The road-building pattern that the conqueror's army was accustomed to attracted countless Cormyrians to stop and watch.
There are the Purple Dragon Patrol Team patrolling along the way, as well as merchants along the way, and farmers working in the fields.
They were all shocked by the terrifying speed of road construction. In the hands of the conquerors' army, building roads was even easier than those farmers reclaiming wasteland.
The road construction team is still divided into two parts. The first half is a combination of manpower and magic. They use fossils to turn into mud, dispel magic, turn mud into stone, and stone shaping techniques to repair uneven or narrow locations and make them more comfortable. They become relatively flat.
Then the corresponding kobold caster smashed down the paving spell of the day. Invisibly, it seemed as if there was a big hand, further flattening and widening the road surface, and then everything, whether it was earth, stone or pure soil, turned into a blue-gray asphalt road. .
The smooth, clean and regular appearance makes people happy when they see it.
Another thing that amazed the people of Cormyr was that the army of nearly 100,000 conquerors, including men and animals, could actually obey orders and prohibitions. It really had the shadow of an army. They had only seen this kind of situation with the Purple Dragon Legion.
Gavin basically had no chance of traveling with the conquerors along the way.
First, the conqueror's army has been fully formed, with a complete operating model from top to bottom, and there are very few things that require him to personally deal with it.
Secondly, if the stalls are spread out in a large space, this space will take up a little time, and that space will take up a little time. Once divided, not much will be left.
The third thing is that the road they are going to take next has an owner. He must go to the front and communicate with the local landowners.
While the conqueror's army was still struggling to move forward in the rocky ground, Gavin was already drinking tea and chatting with the regent lady Aracelin in Tifantun, discussing the passing of the conqueror's army. At the same time, he reached some consensus, put aside disputes, and looked for cooperation. point.
Although their competitive relationship is true, it is an internal competition that has not reached the level of tension, and Gavin's eyes are no longer limited to Yandi.
Simply put, Baron of Rockland is no longer enough to fully match his current status.
When he handles affairs with a vision far higher than here, he is naturally unfavorable.
Even the regent lady, who was quite hostile to him at first, couldn't help but smile on her face when he left, indicating that she was quite satisfied with the meeting.
It has been cleared from top to bottom by Gavin, so when the conqueror's army passes through here, there will naturally be no trouble.
Gavin, on the other hand, rushed to the next and last stop, Misty Valley, without stopping.
After passing Tifanton City, this commercial road is no longer a high road, but the Moon-Sea Highway.
This road traverses the entire Cormanzo Forest and directly reaches the mountain city on the south coast of the Moon Sea, so it is called the Moon Sea Highway.
The main body of Misty Valley is on this road, and there is a long, narrow and huge forest glade.
This forest glade was not reclaimed by man, but the work of a falling meteor. This huge meteor hit the elven forest diagonally over thousands of years, plowing out a two-hundred-year-old path. The burn marks are more than kilometers long and sixty to seventy kilometers wide.
No more trees grew in the traces left by the falling meteor, but when humans and elves signed a covenant and the standing stones were cultivated here, they found that the land here was surprisingly fertile.
This place is considered to be the gift of Chantia, the mother of the earth, to mankind. People here respect her very much. Her statues and altars can be seen everywhere here. The Golden Wheat Sheaf Monastery confirms this. This place is dedicated to the earth. The mother's monastery has a blessed field of ten square kilometers, just like Gavin's magic field that uses the same weather and rain. The yield here is always the highest in Faerûn.
It is said that the grain stored in this monastery can feed the people of the entire valley for a whole year. The golden sheaves of ale produced here are resounding throughout Faerûn and are widely praised, especially by the dwarves of the strong alcohol race. .
In addition, they also produce a highly distilled white wheat sheaf, which has such a high degree of alcohol that it can make anyone who takes a sip directly burn it like a summer wheat sheaf. It also has a very high audience.
Gavin had a good relationship with this monastery, and was led by the Wallon Grand Inquisitor of the Hammer of Justice Monastery. He used his ability to destroy evil to destroy and cleanse all kinds of evil cursed items sealed in this monastery. Turned into useful magic equipment.
It's just that the priests of the Golden Wheatsheaf Monastery are not good at this ability. Even though the history here is older than the Hammer of Holy Light Monastery, the evil cursed items they take out are not one-third of those of the Hammer of Holy Light Monastery. There are more than one, and there is no unique equipment like the Hammer of the Rising Sun. There is nothing worthy of Gavin's attention, and it is completely treated as a trivial matter.
The greatest significance of this matter was that it put him in touch with the largest granary in the valley. Gavin got most of his grain from here. He spent 500,000 gold coins to purchase 5,000 tons of grain. The two parties had already signed a purchase agreement. In order to To prevent unnecessary complications, Gavin even paid the money in advance, but the food has not been transported yet, and it is still stored in the granary of the Golden Wheat Sheaf Monastery.
Because this is not military food shipped to Sesk, but food for the conqueror's army for the winter. They will go to the land of three rivers with the conqueror's army.
All in all, the Misty Valley is a lucky valley. Not only does it have fertile land, the dense forest of the Cormanthor Forest is the best barrier. On the outside, there are also packages such as Shadow Valley, Dagger Valley, Deep Forest Valley, Bow Valley and Battle Valley. , isolating the two major forces of Zhentarim and Sambia from the outside.
The Moonsea Highway is an important part of the trade between the Kingdom of Cormyr and the Moonsea region, bringing a lot of extra wealth to the people here.
The only trouble is coming from their west, that is, in the direction of Tifanton. On the Thunder Peak Mountains, there seems to be no shortage of bugbears, orcs, gnolls, goblins, hobgoblins or monsters worse and more unpleasant than them. , from time to time some of them would come down, causing considerable trouble to the residents here, forcing them to maintain a relatively large cavalry force to patrol and guard this place.
Generally speaking, life here is very relaxed and comfortable, with a lot of pastoral scenery and prosperous commerce, making the people here lazy, confident, and not conservative and stubborn.
Ashabandan Town is the capital of Misty Valley. Just like Ethebra, the capital of Battle Valley, it is not even a city. It is at best a larger town. It is also the only town in Misty Valley. The rest They are either villages, settlements or manors, scattered over a narrow strip of land based entirely on farming needs.
According to Misty Valley's own statistics, the total population of the entire valley is less than half of what it was at the peak of the Conqueror's Army, only about 25,000 people. In view of the fact that their residents are too scattered, some residents live in the surrounding forests. Due to the secluded life, this number may be higher, but it will definitely not exceed 50,000.
Therefore, for Misty Valley, it is definitely a big deal for the conqueror's army to pass through this place, and they pay great attention to it.
When Gavin appeared in this town, he was recognized immediately. Countless children ran along the Moon-Sea Highway, shouting as they ran, "The conqueror is coming, the conqueror is coming, the conqueror is coming."
"Where, where, where?"
"He is the legendary conqueror? He is too young. He is clearly a child who has not even started to grow a beard!"
"The other person is a half-elf. It's not strange that he doesn't have a beard. His actual age may be much older than he looks."
"Is his army of conquerors really as huge as the legend says? So magical? Even if those tree people are willing to tow trucks for him, and the elves drive horses for him, and he has livestock and trucks as far as the eye can see?"
"You ask me, who am I asking? I haven't seen it."
"No need to guess. It won't be long before we can see it with our own eyes. It is said that they have left the rocky area and passed Tiffanydon. They will enter our Misty Valley in a day or two. He must be looking for someone when he comes this time. Our top legislators discussed borrowing the passage."
"What's there to discuss? They say it as if we can refuse. They have more people than we have in the entire valley combined."
"It's a good thing that you are not a conqueror, otherwise you would be a believer of the lord of tyranny, an out-and-out tyrant. This is called etiquette. You know what it means to be polite before fighting."
"I don't know. This is the first time I heard this term. What does it mean?"
"Read more of Ms. Strategy's teachings when you have time. There are many useful things in them."
"I'm not going to join the army and fight, so why should I understand the teachings of a war god? I can be a pacifist."
"Who said that Ms. Strategy's teachings are all for teaching war? Many of the things in it are also very useful for doing business and dealing with people. Haven't you heard that shopping malls are like battlefields? You are not interested in money, right? "
"Ha... Ms. Strategy's teachings actually have this effect? Then I'll have to take a closer look when I have time. Even a pacifist has to eat, right?"
Countless Misty Valley residents poked their heads out of the doorways or windows of shops along the street, curiously looking at the legendary conqueror, whispering and sharing their own hearsay.
The town is shaped like a semi-cross. It is located on the west side of the Asaba River, which is the origin of its name, and the Moon-Sea Highway passes through the middle of the town.
This commercial road is naturally the most prosperous part of the street. Various shops, hotels, pubs, restaurants, happy halls, etc. are all crowded on this street.
A middle-aged man with a build comparable to that of Bede walked up to Gavin quickly. He laughed heartily before anyone arrived: "It is really an honor for us to come here, Lord Conqueror. I have heard about you a long time ago." My name is that I have never had a chance to see it. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Harisk Malone. I have been appreciated by the people of Misty Valley represented by six council members. I am now the highest council member of Misty Valley.
Help coordinate and resolve some troubles in Misty Valley and minor disputes between neighbors.
Please allow me, on behalf of the innocent people of Misty, to warmly welcome your arrival. I have already ordered people to prepare a banquet, and please move on. "
Not only is this man's body shape comparable to that of Bede, but his smile is also printed in the same mold. His fat face always smiles, giving people the feeling of smiling before he speaks. His words are simple and sincere. It's like every word comes from the inside.
This is simply a businessman, not a powerful warrior or politician.
Gavin knew that the other party was indeed the supreme ruler of the Misty Valley. The black scepter in his hand had the ability to deploy the Misty Valley Cavalry, the only fighting force in the Misty Valley. Behind him were several powerful warriors like shadows. Accompany.
Like other valleys in the valley, the political system here is also very fragmented. There are no lords, but six councilors elected by the people. They are usually not the most powerful, but the most prestigious and well-connected in the Misty Valley. , usually the eldest, and then the sixth member is elected by the six-person parliament, who is the highest member of the Misty Valley.
However, he only has the power to decide on small daily matters. For big matters that really involve the whole valley, he has to summon the other six members to convene a parliament.
Gavin responded with a smile: "The Supreme Councilor is really too foreign. You can just call me Sir. I am Sir Vizeme, who was conferred by Lord Ilmet."
Putting aside a series of names, of course it is to shorten the distance between the two parties and represent that they are a member of the valley.
"Then you're welcome, Sir please." Harisk laughed loudly. He was also a well-trained person, and he could taste a lot of things from this title.
Ashabandan is just a small town, only a few kilometers from beginning to end. The group arrived at the residence of the Supreme Councilor with little effort.
Rather than a mansion, it is more appropriate to call it a shop, because it is also located on Yuehai Highway and has a double-story structure. It is filled with a variety of goods. It is a bit more like a grocery store in nature, with five or six Famous shop assistants come and go here.
The only difference from other shops is that this shop has two entrances, and there is a large yard behind it, and there is a two-story building inside.
As if feeling the doubts in Gavin's expression, the top councilor Harisk explained with a smile: "Our folk customs in Misty Valley are simple and we don't have so many political objects. Building a separate parliament hall is a waste of people and money. Thanks to people's love, I am willing to do it in my house." We can only discuss matters in our small shop, so we can only entertain Sir here. Please don’t misunderstand Sir, we have no intention of neglecting you.”
"Now I understand a little bit why you were elected as the highest councilor of Misty Valley. I have only seen the public seeking private interests before, but I have never seen private affairs serve the public good." Gavin praised sincerely, "This is my greatest honor. .”
"Jazz is over-reputed." Harisk laughed with a red face. "Actually, I also benefited from this matter. After all, when dealing with some official business, some people would drop by my store to browse. Some Some people are grateful and buy goods from me that are not urgently needed.
This has brought me additional customers, making my place the best shop in the Misty Valley, and making me the richest person in the entire Misty Valley.
With all this, what else am I not satisfied with? "
Obviously, this is the proudest and proudest place for the highest councilor of Misty Valley. After all, it is a double harvest of fame and fortune.
Few rulers can achieve his level.
"This also fully shows that the residents of Misty Valley recognize your handling of affairs." Gavin said with a smile, "Otherwise, let alone buying goods from you, even if you have more window glass, it will not be enough for people to smash it. !”
"No wonder the glass in my shop is always broken once or twice a month. It turns out that this is the root cause. This shows that some villagers are still resentful of the affairs I handle and there are still areas that need improvement." Harisk There was a trace of distress on the fat face, but he was probably pretending. How could such a shrewd person not know why the window glass of his house was smashed.
It is not difficult to track it down, but still pretending not to know, or attributing the cause to yourself, is also a kind of kindness.
It shows that this person is not only fat, but also has a broad heart, and can tolerate things that ordinary people cannot tolerate.
Gavin said in a half-joking tone: "What a coincidence, we have developed a type of steel glass that can withstand severe impacts, let alone stones. Even if it is bombarded with a sledgehammer, if it is not strong enough to rival a giant, , it’s also difficult to blast them to pieces, so why don’t I send a batch to the top congressman so that you can rest easy in the future.”
"Oh?" Harisk's eyes lit up, but this kind of light is unique to that kind of businessman, especially when he sees a business opportunity, he asked repeatedly, "I wonder how much this kind of steel glass costs? Can it be produced in batches? ?Can I buy part of it and sell it in my store?”
"Sorry, the current production of this kind of steel glass is limited. It is mainly for personal use. It will not be sold in the market in a short period of time. I can only give some to the top congressmen in a friendly capacity." Gavin was not putting it off, but airing it. Glass has many uses in his hands, not to mention that it is just an accessory product now. Even if he can build a furnace for mass production in the later period, it will mostly be for personal use before the production is increased on a large scale.
And this kind of brand-new product often has huge performance that can be exploited.
At present, they are only using the tempered properties of air glass, and have not yet had time to experiment with magic fusion capabilities. If once it shows good element fusion properties and shows its prominence in magic manufacturing, ordinary people may want to use it. To get this kind of glass, they have to wait until they find a cheaper mass production method and the output explodes.
"That's really a pity." Harisk sighed with regret, "If that's the case, then I'll thank Sir for his kindness first. I think it's better to use ordinary glass."
Gavin's curiosity was aroused and he asked: "Can I ask the reason?"
Harisk replied without thinking: "Someone smashed my glass, which means that the affairs I handled failed to achieve true fairness and justice and satisfy all the valley residents. Replacing stronger glass did not solve any problems." , the resentment in their hearts is still there. If they can't break the glass, they will smash buildings or products, or even turn their attention to me personally. Instead of doing this, it is better to leave the glass and let them smash it to vent their resentment.
At the same time, it also made me know that I still have shortcomings and should not be arrogant. I should treat every dispute of Gu people with more caution and caution to ensure true fairness and justice, so that everyone is satisfied with the results. "
(End of chapter)
