Chapter 67: Playing Smart
A cold iron mask was slowly fitted onto Richard’s face, and Baldwin smiled.
The next day, Simon met the Richard that Baldwin had spoken of, a pale, even malnourished young man. Could someone like this really handle the dark and dangerous work of a secret guard?
"The heart is what matters most!" That was Baldwin’s explanation to Simon.
Seeing the determination in Richard’s eyes, Simon chose to believe in him. After all, he currently had no better candidates, and Richard, alone and desperate, seemed like a suitable choice.
"Do you know the skills required for a secret guard?" Simon asked.
Richard shook his head but replied. "If I don’t succeed, I’d rather die."
Simon nodded slowly. This was a man consumed by hatred, with enough drive to carry out this task. He said, "From now on, you will live behind this iron mask. Starting today, you are my Left Guard. I will also introduce you to a colleague."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gius stepped out from behind a screen in the main hall.
Simon continued. "This is Gius, one of my men. The matter of the secret guards is of great importance, and I cannot place my full trust in you alone, as it concerns my life and safety. Therefore, the secret guards will be divided into Left and Right Guards. You are the Left Guard, and Gius is the Right Guard. You will compete with each other. Whoever proves superior will become the chief when the two guards are merged in the future."
Richard glanced at Gius. His expression was unreadable behind the iron mask, but he said coldly. "Your Highness, the position of chief will undoubtedly be mine."
Gius smirked. Last night, when Simon had approached him about the secret guards, he had been shocked. But realising that he could go from being a mere servant in the castle to becoming one of Simon’s secret guards overnight, the shrewd Gius knew exactly how to choose.
"Anyone can talk big. I, Gius, am no pushover." Gius said.
Baldwin, observing this, understood Simon’s intentions. The secret guards were a matter of life and death for Simon, so he naturally couldn’t entrust them entirely to Richard, whom Baldwin had recommended. Gius was a counterbalance to Richard.
However, Baldwin wasn’t angry. Instead, he felt reassured. This showed that Simon had developed the qualities of a feudal lord, caution and prudence.
To Simon, Richard gave off an air of someone who would stop at nothing. Such a person could be terrifyingly effective in carrying out tasks. However, when it came to establishing the secret guards, both Richard and Gius were starting from zero in terms of knowledge. They would need to be trained.
After delivering Richard, Baldwin returned to the military headquarters to attend to his administrative duties.
Simon temporarily placed Richard in the Oxford Academy. Over the next period, both Richard and Gius would undergo comprehensive training in espionage.
While Simon was methodically building his domain, the influence of his innovations was spreading throughout the Eldorian Empire, carried by merchants.
New products, in particular, quickly reached the prosperous regions of the empire.
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Eldora.
With the mass production of soap in Brambleford, a steady stream of soap flooded into Eldora, becoming a daily necessity that the wealthy and powerful eagerly purchased. Now, not only were the imperial concubines using it, but even commoners considered owning a bar of soap a mark of prestige.
The introduction of perfume to Eldora’s Eastern and Western Markets after the soap caused an even greater sensation.
Simon’s decision to produce perfume first wasn’t without basis. Historical records showed that when perfume first appeared in the world during the First Dynasty, it had caused a sensation among women. This precedent convinced him that perfume would have a market in the Eldorian Empire, and reality proved him right.
At a poetry gathering in Eldora, a young lady from a prominent family flaunted her strong perfume scent as she walked through the crowd.
The overpowering fragrance made the other young ladies cover their noses in envy. Perfume was in such high demand that this young lady’s extravagance was the subject of much admiration.
At the same gathering, behind a screen, several scholars gathered around a particularly fragrant scholar.
"Pius, you smell as sweet as a flower. We’re all envious," one scholar said. "But isn’t perfume for women?"
Pius rolled his eyes. "What do you know? This is the latest men’s cologne from the Prince of Brambleford. It’s said that women can’t resist getting close to you when they smell it."
"Really?" The other scholars grew even more envious.
Pius smugly continued. "This cologne was just released a couple of days ago. I bought it as soon as it hit the Eastern Market. On my way here, countless young ladies turned their heads to look at me. This poetry gathering is said to have many noble ladies attending. You know what that means..."
One scholar immediately said. "Pius, I must excuse myself. I need to use the restroom."
"Me too."
"..."
In a flash, only Pius remained. But soon, the other scholars returned, each smelling even more fragrant than the last.
At the Goldwynd family’s shop in the Eastern Market, Alfred was apologizing profusely as he escorted out the son of an official. The men’s perfume had sold out.
He couldn’t help but admire Simon. Before leaving for Eldora, he had visited the prince’s castle to pay his respects, as was customary. Walter also made it a point to visit Simon before traveling to Eldora, asking if there was anything Simon needed so he could purchase it in the capital.
Before Alfred left, Simon had shared this idea with him and even made a bet. In truth, there was no such thing as men’s perfume. Simon had simply created a justification for men to use perfume.
Sure enough, once the idea spread, many young noblemen rushed to buy the perfume.
However, Alfred wasn’t happy about it. He had lost the bet, and losing meant another ten thousand caps of silver gone. In his eyes, the prince was becoming increasingly greedy, finding every possible way to squeeze money out of them.
Of course, these new products had earned them a considerable profit, but compared to the silver the prince was making, it was nothing.
During this visit, Simon had not only shared this idea but also asked Alfred to deliver some items to the palace. Alfred figured they should have arrived by now.
As he expected, the imperial concubines were currently vying for their share of the unique perfumes. Surprisingly, Emperor Alaric had also come to the rear palace.
"Your Majesty, this is the perfume specially made for you by Simon. It’s said to refresh the mind and relieve fatigue." Empress Gretchen said as she handed a bottle of perfume to Emperor Alaric.
When this batch of perfumes arrived, Empress Gretchen was surprised to find that there was a special perfume for the emperor. After reading the accompanying letter, she understood and immediately sent a palace maid to inform the emperor. To her surprise, Emperor Alaric showed interest in the perfume and came to see it.
"Your Majesty, besides the perfume, there’s also this special soap. According to Simon’s letter, both the soap and perfume contain medicinal ingredients that are good for the body." Lady Isolde added, presenting a bar of soap.
