When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 747 I Set the Stage and You Perform
Walking up the creaking stairs of the mansion, Halkin felt quite uneasy.

The smell of alcohol was still on him and his steps were a little unsteady.

At the banquet that just ended, Halkin, as a member of the entourage, felt like he was returning home in glory and in high spirits.

The master craftsmen who once called him the shame of the dwarves came to toast him, because his Industrial Department was the department that dominated steel orders.

His old friends came over one after another to establish connections with him, praised him highly, and even tried to get some inside information from him.

Don't be fooled by Halkin's soft-hearted look, as if anyone can step on him.

To be honest, although he is not an old beta player during the Gulag era, he is still a public beta player after all.

The dwarf is also an authority on matters relating to the cannon foundry and industry.

Especially among the Reformed Dwarves, his reputation is unparalleled.

Even the grandmaster dwarf craftsman is still a "craftsman" and a member of the urban citizen class.

Although Halkin's status cannot be inherited, it is already comparable to that of middle and high-level nobles.

It is really unprecedented to see dragon-worshipping dwarves become nobles in the human kingdom.

But no matter how high Halkin's prestige was among the Reformed Dwarves, he couldn't help but feel nervous when he was summoned by the Holy Grandson for a meeting.

Especially since he had just boasted to his younger brothers that he had some face in front of the Holy Grandson.

Halkin also assured them that with him around, His Majesty the Saint Sun would never allow the New Cold Spring Castle to shake the status of Cold Spring Castle.

But after the banquet, he was immediately notified to go to the mansion to meet the Holy Grandson.

This is terrifying. Could it be that the Cheka reported him?

Standing in front of the red-painted gate while the monk went to notify.

Halkin first picked up a vase beside him, rinsed his mouth with the water in it, and spit it back.

Then he trimmed his hair and beard, smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes, and straightened his collar.

"Lord Halkin, are you ready? You may go in." The Privy Monk poked his head out from behind the door.

"of course."

As he walked into the room, Halkin could see Horn sitting behind the long table: "Good evening, Your Majesty."

"Good evening, please take a seat." Horn pointed to the chair in front of him, "Do you know the plan for the new Cold Spring Castle?"

"I fully support your plan." Halkin hesitated for a while, and finally spoke timidly, "But Cold Spring Castle has been a metallurgical center for nearly a hundred years. It will probably take quite a while for the new Cold Spring Castle to replace the old one."

"With our clockwork engine-driven ore crushers and conveyor belts, we will develop much faster than them." Horn pointed out the window, "Besides, I'm not trying to replace Cold Spring Castle. This is just a bargaining chip for pressure."

"You mean to say that New Cold Spring Castle is just a cover to scare them?"

"No." Horn naturally shook his head. "The new Cold Spring Castle will still be built, but the main focus will be on refining copper with bitter gall water."

"That's natural. Competition brings motivation." Halkin breathed a sigh of relief.

Cold Spring Fort was engaged in iron smelting, while New Cold Spring Fort was engaged in copper smelting, and the two sides were in an overlapping competition.

Because Cold Spring Iron Industry is the big player and New Cold Spring Copper Industry is the big player, the weaker smaller players on both sides cannot exert any pressure.

However, if one party is dissatisfied, His Majesty the Holy Sun can support the other party to check and balance it.

I have to say, this is indeed a good idea.

"I suddenly remembered something. You have a good relationship with a noble lady from the Krabby Patty?" Horn suddenly brought up another topic.

Halkin quickly responded carefully: "Theodora is the daughter of the Krabby Patty King and a bookseller. The publishing house and printing house she founded have brought us considerable profits."

"Can you ask her to help us recruit some talents from the Norn? Or refugees will do.

The population of the mountainous counties is still too small, and the people of the plain counties are not very willing to go up the mountain. I need enough people to open up wasteland and build infrastructure for me."

"Of course." Halkin immediately patted his chest and assured, "It only takes a few gold pounds, and the lords of Norn County will pack up their people and send them over."

For the great rulers, the people under their rule are like crops in the fields, and it is normal to sell them.

Feeling Horn's admiring gaze, Halkin straightened his chest. "Let's get back to the topic. Let's call this new city New Cold Spring Castle for the time being. I'm wondering who should lead this." Horn stroked his bone china teacup. "This person needs to have experience in metallurgy and industry and commerce, have connections in Norn, be good at recruiting talents, and bring in craftsmen and businessmen. He must be flexible and reliable. Do you know anyone?"

Experience in metallurgy and industry, Norn connections, introduction of talents, flexibility and reliability...

Halkin's heart began to beat faster than ever: Oh my God, this is exactly me!

No wonder His Majesty asked him these questions just now.

But he still wanted to be humble and test it: "You said that you should not avoid relatives when recommending. My father Brock is good at metallurgy and is very reliable."

"Brock is rigid-minded, reliable but not flexible enough, and he doesn't understand business."

"What about Rector? He is an old monk..."

"He's not even reliable."

After swallowing a mouthful of saliva that weighed more than a thousand pounds, Halkin stammered, "You, what do you mean?"

"I can't think of anyone else except you." Horn looked at him with a smile.

It’s loudspeaker!
Halkin didn't expect happiness to come so quickly.

There is an implicit rule within the Holy Alliance, that is, if an Exorcist monk wants to be promoted to a Sima monk, he must first be sent out.

Especially at the cardinal level, if you want to be promoted to cardinal, you must have experience in local governance and be a royal chaplain.

Even those who had been cardinals, such as Madeleine, Armand, etc., had to make up for this experience.

Halkin was already a royal priest, and his rank was a high-ranking exorcist monk.

He had wanted to be released for a long time. He had been active in the Hollow Soil before, but was snatched away by René's Cheka.

If he could participate in the construction and governance of the city and turn this "New Cold Spring Castle" into a new metallurgical center, he would not only have the title of Monk Tismen, but would also have the qualifications to become a cardinal.

It would be unforgivable if this good opportunity slipped away.

Halkin immediately stood up, his words full of piety: "I will definitely not let you down. I promise you that this new city will not only be built, but will also become your most reliable and pious metallurgical center. Cold Spring Castle, go eat shit."

"Very good, in that case, you can start the preliminary work for building the new Cold Spring Castle." Horn served Halkin the hangover soup with satisfaction.

After receiving the hangover soup, Halkin still hadn't recovered from his excitement: "Now? Okay, I'll go back to South Mound County right away."

"Look, what's the hurry?" Horn blew the mist from the hangover soup. "South Mound County doesn't have enough craftsmen. Are you going back alone?"

Picking up the topmost document on the pile beside him, Horn handed it to the stunned Halkin.

“Here is the report on the division of the industrial population in North Mound County by the Cheka and the local priest, as well as detailed information.

There are also ones for dwarves, but they are not very detailed, so it is up to you to figure it out.

You are a leading figure among the current Reformed Dwarves. I don't need to teach you who are your allies and who are your enemies, right?
The new Cold Spring Castle will definitely attract a group of middle and lower-level craftsmen, and the guild elders will definitely not let them go. You can take advantage of this.

You can mobilize the local Cheka at will, and ask Spitrochu for help if you are in danger."

With his mouth half open, Halkin stood sluggishly in front of the table.

Isn't this clearly asking him to break off relations with the traditional dwarves?

Instigate the lower-level dwarf craftsmen and reformed dwarves to fight against the leaders and elders?

In the past, Halkin would never have agreed.

But the golden gate named "Cardinal" is right in front of us. Should we refuse it?
Hollow Soil missed the opportunity last time. If we miss it this time, will there be another chance next time?

After a while, Halkin raised his head, and the gambler's face appeared on his face again: "I apply for the protection of the Shadow Guard."

"Okay." Horn snapped his fingers.

In the shadow of the curtain, Solan appeared out of thin air: "In three days, someone will contact you."

Halkin nodded heavily.

"I've set up the stage." Horn walked around the table and patted Halkin's shoulder with relief. "You have to sing the show yourself."

(End of this chapter)