Chapter 1806 - 501: The King Who Excels at Putting Out Fires Cares for His People_4

"Baron, I truly don't understand." Newcastle placed the teacup on his knee, full of confusion, "Why is His Majesty not interested in that fire pump? Roland City just experienced such a great fire, and my equipment could solve his problem..."

Wickton picked up his own teacup, gently blew on the steam, and sighed quietly to himself.

These Campbell people really have no sense of rules.

Perhaps, just as His Majesty said, under the leadership of the Duke, they have already lost their sense of reverence.

"Mr. Newcastle, you misunderstand." His smile did not fade a bit, "His Majesty is not disinterested. Quite the opposite, he's not only interested but has pointed out the direction for you. Your problem is that you shouldn't take this place as Thunder City but rather as Glanton Castle... It's also your territory, if you've done business there, you should understand what I mean."

Newcastle didn't argue, humbly leaned in to inquire: "What should I do?"

"It's simple, just follow the local customs," Wickton guided patiently, "Although his Majesty verbally advises you to solve issues in the Campbell manner, he actually hinted to you. He hopes that on the basis of starting a company, you use our methods to solve our problems."

Newcastle didn't feel at all where His Majesty Theoden had such a profound hint in his words.

But seeing his business still had a glimmer of hope, he asked in a probing tone.

"Do you mean I should visit all those guild leaders? Weavers' guild, carpenters' guild, water carriers' guild... to promote my equipment to them?"

He then revealed a troubled expression.

That's too troublesome.

Roland City's guild relationships are complicated and intertwined, with countless nobles standing behind them. If he went to please them one by one, the expenses would likely far exceed the budget.

In fact, this isn't just a problem in Ryan Kingdom, cities in the entire Old Continent have similar issues.

Even including Thunder City, Mayor Lucius was elected by the guild, and the Andes Family is the largest among all the families controlling the guilds.

This must mention the history of Aus Continent.

In the early First Epoch, cities of the Old Continent more closely resembled gatherings of craftsmen, and guilds were tools for lords to manage craftsmen.

Lords collected taxes through guilds, levied corvée, and later even mobilized soldiers from them.

Population gathering naturally spawns diverse needs, initially a settlement might have only potters or carpenters, but once someone sold beer here, the settlement would birth tavern owners and serving maids engaging in the service industry.

Once someone filled jars with honey and wove straw into mats, many similar things would quickly arise.

Over time, as derivative industries proliferated, more people no longer relied on farmland to live, but created value through their own hands, thus birthing cities.

During this process, the feudal guilds, although unable to completely match the complex occupational ecology, wouldn't disappear from it.

A thousand years allowed cities to grow and expand, and the guilds playing important roles therein also grew along with them.

They were no longer just departments managing craftsmen but also utilized their resources and relationships with the Nobles to develop other businesses, and eventually integrated with the Nobles controlling them, forming a relationship where there were mutual entwines.

It's almost impossible to buy them all out, even the king's vault wouldn't be enough. They are far wealthier than factory owners and greedier than factory owners.

Looking at the pained expression on Newcastle's face, Wickton just laughed and shook his head, thinking this merchant was somewhat overly naive.

If all Campbell's young men were like this, perhaps their national fortune would also end here.

"No, no, that's too slow and inefficient."

He put down his teacup, interlocked his fingers on his knee, and continued in a casual tone, "You don't need to settle everyone. You just need to settle that one crucial person."

Newcastle asked nervously.

"Who?"

"Sir Skidgin."

With a smile, Wickton revealed the name he had prepared long ago.

"That man is the Captain of the Royal Guard, I can introduce you."

Just like him, Sir Skidgin was awarded personally by His Majesty the King at the Winter Moon 'Victory' celebration.

One managed the firefighting, the other the aftermath. It was because of that fire that the two forged a deep bond.

After all, without Sir Skidgin temporarily modifying patrol routes, there wouldn't be that grand 'Winter Victory Celebration.'

Wickton finally understood His Majesty's intention now.

His Majesty never forgot his contribution; that man's reward to him was not merely that shallow medal but given in another form right before him.

This Mr. Newcastle is His Majesty's reward to him!

Previously, Roland City's firefighting required the collaboration of three forces, the City Defense Army or the Royal Guard patrolled and discovered fire, the Church rang bells in warning, then awaited those guilds' craftsmen to take buckets and take action.

The 'fire prevention tax' paid by the citizens, most of it went into the guilds' pockets, as they were truly the ones extinguishing the fire.

However now, with this advanced fire pump, the kingdom need no longer rely on the guilds' inefficient power.

They can completely collect this extra tax themselves and also perform this task themselves.

His Majesty is undoubtedly a wise man. He truly saw the benefits of this new technology and did not reject it due to prejudice against Campbell people.

Unfortunately, this Campbell merchant seemingly hasn't quite figured it out yet. His thinking remains at the most superficial level—who's buying his fire extinguisher.

As if the Royal Family doesn't buy it, his sky would fall.

This guy not getting rich makes sense; this insight, even if he went to Thunder City, would likewise be nothing but chives.

Nonetheless, he is fortunate; after all, the benevolent king has introduced him to a genuine mentor, and Baron Wickton happens to have designs in establishing his own faction.

After all, he's merely a Baron, his territory is a hundred thousand miles away, sitting in the minister's seat indeed seems 'unqualified,' the Nobles around the Royal Capital simply don't heed him.

If he can leverage His Majesty's trust to gain some benefits, unite some people through economic interests, it would also be a way of easing His Majesty's burden.

"Guard Captain?" Newcastle was even more perplexed, "What's the use of finding him? He's a soldier..."

"Precisely because he's a soldier, Mr. Newcastle," Wickton interrupted with a smile, "he's not just a soldier, but a firefighting hero... Actually, that's all secondary; importantly, the King recognizes his capability, he's the most suitable to help you start your business."

Seeing Newcastle brimming with questions wanting to ask, Wickton interrupted his words, concisely tossing the answer to him.

"There's a banquet next week, I'll create an opportunity for your encounter. Then you don't need to say any unnecessary words, just repeat to Sir Skidgin what you told His Majesty."

"Then, you'll tell him, 'His Majesty instructed you to set up a firefighting company, responsible for the entire fire safety of Roland City.'"

Newcastle gazed at him dumbfounded, "And then?"

He actually vaguely guessed Wickton Baron's meaning, but he always felt it was somewhat improper. The king had only just said the Royal Family shouldn't compete for interests with civilians, so why did it become okay with the Baron?

Isn't the Royal Guard part of the Royal Family?

But looking at the Baron's assured expression, he couldn't decide whether he was shallow or not smart enough.

He just wanted to know, who exactly should he trust?

He truly couldn't distinguish.

"Then, you can start this company."

Ignoring Newcastle's inconsequential confusion, Baron Wickton leaned back against the chair. Picking up the teacup again, his tone was calm as though finishing a trivial matter.

"The iron boots of the Royal Guard will help you snap this piece of cake from the hands of those 'idle' guilds."