Chapter 666: Good News and Bad News
A week later, Luo Lan returned to the Border Region from Changge Fortress.
As soon as he entered the castle, he received two pieces of good news. The first was brought by Balov, "Your Majesty, the astrologers from the old royal capital arrived in Neverwinter City three days ago, along with craftsmen, apprentices, and their families, a total of 312 people. I have housed the nine astrologers in the Foreign Affairs Building, and the others are temporarily arranged in the reception area."
This group has finally arrived. Luo Lan pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Hold a welcome banquet in the square this evening. I want the people to know that Neverwinter City has another school of sage learning."
Like alchemy, astrology enjoys a high reputation among the people. Generally, only the royal capital will have both organizations at the same time. Now that the Astrology Society has also rushed to the Western Region, the title of Neverwinter City as the new royal capital will be more easily accepted by everyone.
However, Luo Lan doesn't need this art of astrological divination. What he really values is the computational ability of the astrologers. For the mathematics of this era, they are definitely at the forefront. Whether it's calculating the calendar or estimating the orbits of stars, a lot of calculation is needed. With the relevant knowledge of intermediate and advanced mathematics, they will undoubtedly be able to go further on the original basis.
He plans to establish a mathematics academy and let these people, in addition to occasionally watching the Star of Destruction, devote the rest of their time to calculation – in an era without computers, it is the most efficient option for many scholars to jointly complete some complex calculations. Whether it is laying railway tracks, building large ships, installing fortress cannons on mountains, or writing shooting manuals in the future, their assistance will be needed.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Balov nodded, then asked, "I wonder if your trip to Changge..."
"There were quite a few problems," Luo Lan didn't need to hide anything from the chief of the City Hall, "Dereliction of duty and corruption have appeared in the second-level City Hall of Changge. A lot of falsified accounts have been found, and even two embezzlers have been caught among the officials transferred from the Border Region."
Hearing this, Balov couldn't help but swallow. "Are they my disciples?"
Luo Lan was amused by the other party's cautious appearance. He shook his head helplessly. "Even if they are your disciples, I won't blame you. Don't worry."
"Your Majesty is wise," Balov said quickly, "Then are they the original residents of the town?"
"Yes, the second batch of graduates, entered the City Hall after passing the assessment, and then were transferred to Changge District with the entire team," Luo Lan sighed, "It hasn't even been a year to this day."
Currently, the City Hall has cultivated a batch of half-leadership teams. One is Changge District, which is almost completely copied according to the model of Border Town, plus the local Honeysuckle Pei Luo, Elk Rein, and some small nobles as supplements. Except for the fact that the number of people is slightly lower than here, everything else is complete.
The other half is the batch that went to Fallen Dragon Territory. There are not many people. In addition to assisting Earl Sper in maintaining the political situation, the secondary task is to try to establish a framework for a second-level City Hall.
With the participation of the Northern scholars brought back by Edith Kant in the administrative learning of the City Hall, perhaps Luo Lan can put together another half in a short time.
He has already reserved this group of people for the Far South.
If we talk about what kind of talent is the most scarce, it is undoubtedly these local officials who can carry out their own will.
Without them as the foundation, even if Luo Lan takes down the entire Graycastle, he will not be able to quickly concentrate the kingdom's resources – the local government is an important part of centralization. He can use witches to quickly advance the level of technology, but he can't conjure up a large number of middle and lower-level officials out of thin air.
Those enfeoffed nobles will definitely not obediently follow his orders. In the eyes of feudal lords, the only thing that matters is the one acre and three points of land they occupy.
Therefore, every person with administrative experience is a rare treasure. Now that several people have been lost at once, Luo Lan's mood is naturally a bit depressed. Although the corruption of the organization is inevitable, he thought that it could last for at least a dozen years, but he didn't expect that such a problem would occur in just one year. And the fact that both embezzlers were born as commoners also proves from a certain perspective that once they have power, they may be more easily lost than nobles.
.
"Those who violate the law..."
"They have all been dealt with severely," Luo Lan spread his hands, "In order to set an example for others."
This should be able to maintain it for a few more years - using Nightingale and Wendy's abilities, temporarily maintaining the integrity of the organization is not a problem, but he also knows that it can't go on like this forever, otherwise the witches will easily be pushed to the forefront again, and the next enemy will come from within.
"Tomorrow, let everyone in the City Hall gather in the castle hall. I will personally hold a short meeting for them to talk about the importance of discipline and responsibility."
Of course, there are also rewards and punishments - in the face of the high pressure and broad prospects of the Battle of Divine Will, they should know how to choose.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Balov bowed.
Watching the old chief leave, Luo Lan took a sip of tea with satisfaction.
He knows the purpose of the other party's service to him - while pursuing power, he also enjoys the satisfaction brought by power itself, and can also use power better. Balov is undoubtedly a very suitable person for the new political system. Perhaps in the future City Hall, only he can compete with Edith's sharpness.
The second good news came from Wendy.
"Evelyn's ability has evolved?" Luo Lan was slightly stunned when he heard the news.
In his impression, Evelyn's various magic indicators are very balanced and do not seem outstanding. He did not expect that she would become the first evolved witch on Sleeping Island, which really surprised him.
"Yes... Agatha has confirmed this, but..." Wendy smiled bitterly, "The evolved ability is too strange. I don't know how to describe it."
"Bring her to my office," he said with great interest.
...
Evelyn brought several glass bottles when she walked into the third floor of the castle.
Luo Lan noticed that each bottle contained liquids of different colors.
"Her magic looks like a gray sphere..." Nightingale's voice came from his ear, "But the shape is not fixed."
"What about the total amount of magic?"
"The growth rate is good, currently between Soraya and Maisie."
Luo Lan nodded and looked at Evelyn. "What's in these?"
"These are drinks that I created with my ability these days," her tone seemed a little low, "They taste different, and I have no way to control the final result... The only common thing is - they are all drinkable."
"Drinks?"
Luo Lan's curiosity surged uncontrollably.
He found several teacups and poured himself a cup of each.
When the first sip of light blue drink entered his stomach, he tasted an indescribable deliciousness, like a mixture of various juices, with a refreshing coolness.
Damn it, is it just drinkable? This is too delicious!
Ermu said
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