Chapter 80: Chapter 71: As a Student, I Want to Know the Dean’s Situation
The soldiers on rotating guard duty were in high spirits. Clearly, the day’s parade had earned them countless flowers and rounds of applause, causing their sense of honor and pride to swell. The royal rewards had also left them completely satisfied.
Henry returned to his quarters and fell peacefully asleep in his bed. The military camp was steeped in tranquility for the night.
「The next day was a new day.」
Henry had just finished breakfast when he saw a travel-worn Claude.
"Bain, go get Claude a cup of water."
Claude walked forward and smiled sincerely. "My lord, congratulations on becoming an Independent Baron."
"Haha, Claude, even without the three Knight’s fiefs granted by the Emperor, I could have consolidated my titles and become a Baron on my own within a year."
Claude shook his head. "My lord, being ennobled for military merit and consolidating titles through expansion are different in significance."
Henry didn’t really care. ’These intangible things are beyond my control.’
"You’re right. But glory is fleeting. What we need is an elite army and a productive fief."
Claude nodded. His lord was not like other nobles who excessively pursued the praise and respect of others. Henry preferred to make others *have* to respect him.
"Rest well for a day. We start our return journey tomorrow. Take some money and buy new clothes for yourself and Ailia, and new armor and weapons for Bain and the Grassland Warriors... Oh, and get a gift for Tommy and Philip too."
The Imperial Capital was still immersed in a festive atmosphere. Colorful flags lined the streets, and people’s faces were lit with joyous smiles.
Under the watch of the Senate, court nobles, Legion Commanders, and other groups, the King was crowned Emperor. Caladia would continue to be great!
The royal family had generously covered the costs for all the taverns in the Imperial Capital, allowing everyone to enjoy the feast to their heart’s content.
Everyone could enter the taverns to taste delicious food, drink fine wine, and celebrate this special day together.
All this sumptuous food and drink was paid for by the royal family; the empire’s subjects only needed to express their respect and blessings to His Majesty the Emperor.
Henry, dressed in an imperial robe and a warm bearskin coat, walked toward the North City Public Security Office with Bain guarding him, steel saber in hand. The Free People on the streets watched them pass.
As he entered the Public Security Office, Daimon was in the middle of chewing out several Militia members.
"Why are you afraid to fight them? This is the Imperial Capital! Right under His Supreme Majesty the Emperor’s nose! On what grounds do those gangs get to throw their weight around without paying up? You can’t beat robbers, so you’re telling me you can’t even handle *them*?!"
Henry watched his old schoolmate, whose passion had clearly been worn down by the job, and found it somewhat amusing. Back in the day, Daimon had strongly opposed his "dirty tricks."
Daimon saw Henry at the door, waved the Militia members away, and sent them out to "collect taxes."
’If you want to survive in the city, it’s only right that you pay taxes to the inspectors. But you won’t pay the Public Security Office for its hard work? That’s just outrageous!’
Henry walked into Daimon’s office. The two nodded to each other, then sat down and began to talk.
"Henry, I’m glad you could come. My guard just told me you have some new methods for managing public security to share with me."
Henry nodded and shared a few of his dirty tricks with Daimon, such as how to cast a long line to catch a big fish, why you should cultivate some groups only to eliminate them later, and how to make the gangs into watchdogs for the Public Security Office.
Daimon listened intently, occasionally taking notes with a quill pen.
When Henry finished, he looked up and said to him, "Thank you, Henry. In return, I’ll help you."
Henry smiled slightly and said, "It’s what I should do, Sheriff... As a student of His Majesty the Emperor, I also hope to contribute to the safety of North City."
Daimon raised an eyebrow and smiled, lowering his voice. "I can provide you with intelligence, my fellow student... We can make a deal. Every ten days, I’ll mail a letter to you at Westwood Laine under the guise of another merchant... Your Westwood Laine will have an Imperial Office established there soon, won’t it?"
"It will."
Although Henry didn’t want anyone else’s hands or eyes in his fief, the Emperor’s Imperial Office was an exception.
’This ready-made, vast, systematic, sprawling, ancient, and somewhat corrupt institution is still a rather useful "tool" for me.’
’The heavens are high and the emperor is far away. All it would take is a little temptation. Making the Imperial Office work for me would be impossible, but getting it to turn a blind eye... that would be relatively simple.’
Daimon nodded. "If my intelligence is useful, you should pay me with some ’Intelligence Gold’ as a reward. If my intelligence is inaccurate or useless, then you have the right not to pay any reward.
By the way, if nothing is happening, I won’t send you any letters."
Henry nodded and said, "That’s reasonable. If it’s useful, ten Dinars per piece of intelligence."
The two reached an agreement, and then Henry left the Public Security Office.
Henry walked out of the Public Security Office. ’This cooperation could provide me with intelligence from all over the empire.’
’But risk comes with opportunity. I’ll need to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the intelligence.’
Henry took Bain to the palace again and found Yiduo. He told him to bring their other classmates to find him at the tavern after their guard shift changed, as he had something to discuss.
A huge wave of joy washed over Yiduo. ’There are so many stinking rich people in the empire, why can’t I be one of them?’
’Now, my chance has come.’
Henry took Bain to a tavern where they feasted for lunch, making Bain cheer with delight.
He hadn’t been qualified to attend the palace banquet yesterday, so he could only gather with the other soldiers from the delegation.
"Bain, I’m going to the Opera House. You can head back first. Don’t forget to brush my horse."
"Yes, my lord."
After Bain left, Henry warmed himself by the fire in the main hall, sipping some wine and completely dominating the gamblers at their boards, easily winning back the cost of his meal.
The gamblers, seeing Henry’s imperial robe and the noble’s insignia on his chest, were livid but could only grit their teeth and admit defeat.
Henry continued to crush several gamblers until four o’clock. If Yiduo and the others hadn’t arrived, he might have even played a couple more rounds.
"To Baron Henry, cheers!"
After entering the private room, Yiduo and the others immediately congratulated Henry, showering him with flattery.
Henry raised his glass and said, "To the great Emperor, cheers!"
Everyone drained their glasses and waited for Henry to continue.
"I need you to send me intelligence from the Emperor’s court. We are all students of the Dean, but I am far away on the eastern border, which worries me greatly.
As the Dean’s student, being unable to know his affairs is a dereliction of my duty. I need to know about the difficulties he faces day to day so that I can help share his burdens."
