The wind has changed.
As people said this, the wind in Avenella changed.
This refers not only to the end of winter, but also to the real wind direction that has gradually changed since spring. There is also the change in the direction of the political wind that only exists in the court, but at the same time spreads rapidly to the entire country through those who inquire.
Everything started from the respected Prince Edward of the northern region heading towards the capital of the kingdom in the south. When they noticed that Edward was marching towards the south with a whole team of knight escorts, many people Everyone is speculating whether this prince will finally ask his father for the throne that should belong to him - people are happy, but at the same time they are also worried.
Ashberon II is not ready to abdicate yet. Although this king has not done anything really beneficial to Avenella in his more than thirty years of reign, he is like a traditional king. The West Coast kings are generally known for their energy in organizing various displays of force and conducting small-scale domestic lord wars.
The king was unhappy with the nobleman today, and felt that the nobleman wanted to rebel tomorrow. For one reason or another, there are so many cases where hundreds or even thousands of troops are mobilized to force the people of the territory to sacrifice for them and fight for them, regardless of what the civilians of Avenella think. This is obviously in line with tradition. The thinking of the aristocratic class born in Sivalier - and no matter how distressed the people are, in fact, this just proves that Ashberon II is a very successful traditional Avenella King, just like those kings before him who also paid homage to Sivalier.
Mediocre, conservative, keen on making small moves in his own territory. If he hadn't suddenly felt that the throne of Sivalier belonged to him since he was fifty years old and started to make some radical remarks in public, to the people of Avenella, although this king was bad, he would still be a bad king. It's just as bad as his predecessors and other kings in Avenella's history, but it doesn't turn into the worst situation.
All people need is a peaceful and stable life, and if the king is unable to make it better, then all they pray for is that it does not get worse.
People in any country or region are the same. Most ordinary people are submissive. As long as they are not oppressed excessively, they never need to worry about uprising. This is why there is a saying among the nobles of Sivalier that "people are born to be enslaved", but let's return to the original point. Originally, it was enough to end life as a mediocre king. When Ashberon II began to claim that the throne of Sivalier also belonged to him, the people of Avenella experienced this kind of unrest and uneasiness for the first time.
"Where is the tiger running to compete with the dragon for territory?" The people of Avenela at that time showed their worries in such straightforward words - it is true that Ahibern II was also a king, and Ahiberne II was also a king. The king of Vennella, a small country called Avenella went to conflict with Sivalier, the strongest country on the west coast. In the end, it was ordinary farmers like them who were affected.
Is it just a small thing to lose your home and life, to be separated from your wife and children, and to be forcibly drafted into the army to fight a losing war?
The direction of national politics always easily affects the lives of the people living in this country. Ordinary people pray with a little worry that the king of Sivalier will not be as stupid as theirs. sent troops - and then their thoughts turned into the worst reality. The heavily armored knights of Sivalier invaded in large numbers. The Avenella people, who had not experienced anything for many years and were paralyzed by peace, even deserved Even the most astute businessmen and mercenaries were unable to react. The king himself, who kept provoking Sivalier, also looked confused about this. All reactions were delayed, but before Sivalier's invading army could truly enter the hinterland of Avenella, His Royal Highness Prince Edward emerged from nowhere and defeated this arrogant opponent.
This earned him a very high reputation, and the people of Avenella called Edward "Ewtling" - this was not a name that belonged to a typical Sivalier nobleman like his name. Edward Ettling means "our prince Edward" in the dialect of Avenella. Such a title has never been obtained by any royal family of Avenella before. It can also be seen from this how much the people of Avenella - at least in the northern region - love this young man. prince.
It's just that no matter how much they respect him and how much they love the comfortable life that Edward has gained through his hard work, when they see His Royal Highness riding a horse menacingly towards the south, people's hearts are like that of Ashebourne II. There was also a hint of worry as when he was claiming the throne of Sivalier.
Having experienced the war with Sivalier, they will no longer be as slow and paralyzed as before.
They realize that when the political winds change, it is precisely because their lives are better, richer and more stable that they are more afraid of losing these and cherish the existing peace even more. So even though they respected and loved Prince Edward very much, many voices among the people began to criticize the prince for prematurely claiming his right to the throne. Although he was criticized for not paying attention to his own people because of his pursuit of power, and putting their stable lives at risk even though he could wait until Ashberon II officially abdicated, such words were only a minority, but they did not exist.
——It’s just that in the view of our sage who is staying in the city lord’s mansion in Wawasika and has heard about it, this matter is not as simple as “people’s dissatisfaction”.
Politics and national relations are never black and white and can only be friendly or hostile. As a collective involving the interests of many people, the entire country sometimes presents a wonderful sense of contradiction because they all have different minds. This It is not an exaggeration to say that if this kind of contradiction further expands, it will lead to the division of the country - and it will naturally be the same when it comes to the relationship between countries. There will always be only interests between countries to exploit each other, which is similar to what may exist between people. Intimacy and connection cannot last forever, and a sudden change of opinion by a leader or a change of dynasty can cause everything to change dramatically overnight.
But even in a period of peace and alliance, the relationship between the two allies may not be as smooth and friendly as it seems on the surface.
"Show me the recent entry and exit records of Grigori's Great Gap." Henry said to Charles, who had not seen him for a long time, and as Prince Edward's confidant, His Excellency the City Lord did not have any reservations about our Mr. Sage.
Two flowers bloom, one on each side.
After the arduous escape on the Abu Serra prairie, when Inyaji, who was originally slightly fat, finally returned to Rosemary with a group of mercenaries, he had lost nearly 15 kilograms, so much so that When he went to meet Lao Juan, the head of Felix's family almost didn't recognize his right-hand man. And just this spring, when he had been recuperating for quite some time and his body began to return to the richness that a southern merchant should have, a southern sailing ship returned from Vasha, the largest port on the west coast, which was becoming increasingly chaotic, and brought a message they were waiting for. Long time news.
This is a precious letter. The wax oil seal is stamped with the exclusive seal of the Avenella royal family, and the name signed at the bottom of the text also proves its true legal power.
The prince of Avenella, Edward Chester Shurfaga, formed a business partnership with the noble Felix family of the town of Rosemary in the Southern City-State Alliance - all belonging to the Felix family. The merchant ships and caravans will be able to enjoy a warm welcome and preferential treatment throughout the territory of Avenella. The business routes between Avenella and the Otolo Empire are also shared with the Felix family. Hopefully House Felix can provide support with knowledge of trade routes related to the east coast and how to build ports and ships -
"The deal we made with that man was really worthwhile." After reading the letter sent by Yin Yaji, Old Juan showed a bright smile on his face. As mere nobles from a small town in the Southern City-State Alliance, Felix was able to step in and take a share of a new kingdom that was about to rise when it was just beginning to develop. Once this mutually beneficial circle was formed, , Rosemary becomes the next major city in the Southern Border Ranking, and it is only a matter of time before the day comes when the Felix family is no longer limited to the size of the current small family.
"Master, besides this, there is one more thing." Yin Yaji still maintained the calm and harmless appearance of a businessman. He said this to Old Juan, and the latter raised his eyebrows: " A storm is coming, this is it."
"Go and take out the account books and mobilize all the merchant ships that can be mobilized under your command. If not, rent a ship. In short, mobilize all the forces that can be mobilized." Old Juan said this, and Yin Yaji reminded: " Head of the family, this is not what a businessman should do." "I know it too." Old Juan turned his head and said with a smile: "But I want to take a gamble, old man, giving help in times of need is far more appreciated than adding icing on the cake. Instead of sitting here like a businessman waiting for the final winner to come out and then trying to please the other party again, I am more willing to take a gamble and give this favor."
"Besides, I have confidence in him." He said this. Yin Yaji was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a kind smile: "Yes, that is indeed a man who can turn decay into magic."
"Then let's do it." He said, bending down, and then slowly exited the room.
"Now we are all tied to the same boat." Sitting in the dark room, looking at the light coming in from the window, Old Juan murmured softly to himself.
For a prince to meet his father, it cannot be as simple as for an ordinary son to meet his father. Especially when there was clearly something important to discuss, Edward took a bath immediately after arriving in the capital without even taking a rest. After that, he combed his blond hair that had become messy because he had not cared for it for days, and finally put it into a luxurious dress. After wearing the Sivalier-style aristocratic clothing and maintaining a tall and heroic posture, he slowly walked into the palace hall alone according to etiquette.
The palace guards were all wearing shining plate armor and standing around with spears in their hands. Edward looked around. He had not returned for more than a year, but it was precisely because of this that he noticed that there were big gaps in many places - the number of Otolo-style precision paintings had increased a lot, and there were many that he had never seen before. There were many precious stones and gold ornaments, which must have been gifts from those merchants for his father. Edward frowned, but quickly regained his original expression and walked into the court.
"Greetings to my father, I am very pleased to see that you are still in good health both physically and mentally." Edward said to Ahibern II in High Sivaliya, which is very similar to Lamani. It had been a long time since he had seen his beloved son. His son Ahibern II also showed a joyful smile on his face: "Very good, very good, my son, what you have done recently has greatly improved my appearance, Avenela——"
Edward hung his head humbly, but then Ashberon II continued: "But I have heard some rumors."
This was beyond Edward's expectation. He still maintained the royal etiquette and raised his head to look up at his father sitting on the throne: "What kind of rumors are they? I am stupid. Please tell me clearly." He said this, and Edward Seaborn II slowly spoke with a serious expression: "Some people said that Isabel was seen in Wawasika with you. Is this true?"
"——!" The news was exposed, where did it come from? Edward's surprised expression flashed across his face, and he remained calm and quickly thought about how to handle the matter: "It is indeed true, father. It's just that I have been busy with things recently, so I neglected to report it to you." He said As he said this, a man with blond hair who was a few years older than Edward and who had been standing next to Ashbourne II made a disdainful nasal sound at this time: "Is there something missing? Edward, you Your level of lying is too low, you’ve been there for half a year and you don’t even remember the report, you obviously want to hide her!”
The person who spoke was another prince, but his behavior, which was obviously intended to show off in front of Ashbern II, only made the king frown: "Quiet, Richard, this is the palace, not for your fun." The brothel." He said this, while Prince Richard retreated to the back angrily.
"Father, I understand your concerns. This is indeed not the time to stir up the troubled waters of Sivalier." Ashbourne II said this, and Edward breathed a small sigh of relief - it seems that today The father was not overly aggressive - he thought so, but just before he was about to say the next few things, the king's next words made Edward become nervous again.
"The current national strength of Avenella still cannot guarantee that we can completely annex Sivalier. Therefore, as an ally, this is the ally formed thanks to your efforts. The great emperor of Otolo expressed his willingness to send troops to assist. I wait."
"You must inform the people at the Grigori border in the near future to prepare for the baptism of Otolo's army——"
"Father, this-"
"Okay, let's retreat for now. We'll talk about it tomorrow. You've had a hard time traveling all the way. Don't always stay in the north, and take a good look at the beautiful scenery of this capital." Ashborn II said: "After all, this is the scenery you will see every day in the future." The implicit meaning in the words and the meaning of not wanting to continue were already obvious, so Edward had to bow respectfully.
"Yes, I'm retiring. I wish you good health."
He said this, then turned and walked out of the palace gate.
"Your Highness, you are back." "Yes, it is exciting to see you, Duke, still alive and well." Edward walked all the way towards his palace, and the nobles he met along the way always greeted him with a smile, even for a long time. The servants in the unseen palace only saw him with a smile on his face and a slow pace. He maintained this bright and gentle image until he returned to his room, and Edward clenched his fists with all his strength.
"It's difficult to handle."
He ruffled his blond hair and spoke softly.
