The New Year is approaching, Ruixue has been falling for two consecutive days. It rarely snows so much in Milan. The hall of the Duke of Galeazzo was filled with the smell of roast meat.

In the hall, there is a freshly roasted suckling pig and lamb stewed in a small cup with carrots and basil. And steaks on racks of croissants. And on the table there are white bread, vegetable salad, crispy milk-baked fish, stewed fish soup and roasted pears, as well as warm soup with heavy cream and chilled fruit wine with lip beads.

As a duke, it is not uncommon for him to hold several dinners a week. He just came back from the capital, and he was tired, so he didn't want to invite any guests. Generally speaking, from the autumn harvest until the next spring equinox, the nobles will stay in Milan, hold banquets and connect with other Milanese nobles. And starting from the spring cat season, he will leave Milan and live in a certain manor of his own.

Then they might come back, or they might stay at one of the manors until the weather turned cooler after the hard summer had passed.

Years ago, when King Teutonic summoned him, he had to go to the capital, wrangle in front of the king, and discuss with his ministers the bills, funds and decisions for the coming year.

That's right, even if he inherited the blood-stained title of duke, Galeazzo still has the power to negotiate in front of the imperial court.

He is directly under the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs, and his correct official title is "Director of the Temporary Military Affairs Bureau." It sounds like a moderate leader, but the real power in his hands is very large. This temporary military affairs bureau is a unique functional department of the Teutonic Kingdom. He is in charge of governing all non-government armed forces in the country. He is even responsible for punishing nobles who illegally and illegally recruit private soldiers, as well as cultivating outstanding militia organizations and local gangs, digging out foreign mercenary groups, and suppressing these people at the same time. Any unruly behavior. At the same time, it is also responsible for turning militiamen, criminals, etc. into cannon fodder during wartime. He is not a temporary military bureau, but an emergency department responsible for dealing with temporary military affairs that do not need to be filed, or even cannot be filed. Many of the affairs he handles are not on stage, but they are very important.

At the same time, it was also because I couldn't find anyone else. A **** who only has money in his eyes; more importantly, he must have enough reputation among the people in order to effectively manage militias and civil gang organizations, select outstanding gray or even black talents, and put them where they should be after they are legally laundered. place to go. But here comes the problem. With such a strong ability, why did he stay in this small place as a second-level leader? His scope of functions directly contacts the local people, how can he ensure that he will not fill his own pockets, or station troops for himself, and use his power to suppress political opponents?

The best option is Galeazzo.

As a duke, he has strong personal ability; his ancestors are all mercenaries. He knows enough about this business; he promotes benevolent government in the territory, cares about agriculture, builds canals, introduces rice, rewards business and industry, buys even useless inventions and artworks from artists and inventors at high prices, and helps them tide over difficulties, so It also has a deep reputation among the people. But because of his origin, his father was a stolen duke after all, no matter how many achievements he has, he can't become a "minister"; those ministers usually don't have a duke, so he can't go up in this life Gone, but he will not fall. He has land, money, and a beautiful wife, and he lacks everything.

"Galiazzo the Curiosity Hunter" doesn't like gold, silver, jewelry, swords and BMWs, silk flowers...not even beauties. His only hobby was collecting novelty things, and everybody knew whoever invented such gadgets. It can be directly dedicated to the Duke even if the Duke has seen or has it. Or it was ridiculous, and the Duke would never be angry. At least they will be rewarded with a clean, fresh, filling meal with bread in it.

This allowed other nobles to even bribe him, because he had formed a monopoly in this industry. Giving him these trinkets as bribes is as ridiculous as buying a small gem to a jeweler, but the Teutonic King also trusts him very much. Every time before the imperial meeting, he had to stay until the last day before letting him go.

Galeazzo couldn't help but praised: "Your song is as soft as the silkiest cake, but it's as sweet as a spring.

"Your way of praising people is too abstract.

smoke. This word is good, it can taste that.

"You can taste anything," Leonardo couldn't help chuckling, "How about going to the royal court this time? Is there any art that was bought by the Teutonic king for nothing?" Don't say that. I'm starving, Leonardo.

Galeazzo was on the sofa and said weakly: "You don't know how boring our Majesty is. His court doesn't collect any strange things. Every time I go to discuss matters, I can Seeing the exact same paintings, sculptures and decorations. Young, living like a lifeless old man"_I said, you guys must be very rich, right? "He was full just now, and now with a cup of cider beside him, he was lying on the sofa in the corner of the room, flicking the sterling silver harp—this harp was also part of the Duke's collection, but it was planted by Leonardo. It made a melodious and crisp sound like a fairyland.

"Solomon said it. If money is not spent, it is just a number. It is worthless. And it is not that exaggerated. At most, I only change the decoration style of a building every year, and I will not directly redecorate the entire manor. And Galeazzo closed his eyes. Enjoying the music, he said lazily: "And it's okay, after all, I don't have any other extravagances, and my annual income is not low. On the contrary, he was able to save some money better than other nobles. And the money I asked the master to help me redecorate the courtyard is considered a donation. After all, if they all starve to death, Galeazzo will starve to death. Galeazzo didn't say this, but Leonardo also understood what he wanted to say.

"Speaking of which, you went to the capital this time. Did you bring back any information?" Leonardo asked casually, "Is there anything you can tell me?"

...Hey, this is the imperial meeting. You Sardinian, I can't tell you.

Duke Galeazzo muttered subconsciously, and suddenly froze for a moment.

He pondered for a while, then raised his head hesitantly: "If you can swear to Solomon that you will not spread the conversation I have here... I can tell you something." Galeazzo said honestly: "I always I feel a little flustered, so I came here to ask you for a consultation... The information is considered a consultation fee. If you still think it’s not enough, I can give you some cash, or anything else you want, if it’s not too much, I can buy it for you. "

"Okay, I swear in the name of Solomon. It's absolutely not suitable for revealing to a third person. And... use your brain, don't bother. You just invite me to come here earlier. Leonardo sighed : "It's almost New Year's Eve. Do you want to keep me until spring? "

"Actually, I really want to take you on a spring hunting trip.

"Forget it, I have an appointment in the spring. Leonardo refused indifferently. Galeazzo shook his head in regret, and said in a low voice: "What I want to ask you is about the imperial meeting . I didn't call anyone over today, there's a minister... I always feel that something is wrong with him. "

"Not quite right?"

Leonardo asked with interest: "Isn't it because of the pre-war?"

"Maybe there is some impact, but it shouldn't be so big."

Galeazzo replied: "Because his smell has changed, and he smelled completely different from last year. Last year he smelled of rice, lamb and hot copper coins, but this year" I suspect, He may have been dropped.