Pipe had to agree that the royal cavalry they trained were much more powerful than those country knights.

Curled up in the chair, Xia Pipe struggled for a long time before forcing an ugly smile on his sad face: "My garden has not been taken care of for a long time. Please allow me to take a leave and go home to repair the garden for my retirement."

"You are a loyal and good minister. I will not forget your contribution." Charles VIII stood up immediately. "What belongs to you will not be reduced at all."

As soon as Sharpei closed the door of the study, Charles VIII immediately heard something heavy fall to the ground and the servants' screams.

Holding the teacup, he walked to the window and looked at Chapepe, who was carried by the servants to the palace physician's residence. Charles VIII murmured to himself: "Horn, Horn, you really have a surprise every day."

(End of this chapter)