When it comes to reputation alone, Erlan can be said to be at the top of what a businessman can achieve. As soon as the news of the fundraising auction he held when the Imperial Army set off to counter the rebellion was released, it touched the heartstrings of everyone in the Imperial Capital.
Unknown people with wealth will promote themselves through charitable acts of donation. People who are widely implicated and whose positions are suspected can express their attitudes. People who cannot go to the battlefield for various reasons can contribute their strength in other ways. .
Regardless of whether they truly care about the Crusade Army or not, those who participated in the auction will ultimately directly or indirectly facilitate the Crusade Army's operations.
Even the most stingy of money understands that a fundraiser auction benefits everyone.
What's more, the products Erlan prepared are not without merit. Although they are not worth the money, even if they plan to resell them afterwards, they might be able to make a small profit if they are marketed well.
If the "fundraising auction" makes some people regret, they will only regret why they were not the ones who thought of this idea in the first place!
As the organizer, Erlan has returned to people's attention, and his experiences many years ago have been discovered one by one. This is not something to be thankful for, but just based on the obvious benefits that the auction brings to the empire, it is It was enough to make the people of the Empire have a favorable impression of the old prince.
In addition, Erlan is a good friend of Leko, and there are many good stories. After the auction, there were even rumors that "the two met again and had a very happy conversation", so together with the Empire's last words towards Erlan The barriers brought about by identity are gradually being eliminated.
On the third day after the auction ended, the discussion was still heated.
Erlan did not shy away from making public the calculation of the auction money and the fundraising process. Everyone watched his actions with their own eyes and talked about it with relish.
Today is the day to send the collected money and supplies to the location of the expeditionary army. Counting the time, it was almost time for the news to be sent back.
The place where the escorts were assembled was also the square where the crusade army set out. Liliana was sitting on a high platform, with Leonhardt and hundreds of civil and military officials standing beside her.
The reason why Liliana came was, on the one hand, to supervise the gathering and escorting of supplies, and on the other hand, not long ago, Ion suggested that the news returned by today's crusade should be announced to the public as soon as possible, so as to calm the minds of the people.
Liliana, who was thoughtful, agreed without hesitation, and the news soon spread throughout the imperial capital.
Although the number of people today is not as large as the day the crusade set off, everyone who has time to spare is here.
An was still sitting in the room with an unobstructed view of the square, but the difference was that only Erlan was next to her.
Miku and the others were completely unfamiliar with Erlan. After learning from An that he was a very smart man, they were worried about exposing An's identity, so they all stayed in the palace.
But in Erlan's eyes, this was because An didn't want him to meet the members of the troupe.
"You are not even willing to introduce me to them?" Erlan spread his hands, "I have admired these outstanding performing artists for a long time, but you are so stingy."
Ann glanced at him.
"Oh, I forgot, you are too." Erlan saluted and spoke clearly, "Excuse me, the greatest artist."
His teasing sounded a bit sinister.
Of course An knew where Erlan's dissatisfaction came from, but he chose to play dumb: "Did you take the wrong medicine?"
"You just took the wrong medicine!"
Erlan raised his hand as if he wanted to slap the table, but after thinking about it, he felt it was rude and put his hand down again.
"I have worked so hard to stay anonymous for so many years, and I have only lived a happy life for a few years. But it's good for you, you just brought me to light!"
An was "surprised" and said: "Didn't you organize the auction yourself? You don't know what the subsequent impact will be?"
"Shit! According to my arrangement, although they will remember me in the past few days, the sooner the crusade is over and the latest you remove the hidden dangers of the empire, they will forget about it again sooner or later. In the end, it is better for you to control the public opinion and directly follow me. You’re tied together.”
Erlan said angrily.
"Now unless they can forget you, I can't keep a low profile anymore!"
Perhaps Erlan's past has not been discovered, and there were no rumors that he and "Leko" were in a happy relationship after the auction. Maybe things will really develop as Erlan said.
But those two things were done by An's people belonging to Night Crow with the help of the escort team.
Erlan thought of something, looked at An in disbelief, and said, "You old boy, have you planned to take this opportunity to tie me aboard a pirate ship?"
In the past, Leko had invited Erlan himself to join the imperial system. The details are unclear, but judging from Erlan's current reaction, it must have happened more than once or twice.
Ann's own idea is simple: Erlan will gain nothing by standing on the bright side.
In a short period of time, at least Erlan will no longer be constrained in doing things. With Leko's name, he can do whatever he wants. In the long run, even if this happens, Erlan will still be in the spotlight, and he will be a big help to Liliana in the future.
With Lecco's relationship, he will definitely not do nothing.
Now that I think about it, the reason why Liliana and Leonhardt were able to be safe and sound was that Erlan might also have been secretly involved.
Intentionally or unintentionally, An's current behavior overlapped with that of Leco in the past, and was even more ruthless and effective than Leco's, causing Erlan to instantly solidify his speculation.
"You bastard, you won't forget to plot against your own people even in critical moments, right?" Erlan's finger pointing at An was trembling.
Faced with the question, An Fei not only did not feel guilty, but also felt a little happy: "Okay, at worst, I will arrange a idle position for you then?"
The implication is, don’t even think about it if you’re lazy!
Erlan was filled with hatred, but he couldn't think of a way to reverse the current situation, so he could only pray that what the other party said was true.
"You'd better keep your word, otherwise I'll fight to the death with you, and I'll make sure to wear a crown for you!"
Is this considered a threat?
The crown that ordinary people covet can actually be used as a tool of threat, and Erlan seems to believe that this tool is absolutely effective?
An felt funny hearing the literal meaning, but at that moment a cool breeze blew across his neck, causing him to shrink his neck unconsciously.
After shuddering, he said: "Don't worry, keep your word."
Erlan immediately relaxed.
"The messenger has arrived, the messenger has arrived!"
There was a noise from downstairs, which attracted the attention of An and Erlan.
An looked down and saw a figure riding a horse coming to the high platform of the square along the passage specially set aside for the flow of people.
Liliana stood up immediately.
The messenger dismounted and quickly came to her to salute.
Liliana raised her hand and said, "No need, take out the information and read it loudly!"
Seeing her unexpected actions, Ion, who made the suggestion, looked extremely pleased.
The messenger, not doubting his presence, immediately turned around and held up the letter.
With joy on his face, he shouted out the summarized news: "The crusade has fully protected the border people, and the remaining bandits have been forced into the mountains and forests. It is only a matter of time before they are wiped out. Currently, no one in our army has been injured!"
The people instantly fell into a heated atmosphere, with people applauding, rejoicing, and cheering in an endless stream. Everyone who heard the news unconsciously let go of the stone in their hearts.
"Tsk, tsk." Erlan shook his head and praised, "It seems that the Imperial Army has not neglected training in these years. This record reminds me of those days...I am afraid that even in the subsequent battles, if the leaders are cautious enough, maybe it will really happen." You can complete the crusade without losing anyone."
"Maybe." An was also a little happy to hear that no one from the crusade was killed so far.
In Erlan's eyes, the smile on his face was completely indescribable.
Erlan was speechless, looked over at the high platform, and said, "The next step will be little Liliana's performance."
After hearing the news brought back by the messenger, Liliana showed a happy smile under the eyes of everyone. After waiting for the people to discuss on their own for a while, she straightened her face and pressed her hands down.
The people realized that the princess had something to say and fell silent. The officials and nobles who knew what Liliana was going to say in advance lowered their heads one by one and made a gesture to build momentum for the princess.
"The success of the crusade is gratifying. We can all see the results of their efforts. Although we who stay in the imperial capital cannot go to the battlefield in person, it does not mean that we have nothing to do!" Liliana clenched her fists and was high-spirited. , "Remember the attack on our friends, the artists of the theater troupe? My investigators and I suspected that that attack was closely related to what I encountered later, and was committed by enemies of the same camp! "
"In order to help the soldiers on the front line, I decided to restart the investigation of this case, try to catch the criminal's accomplices, and look for clues that can help the soldiers!"
The people's already high emotions reached their peak under Liliana's instigation.
"Seize the prisoner!"
"Help the soldiers on the front line!"
"Her Royal Highness Liliana is a saint!"
"Long live Her Royal Highness!"
"Long live His Royal Highness the Regent——"
Seeing Liliana's perfect performance and listening to the cheers one after another, An's lips curled up: "Finally, I don't have to tie my hands and feet."
