Perhaps it was the dozen or so imaginative interviews before that finally had an effect, perhaps it was that the arrears of salary were finally paid, or maybe His Highness Thales's speech was touching and sobering. After the afternoon, the people who came to report on their work The attitudes of officials from various ministries and the news they reported were different.

“It’s hard to believe, Your Highness,” the port officials reported with joy, “but as you said, the situation in the port is improving...”

“Led by the famous Sea Wolf Ship Group, many ship groups have reopened their businesses and even provided free escorts to crack down on pirates. They say that they want to maintain professional ethics. Even if the Emerald City sinks, they must stand as the last guard..."

"Under their care, at least seven cargo ships will enter the port to unload their cargo today. The captains and cargo owners have issued statements. They believe that the waters around Jade are safe and suitable for doing business. They will come again in the future, and they dare not not come. …Um, I mean, I’m sorry not to come…”

"Speaking of this, there were cases of hijacking of merchant ships and extortion at sea some time ago. Well, this city's security forces quickly intervened and all have been investigated in time. It seems that they were all misunderstandings, not pirates. Behavior…"

"Those **** ship groups that cooperate with the official... Oh, no, it should be just a single ship of a single ship group. The temporary sailors they recruited are not good at business, they got the wrong charge rate, and overcharged a certain amount of money, so it looks like robbery. Blackmail has left a wrong impression and caused unnecessary misunderstandings... But please rest assured that the relevant departments have acted quickly and have compensated the relevant damaged merchants with parking space coupons for next year..."

"The maritime administration department has ordered the fleets that have gone awry to make vigorous rectifications. As for the 'South Coast Catfish' that is suspected of looting people's property, as long as this storm passes... Well, ahem, I mean, the official follow-up will be in time. Report the results of the investigation…”

"Of course, the public security department carefully investigated the temporary sailors who had neglected their duties on the ship and found that many of them had background experiences of sailing overseas, living in foreign countries, and even accepting foreign currency. They felt that they were greedy... Well, yes, living in foreign countries, and foreign exchanges. This point should be particularly emphasized when making announcements..."

"Bad things must be done by spies. If our people do bad things, then they must be spies...especially this must be explained clearly to the simple people...Does your Highness understand what I mean..."

 After the port came the commercial market, finance and taxation department, and even the civil affairs department and aristocratic affairs. All kinds of news flew in like snow, and Thales didn't even have time to reply. It involved all walks of life in the Emerald City that were once silent.

"Your Highness, I can see that market prices are returning to normal. Although it is very slow, they are indeed recovering. Businesses are gradually coming back to do business. It is stable and improving..."

“Creditors of at least three debts have written letters, claiming that for the sake of the overall situation, they want to extend the debt maturity or even partially waive interest...”

“There are even people who want to continue to lend us money to tide over the difficulties, but I sternly rejected them in public! Are you kidding me? It should be noted that Emerald City is a down payment for one party. It has a strong foundation and a large scale, and has never had any difficulties..."

“Ahem, of course, if His Highness still wants to meet them and refute their fallacies about borrowing in person... Hey, I asked them to wait quietly at the back door. Don’t worry, no one will see it, and it will be kept strictly confidential..."

“For several huge overseas debts, the creditors have not heard from them, but the strange thing is that their local agents seem to have made an appointment, and they no longer crowd the door of the Financial Secretary’s reception room to ask for payment..."

"I received information that the five local families took the lead in convening a meeting of the minor nobles in Emerald City. However, regarding the letter to His Majesty to support the Iris family, there were quite a few differences among the families at the meeting, and they eventually broke up. In other words, Your Highness, no one is against you now... In other words, Your Highness, everyone is supporting you now..."

“Business groups from the mining, metallurgy, textile, food and agriculture and other industries jointly issued a joint statement to fully support His Highness Thales’ administration...”

 As these news came, the staff in various departments became diligent, with good attitudes, enthusiasm and motivation, and high morale. There was a flourishing and positive atmosphere from top to bottom.

“After the financial situation improves, we can proceed with various affairs according to the annual budget again. In fact, the first tranche of funds for public security and urban construction has been issued, and we will actively make up for the public credit left by the previous demolition of the east to make up for the west...”

“Emerald City government departments, after carrying out a profound ideological and moral education, everyone is in high spirits, and most government affairs are returning to their previous operating efficiency..."

“Previous cases of fires caused by brawls in downtown areas have been brought to light after the major police departments worked overtime, and all the suspects have been arrested. It is said that many people came to their senses and voluntarily surrendered after hearing about your magnanimity...”

“The number of visitors to the celebration has begun to increase, and there are fewer local owners fleeing with their families..."

“Many shops in the handicraft industry have reopened their orders and are open for business…”

 You know, Thales.

Thales frowned and waited for the officials in front of him to report, nodding in response from time to time, but the voice in his heart was silently laughing.

 You know why they do this, why they are arrogant at first and respectful at the end.

 Because of you, you, who was originally blind, found a way out, starting with Kevin Dill, and leveraging a few key points, and then the Emerald City ship started to move.

Politics is such an interesting thing.

Isn’t it more interesting than “there are no shortcuts to governance” that you use to scare them?

 Because politics and power are nothing more than the knowledge of how to take shortcuts.

If everyone is down-to-earth, proceeds step by step, performs his duties, and accepts his destiny, there will be no need to take shortcuts...

Then why is there a political struggle, why is there a struggle for power, and why is there any distinction between superior and inferior?

 But precisely because of this…

 Politics can accomplish great things that many people, many ordinary people, and many scattered and fractured individuals cannot accomplish.

 As long as you can make good use of it.

Tales closed his eyes and drove out unnecessary thoughts from his mind.

But compared with these officials who adapt to the situation, businessmen who take advantage of every opportunity, dignitaries who have exhausted all their agencies, and civilians who are cautious in all walks of life, among the guests who visited today, the one who left a deep impression on Thales was a rough man. A simple-dressed, white-haired barber shop owner.

"This is the apology from the two bosses of the Blood Bottle Gang, Fogg and Nekra," said the boss in the study, who tried his best to look neat and tidy, but was still shabby compared to the interior of Kongming Palace. But he handed over two gift orders with a calm attitude, "This is the apology from the other side of the Blood Bottle Gang, Boss Kathleen, to you."

 Fergie and Nekra, Kathleen…

Huaiya took the gift list, but Thales, who knew the inside story, frowned.

“If I remember correctly, Katharine and Nekra, they are fighting each other to the death, right?”

The owner of the barber shop looked honest and courteous, nodded as if nothing had happened, and took out another gift list:

"Exactly, you know everything clearly. And here, this is the North Gate Bridge, at the other end of the Black Street Brotherhood, a gift from Boss Lazench Fisso to you."

 Lazanci Fisso, Black Street Brotherhood?

At this time, Thales' eyebrows moved, and he couldn't help but look at the person in front of him with admiration.

"Why?"

“Well, after… they knew their fault and were afraid of your thunderous wrath, so they entrusted me…”

"No, what I'm asking is," Thales interrupted him, "Whether it's the rival factions in the Blood Bottle Gang or the big drug dealer leader of the Brotherhood, when they want to show their sincerity to me, they actually agree to do so. The earth has found you.”

Thales looked at the ordinary and unremarkable barber shop owner in front of him and narrowed his eyes:

"Who are you?"

"The old man's name is Balta, and he is a barber." Balta bowed and saluted calmly and without condescension. "I moved to the Emerald City many years ago and opened a small barber shop. I was lucky enough to meet a few people on the street. The boss is tolerant and allows me to run the business till now..."

"Selling information by the way, acting as a middleman?" Thales said with evil intentions.

 “Your Highness is aware of this.”

Thales looked at Balta for a long time and found that no matter from which angle he looked, he was just a small business owner. His expression was dull, his eyes were numb, and there were a few hair grease stains on his sleeves that couldn't be washed away.

 Plain, ordinary, ordinary.

But Balta smiled and let Thales look up and down with peace of mind.

“Those who engage in intelligence business often also work as intermediaries,” Thales thought of his experiences in Exeter and Xihuang. “It seems like this is the case everywhere?”

"If you want to be a good intermediary, you have to be well-informed," Balta replied calmly, as if the person sitting in front of him was not a powerful prince but a day laborer at the food stall next door. "And when a person Once you are familiar with the information work and have reached a higher level, you no longer need to go to an agency in person - except for those particularly important businesses."

His words made Thales thoughtful, but Balta immediately took out a dirty thick notebook, wiped the stains on it with his sleeve sheepishly, and handed it to Huaiya.

 The prince's attendant opened the book and was startled while doing the safety check:

"What's this?"

 “Oh, this…”

 Balta showed an honest smile and saluted Thales:

"Whether it is His Highness's public humiliation by Miss Hilley, the inside story of Duke Jenn's imprisonment, or the truth behind several shocking serial murders...all news and rumors in the Emerald City, whether outrageous or reliable, our shop will record them in detail After sorting it out, I tried my best to trace the source and cause, and asked a literate secretary to write it down for your convenience."

What?

 Thales couldn't help but leave the back of the chair, leaned forward, and took the notebook from Huaiya's hand.

“In addition, we will continue to track the public opinion trends in Emerald City and report the actual situation to you so that you can grasp the underlying trends.”

 Balta kept smiling, while Thales frowned while flipping through his book.

Sure enough, the book was full of all kinds of news, from how people talked about the serial murders in the Emerald City, to how the conflict between the prince and the duke was rumored to be more and more outrageous, and what versions of the shocking events on the day of the election were spread. Even Tails' love affairs with the ladies of the Emerald City...

Of course, what is more useful is the different reactions shown by everyone in Emerald City before and after the coup in Emerald City:

Major businesses are experiencing blows and losing confidence. However, some of the clerks and employees of different business groups are panicking and rushing to buy ferry tickets, while others are as orderly and steady as an old dog.

Most of the dignitaries were waiting to hear the news, but the gardeners and servants who looked after their homes and courtyards also had subtly different reactions. Some were living frugally and living in simplicity, or they were gambling more and more lavishly than in the past.

Before the celebration, both Beimen Bridge and the gangsters of the Blood Bottle Gang were spreading rumors that water ghouls were killing people everywhere. Some people cried out that their friends were missing because of this, but the news was mysteriously suppressed by the bosses in various regions.

 At the inn a few days ago, a drunken sailor from a certain ship group revealed that their Tanganga captain had been tossing and turning at night, checking with his chief mate over and over again whether the ship could sail at any time.

The servant who manages the garbage dump at the back door of Kongming Palace complained that the garbage in the palace recently lacked many old items that could be sold for money, but there were a huge amount of shredded paper, which seemed to be old and new contract documents that had been discarded, and could be vaguely seen. It’s filled with a lot of numbers.

The vendors in the square chattered that there was always a rich young man in the prince's guard who liked to come and buy food. On the way, they asked them about the affairs of the Emerald City, especially how the old Duke died. interested.

Thales turned his attention from the item "On the eve of the general election, the coachman of the Terran state envoy showed off his power to his former employer, threatening that the Emerald City would be over sooner or later, but boasted that he was about to make a lot of money with the new owner and become rich." Move away, hand the notebook to Huaiya, and sigh softly.



Perhaps we won’t be so oblivious to many things and deal with them passively?

 See Balta continue:

“…Also, we will spare no effort to reverse public opinion, hedge against the rumors that are unfavorable to you these days, and reshape your image from the bottom up.”

Thales was startled for a moment, then stopped laughing:

“I came to the Emerald City to bring down a duke, dragged down a city, and ruined the livelihoods of countless people. How can I still have an image?”

"Of course. As long as you take good care of your hair, a person's image can be changed - a criminal thief can become a knight-errant who enjoys revenge, and a respected knight can also be said to be a hypocritical and cunning landlord. It depends on how people cut their hair. Hair, uh no, how to listen to stories.”

Barta’s eyes lit up, and he seemed to become confident when talking about his profession:

“Relax, Your Highness, we are professionals. We know well that blocking is worse than sparing. We also know that subtlety is better than deliberate publicity, and we understand that positive and negative factors can be combined to push and pull together..."

Hearing what he said, Thales couldn't help but put down his notebook.

 He suppressed his smile and became wary:

“Now I know where Zhan’s good reputation comes from.”

 Balta realized something and bowed humbly:

"But no matter how good the reputation is, it can't compare to a light finger from your high position."

Tales chuckled, not sure whether it was sarcasm or confirmation.

This guy is interesting, Thales.

The voice in Thales’ heart quietly spoke:

 He can sense the most subtle emotions and situations and react accordingly, sometimes showing kindness and weakness, sometimes flexing his muscles.

 He can smell the heavy power lingering on you and act accordingly.

 A born survivor.

Either, make good use of him...

Either, simply...

While Thales was thinking, Balta continued:

"I can also help you find Miss Hilley who has kidnapped the murderer and escaped. As far as I know, she was sent to the Sunset Temple for further study when she was a child, and she had a very good relationship with a priest. And that priest had a crush on Luo from the Blood Bottle Gang. Jie Youen. Although Roger is dead, his secret stronghold in the Emerald City is not without a trace..."

 The prince frowned.

"No need," Thales replied flatly, "I have more important things to do, and I'm not interested in where Xi Lai is hiding."

Barta frowned and raised his head.

Thales looked at him with sharp eyes:

"If I really want to find her, I can find my own way without help."

Barta was silent for a while, his brows furrowed.

"In that case, I understand," Balta relaxed his expression after a moment and smiled honestly, "His Highness is indeed a master of strategizing."

For some reason, Thales felt slightly uncomfortable facing this little barber who seemed to be invisible to everyone. He actually felt like he was being seen through and naked.

 What did he understand?

"Then what we can do is to increase people's confidence in the future of Emerald City to help you govern," Balta continued, "You have experience in governing Star Lake Castle. I heard that after you took charge, there Don’t pick up lost things on the road, don’t close your house at night, be full of vitality, hear chickens and dogs, these deeds can enhance your image...”

Huai Ya on the side looked strange and hesitated to speak.

 “But none of this is true.”

Tales was a little irritable.

Don’t pick up lost things on the road…

 Indeed, if you are so poor that you have nothing, what can you leave behind?

 The door is not closed at night…

 The gate of Xinghu Fort has not been repaired, how can we close it?

Full of life, chickens and dogs hear each other...

This is true, even all kinds of feces and urine can be smelled.

 “But what is the truth?”

Barta asked himself the question and smiled patiently: "The truth is what people want to believe and what they expect."

Tiles’ eyes moved.

"If such conditions are not met," Balta's eyes flashed, "the truth will not be enough to become the truth."

Thales was silent for a while and glanced at Huaiya, who was flipping through a small intelligence book next to him and became more and more shocked.

The attendant immediately understood and said coldly:

“Let’s be honest, Baltar, you have promised His Highness so many benefits—what do you want? Surrender in return?”

“I don’t want anything. It is a national obligation to be loyal to Your Highness...”

Thales hummed softly:

 “Balta.”

The barber shop owner paused for a second, bowed deeply, and spoke in an orderly manner:

“If I really do this for anything, I should say it is for your magnanimity and not remembering the small faults of the common people..."

"What's the meaning?"

 I saw Balta raise his head, his honest and honest appearance was gone, and he became serious:

"This is an apology, Your Highness. For the wrongs you and Miss Hilley suffered in my shop on the day I was away."

Tiles’ eyebrows jumped when he heard this!

 He ​​thought of the adventure he and Shilay had experienced on the street that day in order to track down the defender Slimani, but then he thought of the glove that Shilay had dropped on the street.

 Not good.

 “What grievance?” Huaiya looked suspicious.

 Balta looked at the attendant, then at the silent Prince, and smiled slightly:

"Nothing. Your Highness taught the boys in my shop a lesson that day, that's all."

Huaiya couldn't help but be surprised. He turned to Thales, but he still suppressed the doubts in his heart.

Thales subconsciously wanted to deny it, but looking at Balta's calm expression and the small book in Wya's hand, he finally just pursed his lips.

 “You know it’s us.”

Baltar nodded.

"I wasn't in the shop that day. But the guys lost a lot of sales and couldn't hide it, so they had to tell me everything." His expression became serious, "Except for exaggeration and falsehood. Partly, I guessed the truth and the identity of the person involved.”

Tiles couldn't help but sneered when he thought of what he had experienced on the street that day, especially the good things done by the barber shop guys.

“Then I guess you want to say that it was your temporary workers who were careless and offended the nobles that day?”

Unexpectedly, Balta straightened his back and looked directly at Thales, his eyes firm and showing no intention of dodge.

“No, they are not temporary workers, but the clerks in my shop. Each one of them is taken care of by me.”

Tales couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows.

"Secondly, they would do such a thing, not because of anything else, but because they have eyes." Balta sighed softly, feeling quite regretful. "On the one hand, they are jealous of money and look at the gorgeously dressed defenders. He is flattering and flattering, but he also looks down on others and bullies poorly dressed outsiders without any restraint."

interesting.

Tales narrowed his eyes.

"That's why I was forced to bully you that day - no, it was a pair of brothers and sisters from a foreign land who make a living by doing tricks," Balta said sadly, "So to sum up, the person who really made a mistake that day was actually me."

 “You?” Thales was very interested.

 This is quite novel.

"Yes. No matter what the appearance is, in the final analysis, it is me, as the boss, who has a problem with the management of the store." Balta replied in a deep voice, with a solemn expression and a stern tone.

"Oh?" "Yes. The Emerald City has been comfortable for many years, and I can make money even while lying down. Therefore, I neglected to teach, and all my subordinates became mean and selfish losers. They were lazy and indifferent, asking for bribes in private, pretending to be powerful, and bullying others," Barr Ta bowed again, "I would also like to thank Your Highness for visiting your shop, which woke me up in time to realize this potentially fatal flaw."

Taylors was silent for a while.

All right.

In this day and age where everyone in the Emerald City's bureaucracy shows loyalty and strives to advance, I unexpectedly encountered a boss who did not shirk his responsibilities and took the initiative to accept them.

 It can also be considered a breath of fresh air.

 Perhaps it is him, the well-informed survivor, who has thoroughly figured out your temperament.

The voice in Thales’ heart didn’t bother to speak:

So he knows that taking the initiative to take responsibility in front of you is the best way to shirk responsibility?

Thinking of this, Thales' expression tightened.

 What you should be curious about is—but the voice in his heart is still reminding him quietly—if he had offended not you, but just an ordinary person who was unable to resist, he would still come to apologize so diligently...

 “But luckily they met His Highness.”

Before Thales’s thoughts were over, Balta spoke again:

"If they offend an ordinary person who has no power and is bullied, there will naturally be few consequences and no punishment. Then I have no way of knowing, let alone correcting them. This is tantamount to encouraging and fueling their arrogance in disguise. Destroy their character and make them do the same or even worse things next time.”

 He looked at Thales, who was slightly surprised, and nodded slowly:

"It's even more fortunate that it's Your Highness. Otherwise, one day in the future, if they encounter a severe and cruel big shot who refuses to forgive, or a highly skilled thief and ranger who is willing to take revenge, then disaster will come, far away. It’s not like I can avoid disaster by just visiting Kongming Palace.”

Faced with such an attitude, Telscua neither scolded nor scolded him, so he could only go on and said:

“So you came to Kongming Palace to resolve this matter.”

Perhaps you can also gain favor by admitting your mistake and get in touch with you, the new "big shot" who has come to power.

 The voice in his heart coldly reminded Thales:

In this way, no matter who is in power or in power, he will be able to enjoy it.

"I promise, Your Highness, I will strictly discipline the people in the shop," Balta said seriously, causing Huaiya beside him to nod, "The more bitter a person comes from, the more they must have self-respect and self-love instead of relying on power. Bully your former self, or kowtow to the powerful and wealthy.”

 The barber shop owner solemnly said:

“Treating others equally, making clear transactions, not doing dirty work, and not getting stained with blood, this should be the creed of my shop.”

Tales did not speak.

"As for the matter between you and the young lady, please rest assured, Your Highness, no one will remember what happened in the shop or on the street that day, including me," Balta said resolutely, leaving no room for doubt. If rumors leak out, please come to me at any time, and I will stop the source for you - whether it is with means or with my head."

 After listening to his words, Thales was silent for a long time.

 What a barber shop owner.

“You are really impeccable and well-rounded, Balta,” he said quietly, “After talking like this, even if I want to find fault with you to get angry, I can’t find a way to do it.”

 “That’s because I have no more faults.”

Thales frowned slightly and sneered:

 “Oh? Are you sure?”

Barta nodded respectfully.

"If I really have made mistakes, but His Highness is unable to do anything about it, then it means His Highness lacks talents and is not able to govern effectively," the owner of the barber shop said calmly, "If I have no mistakes, Your Highness insists on finding my faults and uses the topic to get angry. , that means His Highness is unworthy of his duties and acts willfully."

Before Thales could react, Huai Ya's expression changed suddenly:

"What did you say?"

But before Thales could respond, Baltar quickly bowed, first to the prince and then to the attendant:

 “Obviously, His Highness has both ability and political integrity.”

Huaiya snorted softly, his expression slightly brightened.

Thales, on the other hand, was not sullen and found it quite interesting:

"Interesting, you dare to talk to me like this, you are not afraid of my anger..."

Baltar smiled.

"If Your Highness is the kind of person who is 'in a fit of anger', then I will change my words. For example, I will take the guy's head and put all the blame on him, or I will praise you so much. The sky is full of flowers, and I become a prosperous and wise king. I use tears and generous gifts to make you let me go..."

Barta changed the subject:

 “Fortunately, His Highness is not that kind of person.”

Huaiya snorted coldly.

Thales did not respond immediately. He looked at the barber for a long time. Countless countermeasures such as threats, intimidation, gentle solicitation, arrest and imprisonment, etc., went through his mind. Finally, he nodded with a subtle and complicated mood.

"I will not accept the property of the Blood Bottle Gang and the Brotherhood. I know how the money comes from. If I accept it, it will be equivalent to acknowledging this system of rent-seeking power and encouraging them to continue to plunder ordinary people layer by layer. Use it as rent to pay tribute to the big shots in exchange for the privilege of doing whatever you want," Thales said coldly, "You tell them that it is a sin to rob the people, and it is time to stop and think about how to use it for the people - don't Wait until the day of disaster strikes.”

 “I will definitely convey your Highness’s will.”

Tyle paused.

"As for you, I will accept this book. I don't want to hide it, because it is indeed useful." Thales narrowed his eyes. "As for your apology...since it didn't happen, how can you apologize?"

Balta smiled, and he took back the two gift lists from Huaiya with a clear conscience and stuffed them into his pockets.

“If there is no prohibition under the law, there will be no punishment, and if the power is exceeded, then there will be strict punishment.” The barber boss smiled and nodded, “This is the wisdom of His Highness.”

 He sighed again after speaking:

“This is why this city prospered in the past, and what it should have been like.”

Thales listened thoughtfully, but Balta said goodbye and prepared to leave.

“Actually, Your Highness, I have another reason for coming here.”

Tales raised his head and saw Balta sighing.

"Brennan is an old customer of my shop, well, he can be considered an old friend," the barber said softly, his eyes full of nostalgia, "I have personally taken care of his hair and beard for many years. "

Tiles’ eyes moved.

“Brennan, the late Grand Inquisitor,” he looked at Baltar in front of him, “so you knew him.”

The barber nodded:

"When he first arrived in the Emerald City, his life was poor and he was shabby everywhere. He only had to look neat and dignified when going to court, but his wife was well-educated but not good at housework, let alone... Haha, it just so happened that at that time, my wife The shop has only been open for a short time, so in order to attract customers, the price is favorable."

"Living in poverty? If I remember correctly, Brennan was hired by the old Duke from all the way, so he should not be treated poorly."

“That’s true, but do you know, Your Highness, what that guy said when he returned the large ‘living gift’ that the Duke of Leinster gave him every month?”

 I saw Balta exhaling a breath, his eyes misty:

“‘I have traveled thousands of miles to come here, let alone treat Emerald City poorly.’”

Huaiya was stunned for a moment, but Thales figured something out and couldn't help but feel moved.

 “I know why the old Duke invited him.”

Balta nodded, there was no sadness in his eyes, only a touch of nostalgia.

“After the old Duke was assassinated, Brennan asked me to find a lot of the information behind the case.”

Tiles’ eyes moved.

“He has a stubborn obsession. He always likes to compete with himself for a certain detail or even a certain idea, and he refuses to give up after so many years,” the barber said with emotion.

"When I was young, I would laugh at him. When I am more mature, I would advise him. When I am old, I will look at him with cold eyes." Balta gradually became lost in thought. "But that day, I watched his children from a distance bringing him to Brennan. Only when his and his wife’s ashes were scattered into the sea did we understand...”

 He looked at Thales and Huaiya and sighed.

“The prosperity of the Emerald City depends on people like him,” Balta said quietly, “not people like me.”

Tales did not speak.

"I'm just a mortal who seeks good fortune and avoids misfortune. I protect myself wisely and have no ambitions. Maybe I will never be able to be like him." Balta chuckled, a little sarcastic and sad. "But from that day on, I told myself : Whenever I meet someone like him..."

 The old barber looked at Thales, lowered his head and took off his hat, with complicated eyes:

 “I will never be sarcastic again.”

 “Even, I am willing to help with all my strength.”

Tales was silent for a long time.

Balta also fell into deep thought.

Huaiya was the first to react and wanted to send the guest off politely, but Thales stopped him.

 “The Emerald City is sinking.”

 The barber slowly raised his head, his eyes changing slightly.

 The prince looked at him seriously:

“Balda the Barber, do you have any thoughts or suggestions on this?”

"I can not…"

"Baltar, I wait for you equally," Thales said intently, "This is a clear deal."

Balta paused for a moment.

 He looked at Thales's eyes, then looked at the hat in his hand, and understood something.

 The old barber smiled, but then he stopped smiling.

  “Laissez-faire.”

 “What?” Thales was startled.

Barta took a deep breath and was filled with emotions.

"People in this city, especially those in high positions, with fat heads and arrogant people, have lived so well in the past few decades," he shook his head, "so good that they think everything should be like this and take it for granted. , so good that they thought that the wealth that fell from the sky in Emerald City was really created by their hard work."

  Thales was thoughtful.

Barta spoke slowly and spoke with sincerity:

“So good that they are unwilling to open their eyes and see how much dirt and corruption are hidden under this overwhelming wealth, and how many wealthy bosses and high-ranking families in the world are getting richer and bigger...

“Look at how many bankrupt landowners and poor families there are in the corners of the border, and look at how much grain the farmers and hunters on the fields and farms have to sell in order to get a roof over their heads in the city...

“Look at the salaries of workshop apprentices in the booming Metallurgical District that have not increased in years, look at the Emerald City’s finances and taxes that always grow faster than residents’ salaries, and the various facilities in major government offices that are becoming more and more impressive...

"Look at the eyes of foreign travelers in the Emerald City, look at the expressions of local workers after four seasons of hard work, look at the vastly different hierarchical conflicts among the gangsters in different areas of the Blood Bottle Gang, look at Separated by a wall between the city and the outside, what are the different years of tranquility, happiness and sorrow and anxiety...

"Look at the rumors of water ghouls and missing people that circulate every year in the dock area, and look at the advanced rule of law and the strict laws behind them. How many people can only stand at the door of the trial hall and watch the seemingly serious and fair laws and suffer secret losses? Even the poor guy who suffered a big loss...

"Look at the Beimen Bridge again, and look at the walking zombies inside who are eating one meal a day. Is it really just drugs that Lazench Fissot sells? No, what he really sells is numbness and escape. It's carnival and excitement, this heart-wrenching poison that makes people flock to it even if they know they will eventually be poisoned to death..."

This long passage contains many things that only Balta, who has lived here for many years, can see. Thales and Huaiya listened with heavy hearts and looked at each other.

 I saw Balta sighing:

“Your Highness, those people are living so well that they are no longer willing, or in other words, unwilling and dare not admit a fact.”

Tales looked back at him and listened carefully.

"Just like the wealth and development of Nan'an Territory are not accidental..."

Barta said seriously:

“The disasters in the Emerald City today, whether internal or external, are all natural and will happen sooner or later.”

The barber snorted softly, revealing a bit of disdain and contempt, which was not consistent with the caution and honesty he had just shown in front of the prince.

"So, when they hold the market, assets, debts, land, and order in their hands and want to force you away, they are so confident - it seems that there is no you, no Federico, no bad people who are jealous of their wealth, no The adults in the center of the kingdom, these things belong to them as they should.”

Balta looked at Thales with solemn eyes:

“But they may not realize that they are so lucky that things can happen in your hands, your highness, only in Kongming Palace, and can only be limited to the ridiculous internal fighting of the Iris family.

"The only way is to wait for them to realize this, wake up, have a correct understanding of the world, and make a truly appropriate response... instead of burying their heads in the quilt and tucking the corners tightly, as if this can protect the thing under their bed. A pile of gold…”

He hummed softly:

“Otherwise, no matter how many methods you use to avoid disasters, they will only be temporary expediency and tricks. When the time comes, bad things will happen again and again.”

Tales did not respond, but just thought deeply.

But the barber's voice changed, solemn and heavy:

“But they can learn nothing from the abundance they already have, just as the strong cannot learn anything from the weak who do not resist.”

 “Because the strong don’t have to ‘retreat’.” Thales muttered as he remembered something.

Barta nodded lightly:

“Therefore, we can only wait for the disaster to truly arrive, destroy, destroy, and reshape, forcing everyone on this land, especially those who benefit the most from the rise of Emerald City, to change and regain balance.”

 He said coldly:

“Until then, the problem of Emerald City can be truly solved.”

There is a terrible fire in Baltar's eyes:

“Before that, all the rescue methods were just trying to put out the fire, which was not only futile, but also self-righteous.”

 Fighting the fire with a salary…

 A futile effort…

　　　…

After the words fell, there was silence in the study for a long time

Tales, who had finished digesting, exhaled and leaned back on the chair again.

"I'm sorry, I talked too much." Balta came back to his senses. He smiled slightly and instantly returned to the seemingly honest and honest but actually all-rounded barber. "Perhaps Your Highness, you do have a charm that makes me happy." People can’t help but say what’s on their mind.”

Huaiya has not yet recovered from what he just said. He just nodded silently.

 “Balta.”

Thales looked at the small book on the table without raising his head:

“It’s really disrespectful for a person like you to open a barber shop and work in a street gang to buy and sell information.”

Baltar smiled.

"Your Majesty, you don't know. People like me who are better than others are the most suitable for this place." The barber chuckled and wiped his hands on his body subconsciously, as if he was wearing a work apron. "If you go on Climbing up, with my abilities and means, I will either encounter a stronger and smarter opponent and die without a whole body, or I will be hated by others, make countless enemies, and be beheaded."

 Balta narrowed his eyes:

“Sooner or later.”

 “But are you willing to do this? I’m in Xinghu Castle…”

But Balta smiled slightly and interrupted the prince gently but decisively:

“I am very content, Your Highness, and I don’t have any big pursuits, and I don’t want to play a risky game where the winner takes all and the loser loses all, no matter how high the benefits are. So when the kingdom’s secret department came to me...”

"The Secret Department has also come to see you?" Thales's expression changed, and Huaiya was also surprised.

Baltar shrugged:

 “When they need me.”

 “Then how do you respond?”

“Of course I’m being polite, and I’ll cooperate with you if you have any needs,” the barber said with a simple smile, “As for their kindness in recruiting me formally, I can only accept it with my heart.”

Thales looked at this seemingly ordinary-looking master shaver who had rejected the kingdom’s secret science with a complicated expression, and said nothing for a long time.

“Baltar,” Thales thought of something and murmured, “Maybe you will live a long life.”

 The old barber smiled, he was honest and honest.

“The old man must work hard to survive and live longer.”

I saw him bowing deeply:

“To prove that His Highness’s golden words are true, his promises are true.” (End of this chapter)