Chapter 1967 - 534: And the King Is Stabbing a Dagger Into His Own Chest

——"Roland City Times"

At the Thunder City train station, Horace stood at the edge of the platform, looking at the old newspaper with curled edges in his hands, his face full of astonishment.

"For the sake of Saint Sith... Who came up with this genius idea? Fire him, and at least you can save a salary."

It's not only Thunder City's newspapers that end up in Roland City; Roland City's newspapers also flow downstream with the Rushing River.

Some newsstands sell these old newspapers from other regions, and the price is even slightly higher than the local ones.

Although the newspaper's date is already "seven days ago," the news on it can barely be considered fresh. If someone is planning to sell bread in Roland City, this paper is enough to help them save a fortune, as they'll definitely lose money if they go.

Horace thought for a second about what he would do if he was a bakery owner.

Yet, even though he could come up with many ideas to make money, the most reliable approach seemed to be closing the door, gifting the bakery to that gentleman who came up with the idea, and let that big thinker personally take charge.

Of course, this was not because Mr. Horace is morally high-minded, doesn't know how to add sawdust to bread, or doesn't know how to turn the bakery into a small tavern, but because he understands that not all money can be taken home.

Next to the newsstand, a few respectable gentlemen were also looking at Roland City's old newspapers, and they spoke Horace's mind.

"I think they must be mad."

"If I were the baker, I would definitely add sawdust to the bread. I wonder if the next issue will write about prohibiting adding sawdust to bread."

"Things have already developed to this point; I think it's no longer important what is added to the bread now."

"I'm more worried about those bakers; even if they themselves have to starve, they might still be beaten sooner than real thieves."

Horace greatly agreed with the gentleman's words. No one knows better than him that the love brought by ignorance doesn't distinguish between good or bad, and the madness it brings doesn't distinguish between friend or foe.

When times were good, he could join the workers at Horace Textile Factory in cursing Theoden, but when times were bad, loyal and brave Mr. Horace could be beaten as one of Theoden's subordinates.

How fresh it is, even Prince Colin can't see Mr. Horace, what virtue or ability does he have to become the King's subordinate?

So—

When there's an opportunity to bribe, it's still better to make use of bribery.

Horace folded the newspaper and stuffed it into his pocket, while silently mourning for his friends upstream for a second.

For the sake of Saint Sith, His Majesty Edward sewed up his wallet, and now you can't buy bread for five copper coins along the Rushing River anymore, the price of black bread is five copper pounds.

May the Holy Daughter save them.

The newspaper folded away, Horace temporarily forgot the sadness flowing downstream, and also forgot his previous plan to open a factory there.

He looked around, searching for someone to converse with.

At this moment, the newly completed Thunder City train station was gathering the celebrities and elites from across Thunder County and even Campbell Castle.

Not only those nobles with ancient surnames were invited, but also new industrial elites from Thunder City's business and political circles.

In addition, there were doctors, lawyers, soldiers, composers, playwrights... and even several chefs said to have won some awards.

These people gathered here all because of a decision announced by Duke Edward.

Their revered Grand Duke intends to set the location for this year's "Summer Hunt" at North Stream Valley Earl's Territory's Glanston Castle!

Everyone knows that Glanston Castle is not only Earl Derek's hometown but was also the winter headquarters of the "Winter Moon Rebel Army."

Clearly, the Duke's purpose for going there is not just to hunt a few wild rabbits or demon beasts.

This is a political tour, intended to intimidate conservative forces in remote areas, and to announce to everyone that Campbell Duchy is now a united whole!

Not only is the hunting location unprecedented, but this royal hunt has also invited many civilians without noble titles!

To avoid losing face at this event, the usually frugal Horace has gone all out this time, custom-tailoring a set of decent new evening dress for himself and his wife.

Spending this money was painful for him, but he knows that this train ticket is an entry pass to a higher tier of society, missing it won't happen again.

Yet, seeing the shadows of people gathering on the platform, his heart couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

Is it really okay for so many people to set off together?

Even though he had heard about the train's carrying capacity before, he couldn't help but worry, as he had only ever heard of this thing carrying goods, not people.

"Darling, look! It's the Iris Flower Theater Troupe!"

Beside him, his wife Fimona gently tugged at his sleeve with a look full of excitement, interrupting Horace's thoughts.

Horace followed his wife's gaze and saw a group of splendidly dressed young men and women appearing on the platform, smiling and waving enthusiastically at the crowd.

The person in the lead was Miss Kaylee; she was as beautiful as she was on stage, almost like "Eloise" herself!

As for the girl standing next to her, "Eagle," she was dressed femininely, which was somewhat regrettable.

Horace heard that the Iris Flower Theater Troupe would take the inaugural train to Glanston Castle and start their national tour's first stop from there.