Night Talk 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

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"I say, dear brother," 

While his father and brother were talking, Yuriko had been standing nearby, playing with his emerald-studded ring. Suddenly, he interjected, "Since the industries in the Northwest Bay are so profitable, why not..." 

A mischievous smile appeared on his face. "Let Grayman dedicate his industry to the royal family." 

Hearing this, Prince Jasim also wore an amused smile. 

However, the expression on his eldest son's face froze. He silently walked to the window of his room, closed it, and returned to his father and brother. 

He asked his brother seriously, "Then why not let the greedy wolf, Giles, dedicate his title and territory to the royal family?" 

Yuriko displayed an exaggerated expression, laughing helplessly. "I would love to, but the greedy wolf duke must agree first." 

Gerd continued to question him, "Then on what basis do you think Earl Grayman would agree?" 

Yuriko waved his arms dismissively. "Come on! If I remember correctly, Paul Grayman is just an earl in the Northwest Bay. Oh, of course, for many, an earl is quite an impressive title, but what does it mean to the royal family? What can an earl from a remote corner of the kingdom compare to a deep-rooted lord like Giles?" 

"My brother," Gerd shook his head. "When you came with me to the Northwest Bay, your observations were only superficial. You spent your days in the bustling taverns and noble balls. Just four years ago, most people in Crystal Glare hadn't even heard of this place. Those who did thought it was a barren and desolate land. Over time, due to commercial development, many came to know it, yet they regarded it as a nouveau riche. But I want to tell you and those who share your views that the Northwest Bay is a place with immense potential, especially Alden. It's a very powerful earldom, and unlike our usual standards of evaluating local lords—territorial size, population—Alden's strength lies in its farms and factories. Yet you stubbornly believe it's a place for lower-class people and refuse to investigate it with me." 

"Oh!" Yuriko was quite helpless about his brother's lecturing, covering his forehead with his hand in some pain. 

Gerd ignored his brother's pained expression and continued, "In the Northwest Bay, at least in Alden, the organization of production activities is very tight and efficient. I saw those workers in the factories working hard and orderly, divided into workshops or teams, each with their own tasks. They obey and quickly understand the manager's commands, operate machines, and collaborate with each other. In many factories, the final output is a result of the collective production from different working groups. The factories in the Northwest Bay are like armies composed of different types of soldiers—pike men, sword-and-shield men, archers, cavalry—different troops skillfully cooperate to complete their final mission. With such organization and workers, it's no wonder they can continuously produce various best-selling goods. But I also saw another side..." 

Gerd paused, his expression complex. "I think with such a tight organization and high-quality workers, Alden can quickly adapt to a war. Those workers, with a little training, can become excellent soldiers. Their obedience to management commands and cooperation with others are already parts of their daily work. More frighteningly, based on my inquiries, I feel that a significant proportion of them can read. Now think about what our newly recruited soldiers are like; they can't even tell left from right. Meanwhile, Alden's factories and those similar farms will continuously provide a material backing for the army—many of the weapons in the recent war in the Horns Bay came from the Northwest Bay." 

After his brother spoke for so long, Yuriko said, "If that's the case, we cannot let Grayman grow stronger. While he is still unsteady, we should place him under the kingdom's absolute control or simply..." He waved his hand forcefully in the air. 

Gerd rebutted, "Angering Grayman would have serious consequences." 

At this point, his father, Prince Jasim, asked, "How serious?" 

Gerd replied, "From what I know, Grayman controls not only Alden but also the other two earldoms, Byerldine and Emden. Moreover, more than half of the lords in the Northwest Bay are on good terms with Grayman. He's not someone who eats alone; he brings enormous benefits to many lords. The current Duke of the Northwest, who openly holds the highest position, also rose to power with Grayman's strong support during the so-called Usurper War. Therefore, my assessment is that once Grayman rebels, the damage he could cause to the kingdom would be no less than Giles." 

Prince Jasim sighed, "The royal family's decline has been long-standing, allowing local lords to grow stronger." 

Gerd comforted him, "Father, there's no need to worry. From my observations, Grayman is currently loyal to the royal family. He seems quite satisfied with his current situation—I mean, the territory he rules—and appears to have little interest in seizing higher power. A man with his level of power might find it difficult to split the kingdom like Giles, but it's still possible for him to claim the title of Duke of the Northwest. The Fraule family currently holds a very stable position in the Northwest Bay. Of course, Paul Grayman is not someone who is content to be ordinary, but his ambitions do not lie in politics. He is an outstanding scholar, businessman, and inventor, but not a schemer or a power-hungry person." 

Prince Jasim nodded and said, "If he is indeed someone with great power yet remains naive in politics, you... know what to do, right?" 

Gerd asked, "What do you mean?" 

Prince Jasim said, "Paul Grayman is not yet familiar to the nobles of Crystal Glare; it seems you are the only one who interacts with him often." 

Gerd pondered for a moment. It was the king who had sent him there, and who would let the king of Crystal Glare know that Paul Grayman is someone worth cooperating with? Unable to think of an answer, he said, "It seems to be the case." 

Prince Jasim told his eldest son, "Then establish a friendship with him. It's best to ensure that his connections with the power circle of Crystal Glare go through you." 

(End of the Chapter)

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