Chapter 48: A Curious Misunderstanding

Baron Milo had a repulsive face, and his words and actions were that of a typical old politician. Blackbeard, being crafty and sly, was a perfect match to play opposite him, setting the stage for a good show. The two of them clapped each other on the shoulder like a pair of good brothers, their smiles truly radiant to the extreme.

Only Baron Milo remained in the mayor’s official residence. His wife had already taken his son and daughter back to their Ancestral Residence for a visit. After all, Baron Milo was not alone; he had a large number of relatives and clansmen in Blackstone City to look after. Every winter, his wife would take the children and relatives back once to arrange the family affairs for the coming spring.

Perhaps due to the absence of the lady of the house, the tea and snacks Baron Milo had the servants prepare for the guests were somewhat disappointing. The tea did not look very appealing, and the pastries were clearly not freshly made in the kitchen. Instead, they seemed to have been prepared in advance, possibly stored for several days, and were served after being slightly warmed.

From the perspective of social etiquette, Baron Milo was undoubtedly being rude. But could one be too harsh on a seventy-year-old man whose wife was not home? Especially when one needed a favor from him? Lin Qi held a cup of black tea and nibbled on a scone that was a bit tough to chew, shaking his head slightly in displeasure.

Truly worthy of the ‘incorruptible’ mayor. It was one thing for the refreshments to be so poor, but even the reception room for guests was shabby. The large reception room felt cold and deserted. In the small fireplace, a few pieces of firewood burned weakly; this kind of wood did not produce much heat, so the room was very chilly.

As for the furnishings in the reception room, not to mention the official residence of the mayor of Dun Er Ke, even the reception rooms of slightly wealthy small landowners in the Empire’s countryside were more splendid than this. Looking at the blackened wallpaper, which had peeled off in many places and hung from the walls like ghosts, Lin Qi’s impression of Baron Milo’s ‘incorruptibility’ deepened further.

The group sat around a round table in the reception room. Baron Milo smiled cheerfully, took a sip of the somewhat cooled black tea, and squinted at Lin Qi. “Tegg, is this the child of yours who went to Borelly to study? Hmm, he truly is an outstanding talent of the Empire!”

Lin Qi put down his teacup, forced the dry scone down his throat, stood up, and smiled as he bowed to Baron Milo. “Honorable Mayor, I am Lin Qi, a student in the Finance and Accounting Program at Borelly’s Fifth University.”

Baron Milo narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Aha, the Finance and Accounting Program at Fifth University?”

With a meaningful glance, Baron Milo winked at Blackbeard. “Tegg, you found a good major for Mr. Lin Qi. Hmm, if Lin Qi can enter the Empire’s Ministry of Finance in the future, your family’s prospects will be limitless, truly limitless!”

Blackbeard laughed heartily a few times, stroked the beard on his face, and nodded proudly.

After praising Lin Qi a few more times, Baron Milo looked curiously at Enzo. “And who is this?”

Enzo stood up, standing straight as a Spear, and said clearly, “Respected Mayor, I am Lin Qi’s friend, Enzo, a student in the Combined Infantry Command Program at the Imperial Army Academy, holding the rank of Reserve Lieutenant in the Empire!”

Baron Milo looked at Enzo in surprise. It wasn’t unusual for a student of the Army Academy to be a reserve officer in the Empire; that was common. But for a student still in school to hold the rank of lieutenant in the reserves proved that Enzo was first-rate in both his academic performance and personal abilities; otherwise, he could not have obtained such a high military position.

Baron Milo blinked, and in that moment, his thoughts ran wild with many ideas.

Blackbeard’s son was a student in the Finance and Accounting Program at Fifth University. It was well known that graduates of this program were highly sought after in every administrative department of the Empire. Particularly among nobles, big and small, it was a point of pride to hire a graduate from Fifth University’s Finance and Accounting Program as their financial steward. As long as Lin Qi could graduate smoothly, he could find a very good position in the Imperial Capital.

As for Enzo, he was an outstanding student at the Imperial Army Academy. With his reserve lieutenant rank, once he graduated and joined the Empire’s regular army, he would at least receive a warrant officer or even a second lieutenant position. If Blackbeard used his family’s powerful wealth and influence to arrange for Enzo, not to join a frontline combat unit but to gain experience in the Imperial Military Ministry, then perhaps in three to five years, Enzo could join the army as a ‘field-grade’ officer, becoming a regional garrison commander.

For example, the garrison commander of Dornick Port, the Empire’s third largest seaport, who commanded an infantry regiment of a thousand men, was only a Lieutenant Colonel.

For a moment, Baron Milo misunderstood. He imagined Enzo as Blackbeard’s intentionally cultivated military representative in the Imperial Capital! Just imagine: once Lin Qi graduated and joined some great Noble family, clinging to the coattails of a powerful Noble, Blackbeard would have a strong backer in the Imperial Capital.

Then, after letting Enzo gain experience in the Imperial Capital for a few years and having him assigned to Dun Er Ke or Arthon Province as a local garrison commander, the authority in Blackbeard’s hands would be immense. With both administrative and military power under his control, plus the strong influence of his own family, that would be the power and prestige only a great Noble family could possess.

Thinking of this, the last trace of reserve on Baron Milo’s face vanished completely. He suddenly slammed his teacown heavily on the round table and scolded sharply, “What are you all doing? Don’t you know Mr. Tegg is my honored guest? How could you serve such shoddy refreshments? You lazy fools, hurry up and replace them!”

Within a few short breaths, exquisitely crafted pure silver tea sets were brought out. The teapot contained superior fragrant tea with a rich and mellow aroma. New pastries were also continuously served—some savory, some sweet—amounting to over twenty varieties, all exquisitely shaped and refined to the utmost.

Baron Milo’s smile grew even more brilliant. He beamed as he took Blackbeard’s hand. “Dear Tegg, we are friends, aren’t we?”

Blackbeard narrowed his eyes, smiling unfathomably as he nodded repeatedly. “Of course, we are certainly friends!”

Baron Milo glanced at Enzo, who was sitting upright on the sofa, and said with a smile, “I will recommend to the Province that you take over my position. As long as you can persuade the leaders of the various merchant associations in Dun Er Ke, you will be the new mayor. Of course, I also have a small request!”

Blackbeard and Lin Qi both looked at Enzo simultaneously, and they understood something at once.

Lin Qi smiled and nodded repeatedly. Blackbeard declared confidently, “Since we are friends, what more needs to be said? Tell me, whatever it is, as long as it does not violate the Empire’s laws or the teachings of the gods, I will handle it for you.”

Baron Milo narrowed his eyes and smiled. “My youngest son, Aaron, is only eighteen this year. He has two years left until graduation at the military academy established in Arthon Province.” Baron Milo looked meaningfully at Blackbeard, feeling that Blackbeard should be able to grasp his implication.

Blackbeard widened his eyes and firmly grasped Baron Milo’s hand. “Then, it’s a deal. The mayor position is mine. As for your Aaron, I will take good care of him.”

Baron Milo smiled contentedly. He held Blackbeard’s hand and shook it firmly several times.