Chapter 407: A Dinner With Simon

While still in the mail hall, a sweet-smelling savory aroma found its way from the direction of the dining room hitting Simon’s face.

Prince Simon, who had received huge benefits, was in a good mood. He said to Duncan "Since it’s already dinner time, why don’t the envoys have dinner with me?"

Duncan was a little flattered when he heard this, and he immediately said. "No need Your Highness, I must return to deliver the good news to Prince Valeric immediately so we can start preparing."

"It doesn’t matter, there’s no need to be in such a rush, besides you must be feeling hungry, so you should join me to have this tasty meal, fill up your stomach, cause you will be needing it," Simon called a maiden over and said to her. "Have another set of plates ready for the envoy."

Upon hearing this, Richard became more and more frightened. He couldn’t help but feel a little nervous at this time. He was not highly favored by Prince Valeric yet.

After all, in the Eldorian Empire, the envoys were served by humble people. Even if these people died in the hands of the enemy, the Emperor or Prince would not feel sorry for them. Therefore, being treated so grandly by Prince Simon, he was a little overwhelmed.

Prince Simon saw the shaky expression on Duncan’s face and asked him to go refresh his mind outside first. At the time, Richard stepped out of the wooden board behind the mail hall.

Then he asks Richard. "Do you or any of the secret guards have detailed information about Duncan?"

Richard scratched the back of his head, as if trying to recall la ost memory.

"Well, My Lord never came across the name in any way. The secret guards and I have records of some high ranking office in the Eldorian Empire and each of the Prince’s Domain at hand. If my guess is correct, this Duncan must be an unknown person among the ranks."

Prince Simon nodded, "We must do our best to buy off some officials, so they can work for us. And remember, the secret guards must not neglect their duty. The most important thing is to gather information around each domain and penetrate deeper over time. We must always hit the spots."

Richard nodded, In fact, the secret guards have been moving secretly in doing their job. Recently, a secret plan has been moving around. Only Simon and Richard know about this plan, even senior officials such as Atwood were left out of it.

In this plan, their work as secret guards was further expanded. They were not only responsible for espionage work, but also for bribery and infiltration of officials. These officials included those from the imperial court, some from feudal lords with different surnames, and even targeted top businessmen.

In addition to officials, their work also includes infiltrating the people. Just like what Prince Valeric did in Cardiff City. Their secret guards are also looking for contradictions in other regions and are ready to blow them at any time.

"My Lord, we have already started working on this, but this plan costs a lot of money, and we really need funding

" Richard said, as he chuckled inwardly when speaking about a money matter.

There is no way, that Brambleford’s finances will be short on funds. Cause soon, Baldwin, Benjamin, Lancelot e.t.c will all be eagerly awaiting the treasury’s account book to be open. If he doesn’t speak up now that he has had the chance, the task given to the secret guards will be hard to carry out effectively.

Upon hearing this, Simon’s face turned pink, as he narrowed his gaze at Richard while cursing under his breath. "You’re good for nothing bunch of blood-sucking demons. You all are really good at sucking me dey."

"My Lord, I am helpless. These officials have big appetites. If you don’t feed them well, yes, they won’t be obedient." Richard said with a somewhat bitter smile.

"Fine, I understand." Simon spread his hands, "I will talk to Baldwin about this, but you have to report the required expenses in detail. This money cannot be given randomly."

"Yes, My Lord."

Richard smiled happily. Unlike the army and government officials who could ask for money openly, the secret guards could only go through Simon for it fund. Now that he had received Prince Simon’s permission, he resigned and left the main hall.

With a sigh, Prince Simon frowned. The continuous development of Brambleford requires money everywhere. It seems that he has to speed up the production of more goods and open up maritime trade routes, otherwise, sooner or later he will have a fiscal deficit.

While he was thinking about the money, Ysabeau came over and asked him to come over for dinner. Because there were guests this time, Elin chose to avoid it.

Naturally, Simon had something planned out for Duncan, which was why he had personally invited him in for dinner.

Duncan Mainman was in charge of the artillery purchase negotiations this time, and what he said when he returned was of course crucial, so Simon wanted to test Duncan, find his flaws, and buy him off.

Since only two people were eating, Ysabeau arranged the food in the pavilion of the Castle. So that they could enjoy the scenery of the Castle while eating.

After raising his glass and taking a sip of wine, Simon studied Duncan through his wine glass. Although his clothing looked a little bit old, they weren’t that bad at all.

The pursuit of scholars in this era is actually very simple, nothing more than a wealth of wealth, a wife in the clouds, and a successful career.

Simon glanced at Ysabeau, who understood and immediately turned around and left. After a while, two singers from the royal castle came and sat on both sides of Duncan, their songs were charming and unparalleled.

Duncan was slightly taken aback when he was subjected to this act, but he also understood that this was just the way a vassal king would treat guests, so he had to reluctantly entertain, but he was very polite.

"Mmmm. This is really interesting." This was Simon’s conclusion.

He didn’t just look at the surface, Duncan’s eyes were also very clear and showed no lustful or evil look.

Prince Simon smiled and said. "Envoy Duncan, for this business, I hope that the envoy will go back and put in a few good words for me with Prince Valeric, and send more craftsmen and merchant ships. If the envoy can ask Prince Valeric to send more, I am willing to give the extra part to him... How about giving a portion of the profits to the envoy?" Duncan knew that Prince Simon must have impure motives for keeping him as a guest. He said, "Your Highness, a deal is a deal. I am afraid that I can’t make Prince Valeric change his mind, once he’s made up."

Hearing this, Simon wasn’t really surprised. So far he had found out that Duncan was neither greedy nor lewd. This was really the hardest part to deal with right now. He knew Duncan could normally add up a few words for him, but his just making up excuses.

Living in modern times, he naturally knows that although the ambassador is under domestic orders, the ambassador is very maneuverable in the other country. Duncan is responsible for the artillery procurement and may be stationed in Brambleford in the next few years to supervise this matter. Many things can be said to be tricky.

After pondering for a while, Simon said, "You speak softly. Does it mean that the envoy’s official position in Chu is very low?"

"This..." Duncan’s eyes suddenly flickered, seeming a little annoyed.

Simon immediately took note of the slight detail in Duncan’s behavior. It must be said that Prince Valeric was very cunning. He probably saw that Duncan happens to be an upright man in his ways, so he allowed him to visit.

But what he didn’t estimate was that Duncan was always dissatisfied with his official career.

"I must say this envoy lacks the right experience to handle this office properly, what a pity."Simon deliberately provoked Duncan. He wants to make a thorough breakthrough in Prince Valeric’s Domain. So he tries to seize this chance.

Duncan’s face became uglier and uglier. He was also a famous talent in the Prince Valeric Domain back then. For decades, his family has been a small guest in the Prince’s Domain, and he has always hidden his dissatisfaction in his heart. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

But he concealed it very well, and Prince Valeric didn’t notice anything strange.

"Both the senior officials and the junior officials are all working for the Prince, so there is no pity," Duncan said cautiously.

"The envoy’s integrity is admirable. If the officials in the imperial court are as generous as the envoy, why worry about the imperial court’s Dulafit Temple having no successor?"

"The imperial court?" Duncan looked moved.