After entering February, although the weather is still relatively cold, spring is gradually showing.
Everything is beginning to recover, and bold green has appeared in the northwest wilderness.
On the road from Arda to the next door territory Lanaka, a group of people were galloping.
"To be honest, I still prefer the snowy winter to the green and warm spring."
Paul complained to Mellon on the side, "It's a pity that such a beautiful season passes too quickly."
"Are you kidding, Paul?"
Mellon was surprised. The winter in the northwest is a big difficulty for the residents here. Many people from poor families freeze to death every year.
"The longer the winter, the more civilians will freeze to death! I didn't expect that you, as a lord, would say such a thing!"
"Ah, I apologize. My words were indeed inappropriate. I promise you that winter will lose its harshness and become a warm and beautiful season."
As Blast Furnace ironmaking begins, Paul plans to increase coal production for coke production. However, the dug coal is not only used for ironmaking, but will also be sold to civilians at low prices.
"First tell me why Earl Price Parker invited us this time. What do you think?"
"It's just that we want the technology we have. Didn't we agree on Duke's birthday that we could talk about it later when we go back?"
"I do think there might be something else..."
Everyone arrived at the Parker Family's castle in the evening, and Earl Price Parker won Paul and Mellon into it.
After some pleasantries, the Earl arranged customer service for them, took a short rest, and then sent someone to invite them to enjoy dinner together.
"Lord Parker, I wonder why you invited us to your castle?"
The messages Paul and Mellon received only said that they had something important to discuss, but did not specify what it was.
"Ahem! Paul, Mellon, I am considered your elder, so I took advantage of it and called you by your names. I came to you for the matter of the duke's heir. As you know, Duke Ferdinand has designated Earl Kent as the heir. What do you think of this?"
"Opinion?"
Paul and Mellon looked at each other and couldn't figure out what Old Earl meant.
Just when Paul was still thinking about how to reply, Mellon on the side spoke first.
I just heard him say indignantly, "I personally have a pessimistic attitude. That Maltz Kent is not a good person, and does not have the demeanor of a high-ranking noble at all. Last year, he planned to blackmail us and almost sent troops to attack us, although I don't know why he didn't do it later., but we have already formed a rift. Lord Parker must also know that he used Duke's favor to act arrogantly, making the northwest lords angry and afraid to speak out. He will definitely go further when he becomes a duke."
Hearing Paul made him sweat. He wanted to stop it but it was too late.
Ouch, my good brother, your mouth is too fast. What if this Price Parker and Maltz Kent are accomplices? What if he is spying on our mouths under the instruction of Earl Kent? Ah~ There aren't five hundred swordsmen or something ambushed outside, right? Just waiting for Earl Parker to drop the cup.
He looked at Old Earl slightly nervously. The expression on Price's face didn't change much, and he didn't throw the cup. He just kept stroking his gray beard.
After Paul waited anxiously for nearly a minute, Price finally spoke, "What Mellon said touched my heart very much. I also think that Maltz Kent becoming a duke is not a good thing for us."
Old Earl said with a serious face, "Especially those of us vassals who are directly subordinate to the Royal Family."
"Lord Parker What does this mean?"
"Let me introduce someone to you. Mr. Viscount, please come in."
Price clapped his hands vigorously as he spoke.
A figure flashed out from the corner of the corridor and walked towards them.
Paul and Mellon were shocked. The visitor turned out to be Duke Ferdinand's younger brother - Henry Ferdinand Viscount.
Wasn't he imprisoned in a dungeon by his brother? How come it appears here? Could it be that the two brothers have reconciled? "This..."
Paul looked at Price with questions.
Price said to Henry, "Mr. Viscount, these two are indeed people who cannot stand with Maltz Kent. You must have heard about the almost war between Arda and Emden last year. Just tell them what happened."
Compared to the time at the Duke's birthday party, Henry Ferdinand was much thinner, but his face was a little more determined. He first saluted Paul and Mellon, and then hurriedly said, "My two Earls, Maltz Kent is planning to betray the kingdom!"
"Betrayal of the kingdom?"
Paul and Mellon were both surprised. Damn, the amount of information is so huge.
"You mean, he's going to send a rebellion like Giles?"
"Yes, that must be his plan."
"How did Viscount know about this? Shouldn't you report this to your brother first, let him deprive Maltz Kent of his heir status, and then arrest him?"
Paul can't believe it. Although Kent Family is domineering in the northwest, he is just an earl and has no chance of winning against the royal government.
Oh, maybe he will have a certain amount of capital after inheriting the title of Duke, but if Duke Ferdinand knows his plot, he will... wait, could it be Duke Ferdinand who wants to launch a rebellion? Isn't Maltz Kent his most capable horse boy?
Paul looked at Viscount Henry. If this was the case, could this guy want to kill his relatives and report his brother? I saw sadness on Viscount Henry's face, "My brother told me this, and my brother - the dignified Northwest Duke, has been controlled by this villain Maltz Kent."
Paul and Mellon generally understand what is going on. Duke Ferdinand was controlled by Malz in some way, and had insight into his ambition to rebel, so he quietly informed his younger brother Viscount Henry, and then Viscount ran out to expose Malz to other lords.
Of course, this is based on the premise that Viscount Henry did not lie. There are still many doubts that have not been clarified. For example, what method can make a dignified duke obey his orders? Even in front of such a lord at the birthday party, he dare not say anything and can only quietly inform his younger brother. There is also how Viscount Henry escaped.
As if he had guessed the questions of Paul and others, Henry took out a piece of paper and handed it to him.
"This is my brother's handwritten letter. Please take a look at it."