The City of Marronligar

If it is necessary to draw a line between merchants, new aristocrats promoted by merchants, and "pure" old-fashioned aristocrats, in addition to the two criteria of clan blood and source of assets, elements of class culture such as codes of conduct and ethics can also be used as a reference.Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, the three are basically one.

Based on their dominance in the economic and cultural fields, the "Malenliga orthodox fashion", "city-state morality", and "the light of peninsula civilization" advocated by the bourgeoisie (note: the poor with a large population are not included here) are to a large extent Traditionally defined by nobles and merchants, although they make up only a minority of the population.

"Inequality", this is part of the order that existed at the beginning of the city of Marunliga.

——Miscellaneous Notes of the Silver Bay Tower·The Virtue of Nobility

The banker looked at the young man in front of him suspiciously.

Since he cooperated with Governor Morgis to run the bank, with the power of the governor, the financial resources of the Chamber of Commerce and his mastery of gray rules, the assets in his hands have continued to proliferate, and the "commercial community" centered on the Governor's Palace has finally developed enough to influence The degree of survival of the city-state.

Looking at the aristocrats and merchants in the whole Marunliga, no one dared to say that the money in their hands was clean.Some things should not appear from a moral point of view, but they can indeed bring benefits, and the discussion of "right or wrong" has always been difficult to change the existence itself.Even for the maverick Torresso family, the foundation stone originally laid in Marenlica was stained with blood.

As for the young owner of the Flying Lion Mansion, it looks innocent now, and sooner or later it will be dyed the same color as Maren Liga in this dyeing vat. Besides, their family is not a good person in the first place - the banker thought to himself.

In front of the extremely deep banker in the city, Adrian responded to the other party's observation with the safest and calmest posture that would not show timidity.Compared with when he attended the town hall meeting in the past, his current appearance can be called a complete change, and even the tone of his voice is just right.

After taking half a sip of the strong tea with honey added, Adrian said calmly: "Although I was not able to attend the trial of Louis Cormac at the city hall, I still heard some things that had nothing to do with the governor's case, such as The fire at the old shipyard late last year."

With his keen observation, he caught the banker's fleeting expression changes.Although the subconscious reaction was quickly suppressed, Adrian had already remembered this moment, and secretly confirmed certain facts based on it.

So, he went on to say: "I know the doping workshop President Trude mentioned. And, in fact... the 'Louis Cormac's Companion' who killed the workshop owner was me."

Facing the banker's astonished eyes, Adrian continued to confess with emotion: "The reason why I killed him was to defend the reputation of you and Governor Morgis, and to preserve the reputation of Maren Riga."

The corner of the banker's mouth moved: "What?"

"His workshop sold Bliss Tobacco to our family. You know, it's not a decent thing to say, and we didn't dare to report it to the city hall. To eliminate hidden dangers, I hired bounty hunter Louis Cole Mark went to investigate together, but he didn't expect that the workshop owner would slander others indiscriminately in order to protect himself. Although we all know that he is lying, I am still worried that others will make use of it, so I have no choice but to..."

Of course, the banker knew of the existence of the doping workshop, and he was one of the several "funders" behind it who had made a short-term investment. The burning of the workshop also caused him to suffer a part of the economic loss.But compared with the ruin of this black business after it was exposed, that loss is simply insignificant.

Adrian's words undoubtedly hit his pain point, a crack appeared on that mask-like inscrutable face, and was quickly replaced by a look of righteous indignation: "... Who do you think he slandered?"

The young man from the Torresso family shook his head and smiled, "It's all filthy and innocent nonsense, you don't have to pay attention to it. He must be eager to reduce his guilt, but he wants to pour dirty water on you, Governor Morgis and others. He almost mentioned the names of the permanent advisors of the city hall. Chairman Chu De was indeed present at the time, but the situation he recounted seemed to be a little different from reality."

"..." Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Adrian gave him enough steps, and the subtle hints were also full of direction.

"And more recently." Adrian found that he seemed to be getting more and more comfortable designing traps. "General Lucien's interrogation of the Kurmans has made some progress. It can be seen from his released confession that the flow of the goods is very clear, but it is not clear who the seller and handler of the Marenliga are."

At a recent town hall meeting, the general directly presented the statement of the Kurmans about the private sale of the city-state's property.Everyone could tell he was controlling his anger so that his words matched his tone.

The general officially stated: "This kind of behavior is very inappropriate and a blatant trample on the interests of the city-state. However, since Ma Lunliga has always adhered to the spirit of commercial contracts, I will not pursue the completed transactions. The news of the shortage of supplies will shake people's hearts. , I hope this matter can be resolved within the city hall, immediately suspend such trade with the north, and make up for the losses that have been caused as soon as possible.”

When discussing the attribution of responsibility, General Lucien cleverly avoided the late Governor Morgis, and did not mention any specific name-Marenlica is still a commercial city-state after all, and the powerful businessmen are As dangerous as barbarians.

When punishing the sinners who betrayed the interests of the city-state, it is "enough" or even unable to make accusations.

Hearing Lucien's decision, the merchants and nobles involved in these transactions had different expressions, but they all secretly breathed a sigh of relief.Some of them have doubts about this: the general seems to let everyone go, but those are all polite words on the table, will he really let the past go?

In front of the banker, Adrian's attitude seemed very ambiguous: "We, the Torresso family, can't say anything about this matter. We have never been involved in it, and we don't know the details. Maybe we can communicate with the northerners. It is still good for Marunliga, I believe that you and the gentlemen of the city hall are thinking about the future of the city-state."

Just like Samuel and Sophia would do, Adrian piled up rhetoric with a smile on his face, so that he could use high-sounding scene words to lead the banker to his real purpose without seeming to threaten the other party with a secret.

The banker also noticed something, his face became serious, and his alienated tone sank further: "Although you are young, you can see things very clearly. Naturally, we want to make Maren Liga better and continue her irreplaceable role. Glory, also undoubtedly supports General Lucien as the acting governor, but he may not be able to understand this kind of economic and political strategy."

He steadily stepped up the steps specially given by Adrian, made his actions moral, and drew a clear line with Chu De and other humble "thugs".

Seeing the banker's hypocritical face, Adrian couldn't help but laugh.However, even if the other party secretly admitted the existence of these transactions, they would never commit the crime of buying a murderer to attack the general. Maybe they were also kept in the dark by Chu De, who acted without authorization.

This provided an opportunity for Adrian to break up: "When I first arrived in Marenlica, my uncle introduced you and the Governor's contribution to the city, so I admire you very much. But if your kindness is cherished Unscrupulous people misinterpret and use it, and I am worried that someone will make a big fuss about it, which must be guarded against."

Whatever the motives of the young man's insinuations, the banker had to admit that he was speaking of some ulterior motive.

Of course, Adrian's every move is well-founded: if it weren't for the fragile cooperative relationship between the banker and others and Chu De, it would be difficult for him to shake the establishment of an interest alliance between them with a few words.

As a "hound dog" who works for the powerful and uses the power of the powerful to achieve his goals, Chu De obviously has his own ambition, and it is this ambition that has made the tacit understanding between the employer and the bounty hunter.At the same time, the relationship between employment and cooperation dooms them not to generate pure trust.

When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden; when the cunning rabbit dies, the lackey cooks.

Especially when it is necessary to cast a scapegoat and let the behind-the-scenes in a high position retreat, the question of "who should be abandoned" does not need to be considered at all.

Adrian rarely used a persuasive tone, and at certain moments he looked very much like his beautiful and powerful uncle: "Don't you think that President Chu De not only knows too much, but also gradually deviates from the route of Maren Liga? ?”

——If you trust that man too much, you will be stabbed in the back by his inflated lust for power sooner or later.

It is true that Chude has brought convenience to them to drain the value of Maren Liga, but this seasonal "convenience" will soon give way to the "threat" that will cause endless harm.Everyone was tacitly aware of the secret, and regarded it as a thorn in their hearts.It would be a matter of time to unplug it, and Adrian pointed out this threat directly, which invisibly advanced the time for them to take action.

The banker suddenly felt that the young visitor was terribly strange (although they were not familiar with each other): "Young man from the Torresso family, you must have some purpose in telling me this. Could it be that your patriarch or Mrs. Sophia sent you?" To be a lobbyist?"

"It doesn't matter whose lobbyist I am." Adrian smiled. "Being good to you and Ma Lunlijia is the most important thing. I have to learn from you in terms of taking into account the overall situation and understanding the general situation."

As long as the words were spoken to this extent, and a little flattery added, Adrian believed that the trip had achieved its intended purpose.

After Adrian left, the banker thought about the cold cup of tea for a long time, and raised his hand to call for his cronies.

"Go to the governor's mansion, invite the secretary, and say that you have something important to discuss. And my old friends, you know who they are." The banker touched his chin and added half a sentence in a low voice. . "Except Chu De from the Bounty Hunter Association."

——This is a city-state piled up with money, and everyone is chasing interests.

Walking through the flower bed surrounded by blue glazed bricks in front of the Yinwan Tower, the pool embracing the statue is crystal clear, and the singing of birds floats into every window that opens to the street by the sea breeze.

Adrian couldn't help but think of what Sophia had said to him when he first came to Marenliga.

Lewis also said: The world itself is a catastrophe from which no one can escape.

From nobles to commoners, from merchants to fishermen, and even those without light who have completely withdrawn from the stage of history, "we are all pawns at the mercy of desire and panic."

Those meaningful teachings are always fulfilled in unforgettable ways.Adrian thought he was just an outsider, but now, not only can he not be alone, but he must learn to use everything here - including rules, including power, and including people - to achieve his goals.

He had thought countless times: Is revenge for Master Cormac a kind of selfish desire?

But Adrian does not intend to whitewash the real motive with a nobler reason, even if it seems "selfish".Yes, he just wanted to make Trud pay for what Luis had suffered, in his own, Torresso-esque way, using the unspoken rules of the game of the city's conspirators.

It is not a one-and-done death, but a taste of all the pains owed to others before death.

Being deceived, betrayed, slandered, and falling into the bottom of fate step by step in the torment of body and mind, this is the punishment that Chu De should have faced long ago.

Eliminating the traitor hidden in the Feishi mansion is the first step, and making the dignitaries feel bad about Chu De is the second step. Adrian does not need to deliberately promote the subsequent development.

When he heard that the guards escorted the Kurmans who had landed in Shacheng back to Marunliga, Chu De was only surprised.Using his relationship with the prison, he tried every means to obtain the confessions of several detainees, confirming that they did not know his name, and the general had not grasped any clues pointing directly at him, so he was reluctantly relieved.

And when the eyeliner buried in the Feishi mansion no longer sends out information, such as disappearing overnight, and the familiar governor's secretary and other "partners" avoid him for several days, he really feels the crisis is coming.

Then new rumors began to circulate in the town: the Kurmans had confessed their accomplices in Marunliga.In addition to attempting to kill General Lucien, the accomplice was also planning a conspiracy with foreigners to plunder Marenliga.

The source of the rumor is unknown, and the guards holding Kullman's prisoners were also noncommittal.In the process of dissemination of news, everyone can add oil and vinegar according to their own taste, and insert some novelty or alarmist plots, just like the gossip organized around "Murderer Louis" not long ago.

The rumors became more and more sour, so that General Lucien had to ask his subordinates to post notices to clarify the rumors, but everyone still took pleasure in guessing the identity of the "accomplice".Chu De's name naturally appeared in the ever-increasing list of "suspects" among the people.

Most of the people on the list would probably laugh it off, but Trud just found the mention of his name harsh.

He probably knew who was spreading the rumors.

In addition to being uneasy, Chu De deeply felt the indescribable shame: he has always used others as strategies and tools, but he never thought that he would be sacrificed by his accomplices one day.

No—Trud thought for a second—it wasn't that he had never imagined this possibility, and he knew very well how others saw him.It's just that Chu De is overconfident and wishful thinking that as long as the expansion of power is faster than the speed of resentment, no one will dare to count on him.

The same is true now.

It's easy to escape, but you have to hurry up before others get murderous.

Trud is well aware of the style of the dignitaries he works with: they talk around the bush, and their lives are full of annoying red tape, but as long as they are clear about the pros and cons, and they are determined to blame all the crimes on some unlucky ghost, they will not be wronged because of it. Indecision leaves trouble behind.

But do you really want to escape?Chu De still hesitated.

While harboring the fluke mentality that "there is always a way to get out of trouble", he really can't let go of what he already has: he finally got rid of the shadow of "untouchable" life, and climbed up to the position of president of the Bounty Hunter Association step by step. The Governor of Guise briefly touched the halo of power...

The most obtrusive person and the old evidence have disappeared, and a more prominent reputation and a status closer to the ruling class of the city-state are in sight.How can you give up everything you have accumulated over the years of painstaking efforts in Ma Lunlijia?

Yes, Chu De admitted that his own greed prevented him from leaving.To make Chu De determined to escape from Ma Lunlijia, unless there is a life-threatening catastrophe lying in front of him.

It reminded him of the vanished Louis Cormac, his predecessor and one-sided "political enemy."Louis's escape was also due to the loss of retreat and home, which formed a rather ironic contrast with Chu De's current predicament.

Trud couldn't help but imagine what the man's eyes saw when he was free in the pouring rain.

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