„This place, is such broken, when” Ambassador stronghold Petrov treads the cabin, a wood/blockhead decayed flavor heads on. All around air is moist and depressed, making people think that the whole body is uncomfortable. He has attracted the nose, raised head, the sky dusky piece, as if heavy rain is fermenting. “这地方,还是这么破,”要塞大使培罗踏出船舱时,一股木头腐朽的味道扑面而来。四周的空气潮湿且沉闷,让人觉得浑身都不舒服。他吸了吸鼻子,抬起头,天空灰蒙蒙一片,似乎有一场大雨正在酝酿。 „Your previous time comes to here, is one year ago,” assistant puts on the wool coat to the ambassador attentively, „here anything does not have, except for stone.” “您上次来这里,还是一年前吧,”助手殷勤地给大使披上羊毛外套,“这里什么都没有,除了石头。” „Before is one -and-a-half years,” Petrov corrected said, „Sir Duke will pull out the different people to come every quarter, when my previous time to Border Town in the summer. Moreover here besides stone, various types of good furs, as well as......” “是一年半之前,”培罗纠正说,“公爵大人每季都会抽不同的人来,我上次到边陲镇时还是夏天。而且这里除了石头,还有各种上佳毛皮,以及……” „What?” The assistants reveal to be bewildered. “什么？”助手露出一脸茫然。 Petrov shakes the head, does not have answer. He crosses the broad side, steps on ties dock of full moss, the under foot plank makes the sound that creaks. Also supports probably several years, this dock will be then torn to pieces, he thinks. Border Town not only has the stone, has fur, even also has...... Land. But these said do not have the significance, assistant was City Hall unknown document/secretary, could not see this. 培罗摇摇头,没有回答。他越过船舷,踩上结满青苔的码头,脚下木板发出嘎吱嘎吱的声响。大概还撑个几年,这座码头便会支离破碎,他想。边陲镇不仅有石头,有毛皮,甚至还有……土地。但这些说出来没有意义,助手不过是市政厅名不见经传的一名文书,根本看不到这点。 Between Border Town and Longsong Stronghold have the land that big piece has not opened up, side is Impassable Mountain Range, side is Scarlet Water River, like strip long and narrow corridor. As the stronghold advanced post, if shoulders the defense line responsibility, the middle big lands will integrate the hand of stronghold. They without the cultivation, do not need fallow to plant many, in addition the natural blockade of both sides, eats not to spend many strengths. This happen to can ease a series of issues that the stronghold population constantly increases to cause, Border Town also will become a body of stronghold, but does not separate like the present is two independent territories. 边陲镇与长歌要塞之间有大片尚未开垦的土地,一边是绝境山脉,一边是赤水河,就像条狭长的走廊。作为要塞的前哨,如果承担起防线的责任,中间大片土地都将会纳入要塞之手。它们未经耕种,不需休耕就能种上好多回,加上两侧的天然屏障,吃下来不需花费多少力气。这正好能缓解要塞人口日益增多导致的一系列问题,边陲镇也会成为要塞的一体,而不是像现在这样分开为两个独立的领地。 The only shortcoming, is needs three to five years of management, as well as the big pen invested ahead of time. 唯一的缺点,就是需要三至五年的经营,以及大笔先期投入。 What a pity, by having foresight of investment, most noble might as well inferior merchants. 可惜,论起投资的预见性,大多数贵族还不如一名蹩脚的商人。 „Well, how in the dump site to be spatial?” Helps the hand to point at the distant place together spatial said/tunnel, „shouldn't they prepare the ore?” “咦,堆场里怎么是空的？”助手指着远处一块空地道,“他们不应该把矿石都准备好了吗？” Petrov sighed gently, „we went to castle having an audience with your highness.” 培罗轻轻叹了口气,“我们去城堡觐见殿下。” „Wait/Etc....... Ambassador doesn't, you wait for their reception teams?” “等等……大使先生,您不等他们的接待队吗？” Has not known to have, he wants actually not saying that „walks, horse stable in front.” 还不知道有没有呢,他心里这么想却没有说出口,“走吧,马厩就在前面。” Now, was divided into the troubles of two independent territories to come obviously, King paper struggle for the throne lost Fourth Prince to this desolate place, normal noble or will the imperial family disciples do? Naturally appropriates to oneself all of this place. Let the ore and jewelry trades grain and bread? In perhaps the eyes of prince can only see gold royal. 现在,分成两个独立领地的麻烦显然来了,国王一纸争王令把四王子丢到这个荒僻之地,一名正常的贵族或皇室弟子会怎么做？当然是将此地的一切据为己有。让矿石和珠宝来换粮食和面包？王子的眼里恐怕只看得到金龙。 If he, will do such. Sees helplessly output in own territory by so the low price exchange, perhaps nobody is willing to accept. Moreover the prince may not go to stronghold, in family that group of people mostly have forgotten a fact, that is Scarlet Water River only after Longsong Stronghold. He can sell to Willow Town, to sell to Fallen Dragon Ridge, to sell to Scarlet Water City according to market price the ore, then leads the people to seek asylum-- to these places nothing but is the distance. 如果是他自己,也会这么做。眼睁睁见到自己领地里的产出被如此低价兑换,恐怕没人愿意接受。而且王子不一定要去要塞,家族里那群人大多忘了一个事实,那就是赤水河并非只经过长歌要塞。他可以把矿石按市场价格卖给柳叶镇、卖给坠龙岭、卖给赤水城,然后带着人民到这些地方避难——无非是路程更远一点。 What then can Longsong Stronghold make? Blocks the river course, under the truncation prince one line? That is resisting the Greycastle royal family simply blatantly! Everyone knows that Fourth Prince was not liked by King, but is bad he is also the bloodlines of King, this without a doubt. 然后长歌要塞能做什么？堵住河道,截下王子一行？那简直是在公然对抗灰堡王室！谁都知道四王子不受国王喜欢,但再不济他也是国王的血脉,这点毋庸置疑。 They ride horse that is renting, following riverside stone slab road slow vanguard. In horse stable is some nags, the coat color is promiscuous, thin bone like firewood, even if loses headway, walks also the whole body to tremble. But for these two idiots, he has to pay two gold royal to take the deposit. 两人骑着租来的马,顺着河边石板路缓慢前行。马厩里的都是些老马,毛色混杂,瘦骨如柴,即使是慢行,走起路来也全身发颤。而为了这两匹蠢货,他不得不付了两枚金龙作为押金。 „You look, Sir, is that the Willow Town ship?” “您看,先生,那是柳叶镇的船？” Hears the assistant to shout, he looks in the direction that the opposite party directs, sees only one to hang the green leaf and unilever sailing ship of sickle flag drives slowly following the river course. The hull water line is very high, showed that inside was fully laden with the cargo. 听到助手嚷嚷,他朝对方指点的方向看去,只见一艘挂着绿叶与弯刀旗帜的单杆帆船顺着河道缓缓驶来。船身吃水线很高,说明里面载满了货物。 Petrov unemotionally nods, actually downward sinks at heart, the opposite party moves is quicker than the imagination. If the prince started to relate the Scarlet Water River downstream these cities, the chip in oneself hand has been short of one. He planned lobbied the father to agree to be lower than the regular price 30% amounts to purchase the ore, this still gained, after not to mention jewelry polish , the sale price can rise several times of luxury goods. What a pity this monopoly business is not he decides, is not Honeysuckle Family decides. Senate about the Border Town mining industry has six noble, cannot obtain most agreement words, is unable to form the resolution. 培罗面无表情地点点头,心里却往下一沉,对方行动得比想象中还要快。如果王子已经开始联系赤水河下游的那些城镇,自己手里的筹码就又少了一份。他原本打算游说父亲同意以低于正常价格三成的金额来收购矿石,这样仍然有赚,更别提珠宝这种打磨后身价能翻上好几倍的奢侈品。可惜这门垄断生意不是他说了算,也不是金银花家族说了算。参合边陲镇矿业的有六家贵族,得不到多数同意的话,就无法形成决议。 But they responded slowly, thought the aspect same also with before...... Also or, mining site that delivers is not worth them spending too many thoughts attention. Other five aloof, father also self-confidently declined himself in any case. Actually they are completely mistaken, mining site delivers few primary causes is the pattern of this barter transaction, if becomes the normal trade, leaves more earns, to a next year ore output likely stair. 但他们偏偏反应迟钝,以为局面还和之前一样……又或者,矿区那点产出不值得他们费太多心思关注。反正其余五家无动于衷,父亲也是自信满满地回绝了自己。其实他们大错特错,矿区产出少的主要原因是这种物物交换的模式,如果变为正常贸易,出得越多赚得越多,到明年矿石产量很可能会上一个台阶。 If discussed according to the beforehand monopoly plan, is not most likely right, is affirmed that impossible realized. Petrov thought, can look from the empty dock dump site, the prince does not have the plan to make these stones trade the poor qualitative wheat again, he has been contacting with other buyers. 若按之前的垄断方案来谈,十有八九,不对,是肯定不可能实现了。培罗心想,从空荡荡的码头堆场就能看出来,王子没打算再让这些石头去换劣质的小麦,他已经在联系其他买家了。 If must dominate this trade line, 30% discounts are his final chip. Willow Town and Border Town's distance makes the ore transport the cost markup . Moreover the price that Willow Town also more than one ore origin point, they start out likely lowers half compared with the current price on market. Will only open as for Fallen Dragon Ridge and Scarlet Water Town lowly, such Fourth Prince may agree still to monopolize the-- especially gem trade by Longsong Stronghold. 如果仍要把持住这条贸易线,三成折价是他最后的筹码。柳叶镇与边陲镇的距离使得矿石运输费用增高,而且柳叶镇还不止一个矿石来源点,他们开出的价格很可能比市场价低出一半。至于坠龙岭和赤水堡只会开得更低,这样四王子或许会同意仍由长歌要塞来垄断——特别是宝石贸易。 But the issue is, if oneself excel at making the position to sign the contract, the father will approve? Other five, will think own this act surrenders to Border Town simply, cups one hand in the other across the chest to sell the family benefit? 但问题是,自己若擅做主张签下合约,父亲会认同吗？其他五家呢,会觉得自己此举简直是向边陲镇投降,将家族利益拱手出让吗？ After all in their eyes, Border Town is that controls by the stronghold person on one's own side as before, demanding everything Houbokujou. 毕竟在他们眼中,边陲镇依旧是那个由要塞自己人掌控,予取予求的放牧场罢了。 They cross before slowly being located in the small town southeast corner castle, Petrov is not first time comes to here, but this time, here has changed the master. 两人慢慢渡到位于小镇东南角的城堡前,培罗不是第一次来这里,但这一次,此处已换了主人。 The guards see the ambassador certificate, immediately goes to inform feudal lord. 卫兵见到大使凭证,立刻进去通知领主。 Fourth Prince Roland Wimbledon summoned Petrov quickly, when two people were introduced the reception room, the prince waited on the seat of honor. 四王子罗兰.温布顿很快召见了培罗,当两人被引进会客厅时,王子已经在主座上等候了。 „Ambassador, please sit down.” “大使先生,请坐。” Roland claps, making the maidservant carry the sumptuous starter. Has to roast the entire chicken and mushroom to cook the wild ham, the butter bread and big basin vegetables soup. Obviously in the place of here frontier, imperial family juniors enjoys personally does not have the slight buckle. 罗兰拍拍手,让侍女端上丰盛的餐点。有烤全鸡、蘑菇炖野猪腿、黄油面包和一大盆蔬菜汤。显然在这边陲之地,皇室子弟的个人享受也没有丝毫折损。 Petrov naturally cannot be polite, travels by water Border Town from stronghold, even if running free also takes two days \; If the freighter of multi- mast multi- thick liquid, is slower, needs from three to five days. On the ship does not have the kitchen, generally is eats bringing the dry/does loaf or the wheat cake. Is seeing the steam surges cooked food, he thought that own saliva surges in the throat. 培罗自然不会客气,从要塞走水路到边陲镇,即使顺风也需要两天\;如果是多桅多浆的货船,则更慢,需要三至五天。船上没有厨房,一般是吃自带的干肉条或小麦饼。看到着热气翻腾的菜肴,他觉得自己口水在喉头涌动。 However many years of noble training makes him as before maintain the perfect dining etiquette, on the contrary the table manners of your highness must miss in the use of many-- especially knife and fork. Petrov notes, when except for slicing meat Fourth Prince will use the table knife, other movements are completed with a pair of small wooden club. And seems...... Two wooden clubs must facilitate on many compared with the fork unexpectedly. 不过多年的贵族修养让他依旧保持了完美的用餐礼仪,相反殿下的吃相要差很多——特别是刀叉的使用上。培罗注意到,除了切肉时四王子会用到餐刀,其他动作都是用一双小木棍完成的。而且看上去……两根木棍竟比叉子要方便上许多。 „Do you think what kind of?” Just before the end of dines, Roland asked suddenly. “你觉得怎样？”用餐快结束的时候,罗兰忽然问。 „, What?” The ambassador has not recovered for a while. “呃,什么？”大使一时没回过神来。 „This,” the opposite party swung has waved the hand the wooden club, has not waited for Petrov answer, said directly, „an iron table fork, to most people was the luxurious thing, not to mention the silver forked. But grabs to eat with the hand directly, then very easy to eat in the dirty thing the belly together. The illness finds its way by the mouth, do you know?” “这个,”对方摇了摇手中的木棍,没等培罗回答,又径直说道,“一把铁餐叉,对大部分人来说都是奢侈物,更别提银叉了。而用手直接抓着吃,则很容易把脏东西一起吃到肚子里去。病从口入,你知道吧？” The ambassador does not know how should answer, his not too clear illness finds its way by the mouth meaning, but according to the previous understanding, refers to the dirty thing sticking on food probably eats to be easy to get sick. However everybody such comes, has not seen whom, therefore died of illness. 大使不知道该如何作答,他不太明白病从口入的意思,但根据前一句的理解,大概是指脏东西粘在食物上吃下去容易得病。不过大家都是这么过来的啊,也没见谁因此病死了。 „A pair of shillelagh, wants many to have many in Hidden Forest, not only clean and is easy. I plan to promote this in the town,” prince sips a liquor, „naturally, my citizen almost does not have what meat to eat now, after can, slowly will be good.” “一对橡树棍,在迷藏森林里要多少有多少,既干净又易得。我打算在镇里推广这个,”王子抿了口酒,“当然,现在我的领民几乎没有什么肉可吃,可以后会慢慢好起来的。” Petrov relaxed, this he understands how should meet. Routinely expressed after approval and blessing, his bottom of heart actually thinks otherwise. Let citizen have the meat to eat? Indulges in fantasy simply, Greycastle by far cannot achieve this, let alone Border Town this desolate place. 培罗松了口气,这句他还是明白该怎么接的。例行性地表示了赞同和祝福后,他心底却不以为然。让领民都有肉吃？简直异想天开,就连灰堡都远远做不到这点,更何况边陲镇这荒僻之地。